cont. "What time is it, then?" The old man pulled out a very nice railroad watch on a chain and told the questioner that it was near twelve noon. The coffee tasted mighty fine this morning, particularly after the threat to Josh and Becky had been resolved. The fire had died down and was not needed. This was the end of summer in the foothills of the great Sierra Nevada, meaning the heat would return during the early afternoon. " So I'm to be Theodore Warren, is that it then?" " Yes , that would be you. You have a wife and two kids from what I see in this here piture' we took out'n the big mans wallet. You probly' oughta' memorize all them details. He's -- about your age , so that works out. We don't know his wifes name; Don't suppose that matters no- how. This ain't no social call. Karla should be back with some clothes soon that'll be lookin' how one 'a these big shots bankers oughta' look. They sat back and relaxed into the drinking of their coffee, with small talk using up the last of the morning. "What you 'spose happened to them brothers and the big man?" asked the old minor. No one answered right off, but the silence emphasized what each imagined the fate of the recent involuntary riders to be. " God almighty, friend. They ain't got a chance , strapped to them horses like that. I be done thinkin' 'bout it." Becky was sitting next to Josh on one of the beds against the east wall of the cabin. Josh rubbed her back gently and she responded by closing the distance between them and snuggling into him. He felt the warmth of her and increased the pressure of his rubbing on her back, as he knew she liked. " Oh, you know," Becky started. "They'll have 'em a nice little ride through the countryside. Like tourists. Should be a pleasant little trip 'fer 'em." They looked at her as the silence returned. She laid her head on her mans shoulder and all but purred like one of her cats or kittens when touched. An approaching horse caught their attention out front and the old man looked out to see Karla coming toward the cabin on her stolen mount. A secured package was affixed to her saddle and the three friends presumed that this indeed was a good sign that she had procured the necessary costume for Lonnie. " Today's Monday, so you should go today or tomorrow at the latest, Lonnie. Now, here's what we'll do. We'll get us a big sack 'a candy in the general store and when you go in the bank, look fer the big shot and inter-duce yerself, handing him the bag with the candy. That 'oughta' get 'im shufflin' 'round some. Don't flash yer' I-denti-fication, unless he asks. Then flash 'er and put 'er away, quick like. Don't know how much palaverin' yer 'gonna haf' ta' do, but let's hope--not much." Karla sat next to Lonnie on one of the beds, while the others went outside to get a bit of fresh air. "How old you be, Lonnie"" she asked. "Forty two and some." " Yeah? Me too. Be forty three in september." Neither one spoke for a time. " I remember you from 'round town and over at the bar. N' the general store." Silence. " Yeah. I remember seein' you 'round, too. N' Becky when she were a little one." A couple of minutes passed. You still plannin' on sportin 'round here? Or back 'ta home?" " Nah. I'm quitin' it. I done had enough 'a them dirty cowboys pokin' me without a word, like I was nothin." Silence agin. " Yeah, can't blame 'ya none 'fer that. Dust motes danced in the rays of the sun spilling through the front window. Silence. " You ever think about having some youngins? Maybe getin' hitched up fer good with someone.?" She reddened a little at his question and remained silent. After a time, she said, "Yeah. I guess I have once't in a while. But there didn't seem to be no future in it, what with me whorin 'n all." " Listen here. It don't make no difference 'bout no yesterdays. Now is what counts. Matter 'a fact, you cut a fine figure fer as i'm concerned about the matter." Silence. " Yeah? It don't matter none to 'ya---what I been doin?" " No it don't. Not at all. I believe we need 'ta talk some more 'bout this if'n we survive what that gal is linin' up to do." " So do I, Lonnie. So do I.
cont. They spent the afternoon relaxing and talking in front of the little cabin, sitting on some log ends for just such a purpose. Lonnie tried on his get-up and the others carried on whistling and bowing to him and generally fooling around trying to lighten the mood. It had been a while since there had been any levity at all, what with all that had transpired since they had left the valley. " So, you gonna' show up tomorrow down to the bank, Lonnie?" "Yeah. I reckon. Hope that that-there Warren feller don't know nobody from the bank. That could get kinda' dicey ifn' he's been here before." Becky sat sharpening the big knife she carried at her ankle, after she had cleaned the shotgun and the other weapons that were resting on the blanket she had spread on the ground for the purpose. The rock fireplace was stocked up with wood and kindling from the pile beside the cabin and lit in anticipation of the cool evening. Beans, some rice and some of the remaining dried meat from home made them a decent meal. And of course, coffee. As the night went on, Josh, Becky and the old man were 'talking story'--that's what her uncle Amazon had told her Hawaiians called it when tales were told. Lonnie and Karla were talking their own stories just outside the cabin. " You notice Lonnie and Karla talkin' a little more 'n necessary, Josh said with a slight grin. " Oh, is that what they're doin?, the old man replied. Ain't no need to set right up agin' one another, now is there, if they be just talkin'" He smiled too and Becky looked up for a second. " Do him damn good to get him a woman, is what I think," Becky said. He's a fine man." "Yup. No doubt,Josh said and added " Hell, you cain't beat 'em! And I wouldn't want 'ta try," he said, looking at Becky. That got a look and a grin from her. " Maybe I could use a good beatin'. Ifn' she were put to me the same time as you were puttin' that uh--other--thing to me," she said, looking directly at Josh. " Oh jesus, I'm gonna' hit the sack," said the old man, turning somewhat flushed. When morning revealed itself, the smell of coffee was strong in the air, as Karla had risen early to get some kind of meal started for her new friends. And coffee. Becky was not in the cabin and when Karla looked out the front window, she could see that she must have been naked in the water trough and was now off running ---someplace. She was soaking wet and her hair was flying behind her almost straight out. "Damn," Karla thought. " Someone comes across a sight like that and I don't reckon they'd ever recover! The others were stirring now and would soon be at the coffee and whatever Karla could stir up for vittles. When she asked Josh about Becky running off naked like that--she got a shrug of his shoulder. Same with Lonnie. The old man was dumfounded. " Does she do them kinda' things ---all the time?" " I guess you ain't exactly sure who you done tied up with, are ya' ol' man? We love 'er and accept 'er and I'll tell ya' right now---she does what she wants, when she wants and that's the fact of it. I can guarantee 'ya one thing, ol' man--ifn' she cares about you, ain't no one gonna' fool with 'ya ifn' she be 'around. And I pity the next fool that tries to take her unawares, like them damn fool brothers 'n that other fool. Never happen agin', I tell ya'. She were -uh- somewhat distracted. By that young feller right there,' indicating Josh. When Becky returned, she picked up her clothing and entered the cabin with the others. She assumed a warm place before the fire and began to dry herself in a leisurely way and soon got dressed in the same clothing as she been wearing for a couple of weeks. Karla watched her and thought that she had not seen a more statuesque woman in all her days. My god, she looks extremely strong!" The men did not pay her any attention, two of whom had seen her naked often and one who didn't look because it wasn't proper to do so. " I have a feelin that ain't nothin' gonn'a surprise me much anymore ridin' with you-all." " Alright. What's the plan," Karla said. " Whatever happens---ain't no sumbitch ever sneakin' up on me agin. Ifn' we can go about this without no killin'--that'll be good. But if not-----well, let's just say ain't no Kansas money heading to Kansas. Not outta' this here bank. You gonna' get the key and tell 'em you'll be doin' yer countin' and such at night?" "That's the plan, I reckon." "Alright--let's get to it."
cont. Josh, Becky, Karla and the old man turned their mounts onto the main trail and headed west to reach the eastern edge of town. Turning right, they rode along the eastern edge of town to the last road that bordered the forest on the north side. No one stirred in or around the small, well cared for houses lining the street. It would not be smart to be too visible around town today. The stables might be the place to wait on Lonnie, they figured. Who knew if anyone was tending the animals that remained, after the brothers had abandoned their supposed jobs. Lonnie had had no trouble with the vice president of the bank. He was a pleasant sort. Lonnie had been treated to breakfast at the small cafe by the selfsame Mr Buroughs. Odd, what a small offering could do. The man loved his candy, all right. They engaged in small talk regarding families, banking and the frontier while they ate. Fortunately, the banking discussion went pretty much nowhere, as Lonnie had hoped. " Don't care 'ta talk about it, when I ain- when I'm not working. Accepted as stated. They returned to the bank and Lonnie expressed his desire to work on the various books the bank possessed, but in the evening, to which Mr Burroughs finally, but reluctantly agreed. Didn't want distractions, Lonnie said. Given the keys, Lonnie made his exit through the back door of the bank and when mounted, made for the corrals. Ninety precent of the animals that had stayed the week in the corrals or in the big meadow, were now gone. " This is a hell of a town. No law, and no stable hands to care for the horses that remained. Guess that second part ain't too disappointin", he said to no one in particular. He spotted the familiar animals of his friends in the corral, getting fed and watered. Only one of his friends was in sight. Josh had taken it upon himself to tend to their animals so that the others could stay mainly out of sight. " It don't get dark 'till almost ten o:clock, so after that, you-all come up behind the bank--let's say 'bout midnight and I'll have the vault open. We know there be a man-sized amount of money in there. We just don't know how much 'a tha' yeller they be 'a'holdin.' There be a burned-out house directly behind the bank and it shows a buncha' greenery, grown big and thick without no care, so that be a decent hidin' place for ya'll. Lonnie was in the bank now and was putting on a decent act of looking at some very complicated ledgers and realized that he knew absolutely nothing about accounting. Even though no one was watching him, he tried to look busy. He had opened the vault earlier and had almost fainted at the sight. There must have been hundreds of thousands in paper money stacks and good lord almighty, he thought! There must be two hundred pounds 'a the yeller. 'Nough 'ta make a man right nervous, indeed. Eleven thirty came and Lonnie exited the back door to check on his friends and light up a smoke. He walked over and slid through the high hedge and saw that his friends were in place. He quietly told them what was in the vault, even though he was shaking some when he did. " Will that mule 'a yourn haul a couple hunnerd pounds 'a gold?" Oh, hell yes." the minor said with barley contained excitement. "Alright. I reckon we be ready, then." Lonnie turned to pass through the foliage, but stopped short. " What the hell," he whispered. They's someone goin' in tha' front of the bank. There's five of 'em. And one of 'em is Burroughs. He obviously knows them others. They're headin' on into the vault. This here ain't supposed to be happenin'. The line of men were streaming in and out of the vault, carrying everything that Lonnie had seen. They were stacking it next to the front door of the bank. " He didn't say nothin' ta' me 'bout no emptyin' of the vault. It's all supposed ta' stay in there 'till it's all accounted fer." " Shit. Do we take 'em now, 'er wait to see ifn' them fellers is legit?" "Well, let's wait a bit. I believe that be some kind 'a shady operation, there." The men had moved all of the vault contents out the front door and could no longer be seen. Burroughs had shaken some of the hands of the men, so it was obvious he knew the men and their intent. Burroughs was still in the bank and had locked the vault and now was preparing to lock the back door. " Sonuvabitch--this here ain't gonna' get it." And with that, Becky exited the foliage and strode right up to the man on the other side of the door. The man looked a little surprised to see someone there and was more than a little surprised when Becky punched the large door that was mostly glass. The butt of her shotgun caught him in the chest and he sprawled onto his back, keys flying. Before he could recover, Becky was on him and broke his nose. The man was in abject pain and fright, but could do nothing. "Who was them fellers that emptied this here bank out. You got yourself 'bout fifteen seconds to 'fess up, er' I'ma gonna kill you." She grabbed his broken nose and twisted hard, getting some of his blood on her hand and eliciting a loud yell of pain from the prone banker. Lonnie piped up and said to her, "give em a chance, Becky. You got him all tore up and I don't think he's 'gonna say too much fer a few minutes." Alright, Lonnie. But I ain't waitin' too long, That loot is headin' somewhere and I want to know where. I bet this fucker is in on it.. Speak up motherfucker 'afore I twist yer fuckin beak agin."
cont. When the others hiding behind the neglected hedge saw what had transpired, they quickly crossed the street and entered the back door of the bank. Mr Burroughs was bleeding rather profusely from the jab Becky had aimed at his nose. Karla looked around for something to staunch the crimson flow that had the banker experiencing terrible pain and watery eyes. " C'mon now. Who were those fellers and how is it you be tied in with 'em," Becky said to the stricken man. She reached to give his nose a tweak and he shied away, as much as a man could, while being sat on by a crazy person. " OK--Ok." The pain was unbearable, but he knew it would get a lot worse if she decided to make it so. " His broken nose affected his reply and it sounded like- " Those fewers ar fwends 'a mine." " "Well, that's what we figgered, Mr Burroughs. Now where's that money a'goin? "And why?" The banker hesitated and Becky reached for his nose again. " Jesus--pleed don' do dat any bore. They were ben I rode with years ago and we been pladded to take da buddy for a while now. "So you're going to meet up with 'em? Is that the plan? A little gesture from Becky loosened him up again. " Yes, yes. There's a small ranch outside Jackson-d. and I'b subbosed to beet up with 'em dere. " You know where it is, then?" " I do." " Well, that's right handy now, Mr banker. That's where we all be 'a goin' then. Where's yer mount, Mr bigshot?" " Out front," the banker replied , as Karla ministered to his injury with some rags found in the broom closet. " So, the way I see it, is we get on the trail now and try 'n catch up with them thieves and take 'em down 'afore they can split the loot and get in the wind. Let's see here. I reckon this here big-shot banker ought 'ta be goin' with us, case we don't catch 'em and have 'ta find the rendezvous point. Sound about right to y'all? They agreed with her way of thinking. " There' somethin' we ain't thought of that's 'a gonna to the good fer us," Lonnie said. Since all that there money and yeller has been stole instead 'a backin' some more 'a them Kansas bushwhackers, maybe we can shift the blame on them fellers 'n this one that stole it and if'n we take it-- and take it clean--that money 'n gold be ours to have." " Yeah. Yeah. I see what 'ya mean, Lonnie. Good thinkin'. Karla was standing next to Lonnie and when she touched his hand lightly, he took her hand in his. The others noticed the touch and felt comfortable grinning at Karla and Lonnie. " Well, it looks there be five of us now. In fact, I be right comfortable with it," Becky said. All except the wounded banker nodded their approval." Now, let's get this here big-shot tied up to his horse and git 'ta goin. This here trip jus' might provide us some entertainment. The four exited the bank, while Josh brought the bankers horse around, put him on it and tied his left hand tightly to the horn of his saddle. " There 'ya go Mr big-shot thief. Now you hang on tight and don't try no fancy stuff, 'er I'll be ventilatin' 'ya with this here shotgun. You believe me, Mister?" There was, of course,no doubt concerning what might occur if he tried to fool with the crazy woman that had caused him this pain. He wondered what exactly he was in for, in the immediate future with these people. Especially that woman.
cont. The five were camped alongside a river they would need to ford the next day, this being their first night out heading toward Jackson. Becky had made her run, the food had been prepared and eaten and they were now gathered around the small fire for warmth and companionship. And coffee. Becky finally spoke. " Listen here now, the thing about all that there money, is the fact that it belongs to the folks in Sonora. Regular folks that put it up in there and will need it to pay their bills. Mortgages and food and clothes fer their kids and such. So, as excitin' as it was to think about all that loot bein' ours, it ain't right and y'all know it." The others sat quietly listening as Becky made her point. They looked somewhat taken aback at her statement, as the logical point was made. " After a bit, "Yeah, well I got myself all carried away there, an' as sure as shootin', I know better," Lonnie said. Just dreamin', I guess. And I know the both 'a you youngin's know better. I'm sorry 'bout that." Karla and the old man said nothing, as they both knew that they would have gone either way. Still would. "Now, as fer as that there gold goes, I believe that's been paid fer by the bank, so that might be a different matter. How 'bout it Mr big shot--bank own that there yeller?" "Yes, the gold belongs to the bank. We have an assayer that weighs it and pays it, as we like to say," he said through his battered nose." "OK. What we was a'gonna' do, we ain't a'gonna' do. But what we're a'gonna' do is get the money and the gold, somehow. Then we're a'gonna' take the money back to the bank with Mr big shot here, but we's keepin' the gold. The money from that gold ain't goin' nowheres toward Kansas. If we be successful, we split her up, like for like. Each an even piece." The old miner looked up and couldn't believe what he was hearing. ' Dag-nabbit, I been traipsin' all over the hills, pannin' the rivers for what seems like half a' ma' life and this here falls right in my lap?" " You complainin' old feller?" " No mam, That ain't nothin' to complain about, the way I see it. Whatever she takes--I'm fer it." " Well then, that makes this here banker feller in it with us, if'n he's got any sense. When we get there, he's a'gonna help us get what we came fer'. If'n we'be successful, then after that, we'll take him on back an' he can swear he were taken along with the paper n' yeller and managed to escape. You hear that, Mr banker. You'll be offen' the hook and we'll have us some yeller. You got it? Otherwise I'm a'gonna kill ya and we'll take our chances with them other fellers. You get off free, even though I should kill 'ya fer tryin' to steal the townfolks money." The banker was relieved at this development and readily agreed to go along with the plan. He knew that he had no real choice in the matter, after all was said and done. The business with his nose would have to be blamed on a fall from his horse, he supposed. Many a rider was thrown off a mount at being startled by a timber rattler up in these parts. " The four of you hold this big shot down 'n I'll fix that crooked damn beak I give 'im. Don't say nothin' 'till I give a signal. Then I'll straighten her out fer 'im," Becky whispered to the other three. Plans now made, to which they all had agreed, they settled back and continued on with the evening coffee. " Well," Josh said, " This here seems like it's a'gonna work out fer us anyhow. maybe." " Oh, it'll work out alright. I'll make damn sure 'a that." Josh knew that whatever this situation took, Becky and he could handle it. It had always been that way.
cont. The second day on the road to Jackson had brought them across two rivers and provided some rough trail work, but nothing the riders found too difficult to surmount. They knew horses. That morning, Becky had given the signal to pin the banker down while she worked on the damage to his crooked nose. Damage which she herself had caused. His nose now straightened and packed with small rags to staunch the flow of blood, the banker looked more miserable then ever. At least the hollering had died out. It looked fairly straight, but the crack it made as she tweaked it back into position, bothered the others some and the banker a great deal. Becky was not bothered. She had always held the position that what needs to be done--gets done. Quickly and properly. And so it was. In a day or so, they would be in the vicinity of Jackson and they would then have to rely on their captor for accurate instructions to the rendezvous point. Wherever the designated place was, they were sure that the thieves had reached it by now. They decided to camp again that night and ride into the town of Jackson in the morning, if it became necessary. The destination was described as a small piece of acreage just on the other side of Jackson, approximately a mile or so back in a box canyon. The question was--would the thieves gathered there actually wait on the banker to arrive before splitting it all up and hitting the trail to parts unknown. Or would they not dare to abscond with their ill gotten gains without the main man involved. They decided and the banker confirmed, that if they were gone and his share went uncollected, he would just turn them in and maybe collect some kind of reward. That, he figured, was his ace in the hole. He defined a man that covers all his possibilities when his hide could be at stake. He knew they'd be there and said as much to the others. A small fire was built , ringed with rocks for safety from escaping embers and Karla volunteered to scrape something together for the others to eat and began to do so. And always coffee. Becky stripped herself of her clothing, much to the dismay of the banker who looked and was afraid to look simultaneously. " Take a good look, motherfucker. See anything you like?" The banker turned red and away from the others. " You men never give up do 'ya?" The others were used to Beckys habits and made no comment or fuss about her undressed state. They were smiling faintly over their coffee at the bankers befuddlement while their friend took off for her customary run. She had taken some of her clothing with her and dropped them beside the small, clear creek that she would attempt to use to cleanse them upon her return. Relaxing at the fire after their meager provisions were about gone, a party of men, believed to be three in number, were heard in the distance approaching their position. The banker was left at the fire while the others pulled iron and melted into the surrounding forest to await the arrival of the three coming up the trail.
