Killing Hammond

Part of the Blogging from A to Z challenge 2012 for the letter k
This is a continuing story, if you would like to read the from the beginning, the letter A : Aces and Eights  But... each letter/story stands alone as well. Enjoy:) 

Killing Hammond

Ben checked the weapon again, more to force himself to calm. He needed a level head to kill Hammond, not just charge in like a private on his first battle. “Take Dawson and get. I’ll meet you when I’m through.”

Charlie looked at Ben crouched next to him. “There are four Pinkertons and that fancy dressed fella. Five to one ain’t good bettin odds.”

 “Four Pinks, I took one down in the house on my way out.” Ben sighed and turned toward his loyal friend. “Charlie, I have enough blood on my hands. I don’t want yours too.”

The younger man shook his head. “Not your choice. Besides I got to make sure you don’t get shot so we can rob a few more trains. I’ve come to like the criminal lifestyle.”

“You would.” Ben shook his head and started forward toward the enemy and his target, Hammond.

It was time for Hammond to pay for his own crime. He was a railroad tycoon, who used his money and power to get the law to move his way. Or over look transgressions he made to further his greed.

Ben moved through the tall grass behind the corral. The Pinkertons were within range, but he couldn’t take them all down before they opened fire. There was only one pistol between Ben, Charlie and Dawson.

Ben holstered the gun into his waistband and picked up a board that had fallen from the corral’s gate. He would save the bullets for the one who most deserved them. 

Ben crouched down in the tall grass and watched for a moment the three Pinks looked at the dawn as it broke the horizon. One of them turned and announced he needed the privy. Ben let the men move some distance before he burst from the dew laden grass and took a swing at one of the remaining Pinkertons before either could draw.

The first Pink turned and started to raise his arm, but he wasn’t fast enough. The blow knocked him to the ground. Ben set upon him with strike after strike until he didn’t flinch.

Charlie had done the same. Both men sat panting as the third Pinkerton came out of the privy to see his colleges bloody on the ground. He began to shout. “They’re escaping!” 

The Pinkerton Ben had beaten in his escape from the house came out on the porch. He stumbled as he reached to the empty holster at his side. “They’re armed.”

Ben verified the fact with two bullets to the Pinkerton’s chest. The privy Pink took shots as he dove for cover. Ben let Charlie deal with it, he had to find Hammond.

Ben ran through the hail of bullets toward the house. As his foot hit the second porch step he felt something hot sink into his side and shoulder. His vengeance was too close to stop. Ben took loose aim into the window and fired.

He was rewarded with a cry of pain from inside the house. Ben continued inside he had three bullets left. He spun and drooped at the sound of a pistol’s hammer clicked back. He felt the air displaced next to him as the bullet moved past. Ben returned fire twice one bullet went wide.

Hammond fell back hand pressed to his side. He aimed his weapon for Ben’s heart and pulled the trigger. There was a dry click but no shot. His eyes widened as Ben Began to move toward him. “Kill me and you’re a dead man, Mason.”

Ben let Hammond see the pain, the sorrow, the hate that he carried with him since the day he knelt by his family’s graves. “I died when you killed my wife and son. Burned them with my home, while I was fighting a foolish war.”

Hammond stuttered as he threw the empty pistol at Ben. “Those were road agents, not me.”

Ben nodded and aimed the pistol to Hammond’s head. One shot left. “They were road agents. Agents that acted on your orders to burn down a house, makes you as guilty as the one who dropped the match.”

Hammond held up his hand as if that would stop it. Ben took a breath and held it. For him the room became silent. Hammond continued to argue as Ben’s finger pulled back on the trigger but there was no sound only purpose in the moment.

The bullet hit home. Hammond’s face held the shock and surprise as his body fell backward. Ben stood over him and watched the life drain from those greed filled eyes. When it was gone, he let the pistol fall from his hand and pressed his wounded side.

When he stepped outside into the morning sun, sound came rushing back. The call of birds, the horses’ hooves as they stamped nervously in the corral and Charlie calling to him. Ben just nodded as he took in the fact it was finally over. Hammond and those involved with his family’s deaths were now in their own graves.

“Charlie, take Dawson we’ll meet at the border as planned.”

Charlie wanted to argue but now wasn’t the time. They had to get before someone came to investigate the gunfire. “Yes, sir.”

Ben rode in the opposite direction until out of site of the others. He stopped and pressed another cloth to his side the other already blood soaked. His vengeance was complete, maybe it was time for all of it to be over. He scoffed himself as he nudged the horse into movement. “Aces and eights.”

Jailbreak

Part of the Blogging from A to Z challenge 2012 for the letter J
This is a continuing story, if you would like to read the from the beginning, the letter A : Aces and Eights  But... each letter/story stands alone as well. Enjoy:) 

Jailbreak

Ben growled and pulled at his bonds. He wouldn’t hang here, on some ranch in the corner of Arizona. It was a jail, a nicer furnished one but a jail the same. Ben Mason was a decorated soldier of the Union Army. A man with more honor than Hammond and his Pinkertons could muster in a finger. The fact he was now wanted for robbery and murder aside.

 The wooden chair creaked with his efforts, it wasn’t a stout chair. Ben rocked forward onto his feet and fell back to the legs of the chair. He took a breath and rocked again this time catching his balance. 

Ben stood stooped tied to the chair. “Well this is effort rewarded, now what?” He raised his head as far as he could as he looked for something to free him. Nothing useful came to sight and his time was close to run out.

Standing like this he could see through the window and the horizon as it began to show color.

With a sigh he shifted the chair on his back and pushes off the floor falling backwards hard. The old chair split apart, without the structure the ropes fell lose around his body.

Ben groaned and rubbed his scared shoulder, which took the brunt of the fall. It took a moment for him to untangle his body from the mess. A moment too long, the door creaked open and one of the Pinkertons stepped in.

“What the hell?” He opened his coat and started to draw his weapon.

Ben grabbed a broken leg of the chair and swung at the man’s gun hand. The half-drawn weapon clattered to the floor. Ben swung the wooden leg back as the Pink tried to dive for it.

The wood connected knocking the other man unconscious. Ben watched the Pink collapse on the floor as he picked up the gun. He peered out the window to see four other Pinkertons buys with preparations for his hanging.

Ben moved into the bedroom and looked out the window for any others. It was clear. “One thing you can count on is a Pink being over confident.”

He quietly jumped out of the window, crouched and made his way to the corner of the house. Ben searched any sign of his men. He eased closer along the side of the house.

Charlie and Dawson were tied up next to what was left of the barn. The bastards had tried to burn them down with it. Smoke and embers were all that remained of the building now. Ben used the smoke as cover to get to the men.

Charlie spun his head at the sound of burnt wood cracking under foot. He relaxed at the sight his friend. “Ben, they’ll be back soon. They’ve got plans…”

Ben nodded as he examined the knots; he needed to cut them free. “They’re busy craftin my noose.”

Dawson glanced out to keep watch as Ben worked. The men felt the ropes give way. Charlie grinned as he rubbed his forearms. “Let’s get the hell out of here, boss.”

Ben nodded to him. “You know where to go.”  He checked the chamber of the Pinkerton’s revolver. Six bullets, there would be no room to miss. Ben could feel Charlie and Dawson at his back as he started to move toward his goal.

He waited a long time to get Hammond in his sight. He wasn’t about to spoil the only shot he may get at the man. “Go Charlie, get Dawson out of here, I’ve unfinished business.”

Don't forget to stop by on April 29th for special guests  Jefferson Bass! 

Introductions

Part of the Blogging from A to Z challenge 2012 for the letter I 
This is a continuing story, if you would like to read the from the beginning, the letter A : Aces and Eights  But... each letter/story stands alone as well. Enjoy:)

Introductions

The soft snap and pop of hay woke Ben from the first good rest he was able to get in weeks. As the rest of his senses woke, he heard the horses shift restless in their stalls. There was a scent in the thickened air.

His eyes opened wide, not air, smoke. It was smoke and the scent was hay on fire. Ben jumped to his feet kicking the feet of his men. “Up, up. The barn’s on fire.”

Ben and the men scrambled as the smoke stung their eyes. The flames were starting to spread downward from the loft. Ben opened the stalls and pulled the animals outside.

He lead a large quarter horse out by the bridle, the air had started to thicken. It was harder to breathe but Ben turned back to make sure everyone and every creature were safe.

Ben met Charlie coming out with their horses. He shouted to him over the roar of the flames. “Is that all?”

Charlie nodded as he coughed and slapped the gray mare on the hindquarters to send her from the blaze. “Dawson is comin with the last one.”

He started to turn and join Ben when a figure stepped out of the shadows by the barn. “Ben, look out.”

Ben heard the warning and reached for the gun at his hip but it was too late. There was pain suddenly at the base of his skull. The flames started to sway and grow dark as he heard Charlie’s muffled voice call his name again. Then his face was in the dirt before darkness swallowed him.

**

Sound came back to him first. Voices seeping into the dark to bring him back to consciousness.  

Ben tried to sit up and reach to rub the back of his head. His arms wouldn’t lift, they were tied as were his legs. That brought back memory of the barn, the fire, being knocked out. He snapped fully awake and searched the room with his eyes.

A well-dressed man sat in a chair with one leg tucked beneath him. Two others flanked him, Ben caught the sight of a badge as one turned and looked his way. Pinkertons.  Ben growled as he jerked at the ropes in an attempt to break free.

The man in the expensive suit reminded Ben of a snake as he uncoiled from the chair to walk over. “Mr. Mason, glad you’re finally able to join us. I had the thought Mr. Crandle had cracked your thick skull.”

Ben glared they knew who he was. “You have me at a disadvantage, who the hell are you?”

Fancy suit sipped his port and offered his hand. With a sarcastic laugh, he drew it back. “My apologies, you are a bit too tied up for proper introductions. I’ve become acquainted with you, Mr. Mason. Or do you prefer Lieutenant Mason.”

He set the glass on the fireplace mantle and crossed his arms as he leaned a shoulder against it. “Oh yes, I investigated who the man that is so bent on attacking my trains.”

The rope cut into Ben’s wrists as he twisted them in his struggle to be free. “Hammond.”

Hammond grinned and gave him a mocked courteous nod. “Very good, you are every bit as bright as they said you are. You’re general is very disappointed in the road you’ve taken. I’m not surprised. My father was a major general in the British Army. I have seen men that war changed into blood thirsty beasts.”

The look he gave Ben was cold. “Hammond Rail is the only line you have stricken. Why would you target my family? Because you have become a warmonger, you need to sate your hunger for violence?”

Ben’s rage consumed him, his voice low as his eyes narrowed on the fool in his fancy suit. “I do hunger for blood. Your blood. You murdered my wife and son, countless others so you can strut in your expensive suit.”

Ben tried to lunge forward at Hammond. Being bound he only rocked forward on the chair’s legs and his feet.

Hammond scoffed. “I have done no murder. Not that could be proven in a court of law anyway. These men are sworn to uphold the law. At least of those who can afford their fees.”

Ben struggled against the ropes as Hammond picked up his coat and walked to the door. The wealthy railroad tycoon grinned, he had Ben Mason right were he wanted him. “It was good that we were introduced this evening, you are going to hang in the dawn’s early light, Mr. Mason. I think I should give you some time alone to make your restitutions with God. I look forward to watching you swing.”

The moment the door closed behind Hammond and his dogs Ben started to look around. He was in the rancher’s house. Ben knew they needed a safe place to sleep for a bit. They paid a rancher to stay in his barn for the night. Question was did he betray the outlaws or were they spotted somehow on the road?

Ben’s money was on betrayal, the rancher got his payback with a burnt barn. Either way the object of Ben’s vengeance was just on the other side of that door. He began to work on a way to escape so he could rip out Hammond’s heart. 

Hammond Rail Company

Part of the Blogging from A to Z challenge 2012 for the letter H
This is a continuing story, if you would like to read the from the beginning, the letter A : Aces and Eights  But... each letter/story stands alone as well. Enjoy:)


 Special Thanks to my Sis, Rose Wade of Outlaw's pRose for being an honest editor and thwapping me when I slip into old habits :D 

Hammond Rail Company

  

The last freight car rolled passed them. Ben held the men back for another moment, he let go of a deep breath and gave the signal.

The four of them burst out of their hiding place and rode hard along side the train. Ben counted cars as they moved further up to their target. His perfectly aimed shots shattered the latch

As he motioned to Charlie to join him the door slid open. A Pinkerton officer raised his shotgun and aimed directly at Ben.

With a curse, Ben dropped back as he lowered his body closer to the horse. Buckshot sprayed out from the shot, some catching in his shoulder and thigh.

The Pink stepped back into the car to reload the rifle.

Ben took the opportune moment and spurred his mount. When he reached the door, Ben jumped from the saddle into the car.

Ben grabbed the barrel of the rifle and jerked it from the man’s hands. The Pink snarled and swung a fist at him. Ben took the blow to the chin and tossed the shotgun out the open door.

The Pinkerton connected another punch to Ben’s face. Ben shook off the blow and returned a few of his own.

The men fought until the Pink grabbed Ben’s gun. They struggled over the pistol until Ben was able to get it turned into the other man’s chest and pulled the trigger.

The two shots echoed in the semi-enclosed space. Ben’s ears rang as the Pinkerton stumbled back to collapse on the floor. A second Pink started to charge from his hiding place in the back corner of the car. Ben raised his weapon and fired, with out hesitation.

As the man clutched at his throat, Ben opened the revolver cartridge and reloaded. His senses took in the environment as his fingers slid lead home.

It was quiet except for the clack as they moved over the tracks. Ben began to search and spotted their target sat now unguarded in the back of the car. Ben’s lip curled in a grin as he walked to the heavy lockbox.

Dawson rode up to the freight car’s door. “Boss?”

Ben called back as he stomped the lock with the heel of his boot until it snapped. “Stay there.”

He knelt and swung open the lid to find his reward. Sixty thousand dollars headed for the Hammond Rail Company office in Chicago. Now it was his.

It wasn’t enough to pay the debt Hammond owed him. This was the third train they had taken, all Hammond Rail. Soon Arnold Hammond will begin to feel the pain of his shrinking wallet. It isn’t close to the pain Ben felt as he knelt by the graves of his wife and son. His family murdered so the rail company could take their land for a few miles of track. 

With a growl, he tossed the last of the money into a sack. Ben stood as he tied the sack and walked back to the doors. He traded Dawson the money for a stick of dynamite.

With a final glance around Ben lit the fuse. As he tossed the stick aside, he jumped to his horse and fell back with the others to wait.

When the car exploded, Dawson and the other men whooped and congratulated each other. Ben sat quiet as he took satisfaction in the sight. It didn’t ease his anger and grief, Ben wasn’t sure there was ever going to be peace for him again. There would be none for Hammond or the Pinkertons that took so much from him.

Hammond Rail Company just met hell in the form Ben Mason.