His Name Was Isaac (Completed)

7. Family Reunion

THE NEXT DAY

AURORA BASIN

Hauling the last of their supplies onto the back of the wagon, Arthur lifted up the rear guard and secured them in place, making sure that the few things they had left wouldn't get lost during the long trek ahead of them.

For the time being, their plan was to head south to Manzanita Post and replace any of the resources that were destroyed, as well as trade for some new weapons with the people there. Afterwards, they'd travel north to Strawberry and search for any tips that could lead them to their next big score.

Arthur didn't know what could possibly be worth stealing in that small, little settlement, but it wasn't as if their gang had much of a choice in the matter. Whoever attacked their camp left them with next to nothing, and now, the only money they had left was from the bank job.

If they didn't find something or someone to rob soon, they'd be at the end of their rope.

And there was no telling what Dutch would do then.

"Arthur!" Someone exclaimed, causing the man to look over his shoulder. It was Joe, coming up to see him.

"What is it?" Arthur asked, moving onto the horses.

Joe stepped next to the mounts, resting a hand on one of the hitching posts.

"I wanted to thank you." He said.

"Thank me?" Arthur straightened his mount's saddle, giving it a firm tug. "For what?"

"For savin' my ass yesterday. Dutch nearly blew my brains out after what happened with Cleet. If you hadn't intervened, I'd be dead in the ground by now. I owe you one."

Despite the friendly sentiment, Arthur didn't return Joe's appreciative tone.

"Yeah, well... if it turns out you were the traitor after all," he backed up from the horses, looking Joe in the eye, "...you'll wish I let Dutch shoot you back there."

Joe concealed his fear with a subtle gulp. "Of course. I understand. But, I was wondering something else..."

Arthur raised a brow. "...What?"

"Well... was anyone missing from the bank robbery?"

"Missing?" He thought for a moment. "No, I don't think so. Everyone we planned to bring showed up. Why?"

"Because if everyone was accounted for, then it makes no sense to say that one of our own people sabotaged the supplies."

Arthur gave him a firm reminder. "...Assuming you weren't the rat, of course."

Joe nodded. "Of course. But Cleet obviously didn't do anything, and if everyone was present at the robbery, then how the hell is it possible that one of us poisoned the food? We're a tough gang, but even we can't be in two places at once."

Arthur shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe they poisoned it before we left."

"I'm pretty sure someone would've seen that," the other man argued. "And besides, I think everyone ate in the morning. If the food was already poisoned, y'all would've died long before the Pinkertons cornered you."

The older man sighed, unable to dispute Joe's point.

"I'll admit..." he said reluctantly, "it don't make much sense when you put it that way. Fine. What d'you think then, Joe? If it weren't one of us that did it, then who?"

Joe checked their surroundings for a second, making sure nobody else was eavesdropping.

"Well, just based on the timing of Cleet's death, I'd say the food was poisoned while y'all was at the bank. This means that whoever destroyed the supplies knew our schedule. They knew when we'd be the most vulnerable. And most importantly, they knew the layout of the land. Otherwise, there ain't no way they'd be able to sneak in so easily."