Vengeance Creek: The Sons of Daniel Shaye

56

They went back to standing watches as they had since leaving Vengeance Creek, which meant Thomas went last. Toward daybreak he heard something snap behind him, turned to find James approaching.

“Hey,” Thomas said, “it’s early to be up. You’ve got about another hour.”

“Couldn’t sleep anymore,” James said. “I’ll make a fresh pot of coffee.”

Thomas watched his brother prepare the coffee and still couldn’t understand why it tasted different from his.

The night before, the four of them had discussed what they should do the next day. Cory was for continuing to track Cardwell and Jacks. After all, that was why he had been brought in. Colon was content to go along with whatever decision the others made. It was James who suggested that they should split up, two finding a shortcut and two continuing to track the bank robbers.

“That way we’re covered no matter what happens.”

“And once we get there,” Cory had asked, “I mean, the two who go ahead, how long do we wait before we decide Davis was wrong and the other two aren’t comin’?”

“All I’m sayin’,” James answered, “is that we take the chance. Look, they’re bound to have other guns waitin’ for them. If we get there first—”

“And if they don’t get there at all?” Cory interrupted. “The two of us who are still trackin’ will be left high and dry.”

“Okay,” Thomas said. “Why don’t we sleep on it and make our decision in the mornin’?”

“And who makes the decision then?” Cory asked, as he had that afternoon.

“James and I do,” Thomas said. “We’re wearing the badges.”

“And why are Colon and I even talkin’?”

“We take your input into account, Ralph,” Thomas had said.

“Right.”

Cory looked at Colon. “You don’t have much to say, Berto.”

“What is there to say, amigo?” Colon replied with a shrug. “Thomas is right, they are wearing the badges. I am happy to sleep and wake to their decision.”

“Fine,” Cory said, “that’s what we’ll do, then.”

Colon had looked at Thomas and James and said, “I just hope you make the right decision, Jefes.”

Now, James handed Thomas a fresh cup of coffee, then poured one for himself and sat next to his brother.

“I think we should do what you said, James,” Thomas said.

“What?”

“Split up. Two go ahead, and two keep trackin’.”

“What made you decide that?”

Thomas shrugged. “It’s as good an idea as any. If it works, we can cut them off before they join up with more men. If we have to face ten or twelve guns, we’re gonna be way too outnumbered.”

“And if they’re not headed where Davis thinks?”

“Then we made a mistake,” Thomas said, “and we’ll have to live with it.”

“We’ll have to go home, tell Pa we failed,” James said.

“Are you worried about Pa, or the mayor?”

“I’m not worried about the mayor,” James said, “but I don’t want Nancy’s killer to get away.”

“Neither do I, James.”

“If we just stay on their trail, we should run them down eventually.”

“Tryin’ to get ahead of them was your idea.”

“I know,” James said, “but I’m havin’ second thoughts.”

“Then I have an idea.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ll go ahead, and you stay on their trail.”

“How are you gonna find a shortcut?”

“I’ll take Cory with me. He’s got the experience.”

“And how are we supposed to continue to track them without him?” James asked.

“Berto can do it,” Thomas said. “I think this is the best way to go, James. Cory and I go on ahead, you and Berto keep trackin’.”

James stared at his brother for a few moments, then held his coffee cup out. “Agreed.”

Thomas clinked his cup with his brother’s and said, “Agreed.”

“Now,” James said, “let’s talk about this business of you givin’ up your badge.”

“No.”

“What? Thomas—”

“No, James,” Thomas said. “That’s somethin’ to talk about when we get back, with Pa. Not now.”

“Aw, Thomas—”

Thomas tossed the remains of his coffee into the fire and said, “I’m gonna wake the others.”

He got up and walked away from the fire.

Over coffee and bacon Thomas told Cory and Colon what he and James had decided.

“We don’t get a say?” Cory asked.

“It’s like you yourself have said before, Ralph,” Thomas said. “James and I are wearin’ the badges.”

“I just meant,” Cory said, “Berto and I don’t get any say about who goes with you and who goes with James.”

“No,” Thomas said. “You know the area, Ralph. You’re the one who can take me to the shortcut.”

“It may be a shortcut, but it won’t be easy,” Cory warned.

“What is?” Thomas asked.

After breakfast they each saddled their own mounts. They split what supplies they had, but James and Colon kept the coffee, and the only coffeepot.

Thomas and James faced each other.

“Splittin’ up again,” James said.

“It’s gettin’ to be a habit,” Thomas replied. “With any luck, though, we’ll see each other soon.”

The two brothers shook hands and mounted up. James joined Colon, and they continued to follow the trail being left by Cardwell and Jacks.

“Okay,” Thomas said to Cory, “which way?”