Chris and Vin walked outside and up the street to greet the judge. "Gentlemen," said Judge Travis.
"Judge," replied Chris.
"Mary tells me that there was a known outlaw gang here. The Kinney Gang. She, also, informed me that Brian Kinney is family to you. Your cousin, to be exact."
Mary and Vin slanted looks at Mary before returning their eyes to the judge. Chris nodded. "Yes, sir, he is."
"Is that why he and his men are out there doing God knows what, instead of sitting in the jail?" demanded Judge Travis.
Mary was looking half shameful for spilling the beans and half smug for spilling the beans. "Judge--," started Vin.
Travis held up his right hand, interrupting Vin. "I was asking Mister Larabee." The judge said, causing Vin to glare at him. Turning his attention back to Chris, he asked, "Well? Is it?"
Chris sighed. "It's complicated. But, no, that's not the only reason. But, truthfully, it is the main one."
For a second the judge looked suprised at what Chris had admitted. He nodded. "Alright. Well, what do you plan to do about it?"
"Well, that's one of the reasons we came over here, Judge. We just found out from Mister Nilwell, the owner of the bank, that it has been robbed. They must've been hit very late last night. All of the money was stolen from behind the tellers station, and from out of the safe."
Mary looked shocked, but Chris and Vin could also see her planning the headline, for her newspaper, in her head. "Well, what now?" demanded the judge.
"Well, sir, we figure we'll hold a town meetin', then go after 'em. It had to have been the Kinney Gang." answered Vin.
Judge Travis nodded his agreement, his face hard. Looking into Chris' eyes, he said, "You'd damn well bring them back, or I'll be holding you and your men responsible. Are we clear?"
Chris gave him a sharp nod, then walked away with Vin beside him.
Ted walked into the cave that they were all hiding out in for the time being. He had ridden to Eagle Bend earlier that morning, sending a telegram to Debbie and Vic. It had taken a few hours, but he had finally received a reply. And, since he had been in town, Ted had also grabbed povisions for them all.
"So, what'd she say?" demanded Brian as soon as Ted set foot into the cave.
"She and Vic will put us up and help us in any way they can. As if there were any doubt." Aer a slight pause, he asked, "Will Ben be able to ride?"
Ben's fever had broken early that morning, but he was still in pain. But, at least he was coherent. "I'll... be fine," answered Ben through his pain.
"Are you sure, Ben?" asked a concerned Michael.
Ben looked at Michael, love shining in his eyes, and gave him a slight smile. "I'll be alright."
"Okay, we need to leave as soon as we can. It wouldn't surprise me if those lawdogs are already searchin' for us," said Brian.
Within twenty minutes, all six of the men were ready to head out. Ted and his horse stayed behind Ben and his horse, while Michael rode on one side of Ben and Emmett rode on the other side. That way, if he started to all, there would be someone to catch him.
"A couple of minutes into the ride, in a low voice Brian asked, "Are you sure about this, Justin?" He wanted the blonde with him, but he wasn't going to force him to go along.
Justin gave him one of his blindingly bright smiles. "I'm sure, Brian. Don't worry," Justin answered in an equally low voice. Brian just gave one short nod, then turned his attention back to the trail ahead.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was the afternoon when Vin reined his horse to a stop, signaling for his six friends to do the same. A town meeting had been held, and it hadn't went very well. Everyone was blaming the seven peacekeepers, especially Chris, for the bank getting robbed.
Bill Nilvell had informed them that the town could go bankrupt if the money wasn't found and returned. The insurance would pay, but it could very well take months. The citizens of Four Corners needed that money, now.
After promising to track down the Kinney Gang and retrieve the money, the seven peacekeepers had appointed a townsmen, Jacob Riley, as temporary sheriff and left. On the way, they had taken a detour to Nettie Wells' ranch. They needed to inform her that her nephew Justin had taken up with Brian and his gang. She had been less than thrilled. "He's no longer any nephew of mine," had been her reply.
Now, the seven peacekeepers were at the opening to a cave. Carefully walking in, they started looking for any sign that the Kinney Gang had been there. They found blood, he old makings of a fire, and a few scraps of food.
"They're not taking very good care to hide their tracks," commented JD.
"My cousin has always been a cocky son of a bitch," answered Chris. "But he will make it harder to track them on down the trail," cautioned Chris.
"Well, from what I kin tell, they was here about two hours ago. So, they have a pretty good start," said Vin. The others nodded.
"We'd better get after them. We need to get some more ridin' in before sundown," said a determined Chris.