David Robbins - The Kalispell Run

“Look behind the big cabinet in the corner,” Wolfe replied. “There’s a hidden air shaft and a ladder. It’ll take you straight up to the surface.

You’ll be in the forest north of the Mound proper.”

“Thanks,” Hickok said, walking toward the door he’d used to enter.

“Where are you going?” Sherry questioned him.

“To get some friends,” Hickok answered, stopping at the door. “I’ll be right back.” He crossed the antechamber and stepped outside.

Shane and Wally were now training their guns on three Moles.

“This one showed up with a tray of food while you were inside,” Wally informed him, motioning toward the newcomer.

The terrified Mole, still holding the tray of food, was visibly quaking, his knobby knees shaking violently.

Hickok laughed. “Howdy, Silvester. You in the food business now?”

“Hickok!” Silvester cried, his delight lighting up his face. “Am I glad to see you.”

“I’ll bet.” Hickok glanced at Shane. “Take the two guards inside and find something to tie them up with. Make sure they can’t free themselves.”

Shane nodded and led the guards into the antechamber, Wally bringing up the rear.

“You escaped from the cells!” Silvester marveled. “No one has ever done that before.”

Hickok draped his left arm across Silvester’s narrow shoulders. “I’d like to take the time to shoot the breeze with you, but I’ve got to run. You’ll be seeing me again.” He stared along the tunnel, insuring it was empty.

Silvester noticed his gaze. “No one comes here unless Wolfe tells them to,” he explained.

“Speaking of your fearless leader,” Hickok said, “didn’t you tell me you were on the outs with him?”

“I’m not one of his favorite people,” Silvester admitted. “I saw my sister. Gloria still hasn’t gone to bed with him.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t forced her,” Hickok commented.

“No. He only does that with outside women.”

“Well, anyway, how would you like to be one of his favorite people?”

Hickok asked.

“I don’t see how…”

“Trust me. After I go through that door, count to one hundred. Can you do that?”

“I know how to count,” Silvester stated indignantly. “I can even read a little bit.”

“Good. Then count to one hundred and go inside. You’ll find Wolfe on his bed. You’ll know what to do.”

“What do you…”

Hickok waved and walked to the door. “You’ll know what to do. Believe me, Wolfe will thank you for it. Take care, pard.” He stepped into the antechamber.

Shane and Wally were tying the guards with strips of torn clothing.

“Tie them tight,” Hickok advised, then re-entered the bedroom.

Sherry ran into his arms. “I can’t believe you’ve done it! I’ll never doubt you again.”

“You’re a woman. Want to bet?”

“Since when are men any better?” Sherry rejoined.

Hickok chuckled.

Shane and Wally joined them.

“They won’t be getting loose this year,” Wally boasted. He spotted Goldman and his mouth dropped. “Do you always leave bodies wherever you go?”

“He does have that habit,” Sherry answered for him.

“Follow me,” Hickok directed.

It was a simple matter for them to lift the cabinet from the wall, locate the hidden air shaft, and scale the ladder to the surface. They pushed aside a camouflaged trap door and clambered out of the shaft.

“The air smells so sweet,” Sherry mentioned, taking deep breaths and brimming with happiness.

The night sky was filled with stars and a half-moon.

“Are you coming with us?” Hickok asked Wally.

The big man shook his head. “I’ve got to go to Ten-strike and see if I can find my family.”

“Good luck,” Sherry offered.

“May the Spirit guide you,” Hickok stated. “You’re welcome at our Home any time.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“So long,” Shane said.

Wally, carrying a rifle, with a pistol around his waist, waved and walked into the woods.

“Which way?” Shane asked, likewise armed with one of the door guard’s pistols and a rifle.

“Which way do you think?” Hickok retorted. “I’m not about to sponsor someone for Warrior status if they can’t read the stars.”

“Spon…” Shane sputtered, staring at the gunman in disbelief. “You can’t mean it! Not after the way I’ve handled myself.”

“I intend to do it because of the way you’ve handled yourself,” Hickok explained. “You did real well down there. Although,” he paused, “you’re a mite too quiet for my tastes.”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind,” Shane explained. “I’ve felt like I’ve failed everybody. You. My father. Plato. I’ve been dreading going back, thinking everyone would laugh at me.”

“When you make stupid mistakes,” Hickok said, “you’ve got to expect folks to laugh at you. If you have a sense of humor, you’ll get through it okay.”

“Then you’re really going to sponsor me?” Shane inquired hopefully.

“I’m a man of my word.”

Shane clenched his fists and spun in his tracks, laughing.

“Try to control your enthusiasm,” Hickok stated. “We’d best put as much distance between the Moles and us as we can, and do it fast.”

“Don’t you trust Wolfe?” Sherry asked.

“Not until he proves he’s trustworthy,” Hickok replied. He reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into his arms and embracing her.

“Please! Shane’s right here!”

“So he’ll learn something. What’s with the sudden modesty?”

Sherry squirmed playfully in his arms. “You said we had to get out of here,” she reminded him.

“There’s always time for this,” Hickok declared, kissing her passionately on the lips.

Shane, embarrassed, politely turned away, keeping his eyes on the trap door and the surrounding forest.

The kiss lingered and lingered.

Sherry, at last, pulled back, her eyes closed, her warm form straining against his hard body. “MMMMMMmmmmmm. Nice.”

“Did you just hear something?” Shane inquired.

“Like what?” Hickok asked, nibbling on Sherry’s left ear.

“I don’t know…” the youth stated uncertainly.

“Don’t move!”

The harsh command, barked from the concealing cover of the encircling forest, riveted the trio where they stood.

Blast! How could he have been so dumb? Hickok abruptly realized they were standing in the center of a clearing approximately twenty feet in diameter, completely enclosed by the dense forest.

“ Don’t move !” the deep voice bellowed again.

“It was a trap!” Sherry whispered to Hickok. “They were waiting for us!”

“They sure were,” Hickok replied through clenched teeth.

“But how…?”

“Wolfe,” Hickok deduced. “They found the guards we overpowered before we reached his chambers. He must have figured we’d come after you and set this whole thing up. Pretty clever of the bastard! And I fell for it, like the prize sucker of the year!”

Moles were cautiously emerging from the woods. One of them, the apparent leader, held a rifle barrel to Wally’s head.

Six. Seven. Nine. Ten counting the guy shoving Wally. Hickok took a step to his left, away from Sherry.

One of the Moles fired his rifle, the slug narrowly missing the gunfighter’s moccasins.

“I warned you not to move,” the tall leader reiterated. “Do it again and we’ll finish you off right here and now, no matter what Wolfe wants.”

“My compliments to Wolfe,” Hickok said, grinning.

“This shows real finesse. I didn’t think he had it in him.”

“Shut your face!” the tall Mole ordered. “We could care less what you think. Drop your weapons. Now!”