Kyle’s Mission
Part Two

By MoulinP

“I thought ya were really gonna have to do it for a moment there,” the Kid said, as he stood next to Heyes watching three men ride back down the trail until it forked. They steered their horses to the left, towards Gilby, where Navaro said they were headed.

“So did I.” Heyes stood with his arms folded. “Think we can trust them not to double back?”

“Nope. They’ll hold back, I reckon. Spend a half hour in Gilby and then follow on. Heard Adam Navaro is a decent tracker. Doubt he’ll find our trail too difficult to follow.”

“Perhaps we should set a false trail?”

The Kid considered for a moment, before shaking his head. “Naw. They must know Ardoch is the only other town in this vicinity and we have Kyle, remember? He don’t look too well, Heyes.”

Navaro had agreed to leave Kyle with them and they’d take him to a doctor. On reflection, Navaro would have agreed to anything. Heyes made his hand shake when he aimed the gun at the log near Navaro’s legs. Of course, Navaro wasn’t aware this was an act, but he’d wisely decided not to chance it. Navaro had explained their journey by gabbling out a story about meeting up with an old pal. Telling them about a job worth doing. He didn’t say if it was a robbery and Heyes didn’t ask. Probably best not to know.

The Kid turned away. “C’mon, let’s get going. How far into Ardoch?”

Heyes fell into step beside him. “Wheat reckons about ten miles.” He glanced up at the sun. “Should be there before nightfall.”

“Think Kyle’ll make it?” They both turned to look over to where Wheat boosted Kyle into the saddle.

“Hope so. Else I really will have a score to settle with Navaro.”

They reached Ardoch without incident and left a very unwell Kyle with the doctor. Tomorrow might be a different story.

***

How it all came about

“Wheat! Wheat!”

Kyle skidded his small horse, more pony sized, to a halt in the yard of Devil’s Hole. Alerted by his dramatic arrival, several of the gang appeared on the porch of the bunkhouse. Kyle dismounted at a run and ran over. 

“Where’s Wheat, Hank?” he asked.

“Last time I saw him, he was heading for the outhouse. ’Course that was a while ago. Might not wanna go near there just yet. Think his guts are givin’ him trouble ag’in.” Hank shrugged, as Kyle scampered off in the direction of the far-off lonely building. “Suit yaself. Don’t tell me I didn’t try an’ warn ya,” he said, turning aside.

“Wheat! Wheat!”

As Kyle drew near, Wheat crashed out, holding his pants up with both hands.

“Dammit Kyle, cen’t a man have a few minutes of privacy? What’s got ya in such a lather?” Wheat barked.

“The Bank in Burton Wells. It’s been robbed.”

“Who done it? Does Thackery think it’s us?” Wheat descended into cursing as he furiously tucked himself in.

“I dunno Wheat. I only know what Dolly told me. She was in the bank when it all happened. Paying in her birthday check from her Ma.”

“Kyle….”

“It’s a good thing her Ma don’t know what she does for a living,” Kyle grinned.

“KYLE. Does Dolly know who dun it? What do they look like?”

Kyle relayed the descriptions Dolly had given him.

Wheat snorted. “Well, it ain’t none of us. Does Thackery have any clues?”

Kyle nodded. “Uh-huh. The Navaro Gang.”

Wheat cursed.

“Them’s bad Wheat.”

“I knows.”

“What are we gonna do?”

***

 

Far away in southern Colorado, Heyes picked up a discarded newspaper. He was waiting in the stage office for the Kid to return from selling their horses. They were on their way to visit Lom. Find out if there was any news about you-know-what. Heyes couldn’t bear to even think the word amnesty anymore.

Heyes smiled as he read the articles that constituted local news. Silly stories about swimming pigs and cats up trees. When he reached the section entitled “Regional News” he shook the paper out and folded it back on itself. This was more interesting.

It was only a small paragraph. He leant forward and read it again. And then again just to be sure.

At that moment the Kid returned wearing a big grin. “I got us eighty dollars. Reckon that’s more’n they were worth but I weren’t gonna argue. Ain’t that good?” He took the seat beside Heyes. “Well, ain’t it? Joshua?” The Kid looked perturbed at his partners lack of enthusiasm for his negotiating success.

“Sure, Thaddeus that’s great.”

“So, means we can take Lom to dinner… what?”

Heyes tapped the paper and handed it over. “Read that.”

The Kid took the newspaper with a frown and read. A few moments later he looked up. “The Navaro Gang?”

“That’s what it says. Know anything about them?”

“I know Robin Navaro is a killer. What are we gonna do?”

Heyes looked surprised. “Do?”

“Heyes ya know that Wheat ain’t gonna take this too kindly. Another gang on his patch.”

Heyes scowled. “I know that.”

“Well, we go there!” the Kid raised his voice and then mindful that the waiting room wasn’t empty any more, continued in a whisper, “Wheat’s gonna wanna face Navaro down. He likely get himself killed. An’ half the Hole with him.”

“I don’t rightly know what we can do about it.”

“What about Kyle? And Hank? And Lobo?”

“I know!” Heyes frowned hard, then he sucked in a breath. “Look we’re on our way to see Lom. Let me think on it.”

“And you’ll come up with a solution?”

Heyes was indignant. “Hey! When have I ever not?”

The Kid was saved from answering by the arrival of the Stage. Anxious not to ride up top they hurried to board.

***

“Don’t know how you have gall to show up here,” Wheat muttered when Heyes and the Kid were standing in front of him in the yard of Devil’s Hole.

When Heyes took a deep breath beside him, the Kid thought it best if he spoke in reply. “We came ‘cos we heard ya have a problem.”

Wheat snorted in derision.

“Ya oughta tell’em Wheat,” Kyle said.

“Shut up Kyle,” Wheat spat in irritation. Then he drew himself up, hands on hips, puffing out his chest. “Ain’t no problem here. I’s got everything under control.”e hrehehe

Heyes and the Kid swapped glances. Heyes bit his bottom lip. The Kid sighed and went to his saddlebags. He took out the newspaper, unfolded it and thrust it at Wheat.

“Tell me that ain’t a problem.”

Wheat read the few lines then tossed the paper away. “Sheez, that’s nothing,” he said, shaking his head. “That little thing got ya hightailin’ it back here.”

“They robbed the bank in Burton Wells Wheat. The Devil’s Hole Gang don’t do that. Do they?” Heyes said, firmly.

“No, they don’t.” The Kid folded his arms. “It’s like soiling ya own doorstep.”

“Have they robbed anywhere else?”

Wheat shifted uncomfortably and couldn’t meet Heyes’ gaze. “A few other places nearby,” he said, finally.

“You need a plan to deal with this. Have you got a plan?”

“Sure.”

“What is it?”

“Shucks I don’t hav’ta tell yous.”

“Tell us anyway Wheat,” the Kid said, knowing Heyes and Wheat would go round and round, getting nowhere if he didn’t step in.

Wheat looked from one to the other, then jerked his head back indicating the leader’s cabin.

***

“D’you know where the Navaros hang out?” Heyes asked, sipping the coffee Wheat made. He grimaced and set the mug aside. Wheat’s coffee hadn’t got any better.

“Yeah. Holed up outside of Grayson,” Wheat replied, referring to the next town after Burton Wells.

“Have you tried to talk to them?”

Wheat snorted and shook his head. “Ain’t outlaws like us Heyes. That Robin Navaro is a killer.”

“So that’s it?” the Kid cried. “Ya jus’ gonna give up? Let ‘em take your patch.”

Wheat squirmed. “Waal no. I gotta plan.”

“Like I said outside, let’s hear it,” Heyes said.

Wheat took a deep breath. “Waal it’s …” He licked his lips, bit his bottom one. “Waal I figgered,” he continued before taking another deep breath. “What would yous do?”

“Me and the Kid would see go ‘em.”

Wheat’s face lightened, “Ya do that?”

“I never said that,” Heyes said, quickly before Wheat got carried away. “If not us I would send someone to ask for a meeting.”

Wheat squirmed. “Yeah, but who?”

Outside Kyle slunk away from the side of the leader’s cabin, where he’d been eavesdropping.

***

The next morning, Heyes and Curry were rudely woken by Lobo yelling. “Kyles gone!”

Two under-clothed reforming outlaws fought their way out of their blankets. Both had slept soundly for the first time in months. Perhaps because they knew they were safe from the law in Devil’s Hole.

“He’s left a note,” Lobo said, pointing out a scrap of paper on Kyle’s bunk.

Heyes picked it up, blinked a couple of times, before applying himself to read Kyle’s scrawl.

“Gone to infil inphil see the Navaros. Meet in Grayson, Lucky Barrel saloon, three days will tell u what I find out. Urs sincerly Kyle Murtry Sqire,” Heyes read, the Kid leaning over his shoulder. “He musta heard us talking to Wheat.”

“What does he think he’s doing?” the Kid said. “He’s gonna get himself killed.”

Heyes sighed and threw the note back on the bunk. He turned to the Kid, a smirk on his face. “Not necessarily. Kyle can be so innocent at times. I bet the Navaros will just take him at face value.”

The Kid looked doubtful. Heyes put a hand on his shoulder and grinned. “Looks as though we’ve got us a spy.”

“We still have a problem Who tells Wheat?” Lobo asked.

***

In Grayson, in the Luck Barrel saoon, three days later, Heyes sat at a middle table, waiting. The Kid and Wheat, who insisted upon coming along stood at the end of the bar watching.

Kyle came in looking behind him warily, spotted Heyes and made a quick beeline to him.

“I ken only stay a moment,” Kyle said, sliding into a seat opposite Heyes.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” Heyes hissed.

Kyle’s face fell. “Finding out what them Navaros are up to. I thought that’s what you wanted to know.”

“It is but not like this. You’ve put yourself in danger Kyle.”

Kyle gulped. “I’ll be all right. They trust me.”

Heyes widened his eyes. “Really?”

“Found out they’ll be moving on.” Kyle looked triumphant.

“When?”

“Couple of days. Heading for Gilby. Meet up with a fella.”

“That’s way North of here.”

“Yep.”

“So, they’re leaving?” Heyes asked hopefully.

Kyle pulled a face. “Oh, they’ll be back.”

Heyes scowled. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

“Gonna hit the bank in Porterville.”

“What!”

“Hey ain’t that the place—"

“Yep. Lom Trevors is the sheriff there.”

Kyle got up. “Anyways I gotta get back.”

“Kyle.” When he looked back. “Get away as soon as you can.”

Kyle nodded and went.

Heyes gave him a few moments head start. He sat tapping his fingers on the table, then he scrapped the chair back. The Kid and Wheat followed him out. They reconvened in a nearby alley where Heyes filled them in.

“What happens now?” Wheat asked.

Heyes grinned. “We send a telegram to Lom.”

“What? Co-operate with the law?” Wheat snorted.

“Solves your problem, don’t it?” the Kid said.

***

Back to the present.

They saw no sign of the Navaros, when they went to visit Kyle before continuing their journey. Kyle was sitting up, looking much better. His right eye, still swollen shut, but the bruises on his face were darkening. He appeared more comfortable and his voice stronger when he greeted them.

“Gotta thank you boys for bringing me into town. Don’t reckon I woulda made it otherwise.”

Heyes sat on the side of the bed and smiled. “Yeah, what we figured.”

The Kid drew out a chair and sat backwards on it, arms resting on the back. It creaked ominously. “We didn’t want ya death on our conscience. What gave Navaro cause to beat on ya like he did?”

Wheat hovering in the background, looked on in concern.

Kyle took a deep breath before wincing and putting a hand to his chest. “He saw me talking to Heyes. Wanted to know who ya were and what our conversation was about. He’s a mean sonofabitch, wouldn’t let it lie.” Kyle shook his head. “Kept pounding on me until I told him.”

Heyes bit his bottom lip. “Yeah, exactly what I thought.” A flicker of pain crossed his face. “I’m sorry you got hurt, Kyle. I surely didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“I knows ya didn’t. What’s done is done.”

“What exactly did you tell him?”

“Only that you’d tipped off Lom Trevors in Porterville.”

“Kyle! Why would you do that?” the Kid sighed.

Kyle smiled best as he could. “Don’t matter none Kid. Navarro didn’t believe me. Still plans to hit the bank in Porterville.”

***

In Porterville a few days later.

“Well fellas, thanks for the tip off,” Lom said, as he led his horse over to where Heyes and the Kid stood watching Lom’s deputies handcuff the Navaro Gang.

Heyes nodded. “Figgered it was something you oughta know.”

“Something our mutual friend oughta know about as well,” the Kid said.

Lom smiled. “I’ll tell him.” He looked thoughtful, stroking his chin. “Say why don’t you fellas stay in my cabin for a couple of days. Rest up some. I’ll take the first train to Cheyenne in the morning.”

Heyes and Curry swopped grins.

THE END