Unshaken

The Joys of Modern Medicine

Liam woke that next morning, forgetting where he was for a moment. He then remembered all of the events that had transpired, and the new place they were hiding out at. He looked over to Arthur's cot, he was already up. He looked outside of the door, it was pre-dawn. He walked to the main room of the house and poured a cup of coffee. Susan was standing and admiring the transformation the house had from when they had first found it. "Good morning. You've really cleaned this place up." Liam complimented. "I sure do like this place. We can all sleep under a roof and not worry that the Pinkertons are gonna find us at any moment." She said. "Very true." He agreed, walking outside. He observed the homestead. He took in a deep breath of the fresh mountain air and watched the sun shine through the trees as it rose. For the first time in a while, he felt peace.

"Who's there?" Sean yelled as horse hooves trotted up. "It's only me." Charles said. "Charles is back!" Abigail yelled to the gang. Everyone came out of the house, Arthur coming from the trees. He climbed off of his horse, tired, but still smiling. "How'd you find us, ya sulky bastard?" Sean asked. "Mrs. Kilgore sent a letter to Wapiti. Quite a place you've got here." Charles told them, looking at the homestead. Susan showed him to his cot.

"Well, I guess we should all start getting out and working. Mr. Smith, you go rest up, we need you strong." Arthur told everyone. They did and scouted the surrounding areas. Liam climbed on Colter and followed Arthur down the mountain towards Valentine. They crossed the river and rode into the dumpy cattle town once again. "Ain't been here since that mess with Cornwall." Liam said, getting vivid memories of the massacre. "I sure am glad all that mess is over. Can't believe we had you caught up in all that." Arthur admitted. "This is the place I first saw y'all. Heading here with Uncle and the ladies." Liam told him. "Oh yeah, you was just a poor boy working for nothing in the stables." Arthur said. "Then, that same night we met once again." Liam added. "That we did." Arthur said as they walked into the saloon.

They leaned on the bar and ordered two whiskeys. Liam raised his glass. "To Lenny and Hosea." Arthur repeated and they both took their shots. "So, what you got us here for?" Liam asked. "Before we left, I was hearing about some funny business going on with the doctor in this town. Apparently was letting O'Driscolls move money and conduct business through his building. I figure we scope the place out and hit it during the night if it's worth it." Arthur said. Liam was intrigued by the proposal.

"So how do we go about this?" Liam asked. "I was thinking you go and distract the doctor acting all sick or something while I search the place to find a way to go in quiet." Arthur said. "Another show, huh? You know, I'm always playing characters when it comes to y'all." Liam said, cracking a smile. "Come on, boy, you know you love doing it, don't kid yourself." Arthur told him. "Maybe you're right." Liam said as they got up and walked out of the saloon. They walked up to the doctor's office entrance. "Okay, just start acting like you can't function and you're gonna pass out or something." Arthur said. Liam shook his head in acknowledgment.

Arthur counted down and grabbed Liam's shoulders from behind and pushed him through the door. Liam started to fake-cough violently, pretending as if he could barely stand without Arthur's assistance. "Help! A doctor! Please help! My boy, he ain't well. I don't know what's gotten to him, are you the doctor, mister?" Arthur asked desperately as Liam hunched over and dramatically coughed. "Why... yes, I am. Let me have a look at him." The doctor said in a rush as he ran to Liam and Arthur. Liam collapsed to the floor from Arthur's grasp as the doctor approached. This was Arthur's time to investigate.

Liam violently coughed almost to the point of accidentally vomiting. "Sir, sir! Please help me! I don't know what's going on! It's like the whole world is turning dark, please help me, doc!" Liam said grabbing the doctor's coat violently as he laid on his back on the wooden floor. "Just calm down, son! Let me check your breathing." The doctor said, monitoring and feeling his chest rise and fall with a stethoscope. Liam made sure to breathe hard to make it seem like something was wrong. "I don't know, maybe it's pneumonia, it's been going around back at my daddy's ranch." Liam said. "In that case, let me sit you right here." The doctor said helping him up and sitting him on a bench in the lobby.