“We’re getting closer.” Nick told Jarrod. “Heaths slowing down. Look there he stopped.”

“Isn’t that the second stop today?” Jarrod was becoming concerned. “Nick you don’t suppose that there’s something wrong do you?”

“Oops, forgot to mention one little thing before we left.” Nick admitted. “Heaths injured”

“WHAT?”

“Somebody used us for target practice.”

“NICK, you might have mentioned this before.”

This information really alarmed Jarrod.

“How badly?”

“Cut on his right arm. It didn’t require stitches, but if it’s reopened then we may have a problem.”

“Great. Then I’d say we’ve got a problem.”

Their journey continued in silence. For Jarrod it gave him some time to think and ponder what Nick had said.

Having to constantly travel between Stockton and San Fransisco with his law practice he had missed much of the twins first year with the family. Yes he’s been there when they had brought Heather back to Stockton. But straight after that he’d been called back to the big city for two or three rather large cases. The next opp he’d had to spend anytime with either Heath or Heather was around Christmas and then that business with Matt and Martha Simmons had cropped up.

“Heath when this is all over and you’re back at home I promise we’ll spend more time together.” Was the silent vow he made.

‘”He’s coming” Barons informed Curtis.” You know what to do?”

“Wait until he’s past me, then fire a shot.”

Barons nodded.

The tracks he was following now led Heath into a pass surrounded on either side by high stonewalls. There was only one way in, the way he came, and one way out, following the path.

Charger threw back his head and snorted.

“What is it boy?” Heath patted Charger’s neck “What’s wrong?”

Through his feverish haze Heath spotted something lying across the track. Uncertain as to what it was he approached it cautiously. The closer he got the clearer things became.

“Connors” He breathed looking at the body “And shot in the back.”

Bang, the shot rang out and kicked up the dust near his feet. By instinct he drew his own gun and let go with a shot in the direction of the first one.

“Hold it right there son.” A new voice ordered, “Put the gun down and slowly turn and face me.”

Having no choice but to obey Heath did as requested.

“That’s better. Now what’s your name son?”

"Barkley, Heath Barkley.”

“Well Heath Barkley I’m arresting you on a charge of murder.”

“By what authority?”

“By this authority.” The stranger pulled back the front of his jacket and revealed the tin star. “I’m Sam Cross. Sheriff of Still Waters.”

“He ,he was like this when I found him.” Heath protested.

“Son, I heard a shot, then another. I find you with a smoking gun in your hand, an arm wound and a man shot in the back.” Cross continued, “Now move.”

“This isn’t right.” Heath told himself “You’re being set up.” Out loud he said, “I’m being set up. This man had a partner. Find him. Ask him who killed Connors.”

“So you know the dead man?”

“His name is Connors, he’s a kidnapper, he and his partner kidnapped my two sisters. They were going to be sold as brides.”

“And you decided to go after them yourself? Maybe get a little justice?”

“No” Heath protested again “To bring them back to face justice. In a court of law.”

“That’s what they all say son, now get moving.”

“Why won’t you listen to me? I’m being set up.”

Again his protest fell on deaf ears.

Knowing that this was getting him nowhere Heath took the only other option open to him. He charged Cross causing the older man to fall forward. Then jumping onto Charger he headed for the nearby foothills, the place where he could hide until he could find Fisher and get his named cleared.

He was within sight of the tree line when the shot rang out.

From their arranged meeting point in the foothills Curtis, Barons and Fisher hear the shot and smiled to themselves.

“Well gentlemen that’s one less Barkley to cause us grief.” Barons stated. “And just one left to deal with.”

“Welcome to Still Waters” Nick read the sign and laughed. “Well I don’t see any waters, still or otherwise.”

“That had to be a joke on somebodies part.” Jarrod agreed, “I don’t see much of anything here. It’s more like Ghost Waters, then Still Waters. Split up see if you can find the Sheriff’s office or something that looks like it”

“Hey Jarrod over here.” Nick called to his brother. “I’ve found it.”

Jarrod had barely taken five steps when Nick called to him. Together the brothers entered the only building in town, other then the saloon that was kept in any form of order.

“Looking for the Sheriff” Nick announced to the man half seated, half slumped in the chair behind the desk.

“You found him son. Sam Cross.” The Sheriff lifted his eyes and looked at the two strangers before him “What can I do for you?”

“I’m Nick Barkley, this is my brother Jarrod.” Nick introduced himself and Jarrod “We’re searching for our younger brother, wondered if you’ve seen him at all?”

“Barkley?” Cross mused, “That wouldn’t be Heath Barkley by any chance?”

“You’ve seen him then?” Nick continued.

“Your brother mister is a wanted fugitive” Cross looked at Nick.

“For what?” Nick felt his temper rising.

“Murder, mister that ‘s what for murder.”

“Now you look here.” Nick thumped his hands onto the desk and looked at Cross “MY BROTHER IS NO MURDERER.”

“Nick.” Jarrod’s tone held a warning “Calm down, there’s got to be a logical explanation. Now just who is my brother supposed to have killed?”

“Man by the name of Connors, shot him in the back.” Cross turned his attention to Jarrod. “Came across the scene myself. Saw your brother standing there with a gun in his hand, blood from a wound on his arm and Connors dead at his feet.”

“And you saw all this happen did you?” Jarrod by now was in full lawyer mode.

“Didn’t actually see it.” Cross admitted “But I heard it, and it wasn’t more then a minute after I heard the shots that I came to where your brother and the body was”

“WHERE’S MY BROTHER NOW?” Nick’s voice was full of rage and anger. This smelt, it smelt of a set-up with Heath caught in the middle.

“Your brother took off as I tried to arrest him, took a shot at him. He headed into the foothills, I’m trying to get a posse together now.”

“Sheriff Cross I’m my brothers lawyer.” Jarrod announced. “And I’d like to see Connors body.”

“Can’t do that. I’m waiting for next of kin.” Cross began to stall. “Not unless you’ve got some sort of order.”

“I’ll get the order.”

Jarrod grabbed Nicks arm and led him out of the office.

“Jarrod” Nick protested.

“I know. Heath’s being set-up. And I’ll bet any money our friend in there is in on it.” Jarrod began to plan. “Nick you head for the foothills see if you can find Heath, make sure he’s alright.”

“And you?”

“The circuit judge should be in Clarkesville now, that’s just across the county line.” Jarrod told him “I’ll go there and either get that order or bring him back with me. But one way or another I’m going to see Connors body.”

Nick nodded. It was a sound plan.

“And Nick watch out for Curtis and Barons. I’ve got the feeling that they’re mixed up in this some how.”

“I will.” Nicks eyes turned dark again.

“I shouldn’t be more then a few hours.”

“Hey Barons.” Curtis called “Your pigeon is coming”.

Curtis had been posted as the lookout while Barons and Fisher had set things up. Now all that need to be done was for Barons to lure Nick Barkley into the trap, spring it and it would be bye bye loudmouth Barkley.

“How’s he look?”

“Dark and brooding” Curtis replied, “I wouldn’t want to go up against him, word has it that he has a mean temper”

“And it’s that what ends up getting him into trouble. Hit the temper spot on him and he loses it.” Barons said confidently “And that what I’m aiming to do. Now go see if Blondie survived, if he did then you and Fisher can sort him out.”

“Hey loudmouth” Barons called from his spot among the trees and shrubs out of Nicks line of sight “Remember me?”

The sound of Barons voice caught Nick by surprise. But in this dense vegetation he couldn’t see a thing. Barons could be two feet away from him and he wouldn’t have even known.

“Show yourself Barons,” He snarled.

“Come and find me loudmouth.”

“Aren’t you man enough to face me?”

“I prefer it this way. I’m the one in control.” Barons shifted position. Edging closer toward the cave mouth “Come on Barkley is not that hard.”

Nick shifted his head to one side in order to hear the direction from which Barons voice was coming.

“Shall I give a further hint?” Barons continued “Remember when I hit that sister of yours. Do you want me to describe what it was like? Not that you’d really care seeings how she’s only your half sister.”

With each word Barons was getting closer to his pre-arranged hiding point.

“You’ll pay for that insult Barons.” Nicks temper was just about at breaking point “Nobody gets away with making those kind of remarks about my sister. Nobody.”

“That little fool didn’t have the sense to scream, or cry. The little bitch tried to hit me. Well it felt sooo good to belt her one.” Barons entered the cave as he made those remarks.

Crouching down behind a pile of rocks and stones, he watched as Nick charged straight past him and ran deep into the cave. In his hand were the fuses to little bags of gunpowder he and Curtis had place there earlier. Quickly he lit a match.

“As I said the last time we crossed paths Goodbye loudmouth.”

Nick turned in time to see him hold the lighted match to the fuses and touch them with it.

Luck, and in particular the Barkley luck was with Heath. He heard the gunshot, and felt the bullet whiz past him. He pulled his body to one side, in doing so he lost balance and fell off Chargers back.

The fall stunned him momentarily.

The fuzziness caused by both the fall and the fever of his arm wound took a fair bit of time to pass. Looking around he noticed light coming from the mouth of one of the many caves in the area. Once his head was clear and he was on his feet and mobile again Heath headed in the caves direction.

As he got closer he heard the sound of voices. One he clearly recognized as that of Burt Fisher. They had only met the once, that day on the street in Stockton. But Heath would never forget that voice. The other voice, the other voice belonged to Tim Curtis. But Curtis was back in Stockton jail. How could he be here now and with Fisher?

The sound of the underbrush crunching under a pair of boots caused him to retreat to cover.

“Curtis, Fisher.” A familiar sounding voice called “You in there?”

“Yeah we’re both here.” Fishers voice called back. “You take care of him?”

“Yeah loudmouth Barkley is dead.”

Only one man called Nick ‘loudmouth’ like that

Barons!

“Any sign of Blondie?” Barons continued.

“Nah” Curtis sounded almost disappointed “Cross must’ve got him.”

Nick dead.

For Heath it was almost inconceivable. Barons who had killed Nick. Curtis the man who had arranged to have his sisters stolen. And Fisher the man who had almost raped his younger sister and badly injured his twin. Together in the one place. Rage took over as common sense took a hike. He would avenge them all.

“Judge, Mr Barkley, have a look here.” The doctor of Still Waters called form where he was standing over the dead body of Kurt Connors.

Jarrod had been in luck as he rode out of Still Waters an hour and a half earlier.

Judge William Middlemarch, the circuit judge for the Still Waters, Clarkesville area, had just left Clarkesville and was heading for his next stop when Jarrod found him. Being an old friend Middlemarch didn’t need much persuading to accompany Jarrod back to Still Waters.

“See here?” The doctor pointed to an area on Connors back.

Both the Judge and Jarrod bent forward to get a better view.

“Knife wound” The doctor continued. “This man was knifed first and then shot. Also notice the blood on the skin and shirt.”

“There’s not much.” Jarrod observed.

“Right.” The doctor confirmed “There should’ve been much more then that. This man was killed in another place and his body moved.”

“Any you’ll swear to that?” Middlemarch asked.

“Yessir Judge. Mr Barkley’s brother couldn’t have killed this man.”

“Good enough for me.” Middlemarch said.

“Doc, thanks” Jarrod shook the doctors hand “Will I’ve got to go and find my brothers.”

‘I understand Jarrod. Frank Collins the Federal Marshal and some of his deputies are in the area hunting for those escaped felons. I’ll have him swing by here and pick-up Sam Cross on corruption charges.”

“We’ve got an idea that Curtis and Barons are in the nearby foothills.” Jarrod told the Judge. “Possibly hiding in one of the caves until the heat is off.”

“Right once they arrive I’ll have them join you.”

Jarrod hurried to where Jingo was tethered.

Coughing from all the dirt and dust that the explosion had raised. Nick emerged from behind the stone column where he had found cover and surveyed the cave mouth. The explosion had caused a ton of rubble to close the entrance of the cave blocking his escape. His only hope now for finding his missing brother and for getting Barons, Curtis and Fisher was for Jarrod or somebody from Still Waters to find this cave and dig him out.

“May as well start here and hope that the pile is too big.” He thought to himself and slowly one rock at a time began to try to dig himself out.

The sound of horses coming up fast from behind him caused Jarrod to bring Jingo to an unexpected halt.

“Jarrod Barkley?” The led rider asked. “Frank Collins” The rider introduced himself. “My deputies. Stan Weiss, Morgan Thomas, Tom Colbert, Pete Summer and Phil Carter. Judge Middlemarch said we might find you out this way. Said you might need a hand.”

“Sure do. We, my brother Nick and I tracked our younger brother Heath to this area. Heath was following two men who had stolen our sisters and threatened to sell them as brides to miners in Virginia City. “Jarrod explained. “Connors, the dead man back in Still Waters, was one of those men. Before we left we also learned that the boss of this bride selling ring had escaped from jail along with another man whom we put in jail as well.”

“That would be Curtis and Barons?” Collins asked.

Jarrod nodded.

“You Barkley’s sure know how to make powerful enemies don’t you?”

“Afraid so” Jarrod confirmed.

“Alright Mr Barkley lets go round up some felons and missing brothers.”

Movement in front of him caused Jingo to stop suddenly. The scent was familiar.

“That’s my brother Nick’s horse” Jarrod announced when Coco came into sight.

Coco was standing in front what looked like a recent rock fall.

“We passed this way three days ago and that was an open cave mouth then.” Collins observed.

A feeling of dread came down over Jarrod. He almost didn’t want to ask the next question

“You don’t think…?”

“It very much looks that way Mr Barkley”

“We’ve got to try and get him out of there, help me please.”

“Our job is to hunt for the missing felons, Mr Barkley, not help dig out cowboy’s foolish enough to get them selves caught in rockslides.”

“For god’s sake man where is your decency? There’s every possibility that my brother is still alive behind that. You can’t just leave him there.”

“Mr Barkley…” Collins began again.

“Look Mr Collins, you help me get my brother out and the two of us will help you get those criminals you’re after.”

“Deal, but once we find them you and your brother take orders from me, not take matters into your own hands.” Collins laid down the terms.

“Agreed”

The rocks blocking the cave entrance were not as deep as the party first believed. After only about five minutes of tossing and pulling the rocks away Jarrod found that they had broken through.

“Nick?” He called cautiously “Nick can you hear me?”

“Of course I can Jarrod.” The booming voice of Nick Barkley answered. From where Jarrod stood it sounded like Nick was just about on top of him.

Nick Barkley strode out of the cave bold as brass and stood beside his older brother. Jarrod looked him up and down in amazement. Nick didn’t have a scratch or bruise on him.

“You’re alright?”

“Never better.”

“Heath?”

Nick just shook his head no. “Found our friend Barons instead. He was the one who trapped me here. Thinks he killed me.”

“This is Federal Marshal Frank Collins and his deputies. After Fisher and Barons.” Jarrod introduced his companions.

“Barons did this?” Collins questioned. “Did he say anything to you that my give us a lead?”

“Nope to busy taunting me about the last time we met.” Nick replied.

“We’d best move on then, we still have a lot of ground to cover.” Collins instructed.

The party had just left the cave area when Nick gripped his side and cried out in pain.

“Nick?” Jarrod looked at his younger brother concern deep in his eyes.

“Heath” Was the only thing Nick could say. “Jarrod he’s close and hurt.”

Burt Fisher knelt beside the still body of Heath Barkley and pulled his knife out from the wound it had caused in Heaths side.

“Told you it would be easier and quieter than shooting him.” He said to Barons. “No noise for anybody out there to hear. And by the time they do find his body we’ll all be long gone.”

Barons went over to where Curtis was laying unconscious. Heath had taken him out the second he entered the cave. A neat little tap to the back of Curtis’s head had seen to that.

“He still alive?” Fisher asked calmly.

“Yeah, he’ll live.” Barons gave Curtis a swift kick in the ribs.

The kick brought Curtis around.

“Who?…. Barkley where is he?” Curtis growled as he rose “Just wait unit l get my hands on him”

“Too late.” Barons informed him “Fisher here took him out. Now get up and help us here, it’s about time we moved on.”

“He’s close and hurt” Nick told Jarrod.

“And just how do you know that?” Collins scoffed.

“Long story, and one that doesn’t need to be gone into right now.” Jarrod replied. “Now are there any other caves in the immediate area?”

“This is the first in a line of about four that stretch about two miles that way.” Collins pointed.

“Then we’d better get going.” Nick ordered, “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”

An exhaustive hunt in the first two cave revealed nothing. Just lots of empty space and not even a sign that the hunted men had ever been there.

Nick had taken the lead temporarily. Collins was getting on his nerves. A dim glow from the mouth of the third cave caused him to stop. Signalling to the others to wait Nick crept just inside the opening and listened.

“Get a move on Curtis” Came the muffled voice of Barons. “We’ve got to be clear before lawyer Barkley gets close.”

“Gottach” Nick thought to himself and hurried back to rejoin the others.

“Well?” Collins asked.

“They’re in there and getting ready to leave.”

“Heath?” Jarrod asked.

“Couldn’t see him, too dark.” He looked straight at Collins. “So let’s go.” He drew his gun.

“Remember our deal Mr Barkley.” Collins looked straight at Jarrod. “We do things my way.”

“Jarrod.” Nick looked at his brother in exasperation “What’s he talking about? Heath’s in there and we have to get him out.”

“Nick, in order to get you out of that cave, I had to make a deal with our friend here. They help me get you out and we go along with any plan of theirs to get capture Barons and Co.” Jarrod explained.

Nick was clearly frustrated. His brother was in there hurt possibly badly and he was stuck out here with some lawman that didn’t understand the urgency of the situation.

“ALRIGHT SO JUST WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?” He growled to Collins.

“We’re going to smoke them out.” Collins said unemotionally.

“YOU’RE GOINGTO WHAT?” Nick asked not believing what he was hearing.

“You heard me Barkley. We aim to smoke them out. Look around you. They are under shelter with food and water. We can’t wait them out. They mostly likely have access to weapons and ammunition. So we can’t use the full frontal attack. Unlike you I want to be in one piece at the end of all this.” Collins continued to outline his plan. “ The wind is in the right direction, all we have to do is set a large fire going at the cave mouth, the smoke billows in the cave, they will be forced out in search of fresh air.”

“And I Mister want my little brother to come out of this alive, not as a footnote on some report you have to write.”

“I’m warning you Barkley, we do this my way or I’ll be forced to restrain you.”

“Go ahead and try it Mister.” Nick stood toe to toe with the Federal lawman.

At the signal from their boss Weiss and Thomas, the biggest and most muscular of his men moved forward and gripped Nick by each of his arms forcing his to stay where he was.

“Collins is this really necessary?” Jarrod protested. He was find the lawman’s tactics a little to forceful and disgusting.

“Mr Barkley if you don’t want to be in the same boat as your brother, then I suggest you shut-up and let us get on with it.”

“By heavens Collins when this is all over I can assure you your boss is going to hear about these tactics of yours.” Jarrod moved closer to Collins in order to make his point even stronger.

Collins, taking this as a threat, signalled to Carter and Summer. Jarrod found himself in the same sort of grip that Nick was in.

Both brothers were forced to watch on as Collins and Colbert quickly gathered up some dry twigs and leaves and laid them across the cave opening. Collins struck a match and threw it onto the pyre.

Being so dry the fuel caught quickly and smoke billowed into the cave.

“COLLINS SO HELP ME YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS.” Nick cursed as he continued to struggle against his captors.

“Barkley you’re empty threats are nothing. I’m more interested in bringing these felons to justice.”

“But at what price?” Jarrod asked sombrely.

Within the cave itself confusion reigned.

“You fool.” Barons snarled at Fisher “This is a dead end cave ,there’s no way out except out the front.” He began to choke on the smoke.

“Let’s…let’s just get out of here.” Curtis started to head for the opening.

“And straight …straight into the …the hands of the ….the law?” Barons coughed.

“Well….well its better ….then …choking to …death.” Fisher by now was down on his knees.

Curtis made a break for the entrance.

“Don’t shoot….I surrender.” He coughed to the waiting lawmen.

Colbert raised his gun and indicated to the side of the cave. Curtis, only too glad to be out in the fresh air, did as instructed. Fisher by now had managed to get back up to his feet.

“Don’t …be fool…Smoke can’t last… forever then we can…shoot our way..out.” Barons said still choking on smoke.

“Can’t wait… that long…can’t breathe.” Fisher struggled to the entrance and into the waiting arms of the law.

“Ok that’s two of them increase the smoke, there’s still one to go.” Collins ordered as Fisher struggled out into the fresh air.

“Collins, you son of a..” Nick cursed “ Let me go in there, Barons is only and our brother is still in there. You pump more smoke in and he won’t stand a chance. Besides Barons will be so overcome he won’t put up much of a fight.”

“Alright Barkley, but I want your word that Barons will come out of there alive.”

“He’ll come out alive I promise. “Nick said.

Jarrod saw the evil glint in Nick’s eye. Barons might come out alive, but not undamaged.

At a nod from their boss Weiss and Thomas left go of Nick and went to stand by their boss. Jarrod too was released.

Grabbing his canteen from Coco’s saddle and ripping the bandana from his neck Nick quickly splashed the water onto the cotton square and tied it over his nose and mouth.

A figure loomed up out of the smoke has Nick and Jarrod entered the cave. It was Barons, hunched over trying to get fresh air into his lungs.

“Where is he Barons?” Nick grabbed the struggling and surprised Barons by the collar. “Where’s our brother?”

“You’re too late loudmouth.” Barons could still find the strength to taunt Nick. “Blondie’s over there dead.” He raised his arm and pointed to deeper in the cave.

“Why you.” Nick remembering the insults Barons had uttered earlier rounded on him. “This is for my sister. You snake”

Nick’s fists spoke volumes as blow after blow reigned down on the unfortunate Barons.

“Nick, Nick stop you’ll kill him” Jarrod tried to restrain his volatile brother.

This and the promise he made to Collins was all that stopped him.

“Get out there.” Nick threw the semi conscious Barons out into the waiting arms of Collins and Co.

While Nick and Barons were having their little dance, Jarrod moved to the area of the cave indicated by Barons.

There in the half-light he saw the body of his youngest brother. Heath was face down in a small pool of blood. He reached for his brother’s neck. Yes too his surprise and delight he found a pulse. Carefully Jarrod turned the body of his brother and saw the knife wound. Like Nick had described it was in his side.

Concerned about the amount of smoke still in the cave Jarrod lifted Heath into his arms and carried him out of the cave.

“Nick, get here quick.” He called, as he laid Heath down.

Even before the final words were out of his mouth Nick was by his side.

“He’s still alive. Nick he’s still with us.” Jarrod’s voice carried a jubilant tone in it.

Slowly two blue eyes opened.

“Heath?” Nick asked cautiously.

“Nick, Jarrod.” The words were barely above a whisper.

“Yes Little Brother, we’re both here.” Nick soothed. “We won’t leave you.”

“Fisher, the others?”

“Safely under guard.” Nick reassured him.

“The Sheriff, Connors body?” The whispers became worried almost panicky.

“Sam Cross is also under arrest for corruption and bribery.” Jarrod told him. “You’re clear.”

“You know Heath you had us all pretty worried, running off like that.” Nick began to scold his brother. “It wasn’t your fault. Nobody blamed you for what Fisher and Connors did.”

“It was too me.” Heath told them.

“Heath, Mother, Audra and Heather are all back at Ben’s worrying about you.” Jarrod took over.” Why didn’t you at least let Nick or I come with you?”

“My fault, my responsibility to fix it.”

“Heath when are you going to learn we’re a family and families solve their problems together?”

“One day…Soon” Heath replied and then slipped back into unconsciousness.

“A day we’ll all look forward too.” Jarrod hugged his little brother.

“AMEN” Was Nicks only reply.

A WEEK LATER

Victoria smiled as she watched the three horses of her sons stop by the rail near the door of Ben’s house. It was good to see them together, Heath surrounded by his brothers. They had all returned. Safe, if not entirely, sound. Watching, as the two brothers carefully helped their younger brother dismount, she felt relief her family was whole and together again.