The Last Patrol

[Elegant Ella]

Orville looked squarely back at Cyrus. He was very glad he had not tried to deny his past. It was a relief to still have the job available with the truth told.

"I really appreciate the chance you are giving me to build a new life. I've been around your men enough already to know that I like them and I like what they say about you. I will stand by you. Deputy Coatsworth, Doctor Coatsworth, I am real interested in learning from you and helping when needed."

"That's settled then. Go get yer gear," replied Cyrus. "Ella, every one of the scouts should know the basics, enough to stop bleeding, or patch somebody well enough to get to the medic. You've got my approval for teaching more than that to any one who wants to learn."

"Thank you, Cyrus. I'll start teaching on Tuesday."

As soon as Ella left the tent, a private came up to her and said, "Colonel Winslow's compliments, ma'am. He would like you to join him for dinner tomorrow."

"Thank him for the invitation, but I already have an engagement for Monday evening."

"In that case, the invitation is for Tuesday."

"I accept."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet waited until the private left then approached Ella.

"Ella." Scarlet said to get her attention.

Ella turned.

"Every thing alright?" Scarlet asked referring to the meeting with Cyrus.

"Oh yes. I am going to start teaching a medic class on Tuesday. I'm very happy Cyrus is a hundred percent supportive." Ella said excitedly.

"That's good he's supportin' that. I'll be there."

Ella tilted her head. "You're already wise to field medicine."

Scarlet smiled. "I'm sure you'll teach me something I don't know and maybe I'll think of some questions others won't."

"I expect you to be my best student."

"Bo's better."

"I've seen both of you work. Little different styles but both good."

Scarlet smiled at Ella's compliment.

Scarlet's voiced dropped. "Have you heard anything from Patches concerning Archie?"

[Elegant Ella]

"Patches and Bill didn't find anything on him, or most of the other names on the list. They will keep digging based on the descriptions I sent, but that is a slower search since Bill has names and aliases all indexed, but hasn't settled on a system to index desriptions. A posse from Houston is coming to collect Spanish Ben and Jimmy Washington next Monday.  The answer on Perry is very strange," replied Ella, handing Scarlet a telegraph flimsy:

FOUND OLD POSTER ON PS FROM HOUSTON
WIRED HOUSTON FOR CURRENT INFO
REPLY WAS
DO NOT INVESTIGATE HIM
DO NOT ARREST HIM
STAY AWAY FROM HIM
MORE INFO BY MESSENGER MONDAY

Ella continued, "I would like to go fishing on Monday and told the operator and Patches that I will have supper with him. Patches might have the information from the messenger by then."

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet read the telegraph. "It is strange." She said agreeing with Ella. "Fishing would be a nice change if you would like some company."

Ella could tell by the tone of Scarlet's voice she was thinking of something other than fishing and Perry.

"Can you send a private wire for me to Houston?"

"Of course." Ella replied sensing the urgency in Scarlet's voice.

They walked towards the telegraph office.

"This is about Archie isn't it?" Ella asked.

"We can talk about it tomorrow. Right now it's a personal message to an old friend."

Ella looked at Scarlet suspiciously. "Ok for now." She said entering the telegraph office.

"May we use the key?" Ella asked politely.

The operator looked between the two women. "Would you like me to get you anything?"

Scarlet knew he was asking if he needed to leave the room. "No thank you." She said with a smile.

Ella sat down at the key and looked at her.

"I want this to go to the Houston Marshal's office. Marshal Logan Wheeler."

Ella looked up not remembering the name from any of the correspondence she'd done with them. Scarlet was up to something.

"Tell him. Sorry it's to long. Urgent to know about your one and only is. Sign it Angelina C."

[Elegant Ella]

Ella wrote out the message that Scarlet wanted sent, to make sure it was what she wanted. "one and only is" sounded strange to her.

"Should I send in clear, or in a standard Marshal code?" she asked.

"Clear should be fine," replied Scarlet.

"It might take a while to get an answer, being Sunday afternoon."

"We'll get an answer when we get an answer."

Ella sent the message, with the additional information that replies should come to ECW by way of JMD at Fort Fetterman.

[Elegant Ella]

"Thank you, John," said Ella, leaving the key.

As they left the office, Ella asked Scarlet, "Shall we go relieve Major Martin of Spanish Ben's foul mouth? He doesn't need to stay in the infirmary any longer, so I want to put him in the stockade until the posse from Houston gets here. I also need to check on Owen. I put him in the infirmary this morning because his wound is fevered. That's one of the reasons I want to teach a medic class to the scouts. The sooner that wounds get cleaned, the less fever the patient is likely to suffer."

Scarlet agreed, so the two deputies, followed by their familiars, headed for the infirmary. Ella checked on Owen and talked briefly to Major Martin, then went to Reuben's bed.

They ignored the venom spewing from Reuben's mouth as they unshackled him, handcuffed him and marched him to the infirmary. He tried once to break free, but Ella tapped him on the bruise still staining his jaw, and the pain stopped and silenced him. Once he was in the cell with Drew and Jimmy, with the door locked, Ella told him, "Reuben Diaz, you are under arrest for the murder of Guadelupe Garcia and Caroline Miller. A posse will take you to Houston to stand trial."

Drew protested, "You can't lock me up with a known murderer!"

"Why not?" replied Ella. "A different posse is coming to take you to Omaha to stand trial for kidnapping, rape and murder."

"You have me mixed up with someone else. I haven't done anything to anybody."

Ella pulled a wanted poster out of her pocket and showed him the portrait Ella had found in Sarah Higgins's diary after the girl had disappeared. "You match the picture and the description and the habit. I had been trying to track you down for over a year, when you dropped out of sight last winter, right after these posters started circulating."

[Scarlet Angel]

"I'll see you in hell." Drew said before spitting at Ella.

Ella ducked the foul slim headed her way as much as the shadow of the arm coming over her shoulder.

Drew yelped as his face was pulled hard against the bars.  The hand let go of his collar and Drew fell back. He glared at the man who stood behind Ella glaring back as he wiped the blood from his mouth on his shirt sleeve.

"You'll stay down and say nothing if you like the rest of your teeth." Reuben said taking the empty bunk.

Drew looked over his shoulder at Reuben then back at Bo, clenched his jaw and remained seated.

[Elegant Ella]

"Thank you, Bo," said Ella, taking his arm and turning away from the cell. Outside the cell block, Ella sighed, "I really hate leaving Jimmy locked up with murderers like those two, but Tensleep was right that he would have too much opportunity for mischief running around loose. I don't think he would, but I'm not a perfect judge of character. The problem with letting Drew's friends bring his meals is the risk that they might slip him a weapon, and he has reason now to ask for one. I'll not enter that cell again to deal with bandages. With guards standing by, Jimmy can come out of the cell to be tended in the hallway. If Owen is released from the infirmary before the posse from Omaha gets here, maybe he and Jimmy can share a different cell. Owen's fever is still pretty bad, so I'm going to stay in the infirmary tonight, and split the night watch with Major Martin." 

[Elegant Ella]

When he could no longer hear the footsteps leaving, Drew stood up and glared at Reuben, "Why are you so calm about being taken to stand trial for murder?"

"I'm not worrying about a rope. It was self-defence. They were both just whores anyway, so the judge and jury won't sentence me to more than a few years in prison even if they don't agree that I was just defending myself from thieves," replied Reuben, relaxing on the bottom bunk. "It is ironic how I was so careful to stay out of West Texas to avoid them, only to be arrested by the Petticoat Posse way out in the middle of nowhere up here."

"Why should anyone bother avoiding something called a Petticoat Posse? That's stupid. Women just don't have the brains or the courage or the strength to be lawmen."

"Deputy Coatsworth showed plenty of courage when she argued those Injuns out of killing me," interjected Jimmy from the top bunk.

"She's got to be crazy, shooting people then treating the wounds," argued Drew.

"Maybe. Maybe not."

[Scarlet Angel]

Houston, Texas.

"Marshal Thompson, I got a wire for Marshal Wheeler." Oscar said as he came through the door.

Marshal Luther Thompson looked up at the messenger questioningly. "What you brining it to me for?"

"It's a mighty strange message, and it was sent to the Houston Marshal's office."

"Well what's it say?"

"Urgent to know about your one and only is. Angelina C."

"About, shouldn't that be how? Is it you or the other operator that can't put together simple English?"

"Sir I just wrote what was sent."

"You can tell the lady Marshal's one and only died."

"Marshal Thompson, I'm to reply to Fort Fetterman. That's where this message come from."

Thompson was on his feet in a second, grabbing his coffee cup to keep it from spilling. "What's someone at Fort Fetterman doing inquiring about Ms Wheeler?" He asked picking up his hat frustrated, thinking he'd better find out what this was all about.

"Don't know Marshal. Who is Angelina C?" Oscar replied.

"I have an idea, don't reply til I get back." Marshal Thompson said as he held out his hand for the telegraph.

Oscar handed it over with a puzzled look on his face.

"I'll be out ta Logan's place if someone is lookin' for me."


Logan Wheeler stopped mending the fence and held up his hand to shield his eyes from the sun. "Well now Luther Thompson, to what do I owe the pleasure?" he called out as the horse and rider came closer.

"Got a telegraph for you." Marshal Thompson said pulling his horse to a stop.

Logan put down the hammer. "Must be serious for you to deliver it."
"Was Angelina close to your wife Logan?" Luther said steeping off his horse.

Logan looked surprised. "Came to her funeral, but no, I wouldn't call them close. She come out of respect. Now tell me why you're asking Luther." Logan responded.

Luther handed over the telegram. "I thought she was half educated." He commented regarding the way the message had been written.

"She's well educated." Logan replied as he read the telegram.

He thought about the words a moment then asked. "Where is Archie?"

Thompson couldn't hide the complete look of shock that crossed his face. "Why you asking about Archie?"

"I may have retired but there are still things people come to me for." He grinned.

"Damn Logan, he's still on the White case."

Logan's mouth twisted in disapproval. "Is he ok, checked in?"

"I didn't come to talk about Archie."

"The hell you didn't. You came because of this telegram and he's exactly what she's talking about."

"She's asking about your one and only. I would think a man's one and only would be his wife." Luther said puzzled.

"I don't know how Archie ended up crossin' Scarlet's path again but if she's askin' there is a reason.

"What yer saying is Archie is your one and only? I don't understand."

Logan laughed aloud then answered. "Archie was the one and only deputy that I thought was skilled enough to try and bring Scarlet out of Mexico. The one and only deputy as she put it that had grit enough to look the men she rode with in the eyes and show no fear. My one and only deputy that was smart enough not to get himself shot at tryin'."

"You sent your best deputy after a woman?"

"You've come to understand her father and his team very well over the years. I learned to understand her along with them before your time. Don't ever underestimate someone because of their gender, could get you killed Luther. Treat her like her old man. Your strongest ally or your worst nightmare."

"Archie is on the White case and we can't have interference at this point." Luther said agitated.

"Come with me." Logan said. He entered the house and found pen and paper. "You send this to Scarlet."

Luther waited patiently while Logan wrote out the message.

"Yes, to long. You owe me. One and only same. All is as it should be." Luther read aloud when the note was handed to him then commented. "I don't understand."

"Scarlet apologized for not speaking to me for so long. I agreed it had been to long, and she owes me. She wanted me to answer quickly regarding about Archie and how he is. I'm replying Archie is the same, or in not so many words still doing his job and he is ok. That should answer her questions. If she wants something else she'll let me know."

"I would have never guessed." Luther said taking the note and putting it in his pocket.

Logan smiled. "Ain't that the idea?"

"I almost had Oscar reply your one and only had died."

"I'm glad you came to see me. I don't know how she would have responded."

"I guess I will have to keep you informed from time to time." Luther said heading towards the door.

[Elegant Ella]

The key was chattering, so Stanley waited until John was done taking the message before opening the door to ask what John wanted for dinner. It was an old joke, since there weren't any choices at the mess, but asking it was ritual.

John looked up as he opened the door. "Good evening, Stan. Can you deliver a message on your way to the mess?"

"Of course. Who to?"

"To Missus Coatsworth down at the scouts camp."

Stan put the folded yellow flimsy into the basket that was easier to handle than a tray and headed off on his evening errands.


At the scout camp, Ella was watching Orville and Paul have a biscuit-baking competition. Most of the rest of the scouts were gathered around, happily judging the results of each panful. Ella thought that Orville was settling in well. He had been a quiet and withdrawn man in Dick's camp, but Cyrus's acceptance of the worst in his past was allowing him to open up.

"Missus Coatsworth, telegram for you."

"Thank you, Stanley." She opened the paper and saw that the message was addressed to Angelia C. Instead of reading it, she tucked it into a pocket since Scarlet and Fritz would be down for dinner pretty soon. "Have you gotten dinner for John and yourself yet?"

"No, ma'am"

"Well, let's get some food for you here, save you a stop at the mess tent." She loaded his basket and sent him on his way.

When Scarlet arrived a few minutes later, Ella handed her the paper, and watched her read it.

YES TO LONG STOP
YOU OWE ME STOP
ONE AND ONLY SAME STOP
ALL IS AS IT SHOULD BE STOP

[Scarlet Angel]

A smile crept across Scarlet's face as she read the message. To tell the truth she had wondered if Logan Wheeler would know what she was talking about. He had once accused her of speaking in the red man's tongue and being crazy. She had responded with he was entitled to his opinions.

The two of them had started on bad terms and Marshal Wheeler had put a poster out on her for the death of his brother-in-law, who happened to be one of his deputies. Logan had later told her the fact that she had evaded the deputies looking for her and slipped into his home leaving him leads to follow on the real killer had made an impression. Archie had been the only one of his deputies that seemed to be able to keep up with her, and the man never gave up once he was sent after someone. Scarlet knew what it was like to be the hunter as well as hunted. She was pretty sure Archie was called off that night in Mexico. The woman Wheeler was after was practically on his back door step. Scarlet had found out later she had been arrested five days before the incident with Apache Jack. Archie had followed her then had seemed to drop off the earth until that night then had disappeared again. Her father and his men had shown up with the morning sun with the news Marshal Wheeler was in the process of clearing her name.

Scarlet and Logan had spoken over the years and had come to respect one another then in some strange sort of way built a friendship. He made an effort to understand what he still referred to as speaking in tongue but it had become more of a joke and he started to call it woman's tongue which was just as difficult to understand and red man's. The thing Scarlet had counted on was Logan's memory and it had not failed him this time.

After Scarlet read the flimsy she walked to the fire, kneeled down and stuck the end of the telegram into it. Archie's gaze caught her attention as they both watched her drop what was left of the burning piece into the fire. Whatever he was up to, she thought looking at him, he was still the same clean cut man with a reputation she had come to admire. She did not smile his way as she stood and looked at Ella who was watching her.
"It's always good to get good news from Logan." Scarlet said.

Archie heard the statement and wondered if she was talking about Logan Wheeler and what she had sent to who ever she was referring to. 

"You can have the bounty hunter. I want the doctor lady."

The statement Perry whispered in his ear made the hair stand up on Archie's neck.

"Wouldn't ya like something with a little fire?" Perry whispered.

Archie said nothing. Perry seemed to be obsessed to succeed where others had failed. Like it would make him some kind of hero to Drew and the others who rode with him. He had to figure a way to flush Perry out of this place.

[Elegant Ella]

Archie shrugged and said, "Let's take Drew his dinner." They went to the fire to collect the grub, then off to the stockade.

As usual, the guards made them leave their visible weapons on the table before letting them into the cell block. Also as usual, the guards didn't try very hard to check them for concealed weapons.

Since Drew had two cellmates again, Archie said, "I'll eat later at the camp," and gave his bowl to Reuben. Archie chatted with Reuben and Jimmy while Drew and Perry spoke together. Drew seemed upset, and didn't keep his voice down.

"You've got to get me out of here, Perry! It's a necktie party for sure if they try me in Omaha!"

"Who's taking you to Omaha and why?" asked Perry.

"That she-devil put her damned wanted poster on the wall over there, where I can't avoid seeing it. She said that a posse is coming to take me away."

"Getting you out of here might be doable, but getting away from the fort afterwards, once they are all riled up, won't be. Might be better to try to free you from the posse after they leave the fort."

"Get me a weapon, Perry. Gun or knife makes no mind. I would rather be killed trying to escape than swing."

[Elegant Ella]

Archie had a lot to think about when he and Perry left the cellblock and reclaimed their weapons.

Reuben and Jimmy had given him more information about the women than he had been able to get from the scouts. Jimmy had been cautious talking at first, but he clearly admired Mrs. Coatsworth. Once Drew was engrossed in his own conversation, Jimmy had spoken more freely.

Reuben had never encountered them before, but he had talked to people who had, and he was willing to pass along those stories. Most of the tales were probably exaggerations.

Archie still needed to get Perry away from the fort soon. Two posses were coming to collect prisoners. That alone wouldn't shift Perry, since he didn't think he was on any wanted posters. But maybe Perry would believe that Archie needed to stay clear of those posses and would be willing to leave with him.

[Scarlet Angel]

Archie looked around as they came out of the stockade. Spotting Scarlet he wondered if he could get her to work with him. After talking with Jimmy he was sure the two women wore badges. He'd also told her the Marshal that hunted her was dead. Maybe if she could come up with a telegraph saying he was wanted too he could convince Perry to get out of here, but how close could he get to her without compromising both of them? He had to figure something out before Perry got shot trying to help Drew escape. He bet Drew wouldn't make it to the front gate before he had more than a dozen bullets in him. Archie suddenly had an idea. He prayed it would not backfire on him. He'd tracked Scarlet across half of Texas, he'd come to know her pretty well back then. He hoped a lot of what he learned back then still held water.

"Drew is a bigger fool than me if he thinks he'll make it outta here alive." Archie snorted. "He'll probably get shot then that she doctor will stitch 'em up and they will still hang him. Yer idea was a lot better. Drew oughta listen to it." He said to Perry as he took the flask from his coat and took a long swallow.

[Scarlet Angel]

Archie stopped at his tent appearing to refill the flask he carried then followed after Drew to the scout's fire and served himself some super. He was going to miss Ella's cooking. His regret of taking on his current persona was the impression he left on folks like Ella he would have otherwise liked to have known.

Archie waited for Perry to find a place to sit and people to fill in around him before finding himself a place to sit on the log next to Scarlet. He didn't miss the disapproving looks from some of the men, nor the semi threatening one that flashed in the eyes of the soldier that sat on her other side. Scarlet shifted her weight but didn't move, he'd counted on that.

Archie ate his dinner quietly and appeared to be putting a healthy dent in the contents of his flask. "I never did Thank ya." He finally said to Scarlet holding the flask in her direction.

She looked coldly at him. "For what?"

He motioned her to take the flask again.

"No Thank you."

"For letting me go back in that Mexican cantina."

"I told you, you weren't worth it."

"Let me buy you a drink any how." He said locking eyes with her shaking the flask.

There was something in his eyes when he said it that made her take the flask he held out. Scarlet wiped the top with her sleeve and took a sip. The fact that the flask was still nearly full after he'd been appearing to be nursing it for along time didn't slip past her. She wiped the top and gave it back to him. "Jack must have taught you to drink." She commented.

Archie grinned. "Ain't no cheap drunk, don't let the word out or they'll try 'n take it away from me." He whispered then held the flask to his lips again.

He leaned closer to her. "That soldier watchin' me, he the one you lay yer pretty head next to at night? You know where my tent is should you tire of him."

Scarlet rolled her eyes.

Perry had been watching Archie closely since he sat next to Scarlet, trying to hear the conversation. She seemed to be just tolerating him. Archie was hitting the flask hard and seemed to be getting bolder with her, it was entertaining.

"You want to see Jack again, Archie?"

"No, was just a suggestion. Sides I ain't wanted dead or alive. Wouldn't be your style bounty hunter. Speaking of that, I saw yer friends work down in the stockade."

Scarlet looked questioningly at him.

"That poster on Drew. He's wanted alive. Your friends know about the poster on you? Your soldier might kick you out of his tent he knew about that and then you'd have to come bunk with me." He smiled and waggled his eyebrows up and down. "I'm surprised yer friend haven't come up with it yet, as nosy as she is."

"Yer walking a thin line boy." Scarlet growled.

"Way I see it you owe me."

"How so?"

"Tol' ya that Marshal that was tailing you and Jack died along time ago."

Scarlet narrowed her eyes as she looked at him this time.

Archie knew he had her attention.

"I think that Marshal had a thing for you, maybe you for him, the way he watched ya that night. Heard you made him forget 'bout that poster by given him what ya done showed ta Jack." Archie shrugged "just the scuttlebutt though, course hear tell you two spent a lot of close nights in Mexico. Bet you know how to make a man forget about what's going on anyplace else." He raised his hand to touch her face. Her cold glare made him stop.

Scarlet couldn't figure his game. He had something he wanted from her, she could feel it. She knew Perry was watching them. She also knew Fritz was listening, she could feel the heat of anger coming from his body. She reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. It was her way of letting him know it was ok and not to interfere. Scarlet heard his sigh of frustration.

"I see what that Ol' Marshal saw in you." He slurred with a grin. "You got fire, see it in yer eyes."

He leaned over as if he was going to say something to Fritz. 

Scarlet cut him off saying "You need to go sleep it off Archie, 'for your mouth gets yer plow cleaned."

Archie looked around. "You always picked a hell of a group to ride with." He remarked fumbling to put the flask back in the inside pocket of his coat. He missed and dropped it along with a few other things.

Archie cursed, looking pointedly at her before leaning over to retrieve the flask and things he'd dropped.

"Mr. Smith, I think you should take your friend back to camp before he gets himself into trouble here." Scarlet said to Perry.

Hearing the irritation in her voice Perry walked over pulling Archie up by the arm as he fumbled for the things he dropped.

"I haven't seen you tie one on like this in some time." Perry remarked.

"Ya said I was more fun this way." Archie slurred. "I was hoping it would be her to take me back to my bed."

Perry chuckled. "I did say that, but I don't want ya gettin' us tore apart by that group."

"I might as well go out havin' a good time, if we do what Drew asks we're gonna get killed anyway."

Scarlet waited until Perry and Archie were a distance away before she reached down and picked up what Archie had left. Scarlet quickly pocketed it. Then excused herself to check on the horses.

[Elegant Ella]

Archie appeared to pass out soon after Perry had guided him to his bed, but he was wondering if he knew anyone in the posses coming. The posse coming for Drew and Owen was from Omaha, and would be city lawmen. There was probably no danger to him from them. 

But the posse coming for Reuben and Jimmy was coming from Houston, which had been his home base until he went undercover two years ago.  Escorting prisoners was a job usually assigned to new deputies, under the command of one seasoned man. The new ones might not know him, but the detail commander probably would. That man betraying recognition of him could be fatal.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella, escorted by Samuel and Orville, followed Scarlet out of the camp. She wanted to head for the infirmary while Perry was not watching her. Bo and Chris would come up there later, after they made sure that no one folllowed her away.

Ella didn't know if her caution about Perry was solely based on his friendship with Drew, or whether something else about Perry was warning her that he was a predator who saw women as prey.

When Perry got back to the fire, neither woman was in sight. Bo and Chris were both visible, so Perry figured that Ella couldn't be far. Maybe she had turned in early. Or maybe she was entertaining the third of her constant companions. Perry enjoyed that thought, imagining himself being entertained.

[Scarlet Angel]

"I'm going to guess either that Johnson was lying about a wanted poster on you or what ever you were wanted for has been pardoned." Fritz said taking Scarlet's hand as they neared the stables.

Scarlet suppressed a grin. "You once told me you were not interested in my past."

He knew she was toying with him; she was fond of doing so.

Scarlet stopped and faced him. "Tis true sir; you've married a woman with a dark past. Adds to the mystery don't you think."  She giggled.

Fritz shook his head. "What am I gonna do with you Milady?"

Scarlet's smile widened as she traced her fingers along his chest. "You could go back to the tent and ponder the question until I get there."

He smiled back then kissed her. "No, I'm fine here." He replied.

They'd been together long enough he knew she wanted to be alone, he just couldn't figure out why. It was his turn to toy with her.

"Tell me about your mysterious past Milady." He said as they approached the horses.

Scarlet looked sideways at him as she scratched Dancer's forehead. "Maybe I'll give you the poster some day."

"Poster? You have the paper?" Fritz said surprised.

"Oh yeah, not every girl gets her picture on a wanted poster." Scarlet laughed softly.  "I was wanted for killing a Deputy Marshal, who happened to be the brother in law of the US Marshal out of Houston at the time."

"What did he do to you?" Fritz asked.

"Fritz!"

"What?"

"I didn't do it."

"Oh, well I didn't mean that you did. What I meant was what happened."

Scarlet laughed and shook her head. "It's alright ya know. Yer not the first one to say that."

"It's not alright. I shouldn't have just assumed you killed him." Fritz glanced down mentally cursing himself.

"Don't" She said sternly knowing what he was doing. She'd be doing the same if their roles had been reversed. "There was only one person ever stated it any different."

"Who, and what did they say?"

"Grey Eagle asked why they were accusing me of killing a man I had not when there were others I had killed they didn't care about."

"Grey Eagle sees more clearly and speaks in more puzzles than any person I know." Fritz replied thinking of some of the conversations they'd had.

Scarlet smiled in agreement. "I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and I had a reputation. The woman that did kill him looked a lot like me, especially in a dim lit smoke filled room when people had been drinking. Few knew the difference, the bar tender knew us both. She confessed when they finally caught up to her."

"Why'd she kill him?"

"Deputy arrested her man and they hung him."

"What was the Deputy doing in a smoke filled, dim lit place?"

"Why Fritz, you know that's the best place to find people who don't want to be found." Scarlet chuckled.

They walked along visiting the horses in the stables as they spoke. Scarlet had a habit of petting any of the animals that showed interest in having attention; she would spend longer with the ones she knew. When they reached Lucky's stall she turned to Fritz kissed him, then said "I will be along in awhile."

It was the second time she'd hinted she wanted him to go. As long as he'd known her she'd liked her personal time. He'd finally accepted it was nothing against anybody; it was just part of her. She did it when she was happy or sad. He smiled at a memory.

Scarlet smiled back. "Penny for your thoughts."

"Kiss would be better." He replied.

She kissed him and almost blushed from the way he was looking at her. "Do I want to know?"

Fritz chuckled then said with a warm smile. "One of my first memories of you is sitting under a tree leaning against Lucky." 
There was something in his eyes when he said it that did make her blush.

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet watched Fritz go. Funny things people remembered she thought. Course she could still see him, battle worn, removing his slouch, pulling the small leather bound book from his jacket, opening it and reading a passage from the bible over his horse's body.  He had traded his friend's life for that of Patches. Strange how life seemed to play out. Until that point in time she'd gone about her own business only aware of the presence of the Yankee soldier that had shown up a couple days prior with the marshal. She didn't think she'd even acknowledged his presence before that. Scarlet half smiled, she could hear her father's voice the day they had ridden in. "Smells like Yanks." If anyone would suggested she'd be married to him later she wouldn't have believed it.

Scarlet reached into her pocket and removed the round object. She looked at the hole dead center of the badge before turning it over.  L. A. Witts was etched in the bottom. Archie's first name was Lester. She remembered the bandits used to refer to him as Les Witts, course that was opposite of the truth. It would also explain why he preferred to go by Archie. She stopped hearing about Marshal Witts  a little over two years ago. It was like he'd disappeared. Scarlet figured he'd retired. Archie had referred to him as dead though. She wondered what he'd told Perry to get in the man's good graces. He'd talked about wanted posters too. There would be one on a man who killed a Deputy Marshal if they knew who the killer was, but she'd not seen anything stating Archie's supposed death. Scarlet put the badge back into her pocket and slid onto Lucky's back. She rode him around for awhile while she thought of her next move.

Dick's camp was fairly quiet when she rode by, most of them had gathered over in Cyrus's camp. Scarlet checked her weapons before she moved the horse into the picket line of some of the scout's animals. "You hear a commotion, come a runnin'." She whispered to Lucky sliding off his back. Was a good thing nobody bothered to watch the picket line inside the fort she thought. Scarlet carefully snuck to Archie's tent. She was almost too cautious she thought to herself as she made it to the tent. No body seemed to guard anything here; it gave her an uneasy feeling.

Archie's eyes flew open when he heard the hammer being pulled back on a pistol, simultaneously with the feeling of a hand going over his mouth and the words. "Tricks or traps and I'll kill you."

There was enough light he could make out her figure, there was really no mistaking it for any of his other room mates.

"No tricks, no traps." He whispered.

She removed her hand and backed off but kept the pistol aimed at him. "You invited me to come see what kind of man you really were." Scarlet said pitching the badge back at him. "Tell me about it."

"We're not safe here." He said catching the badge.

"I don't' think we'd be safe been seen anyplace together." She remarked. "My horse is at the picket line. Are there patrols?"

"No. I'll meet you there. I ride the bald face bay, tied in the middle." 

She disappeared almost before he finished is sentence.

Archie waited for his heart to stop racing. Having a gun pointed at his chest was something that just played on his nerves.

When he arrived at the picket line he didn't see anything out of place. Archie sat down in front of his horse, it wasn't uncommon for Perry to find he'd staggered out and fallen down in his horse's food.

"Talk to me Archie."

Her voice nearly made him jump out of his skin. He squinted into the dim light and could make out a figure sitting beneath one of the horses.

"Is it safe for you there?" He whispered concerned the horse would step on her.

"My horse, talk to me, ain't got long. Cut to the chase I can fill in the blanks later."

"I need a reason to get Perry to leave with me. Afraid the posse from Houston might recognize me and blow my cover, and I need him. Frankly seein' you scared the hell out of me too."

"That badge, you tell Perry you shot Marshal Witts?"

"Right through the heart. I can be a good shot."

"Had to be if you were ridin' with Jack. How come there is no paper on you?"

"Didn't want some determined bounty hunter to shoot me."

"Who knows Archie Johnson shot Marshal Witts?"

"Damn few, only the ones that fabricated the story."

"Does Perry know there's no paper?"

"No, he just thinks the past ain't caught me yet. Scarlet you kicked up some of the roughest men outta the most secret places a person could. You could put something together and flush us out."

"Where was Witts killed and when?"
"Little over two years ago, Belton. He recognized me for ridding with Jack. That's what Perry knows."

Scarlet came out from underneath Lucky. "Two years is a long time. Don't forget who you are Archie. I hope your God is watching over you."

Archie smiled. "I hope we can ride the river together sometime Scarlet. It would be some kinda adventure I bet."

Scarlet slid back on her horse. Archie watched as the animal almost soundlessly backed into the darkness and disappeared.