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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2758866" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 161, “Impeccable Timing” , Sunday, January 22nd, 1882, 3:30 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Kate thought that there must be some way to get them out of here. Kate reached into her purse and felt the hair clip Mr. Gonzales had given her. She knew it was capable of more than the hairstyle that was stored within it. Sonoma had used one to create an entirely new persona. She pulled it out and clipped it into her hair. </p><p></p><p>"Mr. Tucker, I think at this point you can agree we are in this together. We have enough secrets between us to fill this building. I have an idea, but I need you to promise me that you won't breathe a word of this to anyone." </p><p></p><p>At his nod, Kate closed her eyes and focused. She concentrated on making her hair blonde and her eyes blue. Her dress would also be blue instead of gray, and she would appear to be about three inches taller than she really was. Her nose would change and her lips would be fuller. And just for fun she thought of a bit fuller bust. "Did it work? Do I look different?" Tucker says "Well, your hair is different. It's up and has more of a red color to it."</p><p></p><p>“Oh damn. Well, I have another idea, but I want to try something else first." Kate searched her memory for the words Mr. Gonzales had used when he first set the hairstyle and repeated them while again concentrating on how she wanted to look. Tucker just looks at her strangely as she says the Hawaiian incantation. He says "I don't know what you were doing there but you still look the same."</p><p></p><p>“Alright, that's out. Let's try this." Kate then rapidly cast three Prestidigitation spells. One changed the color of her hair to blonde, the next her eyes to blue, and the last the color and style of her dress. "It's not as complete, but it should fool Virgil. He hasn't seen me for about three months, he shouldn't remember me that well. But it will only last an hour. Did that work at least?" He replies "Yes, you look like a totally different person. Nobody will recognize you now, especially since you only wore black when you lived here."</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Alright, I'm going to get your ticket. When the train comes in, hopefully you can blend with the crowd and jump on with no one the wiser." Kate watched through the crack to make sure no one was looking toward the maintenance shed. When she was sure she wouldn't be seen she slipped quickly out. She walked confidently over to the ticket window. "One to Tucson please," she said, pitching her voice a bit lower than normal and trying to soften her Bostonian accent.</p><p></p><p>Ruby quickly walks towards the train station. At the corner of Safford and First she looks south onto First to see where Morgan and the other lawman might have ridden to, but does not see them. Along the way she had been glancing south between buildings but did not get a glimpse of them. She is still a block-and-a-half away from the train station when a blonde haired woman in a robin's egg blue dress walks into over towards and enters the train station. The woman's walk is familiar but Ruby cannot initially place where she knows her from. </p><p></p><p>As Ruby approaches she sees the man that the Deputy Marshals had spoken to. He is also wearing a badge and the man clearly resembles the other four Earp brothers who she has met so she assumes that he is Tombstone's Marshall Virgil Earp. He appears to be looking for somebody specific. </p><p></p><p>Ruby walks right up onto the platform and looks around for Kate or Colby Tucker. The train has not arrived yet and there are six people waiting on benches by the station. Four have luggage and she assumes they are planning to board the train when it arrives. The other two appear to be waiting for people coming in on the train. </p><p></p><p>Inside, Kate has encountered no difficulty in purchasing the ticket. The clock on the wall now reads 3:30 P.M. She turns and heads towards the ticket office door, propped open with a brick, and glances outside before exiting. Virgil Earp is still sitting on the steps and looking around. But what surprises her is Ruby West is also there now, a mere ten feet to the left of the Marshall, also looking around. "She must have arrived on the One O'clock stage" Kate thinks to herself. Ruby clearly has not seen Kate yet. A train whistle sounds in the distance.</p><p></p><p>Kate stepped back out onto the platform and looked around for a moment until she caught Ruby's glance. When she was sure Ruby would see, she turned her back and began to walk away toward the maintenance shed. As she did so, she reached back and adjusted the clip in her hair with her left hand which would also give Ruby a glance at her wedding ring. She didn't dare do more, so she kept walking back toward the shed.</p><p></p><p>Ruby immediately recognized the magical auras surrounding the blond haired woman, and knew it was Kate. Why she was walking towards a shed was beyond her but whatever was going on she didn't want to give it away. She acted like she hadn't seen her friend, instead turning away from the direction she was walking, and asks out loud to the nearest person, "So, where is this train coming from?"</p><p></p><p>A person on the tracks replies to Ruby "Train only comes in from one place, Tucson. Anywhere else you have to go through there to get to and from." "Then I am in the right place," is all Ruby replies. Ruby hears the sound of horses approaches and in her peripheral vision sees Morgan Earp riding down the street and back to the train station. The other deputy is not with him.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Kate is approached by a small girl she would place her age at around 9 or ten but the gray eyes show an old soul with an intensity that drills right through her. "Ma'am that's a beautiful hair clip you have it has almost a magic to it in the way it gleams in the sun." </p><p></p><p>Ruby stands on the platform, pretending to wait for the train, trying to keep an eye on both Morgan Earp and Kate, and most especially the kid who just approached her, the exact same kid who stole Chuck Never’s wallet a little over a week ago.</p><p></p><p>The train whistle blows again and a cloud of steam can be seen coming around the nearest hill. The tracks start to vibrate and then the engine of the locomotive emerges, followed by a coal car, two freight cars, two passenger cars and a caboose. </p><p></p><p>"It's a gift from a friend," Kate said quietly as she continued to walk. But she shortened her steps so the child could keep up with her. "Where are your parents? You shouldn't be alone here. Come with me," she said suddenly suspecting who this child was. Kate noticed both Virgil and Morgan approach Ruby and hoped she wouldn't get into any trouble. She took the opportunity to slip back into the shed. "Please wait while I take care of some business dear, and then we can talk," Kate said to the girl. "I might have a job for you." </p><p></p><p>Morgan Earp rides up and Ruby overhears him say to his brother "That's Kale's friend." Morgan dismounts and Virgil stands up, both looking in Ruby's direction. This provides enough of a distraction, with both lawmen facing away from the shed, for Kate and the child to slip inside unobserved by all except for Ruby.</p><p></p><p>Ruby makes a slight sigh of relief as Kate makes her way into the shed. Still having no clue what was going on, she pretended to continue to wait for the train. She wondered if Kate had threatened Morgan and that was what this was all about. She knew that both men were watching her so she stuck out her hip like she was waiting impatiently and twirled her hair around her finger.</p><p></p><p>As the train pulls into the station and comes to a stop both of the Earps walk up to Ruby and stop on either side of her. Virgil is the Marshall but has not met her before so Morgan does the talking. "Miss West. Would you mind telling us where your friend Mrs. Kale is? She seems to have gotten herself into some trouble." Ruby turns to Morgan, "And what kind of trouble would that be? I can't imagine Mrs. Kale getting into any kid of trouble, she isn't that sort of girl."</p><p></p><p>The train comes to a complete halt and the conductor walks onto the track and heads over to the passenger door. A few more people with luggage have arrived and are waiting to board. The other two people waiting have stood up in anticipation of people departing. All are keeping a distance from Ruby and the lawmen. </p><p></p><p>Morgan replies to Ruby's question, "No Ma'am, I didn't mean to imply that she was the cause of the trouble. But she seems to have heard some false rumors about her husband's death, spread by some who are part of the Cowboy Gang. We fear she may be with them right now. We are trying to rescue her from possible danger." His brother says "Ma'am, you say that you are not with her. If that is the case then may I ask why you are here?"</p><p></p><p>"Such gentleman, trying to rescue the woman from danger," Ruby says incredulously. "I never said I wasn't with her, but I will say it now. I don't know where she is, but I am sure she is smart enough to stay away from the Cowboy Gang or any other trouble of the sort. Of course, you never really know how close you are to danger until it comes to you, right Mr. Earp?" Ruby looks Morgan right in the eyes. </p><p></p><p>"As for me, I'm not sure why you would be interested in my business, but I am here waiting for someone who should be on this train." And with his usual impeccable timing, Jacob Alistair Cook steps off of the train.</p><p></p><p>"Jake!" Ruby yells out as she starts running over to him. She stops short, hair flying forward when she does, right in front him. Words want to come out of her mouth but they don't. Jake can see a mixture of relief and confusion in her eyes. She just stares at him for a few moments and finally she moves in close to him, grabbing his jacket and pulling him the rest of the way. </p><p></p><p>"I thought you weren't coming back, you were gone for so long," she whispers, looking up at him with big eyes. "We can't talk about it right now," as she nods her head very slightly towards the marshals. "I really missed you... And I didn't forget to save this for you..." With that she kisses him passionately, letting Jake lift her feet off the ground and spin her around.</p><p></p><p>Inside the shed, Kate hands the piece of paper to Tucker. "Here's your ticket. The train is pulling in, so you'll have to hurry." Kate lifted up the hem of her dress and ripped a few strips off the petticoat underneath. "Open Tom's box, there's a jacket inside you can wear." She finished ripping as Tucker did that. Then she wrapped the strips of white fabric over his hair and under his chin like a bandage. </p><p></p><p>"The Marshals are distracted right now, so this should get you past them. Be careful." Tucker pulled on the duster that was the only piece of Tom's clothes she had kept. "All right. If you're willing dear, I'd like you to walk out with us. I'm going to see this gentleman on to the train. We should look just like a little family saying goodbye, hmm? Will you help us? I'll explain it all to you afterward, I promise."</p><p></p><p>As the child replies Kate notices one thing about the girl that is unusual for a child living on her own. She is clean. Her face and hair appear recently washed, her hands and fingernails are clean and even the dress she is wearing is free of stains and looks to have been pressed. </p><p></p><p>The child says "I have been watching the two of you. I think we can both be of help to one another. You are hiding from the Marshals and need to get him onto that train. We were lucky to have gotten in here unseen. They would surely see three people heading out of the door of the shed. But I know of another way out of this building."</p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "I'll be glad to help you however I can after we get him on the train. Show us the way. And quickly, time is running out." Kate closed up the box and brought it along, unsure of whether she would be able to return here to fetch it. The girl says "We have time. The train won't leave for at least twenty more minutes. I don't trust you to keep your word. And if the Marshal catches you then you will not be in a position to help me. You'll pay me now if you want any of my help."</p><p></p><p>Kate sighed. She was more worried about the magic wearing off then when the train was leaving. But she had only done this perhaps ten minutes ago. She would need to keep it up until she could get away from the train station, but there should be time enough. "Alright," she said, pulling two dollars from her purse. "I'll give you this now, and two more after my friend is on the train and we are out of the train station. Agreed?"</p><p></p><p>"Twenty" the girl exclaims, "and all of it now." "Highway robbery!" Kate said. "How much are you going to pay me for my help after this, hmm? I'll give you ten, with six now and four later. All you have to do is lead us out, stand on the platform with me until the train leaves, and walk out of the station with me. It's not as if I'm asking you to work in a mine."</p><p></p><p>The girl replies "That isn't entirely true. You're also asking me to keep my mouth shut about what I saw you do to your dress, hair and eyes. Twenty, right now." The girl had her there. If the Earps caught her it was likely she'd spend an uncomfortable night, but she'd be fine the next day. An accusation of practicing magic would be far worse. She replies, "And how am I to know you won't turn me over as soon as we get out there? Twenty five. Fifteen now, ten after."</p><p></p><p>The girl answers "I said twenty. I didn't say more than that. I keep away from the Marshall. I don't want to talk to him. I will only go to him if I have to. And you were the one who was trying to cheat me. My help is worth a lot more to you than the four dollars you first offered me. You proved that when you suggested more."</p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "I have a few tricks left up my sleeve, and I could get us out of here if I had to. Four dollars was plenty for the work. I had no idea you had seen what I'd done. Being quiet about that is worth far more. Now, you can have twenty now, and that will be all you'll get, or you can have fifteen now with ten after. And I would never cheat anyone!"</p><p></p><p>"I'll take the twenty now" she states. After Kate gives her the money the girl takes them both to the back of the shed and manipulates the nails on a wall panel, the back then opening up and creating an exit. The girl says "We should come out from the far side, make it look like we've walked from that way. Head towards the train instead of the station."</p><p></p><p>"Let's go then," Kate said offering her hand to the girl. "Considering how young the girls out here to seem to be having babies, you should be able to pass for my daughter." The box was lighter with the jacket removed, and Kate was able to manage it with only the one arm. The three started walking confidently toward the train. The are able to make their way free of he shed. Kate glances towards the platform and sees that the two Marshals are still distracted by Ruby, who is engaged with a passionate embrace with Jake! The two lawmen act like they are getting impatient for this reunion to end. </p><p></p><p>Up on the platform Ruby sees Kate emerge with the other two, uncertain of who the man huddled up in the coat is, but notes that he has the same height and build of Colby Tucker. They appear to be heading towards the train. The Earps are still looking at her and Jake, although Kate will soon be within Virgil's peripheral vision. The three appear to be moving towards the door to the first passenger car of the train.</p><p></p><p>Once they reach the platform, Kate stopped walking and handed the box to Tucker. She then pulled a handkerchief from her purse, which she was keeping well away from the girl. "I'll miss you," Kate said, dabbing at her eyes. "Tell that doctor he's to take good care of you and send you back to us soon." She got up on her toes and kissed Tucker's cheek. "Be so very careful." She took the box back and they headed for the train.</p><p></p><p>Ruby grabs Jake by the belt and starts pulling him away from the train, to distract Earp from looking towards Kate. "Come on Sweetie, let go greet each other the right way... maybe we'll even get a room..." Ruby gives Jake his "go with it look" that he should know well by now. The girl plays along and gives Tucker a big hug saying "Goodbye Daddy, we'll miss you." Kate is pleased with the girl's acting talents. </p><p></p><p>Ruby already knows about some of the little girls 'other talents' so is not surprised when she sees the little urchin's hug end with her quick fingers removing several bills from the man's pocket, a fact that neither Kate or the man notice. The man boards the train. Kate and the girl turn away, their backs now to the two lawmen.</p><p></p><p>Katherine continued to sniffle into her handkerchief as the walked away. "Come along now sweetheart, let's go back to the hotel," she said to the girl as they walked away. "I'll buy you a treat, hmm?"</p><p></p><p>"Where's a damn porter when you need one?" Jake says as he puts his bag over his left should and spins Ruby half around. He follows quickly by putting his left arm behind her back, leans her off balance and sweeps up her legs with his right hand. Once he has her up, he spins around nearly crashing into the Earps. "Oh, sorry, I guess I just got carried away." </p><p></p><p>Jake says coming to an abrupt stop on the side opposite where Katherine is headed. "I've been away a bit, you know..." Jake says to Morgan with a sly grin. He starts to walk away and stops and says quietly to Morgan. "Did Warren talk to you about the serial numbers on the $20 bills?"</p><p></p><p>Morgan replies "We can talk later about that. In the meanwhile, let us know if you see Mrs. Kale. We think that she might have fallen under the influence of some people she shouldn't be with. My brother's office is on the second floor of the Crystal Palace Saloon."</p><p></p><p>Jake looks at Ruby, "Did Katherine come here to welcome me back too?" he laughs "Didn't you tell her that you and I would be busy?" "I don't think she did, Jake. I'm sure she knows I want you all to myself." Ruby leans closer and whispers something in Jake's ear.</p><p></p><p>The grin returns to Jake's face as his red headed bundle whispers in his ear. His eyebrows raise rather dramatically. He listens and the smile widens while he surreptitiously watches to make sure the blonde haired women is completely turned away from the Earps and well on her way. "Gentlemen, I'll be sure to let you know if I come across Mrs. Kale, however I think that I may not see her for a little while." He winks. "Ruby my hands are quite full, please tip my hat. Good day to you two." Jake pops Ruby up a little in his arms and heads off in the direction of the center of town. In a whisper to Ruby, "Alright beautiful, where in Hades am I going now?"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2758866, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 161, “Impeccable Timing” , Sunday, January 22nd, 1882, 3:30 P.M.[/B] Kate thought that there must be some way to get them out of here. Kate reached into her purse and felt the hair clip Mr. Gonzales had given her. She knew it was capable of more than the hairstyle that was stored within it. Sonoma had used one to create an entirely new persona. She pulled it out and clipped it into her hair. "Mr. Tucker, I think at this point you can agree we are in this together. We have enough secrets between us to fill this building. I have an idea, but I need you to promise me that you won't breathe a word of this to anyone." At his nod, Kate closed her eyes and focused. She concentrated on making her hair blonde and her eyes blue. Her dress would also be blue instead of gray, and she would appear to be about three inches taller than she really was. Her nose would change and her lips would be fuller. And just for fun she thought of a bit fuller bust. "Did it work? Do I look different?" Tucker says "Well, your hair is different. It's up and has more of a red color to it." “Oh damn. Well, I have another idea, but I want to try something else first." Kate searched her memory for the words Mr. Gonzales had used when he first set the hairstyle and repeated them while again concentrating on how she wanted to look. Tucker just looks at her strangely as she says the Hawaiian incantation. He says "I don't know what you were doing there but you still look the same." “Alright, that's out. Let's try this." Kate then rapidly cast three Prestidigitation spells. One changed the color of her hair to blonde, the next her eyes to blue, and the last the color and style of her dress. "It's not as complete, but it should fool Virgil. He hasn't seen me for about three months, he shouldn't remember me that well. But it will only last an hour. Did that work at least?" He replies "Yes, you look like a totally different person. Nobody will recognize you now, especially since you only wore black when you lived here." Kate says, "Alright, I'm going to get your ticket. When the train comes in, hopefully you can blend with the crowd and jump on with no one the wiser." Kate watched through the crack to make sure no one was looking toward the maintenance shed. When she was sure she wouldn't be seen she slipped quickly out. She walked confidently over to the ticket window. "One to Tucson please," she said, pitching her voice a bit lower than normal and trying to soften her Bostonian accent. Ruby quickly walks towards the train station. At the corner of Safford and First she looks south onto First to see where Morgan and the other lawman might have ridden to, but does not see them. Along the way she had been glancing south between buildings but did not get a glimpse of them. She is still a block-and-a-half away from the train station when a blonde haired woman in a robin's egg blue dress walks into over towards and enters the train station. The woman's walk is familiar but Ruby cannot initially place where she knows her from. As Ruby approaches she sees the man that the Deputy Marshals had spoken to. He is also wearing a badge and the man clearly resembles the other four Earp brothers who she has met so she assumes that he is Tombstone's Marshall Virgil Earp. He appears to be looking for somebody specific. Ruby walks right up onto the platform and looks around for Kate or Colby Tucker. The train has not arrived yet and there are six people waiting on benches by the station. Four have luggage and she assumes they are planning to board the train when it arrives. The other two appear to be waiting for people coming in on the train. Inside, Kate has encountered no difficulty in purchasing the ticket. The clock on the wall now reads 3:30 P.M. She turns and heads towards the ticket office door, propped open with a brick, and glances outside before exiting. Virgil Earp is still sitting on the steps and looking around. But what surprises her is Ruby West is also there now, a mere ten feet to the left of the Marshall, also looking around. "She must have arrived on the One O'clock stage" Kate thinks to herself. Ruby clearly has not seen Kate yet. A train whistle sounds in the distance. Kate stepped back out onto the platform and looked around for a moment until she caught Ruby's glance. When she was sure Ruby would see, she turned her back and began to walk away toward the maintenance shed. As she did so, she reached back and adjusted the clip in her hair with her left hand which would also give Ruby a glance at her wedding ring. She didn't dare do more, so she kept walking back toward the shed. Ruby immediately recognized the magical auras surrounding the blond haired woman, and knew it was Kate. Why she was walking towards a shed was beyond her but whatever was going on she didn't want to give it away. She acted like she hadn't seen her friend, instead turning away from the direction she was walking, and asks out loud to the nearest person, "So, where is this train coming from?" A person on the tracks replies to Ruby "Train only comes in from one place, Tucson. Anywhere else you have to go through there to get to and from." "Then I am in the right place," is all Ruby replies. Ruby hears the sound of horses approaches and in her peripheral vision sees Morgan Earp riding down the street and back to the train station. The other deputy is not with him. Meanwhile, Kate is approached by a small girl she would place her age at around 9 or ten but the gray eyes show an old soul with an intensity that drills right through her. "Ma'am that's a beautiful hair clip you have it has almost a magic to it in the way it gleams in the sun." Ruby stands on the platform, pretending to wait for the train, trying to keep an eye on both Morgan Earp and Kate, and most especially the kid who just approached her, the exact same kid who stole Chuck Never’s wallet a little over a week ago. The train whistle blows again and a cloud of steam can be seen coming around the nearest hill. The tracks start to vibrate and then the engine of the locomotive emerges, followed by a coal car, two freight cars, two passenger cars and a caboose. "It's a gift from a friend," Kate said quietly as she continued to walk. But she shortened her steps so the child could keep up with her. "Where are your parents? You shouldn't be alone here. Come with me," she said suddenly suspecting who this child was. Kate noticed both Virgil and Morgan approach Ruby and hoped she wouldn't get into any trouble. She took the opportunity to slip back into the shed. "Please wait while I take care of some business dear, and then we can talk," Kate said to the girl. "I might have a job for you." Morgan Earp rides up and Ruby overhears him say to his brother "That's Kale's friend." Morgan dismounts and Virgil stands up, both looking in Ruby's direction. This provides enough of a distraction, with both lawmen facing away from the shed, for Kate and the child to slip inside unobserved by all except for Ruby. Ruby makes a slight sigh of relief as Kate makes her way into the shed. Still having no clue what was going on, she pretended to continue to wait for the train. She wondered if Kate had threatened Morgan and that was what this was all about. She knew that both men were watching her so she stuck out her hip like she was waiting impatiently and twirled her hair around her finger. As the train pulls into the station and comes to a stop both of the Earps walk up to Ruby and stop on either side of her. Virgil is the Marshall but has not met her before so Morgan does the talking. "Miss West. Would you mind telling us where your friend Mrs. Kale is? She seems to have gotten herself into some trouble." Ruby turns to Morgan, "And what kind of trouble would that be? I can't imagine Mrs. Kale getting into any kid of trouble, she isn't that sort of girl." The train comes to a complete halt and the conductor walks onto the track and heads over to the passenger door. A few more people with luggage have arrived and are waiting to board. The other two people waiting have stood up in anticipation of people departing. All are keeping a distance from Ruby and the lawmen. Morgan replies to Ruby's question, "No Ma'am, I didn't mean to imply that she was the cause of the trouble. But she seems to have heard some false rumors about her husband's death, spread by some who are part of the Cowboy Gang. We fear she may be with them right now. We are trying to rescue her from possible danger." His brother says "Ma'am, you say that you are not with her. If that is the case then may I ask why you are here?" "Such gentleman, trying to rescue the woman from danger," Ruby says incredulously. "I never said I wasn't with her, but I will say it now. I don't know where she is, but I am sure she is smart enough to stay away from the Cowboy Gang or any other trouble of the sort. Of course, you never really know how close you are to danger until it comes to you, right Mr. Earp?" Ruby looks Morgan right in the eyes. "As for me, I'm not sure why you would be interested in my business, but I am here waiting for someone who should be on this train." And with his usual impeccable timing, Jacob Alistair Cook steps off of the train. "Jake!" Ruby yells out as she starts running over to him. She stops short, hair flying forward when she does, right in front him. Words want to come out of her mouth but they don't. Jake can see a mixture of relief and confusion in her eyes. She just stares at him for a few moments and finally she moves in close to him, grabbing his jacket and pulling him the rest of the way. "I thought you weren't coming back, you were gone for so long," she whispers, looking up at him with big eyes. "We can't talk about it right now," as she nods her head very slightly towards the marshals. "I really missed you... And I didn't forget to save this for you..." With that she kisses him passionately, letting Jake lift her feet off the ground and spin her around. Inside the shed, Kate hands the piece of paper to Tucker. "Here's your ticket. The train is pulling in, so you'll have to hurry." Kate lifted up the hem of her dress and ripped a few strips off the petticoat underneath. "Open Tom's box, there's a jacket inside you can wear." She finished ripping as Tucker did that. Then she wrapped the strips of white fabric over his hair and under his chin like a bandage. "The Marshals are distracted right now, so this should get you past them. Be careful." Tucker pulled on the duster that was the only piece of Tom's clothes she had kept. "All right. If you're willing dear, I'd like you to walk out with us. I'm going to see this gentleman on to the train. We should look just like a little family saying goodbye, hmm? Will you help us? I'll explain it all to you afterward, I promise." As the child replies Kate notices one thing about the girl that is unusual for a child living on her own. She is clean. Her face and hair appear recently washed, her hands and fingernails are clean and even the dress she is wearing is free of stains and looks to have been pressed. The child says "I have been watching the two of you. I think we can both be of help to one another. You are hiding from the Marshals and need to get him onto that train. We were lucky to have gotten in here unseen. They would surely see three people heading out of the door of the shed. But I know of another way out of this building." Kate replies, "I'll be glad to help you however I can after we get him on the train. Show us the way. And quickly, time is running out." Kate closed up the box and brought it along, unsure of whether she would be able to return here to fetch it. The girl says "We have time. The train won't leave for at least twenty more minutes. I don't trust you to keep your word. And if the Marshal catches you then you will not be in a position to help me. You'll pay me now if you want any of my help." Kate sighed. She was more worried about the magic wearing off then when the train was leaving. But she had only done this perhaps ten minutes ago. She would need to keep it up until she could get away from the train station, but there should be time enough. "Alright," she said, pulling two dollars from her purse. "I'll give you this now, and two more after my friend is on the train and we are out of the train station. Agreed?" "Twenty" the girl exclaims, "and all of it now." "Highway robbery!" Kate said. "How much are you going to pay me for my help after this, hmm? I'll give you ten, with six now and four later. All you have to do is lead us out, stand on the platform with me until the train leaves, and walk out of the station with me. It's not as if I'm asking you to work in a mine." The girl replies "That isn't entirely true. You're also asking me to keep my mouth shut about what I saw you do to your dress, hair and eyes. Twenty, right now." The girl had her there. If the Earps caught her it was likely she'd spend an uncomfortable night, but she'd be fine the next day. An accusation of practicing magic would be far worse. She replies, "And how am I to know you won't turn me over as soon as we get out there? Twenty five. Fifteen now, ten after." The girl answers "I said twenty. I didn't say more than that. I keep away from the Marshall. I don't want to talk to him. I will only go to him if I have to. And you were the one who was trying to cheat me. My help is worth a lot more to you than the four dollars you first offered me. You proved that when you suggested more." Kate replies, "I have a few tricks left up my sleeve, and I could get us out of here if I had to. Four dollars was plenty for the work. I had no idea you had seen what I'd done. Being quiet about that is worth far more. Now, you can have twenty now, and that will be all you'll get, or you can have fifteen now with ten after. And I would never cheat anyone!" "I'll take the twenty now" she states. After Kate gives her the money the girl takes them both to the back of the shed and manipulates the nails on a wall panel, the back then opening up and creating an exit. The girl says "We should come out from the far side, make it look like we've walked from that way. Head towards the train instead of the station." "Let's go then," Kate said offering her hand to the girl. "Considering how young the girls out here to seem to be having babies, you should be able to pass for my daughter." The box was lighter with the jacket removed, and Kate was able to manage it with only the one arm. The three started walking confidently toward the train. The are able to make their way free of he shed. Kate glances towards the platform and sees that the two Marshals are still distracted by Ruby, who is engaged with a passionate embrace with Jake! The two lawmen act like they are getting impatient for this reunion to end. Up on the platform Ruby sees Kate emerge with the other two, uncertain of who the man huddled up in the coat is, but notes that he has the same height and build of Colby Tucker. They appear to be heading towards the train. The Earps are still looking at her and Jake, although Kate will soon be within Virgil's peripheral vision. The three appear to be moving towards the door to the first passenger car of the train. Once they reach the platform, Kate stopped walking and handed the box to Tucker. She then pulled a handkerchief from her purse, which she was keeping well away from the girl. "I'll miss you," Kate said, dabbing at her eyes. "Tell that doctor he's to take good care of you and send you back to us soon." She got up on her toes and kissed Tucker's cheek. "Be so very careful." She took the box back and they headed for the train. Ruby grabs Jake by the belt and starts pulling him away from the train, to distract Earp from looking towards Kate. "Come on Sweetie, let go greet each other the right way... maybe we'll even get a room..." Ruby gives Jake his "go with it look" that he should know well by now. The girl plays along and gives Tucker a big hug saying "Goodbye Daddy, we'll miss you." Kate is pleased with the girl's acting talents. Ruby already knows about some of the little girls 'other talents' so is not surprised when she sees the little urchin's hug end with her quick fingers removing several bills from the man's pocket, a fact that neither Kate or the man notice. The man boards the train. Kate and the girl turn away, their backs now to the two lawmen. Katherine continued to sniffle into her handkerchief as the walked away. "Come along now sweetheart, let's go back to the hotel," she said to the girl as they walked away. "I'll buy you a treat, hmm?" "Where's a damn porter when you need one?" Jake says as he puts his bag over his left should and spins Ruby half around. He follows quickly by putting his left arm behind her back, leans her off balance and sweeps up her legs with his right hand. Once he has her up, he spins around nearly crashing into the Earps. "Oh, sorry, I guess I just got carried away." Jake says coming to an abrupt stop on the side opposite where Katherine is headed. "I've been away a bit, you know..." Jake says to Morgan with a sly grin. He starts to walk away and stops and says quietly to Morgan. "Did Warren talk to you about the serial numbers on the $20 bills?" Morgan replies "We can talk later about that. In the meanwhile, let us know if you see Mrs. Kale. We think that she might have fallen under the influence of some people she shouldn't be with. My brother's office is on the second floor of the Crystal Palace Saloon." Jake looks at Ruby, "Did Katherine come here to welcome me back too?" he laughs "Didn't you tell her that you and I would be busy?" "I don't think she did, Jake. I'm sure she knows I want you all to myself." Ruby leans closer and whispers something in Jake's ear. The grin returns to Jake's face as his red headed bundle whispers in his ear. His eyebrows raise rather dramatically. He listens and the smile widens while he surreptitiously watches to make sure the blonde haired women is completely turned away from the Earps and well on her way. "Gentlemen, I'll be sure to let you know if I come across Mrs. Kale, however I think that I may not see her for a little while." He winks. "Ruby my hands are quite full, please tip my hat. Good day to you two." Jake pops Ruby up a little in his arms and heads off in the direction of the center of town. In a whisper to Ruby, "Alright beautiful, where in Hades am I going now?" [/QUOTE]
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