The ride through the night was one of the coldest, wettest, most miserable rides Vin had the misfortune of remembering. Joshua kept his group at a steady, mile-eating walk, with no signs of stopping for the night. Vin’s jacket was starting to soak through, and with his hands tied to the saddlehorn, there was no way for him to adjust his collar to keep the rain from dripping into it from the brim of his hat. He shrugged his shoulders in an unsuccessful attempt at comfort, and tried to ignore the water.

As the miles plodded by, Vin composed and considered several different escape plans, turning them over in his mind before discarding them, going back to them more often than not in search of a solution. He refused to let himself think about the end of the trail and Tuscosa, where a noose was waiting with his name on it. A noose for him, and a $500 bounty for Joshua, enough to turn even a former acquaintance’s head. Not that either of them deserved it – Vin wasn’t guilty of the murder he was charged with, and Joshua… well, when bounty hunter turned on bounty hunter, where was the professional courtesy in that? Vin had to smile in spite of himself. Who was he kidding? Five hundred dollars was five hundred dollars, and he should be grateful Joshua had opted for the “alive” half of “dead or alive.” For now.

Dawn was greying the east and the rain had died down to a drizzle before Joshua called for an extended stop. “Water the horses, refill the canteens, and check your gear. We ride again in ten minutes.” Joshua dollied the reins of Vin’s horse to his own saddlehorn and leaned over to check the knots on his prisoner’s wrists. Satisfied that they were secure, he turned in his saddle to retrieve some chewing tobacco from his saddlebags. Joshua tucked a plug in his cheek before mockingly offering some to Vin. His captive didn’t deign to reply, simply regarding him with quiet, cold eyes. Joshua laughed aloud, showing tobacco-stained teeth, and returned the chaw to his saddlebag.

“You always were a quiet one, Tanner,” Joshua commented. Vin watched him silently. He didn’t feel like reminiscing with Joshua – not under the circumstances. Joshua scowled at the lack of response and angrily untied the reins secured to his saddle. “Reckon you’ll be quiet enough once they get you strung up,” he snarled, turning his horse with a heavy hand. Vin lurched slightly as his horse was jerked forward and Joshua bellowed, “Mount up! We’re moving out!”

Seven men hastily capped canteens, adjusted britches and mounted horses, not one of them pointing out that Joshua’s idea of ten minutes differed from everyone else’s. Pointing that out would just guarantee a quick trip to an early grave.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The sun had scarcely broken the horizon when five rather bedraggled riders trotted into Four Corners. They pulled up in front of the hotel, intent on a good meal, a hot bath and a soft bed, the order of which varied from man to man.

Chris Larabee swung from his saddle almost gratefully. There was something about a long trek in steady rain that made the cluster of buildings on the main street seem just this side of heaven. The thought surprised him briefly – at times he felt a little out of place in this quiet, almost civilized town. He looked along the sleeping street as he wound his horse’s reins around the hitching bar and reflected it was sometimes nice to have someplace to come home to.

Mud splashed noisily, splattering the cuffs of Chris’ trousers and adding another layer of muck to his already-covered boots as Buck Wilmington jumped from the saddle. Chris favored his friend with a long-suffering glare and Buck grinned. “Sorry, Chris,” he said, unapologetically. Beside Buck, Nathan Jackson quickly hid a smile and glanced over at Josiah Sanchez, but the surpressed grin on the big preacher’s face was too much and the pair chuckled aloud.

On the other side of Chris, Ezra Standish joined in his companions’ amusement. The incident by itself wasn’t that humorous, but Buck’s boyish, unrepentant grin at the end of the wet ride struck them as funny. Buck could see a hint of laughter in Chris’ eyes as well, and readied himself to dodge quickly if his friend decided to try something in retaliation. He could never tell with Chris, especially lately… he seemed to have mellowed somewhat since they came to Four Corners, that cast-iron shell around him chinking ever so slightly, letting glimpses of the old Chris – the one he’d known so long ago – show through. And that Chris wasn’t above evening the score.

Whatever Chris was or wasn’t thinking of doing was interrupted by the sound of feet rushing towards them on the boardwalk. Mary Travis hurried up to them, lifting her skirt hem clear of the splashes of mud that had landed on the boardwalk. “Did you find him?” she asked, looking at the small cluster of horses and men.

Chris frowned, brows furrowing slightly. “Find who?”

“Mister Tanner.” Seeing the blank expressions on their faces, Mary asked, “Didn’t JD find you?” Her worry was evident in her voice, and Chris looked around at his companions. Ezra, who had been lounging comfortably in his saddle, was shifting uneasily, and any traces of humor had vanished from Josiah’s and Nathan’s faces as they sensed the concern radiating from Mary. Chris turned back to face her.

“I think you’d better start at the beginning.”

“JD rode out of here last night,” Mary replied, and Buck tensed. “He said something about someone taking Vin, and said he was going after them.” Mary shrugged helplessly. “I thought he might have ridden out to meet you.”

“No,” Chris said tightly. “He didn’t.”

“Who took Vin?” Buck asked, scowling, but Mary shook her head.

“I didn’t see anyone, and I didn’t have time to ask. He just rode out southeast after them.”

“Bounty hunter?” Josiah asked in a low voice, and Chris nodded slightly, turning to look at him.

“Could be.” He swept a quick eye over the horses. They were reasonably fresh – they hadn’t been riding hard on the return trip because of the rain and mud. But if they had a twelve hour head start to overcome…

Buck seemed to read his thoughts. “They’ll do,” he said as he swung up into his saddle. Chris nodded once, then untied and mounted his own horse. Ezra and Josiah were already backing their animals up, making turning room for the horses in between them.

Chris settled into his saddle and looked down at Mary. “If JD comes back, tell him to wait here for us.” Mary nodded, and Chris spurred his horse around.

Twenty hooves thundered for the edge of town, drowning out Buck’s muttered, “He’d damn well better come back, or I’m gonna shoot him myself.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *