Early the next morning, Jarrod dropped by the doctor’s office to enquire about Heath’s condition. Victoria informed him of his brother’s fever reaching a peak in the wee hours of the morning to slightly subside thereafter, which was an encouraging sign; though his breathing was still laboured and the fact that he hadn’t regained consciousness was worrisome.

He left the few pastries and coffee he’d brought from the hotel restaurant on the table before he made his way back to the hotel to speak with the clerk on duty the night of the shooting. Charlie was tending his desk, catering to new clients, when Jarrod walked up to him.

“Excuse me. I was told you were the clerk on duty two nights ago?”

“That’s right. Charlie Higgins’s the name.”

“I’m Jarrod Barkley.”

“Barkley?” he pondered, frowning quizzically at the familiar name. “You wouldn’t be related to Nick Barkley, would you?”

“I’m his brother and also his lawyer. I would like to ask you a few questions regarding the shooting.”

“Sure. But I don’t know what more I can say that I haven’t declared in my deposition to the sheriff. I told him everything I knew. I wasn’t an eyewitness. I was tending the desk when I heard gunshots in the street.

“Do you recall a client by the name of Sally Whitfield.”

Charlie smiled knowingly. “Of course. She comes here regular with her rich clients.”

“She said she was here two nights ago when the shooting took place.”

“That’s right. She was signing the register when we heard the shots. Then we both dashed outside and that’s when we saw that two men were down.”

“Wait a minute, did you say that you were both inside the hotel when the shots were fired?”

“That’s right.”

“So that mean Miss. Whitfield couldn’t have seen who fired first?”

“I reckon not since she was here at the desk with me.”

Jarrod’s eyes lit up with triumph at the tidbit of good news that put an entire new perspective on the sagging case. “Would you be willing to attest to that under oath in a court of law?”

“Of course,” Charlie shrugged. ’I’ve got nothing to hide.”

Jarrod extend his arm over the counter to give a grateful handshake. “I will be in touch.”

“I’ll be here.”

Jarrod left the hotel with a bounce in his step convinced that the clerk’s testimony was bound to destroy Sally’s credibility as a witness to the crime. Little did he know that the concerned party herself had been eavesdropping on the conversation from her vantage point behind a wall. Peeved at Charlie she saw as a threat to her wish to get Barkley’s neck in the noose for killing the man who was to rescue her from her wretched existence, Sally vowed to ensure herself his silence at the trial. A malicious grin crossed her face at the plan formulating in her mind.

She observed a prominent businessman entering the hotel just as Jarrod was leaving. She studied his features as he made his way to the desk to sign the register and perked up her ear to make out bits of the muffled conversation. Her face broke into a sly grin at this chance encounter that provided her with the alibi she needed to put her plan into motion.

She decided to make herself conspicuous for the time being, slipping through the restaurant door to avoid being seen by Charlie.

Following a copious dinner and a visit with Heath and his mother, Jarrod went around town questioning people about Sally and Jay McKay. Later he went down to the courthouse to meet with the circuit judge to discuss the upcoming trial. Much to Jarrod’s dismay the appointed official set the court date for Monday explaining that he was pressed for time, as he was to preside over another hearing on Thursday. This gave Jarrod only two days to build a case. Already he could count on Charlie Higgins’s testimony to impeach witness Sally Whitfield but knew he needed more substantial evidence if he were to exonerate his brother of his alleged crime.

He dropped by the hotel to notify Higgins of the court date before heading down to the sheriff’s office to recount the night of the shooting with Nick. Much to Nick’s exasperation Jarrod brought an onslaught of questions, goading him to repeat every single detail he recalled from that night, however insignificant they might be.

“I’m telling you, Jarrod, that’s all I know,” Nick blustered, pacing his cell in front of his brother, gesturing the scene as he recalled it. “The guy had his gun on me, threatening me to fork over the money. I was slowly unsheathing mine when Heath hollered and I whipped the gun out, swirled on my heels and shot him. When McKay’s bullet grazed me in the arm that’s when I turned round and fired at him.” Nick was reaching the end of his emotional tether when Jarrod insisted that he remember whether he saw Sally outside the hotel when the gunfire erupted. With both hands clawing at his scalp and teeth clenched in anger and fear, Nick shook his head vehemently. “No! No! No! I don’t remember! How many times do I have to say it?”

“Nick for God’s sake, THINK!” Jarrod insisted, stressing the fact that his neck was on the line.

“I didn’t see anyone because my eyes were on Heath clutching his bleeding chest. I was scared out of my mind when I saw him crumbling to the ground,” Nick recalled with a terrorized expression. “He told me…” his voice faltered as it cracked with emotion, “he told me it was for the best. That…that he’d be out of my way. Then he passed out.” A silence feel between the brothers as Jarrod sympathised with his sibling’s pain of having to relive this traumatic event.

He stepped up to Nick staring blankly in front of him as if lost in time and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry for pushing you Nick. But I only have two days to convince a jury of strangers that it was involuntary manslaughter on your part when witnesses are lining up to testify to the contrary, including you wanting to kill your own brother. I say things are definitely not looking good.”

“What about Heath’s testimony. Would it help?”

Jarrod nodded affirmatively. “Yes I suppose it would but he’s unconscious.”

“In two days he should be awake.”

“Maybe and maybe not. We can take that chance, Nick.”

“You say the hotel clerk can vouch for that girl being inside when the shooting happened?”

“That’s right. He’s my key witness. But we need more. I expect the prosecution will try to impeach the witness in court. And there’s the slight matter of the gun being in McKay’s holster. You say the girl might have slid it back in all the commotion but there’s no way we can prove it.”

“Why does she hate me so much?”

“I’ve been going around town asking people about Sally and McKay. Many believe they were an item, though they never publicly showed their affection other than through intimate meetings in rooms at the saloon and hotel. One friend of hers said that she heard Sally talked of quitting her job to marry the man who promised her a better life than what she was used to. I assume that’s why she hates you. You dashed her only hope of bidding farewell to her wretched existence.”

“Jarrod, do me a favour will you? Go check on Heath. It’s been hours since I got any news.”

“No news is usually good news.”

“Still. Please? ” Nick beseeched his brother with imploring eyes.

Jarrod smiled responsively and nodded in agreement. “Okay.” He stepped up to the bars and called out for the sheriff to let him out. “I’ll be back. In the meantime try to recall more details if you can.”

“I’ll try.”

At the doctor’s office, Victoria had dozed off in her chair by her son’s bed . Emma tiptoed into the room, heedful not to make any noise that would wake the careworn mother to check on the patient’s vital signs. Once her job done, she readjusted the sheets over Heath’s chest and slipped out quietly.

Heath was floating in pitch darkness. He struggled to swim his way to a dim light beckoning him to the surface but was too weak to make it on his own. He needed a hand to help him through his journey but found none. He scanned around him, looking for the one person he wanted by his side to reach the top: Nick. His heart soared as he saw him advance towards him. Instead of reaching a hand out to him, he struck him down with vile, spiteful words. He could feel them whipping him, sending him into the throes of mental agony. His glare bore a hole through him, threatening him to get out of his sight. He had tried to please the man he respected more than he could have possibly imagined. He had longed to call him brother just as he now referred to Victoria as his mother. He had made every conceivable effort to become friends with Nick but the dark-haired mule refused to bury the hatchet.

He was confident this horse-buying trip would allow them to bond but destiny had decided otherwise. The prized stallion Nick had coveted for weeks turned out to be an eyesore. In all good conscience Heath couldn’t let the owner swindle his starry-eyed brother. That was the beginning of the end.

Alone in his dark world, Heath wandered aimlessly until he reached a cliff. He teetered on the edge, looking down at the abyss beckoning him to jump. He cast one look around, hoping to see a familiar face. When none came into view, he closed his eyes and plunged to his death. “Nickkkkkkkkkkk, sorryyyyyyyyyyyyy” he whispered in a last sustained breath.

Victoria sprung to her feet and perched herself on the edge of the bed to take Heath’s hand. Wreathed in smiles at the thought of Heath regaining consciousness she started to speak when she felt the limp hand in hers. She looked up at Heath’s face to note the bluish colour spreading on his lips. “Doctor!” she shrieked hysterically.

Both Dr. Hammond and Jarrod bounced into the room, alarmed by the woman’s cries. “Mother what is it?”

“Jarrod. Thank God you’re here. Go get Nick. Tell the sheriff it’s an emergency.”

“Right away.” His mother’s urgent tone whipped him into action. He dashed out of the office without so much of a hint as to what was happening. He just knew he had to get Nick. The sheriff complied with Jarrod’s demand and asked his deputy to escort the prisoner down to the doctor’s office.

“What’s going on, Jarrod?” Nick queried in a panic as he rushed alongside his brother with the deputy in tow.

“I don’t know. I just heard mother ask for the doctor and told me to get you. I think Heath is….”

“No,” Nick choked, his mind reeling from the shock of his brother’s possible death. He burst into the office and breezed into the recovery room to find that his fears were founded. Hovering over Heath was Dr. Hammond with a forlorn expression etched on his face. He glanced up at Victoria being consoled by Emma and shook his head dejectedly.

“No!” Nick yelped, making a lunge for the bed only to be taken aback by the deadly pallor of his brother’s face.

“He said your name, Nick, before he…” Victoria put her hand to her mouth, her sentence trailing off as tears threatened.

“We got him back only to lose him again,” the doctor informed grimly to Nick who was too overwrought to acknowledge his words. “He’s gone, son.”

Nick sat on the bed and grabbed both of Heath’s shoulders. “Heath, dammit! Don’t you dare let go,” Nick spewed out between gritted teeth. “Come on!” He shook him violently. “Get back here!” His breathing came in short gasps as the reality of his brother’s death began to sink in. Refusing to concede defeat, he continued to coax him.

His efforts were rewarded by a sharp intake of air. “Thank God!” Nick breathed out in complete mental exhaustion. After recollecting his thoughts, he leaned forward to whisper in Heath’s ear. “I’m here, Heath. Don’t let go. Hang on to me,” he emphasized with a strong squeeze on his hand. “I’m not letting you go, little brother. You hear me? I’m not letting you go.” He straightened up to observe the doctor studying Heath’s heartbeat. “Well?”

Dr. Hammond hung the stethoscope around his neck with a heavy sigh of despair. He turned to Nick and Victoria with a mournful expression. “His heart’s weak. He’s hanging on by a thread.”

“That’s better than nothing,” Nick sassed, somewhat offended by the man’s pessimism. He then looked up at Victoria who he could see silently praying for her son’s recovery. “Mother, you said Heath spoke my name before he stopped breathing.”

“That’s right.”

“What exactly did he say?”

“I was half asleep when I heard him but I believe he said he was sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” Jarrod queried quizzically. Victoria could only shrug her answer.

“I think I know,” Nick quavered as he returned his attention to the patient clinging onto to life.

Dr. Hammond stepped up to the deputy standing by the door and beckoned him out of the room to discuss a private matter, one that involved allowing Nick Barkley to remain by his brother’s bedside for another hour or so. The young lawman stood embarrassed at the question he could not provide an answer to. He suggested asking the sheriff himself and stress the fact that it was a medical necessity. The doctor thanked him for his suggestion and headed down to the sheriff’s office.

Twenty-four hours wore on and still Heath’s condition remained touch and go. The doctor was a tad more optimistic as to his chances of survival but remained prudent as to his prognostic. Nick was granted permission to visit for a few hours at the time under deputy escort, during which Victoria would catch a few Zs at the hotel. For his part Jarrod concentrated on gathering more information on what transpired before the shooting.

It was now or never. Sally’s plan was in motion and everything was proceeding accordingly. She sidled slinkily up to the front desk where Charlie was busy doing the books and spoke sultrily, “”Hey there, Charlie boy. Whatcha you doing?”

“Hello Sally. I’m getting a head start on the books for when the accountant gets here on Monday.”

“Is it urgent that you finish that work tonight?” she asked on a suggestive tone.

“No, not really,” Charlie answered cautiously, frowning suspiciously at her odd behavior towards him. An involuntarily spasm crossed his face as her hand caressed his cheek. “I was wondering if you were free tonight? I could give you a good time.”

“Sally I’m very well aware of your astronomical fees and you know I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Sugar, this one is on me,” she giggled.

“Why?”

“Why? I think it’s time I thank you properly for letting me entertain your clients upstairs in their rooms.”

“It’s not of my business what they do as long as they keep quiet about it. If they are willing to pay for a private party with the best girl in town who am I to stop them?”

“That’s very ethical of you, but I think you deserve to be rewarded for your courtesy.” She licked her lips seductively and threw him a come-hither wink that made him choke on his breath. “At what time to get off work, handsome?”

“At midnight,” he hawked, stretching his collar to let the heat out of his shirt.

“I’ll be waiting in your room. Don’t be late,” she purred, leaving him with a sultry smile and a wink.

The clock had barely chimed in midnight that already Charlie’s groins were on fire. His mind was on the night of passion awaiting him in his room. He had kept quiet about the special treat to his young assistant who came to take the midnight shift.

“Doug I’ll be in my room if you need anything.”

“You’re not riding home?”

“Nah. I’m too bushed to ride back to the cabin. I’m going to crash in my room upstairs.”

“Okay. I’m sure I can handle it by myself.”

“I’m sure you can,” he said through a forced yawn. “Well good night.”

“Good night, sir.”

To put emphasis to his fake exhaustion, Charlie yawned his head off as he plodded his way up the stairs. Once out of sight, he made his way to his room down the corridor with a sprightly step and a broad grin on his face. He nudged open the door to find Sally sprawled ungainly on his bed in her undergarment.

“Hey handsome. I hope you’re hot ‘cause I am.”

Charlie gulped down the lump caught in his throat as he began to shed his clothes. Sally watched him undress with a sly grin on her face. She got up and waltzed up to him as he unbuckled his belt and grabbed his hands. “Let me do it.” She let his pants fall in a heap around his ankles and pulled him over to the bed where she pushed him onto the mattress and covered his body with hers. She hungrily plunged her mouth into his to numb his senses while she slowly reached under the pillow for a butcher knife.

Without breaking the bruising kiss, she dove the knife into his guts. She deepened the kiss to prevent him from crying out in agony as she repeated the stabbing until the stunned man went limp underneath her body. After checking the pulse, she removed herself from the bloody corpse and shed her petticoat to slip on a clean one before putting on her working clothes. She stuffed the knife and dirty undergarments in her bag and ensured her hands and her dress were blood free before she made her way to the door.

“Sorry to do this Charlie. Nothing personal but I want Nick Barkley to hang. I had to silence the only witness. And you’re right. I don’t come cheap,” she ended on a contempt tone.

Early next morning, Jarrod walked his mother to the doctor’s office to check on Heath. Although the patient was still alarmingly weak and his breathing coming in shallow breaths, the doctor was encouraging as to his chances of making a recovery. Still Heath remained unresponsive.

Jarrod left Victoria at the doctor’s to go meet with his key witness at the hotel. Upon setting foot in the hall he sensed a bad omen. A chill ran down his spine at the sight of the sheriff leaning over the counter in apparent interrogation with a young clerk. Glancing around the room for any sign of Charlie Higgins he then made his way up to the desk hoping to take part in the conversation.

“Sheriff Manley. Is everything all right?”

“Mister Barkley. I was just asking Doug here some questions about last night’s murder.”

“Murder?”

“Charlie Higgins was found dead in his room less than an hour ago. He’d been stabbed in the belly.”

The shocking news sent Jarrod’s senses reeling and his jaw dropped to the floor. He stared at the young clerk with a puzzled look. “Any witness?”

“Not yet. And I don’t think we’ll find any either. Doug here says he didn’t see anyone suspicious last night when he was on shift.”

“Who would want to kill him?”

“I don’t know,” the young man shrugged. “In all the years I’ve known him I never heard anything bad said about him. He was a fair and generous man. Steered clear of trouble.

“Who was here last night?”

“A lot of people. I couldn’t tell you how many or who everybody was.” Out of the corner of his eyes, Doug caught a glimpse of Sally entering the hotel. “I know she was,” he motioned to the saloon girl looming under the entrance doorway. “I saw her leave the hotel shortly after Mister Higgins went up to his room.”

Jarrod’s blood began simmering as his instincts told him the woman was guilty. “Well if it isn’t our hard working girl?” He remarked sarcastically. “Fancy seeing you this early in the morning.”

“No need to take that cynic tone with me, Mister Barkley. I’m here to have breakfast. Is there a law against my kind eating here?”

“No. May I ask you what you were doing at this hotel last night?”

“I was entertaining a client. What’s it to you?” she replied crushingly.

“May I ask what was his name?”

“No you may not. This is privileged information.”

“Normally I would agree but in light of Charlie Higgins’s murder understand that we need information on the hotel’s clients’ whereabouts.”

“What?” she exclaimed in feigned shock “Charlie? No! It can’t be. He’s the sweetest man I know.”

“You said you were with a client last night? Who was he?”

Sally gulped nervously at the question she dared not answer before her alibi was to leave the hotel. She looked over Jarrod’s shoulder at the sheriff standing in the background. “Sheriff, do I have to answer that question now?”

Jarrod turned to the embarrassed lawman with an urgency about his eyes that made the man wilted under his stare. Still he couldn’t deny the woman’s right to privacy until she was under oath in a court of law. “No Ma’am. Not yet anyway. But I expect Counselor Barkley might want to question you under oath at his brother’s trial.”

“I will then if I have to.”

“Believe me Miss Whitfield, you will,” Jarrod threatened with scorching dark eyes that bore through her. He then tipped his hat and turned to the sheriff. “You keep me posted?” He waited for a nod of acknowledgement before walking out of the hotel.

Tried as he did Jarrod could not find any other witness willing or able to testify for Nick at the trial. Sally was gloating as she took the stand with a rehearsed speech mixed with crocodile tears to gain the jury’s sympathy. She willingly disclosed the name of her client she entertained on the night of the murder. She knew the traveling salesman had left town yesterday with no hint as to his next destination, which left Jarrod powerless in proving her guilt. And without Charlie Higgins to vouch for her presence inside the hotel when gunfire erupted outside, Jarrod was left with only one alternative to save Nick from the noose, which was to ask for a continuance. The judge rejected his request and sent the jurors to deliberate.

Barely fifteen minutes later, the jury rendered a verdict of guilty. Sally was jubilant, whereas Victoria’s heart crumbled as she clutched Nick in a tight embrace, both crying for what was to be the next morning.

“Guess this trip didn’t turn out the way you expected?” Nick mocked good-naturedly to his sobbing mother still holding him.

“There’s still hope.” She pulled back and gently dried Nick’s tears with her thumbs. “The doctor said it’s just a matter of hours before Heath regains consciousness. He’s doing much better.”

“Even if he does wake up, will he want to save me from the noose?”

“Don’t be silly, Nicholas!” Victoria chided. “Heath adores you.”

“Nah! Not after the way I treated him.”

“Nick, listen to me.” She took a firm hold of his head in both hands to force him to look her straight in the eyes. “That young man idolizes you, Nick. He tried to please you anyway he knew how but you were too busy cursing your father and hating his son to see it. He cried your name in his sleep; you brought him back from the dead. Nick, Heath loves you. Believe me, I know.”

“It hurts, Mother” He fell back into her arms where he dissolved into tears. “How could Father do this to you? To Heath? To us?” Victoria remained silent, sensing Nick needed to cleanse his heart of all the pain he kept penned up inside before she could give answers to his questions. “I just couldn’t accept Heath. He was a constant reminder of what Father had done to you and to us.”

Victoria disengaged the clench and through tear-clouded eyes she gazed proudly at her repentant son. “I can’t deny that it was a shock for me to learn of Heath’s parentage but hating an innocent boy wasn’t going to right the wrong done in the past. It was only going to poison me and hurt the people I love, including Heath.” She cupped Nick’s chin to will his shamed eyes to her. “Nick I won’t pretend I don’t know what you went through because I do. I also know that you don’t hate Heath.”

“I tried, Mother. God knows I tried hating him but I couldn’t. I was mad at Father and at myself and I took it out on Heath.” He exhaled a long shuddering breath and with a downcast expression he choked with emotion, “Now I’m gonna hang without having had a chance to tell how I really feel,”

“No you won’t,” Jarrod chimed in. “This isn’t over yet. I still have fifteen hours to prove your innocence and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let hang because some spurred woman wants revenge,” Jarrod spat resolutely while angrily ramming the documents in his briefcase. “I’m going to wring the truth out of her if it’s the last thing I do.”

Nick grabbed Jarrod’s arm as he started for the exit. “Jarrod. Don’t. One fool in the family is enough.”

“Sorry Nick, but this is one argument you’re not going to win.” Jarrod tried to wrench his arm free but Nick tightened his grip. “Nick let me go.”

“Not until I have you word that you won’t try to stick your neck out for me any more than you already have. Promise.”

Jarrod huffed out an exasperated sigh and nodded. “I didn’t hear you,” Nick insisted, further annoying Jarrod. “Say it!”

“All right!” he hissed. “I won’t do anything unethical. I promise.”

“I’m not sure what you call ‘unethical,” Nick said with an eyebrow raised in incredulity. Jarrod grabbed his suitcase and looked down at Nick’s hand on his arm. “Please Nick. Let me go.” He waited for his brother’s grip to loosen and then made his way out the courtroom.

The deputy stepped up to Nick as a signal that his time was up. Nick nodded resignedly and presented his arm to his mother to escort her out of the room. Once back in his cell Nick insisted she go sit with Heath. He was his last hope of saving him from the noose and hoped his mother could work her magic on him before his swansong.

The dawn was breaking when an insomniac Nick silently watched a crew of men building the gallows in the middle of the street. Numbness crept over him as he realized his time was drawing near. In less than an hour he would be no more. He peeled himself away from the barred window and sat on his cot with his hands folded underneath his chin. A mortal fear of dying suddenly washed over him. The finality of it all numbed his senses, leaving only the sound of his pounding heartbeat to echo in the walls of his conscience. The memories of his past were gradually fading away in the dark recesses of his mind as if packed in bags to take along on a journey. He slowly drifted away on a tranquil sea where he escaped the reality of life until the sound of a key in the lock yanked him back to shore.

“It’s time, Barkley.”

With eyes downcast, Nick nodded and lazily stood to his feet. The sheriff brought his hands behind his back and put the cuffs on his wrists before escorting him out of the cell and on to the street where a crowd on curious onlookers had gathered to witness the hanging.

Nick scanned the crowd for Jarrod and his mother. Their absence brought him great comfort as he wished them not to witness this ghoulish sight. As he walked up to the gallows he sent a silent plea to Heath’s heart hoping for it to urge him back to the surface before it was too late. Sally was standing by the platform to ensure herself a front-row view to the show. She could hardly contain her excitement as she watched the condemned man walk the last mile. Nearing the platform Nick stopped and glared at her with a dark scorching look that failed to wipe that sneer off her face. Instead of hurling threats and cursing her name he simply said, “I’m sorry for you.”

Her grin rapidly faded at the words she never expected to hear. Somehow they wound up hurting more than had Nick sent her to hell. They drained the pleasure she was nurturing at the thought of a Barkley hanging by the neck for killing her only prospect towards a better future.

The rope was lowered and the noose adjusted around Nick’s neck. With his eyes closed, he sent a last prayer to the heavens to take care of his family on earth and added a word of thanks for sending Heath to their doorstep. His only regret was having let his anger get in the way of a brotherhood and a profitable partnership. His heart was contented knowing Heath would have no problem filling his shoes at the ranch. Tears threatened to his eyes as the sheriff pronounced the final sentence.” I’m sorry Heath,” he whispered to himself.

“Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick,” a feeble raspy voice uttered, breaking the stillness of a room filled with grief for a son that was about to die unjustly. “Nooooooooo, no sorryyyyyyyyyyyyy.” The plea brought Victoria out of her trance. She shot open her eyes and leaned forward with a hand on Heath’s shoulder. “Heath, please, open you eyes. We need you to come back,” she beseeched with every fibre of her being. “Heath, it’s mother. Please open your eyes.”

“Nick. Can’t. No.” Heath cried, his head tossing back and forth as he strived to attain the surface. His brother was calling him. He needed him. He had to reach out to him before it was too late.

“Dr Hammond,” Victoria shouted with glee at the sight of the glassy baby blues blinking their way back to the light.

“Mrs. Barkley, what is it?”

“Go tell the sheriff to stop the execution. The other witness is awake.”

“Right away.” He dashed out of the office and ran down the street, yelling and frantically waving his arms about. “Stop! His brother’s regained consciousness.”

“And arrest this woman on suspicion of murder, Sheriff,” Jarrod shouted from another corner of the street as he and a mystery man shouldered their way through the crowd to reach the platform. “This is Robert Jenson, the travelling salesman who lodged at the hotel the night Charlie Higgins was murdered and Miss Whitfield’s supposed alibi. He’s here to confirm that Sally Whitfield wasn’t with him that night. And since none of the other hotel clients saw her it leads to only one conclusion.”

“Don’t listen to him!” Sally blared defensively to the crowd of onlookers whose withering stares were now boring a hole into her. “He’s trying to divert your attention from the real murderer.” She turned and pointed an angry finger at Nick, “Him!”

The sheriff removed the noose from Nick’s neck and instructed his deputy to take over before he stepped down the platform to grab Sally’s arm. “I had my suspicion but I couldn’t prove it. Maybe now I can. Come Missy. Let’s hear what you have to say for your defence this time.”

“What about him?” She hissed, motioning to Nick. “He was found guilty of murder. He should hang for what he did to Jay.”

“We are postponing the hanging until we get the facts from the second witness.” He glanced at Jarrod.” Mister Barkley if you and your client will follow me to my office. I think a talk is in order.”

“Right behind you, sheriff.” He glanced up at Nick stepping down the platform. “In the nick of time. I thought I’d never get here on time.”

“Mighty glad you did.” Nick’s gratefulness was beyond words. Beaming eyes and a hand on Jarrod’s shoulder conveyed his emotion.

“You go be with Heath and mother. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

Nick nodded, biting his lower lip to suppress the gush of emotion rising to his throat. He then made his way to the doctor’s office to find his mother assisting Heath in taking a few sips of water.

“I’ll take over, Mother,” Nick offered to the emotionally drained mother who smiled in acknowledgment. She vacated her seat for her son to sit next to his brother. Nick slid a hand behind Heath’s neck to gently raise his head and brought the glass over to his lips. When Heath nodded he had enough, Nick eased the head back onto the pillow.

“I’m…I’m sorry, Nick,” Heath heaved out faintly.

“You got it backwards, kid. I’m the one who’s sorry. It had to take a shooting and a sentence to hang in which we both nearly lost our lives to make me realize how big of fool I’ve been.”

Heath blinked heavily and moistened his parched lips to speak but Nick was quicker. “Heath, if you can find it in your heart to forgive a dumbhead like me, I’d like to give this brotherhood a try. I always wanted a little brother and now I have one, that is,” Nick tentatively lifted his eyes to gauge Heath’s reaction, “if you’re willing to help me out?”

Heath’s weak smile was Nick’s answer. He took a deep breath and exhaled, “What took you so long?”

Nick broke into a chuckle at the teasing remark. “I’m still a guilty man. I hope you can get me out of this mess?”

“Ill do my best…Big Brother,” Heath quavered at the words that send him into transport of delight. Drained from all the emotion, he conceded defeat to his sagging eyelids and whispered, ‘thanks’ before drifting off to sleep.

With tears pearling down his cheeks, Nick leaned forward and whispered, “No. Thank you.”

Filled with bliss at the bonding she was proudly witnessing Victoria pressed one hand to her fluttering heart and placed the other on Nick’s shoulder. “Your father would be proud.”

Drawing a cleansing breath to quell the overwhelming emotions, Nick turned to her and wondered out loud, “Why am I so damn stubborn?”

With an amused smile Victoria bent down to kiss him on the cheek. “It’s a Barkley trait. And I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

Nick broke into a wide facetious grin. “Yeah?”

Victoria nodded. “Welcome back, Nick.”

Epilogue

Days wore into weeks and with the nightmare of Allerbee behind them, Nick and Heath worked at forging an abiding friendship. Though Victoria chided Nick for often pushing his little brother to his limit of endurance Heath would on the contrary welcome Nick’s bark as it proved big brother’s confidence in his ability to get the job done.

Two days prior to Nick’s birthday, Victoria requested that Heath run an errand for her into town to pick up a special gift at the hardware store. While in town, Heath ran into a horse trainer who happened to be passing through Stockton with two black stallions. One look at the animals and Heath was smitten. He haggled a fair price for one of the two horses and paid the stable boy at the livery stable a hefty sum of money to care for the animal and most importantly, to not let word out as to the identity of its owner.

On that joyous morning, Nick bounced out of bed earlier than usual and with a spring in his step, he made his way to the barn before everyone came down for breakfast.

“Hey Coco. I have a special treat for you this morning.” Nick pulled out a sugar cube from his vest pocket and placed it in the middle of his flattened palm. “Don’t let Charger see you or he’ll…” his sentence hung in mid air when he caught sight of a new addition to the stables. With a bemused expression he made his way down the aisle to get a better look at the black stallion. “Hey boy. Where did you come from, heh?” Nick ran his hand over the croup all the way to the mane, marvelling at the fine features. “And who’s your owner?”

“You are.”

“Heath. I didn’t hear you coming. What do you mean he’s mine?”

“It’s my birthday gift to you. You like him?”

“Like him?” Nick exulted as he ran his hand over the shiny coat. “He’s beautiful. Where did you find him?”

“Two days ago when I went into town on an errand I met with this travelling horse trainer who happened to have two fine stallions to sell. I chose the best one. I thought it might make up for the one you lost in Allerbee.”

“I told Heath, it’s forgotten. You were right about that eyesore.”

“Still I…I’d like you to have this one. That is if you want him?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Nick paused to collect his thoughts before walking up to Heath and pulling him into a bear hug. “Thanks Little Brother. He’s the second best gift I’ve had this year.”

“The second? What was the first one?”

Nick disengaged the embrace to stare into the inquisitive eyes with deep adoration. With one hand squeezing the back of the blond’s head, he quavered, “You.”