It was Nick who regained his composure first. "Why wasn't Jarrod informed about this before now, Fred?"

"The warden at Quentin did send a letter, Nick. Apparently there was some kind of mix-up and it was sent to the Marshall at Stockbridge instead of here. Dan Bradley is the Marshall there and he was out of town for a month. When he got back he found the letter and told his deputy to send it on to me. Well the letter got mixed up in some other papers and to make a long story short I just got it today. I was on my way out here to tell you about it when your hand Hap arrived with the news about your mother."

Jarrod finally spoke, his voice agitated. "Cass Hyatt. If we had received that letter earlier, we might have been saved a lot of grief. Mother might not be lying upstairs right now!" He stopped, trying to control the anger he felt. After all mistakes happened. Only it was too bad it had to be such a costly one.

"Do you think Hyatt is stupid enough to risk his freedom by coming here and attacking your family, Jarrod? I'd think he would stay as far away from here as possible."

"Apparently he is, Fred. After all, it makes more sense that the attacker is Cass Hyatt than someone like the MacKenzies or Lenny Hamer."

"But why Nick?" Heath asked. "Not to sound ghoulish, but if it is Hyatt, why not come here, kill you, Jarrod and then get as far away from here as possible? I mean why go to the trouble of breaking out of prison and then hanging around here for weeks causing accidents for Nick? The longer he stays, the likelier it is that he'll be found out."

"Its what he did before. Hiding in the shadows and shooting Beth in the back." Jarrod's voice was harsh.

"But he wasn't going after Beth. It was you he was trying to kill, Jarrod." Audra's eyes were filled with sympathy for the pain her eldest brother must be feeling at the rehashing of the old hurt.

Nick gave her a small smile. "I think it was the way he went about the shooting and its resemblance to the tactics of my attacker that Jarrod was referring to, Audra." Nick went on. "And I agree with Heath. Why come here to Stockton, where a lot of people know him, and take potshots at me when his beef is with Jarrod?"

"Who knows what goes on in that twisted mind of his." Jarrod said. "Maybe he figures if he goes after my family it would be a better way to pay me back for putting him in prison again."

Fred put in. "I don't know, Jarrod. It seems to me that's the kind of mistake he made the first time. He had a pardon from the governor and was as free a man as you and I. Then he murders your wife and ends up right back at San Quentin. You'd think he would think long and hard before risking his freedom again, not to mention his life."

"It seems like too much of a coincidence to me, Fred. Hyatt escapes from prison and a couple of weeks later the attacks start on Nick. And then when he can't get to Nick he goes after Mother and Audra. Now I think you all have to agree that Hyatt is much more likely to do that than either the MacKenzies or Lenny Hamer." Jarrod stared at them all.

"Yeah, yeah." Nick agreed. "That's what bothered me about it being Lloyd or Hamer. The idea that either one would go after Mother and Audra like that. Now Hyatt on the other hand I could see doing something like that."

Heath spoke up. "O.K. Let's say it is Hyatt. We're still no better off than we were before. No one has actually seen him and if it is him, well, just like if it was Lloyd or Lenny, we can't prove it. Not only that but we still have to watch our backs. Only now its not just Nick, but all of us."

Jarrod rubbed a hand across his face, his gaze far away. Cass Hyatt, escaped from prison, now hunting down his family. He thought of his mother lying unconscious upstairs. He had come pretty close there. Who would be next? How could he deal with that if and when the time came? He had felt nothing but shame after coming so close to murdering Hyatt, but now? Jarrod laughed without mirth. "I guess you should have let me kill him that day after all, eh, Nick?" He stood there for a moment, pain showing in his eyes, then turned and walked quickly upstairs. He needed to be alone.

The others watched him out of sight. Fred was aware of his intrusion as the empathy among the three siblings with their oldest brother's anguish became palpable. Clearing his throat he said, "I'll be on my way now. I'm going to get a few extra men together and do some looking around, see if we can pick up anything on Hyatt. It might be a good idea to talk with Hamer and the MacKenzies as well, just to check up on where they were today. Then first thing tomorrow morning I'll check out the Old Mill and see what actually happened there."

Nick spoke, his voice husky with shared pain. "O.K., Fred. We'll meet you over at the mill tomorrow in the mornin'. Thanks for everything, Sheriff." He held out his hand.

"I haven't done much. But we'll get this mess straightened out yet. In the meantime you be careful." He looked at Heath and Audra. "All of you, you hear?"

"Thanks, Fred. Good night." "Good night, Sheriff." Heath and Audra said their goodbyes. Nick shut the door.

"Dr. Merar." The whisper brought the tired doctor awake with a start.

"Who is it?"

"Its Jarrod, Doctor. Sorry I startled you. How is she?"

Rising to his feet, the doctor came to stand next to Jarrod and said, "She woke up a couple of hours ago. She recognized me and spoke quite clearly. She's been sleeping much more comfortably ever since."

Jarrod gave a sigh of relief. "Then she's going to be all right."

"It'll be a few weeks before her arm heals completely, but yes, Jarrod she's going to be all right."

"I really can't thank you enough for all you've done, Doctor."

"That's what I'm here for, Jarrod."

"Listen, doctor, why don't you try to get a few hours sleep. I'll sit here with Mother. I can't sleep anyway, so one of us might as well get some rest."

Dr. Merar hesitated, then said, "All right, Jarrod, but you let me know if you need me."

Jarrod smiled. "I will. You can lie down in my room. You know where it is. Good night."

"Good night, Jarrod."

Jarrod watched as the older man left the room, then sat down in the chair vacated by the doctor. His gaze came to rest on the small woman sleeping peacefully in the large bed. The dim light from the lamp was just enough to see the outline of her face, but not the features. Jarrod was glad of that. She was such a strong, vital woman; it was difficult to see her looking so vulnerable and helpless.

Ever since Sheriff Madden's statement about Cass Hyatt, Jarrod had been in a state of turmoil. In the hours since he left them all standing there in the hall, the thoughts in his mind had been flaying him with anger, remorse, fear and every emotion in between. He had picked up Beth's picture, which sat on his bureau, and taken it over to the bed where he sat for a long time, contemplating it. Restless, he had moved to the window staring out into the darkness, wondering where Cass Hyatt was and what he was plotting.

He had moved back to the bureau, this time picking up the family photo, displayed so prominently there. His gaze took in each one of them; Nick, so full of life; Heath, quiet, but filled with untapped emotion; Audra, beautiful and headstrong; Mother, warm, strong, nurturing. Himself. What kind of danger had he placed the rest of them in by his actions or inaction? First, by following his passion for justice so strongly in prosecuting Hyatt. Then there had been that monster, the incredible wrath that had taken him over, body and soul. Would it have been better to let that monster win? If he had killed Hyatt that day, he wouldn't be worrying about which one of his family might be hurt next.

Now as he sat in the darkened room, Hyatt's latest victim before him, he felt none of that uncontrollable wrath. He was upset, angry, yes, but the monster wasn't there. And now, all these months later, in his rational mind, he could see that what had happened was that he had allowed himself to become like Hyatt himself. An animal, who killed and wallowed in the pleasure of it. He couldn't force himself to become inhuman again, to wish the ability to kill that man who had taken so much. He couldn't, wouldn't become that again. It wasn't who he was.

From far away he heard a voice, someone calling his name. For a moment he resisted, the dream was a pleasant one and he didn't want to let it go. If he woke up, reality would intrude and right now reality was too full of darkness and shadows. But the voice was insistent. Jarrod's blue eyes snapped open, and he found himself staring into the eyes of his mother.

"Mother!" Rising to his feet, he came to stand by the bed, smiling down at her. "How are you feeling?"

Not answering his question, she returned. "Jarrod. Did you sleep in that chair all night?"

Jarrod grinned at the mothering tone. "Just half the night."

There was a stirring at the door, and Dr. Merar entered, followed by an anxious-looking group of Barkleys. Victoria turned her head and greeted them. "I'm not quite dead yet. Quit looking as if you were going to a funeral."

In delight, Audra exclaimed, "Mother! Oh, I was so worried about you."

They all began to talk at once, relief at their mother's recovery evident in the laughter that soon emanated from the room. After a couple of minutes, Dr. Merar spoke up. "All right everyone. Your mother is going to be fine, but she still needs her rest."

Victoria broke in. "Now don't you try to make me out to be some kind of invalid, Howard."

"Victoria, I wouldn't dream of it." Shaking a finger at her, he added. "But you did take quite a crack on the head, so don't be trying to do too much too soon."

"Don't worry about that, Doc. We'll see to it that she rests." Nick said.

"Nick!" Victoria spoke as if seeing her son for the first time. "You're here! I just remembered the belt buckle, but I don't remember anything else. What happened out there?"

Dr. Merar answered first, "Now its not unusual to forget the events that occurred just before a head injury like yours, Victoria."

Interrupting, Victoria said. "Don't try to protect me, Howard. What did happen out there?" With interjections from her brothers, Audra filled her mother in on the happenings of the day before. Finishing, she said, "The only thing we don't know is what actually happened inside the mill. By the time I got you back here and the doctor looked at you, it was too late to go back there. The boys are going to meet the sheriff out there this morning and investigate."

"I'm just glad that Nick is safe. Do we have any idea who was behind this? Was it Lenny Hamer or one of the MacKenzies?" Victoria became aware of the silence that followed her remark. Staring from one of her children to the next, she said, "Now what's going on? You all know very well how I hate surprises. I may be lying in this bed right now, but I'll be up and around in a few days and if I find that you've kept something from me..." Her voice trailed off expectantly.

Jarrod glanced at Dr. Merar who shrugged his shoulders and then nodded at him. Jarrod took a breath and said, "Mother, Sheriff Madden received a letter yesterday from the warden at San Quentin. Apparently Cass Hyatt escaped from there some weeks ago."

"Cass Hyatt." Victoria's voice was quiet. "Oh, Jarrod, I'm sorry."

"I think I'm the one who should be saying I'm sorry, Mother."

Hearing the hurt in his voice, she looked at him with loving concern. "No, Jarrod. The only one who should be sorry is Cass Hyatt. That is if he's doing this? Is there any proof that it is he?"

"I think it's pretty obvious." Jarrod spoke tersely.

"Well, I don't, Jarrod." Nick wasn't going to let his older brother keep beating himself up for something that wasn't his fault. "There's absolutely no proof as to who's behind this. And since the person has mostly come after me, it seems more likely that its Hamer or MacKenzie."

Speaking for the first time, Heath said. "I say we all go have some breakfast, then go to the mill and see if we can find some of that proof we need."

"That's the best idea I've heard yet." Dr. Merar started waving his arms, shooing them all out of the room. "I'm still the doctor around here and I say you, Victoria, need more rest and quiet. And no arguments."

Feeling as if her head might fall off, Victoria didn't argue. She watched as her family left the room, then closed her eyes, troubled thoughts running through her mind.

"Hello, boys. How is your mother this morning?" Dismounting from Cocoa, Nick replied, "She's doing real well, Fred. She woke up in pretty good spirits this morning and Dr. Merar says she's going to be fine. What did you find out?"

"I've got some men out looking for Hyatt, but so far there's no sign of him. I talked with the MacKenzies and Lenny Hamer. Of course the MacKenzies all covered for each other, and Hamer's pals said he was with them all day yesterday. None of them are reliable witnesses, but I can't disprove it. So once again we're kind of stuck as far as they're concerned. Well, come on in, I'll show you what I found in here." Leading the way, Fred entered the door of the mill, having removed the loose boards beforehand. A strange sight greeted them as they followed Fred inside. A sack of flour hanging from a rope, which was attached to the rafter above, swung gently in front of them.

"What in blazes is that?" Nick exclaimed.

"Just what it looks like, Nick. This is what ‘attacked' your mother yesterday. Its really a simple device." Pointing upwards, the sheriff continued. "Two ropes were tied around the sack of flour, then the attacker climbed up with it and walked across the rafters until he was in front of the door. There he tied the loose end of the first rope around the rafter and coiled that rope up. The loose end of the second rope he dropped down to the floor below. He left the sack of flour balanced on the rafter and that was it."

"That was it? How did it hit Mother?" Heath looked puzzled, his gaze going from the rafter to the sack of flour and back.

"Well, when Victoria walked in the door here, her foot hit the second rope lying on the floor. That was enough to knock the sack off balance and it plummeted down, uncoiling the first rope which was attached to the rafter. I think that was probably the odd noise Audra heard. Once the sack reached the end of the first rope, it became a swinging pendulum. I expect when it first fell, it hit Victoria in the right shoulder, breaking her arm. The momentum sent her flying backwards into the boards behind her, where she hit her head and fell onto the ground outside." Fred paused to catch his breath.

"Simple and effective." Jarrod commented. "Hyatt didn't even have to be here. He left the buckle as bait and figured whoever walked in first would be bound to hit the rope and bam..." He stopped, shaking his head.

"If it was Hyatt," Nick spoke up.

"What do you mean, if it was Hyatt? I thought it was pretty obvious."

"It's not obvious to me. I still think we have to consider the others as suspects. Come on, Jarrod, you're letting your emotions carry you away. I bet Hyatt isn't within a hundred miles of here." Turning to the sheriff, Nick asked, "What about it, Fred. Did you find anything else here to connect it with Hyatt, or anyone else?"

Fred shook his head. "Except for the flour and ropes, there's nothing here that's out of place. There's some marks in the dust here, but nothing to tell me about who made them."

"I'm going to look around anyway, Fred. Maybe you missed something." Jarrod started to wander around the large, empty building checking everywhere for any clue, any hint of who had left the sack of flour hanging from the rafters.

"Be my guests, boys." Fred swept one arm around the room. "There's not a lot of light in here. You might see something I didn't. I'll be looking around outside if you need me." The brothers spread out, eyes glued to the ground, searching for any tangible evidence. Heath turned to the right and walked over to the far wall, which had built-in wooden steps leading to the rafters above. It was from here that the attacker had most likely accessed the rafters above.

Checking each step carefully, Heath made his way up to the very top. On the last step before he reached the wide-beamed rafter, he noticed something wedged in between the crack which separated the step from the wall. Reaching his hand down, he used his fingers to slide the object upwards and then carefully pull it out. It was a small piece of material, possibly torn from a shirt. Rubbing it between his fingers, Heath continued to the top of the rafter, and then walked along it carefully all the way over to where the rope was tied. Stopping, he shoved the material into his pocket and then sat down to get a closer look at the rope. It was just an ordinary rope and he shouted down below. "I'm going to untie the rope now, so watch out below." Having found nothing of interest, Jarrod and Nick came over to the door, heads upturned and watched as Heath managed to untie the long rope and then drop it, with its load of flour, onto the floor below.

Perched on the rafter above, Heath called down to his brothers who were taking a closer look at the sack of flour. "You fellows find anything?"

Glancing up at him, Jarrod shook his head and said, "Nothing down here. How about up there?"

"Just a piece of material. I doubt if it means anything. It could have been here for years for all I can tell. I might be able to get a better look out in the sunlight. I'm coming down now." Putting his words into action, Heath started back across the high rafter.

At that moment, Fred stuck his head in the doorway and said. "I got a problem over at the Miller ranch I need to look into. Any luck in here?"

Nick spoke up. "We didn't find anything, Fred. Heath said something about a piece of material, but I don't see what that's gonna prove."

Walking over to the door, the two followed Fred outside. Mounting his horse, the sheriff said, "Well, I think we've done all we can here. I'll see you boys later." Waving goodbye, Jarrod and Nick stood for a moment without speaking. Heath appeared at the door, blinking his eyes at the bright sunlight.

"Is that the sheriff leaving?" he asked, coming to stand by his brothers.

Unfolding his crossed arms, Nick said, "Yeah, there was some trouble at the Miller place he had to look into. You ready to go?"

"I am if you are. I just wanted to take a quick look at this." Heath pulled the material from his pocket and together the three stared at it. It was about two inches of medium blue material, that looked as if it had been torn from a shirt. The fabric was a coarse material, the kind used in a common laborer's shirt.

Jarrod reached out a hand and took the small piece from his brother. Twisting it around with his fingers, he gazed at it thoughtfully for a moment, then glanced up at his brothers. "You know, this isn't faded at all. I'd say it couldn't have been here for more than a couple of days."

"Which means that our attacker is the most likely one to have left it there." Nick took the piece from Jarrod, staring at it more closely.

"And I found it on the steps leading up to the rafters. Since we know he had to climb up there, that makes it even more likely it came from his shirt." Heath said.

"There's something else about it." Jarrod put in. "Look at the color and feel that texture. That's the same color and type of shirt the prisoners wear at San Quentin."

Letting out a whistle, Heath grabbed the piece from Nick and said, "Ya know, I think you're right, Jarrod."

"Now you can't be sure about that. Other people have been known to wear that color." Nick wasn't ready to concede anything yet.

"Come on, Nick, open your eyes. It all fits. Cass Hyatt escapes from prison. He starts going after you and then when he's foiled in that, he sets up this trap hoping Mother and Audra will walk into it. That material had to come off the attacker's shirt. The most likely suspect is Hyatt. Prisoners at San Quentin wear that exact type of shirt. Hyatt escaped from Quentin. Therefore, it had to be Hyatt. It's only logical." Jarrod stopped for breath, staring at his brother. Then in a quieter voice added. "I know you're trying to protect me, Nick. But we have to face facts here. All right?"

Grimacing, Nick nodded. "Yeah, yeah I guess you're right, Jarrod. It does seem logical. I just can't figure out where Hyatt is though. Its been weeks. You'd think somebody would have seen him or have some kind of news about him by this time."

"That's it! That's it, Nick!" Raising his head from contemplation of the bit of material he still held, Heath stared at his brothers, excitement in his eyes.

Nick returned, "That's what? What are you going on about now, Heath."

"What you just said about nobody seeing Hyatt and your talking about San Quentin just gave me an idea."

"Well out with it! Don't stand there trying to make us guess!"

"I'm trying to tell you, Nick. Don't you see? You're both right. It isn't just one or the other, its both of them. Lenny Hamer and Hyatt. Lenny just got out of prison, out of Quentin! And Hyatt just escaped. Both of them lived in Stockton before and both of them have grudges against the Barkleys. And I'll bet you anything that the two of them knew each other while they were in prison. They were in there at the same time you know."

Nick and Jarrod stared at him. The sudden realization of what Heath had said washing over them like a wave.

"Hyatt and Hamer." Jarrod's voice was a whisper. "The two of them in it together. Of course. It all makes sense now."

Nick was nodding his head. Swatting Heath on the back, he said, "I think you got it, boy! Lenny comes back here free and clear and then when Hyatt escapes, probably with Hamer's help, Lenny hides him out at his place. No wonder nobody's seen him. So what are we waiting for? I say we ride over to Hamer's right now and have it out with them."

"You know this time I'm with you, Nick." Jarrod spoke. "But we can't go in there with guns blazing. We have to take them by surprise. With Hyatt caught, we'll have evidence against both of them and can send them back to San Quentin where they belong."

"I don't care how we do it. Just so long as I get to give Lenny Hamer at least one hard punch in the face."

"Oh, I intend to do at least that much to Hyatt." With that uncharacteristic remark, Jarrod turned on his heel and strode over to where Seneca and the other horses were tied up. Nick raised his eyebrows at Heath, and the two followed their older brother. A moment later a cloud of dust rose in the air as the three rode out hard for Lenny Hamer's place.

"We're going to need some kind of signal to know when we're all in place. How about a whistle?" Heath asked.

"Oh, that's good. Just out in the middle of nowhere whistling Dixie I suppose." Nick said, throwing up a gloved hand.

"I didn't mean that. I was thinking about ole' Cooper Daniels. He's up and down the river two or three times a day, whistling that tuneless song of his. I bet Hamer's heard it so often he doesn't even think twice about it. I've heard you mimic it plenty of times, Nick. As soon as Jarrod and I hear you, I'll give a sound like a hawk and then we'll enter the front door. If Hamer and Hyatt try anything, you'll be in the back to stop them."

"All right, let's go." Waving his hand, Jarrod started toward the cabin, following a path that ran alongside the river. Nick and Heath followed close behind for about a quarter of a mile, then Jarrod and Heath cut to their left, going up a slight embankment and through a line of trees, leaving Nick to walk the path alone.

A few minutes later, the two brothers arrived in sight of the cabin. They stopped behind a large bush just a few yards from the front door. Heath nudged Jarrod. "Hamer's horse is tied up over there. It looks like he's home."

Jarrod nodded. "Good. We'll make an end to this once and for all. Now we just have to wait for Nick." Just as he finished speaking, they both heard the well-known whistle of the old fisherman Daniels. "Lets just hope its Nick and not really Daniels!" Heath said with a grin, then gave a single loud cry like a hawk.

"He's got awfully good timing if it is." Jarrod replied. "Let's go."

Bending low, the two made a quick dash toward the door, one on either side of it. Pulling out his gun, Jarrod nodded at Heath. Reaching out his hand, Heath grabbed a hold of the latch and pulled up. It moved with ease, and he pushed the door in. It made a slight creaking sound and Jarrod moved quickly before Hamer or Hyatt could be warned. Racing into the one-room cabin, Jarrod looked both right and left to be sure he wouldn't be surprised from one direction or the other. Heath was right behind him.

Hamer was splayed out on a rickety chair on the left side of the cabin. Upon hearing the creak and seeing the entrance of the two Barkleys, he jumped to his feet with a shout, knocking the chair over.

"What!..."

"Hold it right there, Hamer!" Jarrod shouted. "Get your hands in the air and don't try anything."

Hamer obeyed and said. "What do you think yur doing coming in here like that? You ain't got no right to be here!"

"Where is he, Hamer? Where is Hyatt?" Gesturing with his gun, Jarrod demanded an answer.

"Who? Hyatt? What're you talkin' about, Barkley? There ain't nobody here but me." Lenny Hamer glared at him.

"There's nobody else here, Jarrod." Heath confirmed. Walking over to the back window, he knocked on it with the butt of his gun to get Nick's attention. He waved his brother in and then turned back to face Hamer.

"We know you've been hiding out Cass Hyatt here, Lenny, so you might as well talk."

"Cass Hyatt? Is that who yur looking for? Hyatt's still in Quentin. He got life, ya know. Whatta ya think, I'm crazy or somethin'? If Hyatt busted out, I didn't have nuthin' ta do with it. And I sure wouldn't be stupid enough to hide him out here. I did my time and I ain't done nothin' since I got out. I oughta have you arrested for bustin' in here like that."

Catching Hamer's last words, Nick entered the front door and said, "Yeah, you try to have us arrested, Lenny. Just give me a good excuse to tear into you!"

"Nick! Take it easy." Jarrod quieted his brother. "Did you see anything out back? Any sign of Hyatt."

"I didn't see Hyatt or anybody else, Jarrod. You sure he's not in here?" Nick glanced around the small cabin.

"You couldn't hide a rat in here, let alone a man." Heath stated. "I guess he's not here."

"Ain't that what I told ya?" Hamer whined.

"It doesn't mean he wasn't here." Jarrod said. "Let's take a good look around and see if we can find any hard evidence that Hyatt's been here." Gesturing with the gun again, he said to Hamer, "Sit down in that chair, Hamer, and don't try anything stupid."

Picking up the chair from where it had fallen, Lenny lowered himself into it, complaining, "A man don't git no respect in his own house. And I told ya, Hyatt ain't here and he ain't been here. You go ahead and look all ya want." Putting one foot on his opposite knee and folding his arms defiantly, Hamer looked on while the three brothers started searching through his meager belongings. It didn't take long.

"Nothing." Nick stood in the middle of the room, looking around in disgust. Then he walked over to Hamer and hauled him to his feet.

"Hey, you'd better watch it, Barkley. I'll git the sheriff on ya all. You got no right ta come in here and..."

Holding the front of Hamer's shirt with one hand, Nick gave him a shake as if he were a small puppy. Then pulling him closer, he stuck his face into his and snarled. "Hamer, you were guilty before and you're guilty now. Don't try to bluff us. You wouldn't go within a mile of the sheriff and we all know it. Now you come clean, you hear? Where's Hyatt at?"

"I told ya. I don't know what yur talkin' about. Hyatt ain't been here. You didn't find anythin' did ya?"

Heath and Jarrod walked over closer, watching the exchange with interest. Nick spoke up again. "You know, Lenny, I'm starting to believe you. And you know what. Maybe it has been you all along. Just you, Lenny-boy. And if it is, you're going to be the sorriest..."

Lenny interrupted, fear in his voice. "I told ya, I don't know nuthin' about Hyatt or anythin' else. I don't even know what yur talkin' about!"

"I'm talking about the rocks, Lenny. The ones you tried to drop on me over at Marlowe Canyon. And the gunshot. How about that, Lenny. Remember the other night, spooking my horse?" Using both hands, Nick pulled Hamer around, bringing him up hard against the wall. In a barely controlled voice, Nick said, "And what about my mother, Hamer? Huh? What kind of lousy low- life are you, taking this out on my mother!"

"I didn't! I don't know what yur talkin' about. I didn't touch yur mother. Are you crazy or somethin'?" Hamer brought his hands up in front of his face, as if afraid Nick was going to use it as a punching bag at any minute.

Nick stared at him for a long moment. Then, in disgust, he pushed him away. Hamer hit the other wall and slid down into a heap, where he remained, fearful that Nick would come after him again.

Turning to his brothers, Nick said, "Well, now what?"

Indicating Hamer on the floor, Heath said, "We're obviously not going to get anything out of him. We might as well head on home."

Jarrod put in. "I still say Hamer's lying. I think Hyatt was here, he's just smart enough to know when to get out."

The three started out the door and Nick threw over his shoulder to Hamer, "If I find out you're lying, Lenny, you're going to be real sorry. And if you are the one who's been ambushing me and my family, you're going to wish you'd never been born." Slamming the door behind him, Nick stalked out, joining his brothers some distance from the cabin.

"So is it Hamer or not?" Heath greeted him.

"I say he's too much of a coward. My money is still on Hyatt. He's out there somewhere. I can feel it." Jarrod jumped in before Nick could get in a word. He looked around as if expecting to see Cass Hyatt come popping out of the trees.

Nick put in. "I don't know what to think. Either Hamer is lying or he's one darn good actor. He really didn't seem to have any idea what I was talking about when I mentioned the attacks."

"Well, if Hamer is the one behind the attacks, maybe we've scared him enough to back off."

"And if its Hyatt?" Jarrod raised an eyebrow at Heath.

"Maybe he'll give up too. After all, he's got to know by this time we're watching our backs and that we suspect him. He had the element of surprise before, but now? I think he'd figure he should get out while the getting's good." Before either brother could reply, Heath added. "Boy, howdy, I'm too tired and too hungry to think about this right now anyway. Let's go home and get some lunch."

Agreeing, the three brothers turned and started back to where they had left the horses.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, and Victoria greeted her family with a cheerful smile when they walked into her room. "So where is my breakfast?"

Nick laughed out loud. "Mother, you never cease to amaze me! Less than two days ago we weren't sure you were going to make it and here you are demanding food."

"I don't think I'm quite ready for steak and eggs yet, but I am hungry." Victoria looked around expectantly.

Audra smiled, "I'll get it for you, Mother. These cowpokes wouldn't know one end of the kitchen from the other anyway." Making a playful face at her brothers, she flounced from the room.

Watching her leave the room, Victoria became thoughtful. She turned to her sons and asked, "Have you found out anything about Cass Hyatt yet? How much longer do we have to keep looking over our shoulders?"

The three looked at each other. Jarrod sighed and told her of the events of the day before. Finishing up, he added, "I guess we keep on being extra careful for awhile. I think we've given both Hamer and Hyatt a strong warning that we're on to them. Maybe like Heath said, they'll start worrying about their own skins and back off."

Victoria gazed at him for a long moment, then turned her head to look at Nick. "The fact of the matter is that neither of you believe that for a minute. Jarrod, you're still convinced that Hyatt is behind this and its all your fault for bringing him here. And Nicholas, you just as stubbornly think that Hamer's got it in for you. And neither one of you is going to be satisfied with anything less than one or both of those men caught red-handed and thrown back in prison."

Nick answered, "I'd be satisfied with either one of them if we could just find some evidence instead of running up against a brick wall every time."

"And here we are!" Jarrod said with mock gaiety. "We keep going round and round and don't seem to really get anywhere. It's as if we're that close to the oasis, but every time we get near enough to drink, it turns into a mirage." Exasperated, he threw his hands into the air and then said, "I have to get into the office. You behave yourself, Mother, and I'll see you later."

As he bent to give her a kiss, Victoria said, "I want you to be careful too, Jarrod. Don't go into town by yourself. Promise?"

"I promise, Mother." Jarrod replied.

Nick broke in, "Don't worry, Mother. I'll ride in with him myself."

"Don't you have some work to do around here, Brother Nick? Or is this just an excuse to see a certain young lady?" Laughter glinted in Jarrod's eyes.

Nick snorted, "I don't need an excuse to see Bella. And as for the ranch, what's the point of being in charge if you can't take off when you feel like it?"

Heath asked, "Do you really want me to answer that?" Smiling at his mother, he said, "Don't worry, Mother, I'll watch over both of them."

With Victoria looking on, the three left the bedroom, trading good-natured insults.

It was a long, productive day for Jarrod as he spent the morning in his office pouring over briefs and precedences, and then defended his findings in court for much of the afternoon. By early evening, he was tired but content. All his cases were proceeding as he'd hoped and he hadn't had time to even think about Cass Hyatt.

As he left his office and headed over to the Gold Eagle to meet Nick and Heath, he was greeted by Judge Elroy Parker.

"Evening, Jarrod."

"Good evening, Roy." Jarrod returned. "I see you and Irene finally made it back from San Francisco."

Judge Parker laughed. "I tell you, Jarrod, its hard to pull Irene away from the big city. I'm afraid she'll want to move there when I retire from the bench. Now my idea of retirement is sitting by the side of a lake fishing."

Jarrod laughed with him. "Maybe you'll have to raise your sights just a little bit higher. After all San Francisco is known for its fish, Your Honor."

His eyes twinkling, the judge replied. "Maybe I'll start a second career as a whaler or deep sea fisherman." Becoming serious, he added, "By the way, Jarrod, I'm glad I caught you before you headed home. I have a consultation first thing in the morning and I need to look over the Eichmann contracts tonight."

"I'm sorry, Roy, I don't have them at the office. I took them home the other day and they're still there. I didn't realize you were going to need them so soon."

"It came up rather suddenly. In fact it's the only way I convinced Irene that I needed to get back here."

"Listen, I'll ride out to the ranch, pick them up and bring them over to your place."

"I don't want to put you out, Jarrod."

Interrupting, Jarrod said, "Its no trouble at all. I can check on Mother and still have plenty of time to get back here for a poker game with Nick and Heath."

"A little game with the boys, eh? Too bad I can't join you. Your father and I used to have some real barn burners in our day."

"I remember those, Your Honor. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, that's where I first learned the art of bluffing." Jarrod grinned.

The judge smiled in return. "I think you learned a lot more than that. I've often heard a few sayings of mine come back to haunt me in my court."

"They certainly have come in handy, especially when I think you're about to fine me with contempt of court!"

"So that's what it is. I'll remember that the next time, Jarrod. Well, I'd better let you be on your way. I guess I'll see you at my place in an hour or so." Shaking hands, the two men said their goodbyes and parted company.

Heading across the street, Jarrod walked into the livery stable where he had left Seneca that morning. He was greeted by the young stable hand, Danny Travers. "Howdy, Mr. Barkley. I'm afraid Mr. Ellsworth had to go home for an emergency. One of the kids broke his leg. Mr. Ellsworth didn't have time to put a shoe on Seneca. Albert is supposed to come by and do it, but he hasn't shown up yet."

"I'm kind of in a hurry, Danny. I'm coming right back into town anyway, so I'll just take one of your other horses."

Danny replied, "Gosh, I'm real sorry, Mr. Barkley, but the only horse we got in right now is ole' Blue. And he ain't going to get you very far."

Impatient, Jarrod said. "All right, Danny. My brother Nick is over at the saloon, so I'll take his horse. You see that Albert gets that shoe on before I get back, will you?" Without waiting for a reply, Jarrod was out the door and moving toward the Gold Eagle, where he could see Cocoa tied up out front. Entering the saloon, Jarrod glanced around the room, taking in the few customers seated there. None of them was Nick. Walking over to the counter, he greeted Harry behind the bar.

"Evening, Harry. Its sort of quiet in here isn't it?"

"Hello, Jarrod. Its early yet. The place will start to liven up in another hour or so. What can I do for you?"

Pushing his hat further back on his head, Jarrod asked, "Have you seen my brothers? I was supposed to meet them here. I saw Nick's horse out front, but I don't see him anywhere."

Harry nodded his head. "He was in here a little while ago. He said something about going over to the boarding house for a minute."

"Uh huh. If that's where he went, it'll be for longer than a minute. You haven't seen Heath?"

"Nope. Not yet."

"Listen, Harry. I have to ride back to the ranch for some papers. My horse threw a shoe this morning and he isn't ready yet, so I'm going to take Nick's horse. Will you let him know? And tell both of them I'll be back for that poker game." With a wave of his hand, Jarrod started out the swinging doors.

Harry called after him. "Sure thing, Jarrod. I'll let ‘em both know."

A minute later Jarrod mounted Cocoa and turned him in the direction of the ranch. He took one last look around as he headed out of town, but saw no sign of either of his brothers. He was halfway home before he remembered his promise to his mother. "Well, I only promised I wouldn't go into town by myself, nothing about going back home." He grinned to himself. Becoming serious, he allowed his thoughts to stray to Cass Hyatt. Lenny Hamer's protest to the contrary, he was still convinced that Hyatt was the one behind the attacks. "He's out there somewhere, I know it."

Glancing around, Jarrod realized it was starting to become dark, and he still had a fair way to go before reaching home. Kicking up Cocoa, he concentrated on riding. It was just a few minutes later when he became aware of someone riding towards him, coming up fast from the right. He had all but convinced himself that not only was Cass Hyatt behind the attacks, but that he was only going after Jarrod's family, not Jarrod himself. Hearing the approaching horse, Jarrod had his first twinge of misgiving. Had it been only misplaced pride that had prompted him to ride out alone? Tossing aside the thought, Jarrod laughed at himself. "You're getting as bad as a little kid afraid of the dark. Its probably just the Millers or the Stanleys on their way home."

Pushing Cocoa a little harder, he tried to still the thoughts running through his head. Even as he chided himself, the hoof beats came to an end. With a sigh of relief, Jarrod continued moving at a fast pace. At that moment, a figure reared up in front of him, coming out of the brush to his left and blocking the path ahead. Startled, he pulled back with both hands on the reins, causing Cocoa to rise up part way, stumble and come to a dead stop. There was a moment of complete silence and then a voice from the right shouted, "I've got you now, Barkley!"

Nick turned to him and shouted. "Somebody stole my horse! I left Cocoa tied up right here and he's gone." He looked around again as if expecting to see Cocoa appear out of thin air and then said in exasperation. "I don't believe it! Everybody around here knows ole' Cocoa. They couldn't expect to get away with stealing him."

Trying to calm his brother, Heath replied, "Now, Nick. Maybe somebody just borrowed him. After all, as old as he is, I don't think some horse thief is going to pick Cocoa to steal. Let's go inside and see if Harry knows anything about it."

"Yeah. Maybe you're right. Jarrod oughta be here too. He's probably wondering where we've been."

Entering the saloon, the two headed over to the bar where Harry was busy straightening up. Raising a hand in greeting, Harry said, "Before I forget, Jarrod said to tell you that he's taking Cocoa. He said something about his horse throwing a shoe and having to get some papers at the ranch." The bartender shrugged and added. "He also said he'd be back for the poker game."

"Well, how do you like that? My own brother a horse thief! You just never know, do you?" Nick grinned, turning to share the joke with Heath, but stopped upon seeing the serious look on his brother's face. "What's the matter, Heath?"

"Jarrod rode back to the ranch by himself and its getting dark out there. I don't like it."

Nick became concerned. Turning to Harry he asked, "How long ago did my brother leave, Harry?"

Wiping a glass with a towel, Harry wrinkled his brow in concentration, then answered. "About a half hour ago I guess, more or less. Why? Is something the matter?"

Looking grim, Nick replied, "I hope not. We'll see you later, Harry. Let's go, Heath." He stopped.

"What's the matter now?"

"I forgot. Jarrod took Cocoa and I don't have a horse."

"We can get one at the livery." Heath replied.

"Jarrod must have been there earlier if Seneca threw a shoe. If he had to take Cocoa, they must not have had any horses."

Harry interrupted. "Don't worry about it, boys. My horse is tied up in back. Take him."

"Thanks, Harry. I owe you one." To his brother he added. "I'll meet you around front."

Two minutes later Nick and Heath rode out of Stockton.

As the man's voice rang out from the side, Jarrod realized there were two of them. "Of course! Hyatt and Hamer," he thought. He kicked Cocoa hard in both sides, yelling loudly as he did so. The old horse, however, couldn't move quickly enough. The man in front of him jumped forward, grabbing for Cocoa's bridle. Jarrod kicked at him, but at that moment another figure came flying toward him from the left, knocking him from the horse's back and carrying him to the ground. Shock ran through Jarrod, even as he fought to defend himself--there were three of them!

Rolling on the ground with his assailant, he managed to land a few good punches and free himself from the man. Scrambling to his feet, he heard Cocoa whinnying in the background. At that moment the man who had first shouted at him dove at him, knocking him to the ground again. The two struggled for a minute, neither gaining the upper hand. Jarrod managed to get one knee under him as he felt his opponent weakening beneath his grip. Just as he was about to throw a final blow, the other two men grabbed him from behind.

Jarrod struggled against them, as they hauled him to his feet. He slipped one arm free, but was rocked by a hard fist thrown by the first man who had regained his feet. He threw two more quick punches to the stomach. Jarrod's breath rushed from his lungs and he felt himself falling. The two men let him drop, and together the three kicked him over and over again. Burning pain turned to numbness, and finally, mercifully, unconsciousness claimed him.

Breathing hard, the three men stood over him for a moment, laughing. "Well, I guess we showed him." The first man gave the still body one more kick, then said, "Let's get out of here." Grabbing up their hats, the men mounted their horses and rode off. All was quiet as Jarrod lay alone on the dark, empty road.

A half hour later Nick and Heath came riding down the same road. If it hadn't been for the nervousness of the horses as they passed by, they would have missed the still figure lying at the side.

"What's the matter with you, Charger?" Heath asked, trying to get the big horse to quit shying across the road. The two had run the horses as hard as they'd dared for several miles and had only slowed down a little because of the gathering darkness.

"Old Whiskey and Rum here is acting up the same way," Nick complained. Looking around, he pulled back on the reins and brought Harry's horse to a stop. "What is that?" he asked, already dismounting from the horse. He took a couple of steps forward; a tightening knot was making his stomach hurt. Pulling his gun from its holster, he continued, a strange foreboding carrying him forward. A second later he gave a cry and rushed forward, kneeling next to the silent body of his older brother.

"Heath, go for the doctor. Now! Its Jarrod! He's been hurt bad! Get Dr. Merar now!"

Jumping off of Charger, Heath came over to Nick's side. "You're going to need help getting him up on the horse," was all he said. With great care, the two managed to lift Jarrod's limp body onto Whiskey and Rum's broad back. Then with no regard for their own safety, the two brothers set out on their separate missions; Heath back to Stockton and Nick to the ranch.

As Nick rode onto the lane leading up to the Barkley Mansion, he was met by several of his ranch hands. When Cocoa had arrived riderless a short while before, the alarm had gone out and the many cowboys under Nick's employ had ridden out to find him.

Hap Carson greeted him in open relief. "Hey, Boss! You're O.K. We were getting real worried there when Cocoa came in without you."

Clint Danvers asked, "Who's that with you?"

"Its Jarrod. He's been beat up pretty bad. Help me get him into the house, will you boys? Heath rode back into town for the doctor."

The next hour flew by in confusion. Audra and the Barkley's manservant, Silas, had met Nick and the hands at the door. They had tried to keep the news of Cocoa's return from Victoria, but at Nick's entrance she appeared on the landing above. Nick and Audra ran themselves ragged trying to keep their mother from doing too much, tending to Jarrod's needs and waiting for Heath and Dr. Merar to return.

Upon the doctor's entrance, the family stood about Jarrod's bedside waiting anxiously for his verdict. After what seemed an eternity, he looked up.

"He's been beaten up real bad. He has several broken ribs and possible internal injuries." He paused for a moment as Jarrod stirred, moaning under his breath.

Victoria glanced down at her son with concern and then back at Dr. Merar. "Internal injuries? How bad is it, Doctor?"

Dr. Merar smiled without amusement, "It looks like I'll be spending another night here, Victoria. First, I'll bind those ribs real good to make sure he doesn't puncture a lung. If he's bleeding badly inside, there's not much I can do for that. I'll watch him through the night and see how he's getting along. If necessary I may have to operate, but if he loses too much blood there's not much hope."

"He may die?" Victoria's voice was controlled.

"That's the best I can give you at the moment. If he's not too badly damaged on the inside and the blood loss isn't severe, well then its just a matter of time." Putting a hand on Victoria's shoulder, Dr. Merar added, "Victoria, he's young and strong and healthy. That's in his favor. I promise I'll do everything in my power to get him through this. Right now there's nothing you can do here and you're looking very pale. You're still recovering yourself. You won't do Jarrod any good if you make yourself worse. You need to be in bed."

Nick spoke up. "The doctor's right, Mother. You need your rest. We'll all watch over Jarrod. He'll be all right."

"All right. But promise me you'll let me know if..." Victoria paused clearing the huskiness from her throat. "Let me know if there's any change."

"I promise, Victoria." Turning to Audra, the doctor added. "See her back to her room will you, Audra?"

Nodding her head, Audra put an arm around her mother and the two women left the room.

Several hours later the large house was quiet. Victoria and Audra slept soundly; Victoria in exhaustion, Audra drained after crying herself to sleep. Heath and Dr. Merar dozed fitfully in chairs in Jarrod's room and Nick kept a silent vigil by his brother's bedside.

Nick was too tired and emotionally charged to sleep. Thoughts kept running through his head like trains on a track. No matter where he started, he came back to the same conclusion. Jarrod had been on his horse Cocoa and it was dark when he had been attacked. Therefore the attacker had really been after him and Jarrod had paid for it. "I'm sorry, Jarrod. If there was anyway I could take this back, I would. One way or another I'll make them pay, whoever it was." Settling back in his chair, Nick continued his watch. He was still there when dawn broke on another day.

"Hey, Jarrod! How are you feeling? You sure gave us a scare last night." He smiled, his eyes anxious.

Jarrod's voice was barely audible. "I hurt. Everywhere." He closed his eyes again as if the effort had been too much.

Nick grimaced in sympathy for his brother's pain. He looked up at Dr. Merar who came up on the other side of the bed and reached for a wrist to take Jarrod's pulse. "Jarrod, can you hear me?"

Jarrod opened his eyes again, staring at the doctor. His eyes were unfocused and filled with pain. "I hear you, Doctor. Where am I?"

"You're at home, in your own bed. Just relax now and don't try to talk too much." The doctor bent over him, examining his eyes. Then he added. "I know you're in a lot of pain right now, Jarrod. But I don't want to give you any laudanum until I examine you again. I need you to tell me where it hurts."

"All right, Doctor." Jarrod turned his head slightly, catching sight of his brothers standing on the other side. "Nick, Heath."

"Hey, Jarrod." Heath raised a hand as if in comfort, then shoved both his hands in his pocket as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with them.

Nick leaned over closer and asked. "Jarrod, did you see who it was? Do you know who did this to you?"

There was a long pause before the whispered response, "There were three of them."

Nick looked startled, turned to exchange a glance with Heath, then faced Jarrod again and said, "Three of them? You mean it was the MacKenzies after all?"

The pause seemed interminable, but finally the reply came. "No. I recognized his voice...the one who spoke. It was Lenny Hamer."

"Hamer! I knew it! I should have taken care of him when I had the chance!" Nick was livid.

Heath put a quieting hand on his brother's shoulder and continued the questioning. "What about the other two, Jarrod? Do you know who they were? Was Hyatt one of them?"

Jarrod took a painful breath and said. "I don't think so. I think... I believe they were Hamer's pals. Those two friends of his that are always hanging around him." Jarrod's voice died out and Dr. Merar broke in.

"That's enough now, boys. I need to examine him again and then he needs to rest."

Nick patted Jarrod's shoulder, then straightened up and addressed Dr. Merar. "All right, Doc. We'll let Mother and Audra know what's going on." Turning to Heath he added, "Then you and I have a little visit to pay on our friend Hamer."

A few minutes later, after bringing their mother and Audra up-to-date, Nick and Heath strapped on their gun belts and started for the front door. As Nick reached for the knob, a knock sounded. Surprised, he opened the door to reveal Sheriff Madden.

"Good morning, Sheriff. You're out early." Nick greeted him.

"Morning, Nick, Heath. I heard what happened to Jarrod and came right over. How is he?"

Inviting the tall man into the house, Nick said, "He was beaten up pretty bad and he's in a lot of pain. Dr. Merar isn't sure yet how badly he's hurt on the inside. He's with him now. Jarrod did wake up for awhile, so I guess that's a good sign."

Sheriff Madden eyed the gun belts, looked Nick in the eyes and commented, "I guess he told you who did it."

Nick shoved his jaw forward, the words coming out hard. "I guess he did, Fred. And I'm going to see Lenny Hamer pays for all the grief he's caused this family."

"So it was Lenny Hamer, eh? I should have known. But I'm afraid you're not going to get the chance to have it out with him, Nick."

Nick's laugh was a harsh sound. "Come on, Sheriff. You can arrest me if you want, but I've gotta right to go after Hamer. Did you know Jarrod was riding Cocoa last night? It was me Hamer was after. I should be the one lying up there right now, not Jarrod. So you arrest me right now or get out of my way, Fred."

The sheriff looked at him. "I know how you feel, Nick. Lenny Hamer could probably use a good beating, but right now I've got Hamer and his two friends locked up in my jail and that's where they're going to stay."

"In jail? For what?"

"The three of them came into town last night and got real drunk. They picked a fight with the MacKenzie brothers who were in town and together they did considerable damage to the Gold Eagle. Besides that a couple of innocent bystanders were hurt, and well, to make a long story short, they're going to be in jail for awhile." Fred paused to see what affect his words had on Nick.

Nick stood silent, taking in the news. He had been all keyed up for a good fight and now he was feeling like a balloon that had all the air let out of it. Taking off his hat, he ran his hand through his hair, knocked the hat against his side a couple of times then said, "Well, I guess that takes care of that." He started to say more, stopped, then headed for the door. "I'll be outside if you need me." Placing his hat back on his head he stepped outdoors, slamming the door behind him.

Heath spoke up. "He just needs to cool down, Fred. He took what happened to Jarrod pretty hard and he blames himself."

"Yeah. I know, Heath. I can't say as I blame him. Lenny Hamer has been a troublemaker since he was ten years old. I've felt like punching him a time or two myself. I need to be getting back to town. Let me know how Jarrod's doing." The sheriff opened the door and stepped outside.

Holding the door open, Heath said, "Thanks for everything, Sheriff. I'll keep you posted. At any rate, with Hamer behind bars I guess this means we can quit looking over our shoulders every time we step outside. Everyone will be glad of that."

The sheriff nodded. "Right. Its good to have that mystery solved at least. See you later, Heath."

"Goodbye, Sheriff." Closing the door, Heath leaned against it for a moment, then turned and headed upstairs.

Nick spent nearly a half an hour wandering around outside going nowhere in particular. He had too much on his mind to think about and he didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment anyway. The last few days had been filled with more ups and downs and bumps and bruises than any bronco ride he'd ever taken. As he began to calm down, he could look at things more dispassionately. At least now the truth was known. It had been Lenny Hamer all the time and now he was safely behind bars. With the charges against him from the saloon fight and the assault against Jarrod, they should have enough to put him away for a good long time. "I just wish I'd given him one good, hard punch in the face while I had the chance," he said to himself for about the hundredth time.

He turned his steps back toward the house, and as he was crossing the lane that led toward the stable area, heard hoof beats coming down the road. Walking over to the side, he stopped, waiting to see who would appear around the bend. He didn't recognize the dark brown horse, but a second later a smile came to his lips as he identified the rider as Bella.

As he went forward to meet her, she pulled up beside him and said, "Oh, Nick! I'm so glad you're all right! I heard something about Cocoa and some men, but nobody really seems to know what happened."

Helping her down from the horse, Nick said, "I'm all right, Bella. Jarrod was riding Cocoa last night and Lenny Hamer and his friends went after him thinking he was me. They beat him up pretty bad."

Bella stopped for a moment, staring up at the house. "Oh, Nick that's terrible. And to think it might have been you! How is Jarrod? He is going to make it all right, isn't he?"

"I hope so. He made it through the night okay. Dr. Merar is looking at him again right now. I was just going inside to see what he had to say."

Hitching the rented horse near the stable, the two walked to the house together. Bella asked, "What about Lenny Hamer? Has he been arrested?"

"Yeah. The sheriff arrested him and his friends last night after they broke up the Gold Eagle. Then this morning Jarrod identified Hamer as his attacker. So it looks like he'll be going back to Quentin."

Bella said. "You and the family must be so relieved, Nick. I mean you finally know who the mysterious attacker is and he's locked up safe where he can't harm any of you."

Nick smiled. "It is a good feeling. I'll feel even better once I know that Jarrod is going to be all right."

Reaching the front entrance, Nick opened the door for Bella and they entered the house.

There had been no more attacks on any member of the family and the anxiety of the past few weeks was beginning to fade. As Nick and Heath rode into town, Nick commented, "I hate to say I told you so, but I think you have to admit I was right about Hamer. We haven't had one bit of trouble since he's been in jail."

Heath replied with a grin. "I don't think you hate it at all, big brother. Quite frankly, I don't mind anyway. I'm just glad we don't have to keep looking over our shoulders and worrying about who's going to be hurt next."

"I can't argue with you there," Nick replied.

Arriving in town, the two pulled up in front of the jail and dismounted. It had been a busy week on the ranch, and they hadn't had much of an opportunity to speak with the sheriff about Lenny Hamer.

Fred greeted them as they walked through the door. "Morning, Nick, Heath. How's the family?"

"Everyone's doing real well, Fred." Nick said. "Mother is almost as good as new and Doc Merar told Jarrod that he could start moving around tomorrow."

Heath interrupted, a smile on his face. "Yeah, we're just all glad it wasn't Nick lying there in bed all this week. He would have driven us loco for sure."

Fred laughed, then said, "I take it this isn't just a social call, boys?"

"Well, actually, we wanted to find out if Hamer has confessed yet to the attacks on me and what he did to Mother?" Nick queried.

The sheriff shook his head and said. "Hamer admits to the attack on Jarrod. He says he wanted to pay you back for breaking into his cabin and roughing him up the other day." Fred paused, giving Nick and Heath a hard stare and then said in a dry tone. "That's an incident I've decided to overlook seeing what you and the family have gone through. Although Jarrod certainly should have known better."

Nick jumped in. "Now, Sheriff, we had every reason to believe that an escaped killer was hiding out there..."

Holding up a hand, Fred quieted Nick. "I know, I know, Nick. I said I'd overlook it. As for Hamer, he still insists that he had nothing to do with the other attacks on you or the one on your mother. So that's where we stand as of now."

"You know Hamer is lying, Sheriff. He's been in jail all this week and we haven't had one incident. If that doesn't prove he's guilty, I don't know what does." Nick was starting to look as if he'd like to enter the door to the cells and have it out with Hamer right then and there.

"I think you're right, Nick, but his trial doesn't come up for another couple of weeks, so until then you're just going to have to wait. At least he's locked up tight where he can't do any more harm." Standing up, the sheriff added, "I've got rounds to make, boys. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

The two shook their heads and Nick said, "I guess not, Sheriff. Like you said we'll just have to wait."

Heath added. "Thanks for everything, Sheriff. We do appreciate it."

"That's what I'm here for. I'll see you later."

The three exited the door together and went their separate ways; the sheriff to make rounds, Heath to the gun shop and Nick to the boarding house to see Bella.

The week went by in peace and quiet as normalcy and routine returned to the Barkley ranch. The first day out of bed proved to be an exhaustive experience for Jarrod, but by the third day, although he spent most of the time sitting down, he began to feel his strength coming back.

Two weeks after the attack, he was at the desk in the study, looking through some long neglected paperwork. Nick and Heath were out on the North Forty and Audra and Victoria had taken one of the buggies over to the Miller's ranch for afternoon tea. Except for Silas, Jarrod had the house to himself. It was rather a relief to have some time alone after days spent in bed being waited on and pampered. Time flew by as he buried himself in contracts, briefs and other legal matters. Several hours later, the sound of an approaching horse brought him back to the present.

Lifting his head, Jarrod paused a moment wondering who it could be; he didn't feel up to visiting with any of the neighbors. The sound of hoof beats stopped and a moment later a knock sounded. Jarrod waited for Silas to answer the door, but nearly a minute went by and then the knock came again. Remembering that Silas had said something about going to the garden, Jarrod gave a sigh, hauled himself to his feet and headed for the front entrance. He still couldn't move very fast.

Opening the door, Jarrod was greeted by Bella. "Why, Jarrod. I didn't expect you to be up answering the door."

Jarrod smiled. "Around here, once they decide you're not going to die, you don't get anymore sympathy."

Bella laughed, then asked. "Is Nick at home or is he still out on the range?"

Jarrod replied, "He's not home yet, but he should be coming soon for dinner. Nick never misses a meal. Please come in and wait, won't you?"

Bella hesitated, then said, "I don't want to put you out, Jarrod, but if you think he'll be coming soon." She stepped across the threshold as Jarrod held the door open for her. Following Jarrod into the study, she continued. "I came to see if Nick will be able to go on a picnic this Friday. We've already cancelled it four times because of everything going on. This time we're going for sure!"

Arriving in the study, Jarrod indicated a chair and stated. "I'm sure you'll make it this time. With Lenny Hamer in jail, we haven't had any problems at all."

"That was my thought exactly." Bella said, seating herself in the plush chair.

"Can I get you anything to drink, Bella?" Jarrod asked.

"No, thank you. I'm fine."

Jarrod sat down in the chair opposite her and asked, "What do you think of Stockton, now that you've been here...what is it? About two months now?"

"Not quite that long yet, but close. I've found the people here to be very friendly. I'm going to hate to leave once Miss Keleher returns. Maybe I'll find another post here so that I can stay." Bella gave a quick smile.

"I'm sure Nick will have something to say about that!" Jarrod said with laughter in his voice, then added. "By the way, have you heard anything from Miss Keleher? How is her mother?"

Bella shook her head. "I haven't heard anything for awhile. I guess she still isn't doing well."

"What about you, Bella? We really haven't had much of a chance to get to know one another. I know you're from the East, but I don't know exactly where. Do you have family back there?" Jarrod questioned. Then added, " If I may ask?"

Bella sat quietly for a moment as if gathering her thoughts. She lifted her head then and said, "My home is in a small town in Virginia, just across from Washington, D.C. My parents are dead. That was some years ago. I do have a brother. He's all I have. We were very close growing up, but he's been gone away and I haven't seen him in a long time." She stopped for a moment, her eyes far away. Then looking at Jarrod squarely, she added, "You have no idea how lucky you are to have your family, Jarrod."

Jarrod was thoughtful. "I suppose I am. I think I've come to realize that even more over the last couple of weeks."

A loud voice emanating from the front entranceway interrupted them. "Mother! Where are you!" Jarrod grinned and said as he rose to his feet, "Nick is home!"

Rising from her chair, Bella followed him out of the room. Reaching the hallway, Jarrod greeted Nick who was on his way up the stairs. "Nick, they can hear you all the way to Boston. You have a visitor."

Turning around, Nick spotted Bella and smiled. Coming back down the stairs he greeted her, "Hello, Bella. What brings you all the way out here?"

"Our picnic, Mr. Barkley. The one we've been trying to go on for weeks now and haven't been able to. Well, I've decided that this Friday is it. So you can pick me up at the boarding house at eleven."

Raising his hand in a salute, Nick said, "Yes, ma'am. I will be there, ready to go at eleven a.m. sharp."

Bella nodded her head. "Good. I'll have everything we need, so you don't need to bring a thing."

As she headed for the door, Nick asked. "Are you leaving already? Can't you stay for dinner?"

"I'd love to Nick, but I have papers to grade and lessons to plan, plus deciding what to have for the picnic. Some other time perhaps when things aren't so hectic." Glancing back over her shoulder, she added, "Goodbye, Jarrod."

"Goodbye, Bella."

Nick opened the door for her, and together they went outdoors.

Friday dawned a beautiful, clear day. At eleven a.m. sharp, Nick pulled the buggy in front of the boarding house and stepped down, hitching the reins to the post. Bella was waiting for him at the door.

"You're right on time, Mr. Barkley!" Her voice was bright and excited.

"Of course, m'lady." Nick swept her a low bow, then looked up with a grin. "When it comes to picnics and lovely ladies, I'm always on time. Shall we?"

Taking the picnic basket she held, he placed it in the buggy, then assisted Bella into the carriage. Jumping in beside her, he took up the reins, yelled a "Giddyup" to Barney and started on their way. The two spent a peaceful day by the river, eating, talking and enjoying each other's company. Later in the afternoon, they started a lazy walk through the hills and countryside just northeast of Stockton.

Nick was beginning to slow down after about an hour, but Bella urged him on. "Come on, Nick. There's an old house just over this next hill that I've been longing to take a closer look at. Its just a little bit farther."

Nick stopped, looking in the direction she indicated. "Over there? That's the old Emory Davis house, Bella. The place is a wreck. Nobody's lived there for years."

"Oh, come on, Nick. I love spooky old houses. You're not getting soft on me are you?" With an impish look at him, she turned and started running toward the house.

"Bella! Come back. That place isn't safe. Bella!" Shaking his head as she disappeared over the hill, he started out after her at a slow trot. A minute later he reached the crest of the hill where he stopped, taking in the house below. It was a big, two-story farm house that was now weatherbeaten and falling apart. The grounds were overgrown with weeds and bushes, and old ranch implements littered the area. Bella was out of sight by this time and Nick muttered to himself as he started down the hill. "I hope she doesn't go inside."

As the words came out of his mouth, the air was rent by a high, shrill scream from within the house. "Nick! Nick! Help me! Help me! Don't let him...."

As the voice trailed off, Nick's heart leaped to his throat. His concern had been in regard to the house, but at Bella's words he felt a great fear. Over the last two weeks they had become complacent, secure in the knowledge that Lenny Hamer was safely locked up in jail. But now? Had Jarrod been right all along? Was Cass Hyatt behind the attacks? Had he returned once again, this time taking revenge on Bella?

Nick ran.