Moonstone Cowboy

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Come with us now on a journey to… The Wild West and the town of Moonstone. Vince is the cute cowboy with a big heart and an even bigger wardrobe. Howard is the dark and lamenting Sheriff trapped in an emotional cycle of guilt and need. In a world that’s like, but not like, the Boosh we know and love anything can happen (AU). But mostly our lads get in loads of bother. There’s plenty of mature imagery peeps so M+ for sex, violence, hurt/comfort, darkness, slash, angst etc.

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Caught

Contents

Caught

“Howard?”

Howard turns as he hears Monty call his name from the door. He then turns back to face Bainbridge.

“Get out!”

Dixon Bainbridge looks momentarily startled before responding with his usual bristle.

“I asked you where the hell he is Moon.”

“And I told you to get out!” Howard takes an aggressive step towards the Mayor, his fists balled and jaw set. Monty rushes forward to stand between the two of them.

“Now gentlemen, it’s all alright.”

“It’s not alright. That murdering little shit has done a runner.”

Howard takes another step forward, forcefully pushing against Monty in the process. A deep growl escapes from him.

Monty pushes firmly back. “Howard please. He’s just trying to wind you up.”

“I’m doing nothing of the sort Flange. That Noir kid has made good his escape. What more proof of guilt do you need, the filthy lowlife?”

“Vince didn’t do this Bainbridge! HE DID NOT DO THIS!”

Howard’s raised voice brings the other men into the office from outside.

“What’s going on?”

“Where is he?”

Bainbridge squares his shoulders and stares directly into Howard’s eyes. “If by ‘he’ you mean the delinquent Deputy that the good Sheriff here has decided to not only allow into this town but probably also into his pants, well then he’s fucked off.”

“Why you…!” Howard pushes Monty to the side and throws a punch at the Mayor, making good solid contact with the side of his chin. Howard tries to follow up the first punch with a second but Monty and Chalky have already grabbed an arm each.

“Stop Howard. Stop it. It’s not worth it for god’s sake.”

Howard struggles against both of them, animalistic snarls still coming from deep within his throat.

Bainbridge turns back to look at him, massaging his jaw, a small trickle of blood running from his slightly split lip.

“That was a big mistake Moon.”

“I said get out Bainbridge!”

“I swear you will live to regret that punch.”

“GET THE FUCK OUT!”

Monty and Chalky pull on Howard as he tries to reach towards the Mayor again.

Bainbridge, relishing that his work here is done, walks slowly to the door. Before he passes through he turns once more to Howard.

“Okay Moon I’m leaving, but know this. I’m going back to The Bullet, I’m going to get a group of men together and we’re going to rip this town apart looking for that pretty jailbait trash of yours.”

With an arrogant flourish Bainbridge turns back on his heels and exits the room.

Howard shakes his friends off of his arms and walks out after him. The other men follow suit. They stand on the porch watching the Mayor descend the steps and cross the street.

“You shouldn’t have hit him Howard.”

“He deserved it.”

“He’ll do it you know. He’ll go and round up a posse.”

“I know.”

“Have you any idea where Vince could have gone?”

Howard shakes his head.

“He isn’t doing himself any favours here Sheriff.”

Lucien looks guiltily away as Howard glares at him for that comment. The Doctor nods.

“I’m sorry Sheriff but Lucien’s right. Deputy Noir is not helping himself by hiding. Are you sure you don’t know where he could have run to?”

Howard softens his glare and shakes his head again. “I don’t. But I need to find him before they do.”

Howard moves off to the side and leans over the rail of the veranda. He removes his hat, closes his eyes and runs his hands through his hair. Monty follows him and softly places a hand on his shoulder. He gives it a squeeze.

Howard opens his eyes and jumps as he suddenly catches sight of a pair of piercing blue ones staring right back at him from below. Vince smiles weakly up at him.

Howard grabs Monty’s wrist from his shoulder and subtly pulls him forward so he too can see. Monty keeps his face expressionless but a twinkle runs through his eyes. He spins to face the rest of the men.

“I’ve an idea. I think we should all go and join Bainbridge’s posse.”

Lucien looks confused but the Doctor fills in the blanks.

“That’s not a bad idea Montgomery. We being there might help keep things a little calmer.”

Chalky runs his hands over his apron. “Well I’ve got to be getting back to The Bullet anyway. If I can be of use I will.”

Lucien shrugs. “Sure, if you think it might help. But Sheriff…”

Howard looks back over his shoulder at him.

“…I don’t mean to offend you or question your judgement or anything, but are you absolutely sure Deputy Noir has nothing to do with this.”

Howard turns back to look again into Vince’s eyes.

“Lucien, I’ve never been surer of anything in my entire life.”

“Well okay then Sheriff.”

Howard shakes hands with each of them and watches as they leave his veranda and disappear around the corner. They are completely out of sight before he dares to speak.

“Vince, you alright?”

“Yeah, sorta Howard. I could do with some help though and I really need to tell you something. Is the coast clear?”

Howard walks to either end of the veranda checking in multiple directions for any unknown observers. When he’s satisfied that all is fine he descends the steps and makes his way around to the side of the building.

“Vince, oh my god what happened?”

The Deputy is still half in shadow but Howard can see he’s standing a little awkwardly, one arm wrapped around himself. His fringe is only partially successful in concealing his pained expression.

“Is it safe for me to come back inside? I could do with a change of clothes.”

Howard nods and puts his arm around Vince’s shoulder ready to guide him into the jailhouse. Vince sharply winces as he does so.

“Vince?”

“Sorry, just got a bit of a knock to my arm here. Seems to be getting more painful.”

Howard gives Vince a gentle rub between the shoulder blades.

“Okay well we’ll need to take a look at that in some proper light. Can you walk?”

“Yeah, it’s just my arm. Are you sure there’s no-one around to see us?”

Howard double-checks before laying a palm in the small of Vince’s back and pushing him forward.

“Quick, go!”

Howard and Vince scamper as fast as they can back up the steps and into the jailhouse. Howard locks the door behind them and leads Vince into the back cell. He sits the smaller man down onto his bed and gestures to Vince’s shirt.

“Can I?”

Vince nods but bites his bottom lip as Howard undoes the remaining buttons, (again there’s only a couple done up), and lifts the material away from the shoulder. The Deputy winces.

“You might have popped it out Vince.”

“Nah, it’ll be alright.”

Vince looks much paler than usual. He bites extra hard on his lip as Howard softly probes the area.

“You’ve definitely dislocated it.”

“That’s bad is it?”

“Well it’s not good.”

“Can you fix it?”

“Me?”

“Well I can’t trust anyone else to do it, and it’s really starting to hurt now.”

“Umm, well can you hold your arm out in front of you at all? Can you bend it?”

Vince slowly lifts his arm away from his side but only gets so far before an excruciatingly painful spasm swells through his shoulder muscle.

“Aargh.”

“Vince, it’s okay, stop.”

“I feel faint.”

Vince’s eyes roll slightly in his head and his skin pales to near translucent. He flails towards Howard with his good hand and grabs the Sheriff’s shirt front in a sweaty vice grip. Howard leans in to steady him.

“Here lie down.”

Vince twists Howard’s shirt front even tighter between his fingers and clenches his jaw.

“Unnnhhh.”

“Please, you have to lie down.”

Howard wraps his strong arms behind Vince and gently pushes him backwards.

“Shit, this well hurts.”

“I know little man. Just breathe deep okay”

“What are you doing?”

Howard is carefully wrapping his thumb around its counterpart on the hand of Vince’s bad arm. He firmly grips Vince’s slim wrist with both of his large palms.

“Put your head back and keep breathing.”

“Howard? Aargh!”

“Head back! Try to relax.”

“I can’t, what’re you doing?”

“I need to straighten your arm out so it’s over the side of the bed.”

“What? Why?”

“So I can pull on it.”

“Howard, no.”

“But you asked me to help.”

“Well I’ve changed my mind.”

“Vince, it isn’t going to get any better on its own.”

Another spasm hits Vince making him yelp.

“Okay, but be quick about it.”

“I’m trying to be quick about it. You just need to relax.”

Howard finally has Vince’s arm fully extended. He starts pulling slowly and steadily away from Vince’s body. Vince grits his teeth and clenches his eyes.

“Ugh…shit.”

“I know, I know. Hang on.”

Howard reaches down and removes the boot from his left foot. He then puts his foot up against the side of Vince’s torso giving himself a little extra leverage and pulls again. Vince tries to muffle his distress into the crook of his right arm.

All of a sudden, and accompanied by a long string of swear words from the Deputy, the joint pops back into place.

Howard rushes out the room and returns moments later with a couple of cool wet cloths. He lightly lays one across the swollen shoulder, the other he folds and lays across Vince’s forehead. This pulls a smile from the younger man.

“Thank you.”

“What the hell happened?”

Vince moves to sit upright but Howard lays a hand on his chest.

“I think you should stay down. You still look a bit peaky.”

“But Howard, you need to go and arrest Bobby Fossil now.”

“What?”

“Bobby Fossil.”

“I know who he is. Why do I need to arrest him?”

“Bobby Fossil has the knife and he knows who murdered Lance. You’ve got to go and get him.”

“But how do you…”

“I heard him talking about it to someone else.”

“Who?”

“Err, Joey someone or other.”

“Joey the Moose?”

“I dunno for sure, but it’s Joey’s knife. Bobby borrowed it from him but it was used to kill Lance. Then Bobby got told to get rid of it, but I guess he screwed up because I found it didn’t I?”

“Yeah, so hang on, who has it now?”

“Bobby.”

“And how does he have it? I thought it was here.”

“It was. I took it.”

“But now Bobby has it?”

“Yeah, look Howard, I know it sounds really confusing, and I will explain properly later, but you’ve got no time to listen to it all. You’ve got to go and arrest Bobby before Bainbridge speaks to him.”

“Bainbridge? How does he fit into this?”

“He knew about the knife.”

“Oh, blooming heck.”

“I know but please Howard, go!”

“Vince, it’s okay, I don’t think Bainbridge is rushing to go and talk to Fossil tonight.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s too busy raising a posse to find you that’s why.”

“What?”

“You remember when you ran off?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry about that Howard. I didn’t want it to get difficult for you. I guess I screwed that up, didn’t I?”

“Well let’s just say it probably wasn’t your best move.”

“But if I hadn’t run off I wouldn’t have overheard Fossil talking about the knife would I?”

“No, I guess not.”

Vince makes to sit up again and this time Howard helps him.

“You’ve got to go Howard.”

“I can’t leave you here. You need my help.”

“I’m fine now. Well a bit sore, but the shoulder feels much better now it’s back in place. This is too important. Go be the Sheriff!”

“You promise you’ll stay here?”

“I promise.”

“And you’ll lock the door behind me?”

“Alright, yeah.”

“And you’ll lie back down and try to rest until I’m back.”

Vince grins at Howard, his eyes sparkling with affection.

“What are you smiling at?”

“You.”

“Me?”

Vince smiles wider. “You know for a moment out there I scared myself into thinking you may not believe me.”

“Believe you? Vince, what do you mean?”

“I thought maybe you’d start having doubts about me. Start thinking that I might be involved in this murder.”

Howard chuckles. “You know the thought never crossed my mind.”

“Get lost, it must have done. I do appear pretty guilty now don’t I?”

“Look, I’m an experienced Sheriff. I can tell the face of a guilty man when I see it. You simply are not capable of such a thing.”

“What ya mean?”

“Well you’re hardly the murdering type Vince.”

“Are you saying I’m soft?”

“No. Well yes, sort of. Not soft though, more breezy.”

“Breezy?”

“Yeah.”

“Breezy? Really?”

“Well, yeah, kind of.”

“I’m not sure how to take that. Is that even a compliment?”

“Okay, it’s maybe not quite the right word. You’re… light.”

“Light? What, like a feather?”

“Ha, no, more like warm light.”

“Howard, I don’t think that even makes sense.”

“It makes every sense to me little man.”

Howard leans in towards Vince, and pauses an inch from the Deputy’s face. He whispers, “You are sunshine,” before resting his lips against the younger man’s mouth.

The kiss is slow.

It’s slow and it’s deep and it’s agonisingly affectionate.

An outsider would say it’s the kiss of two people devoted to each other, two people who really love each other, two people who complete each other. One wouldn’t guess that these men hardly know each other, that they’ve only recently met, that up until twenty-four hours ago neither thought they had the capacity to feel such a thing as devotion.

If ever there is an irrefutable example of total and utter mutual respect it’s this kiss. If ever there is an allegory of desire and allegiance and sentiment it’s this kiss. If ever there is a kiss to be celebrated, illustrated, discussed and acclaimed it’s this kiss.

Howard and Vince part reluctantly. They rest forehead to forehead for a moment, each savouring the sweet after-taste of the other, before Howard puts his boot back on and raises himself from the bed. Vince stands too, wobbles a bit, and holds onto Howard’s arm.

“Hey careful now.”

“I’m just a little dizzy.”

“You’ll come and lie back down when I’m gone won’t you?”

“Yes Howard.”

“Good.”

The two of them turn into each other and embrace. Vince rests his cheek against Howard’s chest. Howard runs his fingers up and down Vince’s naked back and nuzzles into the top of his hair.

“I kind of don’t want you to go now Howard. This is nice.”

“And you make me almost forget all the shit that’s going on Vince. I don’t want to leave either, but…”

“But it might be your only opportunity. Please go and arrest Fossil.”

Howard kisses the top of Vince’s head and moves away. Vince follows.

“Don’t do anything too rash or heroic now though will you Sheriff?”

Howard opens the door. “I won’t. I don’t think Fossil is the kind to put up a fight anyway.”

Howard steps through. “Remember to lock it Vince.”

“I will.”

Howard starts to pull the door shut, but Vince suddenly grabs hold of it and keeps it ajar.

“Howard.”

“Yeah?”

Vince straightens Howard’s collar before running his finger lovingly across the Sheriff’s badge.

“They say you should never meet your hero right, but, regardless of what happens next, I’m really glad I met you.”

“Vince, it will be alright you know. We’ll work this out and solve this thing.”

“I dunno, I wanna believe that’s true but I’ve just got a bit of a bad feeling…”

Howard takes Vince’s hand in both of his. “Go and lie down little man, I’ll be back soon.”

Vince nods and closes the door. Howard waits until he hears the sound of the key being turned in the lock before descending the steps and heading in the direction of Bobby Fossil’s house behind the bank.

From the opposite corner, the pale green eyes of a young red-haired girl track his every move.

Vince locks the door and looks at the tub of cold water. He considers how much he’d love to have a hot bath to help soothe his aching shoulder, but as things currently stand it’s completely out of the question. He’d have to go outside to get more water for a start. Being seen wasn’t the only issue, he doubted he’d even be able to lift a bucket. Instead he starts to make his way back to the bedroom area figuring if he can’t soak then he can at least try lying down. He is far too worried about Howard to attempt sleep. Really, what he wants more than anything is to be out there with him.

Just as he reaches the cell there’s a light knock at the door. Vince freezes. The knock is repeated.

Vince tiptoes back toward the front of the jailhouse. He gets the urge to look through the window but resists, knowing he’ll be spotted straight away if he does. He decides instead to stay quiet and pretend no-one’s home.

“Deputy Noir.”

Vince frowns. The voice sounds quite young.

“Deputy Noir please. I know you’re in there. I saw you.”

Vince puts his ear right up against the door. Could this be a trick? Could there be a posse of men outside ready to grab him? He focuses on listening but can hear nothing. The knock comes again.

“Please Deputy Noir. I really need your help. Please, I can’t go anywhere else.”

Vince is in two minds. But if this is a trap and they know he’s inside why would they lure him out this way? Surely they’d break the windows or something. His soft heart makes the decision for him.

“Umm, hi. Who is it please?”

“It’s me, Lillian White.”

“Lillian White?”

“We met this morning Deputy Noir. Please can I come in, I have to talk to you.”

“Are you alright Miss White?”

“Not really Deputy. Please?”

Vince hesitates slightly before turning the key in the lock. He’s trying to remember Lillian White but can’t seem to place her. Can’t that is until he opens the door to reveal the flaming red-haired girl that had casually flirted with him on the street only hours before. Vince blinks at her a couple of times. His mind flitters across the memories of how much has happened to him since then, and he can’t help but take a guilty glance at the tub. Lillian notices.

“I’m sorry Deputy, are you about to take a dip?”

“What, no, I…”

His voice trails off as he remembers he’s also topless. There’s a twinkle in Lillian’s eye as she registers and happily appreciates this fact.

“No, I wasn’t actually and you’re not disturbing me. I might just go and grab a shirt though.”

“If you must.”

Vince hears but pretends he doesn’t. He walks into the back cell to retrieve his shirt from the bed.

“So Miss White, what seems to be the trouble?”

“Hmmm?”

“You said you needed some help.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

“If you’d rather speak to the Sheriff I’m sure he’ll be back soon.” Vince has the shirt on one arm, but as he attempts to put his left into the sleeve a hot pain shoots through his shoulder. He is unable to suppress a wince.

“You okay Deputy?”

Vince spins around to find Lillian leaning against the entrance to the bedroom(s). He winces again as his shoulder complains.

“You’re in pain.”

“I’m fine.” Vince tries again to put his arm into the sleeve but has to stop before he clears his elbow.

He looks at Lillian who’s watching him intently.

“I’m fine, really. Just a little shoulder injury.”

Lillian takes a couple of steps towards him. Vince edges backwards until his legs hit the side of the bed.

“Miss White?”

“I can help.”

Lillian gently takes hold of the lapel and the shirt front and slowly guides it over Vince’s bicep and shoulder. She straightens the collar leaving her hand resting there briefly before running her fingers downwards along the button holes. She begins to do up the fastenings starting from the bottom. Vince puts his hand on hers to stop her.

“Miss White please. I can manage.”

Lillian pushes his hand away. “Don’t be silly Deputy, and you can call me Lillian if you like.” Her little finger tickles his skin as she moves up his button line.

“Miss White, um Lillian, you said you needed me for something.”

Lillian pauses as she reaches the very centre of Vince’s breastbone. Her finger catches slightly in his chest hair and her cheeks pink in response. She looks up at him coquettishly and risks rubbing her finger against him with a little more intent.

“I am in a sort of trouble yes Deputy. There’s this man you see.”

Vince swallows. Lillian watches, fascinated by the soft bounce of his Adam’s apple.

“Man?”

“Yes a man.”

“Has he hurt you Lillian?”

“No, but he might.” Lillian moves her hand fully inside Vince’s shirt and places her palm flat against his chest. “At least I’ve been told the first time hurts a little.”

Vince grabs her wrist. “Miss White, what are you doing?”

“I can’t stop thinking about you Deputy. Not since the first time I saw you this morning.”

“Miss White I…”

Lillian removes her hand from his grip and instead puts a finger up to his mouth. At the same time she raises her knee and rubs her leg against his inner thigh.

“No, Miss White, please…”

Lillian lifts her leg higher, pressing herself brazenly against his crotch. As Vince tries to move the back of his knees bend against the bed and instead he finds himself suddenly seated. Lillian quickly responds, straddling his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I want you Deputy. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”

“No, please, get off me.”

Before Vince can even attempt to stand Lillian pushes herself against him. His weak shoulder gives out and he’s on his back, Lillian’s lips pressed to his, her hand grabbing at him through the front of his trousers.

“Aargh…gggettouuffmmmee.”

Lillian’s tongue is invading his mouth before he knows it, one hand busy re-undoing the buttons on his shirt, the other trying to work itself beneath his waistband. Vince has to stop this, he has to stop this now.

“I said no!”

Finally finding his strength Vince grabs Lillian’s shoulders and forces them both back into a sitting position. He then pushes her away from him and to the side giving himself room to stand. His shoulder is yelling at him like crazy, but he’s choosing to ignore it as he re-adjusts his trousers and hastily re-buttons his shirt.

Lillian’s lying on the bed, her eyes watery as tears begin to well. She glares at Vince, a mixture of hatred and fear and misunderstanding in her expression. Vince glares back, but then eases as he realises how upset she looks.

“I’m sorry Lillian but I said no.”

Lillian too stands and smooths down the front of her dress. “Am I not beautiful enough for you?”

Vince goes to put a comforting hand on her arm but then thinks better of it. “You’re very beautiful Lillian.”

“Then why?”

Vince runs his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know you.”

“Has that stopped you before?”

“Well I…” Vince starts to protest but then pauses. Lying wouldn’t help the situation. “You’re very young.”

“I’m not that young.”

“Well you’re a lot younger than me.”

“How old are you?”

“I…” Vince falters again.

“You’re making excuses. What was all that this morning then if you aren’t interested in me?”

“I don’t know what you mean Lillian.”

“This morning when you winked at me.”

“Did I? I don’t know. I was being friendly.”

“I thought you fancied me.”

Vince shakes his head slowly. “I’m sorry Lillian.”

“Is that it then? Is that all you’re going to say? You make me think you like me and then you throw me to the dirt.”

“I, honestly, I, I…”

“You piece of shit.” Lillian’s eyes well up again as she shoves past Vince and out of the cell area. Vince turns after her.

“Miss White please.”

“Oh it’s back to Miss White again now is it? You men are all the same, winking and flirting and leading us on. I’m just an object to you is that it? Just something to be ogled at.”

“I think you might be overreacting here a little.”

“Overreacting. How dare you!”

“Miss White I didn’t expect any of this to happen. What could I have done? You said you were in trouble. I’m a lawman, it’s my job to help. I didn’t know you felt this way.”

Lillian reaches for the door, tears on her cheeks and red hot anger evident in her eyes.

“Please Miss White…Lillian. Please stay here until you’ve calmed down. I can make you some coffee.”

“Calmed down! Coffee! Why, you are an absolute arsehole!”

Lillian grabs the handle and flings the door wide open. She charges out onto the veranda. Vince follows, forgetting in the moment about his own personal safety. As she reaches the steps Lillian reels back around towards him. “I thought you were different, different at least to all the men my father hangs around with. Drunkard dullard idiots the lot of them, spending all hours at the Bullet, gambling and fighting and chasing whores.”

“Miss White…”

“Save it Deputy. You’ve not much time now so save it.”

“What do you mean?”

“They’re looking for you, you know. Mayor Bainbridge was at the Bullet earlier rounding up groups of men. My Father’s one of them.”

“Your Father…?”

“Always been loyal to the Mayor my Dad.”

“But if you knew they were looking for me why did you come here?”

“God you’re dumb. Because I like you and I thought you liked me. Because I fancied a shag and you’re a good looking guy.”

“You were going to give me your virginity Lillian. That’s not someone simply wanting a shag.”

“I thought you’d be gentle.”

“Oh Lillian.” Vince takes a step towards her, eyes full of compassion. Lillian looks at him for a second and briefly softens before the anger returns. She takes one step down.

“Please, you can’t go.”

“Why? Are you scared of what I’ll do next?”

“What will you do next?”

“Well Dad’s always wanted to get further into Mayor Bainbridge’s good books. He’s due a promotion. Seems I can help him out there can’t I?”

“Please Lillian, you can’t tell him.”

“But he’s my Father, I tell him everything.”

“Please!”

“You gonna beg me?”

“No, but I…”

“Lillian, is that you?” Both Vince and Lillian’s heads spin around at the sound of the male voice behind them.

“Daddy?”

“Lillian?”

“Shit!”

A rather tall flame-haired man starts walking towards the jailhouse. “Lillian sweetheart, come down the steps and walk slowly towards me.”

Vince edges back toward the door.

“Dad, it’s okay. I’m okay.”

“Come down the steps Lillian love.”

“Mr. White, I’m not going to hurt your daughter.”

“Are you him?”

“Who?”

“Are you the Deputy, this Vince Noir fella?”

Vince edges backwards some more.

“Why are you with my daughter?”

“Mr. White I can assure you that there’s nothing inappropriate going on here.”

“Daddy, I’m fine. Vince hasn’t done anything.”

“So you are him.”

The three of them pause a moment, each looking nervously to the other.

“If you’ve so much as touched a hair on my daughter’s head.”

“I promise you Mr. White I haven’t touched your daughter. I wouldn’t knowingly hurt anyone. I’m the Deputy Sheriff for goodness sake.”

“Then why’s the whole town looking for you then? I heard you murdered Lance Parrot.”

“Well I didn’t.”

“That’s not what folks are saying.”

“Well, those folk are wrong.”

“No smoke without fire.”

Vince sighs deeply. “Mr. White it’s a long story. I’m happy to tell you if you want to come inside.”

Mr. White takes a step forward. “Nah, you’re alright thanks. Think I’d rather you tell it to Mayor Bainbridge instead.”

“What?”

“Oi! You lot! Over here! I’ve only bloody found him.”

Vince looks on in horror as a group of three men rush around the corner. One he recognises as Joey the Moose, the original owner of the knife. The other two aren’t familiar to him though, and there’s nothing about their appearance that would make Vince want to change that fact.

“Shit, the Piper Twins!”

Vince looks to Lillian and sees terror in her features as she identifies the two men. He starts to feel a similar terror move inside himself.

Lillian turns towards him. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright Lillian. I forgive you.”

“No, I’m not sorry for what I did you twerp. I’m sorry for you.”

“Me?”

“That’s The Piper Twins, Charlie and Eddie Piper.”

“And I take it that’s not good.”

“You’ll be lucky to make it to Bainbridge alive.”

“Oh right. Thanks for that.”

“I should go before, you know…”

“Yeah.”

“You should probably run.”

“Probably.”

“I mean definitely, you should definitely run.”

“I’ve nowhere to go.”

Lillian looks at him sadly. Tears well in her pale green eyes again. “Bye then.”

“Bye.”

Lillian rushes down the last two steps and into her father’s arms. Mr. White looks up at the Deputy and sneers before pushing his daughter slightly away from him and holding her face in his hands.

“Are you alright my precious?”

“Yes Father.”

“He didn’t hurt you did he?”

“No Father.”

“Well I want you to get home now you hear. Get straight home to your Mother and no dallying.”

“I will Father.”

With one final glance up at Vince Lillian runs away from the group and out of sight towards home.

Vince takes another step backwards towards the door.

“Don’t be thinking you can get away this time Deputy.”

“Look gentlemen, I don’t want any trouble.”

The Piper Twins look at each other. “You hear that brother?”

“He doesn’t want any trouble.”

“I can’t see how he’s gonna avoid that though.”

“Nope. I can’t see that at all. Trouble’s the one thing he’s certainly in for.”

“Please, listen to me.”

“Awhh, the pretty man wants us to listen to him.”

“But we ain’t gonna do that are we brother?”

“Nah, the only thing I wanna hear coming from his mouth is pleading for mercy while I grind his head into the dirt.”

“Well, you first then brother.”

“No, I insist, after you brother.”

“Oh for goodness sake you two.” Mr. White moves forward. “Joey, with me. Let’s just get this over with.”

As the two men dart towards the steps Vince flings himself into the jailhouse and slams the door behind him. He wrestles with the key in the lock as the pounding starts. The lock clicks.

Vince steps through the room, looking about him manically for anything that he can use. He picks up random objects; a mug, a cushion, a hat, before heading to Howard’s desk drawer. He rifles through it hoping to find a spare gun but there’s nothing in them apart from paper and ink. He scours the shelves and spots an empty liquor bottle. He grabs it by the neck and feels the weight of it in his hand.

The pounding on the door becomes rhythmic. Clearly each of the men outside are taking it in turns to shoulder charge the door. The mere thought of it sends a shooting pain through Vince’s damaged joint.

“Deputy open up. You’ve nowhere to go and we’ll get through it eventually.”

“I’d rather not if it’s all the same to you Mr. White.”

“You’re not making this any easier on yourself. Why don’t you just come on out and we can go and see Mayor Bainbridge like civilized men.”

“I don’t think I’m the one that needs civilizing here Mr. White. Those Piper chimps out there are the ones that could do with calming down don’t you think?”

“Is he calling us monkeys brother?”

“I believe he is.”

“Well I think he might live to regret that.”

Vince bends down next to the metal bathtub and tries to push it. It moves half an inch before stopping. He tries again, another half an inch. If he could just get it in front of the door it would be a bit of a barrier at least. He pushes one more time, grimacing through the pain of a thousand lightning bolts striking his shoulder muscle. It’s no good, he just can’t shift it.

Suddenly the pounding stops.

“Deputy Noir, are you still in there?

“Where else would I be Mr. White?”

“You know we could set fire to the place. We could smoke you out.”

“And risk me dying before taking me back to Bainbridge. I don’t think so.”

“You’re right of course. Fire is out of the question. What do you say to something a little simpler? Something like an axe?”

The manic laughter of The Piper Twins reverberates off of the jailhouse walls as the first swing of the axe connects with the door. There’s another ‘swoosh’ and the axe hits the same spot, the wood already starting to shred and send splinters to the ground.

Vince feels a panic rise within his throat. He looks down at the bottle in his hand knowing how useless it will be against four men. He considers breaking it so it’s at least sharp. More likely to just cut himself though doing that.

The axe connects again and makes a small hole. An eye appears at it and finds him.

“Deputy.”

“Mr. White.”

“Only a matter of time now Deputy.”

Vince tries to still his shaking hand around the bottle neck.

The eye disappears from the hole and is replaced by the glistening silver sharp wedge of the axe head. It lodges itself into the door and Vince can hear the curses as Mr. White tries to wrestle it free.

Taking the opportunity Vince darts into the cell area so he’s out of view. He still has the bottle in his hand, but searches around for anything else he can use. The hanging throws and drapes impede his movements and he angrily tugs at one of them pulling it to the floor. He jumps over to Monty’s chests and starts emptying them out. Item upon item litters the ground around him, yet still nothing he can use as a weapon.

At the front door there’s an almighty crunching sound as the axe is finally dislodged.

“Where did you go to Deputy? You know there’s really no point in hiding.”

Vince sits on top of a chest and takes a deep breath. Maybe he should give up. Mr. White’s right. There is no use in hiding. He stands and puts a tentative foot forward, undecided whether he should leave the cell or not. It’s then he looks up at the small window. Well it worked once before.

Vince drops the bottle, jumps up onto the bed and heaves himself up level with the window. Of course he didn’t have an injured shoulder when he did this earlier, and the pain coursing through it now is nearly enough to make him drop back down to the mattress. He doesn’t though, he manages to cling on and pull himself further through the gap.

The axe hits the door once, twice more. The noise of breaking, splintering wood spurs Vince on. He heaves himself forward again, getting himself nearly halfway through when his belt buckle catches on the ledge.

“Goddamn it.”

Behind him he the splintering noise has stopped. Vince can feel the eye looking into the room, seeking him out. He squirms, trying desperately to free his buckle. If only he could give himself a bit more leverage.

Vince’s ears pick out a soft jangling sound. It dawns on him slowly. The key! Mr. White must have gotten his arm through the door and is trying to turn the key.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Vince squirms harder, shuffling and twisting as best he can until all of a sudden the buckle gives. He pulls himself further through the window until he’s perfectly counterbalanced on the sill. He hears the click of the lock and the frightening sound of the door bursting open. He stretches upwards, trying to reach an overhanging beam so to pull himself the rest of the way out.

“Playing hide and seek are you Deputy? Well I’m coming if you’re ready or not.”

Vince stretches again, but just as his fingertips touch the wood he feels two arms grab a hold of his legs.

“Going somewhere Deputy?”

Vince kicks and struggles and somehow manages to connect his boot with what he assumes is Mr. White’s nose. He assumes because of the whelp that comes out of Mr. White and because his legs are suddenly free.

With all the strength and energy he can muster Vince once again reaches for the beam. Those ferocious lightning bolts strike his shoulder muscle over and over, but through gritted teeth he manages to grab onto the joist and yank himself up and out.

As he drops to the ground Mr. White’s head appears at the window, blood streaming out of both nostrils. He wipes the back of his hand across his upper lip, smearing scarlet and sweat across his face and fingers.

“You get that one for free Deputy.”

“I didn’t mean it Mr. White.” Vince struggles to his feet, clutching his shoulder, and breathing heavily from the exertion.

“I know you didn’t mean it, which is why, as I said, you get that one for free. These two however have other ideas I think.”

Mr. White nods and points behind Vince, a wicked smile creeping across his face. Vince turns just in time to see a Piper Twin launch a fist in his direction. He ducks and parries and throws his back up against the wall of the jailhouse.

“Ooh, he’s quick this one brother.”

“He certainly is.”

Vince scours the ground and spots a few stones. He reaches down quickly to grab them and chucks them at the slightly smaller attacker.

This twin throws his hands up to his face but then brings them down laughing, a little blood speckling his forehead but nothing more.

“The Deputy wants to play hard.”

“But we can play harder can’t we brother.”

Above his head Vince hears Mr. White chuckle.

Vince has never considered himself a violent man. He is a lover not a fighter, preferring to use words not fists, charm not brawn, wit and not weapons.

But Vince isn’t a coward.

As he re-backs up against the wall of the jailhouse, The Piper Twins circling in front of him, he settles on the only option he can see. He has to try and fight his way out, or at least keep them at bay until Howard comes back.

Vince turns side-on to his opponents and raises his fists in front of him, keeping his fingers loose and ready to grab. He’s no idea if these brothers have any weapons, but he doesn’t doubt for one second that they’ll fight dirty. All he can do is try to preempt them and use his speed.

“Would you look at this brother?”

“We’d better watch out.”

Above him Mr. White sniggers again. “Well I’ll say this for you Deputy, you’re a brave man going up against these two.”

“And you’re going to stay up there and watch are you Mr. White?”

“Some people pay good money to see bouts like these, although realistically I’m not sure it’s going to last all that long. I’m sorry to say it but my money’s on the twins.”

“What about supporting the underdog?”

“Yeah, you’re right, a part of me is rooting for you. I tell you what, as a matter of good faith and gentlemanly conduct I’ll give you a piece of advice Deputy.”

“What’s that?”

“They fight as one.”

As the last word leaves Mr. White’s mouth the twins rush forward, each with fists raised and snarls upon their lips. Vince instinctively ducks and pushes himself off the wall, successfully slipping in-between and past the two men. He spins on his heels in readiness for another onslaught.

The twins rush Vince again. Once more he manages to swerve out of their way, but this time he half loses his footing so rather than spinning out of the attack he stumbles. Consequently he’s not ready for the third assault.

A flying fist catches Vince on the chin. It doesn’t connect properly, and doesn’t do much damage, but it’s enough to keep him off balance.

He cannot avoid the blow to his stomach.

Vince doubles-over, the wind temporarily knocked out of him. He looks up in time to see the elbow before it meets with the side of his face. He drops to one knee, sparks flying through his temple. He shakes his head trying to clear his vision.

“I think we should let him up.”

“But we can finish him off brother?”

“No way, not yet. I want some sport!”

The twins take a few steps back and begin to walk around their prey in opposite directions to each other. Vince tries to blink away the fogginess. He tracks the twins as they circle him feeling much like a fallen antelope being surrounded by a pack of hyenas.

Vince sees the smaller twin momentarily look aside and takes his chance. He pushes up from the ground and shoulder charges directly into the man’s gut. The twin grunts aloud and topples backwards with Vince on top of him. The Deputy manages to get in one, two, three punches before the other twin grabs him from behind and throws him to the side. Vince rolls away and springs back to his feet.

The larger twin pulls the other up off the ground. “You alright brother?”

“Oh god yes, I feel great!”

Vince swallows dryly as he sees the smaller twin’s eyes sparkle with glee. He knows only a massive stroke of luck can help him now. He doesn’t stand a chance. Aside from the fact that these two are enjoying themselves far too much he has a dodgy shoulder and the noise of a thousand horses stampeding through his brain. No, he doesn’t have a hope in hell.

Yet still the Deputy stands tall and raises his fists.

The first punch fills his mouth with blood. The second splits his eyebrow. Vince grabs a shirt front, an ear, some hair. Limbs are everywhere, fists pummeling his stomach, pounding against his ribs again and again and again. He starts to topple but he’s pulled up straight and his arms yanked behind his back. He yells out in agony as his left shoulder is wrenched and contorted. The pounding starts again in near perfect symmetry, left stomach, right stomach, left rib, right rib, a quick slap to the face to keep him conscious. Vince’s legs buckle. He gulps, chokes, coughs. Heat sears through his rib cage and lungs. He drops knees first to the ground, falls forward onto hands, and looks upon his own grazed palms, his own shredded knuckles. Blood runs into his eye. He splutters, spits, tries to roll over and stand but is kicked in the kidneys, then in the ribs. A boot to his spine flattens him out. He can hear high pitched manic laughter but nothing else. His ears are ringing. His eyes close themselves. He tries to move but is flipped instead onto his back. There’s something heavy on his chest, someone. He gasps, breath ragged and shallow. Another slap to the face then a hand at his throat. He gargles and paws uselessly at the fingers digging themselves into his neck. Sudden release. He guzzles down air, blood, dirt. The weight disappears. Hands clutch his ankles, pulling him, dragging him, his arms flail behind him as he tries to grab onto anything. Faster, faster, the ground a vicious rasp clawing and tearing at his skin. He hollers and twists. His legs are unceremoniously dropped. He rolls back to his stomach and crawls away, tucking himself into a ball as he reaches the side of the jailhouse, his arms protecting his head as a new volley of punches land. He falls sideways so the twins plant more kicks to his shoulders, his shins, to his buttocks and his back. The last he remembers is one to his head. Silently pleading for Howard’s help Vince finally blacks out.

The first thing Howard notices is the door. He stops ten paces from the veranda steps. Many emotions free-wheel across his face.

“Looks like you’ve been robbed Sheriff.”

Howard slowly turns to the idiot of a man on his right, his mouth slightly agape. He feels the burning acidity of fear rise in his throat.

“They didn’t mess around did they? Must have wanted to get in really badly. I mean you’ve hardly any door left there have you?”

Howard looks back again at the jailhouse and slowly draws his gun from his holster. He grabs a handful of Bobby Fossil’s shirt.

“Now listen to me Fossil, we’re going to go in nice and easy you hear. No funny business.”

“You serious?”

“Yes I’m serious now move.”

“No way, I’m not going first. What if they’re still in there?”

“Well you’d just better hope they’re not.”

Howard pushes Bobby ahead of him and towards the steps. They both climb them together, Howard the whole time with his gun in one hand and the other locked around Bobby’s arm. As they reach the window Howard risks taking a look in but can make out nothing in the dark. They reach the door. Well it was a door. Most of it now is pieces of wood on the floor. Again pushing Bobby ahead, the men enter.

“Vince.”

No answer. Howard picks up a still burning oil lamp and holds it up in front of him. “Vince!”

“That’s the Deputy’s name isn’t it? Quite a nice chap your Deputy.”

Howard ignores him, but he can’t ignore the panic that’s making the pulse in his neck throb and his heart race. “Vince, please.”

“I don’t think he’s here Sheriff.”

Howard shoves Bobby forward and points to the empty jail cell. “Get in there.”

“What?”

“I said get in there.”

“But surely you’re not still worried about little old me are you?”

“Fossil I’m giving you one warning. Move!”

“Okay, okay. Be gentle with me though won’t ya?”

Bobby Fossil steps inside the cell and Howard closes the door on him. He locks it and pockets the key.

“Vince, for Christ’s sake answer me.”

“He’s clearly not…”

“Shut the fuck up Fossil!”

“Okay, sorry.” Bobby backs down and sits on the edge of the cot bed.

Howard, gun still in hand, makes his way into the other cell area. He absorbs the bedroom scene in one quick sweep. Ripped drapes, clothes and trinkets all over the floor. A discarded empty liquor bottle. He moves further into the room, spies the Deputy’s badge lying where Vince left it less than an hour ago. He picks it up and holds it tight in his hands as if willing it to bring Vince to him. It’s then that he spots the blood splatter on the wall below the window. He moves closer. No, not just the wall, there’s droplets all over Vince’s beautiful fur throw. He climbs up onto the bed and touches one of the spots. Still tacky. He wipes the blood from his finger and straightens to look out of the window.

He turns pale.

Howard jumps off the bed and bolts out of the room. Fossil’s yelling after him but he can’t hear what he’s saying. He doesn’t care. He flies out of the front door and leaps over the veranda rail, swoops around the side of the jailhouse and skids to a stop out the back.

He’s never learnt to track properly, but even with only the light of the moon and his oil lamp it’s all too clear to him what’s happened here. He can make out at least three sets of footprints, one of which he just knows belongs to his Deputy. It’s the other marks and furrows that scare him the most, not to mention the sight of dark scarlet splashes in every direction. Howard drops to one knee. His breath catches as he spots the indentation of a bloody hand-print in the soft dirt.

“Oh God Vince, where the hell are you?”

He spins to look around him. It’s obvious that a fight has taken place here and he can see more footprints on the outskirts. He scoots over to study these more closely. One set is far bigger than the rest. There’s another set just to the left of them.

“Shit, shit, shit. That makes at least four. SHIT!”

Howard stands too quickly and the blood rushes to his head making him feel dizzy. He puts his hand against the jailhouse wall to steady himself. He feels sick. He wants to vomit. He wants to scream. Why the fuck did he leave him? How goddamn stupid could he be? Of course they’d come back to the jail to look for him. Of course they would. He feels tears of anguish and frustration start to well in his eyes. He wipes them away with the back of his hand, and sucks in a big gulp of air.

“Shit Vince, shit!”

He rubs his eyes again and turns away from the sight before him. He has to find Vince. Has to! God knows what they’re doing to him already, what they might have already done.

“Arghhhhhhhhh!” Howard cannot hold down the yell that spews out of him like the hunting call of a wild warrior. He spins on the spot not knowing which direction to take. Thoughts and ideas bounce around his brain at a hundred miles per hour. Technicolour nightmarish images of the man he loves lying bloodied, beaten, bound and gagged, dead in a ditch, gunned down, begging for mercy, throat cut. “Oh god no, no! Not that last image please!” Somewhere in his brain other words to cling on to, ‘take your gun’, ‘go to The Bullet’, ‘find Monty’, ‘find Bainbridge’, ‘find Vince’, ‘find Vince’, ‘FIND VINCE!”

“Sheriff Moon.”

Howard wheels around at the sound of his name. “Vince!”

“No Sheriff it’s me, Lillian White.”

“Lillian, what are you doing here?”

“It’s Deputy Noir, Sir.”

“Yes, yes, do you know where he is?”

“I think so Sir. Down by the railroad if I’m not mistaken.”

“Really?”

“I think so Sir, yes.”

“Oh thank you Lillian, thank you.” Howard drops the lamp, re-holsters his pistol and starts to run but Lillian calls out to him.

“Sheriff Moon!”

Howard slows and turns back, “Yes Lillian?”

“I heard my Father say something about a lynching.”

Howard can’t remember the last time he’d ran this fast. He reckons it may have been four years ago when he’d thought he’d seen a bobcat under his house. This time is different though. This time he is running towards the danger not away from it.

He’s already halfway along the main street before his brain switches back on and starts trying to give him advice. Well not advice as such. It’s more a mantra that goes something like ‘save Vince and try not to kill anyone’, ‘save Vince and try not to kill anyone’, ‘save Vince and try not to kill anyone’.

Howard slows as he reaches the first of two possible routes down to the railroad. He refuses it, not particularly wanting to negotiate the pigsties and maze of paths in the dark. He punts instead for the more direct route which will take him alongside the saloon and straight down the hill. He picks his speed back up.

The Salty Bullet is eerily quiet. The Sheriff doesn’t remember ever seeing it so empty. As he passes he notices a couple of women leaning out of a top window.

“You’d better hurry Sheriff.”

“Think they’ve probably started without you.”

Howard tries to ignore their laughter and instead forces his legs to move even quicker. He rounds the side of the building, nearly slipping as his boots hit loose grit rather than compacted dirt. He doesn’t slow down though. If anything he just pounds the ground harder. He hurdles a broken stool and narrowly avoids getting tangled in a mass of tumble weed before he breaks free from the cover of the building. Reaching the top of the main embankment he slides to a stop.

Below him is a rather large and very noisy gathering of people. Most are holding aloft torches and lamps, but he can barely make out their faces. They’re just a mass of bodies, squirming below him like mice in a bucket. Howard scans the crowd and settles his gaze towards the centre. The crowd is thinner here as if they’re all holding themselves back from something fascinating yet horrific. And right in the centre there’s even fewer. Three or four people maybe. Identifying them is impossible. Howard squints and tries to focus but it’s difficult as the shadows keep shifting and hazing his vision. There’s no mistaking the booming voice that comes out of one of them though. Dixon Bainbridge!

Howard draws his gun and fires twice into the air.

The effect is immediate. There’s a couple of squeals of fright before the whole crowd goes silent and shifts to face him. He thinks about firing once more for good measure, but Bainbridge speaks first.

“Sheriff Moon!”

“Where is he Bainbridge?”

“What, not even time for pleasantries? Manners are free you know.”

“Cut the crap, where is he?”

“I take it you mean your precious Deputy. Why, he’s here.”

Bainbridge steps backwards and does a theatrical sweep of his arm towards the small cluster of figures behind him. Howard squints again trying to fathom the detail. The figures separate slightly and all of a sudden the detail becomes startlingly clear. He can’t help his utterance.

“Vince!”

Bainbridge points his cane at the shape lying motionless on the ground. “Punishment must be served Sheriff. Justice must always be swift.”

Howard’s still staring at the body.

“It’s a dirty job, a harrowing job, but as Mayor it’s a job I’m willing to accept.”

Howard feels the nausea return, but he can’t tear his eyes away from the inert form. He feels himself wobble slightly.

“Howard. Howard!”

There’s a blur in front of him, a face cloudy and vague only inches from his own. He tries to peer around it, tries to look again at the figure of his lifeless lover.

“Howard. He’s not dead Howard. Howard!”

“Chalky?”

“Yes Howard. For Christ sake man snap out of it. He’s not dead.”

“What?”

“He’s not dead.”

Howard puts his hand on his friend’s shoulder and gives it an affectionate squeeze. He takes a breath. “He’s not dead?”

“No!”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. He’s been badly beaten up and he’s pretty out of it, but he’s not dead.”

“Oh thank god.”

“You two having a private conversation up there or can anyone join in?”

The crowd parts slightly as Bainbridge moves towards the bottom of the embankment. “Haven’t you got a saloon to run McGrue?”

“Yes Mayor but everyone’s here.”

“Well everyone won’t be here when we’ve finished will they? Everyone will be wanting a drink I should reckon. How about you get yourself back to that bar and start fixing up a round on me?”

A small cheer goes up amongst the gatherers.

Howard steps forward right to the very edge of the hillock. “Nobody is finishing anything here Bainbridge. Everyone’s going to make their way back to their homes and their families, and I’m going to take my Deputy back to the jailhouse.”

The Mayor shakes his head multiple times. “No, no, no Sheriff Moon. These people want to see a hanging so a hanging’s what they’ll get.”

Bainbridge clicks his fingers and the shadowy figures standing near to Vince start darting about the place. Howard finally recognises them as The Piper Twins. If they had anything to do with the fight that occurred out the back of the jailhouse no wonder Vince is in such a bad way.

He looks on as Charlie Piper grabs a length of rope and tosses it over the horizontal beam of the railroad milepost. Eddie runs forward and grabs the already looped and knotted end that’s now swinging midair. He pulls the loop downwards, strides purposefully across to the still inanimate body of Vince and grabs a fistful of the Deputy’s hair. Yanking his head upwards he slips the noose around Vince’s neck, and then lets his head drop back to the ground. Bainbridge moves to stand next to Vince too.

“Murder must be punished Deputy.”

Howard finally remembers he has legs and charges down the embankment towards the clearing, the crowd quickly creating a path for his flying form.

He runs straight into the centre of the space, just metres away from Vince, and trains his gun on the Mayor. Memories of doing this before, of Tommy, and of that fateful night start flooding into his brain but he manages to sweep them aside. He can’t allow that now. Not now! One glance at Vince is enough to keep him strong.

He cocks his gun. “Step away from him all of you.”

“What, you gonna shoot me now Sheriff? In front of all these people? Are you going to kill me in cold blood for doing what’s right?”

Murmurs start going up in the crowd. Howard decides to change tack. He keeps his gun trained on the Mayor though.

“Everybody listen and listen well. I know most of you have not yet met Deputy Noir, but he is not your murderer. He did not kill Lance Parrot! If you allow him to hang tonight then you are hanging an innocent man.”

“Listen to what he’s saying people.” From out of the crowd steps Montgomery Flange. He stands at Howard’s side. “The Sheriff is right. Vince didn’t kill Parrot. You’ve no evidence to say he did. You’re just allowing yourselves to believe the lie because you want answers.” Monty points at Vince. “This is not your answer!”

A voice yells out, “So why did he run away?”

“Wouldn’t you if you were being accused of something as serious as murder?”

Another voice, “He’s guilty, he’s got to be guilty!”

“He’s as innocent as a newborn lamb I tell you.”

As the murmuring starts up again Howard raises his hand to shush them. “As The Sheriff of this town I’m telling you all, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Deputy is innocent.”

Howard pauses to allow his words to sink in before he continues. “But even if he isn’t…” he shouts louder, “…even if he isn’t, this hanging is illegal. This is not justice. There’s been no trial, no evidence and no motive presented. If you allow this to happen then it is you, all of you, which are committing the heinous crime of murder!”

The crowd goes deathly quiet. Not just silent, but totally still. No-one so much as shuffles a foot. Howard keeps staring down the barrel of his gun directly into Bainbridge’s eyes. The Mayor holds the stare.

A soft groan.

It barely registers it’s so soft. In fact it’s Monty who hears it first. He lays a hand on Howard’s arm and nods in Vince’s direction.

“Howard, I think he’s coming around.”

Vince groans again.

Howard waggles his gun at The Mayor. “Move away from him Bainbridge.”

“I don’t think so Moon. This isn’t over, not by a long shot.”

“It’s over, now move away!”

Behind Bainbridge Eddie Piper has joined his brother at the base of the milepost. They both have a piece of the rope in their hands.

Howard clenches his jaw. He can feel the hot red flames of anger licking around his head. He glances at Vince. The Deputy is moving ever so slightly. His fingers twitch, a spasm jerks his shoulder and arm. Another moan.

The crowd has all but disappeared from Howard’s awareness so quiet are they now. He pays them no heed. His full focus is on Vince and on Bainbridge and on the rope that’s held taut between The Piper Twins’ fingers.

Howard shakes his gun once more. Through gritted teeth and with a voice struggling to remain calm he repeats his instruction, “Move away from him Bainbridge now!”

Bainbridge doesn’t answer. Instead he puts up one hand and points to the sky. The Piper Twins pull on the rope.

Vince is wrenched upward by his neck, his head about a foot from the floor. His hands instinctively fly to the noose as he makes a noise somewhere between a cough and a gargle. Howard steps forward, his face a depiction of pure rage.

“For fucks sake Bainbridge he’s barely conscious.”

“Oh he’s conscious enough. Shall we see?” Bainbridge lifts his finger again, and again the twins yank the rope. This time though they pull harder and Vince is dragged to his feet. They pull more and he’s on tiptoes. Beneath the dark sweaty mass of his fringe his eyes fly open, his mouth gapes, and his fingers claw at the rope around his neck as he dances around on the balls of his feet.

“I SAID ENOUGH BAINBRIDGE!”

Howard shoots once, severing the rope and dropping Vince to the floor. Bainbridge dives to the side the moment he sees Howard squeeze the trigger, thinking in that second that the bullet is meant for him. The twins dive too, both on top of Bainbridge, covering their boss with their bodies to protect him from further gunfire. At any other time this would look comical, but with Vince rolling around on the floor, desperately grasping at the noose still tight around his neck, it is anything but.

Howard and Monty race forward and hold Vince still to remove the rope. As the life-giving air reflates his lungs and the tinge of blue leaves his lips Howard frantically brushes Vince’s hair from his face.

“Vince, you’re alright. I got you Vince, I got you. You’re gonna be alright.”

Doctor Bamshoot rushes from the crowd and to Howard’s side. “Here, let me see. Deputy can you hear me? Can you breathe deeply for me? Good, that’s it. Nice deep breaths. There you go.”

Howard stands and retrains his gun on Bainbridge who’s returned to his feet having managed to push the twins aside. The Mayor dusts himself down with what remaining dignity he can muster. He’s more aware than ever of the hundreds of eyes staring at him.

“Nice shooting Sheriff. I had no idea you still had the skill.”

“I should arrest you for this.”

“Arrest me, on what grounds? Holding a suspect captive and trying to make him talk?”

“That’s not what happened here. Everybody saw what you did.” Howard turns to the crowd. “You did, you all saw this. You’re all witnesses. Mayor Bainbridge was going to kill this man after I declared it illegal. He doesn’t live by the law, he uses it, manipulates it, twists it and shapes it to be whatever he wants it to be. Well not anymore! I’m the Sheriff of Moonstone and I am the only law here you understand. I am, not him, me!”

“It doesn’t matter Moon, you still can’t hold me. You might be the law but I know the law and the law says any citizen has the right to hold prisoner any man that he deems to have committed a felony. Now I may have roughed him up a little, and I may have threatened his life, but at the end of the day I’m just as traumatised by Lance Parrot’s death as these people are. I’m just doing what I can to find the murderer.”

Doctor Bamshoot gets up from Vince’s side and turns to Howard.

“We need to get Deputy Noir to a bed Sheriff. He needs medical attention and rest.”

Howard nods. “Yeah okay. The jailhouse though not your place.”

“Are you sure? Mines nearer.”

“No, I want him at mine. And anyway I need to get back to the jail for other reasons.”

“Why?”

Howard takes a step towards Dixon Bainbridge and looks him square in the eyes. “Because I have one Bobby Fossil in my cell under arrest, and it’s only a matter of time before he starts talking.”

The Sheriff feels an internal joy as he sees a wave of fear pass across Bainbridge’s features.

Howard turns back to Vince, kneeling beside him and putting an arm gently around the smaller man’s shoulders. He notes how much Vince is shivering despite the mild weather. Shock he supposes. He wipes Vince’s fringe to the side again, and finally gets the younger man to look at him. He can hardly believe it when Vince offers him a small smile.

“Hi there little man.”

Vince croaks a tiny “hi” in response.

“You’re going to be alright Vince. It’s over now. We’re taking you back to the jailhouse.”

Vince nods.

“Can you stand?”

Vince doesn’t talk. Instead he grabs a hand of Howard’s and a hand of Monty’s and pulls himself onto his haunches. Monty wraps Vince’s arm around his shoulders and his own around Vince’s waist as support. He slowly helps the Deputy to his feet. Howard stands in front of Vince and cups the young man’s face to study him more closely. There’s a deep cut above his eyebrow, and the now dried blood that must have spilled from it has left a dark red trail down his cheek. Howard can also see bruising on his chin and jaw, but miraculously Vince’s features are fairly unscathed. His eyes though say otherwise. Howard looks deeply into them and tries to give Vince a reassuring smile. He affectionately runs his thumb across Vince’s cheek bone.

“I’m here for you Vince. Whatever you need.”

Vince tries to speak but suddenly the colour drains from his face and his eyes roll to their whites. He collapses forward onto Howard’s chest and it’s only because Monty’s still holding him that he doesn’t spill to the ground like a rag doll.

Howard quickly wraps one arm around Vince’s back and sweeps the Deputy’s legs up so he’s holding him like a sleeping child. He pulls Vince as close as he can against his breast, looks around at the stunned faces watching, and without saying another word silently carries Vince away from them all.

He makes it all the way up to in front of the dressmakers before the dead weight of Vince finally becomes too heavy for him. He drops to one knee in the street, muscles burning and legs weak, but he doesn’t let go. Instead he allows himself to look down at the unconscious man in his arms. His heart swells at the sight.

Vince’s face, though bloodied and pale and bruised, is utterly beautiful to him. He can’t think of another way to phrase it in his mind. He puts the back of his fingers to Vince’s cheek and lovingly runs them upwards and around his brow, pausing to yet again sweep aside the fringe before resting his palm on the other side of the Deputy’s jaw. He closes his eyes and his chest heaves as it battles to swallow down all the emotion that’s willfully trying to ascend his throat. He pulls Vince closer to him and rocks him ever so gently.

“C’mon Vince, wake up now please.”

Howard jumps as he feels a hand on his shoulder. He looks up into the kindly features of Monty. “Would you like us to carry him for you Howard?”

Howard frowns then takes a look back over his shoulder. Behind him is a group of about a dozen folk. Eleanor and Lucien, Sally Glister, Jean Claude and Jack Tucker, and Doctor Bamshoot. Surprisingly there’s also a few Salty Bullet regulars including Lillian’s Father Ralfe White.

He looks back to his friend. “No, you’re alright Monty, I’ve got this.”

“The little fella didn’t stand a chance you know, but I heard he put up a fight to try and save himself. You’d have been proud of him.”

“I am proud, Monty thank you.” Howard flicks his head towards the group. “You can send everyone home now though. They don’t need to put themselves in any further danger by trailing after me.”

“I think they want to help Howard. I think they want to stick around tonight and make sure nothing else happens to you both.”

Howard looks at the group again.

“And what about Mr. White and co?”

“Not sure about all of them, but it was Mr. White who came back from yours with The Piper Twins once they’d found Vince.”

Howard nods.

“Okay Monty, but just you and the Doctor in the jailhouse alright, I don’t want Vince to go through any more stress. Plus I’ve got Bobby Fossil in there.”

“Yeah, I heard you say that to Bainbridge. What’s that about?”

Howard leans into Monty and says quietly, “He knows who killed Parrot.”

Monty’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“Wow! Well leave it to me to sort this lot out. You get yourself inside and see to young Vince here. I’ll be there in a minute or two.”

“Thanks for everything Monty.”

Howard pulls himself back to his feet and readjusts his grip around Vince, careful not to jolt him too much.

Vince suddenly opens his eyes. “Howard?”

“Vince!”

Howard can’t help but give the Deputy a little squeeze.

“Hey not so tight.” Vince’s voice sounds tiny and weak.

“Sorry Vince, but oh my god. Are you alright? How are you feeling?”

“It hurts.”

“I know little man, I know. We’re almost home now. I’ll get you into bed yeah.”

“I’m not up for that yet Howard.”

“What?”

“You know, ‘that’!” Vince gives a cheeky grin before a coughing fit racks his body.

“Steady Vince.”

Howard stops walking and holds the Deputy closer to him until the fit subsides. When Vince talks again it’s even croakier than before, more like a hoarse whisper.

“Are you carrying me Howard?”

Howard starts walking again. The jailhouse is ahead and even in its sorry looking state with the door destroyed Howard takes comfort in seeing it. “Yeah, and you’re heavier than you look you know.”

Vince puts his arm around Howard’s neck and gives his nape an affectionate rub. “You saved me.”

Howard makes a little embarrassed grunting noise in the back of his throat.

“You saved me like a damsel in distress and now you’re carrying me across your threshold like we’re newly wedded.”

Howard cannot help but laugh out loud as he climbs the steps to his front veranda. “How can you joke at a time like this?”

“Because you’re my hero Sheriff, and I think I love you.”

Howard beams from ear to ear as he steps across the splintered remains of his threshold. “And I think I love you too Vince.”

Vince smiles widely in reply before closing his eyes and allowing himself to drift back into oblivion.