CAT AND MOUSE

by Wendy Hislop: Shywalker

Part one

Vin made his way down the darkened street, his feet dragging in the dirt as he walked. He was tired and was starting to get that familiar itch in the back of his neck. The one that told him it was time to see the open spaces of the plains again. It was time to ride out and feel the wind and sun on his face, to sleep under the moon and count the stars. The walls of Four Corners were starting to press in, and the responsibility of caring about the town and his friends was something he was still finding hard to get used to.

He had never been tied down to one town, to one group since he was a child, and it unnerved him how quickly he had learned to care about his six friends. The men had become his family and he would do anything to protect them; he would die for them.

Shivering, Vin tried to shake off the feeling of dread that suddenly overpowered his thoughts. A quick scan of the street failed to find anything amiss, so he continued on his way to his bed.

He turned into the alley that led to his wagon, chastising himself for his over reaction. "You're getting paranoid Tanner. You definitely need to get the cobwebs out of ..." A noise from the roof above caught his attention, and he reached for his mare's leg.

Just as Vin's fingertips felt the steel of his weapon, the wind was forced from his body as the he was slammed hard into the wall. The Tracker's hand was twisted and yanked away from his gun and without warning, two of his fingers were pulled back back and broken.

Clenching his teeth, Vin fought back the urge to scream as he felt the bones crack and break. Instead he renewed his efforts to push away from the hands and bodies that kept him pressed against the harsh splintered wood.

"What the hell do you...." Again his words were severed as something suddenly pull at his throat, severly constricting his intake of air.

"Unless you want me to use this rope to hang you right here, shut that murderin' mouth of yours." A voice snarled in his ear as a punch connected with his kidneys.

Struggling to breath, Vin felt the rope around his neck slacken some, and the blackness that had been threatening to take him, lifted as his lungs were allowed air.

"Who--are-- you?" Vin demanded, as his arms were roughly pulled behind his back and tied. More hands seem to take great pleasure in checking his body for anything else he may be hiding and he kicked out in disgust at the invasion.

"Don't matter who we are Tanner, but I can tell you this...you ain't goin' to like us very much." Another voice laughed.

Part Two

<"Don't matter who we are Tanner, but I can tell you this...you ain't goin' to like us very much.">

The voice seemed familiar to Vin and as he continued to buck and push at the hands and arms that confined him, he searched his memory to find it's owner. And then there it was. Two years ago Sam Carrington had tried to claim the bounty on his head. "Carrington! You sonof--" Vin spat. "I made that much of an impression Tanner? I'm flattered. Though I guess it's hard to forget a man that put a bullet in your leg ain't it. You are one slippery sonofagun, I'll give you that. I thought when I saw you go over that cliff, that you were drowned for sure. Well, didn't I look a stupid bastard when I got this job and they told me you were still among the land of the living."

"You always were-- a stupid bastard Carrington, and nothin's changed if you think you are taking me back to Tuscosa to hang." The ex bounty hunter managed to sneer.

Carrington couldn't help laughing. "Your bounty? That pittance. Son, you have no idea how much you are worth to some people...and you're lucky-- this one wants you alive."

Vin was only half listening, as he picked up the sounds foosteps making their way toward them.

"How is it?" Carrington asked the new comer.

"Free and clear, if we go now." The voice answered.

That had brought the tally to four that Vin had counted and there was no telling how many more were in on this. 'Shit! What the hell is going on here?'

The smell of burnt beans came closer until the tracker could make out the faint outline of a stranger's crooked smile. "Much as I like listenin' to that pretty lil' voice of yours, it's goodnight. Say goodnight Tanner."

The pain was quick and ended in total oblivion as a rifle butt smashed against the back of the ex bounty hunter's head.

@@@@@@@@@@@

Chris continued to tap the coin on the table, his deep set frown a sure sign something was bothering him. "Are you sure Vin didn't say anythin' to any of you, bout leavin' town this mornin'?"

Buck's eye's never left Inez, as she cleared the tables of the empty glasses. Smiling, he winked at the pretty barmaid as he played his card. "You know as well as I do, Chris, that Vin, has had itchy britches for days now, he'll be back when he works it through. You worry too much about that boy."

"I don't know about that," Nathan disagreed. "Vin might be a bit of a loner, but he is one of us. I can't see him just ridin' without tellin' at least one of us, he was goin'."

"I tend to agree with Mr.Wilmington, Mr. Tanner will be back when he has satisfied his wonderlust." Ezra added his opinion.

"I don't remember askin' for a vote here. All I asked was did he say anything." Chris growled. Pushing his chair back, he stood and stomped for the doors.

"Hey, Chris where ya goin'?" JD called after the gunslinger.

"For a walk." Chris snapped, leaving the saloon doors swinging in his wake.

Sighing, Buck threw his cards on the table and with an exaggerated twirl of his wrist threw on his hat. "Oh well, I was losin' anyway."

With silent agreement, the five men stood and followed their leader to find their wayward friend.

Chris had just finished checking the saddle on his horse, when his eyes caught sight of the five men, who now stood watching him.

"Funny place to be takin' a walk pard," Buck admonished. "And you certainly know better than to be takin' that walk without us."

Chris shook his head, letting only a partial smile past his concern for Vin. "Well quit flappin' your gums and hurry up. I ain't waitin' all day."

Part Three

The uneven motion of a horses gait greeted Vin's painful return to awareness. It was instantly clear to the tracker, even with the material that covered his eyes, that he was he tied over the back of the horse like a sack of flour.

Ignoring the pain of his broken fingers, Vin twisted and flexed his wrists, but failed to loosen rope that bound them. He silently cursed the careless stupidity that had caused him to be taken so easily.

Carrington watched his old enemy's attempts to free himself, knowing how useless it was; he had tied the knots himself. "I wouldn't be tryin' anythin', if I were you Tanner. I was told to bring you back alive, but as to what condition that 'live' meant, well, that was left up to me."

Vin could almost hear the smirk in Carrington's voice and the tracker promised himself before this was over, he would make the bounty hunter choke on it. "You ain't me, Carrington. You ain't even close."

"You've gone soft boy, you've let town life slow you down. There was a time, not long ago when you'd never have been taken that easily."

"Easily? If I remember correctly, the odds were in your favor, just like last time. Hell Carrington, you never could deal an honest hand."

Carrington laughed, as he rode beside the younger man's horse. "Honesty doesn't get you the big bounties, Tanner, knowing your enemy does. You got me good last time, a dead partner, a ruined face, " the bounty hunter lightly fingered a scar that ran across his left cheek and frowned at the memory. "I wasn't about to let you get away from me twice. After all, we have a lot of reminiscing to do."

Despite all his efforts, a groan escaped Vin as the buffeting horse movements, pounded his stomach and chest.

"Oh sorry yeah, about the traveling arrangements, Tanner, but you were in no condition to ride in the usual fashion. Behave and I might just allow the blood to flow back to your feet."

"Don't do me any favors."

@@@@@@@@@@

Buck rode back toward the oncoming five men. "No sign of 'em Chris." Slipping his hat off, Wilmington wiped the dust and sweat from his face with the back of his sleeve. "I followed the tracks, they must have at least a half a day on us."

Chris's shoulders sagged in frustration. "Damn it! I knew somethin' was wrong, I should've started after him when I first got the feelin'." He admonished himself. "Well let's get goin' then."

The rest of the six looked at each other, but it was Josiah who reached for the reins in the gunfighter's hands. "We are all worried about Vin, Brother Larabee, but there is only one person that could track in this light. We will have to leave it up to God to care for him tonight."

Chris's eyes pleaded at the soft spoken preacher, as the gunfighter whispered. "What if he isn't watching Josiah?"

Part four

Vin felt the horse's gait slow until it eventually stopped completely. With some small degree of gratitude for the repsite, he took some less labored breaths as he listened for the whispers and movement that mulled around him.

Without warning Vin felt something yank at his hair, the force stretched his neck so far back he thought it would snap. Finding himself again struggling to get air, he was surprised when the blind fold was suddenly whipped away from his eyes.

"Now you have two choices Tanner. One, I could leave you here all night, or you can behave yourself and I'll give you the comfort of the ground to sit on and maybe even some food if you're a good lil' boy. So what's it going to be?"

Vin clenched his teeth, as he nodded his agreement.

Carrington noticed the pure hatred in Vin's eyes as they stared into his. He knew what the bounty hunter was thinking and he wasn't going to give Tanner an inch.

Stooping to Vin's eye level, the bounty hunter glared back. "I know you Tanner, and I do know what you're thinkin'. Just remember that bounty--I get to make money out of you one way or the other. So cause me any trouble boy, and I will bleed you like a hog. Have we reached an understandin'?" When Vin failed to answer, Carrington tightened his grip on the tracker's hair. "I asked you have we reached an understandin'?"

"Go...to... hell." Vin spat with as much intensity as the lack air of would allow.

"You're bound and determined to push me aren't ya boy? Well, have it your way then." He scowled, dropping Vin's head, causing the horse to rear back in surprise.

"Whoa girl...whoa." A voice called and soothed the skittish mare. "Carrington, he's going to be of no use to our employer if you leave him like this. We all have a dollar stake in this boy gettin' to where we're goin' in one piece."

"Have it your way Sackett, but you'll be taken' his place if he gets away from ya." Carrington stooped back to whisper in Vin's ear. "I'd watch myself there boy. Sackett seems to have taken quite a shine to that pretty face of yours. I have known him to ENJOY the company of his bounties before he hands them over-- dead of course. You better hope when the time comes, that I get to you first." He laughed as he walked away.

With Carrington's amusement ringing in his ears, the sudden touch of a hand on his back, startled Vin, bringing his attention back to Sackett. "Ya goin' to be cut free now, but there is a man standin' behind me ready to shoot ya if'n ya try somethin'." He instructed as he gently rubbed the shivering man's back.

Vin felt the hands move up his body as the freedom of his hands caused his body to slide off the horse's back. The weight of his body surprised him and his legs began to buckle under him.

Sackett felt the ex bounty hunter going down and, with his hands already on the liberated man, he was able to catch him before he hit the ground. "I gotcha boy."

Repulsed by the depraved thoughts that were emanating from the smiling man, Vin push himself away. Curling his tied hands together, he backhanded Sackett to the ground. "Touch me again," He warned breathlessly, "you sick sonofabitch and I'll kill you where you stand."

A click swung Vin's attention around to the man who had been standing guard and who's rifle now pointed directly at his head. "Do it!" He challenged the guard.

Sackett dusted his clothes off as he picked himself up from the ground. Smiling, he wiped the blood from his lip, his grin revealing a gold tooth, a bizarre contrast to his other discolored teeth. "Boy, I'm goin' to enjoy breakin' you." Using his thumb to wipe the last trail of blood from the corner of his mouth, he suddenly turned, his fist smashing into Vin's stomach sending the tracker to his knees.

As Vin gasped for air, a fist exploded his world into darkness.

Grabbing the tracker's collar, Sackett dragged him to a tree. "Next time," He snarled as sat he him against the tree and began to tie his arms. "You won't get off so easy."

Part Five

The small fire lit the campsite. Its flickering flames danced in the night air as it cast its light and shadows over the six silent men. Each man sat lost in his own personal thoughts for their missing friend. Of the six, Chris had been the most subdued. Inwardly seething, the gunfighter's helpless rage vented in his constant fidgeting movements.

"Who do you think took him Buck?" JD asked. The flames reflected in his eyes as he used a stick to poke at the ashes of the fire.

"Did you see me pack a crystal ball in my saddle bag?" Buck snapped. Noting the hurt expression on the young man's face, his voice softened slightly. "I don't know Kid-- I just don't know."

"At least it would seem, our Mr. Tanner is safe from the bounty that comes with his head." a southern voice drawled from the other side of the flames.

Nathan frowned in the gambler's direction in puzzlement. "How do you come to that conclusion Ezra?"

The repetitive card shuffling suddenly stopped. "A simple deduction Mr. Jackson," Ezra offered. "The tracks are leading away from Tuscosa not toward it. Whoever has our friend seems have their own agenda. An agenda that hopefully will include our timely rescue."

Pacing behind them from one side of the fire to the other, Chris seemed oblivious to the discussion that bounced in hushed tones. Instead, his concentration seemed set on his hat that he continually turned in his hands. So lost in his absent minded task, the gunfighter hadn't notice that Josiah had quietly left the others to join him.

"Are you going to do that all night? " Josiah asked of the gunfighter's constant pacing.

Chris's vacant stare stayed focused on his hat, his fingers stroking its rim, as his voice betrayed his thoughts. "Why, why did I let you all get so close? I was doing alright on my own. I didn't have to worry about feeling this way, because I didn't care."

Josiah shrugged, finding it hard to give an answer to his friend. He had a hard enough time explaining to himself why he had so willingly left his own pain behind to become one with these six men. "Only dead men don't care, Brother Larabee, and even with all our best efforts to the contrary, we're not dead."

"Yet!" Chris offered somberly. Moving closer, Josiah stopped Chris's agitated movements, with a touch on his shoulder. He knew who's death, the gunfighter was referring to. "You must have faith friend. It has been known to work miracles."

Chris stared at the former man of God. "I didn't think you believed in miracles anymore, Josiah. I sure as hell don't."

Moving out from under the comforting hand, Chris moved toward his bedroll just time to hear JD's voice.

"Buck, what do you think they want with Vin?"

Chris felt his gut twist at the mention of the tracker's name and answered before Buck had a chance to open his mouth. "I don't know what they want JD, but sure as hell, they ain't goin' to get it." he promised.

Part Six

Awareness slowly returned to the tracker and as his eyes began to focus he found himself no better off. His arms were stretched and tied behind him, cutting off the circulation to his hands. The metallic taste of blood and the pain emanating from his lips told him Sackett had done some damage.

"I told you not push Sackett, didn't I? He's going to be very upset he split your lip like that. I'm sure he has other plans for the pretty mouth of yours." Carrington's amused voice chuckled.

Leaning his head back against the tree, Vin followed the sound of the voice to see the bounty hunter lounging on a bedroll in front of him.

"Enjoy yourself while ya can, Carrington." The tracker glared.

Carrington's smile broadened, "oh, I intend to do just that. I have been waiting a long time for this, Tanner. Everytime I shaved, or saw my reflection in a dirty bar mirror, I thought of ya." Absentmindedly, the bounty hunter ran his finger over his cheek, touching the now familiar but ugly feel of the raised, flawed skin. "Finding ya was my one constant thought."

"Oh, now I feel bad," Vin mocked. "Here I was all these years, not givin' ya a second thought, but then why should I? Why should I think about the yella coward, who even with a partner, had to try and shoot me in the back," the tracker nodded toward the other men, " and who even now is too gutless to face me on his own."

In a blink of an eye, Carrington was up on his knees, his hands tightly curled around the tracker's throat.

"I should kill ya now." Carrington hissed.

Vin defiantly stared into the clouded eyes that were only now, a hairs breath from his. "Do-- it." the tracker gasped.

Time stood still between the two men as the pendulum of fate tipped back and fourth. What would have been seconds for Carrington, became an eternity for Vin as the bounty hunter weighed his justice against the monetary value of the warm body under his hands.

Slowly releasing his grip and his anger, Carrington leaned in toward Vin's ear. A smile spread, as he gripped the side of the tracker's head.

"Oh, I will kill ya Tanner, but just in case, ya find another cliff to take a leap from, Sackett and De Mingo are here and both will do more than just kill ya." Slipping his hand under Vin's chin, Carrington slammed the tracker's head against the tree. "Maybe it would be worth givin' up all that money, just to watch 'em have their fun with ya."

Stunned, Vin thought his head was about to split apart. He tried to say something; to tell Carrington what he was going to do to him when he got free, but he was having enough trouble, keeping the bile from rising into his throat.

The crack of Tanner's head striking wood went no where close to giving Carrington the satisfaction he craved but it did feel good all the same. Standing up, he looked around the campsite until he saw what he was seeking.

"Brown! Larkin!" he called to two of the more expendable of their party.

The two men came running; their rifles clasped in their hands and ready.

Carrington looked down at Vin, making sure he was still conscious and able to hear his orders to the men.

"It's time." Carrington ordered.

Brown tipped his hat back of his forehead a bit, revealing his creased brow. "Alive or dead?"

"What do you reckon?" Carrington paused to reassure himself that the blow to the tracker's head hadn't dulled his attention span. Pleased Tanner was still with him, he continued. "Back track and stop anyone followin'. I don't care who they are, how helpless, or how official they look. Kill'em."

The frown disappeared as a smile took its place. "As ya say, you're the boss" Brown answered, licking his lips in anticipation of the killing that was to come.

Carrington nodded as he watched the two men enthusiastically make their way to their horses. Turning back to Vin, he saw the hatred oozing from every flexed muscle of the tracker's body. "You didn't think I had forgotten about those so called friends of yours, did ya? Though why they would bother with scum like you has got me. Oh, don't look so worried, it will be over for all of you soon enough." the bounty hunter gloated.

Part Seven

Sackett had been watching from the distance of the campfire. He watching Tanner and waiting for his chance to be alone with him. He had never wanted someone as bad as he wanted this young man. He wanted to see the fear in those beautiful blue, defiant eyes. He needed to feel the trembling of the bold, young man's skin under his fingers, and he longed to own those insolent lips. Before he regrettably had to kill the tracker, he would make the handsome young man understand the passion of pain.

"Ponderin' another conquest, Sackett?"

The voice shattered his trance-like state, numbing the ache that had started to heat his groin. Turning back to the campfire, Sackett ignored the Spaniard and stirred the pot of beans.

"I mean, if ya catch him that is?" Staring past Sackett to the bound man, DeMingo smiled, as he thought of different pains that he would inflict on the tracker.

"Oh, I'll catch him alright. If ya think I'll let ya get ya filthy Spanish paws on him..."

"And your unnatural, sic' hands are betta? I think if the boy had a choice, he would willingly die my way." DeMingo showed his meaning, by drawing his Bowie knife from his belt and turning it so the shining blade reflected the campfire light. "I do believe Tanner would gladly submit to me peelin' all the skin from his body rather than let you 'ave 'im."

Stooping to pick up a bowl, Sackett began to spoon the pot's contents into the dish as he glared at the Spaniard. "We'll see who gets to him first. The 'man' don't care how or who as long as he gets to see Tanner, let him, know why this is happenin' to him and then-- he's anybody's." Turning to leer at the tracker, he smiled. "He's goin' to be all mine." He promised.

"Ahh, but we're not the only ones who crave the kill of this man or the purse that comes with his head." DeMingo gestured with a nod of his head toward Carrington as he strode toward them.

"Cravin' and gettin' are two different things." Sackett whispered as he walked past Carrington to feed the prisoner.

Vin watched one evil replaced by another more repulsive one as Sackett made himself comfortable beside him. The hazel eyes of the bounty hunter seemed to drink him in, making the tracker's skin crawl.

"Oh, did I do that to you?" Sackett asked as his hand reached out to touch tenderly Vin's lip.

Twisting his head away, the tracker dodged the touch with only a breath in it. "I warned you." Vin hissed at his admirer.

Chuckling, Sackett withdrew his hand and stirred the bowl of beans he held in his hands. "That you did, Vin, that you did, but I'm afraid I was never one to do what I was told -- not when somethin' as sweet as you just begs to be tamed." Scooping a spoonful of beans from the bowl, the bounty hunter slowly tasted the food before offering it to his captive.

Vin clenched his teeth and refused to meet the spoon as it was offered.

Becoming agitated with the young man, Sackett grabbed Vin's nose between his fingers and waited for nature to take it's course. He didn't have long to wait as the tracker's mouth flew open. As Vin gasped for air, the bounty hunter took his chance and shoved the spoon in Vin's mouth.

"Now that wasn't too bad was it?" Sackett asked as he ran his hand through Vin's long hair. "Though," he said as he leaned in close. "I could be stickin' something far more tastier in that beautiful mouth of yours."

Vin turned to Sackett, a smile creasing his face. He watched as his tormentor leaned into his invitation and soon as he was close, he released the food he hadn't swallowed. "Try it, and I'll bite it off and feed it back in ya the same way. "the tracker spat.

Enraged Sackett backhanded Vin as he used the other hand to wipe his face. "I will have ya boy, and ya will beg me for more. I promise, your ass is mine." he seethed as he stood, kicking Vin in the thigh as he left.

Part Eight

J.D's swipes became more agitated, as his kicked at the dirt to douse the remnants of their campfire.

Watching the young man's actions from the corner of his eye, Buck noted the anger that was reflected in his movements. "So, you feel better now, kid?" the older man inquired, picking up his saddle and walking toward his mount.

"Feels better than doin' nothin'. We should be out there...I don't know, just doin' somethin'," J.D responded impatiently, running his hand through his hair as he finally extinguished the last flicker of flame with the heel of his boot.

"And what do you suggest we do that we're not already doin', boy?" Chris shot back as he stopped saddling his horse to glare back at the impulsive young man.

Seeing his friends' mutual frustrations spilling over, Buck stepped forward in an attempt to halt any words that would soon be regretted. "We're all worried about Vin, so we're not gonna stand here and start shooting our mouths off it's pointless," he argued.

J.D watched as Chris closed his eyes in thought before continuing to saddle his horse. "Chris?" J.D quietly called. "Chris, I'm sorry. It's just ..."

Chris's mind drifted back to another time when J.D's impetuousness had him facing down a Federal Marshal impostor and his posse. Brazenly, facing a wall of men with only one rifle, the young man had risked his life in an futile attempt to free Vin. Now that same impetuousness was demanding the young man act again, but with nowhere to start. Chris didn't blame him one bit.

"I know, kid," the gunslinger sighed as he continued to numbly saddle his horse. "I know."

@@@@@@@@

"Wake up!"

Vin was abruptly awoken from his fitful sleep as a boot connecting with his ribs tore a howl of agony from his throat.

Stooping in front of the now gasping tracker, Carrington smiled as he pushed at the raw target. "That hadda hurt," he chuckled as he pressed harder at Vin's ribcage. "Do you think I broke somethin'?" Watching the blue eyes glare at him as his prisoner clenched his jaws tightly, the bounty hunter nodded, "Yup, think I might broke one or two of 'em huh! Oh well, you have plenty more." he said apathetically. "Gonna make ridin' pretty uncomfortable for ya though. Betta have someone look at that," he smirked. "Hey Sackett! Wanna get your things and get your ass over here. I think Tanner's gone and hurt himself; he needs some tending."

"Y-you're a sick bastard! When I get out of here--,"

"That's a bit of wishful thinkin' on your part," Carrington interrupted, "Just take your medicine like a good boy," he laughed as he stood and walked away, his voice echoing through the trees.

Sackett came running over. He had heard Vin call out and knew that Carrington had been taking his hatred on the tracker again, but there was nothing he could do about that, not yet anyway.

"What'd he do?" he snarled at Carrington's back.

"Nothin'!" Vin gasped as he tried to moved away from the older man's probing finger's. "I'm fi--shit!" he hissed as Sackett's fingers found his injury.

Vin tried to kick out but Sackett was ready and mounted his legs to keep them still, as he continued his mediocre doctoring.

"Nothin' huh?" he spat to the side. "You cain't ride like this. I'm goin' to have to bound them bones."

"Get the hell off me!" Vin protested.

"Ain't got no choice in the matter," He argued as he pulled some rags from his saddle bag, "though touchin' your body ain't the worse thin' I could be doin' right now," he leered.

"I warned ya, don't," Vin continued to object as he struggled to get away from Sackett's invading hands.

"Oh don't get yourself all worked up, " Sackett smiled. "I ain't got the time to do what I want to do. Just let me bind those broken bones," he offered.

"I'd rather ride with them the way they are, then left yer touch me." Vin sneered.

"Ya sure got a purty mouth, and a bigg'un," the bounty hunter licked his lips, "but I ain't in the mood to hear it runnin'," he snarled as he pushed a handful of cloth into Vin's mouth.

Pinned by the tree, and the weight on his legs, Vin was powerless and he watched Sackett take great enjoyment in unbuttoning his shirt. "Ooh wee, ya sure are good lookin' one alright," he crowed as he touched Vin's chest. "Oh yes indeedy, we are going to have a lot of fun one of these fine days."

"Sackett! I ain't got time for your little games. Fix him and get him on a horse, now!" Carrington demanded.

Pulling out the binding from his saddle bags, Sackett began to slowly bind Vin's ribs, leering all the while. "I ain't finished with you boy," he warned the tracker as he started to button Vin's shirt. "Not by a long shot."

Part nine

Nudging his hat back off his forehead with his finger, Brown eyed his fellow hunter from the corner of his eye. He watched with some annoyance, the virtual stranger’s constant fingering of the leather binding that held the man’s gun in its holster. The dark-haired bounty hunter was still wary of some of his newly acquired traveling companions. Sam Bean, he knew, but the others, only by reputation. Unlike the nervy young man, who now rode beside him, Larkin was an unknown and therefore a man to keep a careful eye on.

Brown had signed on with no idea as to the identity of the target, nor did he know who was offering the money in return for the man’s capture. What he did know was that when Sam Bean said there was good money to be had, you didn’t argue. Having suffered a lean bounty season and with a hundred dollars in the offer, with maybe even more later on, he didn’t really care if this, Vin Tanner was guilty of anything, or not.

Though he had to admit when he found out that Tanner carried a five hundred-dollar bounty on his head the thought of settling for one hundred, seemed to be getting the rough end of the stick. Brown had pondered for some time on the risks of taking Tanner in on his own, but knowing Bean, with the added incentive of De Mingo’s expertise with his knife and Sackett’s tendency to ‘play’ with his prey, they quickly put paid to any thoughts of betrayal. He had long come to the conclusion that a measly one hundred dollars was preferable to the kind of death that any one of those three men would deal out.

"So, ya been man huntin’ long?"

"What?" Brown asked as he was dragged from his thoughts by a sudden voice.

"Asked ya if yer been man huntin’ long? I mean, I know how good Sam is, but I ain’t heard the name Brown before." Larkin repeated the question.

"I’ve never heard the name Larkin, either, what does that prove?" Brown snapped. He had little interest in making conversation with his fellow traveler.

"Got me two bounties since I started doin’ this. Made me more money than I ever made on the cattle drives down south." The young man continued unabated.

Certain that the nervy young man wasn’t old enough to shave, let alone take in men dead or alive, Brown suddenly became interested enough to ask about these ‘so called’ bounties. "Two you say?"

The young man cast his eyes downward, before shrugging slightly. "This’ll be jest between me and you, right?"

"Sure," Brown feigned an amiable smile, "Just between ‘you’ and ‘me’."

"Well, them men, they were already dead when I came across ‘em. I didn’t even know they had bounties on ‘em. Figured, I was just bringin’ ‘em in to the nearest town for buryin’. Was on my way outta town, when the sheriff told me about the reward. Well, I figured the easiest money I’ve ever made. By the way, the name’s not Larkin. It’s…. Bean, Tucker Bean," the younger man confided.

"Bean? You Sam Bean’s kin?" Brown frowned as he scrutinized the young man a little more closely.

"He’s my brother," Larkin responded with some pride in his voice.

"Bean’s brother?" Brown repeated a little taken aback by the news. He couldn’t remember Sam ever mentioning a brother. "Why hasn’t Bean said something about you, if you are kin as you say you are?"

"Been a long time. I guess he’s forgotten about me," Tucker muttered softly. "Our pa was a pretty mean drunk and one night Sam and pa went at each other. Sam was gone the next morning. I was only a kid at the time and I ain’t laid eyes on him until now."

"And the name, Larkin?"

"Pa got drunk one night and fell off his horse. Broke him up inside I guess. Died about a month after that. Can’t say we missed him too much. Then Ma up and married a preacher by the name of Thomas Larkin. Ya know one of those fire and brimstone kind of preachers. I guess neither of them wanted any remindin’ of Pa, so they changed my name."

"And just how did you end up one of Sam’s crew?" Brown continued to pump the younger man for information.

Happy to have someone show some interest in him, Tucker continued to share his life story with his companion. "The cussin’ of Hell and Damnation ain’t no easier to live with than beatin’s from a drunkard. So, I did what Sam did and left. Joined a cattle drive for a few months, then when the drive ended, I started to look for my brother. I was following Sam’s bounty trail and was down to my last few dollars when….."

"You came across your dead windfall?"

"Yeah." Tucker nodded.

"Then a happy coincidence, your brothers hears about you. Looking to hire men handy with a gun, he hires you on the strength of those two bounties, but you, wanting to prove yourself first, don’t say anything to him about being his kin. Have you in fact killed anyone, boy?" Brown inquired with a shake of his head.

"Of course I….." Under Brown’s unwavering stare, Tucker shifted nervously in the saddle before admitting the truth. "No."

Pulling sharply on the reins, Brown wrenched his mount to stop and turned a cold eye on the obviously apprehensive young man, "Look, I don’t care a shit if Bean is your brother and your father all rolled into one. All I want is to get out of this deal with ‘life’ and ‘my’ money. So, do what I say, when I say it and you just might make your ol’ brother proud of you. If not and you get in my way boy, I will shoot you before your brother knows the real name to put on your tombstone, understand?"

"Yes," Tucker meekly agreed, swallowing hard the lump of fear that was now threatening to choke him.

"I had a feeling you were going to be trouble, boy." Spurring his horse into action, Brown shot a last warning look before riding off.

******************************************

"Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?" Sackett grinned as he put the finishing touches to the rags that now made up Vin’s chest bandage.

"Compared to what, Hell?" Vin spat as he ignored the pain from his ribs to continue to struggle against Sackett’s over eager attentions. "Next time, I’ll take Hell."

Enjoying Vin’s struggles, Sackett laughed as he regretfully began to button up the injured man’s shirt, "And here I was thinkin’ that such a pretty boy, wouldn’t be much cut against men like us. You ain’t even close to breakin’ are ya, boy?"

Vin refused to answer as he did his best to dodge Sackett’s foul breath by turning his head away.

Sackett gave a raspy chuckle as he leaned into the now accessible ear. "That’s good news for me then, ain’t it boy. I still might get to be the one to make ya scream."

"Recuerde a mi amigo, el juego no está sobre todavía." < Or maybe not!

Remember my friend, the game is not over yet >

The voice startled both men. Sackett was the first to turn and see DeMingo standing behind them.

"¿El juego?"< Game? > Vin wheezed as he managed at last to painfully dislodge the foul smelling bounty hunter from his legs.

DeMingo played constantly with the blade he carried as he looked down at the bound man, "Usted averiguará pronto suficiente, mi amigo." <You will find out soon enough, my friend. >

Despite the aching pain of his injuries, Vin still managed a lop-sided grin,

at his captors.

"¿Qué encuentra usted tan entretener?" < What’s do you find so amusing? >

DeMingo snarled

Shaking his head, Vin looked from one man to the other, "¿Qué encuentro yo tan chistoso?" < What do I find so funny? > You ain’t got no more idea than I have what’s goin’ on here."

Part ten

"Si, that maybe so," the Mexican shrugged as leaned down and passed his knife under Vin's throat, pressing the blade just enough to break the skin. "But you know what I find funny, amigo? I find it very funny that I am talking to a dead man, but he just doesn't know he's dead yet." Sliding his weapon from Vin's throat, De Mingo cleaned the small stain of blood off his blade against the leg of his trousers, before tapping the tip of his blade against in his forehead in apparent salute to the captive and walking away.

Without thinking Vin used his bound legs, kicking up the dirt in frustration and quickly regretted his rash act as a searing pain gripped his chest. With his eyes squeezed tightly shut and his jaws clenched, Vin did everything in his power not to cry out as he breathlessly tried to ride out the pain.

"Now that was stupid," Sackett chastised his captive as he used a spare rag to wipe at the small nick on Vin's throat. "Death is goin' to come to ya quick enough, don't see why ya wanna hurry it along any."

Vin's eyes snapped open at Sackett's touch and he defiantly jerked his head away, "To get away from you, ya sick sonofabitch, now get ya filthy hands the fuck off me!"

"Not that I'm not enjoying watching you squirm, Tanner," Bean said, his amusement obvious by the smirk on his face. "But we need to get moving, so, Sackett, if you'll get your paws off the 'money' and get ready to ride, well be moving on."

"What about Brown and that kid, Larkin?" Sackett asked as he regretfully ceased tending the captive.

"Brown knows the meeting place, he and Larkin will catch up later if they do their job right and pick up any stragglers that might be following us. What do you reckon Tanner," Bean asked as he turned all his attention toward his bound prisoner, "Those friends of yours worried enough about your worthless ass to follow us?"

Vin thought of the six men back in Four Corners. Each man so different from the other yet all bonded by the same undeniable bond of friendship and loyalty to the others. All he could do was pray that his absence wasn't seen as out of the ordinary. Whatever destiny was planned for him, he would meet it alone. "Ya know me, Bean, ain't got no friends, ya know that."

"Yeah, well I hope for their sake your right."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Even from his angle behind the suddenly ominously quite friend, Buck could see that Vin's disappearance was weighing heavier on the gunfighter than the remaining four, put together. "You alright there pard?"

Chris finished cinching his horse and sagged against the saddle, his mind drifting back to another time and place, "It's happening again Buck. It's Eli Joe all over again, but this time I'm not there to stop them. You know, they had the noose over his neck….if I'd missed…if I'd startled the horse and missed, Vin would….." His last words went unspoken as if the words were too terrible to voice out-loud

"But you didn't miss and you saved Vin's life." Reminding Chris that if it weren't for the gunfighter's intervention, Vin would be already dead.

"Saved him for what, another past and another tree? This is all my fault, if I hadn't killed Eli Joe, Vin would've been able to prove his innocence. Now he can never go back to what he was before."

"You killed that bastard to save Vin's life, don't you forget Eli Jo would've finished the job he started and stabbed Vin if you hadn't shot him first," Buck said as he put a reassuring hand on Chris's shoulder. "And Hell, we don't know spit about what's going on here yet. But one thing 'I' know for sure, standing around here getting ready to bury Vin ain't going to get him back in one piece, is it?"

Squaring his shoulders, Chris looked up and saw the others waiting and ready to ride, "No it isn't." Grabbing the reins, Chris got ready to mount, but instead stopped and turned back to Buck.

"Your welcome," Buck acknowledged his friend's unspoken thanks. "Now let's go and get Vin back, I left some ladies pining for my attention."

Six men rode on…….

To be continued...