The two lone riders picked their way over the rocky terrain, letting their mounts choose the most convenient path through the open countryside dotted with occasional stands of tall pine trees.  Their destination – the town of Santa Clara, located in northern California.

The gunshots seemed to come from above them in the rocks. Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry spurred their horses into an all out run and leaned low across the animals' necks. Curry winced as a bullet narrowly missed his left ear. They rode hard as they tried to reach the cover of the rocks before the bullets found their mark.

"No good bushwhackers!" Curry exclaimed, when they'd finally slowed down, sure they had left the gunshots far enough behind them. "I'd like to shoot at one of them sometime when they're not looking."

"Don't worry Kid, as soon as we get to town we'll have a nice cold beer and get a place to sleep for the night." Heyes rode on ahead at a trot, as if nothing had happened.

Curry followed, always amazed at how optimistic his partner could sound. Two days ago they had been on a comfortable train with money in their pockets, on their way to San Francisco to visit their old friend, Silky O'Sullivan. Curry had seen them first, two Bannerman detectives circulating flyers among the passengers. He hadn't even been sure if they were the targets of the search, but Heyes had decided they would be better off not waiting around to find out. They had jumped off the train during the night and bought horses and gear in the first small town that they had come to. Now, after riding for two days in the hot sun, Curry was tired and more than a little thirsty.

"Heyes, do you think those bushwhackers knew who we were?"

"Naw, nobody's been following us, and I don't think those guys on the train ever spotted us. They were probably just looking to rob a couple of cowboys riding into town with their month's pay."

They rode quietly the rest of the way into town, instinctively scanning the streets and noting the sheriff's office. Santa Clara was a nice town. Fancier and more civilized than most of the small towns they were used to. There were still plenty of places a man could find a drink and a card game though.


00000


"What kind of saloon don't have hard boiled eggs on the counter Heyes?" Curry asked his partner, rather indignantly. Still dusty from the trail, the pair walked out of the saloon just as thirsty and tired as they had entered it a few minutes before.

"I don't know Kid, I just don't know."

"Thirty seven cents?" Kid Curry asked looking back at his partner. "You told me we could get us a couple of beers. Why didn't you tell me you'd used all our money buying these horses and gear?"

"I thought they'd have hardboiled eggs," Heyes replied innocently.

"Well this is just great!  No money, no bed to sleep in –"

"Kid," Heyes interrupted.

"No job, no –"

"Kid," Heyes hissed more urgently.

"What?" Curry asked, suddenly quiet, his right hand automatically ready at his side.

"Those two guys across the street over there.   See 'em?" Heyes asked cautiously.

Curry turned slowly to catch a glimpse of the two men Heyes was referring to.  "Yeah, why?"

"They keep looking at us and whispering," Heyes replied.

"I say we get right back on our horses and head straight out of town," Curry stated flatly and turned to head toward their horses.

Heyes followed, trying not to look suspicious.

Just as they were untying the reigns from the hitching post, a young man a couple of years younger than Heyes and Kid bolted across the street and ran up to them.

"It's you! I almost didn't recognize you! I can't believe you're really here!" The young man shouted excitedly, looking at Heyes.

"Uh, excuse me?" Heyes asked nervously.

Curry, instantly alert, had already unfastened his gun and was eyeing the street for any trouble.

"Alex, don't you remember me? I'm Jake, Jake Parker." He paused, seeing no recognition in the other man's face.  "Jim Parker's son?" he tried again. The man had light brown hair and a friendly face. He was dressed like a ranch hand, in a well worn work shirt and dusty boots.

"Oh, yeah.  Sure Jake, it just took me a minute." Heyes smiled convincingly at the young man.

"How about I buy you and your friend here a couple of beers? I still owe you for the time you didn't tell my pa what really happened to that bottle of whiskey."

"Oh, no, me and my friend were just on our way out of town." Heyes started to take hold of his horse's reigns.

"Now hold it right there, Alex," Curry interjected. "I think Jake here deserves a chance to buy you that beer. Thaddeus Jones." He offered his hand to the young man and grinned broadly. "Pleased to meet you."

Heyes gave Curry a look that said, 'just get on your horse,' but his partner ignored him and headed back across the street to have a beer with their 'new' friend.


00000


"What'd you do that for?" Heyes demanded when they were alone, seated at the table in the saloon.  The barroom was crowded and noisy.  Most of the men looked like they’d there for several hours.  They were drinking freely, laughing loudly, and smoking cheap, foul-smelling cigars.  Just a bunch of good-natured, hard-working folk with money in their pockets after a long, hard week of working with their hands.  

"I was thirsty Heyes. C'mon, what can it hurt? Shh, he's coming back."

"Well here we are," Jake announced, arriving with the pitcher of beer.

"Thanks, Jake.”  Heyes took a long draught from his mug, using the time to size up the other man.  “So how long has it been?" He asked slowly.

"Ten years this spring, since you left town. I always knew you'd come back though, especially now and all.

Curry gave Heyes a warning glance. Maybe he had been too quick to insist on the beer. They had better just drink up and get out of town.  He didn't want to stick around and get caught up in something that didn't concern them.

"Well of course I'd come back now, why wouldn't I?" Heyes asked carefully.

"On account of most of the town say you're a no-good, gambling drunkard that don't give two licks about-"

"Jake!" A stern gruff voice sounded from behind them. A strong burly man of around 50 walked around and stood beside Jake. He had the commanding presence of a foreman or trail boss. "Get on home, boy." He said, roughly pulling Jake to his feet and giving him a shove toward the door.

"But Pa, look who's here."

"I got eyes, don't I? Now get on back to the ranch."

The older man glared at Heyes as Jake reluctantly exited the saloon.

"Uh, Mr. Parker?" Heyes began, "I know you may not think much of me, but I'm trying to mend my ways.  Jake was just being friendly."

What was Heyes doing? Curry watched the scene unfold as he finished his beer. At least he wouldn't be thirsty if they were going to have to make a quick exit.

"I never did like him hanging around you when he was a kid.  You were nothing but a bad influence."

"Mr…uh, Parker, we'll be leaving town just as soon as we're finished here. You don't need to worry about us," Curry offered politely.

"This don't concern you." The older man gave Kid a menacing look, his hand near his revolver.

"Well, if it concerns my friend here, then it concerns me." Curry's tone changed to match the implied threat.

"Aah fellas, no need to get worked up. He's right Mr. Parker.  We'll be leaving town alright." Heyes gave Curry a "cool it" look.

"One rotten apple spoils the barrel, Harrington. I always said you were a bad one."

Heyes bristled under the man's glare.  Even as an outlaw, he'd rarely felt so berated.

"A man can change, Mr. Parker," Heyes said quietly.

With a last hard stare at Heyes, and a quick glance at the gun tied to Curry's leg, Parker walked away.

"I always knew you were a bad influence on me, Heyes," Curry teased and then broke into a smile.

The other patrons seemed to be minding their own business, except for three men sitting around a poker table near the back, who were watching the scene intently. One of them got up and walked over to their table.

"Alex Harrington.  Well, I'll be.  We wondered if you were really going to show up. We're just getting our Friday night game started.  You're gonna join us, aren't you?"

"Poker?" Heyes asked innocently.

Curry recognized the look in Heyes' eyes. The same one he used to get when he saw a beautiful safe just ripe for opening. He shot his partner a warning glance.

"Hey, what do you say, for old time’s sake?" One of the men was grinning and the other two winked at each other.

"I'd like to play, I really would, but I'm afraid I don't have any cash on me." Heyes smiled innocently.

"Oh, that's not a problem, is it Charlie? Alex's credit is good with us." The two other men both nodded in agreement.

"Well, if you say so," Heyes said brightly and stood, pulling Curry aside.

"Kid, for the first time, I think a case of mistaken identity is going to work in our favor. We're broke remember? I think I can win a couple hundred dollars from these amateurs and then we can buy a couple of train tickets and head to San Francisco with cash in our pockets for a change."

"Why don't you go take a walk around town? Just try and stay out of trouble."

"Me stay out of trouble?" Curry asked incredulously "Fine, I'll be outside."


00000


The town seemed to be a busy place, as Curry walked along in front of the store fronts, watching the people go about their day. A small group of boys played marbles on a side street, a pretty woman carried a bolt of new, gaily colored fabric to her buggy, and two men discussed a horse over by the livery stable. He wondered what it would be like to not be looking over his shoulder for a sheriff all the time or wondering who would be the next person to recognize him.

Kid Curry hadn't allowed himself to think too much about what he would do if their amnesty ever did come through. He had been too busy just trying to stay alive and in one piece. He sat down on a bench in front of the barbershop and closed his eyes. He wanted to get a hotel room and take a long hot bath. Heyes had better hurry up and win some money in that poker game he was playing.

Curry was jolted back to reality when he heard the name Harrington loudly exclaimed from inside the barbershop.

He leaned back and strained to listen.


00000


Heyes smiled as he raked in the pot with a sweep of his arms. The three ranch hands hadn't been making many big bets, but Heyes was looking at three hundred dollars in front of him.

"Well gentlemen, I think it's time for me to call it a night."

The smiles and good humor had all but left his three companions over the last hour. Alex Harrington had always been a decent poker player when he was sober, but he always drank heavily when he played and he always started losing once he had finished off a few whiskeys. From the gossip that had circulated around the town over the last ten years, the pattern hadn't changed; the stakes had just gotten higher. It was rumored that Harrington lost thousands of dollars in games in Atlantic City and other fancy towns in the east. But today Harrington wasn't drinking, except for the beer he'd had earlier with his friend. Maybe the rumors were wrong or Harrington had straightened up. Whatever the reason, they would take Alex Harrington a lot more seriously the next time they played poker with him.


00000


Heyes left the saloon and looked up and down the street for the Kid. He would get them a room for the night and they could leave town after a good night's sleep in a real bed and a nice hot bath. Although he was tempted to stick around and play some more poker, he knew he was pushing his luck. Eventually he was bound to meet someone who would know for sure that he wasn't really Alex Harrington, son of the wealthy and recently deceased William Harrington.

Heyes hadn't gotten far before his concerns became a reality. A pretty brunette with dark eyes and hair pinned up neatly on her head was walking straight toward him. She looked him square in the eyes. He thought he saw a flicker of surprise, and maybe even fear, but it was quickly gone and replaced with an even gaze.

"Well Alex, how long were you going to be in town before you came to see your only sister?"

"Uh, well I er…" Heyes wasn't sure how to respond. Certainly she knew he wasn't her brother, but why was she pretending?

"Let's go somewhere that we can talk alone." She took his arm and steered him away from the main street.

"My name is Lucy Harrington.  What's yours?" she asked as soon as she was sure they couldn't be overheard.

"My name's Joshua Smith, ma'am, and I'm sorry, I didn't mean to impersonate your brother, it just sort of happened," he stammered, his silver tongue eluding him for the moment.

"Well, I can certainly see why some would make that mistake," she said, studying his face.  "Mr. Smith, I think you might be the answer to all of my problems.  I have a business proposition for you. How would you like to make five thousand dollars?"

Heyes eyed her cautiously. People rarely offered that much money unless the job was either illegal or extremely dangerous. "Well, Miss Harrington, ma'am, what would I have to do for that kind of money?"

"Just keep on being my brother, Mr. Smith, until my father's will is read one week from today. And call me Lucy." She had a look of self-confidence that came with money and position.

Heyes smiled. This young woman definitely had spunk. She was pretty too.

"Why don't you come out to the house tomorrow and I can explain everything to you. Oh, and bring your friend. He looks like he could be handy to have around."

"Ma'am?" Heyes asked, more wary now. This was beginning to sound a little too easy.

"Well, by the way he wears his gun, it looks like he can use it. Someone like that is always good to have on your side," she replied confidently, then allowed a slight smile "If you're wondering how I know who he is, Jake Parker pointed him out to me.  He's over by the barber shop."

"OK, we'll come by and hear what you have to say." Heyes knew he should probably just stick to his original plan and leave town with the Kid, but something about this young woman intrigued him and he wouldn't mind an excuse to spend a little more time with her – especially a five thousand dollar excuse.


00000


The tired pair entered their small hotel room. It was simple but clean and the twin beds were a far cry better than the hard ground they had bedded down on the night before.
"Heyes, do you know which Harrington we're talking about here?" Curry had blurted out as soon as the two were inside.

"Yeah, the Harrington that made a fortune with the Southern Pacific Railroad."

Curry looked slightly deflated, since his information didn't seem to surprise his partner.

"What else do you know?" Curry asked.

"Not much, just that he died last week and the whole town is wondering who he left his fortune to." Heyes hung his gun belt on the bedpost and stretched out on the bed.

"I'm beat, I'm going to get some rest. We have to ride out early in the morning."

"Well now you've finally come to your senses.  I can't wait to get to Silky's." Curry nodded and sat down with a satisfied smile on his face.

"We have to meet Miss Harrington at her ranch," Heyes said without opening his eyes.

Kid’s smile dissolved into a glare that he turned on Heyes, who, eyes shut, was blissfully unaware of his friend’s annoyance.  Kid groaned silently, unhappy with Heyes’ plan but knowing he could do little to change his mind once it was set on something.  There was little to do now except do as Heyes said…get some rest.  Tomorrow promised to be an interesting day…one way or another.  


00000


"Heyes, you sure we'll be able to find the place?" Kid asked, breaking the silence. They had been riding along at a nice trot in the open country outside of town. His partner had been uncharacteristically quiet on the ride, and that made Kid Curry slightly nervous.

"She said it was just north out of town about an hour's ride."

"Heyes, tell me why we're going out here again?"

"Five thousand dollars, Kid. Where are we going to earn that kinda money for one week's work?"

"I don't know Heyes, it sounds too easy."

"Come on Kid, what could go--"

A bullet cut off his words in mid-sentence and sent the two men racing for cover.

"I'm starting to not like this part of the country very much!" Curry exclaimed as he caught up with his partner.

The two rode on cautiously, keeping an eye on the landscape for any possible locations that a gunman could hide.

"Are you going to say this is a coincidence? Us getting shot at twice in two days?" Curry asked the question that was on both of their minds.

"No, prob'ly not," Heyes conceded.

"That all you got to say?" Curry continued. He had been in a foul mood ever since Heyes had insisted they start out before their hotel restaurant opened for breakfast.

"Kid, I think someone doesn't want Alex Harrington coming back to this town. Or maybe they just don't want him inheriting his father's money."

"Yeah?  Well then, wouldn't that put his sister at the top of the list?" Curry asked with raised eyebrows.

"Maybe, but I don't think it's that simple."

Heyes had always thrived on the excitement and danger involved in the jobs they pulled when they were outlawing. Sure, the money was good, but Curry always felt it was the challenge of figuring out the impossible that really drove Hannibal Heyes.

They rode silently for the next mile with Heyes pulling ahead as they neared the top of a ridge. He slowly let out a long whistle as he saw the sprawling ranch that lay beyond.

"Nice place she has there," Curry agreed, joining Heyes. It certainly was larger than he'd expected. He was always the one to offer help to a lady in distress, but he'd tried to keep his guard up ever since those two crazy women, Janet and Lorraine, had so easily gotten the drop on them. After all, he was the one who had spent the week tied up in that broken down shack. Heyes had better know what he was doing. Curry's face was grim as he followed his partner down toward the ranch house.

They trotted their horses through the gate and down the main road leading to the house, slowing as two riders approached the gate and followed them in.

"Miss Harrington sent us out to wait for you. We thought we heard a couple of gunshots. Did you have any trouble?" the first rider called out. As the two men came closer, Heyes recognized them as Jim Parker and his son Jake.

"No, no trouble, someone just tried to kill us," Heyes said lightly.

Curry sat silently beside Heyes, looking menacingly at the two men.

"What?" cried Jake.  "Why would anyone want to kill you?"

The older Parker swung a look from Jake to Heyes and Curry.

"Yeah, what kind of trouble have you brought with you? Gambling debts, maybe?"

Heyes was tiring of the man's ridicule. "Look, I'm not bringing any trouble, or looking for any either. I'm just here to see my sister," he added haughtily, and rode on to the house.

Curry glared hard at Parker. "You heard him, we're not looking for no trouble. You better not be either," he growled.  Then he slowly turned his horse and followed his partner toward the house. He couldn't figure out why Heyes seemed to let this man get to him. Nobody ruffled Hannibal Heyes.


00000


Lucy Harrington met them at the door of the beautiful Spanish-style ranch house. Her hair was down over her shoulders and she was wearing a pretty, floral print dress with long sleeves and a high neck. She looked confident and relaxed.

"Miss Harrington, this is my partner, Thaddeus Jones," Heyes said politely, giving Curry a 'be on your best behavior' look.

"Pleasure, ma'am," Kid Curry said, removing his hat as they followed Lucy into the large entryway.

"Why don't we talk in here?" she suggested, leading them into a room walled with bookcases and oil paintings. She handed them each a glass of lemonade from a tray that was sitting on a dark, ornately carved table.

"Your father must have been quite a collector," Heyes said admiringly, looking around the room.

"My mother, Mr. Smith," Lucy corrected. "She collected most of these paintings herself in Paris and Italy."

"Oh, and will she be joining us this morning?" Heyes asked, taking a sip of the lemonade.

"My mother died eight years ago."

"I'm sorry ma'am."  He paused for a moment and then looked directly at Lucy.

"Now, why don't you tell me why you need me to masquerade as your brother, and why someone would be shooting at him?"

"Shooting at him?" Lucy looked genuinely surprised. "What are you talking about?"

"We've been shot at twice since arriving in this town, and I get the distinct impression that Alex Harrington isn't entirely welcome here, at least by some of the residents," Heyes said glancing back toward the front porch where Parker and his son had remained.

Following his gaze, Lucy shook her head. "Jim Parker has been the ranch foreman here for nearly twenty years, and Jake is a good employee and loyal friend. They would never do anything to hurt a member of this family," she stated flatly.

"Well then who would?" Curry asked, a little harsher than he meant to.

Lucy blinked and seemed to collect her thoughts for a moment. "I was afraid there might be some trouble, but I don't know who is behind it. That's why I'm willing to pay you both five thousand dollars to spend the week in town.

"Why don't you start by telling us who’s going to inherit your father's fortune?" Heyes prodded.

"I can't even tell you that for sure.  My father always hoped that Alex would come to his senses and decide to follow in his footsteps. He just never saw the reality that Alex wasn't cut out for that.  But I'm betting that Alex is still his primary heir."

"What about you, Miss Harrington?" he asked, looking her straight in the eye.

"My father didn't believe that women were capable of running a business or making investment decisions," Lucy replied, her eyes challenging Heyes to comment.

He raised his eyebrows and turned his head slightly, indicating that he expected more information.

"Here’s what I need you to do…impersonate my brother long enough to find out what’s in the will.  If my father left his interest in the Southern Pacific Railroad to Alex, then you take ownership and sign them over to me. After that, you leave town.  No one will be the wiser."

"That doesn't sound legal to me, and what if your brother shows up in the meantime?" Heyes wasn't sure how thoroughly she had thought this through.

Ignoring his question, she went on. "You can play poker or whatever else you do to pass the time. Just stay sober – and no women. Attend the funeral on Sunday, and then the reading of the will next Friday. Do you want the job or don't you?"

Heyes was intrigued by this young woman and her bravado.

Curry, who had been leaning against a tall, overstuffed chair surveying the room, straightened and turned to Lucy.

"Does that apply to me too ma'am?" he asked.

"What?" Lucy turned to look at him as though she had forgotten he was there.

"The whiskey and women, ma'am," Curry said, looking concerned.

Heyes looked up at the ceiling and let out a sigh.

"No, Mr. Jones, I don't care what you do. Just see that Mr. Smith makes it to our meeting with my father's attorney next Friday."

"Well, that's what I do best, Miss Harrington." Curry gave her one of his most charming smiles.

"Which one, Mr. Jones?  Whiskey or women?"

Heyes choked slightly on his lemonade and let out a short laugh. His partner's usual way with ladies didn't seem to be working with this one.

"We'll stay in town for now, and I'll let everyone assume I'm Alex. I'll let you know tomorrow after the funeral whether or not we'll be staying longer. By the way, where is your father's will?"

"In his attorney's safe, in town. Charles Hawthorne.  His office is on Main Street."

"Come on, Thaddeus." Heyes was annoyed to see that Curry had wandered off and was looking around the library.

"After you, Joshua." Curry smiled and followed Heyes out of the room.



00000


"We're not going to actually stay in Santa Clara all week, are we? Silky is expecting us, someone keeps shooting at us and those Bannerman detectives might just figure out where we got off the train." Curry rode beside Heyes, shaking his head.  "No job's worth getting shot at or arrested, Heyes."

"You didn't used to think that way when we were robbing banks and trains, Kid. What did you think those posses wanted to do to us?" Heyes asked in mock surprise.

"That was different Heyes. Besides, I thought that was why we got outta that business."

They kicked their horses into a gallop and headed back toward town.


00000


Kid stared down at Heyes’ feet, bare except for his somewhat worse-for-wear socks, concerned that he might wear a rut in the braided-rag rug covering their hotel room floor as he paced back and forth in characteristic fashion.  "You know what I can't figure out?” Heyes asked, not really expecting an answer from Kid.  “why she's not worried about her brother turning up sometime next week and ruining the whole plan. I think she knows more than she's letting on." Heyes continued to pace as he thought out loud.

Kid sat, casually reclined, his feet on the small, round wooden table before him, cleaning his gun with care.  "Heyes, you think too much." Curry chided him, dragging his eyes away from Heyes’ feet and giving his full attention to the task in front of him.  Nothing like a clean gun to give a man a sense of pride, he thought with satisfaction.

"I think I need to pay a visit to the telegraph station." With that he walked out of the room.

A few minutes later, Heyes returned with a triumphant smile on his face.

"Kid, I was right."

Curry raised his eyebrows and waited for the explanation that he knew Heyes was dying to share.

"Lucy Harrington received a telegram this morning.  Listen to this. Lucy – stop - will wait in Gilroy – stop - A." Heyes smiled.

"Gilroy is that little town just up the line, and “A” must be Alex, do you want me to go?" Curry asked.

"Yeah, I have to be at the funeral tomorrow. Be careful, just see what you can find out." Heyes was pacing again and Curry knew he was figuring out another plan.

"We have something else to do tonight, come on." Heyes pulled his jacket back on and headed out the door.

Curry let out a sigh and followed.


00000


Standing outside the office of Charles Hawthorne, Attorney at Law, Curry watched the street as Heyes used his knife to unlock the window. Quietly Heyes slid open the window and stepped inside. After a cautious glance in both directions to make sure that no one had seen them, Curry followed.

"Look at that, made in Philadelphia, the same model that Armendariz owns. I should be able to open this one much faster." Heyes sat down and placed his ear against the dial.

"Good, 'cause that one took you all night and I want to get a little sleep before I ride out to Gilroy in the morning." Curry was positioned at the window, watching for any sign of trouble.

Eyes closed and breathing softly, Heyes seemed lost to everything but the faint clicks of the dial he was gently turning. His partner knew enough not to interrupt him when he was working on a safe. He also knew that it was his job to give Heyes enough warning to get them both out in time if there was any trouble.

After only thirty minutes, Heyes let out a long breath and with a look of sheer pleasure, swung open the door.

Curry shook his head and grinned admiringly at his partner.

Rubbing his hands together briskly, in anticipation, Heyes said, "Now, let's see what old Mr. Harrington's will says." Heyes sifted through the many files and folders until he found what he was looking for. He studied the document for a few minutes while Curry watched him impatiently.

Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Curry finally blurted out, "Well?"  What does it say?"

"Hm, well Lucy was right.  Her father left his interest in the railroad to Alex, on the condition that he attend the reading of the will in person and sober. Otherwise, his percentage of the business goes in equal parts to his remaining partners."

"Lucy gets a nice trust fund to keep her and the ranch going either way. She wants Alex to receive those shares so he can transfer them to her, so she wouldn't have any reason to try and get rid of her brother. The Parkers don't receive anything, so they wouldn't have a motive. I can't work it out Kid, there must be something I'm missing." He shook his head.

"What about one of those business partners?" Curry asked hopefully.

"I'll try and talk to both of them if they're at the funeral tomorrow." Heyes carefully replaced all of the papers that he had been reading and quietly closed the door to the safe.  "And maybe you can learn something if you find Alex tomorrow."


00000


Kid Curry rode as discreetly as possible into the small town of Gilroy. He had built up an appetite on the ride in to town and decided to stop first at a café for a good lunch. He kept an eye out for anyone who looked even remotely like his partner, but by nightfall he still hadn't had any luck. By that time, he was thinking that maybe a poker game at one of the local saloons would prove more favorable…and more profitable.

A pretty red-head in the first saloon had tried to hold his attention, but seeing no one who resembled Heyes, he decided to try another place. As he approached the second saloon, he recognized the signs of trouble. Several patrons had just made a fast exit, while others were crowding in as though they wanted a piece of the action. Cautiously he peered through the window.

The sight took him by surprise. After all the years of backing Heyes up in the face of outlaws and unscrupulous gamblers, his adrenaline was automatically pumping. He had to remind himself that the man he saw inside was not his partner. Two rough looking men with guns worn tied down were standing facing a lone man seated against the wall.

"I said nobody calls me a cheater," one of the men was saying. Before the seated man could respond the second man had reached down and pulled him up by his shirtfront and landed a punch that threw him across the floor.

"Now get up and defend yourself," the first man growled menacingly.

"Two to one don't hardly seem fair," Curry said, stepping up behind the man still sprawled on the floor.

"You want to even the odds?" The angry man asked, challenging Curry to take a stand or stay out of the fight.

"I just don't like to see anyone ganged up on like this," Curry said coolly.

"I can fight my own battles, and that man had a card up his sleeve." The man on the floor had stood and took a step toward the other two.

Curry knew the signs all too well. The accused cheater had his arm hanging loosely at his side, and just as his hand twitched, Curry's gun fired. The surprised man looked down to see his gun blown clean off of his holster.

"What the..." the man began, but his friend had grabbed his arm and was pulling him toward the door.

"We don't need any part of an argument with him," the other man was saying as they exited the saloon.

Some of the other patrons were staring openly with their jaws hanging, others were pretending to mind their own business by staring down into their drinks. Several of the saloon girls stood whispering in the corner, giving Curry approving looks.

"Why'd ya do that?" The dark haired man was staring in disbelief. "I coulda handled it," he slurred and started to get up but slipped back down to the floor.

"Sure, got yourself beat up, or more likely shot." Curry helped the other man up and into his chair.

"My name's Thaddeus Jones, and you must be Alex Harrington," Curry said as he watched the other man's face.

"How'd ya know that?" He was still eyeing Curry suspiciously.

"Your sister hired my partner to pretend to be you for the next few days."

Alex's eyes widened at that information and he glanced down at Curry's gun and back to his face.

"Let's take a walk." Curry said pulling the man to his feet and supporting him as they walked out of the saloon.


00000


A tiny bell announced their arrival at the café.  Curry led the way into the deserted eating establishment.  Alex followed, already seeming a bit more sober than he had in the saloon, the fresh air having revived him somewhat.  A cup of hot, strong coffee later, Curry figured the other man was in good enough shape.  It was time to find out what Alex knew.

"Does everyone in town really believe he's me?" Alex asked, a bit uneasily.

Curry nodded. "So far." He set his coffee cup down and looked Alex Harrington in the eye.  "Why don't you tell me why you're here playing poker instead of with your sister in Santa Clara?"

Alex avoided the other man's gaze and looked down at his coffee.  "Lucy sent word that it was dangerous for me to go to Santa Clara. She said to wait here until she contacted me. I assumed she just didn't want me getting into any trouble before the reading of the will." He let out a short cynical laugh. "I guess she doesn't trust me any more than our father did."

"Maybe she was trying to protect you.  Someone's been taking shots at my partner. I'm assuming they were meant for you," Curry stated, staring hard at the man sitting across from him.

"A lot of people in that town never liked me much," Alex replied without looking up. He kept his eyes on his coffee cup as he took a slow sip.

"Enough to try and kill you?"

Alex frowned and considered this.  "Well, better him than me," he said cynically, taking another sip of coffee.

Curry glared at him, his blue eyes glinting with controlled anger. "I saved your neck back there, or have you forgotten? Don't make me sorry I did that." His voice had taken on a darker threatening tone.

"Aw, I'da been fine.  They weren't going to do anything." Alex tried to sound casual but his face belied his words.

The man might look like Heyes, Curry mused, but he sure didn't have his poker face.

"Why did you leave Santa Clara in the first place?"

"Oh, I suppose I just didn't want anyone telling me what I had to do. My father wanted me to sip brandy and discuss business with his 'respectable' friends. I drank whiskey and played poker with the ranch hands and farmers. My father always expected me to be something that I wasn't. I guess it was just easier to leave."

Curry nodded, he could understand that, but one thing still confused him.  "So if you didn't want to be in the railroad business, why did your father make you his heir?"

"Well, I guess you'd have had to know my father. He could never admit defeat. If I didn't take over the business, then it meant he had failed. And I don't think he really understood that I wasn't like him. He always threatened me with cutting me out of the business. He'd say, 'If you want to take over this empire someday you have to come home and straighten up.'" Alex let out a short laugh. "I guess he's still trying to say that from the other side of the grave."

"Tell me what you know about your father's business associates." Curry continued, a little less threatening now.

"Mason and Landry? They both own twenty percent of the railroad. My father owned sixty. They were all pretty ruthless in their business practices. My father was the worst. They cheated and intimidated landowners to sell to them, practically used slave labor to build the thing, and then they started bleeding the farmers dry with their high rates to transport their products." He shook his head. "It's always been about power and control. I wouldn't put anything past them."

"Have you had any contact with either of them?" Curry asked.

"John Mason contacted me last week with a business proposition. I told him he'd have to deal with my sister. If my father left the business to me, then I was going to let Lucy run it." He grinned." That ought to have ruffled him."  Suddenly the smile left his face and he looked up at Curry with new concern in his face.  "You don't think he would try and hurt Lucy?"

"I can't imagine a man shooting at a lady, but if they wanted control of the railroad bad enough…" Curry paused, not liking what he was thinking.

"I'm riding back with you tonight," Alex stated bluntly, with a new determination in his voice.

Curry considered this and nodded. "O.K., but we'd better keep you out of sight at the ranch until we get all this figured out."

Both men stood up and walked out of the cafe. At the door, Curry automatically checked the street for any signs of danger. He wasn't sure whether he was more worried about someone looking for Hannibal Heyes or Alex Harrington--either could mean trouble.

"Just give me a minute, I have to settle up at the hotel and get my things," Alex said, once they were on the street.

Curry thought he detected a slight nervousness in the man's voice. He waited downstairs in the lobby while Alex went up to his room and returned with a small bag. After giving the manager at the front desk a few dollars, they headed for the livery stable for Alex’s horse.   Curry watched as Alex swung gracefully into the saddle and took off at a trot. Well, at least the man knew how to ride, Curry thought, as he climbed on to his own mount and followed.

Kid Curry was tired.  He'd spent most of the night before watching the dark street outside Hawthorne’s office. Several times he almost nodded off in the saddle. Riding slightly behind the dark haired man, he had to keep reminding himself that it wasn't Heyes he was following. His build and the way he sat in the saddle could have fooled most people. He could see how someone looking for Alex could have taken those shots at them when they first rode into Santa Clara.


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The cemetery was packed.  It would have been a hard chore to fit any more bodies in; at least of the ‘living’ variety.  It seemed like the whole township turned out to pay their last respects to Mr. Harrington.  Heyes wondered how many of the people there were actually friends of the powerful man and how many were just curiosity-seekers.  He suspected that the latter far outweighed the former.  

After the minister had finished his prayer, the others in attendance began paying their respects to Lucy and 'Alex'. Heyes saw the man whom Lucy had pointed out to him earlier. He glanced at her and she confirmed with a nod.

"Hello Mr. Mason," Heyes smiled and shook the man's hand. "Thank you for coming.  I know my father would appreciate it."

"Hmm, Harrington, you had any more thoughts about my offer?" Mason said in a deep gravely voice. The man had a rough and weathered appearance. He didn't look like someone you could push around, or someone you wanted as an enemy.

"Mr. Mason, this is hardly the time to conduct business." Heyes smiled politely, as Mason eyed him coolly.

"Come by my place tomorrow morning then." He tipped his hat to Lucy and walked on.

Heyes gave Lucy a questioning look. "He's been in touch with Alex?"

She shook her head and shrugged. "I didn't know."

He leaned close and whispered, "Where's the other one, Landry?"

Lucy nodded her head to indicate a man approaching. He was a shorter, slighter man, with the more refined look of an Easterner.

"Mr. Harrington, it's been quite some time. You're looking well," he said as he shook Heyes' hand.

"Miss Harrington," he turned to Lucy. "It certainly must be a comfort to you to have your brother with you at a time like this."

"Thank you, Mr. Landry." The man was all smiles and pleasantries, but Heyes didn't trust the man's eyes. They seemed to tell a different story.

After the last respects were paid, Heyes noticed that Jim Parker was still standing nearby. The man always seemed to be keeping an eye on him. Jake joined his father and the two of them walked over.

"Miss Lucy, can I drive you back to the ranch?" Jim offered.

"No, thank you. I brought the single horse carriage. I'd like to go back home by myself."

"Alex, aren't you coming back?" Jake asked, surprised.

"I'll be along later. I have some things to see to in town this afternoon." He smiled at Jake.

Jim gave Heyes a disapproving look. "Where's your friend?"

"Oh, Thaddeus, he went fishing." Heyes smiled innocently.

"You just stay outta trouble." Jim gave him one last warning look and turned to head back to the ranch.

"See ya later, Alex." Jake whispered before leaving to join his father.

"Are you sure you want to ride back to the ranch alone?" Heyes asked Lucy when the others had finally gone.

"Yes, I'll be fine. Come by the ranch later if you need anything," she added, and Heyes almost thought he saw her blush as she climbed into her carriage and headed toward her ranch.


00000


Heyes wasn't quite sure what made him change his mind, but he decided to ride out toward the Harrington ranch, just to see what Lucy was up to. He still thought she knew more than she was letting on.

When he neared Lucy's carriage, he rode up the hillside above the main road. He could follow her this way without being seen. As he rode along, he played back his meetings with the two railroad men at the funeral trying to determine which of the two men might be trying to get rid of Alex Harrington, and how to force the would-be killer into the open.

Heyes was suddenly brought back to attention by three rapid gunshots. He heard Lucy's horse give a loud whinny and saw him rear up, pulling the reigns from Lucy's hands. The horse reared several times and then bolted off wildly.

Sensing the imminent danger, Heyes raced down the hillside in an attempt to apprehend the runaway carriage. He took a risk that his own horse would stumble or put its foot in a rabbit hole at the speed he was going, but he had taken such risks before outrunning posses. Spurring the horse on harder, he began closing the gap. As he neared the carriage, he could see the wheel wobbling dangerously and he feared they had only seconds before the axle broke or the wheel came off. At the speed the carriage was traveling and the rocky terrain, Lucy would be seriously hurt or maybe even killed. With one last surge he came alongside the panicked horse and managed to grab the reigns and gain control of the animal.

Lucy's head was still spinning, when, moments later, Heyes helped her down from the carriage. "You saved my life," she gasped as Heyes held her in a comforting embrace. Trembling with fear and relief, she clung to him for a moment, and then, as though suddenly realizing what she was doing, shyly pulled away.

They heard horses racing towards them and looked up to see Jim and Jake Parker riding back down the road at a fast gallop. "What the devil happened?" Jim yelled as they approached.

Jake immediately dismounted and went to see if Lucy was all right. "I can't believe it," he was saying. "That horse has never spooked like that before."

"Well, maybe he never had his hooves shot at before," Heyes commented dryly.

Jim was examining the wheel. "This wheel was tampered with," he announced. "Someone wanted to make sure it would come off. Alex, if you hadn't reacted so quickly, I hate to think what could have happened. That was some riding you did.  We saw you come down that hillside."

"Sure was," Jake added. "You're a real hero, Alex." The young man looked over at Heyes with admiration.

"He's right," Jim said seriously, turning to face Heyes. "I have to admit, I always took you for a coward, but that was a real brave thing you did." He reached out his hand with genuine sincerity. Heyes shook his hand solemnly. The look in Parker's eyes told Heyes that this man hadn't tried to harm them. He also thought he saw a new respect beginning to grow.

"Lucy, you ride my horse back to the ranch," Jake offered. "I'll take yours and calm him down a bit and then ride him on back."

"I'll come back with my tools later and fix that wheel so we can get the carriage back in one piece," Jim added. "First I'll see that you both get safely back to the ranch."

The small group rode on to the ranch in silence, each of them deep in thought.