royannahuggins
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 | | Hunter and Hunted – Part 2 by Nightwalker and Hanna Heyes | |
Starring
Pete Duel and Ben Murphy as
Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry
Guest Starring
Callum Keith Rennie as Jack Odium
Hélène Udy as Delilah Brock
Asher Morrissette as Billy Brock
Anson Mount as Lou Racine
Hunter and Hunted – Part 2
by Nightwalker & Hanna Heyes -o-o-o-
The next day Jack and Delilah took Billy into town again.
“Guess the good doctor isn’t keen on seein’ me again anytime soon.” Jack avoided Delilah’s gaze and sat down on the sidewalk at the corner of the local dressmaker. “I’ll be waitin’ here for you.” With a contented smile on his face, his eyes lingered on Delilah crossing the street. A heavy hand dropping on his shoulder startled him. He leapt to his feet as rough hands clenched into his shirt and pushed him into the narrow side alley.
Jack spun around and raised his fists ready to fight. When he got sight of the offender, he dropped his arms, straightened his back and tilted up his chin.
The man in front of him was about forty years old, of heavy build, with shoulder-long dark hair, heavy beard, and a sly glint in his eyes. His voice was deep and treacherously amicable as he greeted the younger man. “Hiya, Jeremy, long time no see.”
“Yeah, long time, Racine. And it’s Jack now.”
Racine laughed. “Jack? Alright. But don’t think a name would change a thing between us. You know why I’m here.”
“Wanna buy me a beer?” Jack offered with an innocent smile, but showing too much teeth.
“Don’t play dumb with me.” Racine’s eyes drifted to Delilah and Billy just entering the doctor’s office across the street. “Nice girl. Pretty. Wouldn’t mind spending some quality time with her.”
A dangerous spark appeared in Jack’s eyes. “Leave her alone! That’s the kinda thinkin’ that got you locked away.”
“Ah, your girl, ain’t she?” Racine tilted his head. “That your brat?”
“Nope. She’s a widow. Work for her. ‘Cause I’ve got all that money you’re after,” Jack said, his voice soft on the surface, but with a core of iron underneath.
“So, you do know what it’s all about.” Racine’s eyes narrowed as he moved into Jack’s space, trying to back him up against the wall. But the slender blond stood like a rock, so Racine ended up only inches away from his face and growled, “I know how things went. One of you sold me out and ran off with the money. Hank, Slim and Matt had no clue. Guess who I figured had done this to me?”
Jack leaned into him even more, tilted his head and snarled, “I wasn’t even in on the job.”
“But your uncle Eddy was. Was supposed to ride shotgun. Got us the route and all but didn’t show up in the end. Figured you talked him out of it.”
“He was sick. Could have cost him his life.”
“He’s dead now, anyway. You knew enough to set me up!” Racine spat out.
“There was no set-up – just bad timin’, bad plannin’. I told you back then, but you wouldn’t listen. There is no money.”
“Ah, of course, that’s what you’ve got to say. But you can’t reckon I’m going to believe it, do you?”
“Nope, but I can’t change what’s true.”
The older man snorted, turned around and moved a few paces. He ran his hand over his beard and faced Jack again. “You know, actually I don’t care what’s on your mind. I only care about the loot.”
“That’s always been your problem, Lou: you talk too much and never listen. There. Is. No. Money.” Jack’s hands balled into fists and opened again in slow motion.
“Too bad for you, pal. I can’t let you off the hook that easy; you know that. I’ve got to keep up my reputation.”
Jack kept silent, glaring at his opponent and tensed up even more. He gave the impression of a loaded gun ready to go off.
But Racine didn’t act on it. His eyes were captured by two men sauntering down the street. He took two steps back, diving deeper into the shadows as he watched Heyes and Curry walk by. “I’ll be...” he muttered under his breath.
“What?”
“You see those guys?”
“What guys?”
“The two guys heading for the barber. Tall, one of them slim, dark-haired, black hat. The other blond and meatier.”
“It’s not my habit watchin’ other guys. What about them?”
“You know who they are? I don’t know the blond, but the dark-one sure as heck is Hannibal Heyes. I bet the brawny-one is his partner, Kid Curry. You know what that means?”
Jack’s eyes flashed for a beat. “More guys like us?”
“Like us?” Racine laughed. “I don’t think so. They’re worth $10,000 apiece.”
“And why would I care?”
“Shut up and let me think.”
Jack pulled a face, the corner of his mouth twitching, but kept silent.
“You still claiming having no money?” Racine asked after a while.
“Yup.”
“So, you can call yourself lucky, ‘cause there’s the money you owe me. $20,000 just waiting to be picked up.” Racine pointed down the street. “Get me the reward on those two, and I’ll forgive you. Forget about our little... misunderstanding.”
“You want me to squeal on them? Rat out Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry, if you’re right with your guess? You know what messin’ around with them means?” Upset, Jack pointed two fingers down the street. “Kid Curry bein’ said to be the fastest gun in the West and Heyes as sharp with his mind he’s no bit easier to get a drop on?” He thrust out his arms, exposing his chest, and cracked his neck. “Why don’t you just shoot me right away and get it over with?”
“Don’t tempt me, Jeremy,” the older man growled. “And there’s still the matter of $20,000.”
Jack dropped his arms again, vaguely indicating the street. “Alright, so you’re gonna make them shoot me. Not much of a difference at my end of the deal.”
“Don’t you know, they never shot anyone?”
“There’s a first time for everything!”
“They don’t know you. And if you’re as smart as your mouth, you’re gonna find a way to take them out one by one before they even know what you’re up to. They’re wanted dead or alive. Nobody’s safe from a bullet in the night, not even Kid Curry.”
“You want me to shoot them in the back and make money off their dead bodies?” Disgust flared up in the corners of Jack’s eyes.
“There was a time when you didn’t care too much about other men’s concerns. If anything, you liked hurting people in the past, indulging your power.”
“I don’t do that no more.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Racine sneered. “Once you were a fierce dog, fighting all the time, but now you’re weak. They're dead meat, anyway. It’s only a matter of time until someone guns them down with that price on their head. You follow them around, take them out tonight, and turn them in come morning.”
“Why don’t you turn them in yourself?” Jack snapped.
“And run into some clever lawman so he can put me away, too?” The older man laughed, a dirty unpleasant sound. “No, thanks. I’m not that stupid. You owe me. You’ll turn them in and get me the reward. Easy as that. You won’t get the money right away, but you’re gonna tell them you can’t wait that long, and have it sent to Tucson. I know, I can trust you with this. You wouldn’t dare cheat me again.”
“I’m not gonna do this!” Jack lifted up his chin, his face a composition of angles and hard lines. “I’ve got a choice. And you can’t make me.”
“Oh, I think I can. One journey’s gonna end here. The only choice you should care about is whose journey it is. And spare me your trying to pretend that woman doesn’t mean a thing to you. I’m not blind.” Racine gave him time to let his words sink in, then laid his arm around Jack’s shoulder in a skewed gesture of friendship.
“Actually, I don’t care which way you handle them. All I care about is the money. If you win their trust and make them come with you, it’s fine with me. I’ve seen you dazzle folks in the past. So cast your spell or use your gun and get me the reward.”
Jack shook his arm off but didn’t respond otherwise.
Racine drew back and continued, “See, for old times’ sake I’m giving you a chance here – a chance to get even, pay me back. I’ve always liked you. I wouldn’t want to hurt you, but right now, I’m short of alternatives – just like you. We’ll meet here at noon, and I’ll watch you turn them in. You’ll get me that money, we settle the score, and I’ll go to Mexico. No harm, no foul. There’ll be no hard feelings between us anymore. Promise.”
Jack’s eyes were piercing into the other man’s eyes. “Yeah, we’ll settle the score. Once and for all.”
“And don’t get funny ideas. Stick to our plan or your little lady-friend and her brat are getting to know me. Might not enjoy it as much as I will.”
-o-o-o-
Jack stood alone in the back alley across from the doctor’s, staring at the wall. His face was dark, his eyes smoldering. He turned his head when he heard the door of the doctor’s open. Delilah with Billy in her arms exited. Her eyes panned the street up and down.
Jack composed himself and approached them, his attitude calm, but serious. “How is he?”
Delilah shook her head. “Still no improvement.”
“The doctor ask you to leave Billy with him?”
“Yes, but I told him no.”
“Maybe you should do what he told you.”
Her eyes widened. “What? But yesterday you said....”
“I know what I said, Delilah,” he replied softly, “but he’s right. He’s right.”
“What made you change your mind?”
“Billy’ll get better treatment there.”
She looked him deep in the eyes. “There’s more to it. What are you hiding from me?”
Jack averted his eyes and started to turn away, but then looked back at her again. “Racine... he’s here. And he’ll come see me. I can’t have you around then.”
“But why would he care?”
“Old story. Don’t matter now. But I don’t want you to get in his way.”
“So, you send us away just like that?”
Several beats passed, a set of emotions flashing through Jack’s eyes, before he came to a decision. “I can’t protect you,” he admitted quietly. “You’re not safe with me. He’s not safe.” His look indicated the little boy. “Billy should be in town at the doctor’s. He’ll get better care there.” He caught her eyes and held her gaze with incredible intensity. “Stay with him. Care for him. He needs you. And I need to know you’re safe.”
Gently, Delilah laid her hand on his arm. “You’re not your father, Jack.”
“I don’t blame him. There wasn’t much he could do. But I’ll keep you safe no matter what,” Jack stated. “I couldn’t live with myself if somethin’ happened to you on my account. I’ll do whatever necessary to protect you and our boy.”
A brief smile ghosted over her face. “I know you will.” Delilah leaned into him and kissed his cheek gently. “You’re a good man. You’ll do the right thing.”
Jack avoided her look as he took the boy from her arms. “Yeah, the right thing. The right thing; that’s what I’ll do.”
-o-o-o-
Freshly shaven, Heyes and Curry returned to the camp. Jack was stirring a pot of stew simmering on the fire. Heyes sat down on a log nearby, stretching his long legs, while the Kid checked his holster.
Heyes took a look around. “Where’s Delilah?”
“At the doctor’s with Billy. Boy’s gettin’ better treatment there.”
“Ah.” Heyes nodded.
They sat quiet; Jack stirring the stew. Every now and then he threw a quick glance towards the boys.
Heyes observed him for a while and then asked, “What's changed?”
“Nothin’.”
“I know that look. You know, don’t you?”
“Know what?”
“Who we are,” Heyes pointed out, his dark-brown eyes fixed on the younger man.
“Who are you?”
Kid Curry blinked at Jack leisurely. “Don’t try playin’ games with us. Joshua’s better at it, anyway.”
“You mean Hannibal Heyes?” Jack thrust the ladle into the pot, stood and started pacing about the camp, restlessly.
The ex-outlaws exchanged a meaningful glance.
“So, Racine’s here. And you met him.” Heyes reclined and crossed his ankles. Only silence answered him, so he continued, “C’mon, I’m not stupid. You can be frank with us. You expected him. He knows me – and you didn’t.”
As Jack merely tilted his head and kept silent, Heyes added, “If Racine knows I’m here, he might get ideas I can’t agree with, and I know you expect trouble from him, too. I suggest we work together as it seems we’re pretty much in the same spot.”
“No! No, we’re not in the same spot!” Jack shot back. “I paid my dues! And I mended my ways!”
“And so did we!” Heyes countered, sitting up straight and lifting his chin. “We made a deal we’re not able to talk about. Got out of the business almost two years ago.”
“You did? But you’re still wanted?” Jack stopped his pacing and stared at Heyes in disbelief.
Heyes grimaced in mock pain. “That’s the not so good part of the deal. And you know how hard it is to change one’s way and lead an honest life, anyway. Must be even harder for a man like you, having a family. Though you’re lucky to have someone like Delilah.”
“Yes, I am. She’s a blessin’.” A quick smile flashed over Jack’s face, and his look lost its focus. “She’s been a good girl. Decent.” Jack lowered his eyes, then looked up again, and straightened his shoulders. “I did bad things in the past, things I’m not proud of. People got hurt. I didn’t mind. But then Billy happened, and everythin’ changed. It’s not that I’ve changed somehow, I decided to make a change, leave my old ways. It’s a decision to be made day by day by day! Despite the temptation!”
Jack paused, aggravated, and Heyes nodded slowly before the young man continued.
“And now there’s you two and Racine to worry about!”
“Us? Why’d you worry about us? I just told you we went straight!” Heyes stood up to face Jack, now irritated himself. Curry also stood and shifted behind his partner.
“And you expect me to just believe the word of one of the most notorious outlaws in the West?! The one known for his silver tongue and cons?!” Jack snarled with bared teeth and flashing eyes.
Heyes bristled. “We believe you! And you were once on the same side we used to be on!”
Jack met the eyes of the ex-outlaw leader and returned his gaze. Eventually, he looked away, turned and forced himself to sit back down again. He picked up a stick and started poking the embers, stirring up the flames in front as he tamed those inside of him. He was completely calm again, when he admitted, “I guess you’ve got a point…”
Both Heyes and Curry sat back in their previous spots as well.
Heyes tried to bring the tension down. “So, about Racine. I met him a few times in the past. Can’t say I’ve missed him. Who is he to you?”
“Old friend. Old partner. Ran together for a while as teens. Didn’t work out when things got rough. I shot a man. Went to trial. Went to jail. When I got out things were not the same anymore between us. One of his jobs blew up and they locked him away. That’s about it. Now he’s after me. He’s been after all of the boys, lookin’ for money, tryin’ to get even.”
Heyes pulled up his legs and leaned slightly forward, his face expectant. “And the money is...?”
“There is no money.” Jack's voice was adamant. “Gave me time, ‘till noon tomorrow, waitin’ for me to pay him. Which I can’t. Though, if you know him...”
“Yeah, things will get ugly soon either way,” Heyes confirmed. “Can’t let it go without someone getting hurt.”
“I can’t endanger my son,” Jack declared calmly. “I’m goin’ to face down Racine. It’s the only way to keep them safe.”
“You can’t do that,” Heyes told him. “He’s a murderer and don’t mind more blood on his hands. There won’t be such a thing as a fair fight.”
“You think I don’t know that?!” Jack busted out, his eyes blazing. “What else can I do? Wait ‘till he comes? Gets me? Gets them? You think I’ll let this happen?”
“No, you wouldn’t,” Heyes replied.
“Only over your dead body,” Kid Curry added, his voice calm and his words emphasized.
“And it’s likely you’ll end up with your face in the dirt. He’s a decent shot and he’s ruthless,” Heyes continued. “I don’t know about your skills, but even if you best him, you’ll have to stand trial.”
Jack raised his chin slightly, his eyes hard, radiating steely determination.
“Don’t waste your stubbornness on us, Jack,” Heyes replied, unaffected. “I’m used to dealing with worse. Thaddeus is a master in that department and can out-stubborn you any given day.”
Kid Curry shot him the look but remained silent.
Jack’s eyes grew darker and his jaws tightened even more. “I’ve been in jail before. I can do it again, as long as I know they are safe.”
“You think they can make it without you?” The Kid lifted his brows, then cocked his head slightly. “Billy, sick and at a young age, Delilah pretty and with no means and protection? They need you. They need you to live! They need you to be with them and care for them. You can’t just walk out on those you love no matter what.” He exchanged a quick glance and a brief smile with his partner.
Insecurity crept into Jack’s bright eyes, his determination visibly cracking, then shattering to pieces. He dropped his eyes, and his shoulders sagged. His voice was gravelly when he spoke again. “No matter how fast or far you’re runnin’, you can’t outrun your past. It follows you like a shadow, ready to catch up with you at any time. Catch up with you when you least expect it and bring you down.”
“That’s about it,” Heyes replied softly. “Unless you stop running, turn around and face your demons. Then it’s you in control; you deciding about the time and place. Manipulation of the variables can change the result.”
“That easy, huh? Control a mad dog like Racine?”
“Control the situation!” Heyes told him. “You know what he wants and where he’s going to be.”
“Yeah, and I wanted to call him out and take him out once and for all. Somethin’ that you don't approve of. And I am not goin’ to gamble on their safety!” Jack’s eyes darted towards town.
“Oh, you’re going to take him out,” Heyes cracked a bright smile, “and keep your family safe – but with finesse.”
“Finesse? One for big words, huh? A lot to ask from one man runnin’ out of time.”
“Ah, there’s where you went wrong.” Heyes’ smile deepened. “We’ve got all the time we need. And you’re not going to be alone.”
Kid Curry smiled too, shifting his weight to his other leg. “Nobody’s gonna harm your wife and son.”
Jack frowned. “How can you be so sure?”
“’Cause I’m a genius, and he’s pretty good with that gun of his.” Heyes beamed at him. “Racine needs to be stopped or a lot more of innocent people will die.” Heyes stood and started pacing. “Say… how would you like to get your friend captured by the local sheriff, and get the bounty on Racine? Earn yourself the town’s favor and trust, so you can finally use your own name and settle down?”
“The full package?”
“The full package!”
“I’ve heard you’re smart, but I didn’t know you can do miracles.” Jack’s suspicion was more than obvious.
Heyes laughed. “Oh, you don’t need a miracle, just an ingenious plan. You know, I’ve got some sort of reputation.” Heyes’ dark-brown eyes twinkled. “There’s a reason why I’m famous.”
“Notorious,” Kid Curry offered.
“...just like my partner here.”
“Famous it is.” The blond ex-outlaw agreed and leaned back a bit.
“But what about you?” Jack steered the conversation back to the topic at hand. “What’ll you get out of this game?”
“Avoiding trouble and keeping that deal of ours safe. We’ll vanish into thin air. Nobody needs to know about our involvement. I’ve got it all figured out.”
Jack watched Heyes thoughtfully. After a while he nodded. “Alright. Alright, I’ll trust you. How do we do it?”
“That’s easy! You’ll go to the Sheriff and tell him you recognized someone. Stay with the truth as close as you can. Honesty is a strong weapon, because it’s impossible to disprove! Go to Racine. Talk to him. Get him to talk. You need him to confess about prison and murder, while the sheriff overhears it.”
“I got that, but why would he do a fool thing like that?”
“Jack, Racine’s hoping for the money! It’s you in control. If you make him believe you’re the only one hearing him, why would he deny he’s been there?”
“What makes you think Racine wouldn’t just gun me down first thing he learns I’m empty-handed… and gun down anyone else in sight while he’s at it?
“You gotta keep him unclear about the situation for as long as possible.” Heyes was in his element now, underlining his plan with wide gestures and expressive facial expressions. “When Racine sees you and wants to know where his money is, ask Racine if that was the only reason he broke out of prison. Whether he answers yes or no won’t matter because either way, he’ll be admitting he was incarcerated. If his answer is yes, then obviously he’s admitting it then. If he says no, he’s admitting that ‘no, it’s not the only reason’, still saying in a roundabout way that he was in prison and escaped. He can’t know we’ll have the sheriff hidden in earshot.”
Jack’s eyes lit up, and he nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I see... could work as long as he doesn't smell a rat.”
“There’s always unknown variables and events that could come up. Distract him. Let him wrap his mind around something else. And you better keep an extra revolver hidden behind your back in case he takes your gun from your holster. But keep it calm. Don’t shoot Racine unless absolutely necessary in self-defense. Me and Thaddeus will be there in case you need us and have Racine covered.”
“Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson and won’t kill easily again. How will you know when you’ve got to step in?”
“C’mon, we’ve got experience. I’m not dumb, and Thaddeus can definitely tell when a man is about to draw, even from a distance. He’s been facing down more than enough men and can read the body language fairly well.”
Jack turned to the curly blond. “So, you are Kid Curry?”
The blond gunslinger adjusted his stance. “What would a name change for you? I’ll be there in case you need me.”
“How can I trust a man I don’t know nothin’ about? A man with his gun hand hurt. What if you’re not as fast as you claim or as good at your aim?”
Kid Curry squared his shoulders and started to rise.
Heyes laid a hand on his partner’s arm. “Keep it calm, partner. Knowing Racine’s reputation, he likes to terrify his victims as much as possible before he kills them. That gives us plenty of time to stop him in case something goes downhill. Thaddeus doesn’t have to draw and his weapon will be on Racine all the time. It’ll be like slicing cake.” Heyes eyes started sparkling. “First thing is to get the sheriff on your side and involved in capturing Racine. We’ll be visiting the sheriff’s office next morning to convince him to help.”
“So, you’re comin’ with me?”
“Yup, just in case. I’ll back your story up and talk him into it, if necessary.”
Jack nodded. “Alright then, we do it your way. We’ll go to the sheriff and get things goin’.” He smiled briefly, but his eyes stayed serious. “I’ll do whatever necessary to keep Delilah and Billy safe.”
-o-o-o-
Last edited by royannahuggins on Fri 04 Mar 2022, 11:12 pm; edited 2 times in total | |
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What a winning episode - loved it! How can you not love a Hannibal Heyes plan, the baddie is caught, 
and a lovely family gets a chance to settle down. The casting was excellent! Awesome episode, Nightwalker and Hanna Heyes!
