Cyrus took a deep breath; they only had been gone long enough for the sun to barely rise. Bo should have picked up Richard’s trail in the early light, but the sounds of the big gun had echoed across the plains long before, he was probably following that.
He could remember Johnny Longknife’s face like he’d seen it yesterday. The man could be ruthless, black hearted and a vicious killer, more skilled at killing than most men Cyrus knew. Travis had run a close second. On the other hand both had a loyalty to their friends and family and you could see the gentleness in them when they were around the ones they loved. Rose, Johnny’s wife was a loving, giving woman, but never, never mess with her family. She could be cold and calculating as well, both charming people. Cyrus had seen both Scarlet’s charm and her skills at fighting.
Militia, ghosts, sharp shooters, there was a list of names for them. He knew some of the codes the Rebs had. Cyrus couldn’t shake the vision he’d seen earlier. Why had he even seen Travis in a worn Reb uniform? Last time he’d seen him he hadn’t worn it. In fact, Cyrus could only remember seeing the man during the war once, their friendship came about afterwards, but the stories that surrounded the men that rode with Johnny Longknife had kept many a scout awake at night. There were codes that hadn’t been broken, even after the war there were some things that were never discussed in the presence of “outsiders”. When Ella dropped those lead balls in Bo’s hand you would have thought Travis was standing right there talking to him. He had ridden off with a purpose, knowing what he was getting into, or seemingly so. Ella had looked equally somber when she’d handed them over. She had known something. “I once knew a man who had to kill his own brother to save his own life. Watch yer back.” Echoed through Cyrus’ mind. Bo had implied he watch his back against Dick for some reason. A reason Cyrus would not ignore. Bo had shared a look with Black beard that had said “don’t let him out of your sight.” Right now he couldn’t even pee without Black beard watching him. Bo had implied there was a traitor among them without actually saying it.
Looking back when Scarlet went at it with Chris Cyrus bet she was holding back. The question was just how much had Johnny taught her as far as Reb ghosts and their codes were concerned. Cyrus looked across to the soldier’s camp and wondered if Fritz knew anything having lived among them.
“I’m going to see Captain King.” He said walking past Black beard, who fell in next to him. The half breed they called Axe followed them. His given name was Martin Alexander but, like many of the men that had ridden very long with Cyrus, they had given him a nick name. The man was deadly with the tomahawk he carried, so the others started calling him Axe.
To say Fritz looked irritated was an understatement when Cyrus was given permission to enter his tent, leaving the other two standing outside.
Cyrus stood at attention and gave Fritz his formal report. “One of the scouts has come back. “HE” Cyrus stressed the word he “reports Indian activity. HE implied they got Teddy. No reports of any of the other scouts being involved.” Cyrus said knowing by the way Fritz was looking at him he was wondering if Cyrus knew anything of Scarlet’s whereabouts. “Sent out a group to check out the report.”
To Cyrus, Fritz currently didn’t seem impressed with the formality but took in the information.
“Anything else Cyrus?” Fritz said eyeing him.
Damn, he had the same look she had, the man had lived with Scarlet to long or did Cyrus feel some kind of guilt or maybe he was just to anxious to ask Fritz something and the Captain knew it.
“Permission to speak man to man Captain.” Cyrus replied.
“Granted. Now tell me something Cyrus.” Fritz said.
Cyrus took a deep breath. “Ella dug two lead balls out of Richardson’s back, the scout that came in. Knowing the scouts that are out there, Scarlet is the only one who comes to mind that would carry something that would use such a thing. Both balls had the small letters T.L.C. in them. You would have to know to even look for the letters they were so small. When Bo saw them you’d have thought he’d seen ghosts. He waited for no orders, instead began to give them. He rode out of here with a group of well trusted men and Ella saying they were headed for something ugly. You lived with Johnny and the men that served with him. You married his daughter and the widow of his right hand man. The two balls meant something to Ella. Is this an old code of Longknife’s and does it mean anything to you?"