The Day of Reckoning
Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program
"Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and
have been used without permission. No
copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.
Story
Synopsis: Jarrod is abducted and held in a sanitarium
Prologue
Jarrod Barkley had been at the ranch for almost two
weeks following his ordeal in the Mount Gable Sanitarium. He was getting restless because his mother
had forbid him to do anything. She was only following the doctor’s orders
concerning Jarrod’s activities. She wanted her son to get well and if she had
to ride herd on him she would.
“Now Jarrod,” she said as he stood in the living room of their home in Stockton
looking like he would die of boredom, “I mean it. You are not going for a walk or a ride. You are still recuperating from your ordeal in the sanitarium.
The doctor told you to rest for at least a month and I’m going to see that you
do that. It’s only been two weeks and you still have two weeks to go. And I don’t want you to give me that ‘I’m
going to die if you don’t let me out of here look.’ You are a grown man and you
know just how sick you were. I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
But mother,” he replied looking very disappointed, “I’m fine now. I don’t have
a headache any longer nor do I feel any pain.
I need to get out of this house before I go crazy. And I don’t remember
a lot of what happened in there. How
could I?”
“You are not going and that’s all I’m going to say on this matter,” she told
him looking very serious. “I didn’t
mean that you could remember everything.
Some of the things are better not remembered. Now I suggest you go to
your room and rest.”
“Mother,” he asked suddenly curious, “what are you not telling me?”
“I don’t understand what you mean,” she answered looking at his puzzled
face. “Jarrod, is something wrong?”
“I want to know what you’re hiding from me,” he said looking right at her.
“I’m not hiding anything from you,” she replied not completely
understanding. “I’ve told you
everything that happened.”
“Mother,” he told her getting slightly upset, “I know something happened during
the time I was in the sanitarium.
What?”
“Jarrod,” she said trying to calm him down, “you were drugged. That’s all that happened. You banged your head once.”
“How?” he asked wanting to know everything.
“I don’t think you need to concern yourself with that right now,” she
answered. “You are still recovering and
you need to rest. Now, do I have to
take you to your room or are you going by yourself?”
“I’m going,” he said but he was still confused about several things. “I just wish you would tell me all of it.”
“I have told you everything,” she replied standing up. “Now, go rest.”
Jarrod didn’t say anything else. He knew better than to try to sway his
mother. She already had her mind made
up and she wasn’t about to change it. He just turned walking back up the stairs
and down the hallway to his room. He
wasn’t happy. He felt like a
prisoner. He wanted to go outside and
just walk around but his mother had forbidden him from doing it. He thought about sneaking out of the house
but thought better of it especially with his broken wrist. He decided to lie down on his bed for
awhile. As he laid there, he thought about what his mother had said.
“What could she be hiding?” he asked himself.
“What all happened in there that no one told me about? Did I do something that they are afraid I’ll
do again if they tell me? All I have
are questions but no answers.
Finally, he let his eyes close.
“Mother!” Nick yelled as he walked in the front door about thirty minutes later
along with slamming the door, “Where’s Jarrod?
I wanted to know if he wanted to come out to the corral and watch the
hands trying to break Dynamite. He’s been in this house too long and he needs
to get out.”
“You have a horse named Dynamite?” she asked looking at him. “What kind of name is that for a horse?”
“He acts just like TNT,” he answered as he stopped in the doorway to the living
room. “You know, wants to explode.
Anyway where is Jarrod?”
“Nicholas,” she said very calmly, “first and foremost, you do not need to raise
your voice when you walk in the door. Also, you do not need to close the door
so loudly. I can hear you just fine if
you would use your regular voice. Second, Jarrod is in his room resting.”
“Resting!” he cried shaking his head.
“I would have thought he would be so tired of his bed after two weeks.”
“Will you please lower your voice?” she asked getting slightly upset. “Your brother is resting as per the doctor’s
orders. You know I’ve told you and told you that one of these days you are
going to shatter all the windows in this house not to mention my eardrums with
your shouting.”
“I’m sorry mother,” he answered looking a little sheepish. “You know me. If I have something to say I don’t whisper it.”
“I know that very well,” she said looking at her second son. “Now to answer your question, I have already
forbidden Jarrod from leaving this house.”
“You can’t!” he cried. “Jarrod needs to
get out in the fresh air. I bet he’s
already going crazy.”
“Nicholas,” she said very sternly, “I will tell you what I told him. He is not going out to walk or ride or
anything else. The doctor said for him
to take it easy for at least a month. I
intend to have him head those words.”
“But mother,” he replied looking at her, “Jarrod is much better. He is moving around without any problems.
I’ll even keep an eye on him the whole time he is outside."
Jarrod, who had heard Nick’s voice, woke up, got up from his bed and left his
room walking down the stairs. He smiled
as he heard his mother telling Nick to be quieter. He was hoping that Nick
could help him persuade her to let him out if only for a short time.
“Did I hear my name?” he asked as he walked up beside of Nick. “Nick, what are
you doing in here in the middle of the morning? You can’t have run out of work.”
“You are supposed to be resting young man,” she said as she looked at him. “I’ve already told you that you can’t go
outside yet.”
“Come on mother,” Nick replied looking at Jarrod. “He won’t do anything. I
promise. It will do him good to get
some fresh air. If he stays in here much longer, he might wilt.”
“Please mother,” he told her looking at her with hope. “I promise I won’t do anything. I’ll just watch Nick and the other hands.
What’s the big idea of saying I’m going to wilt? I’m not a flower Nick.”
“Didn’t mean anything personal Jarrod,” Nick said smiling. “I was just trying to convince mother that
you need to get out in the fresh air. I
already know you’re going stir crazy in here.”
“That you have right,” he replied nodding.
“I’ve seen those four walls in my room long enough. I want to live a little.”
“Not too much,” Nick told him. “You
still better listen to mother and the doctor.”
“That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said Nick,” she said looking at both
her sons. “I don’t know what I’m going
to do with you two. You’re supposed to
be grown men but you act like little boys.
How am I supposed to treat you?”
“Mother,” Nick replied looking at her, “we’re men but we’re still young and we
do make mistakes. That’s how we’re
supposed to learn. But if you lock us
in our rooms till we’re old, we’ll never learn anything.”
“Nick,” he told his brother, “sometimes I need an interpreter to understand
what you say. What in the blazes are
you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you staying in this house for a month,” Nick said getting a little
bit angry. “Is that what you want? Or would you rather spend some of it outside
in the wide open spaces breathing fresh air?”
“I see what you mean now,” he replied smiling.
“I just wanted to make sure what you said.”
“Boys,” she told them looking at both of them.
“There is still the question of whether I will allow Jarrod to got
outside in the first place. I’m
thinking it over very carefully.”
Victoria sat there contemplating what her answer would be. She looked from Nick to Jarrod and back. Finally, she nodded.
“Nick,” she said very sternly, “you make sure he doesn’t do anything. I’m counting on you. And Jarrod, if you start to get tired, I
want you back in this house to rest. Is
that understood boys?”
“Yes mother,” both Jarrod and Nick replied smiling.
“Mother,” Jarrod commented smiling, “thank you. I’ll remember. Try not to
worry.”
“Come on Jarrod,” Nick told him as he pulled Jarrod from the room. “Let’s get
out of here before she changes her mind.”
“You’re right,” he said smiling as they went out the door. “You don’t know what
this means to me. Mother wasn’t about to let me out for any reason. I was about to high tail it out of there.
Even if I had to climb out my bedroom window.”
“And get caught along with having to listen to mother’s I told you so,” Nick
replied laughing. “Although that would
have been a sight.”
“What would have?” he asked not sure what Nick had meant.
Sometimes Jarrod had a very hard time trying to figure out what Nick was
talking about and this was another of those times.
“You trying to climb out of your room down that old tree with your broken
wrist,” Nick answered still smiling. “I
can see you trying to slide down and ending up on the ground the hard way.”
“Yeah,” he said laughing. “I would then
have to sit down for one of mother’s many lectures. You remember those don’t
you?”
“That’s for sure,” Nick replied as they walked. “At least I saved you that much. Oh of course. She used to give me one almost everyday when
we were in school. Usually they were
for fighting.”
“You sure did,” he told his brother.
“I’m very grateful. I didn’t
know how long I would have to stay in that house. You were a fighter when we
were both younger. Sometimes I was glad you were and sometimes I wasn’t. When I wasn’t it was usually because you got
me tangled up your problems.”
“Mother’s just being very careful,” Nick said looking at Jarrod seriously. “She doesn’t want you to get sick or have a
relapse. I can see her point. And for
your information, I still am a fighter.
I’d rather put my fist into someone’s face then listen to what they have
to say.”
“You’re a lot of help,” he replied looking hurt. “You sound just like mother. I know you do. That’s why I’m the level-headed brother
remember?”
“Come on,” Nick told him. “You want to
see the hands break Dynamite or not?”
“Sure,” he said hurrying to catch up with Nick. “I love being able to come
outside for at least a little while. By the way, where’s father?”
“You’re going to get better,” Nick replied as they walked over to the
corral. “I know you are and then you’re
going to put that maniac where he belongs, in jail. Father is working a crew of
hands in the north pasture this morning.
But he should be back by lunchtime.”
“I sure hope so,” he told his brother.
“I don’t want him coming after me again. You, Audra, Gene, mother or father could get hurt.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Nick said smiling.
“We can take care of ourselves.
But we need to keep you safe.
You’re the one that can put him away and he knows that too.”
“I know he does,” he replied looking somber.
“Nick, he’s tried to kill me twice or at least keep me away from the
courts. I want to put him where he
belongs. For good.”
“I know you do Jarrod,” Nick told him. “But just take the time to heal
now. The trial isn’t for several
weeks. You’ll be ready and then you can
take care of Henry Radcliff.”
“True,” he said as they walked up to the corral. “Isn’t that Steve Baker on the
horse?”
“Sure is,” Nick replied as he looked inside the corral. “He’s a good man if he don’t get stove up
from riding Dynamite.”
“Nick,” he told his brother, “you really surprise me. You can really care about others or you can hate their guts. And when you care, you’ll go out of your way
to help them. I guess that’s what I admire most about you.”
“You are just know starting to understand me,” Nick said laughing. “Boy are you behind the times. We’ve been together for the past twenty-one
years and you’re just now starting to appreciate me. I’m going to have to give you a lesson in respecting your younger
brother.”
“Nick,” he replied looking at Nick, “I don’t need to understand you. I already do. That’s the problem. I
understand you too well and I know what you are thinking before you do.”
“Oh very funny,” Nick told him. “Let’s
watch the hands.”
But Nick knew that Jarrod was right.
They did know each other almost as well as they knew themselves.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to help Jarrod when he was lost in the
desert or again when he was lost in the sanitarium. He only had an idea of what Jarrod had gone through while he was
left to die in both places. And he
wanted to protect his brother. But he
also knew that he couldn’t protect Jarrod from having to face that man in court. That would have to be done by Jarrod
himself. Nick knew that Jarrod was
perfectly capable of putting that man away for good but he also worried that he
could try again. And there was no way he was going to let that happen even if
he had to stay with Jarrod every minute of every day until the trial.
When they stopped at the corral, one of the hands was already on the chestnut
horse’s back and he was trying to maintain his hold on the animal.
“Ride him Steve,” Nick said cheering him trying to be happy for Jarrod even if
he was still worried about his brother’s safety. “Hold on.”
“Hold on,” he replied smiling really enjoying himself for the first time in
weeks. “Don’t let him get the better of
you.”
Nick looked over at Jarrod. He could
tell that his brother was really enjoying himself despite the fact that he had
almost died not once but twice. Nick
hadn’t realized how much he relied on having Jarrod around until he almost lost
him when Jarrod was in that sanitarium.
If Radcliff had been able to cause Jarrod to remain afraid and not
knowing whom anyone was, he would have walked out of court a free man but
Jarrod had surprised him. For that
matter Jarrod had surprised his brother too.
Nick was frankly amazed that Jarrod had recovered as quickly as he had.
Steve was too busy trying to maintain his hold on the horse to acknowledge
Nick’s presence or anyone else’s for that matter. He was trying to maintain his
focus on the horse.
“What do you think about the horse?” Nick asked as he looked over at Jarrod.
“Do you think father and I were right in buying him?”
“Looks like he is going to take a while to break,” he answered watching
Steve. “Maybe you should try. Yes I
think you made a good choice. You’re
the one who knows horseflesh. I don’t.”
“Me,” Nick said laughing. “I don’t
break them any longer. I let the hands
break them as well as breaking other things. Jarrod, you are a vital part of
this ranch and don’t you forget it. I
don’t know much about the financial side but you do. I know about how the work goes.
You know. Getting the men to do
it, etc. But don’t you let anyone tell
you you’re not a part of this ranch. Or
for that matter this family. You are
and you can take that to the bank.”
“What’s the matter Nick?” he asked trying to rile his brother. “You getting soft. Thanks for the comment
Nick. It means a lot. I know you know everything else about the
ranch but with my law business, I’m not going to have a great deal of time to
help you and father but I will do whatever I can.”
“I am not soft,” Nick answered a little more forcefully than he intended. “I just don’t want to ride him that’s all.
Jarrod, you are my brother and I love you even if I don’t say it much. You are a vital part of this family and
don’t you ever forget it. Or I’ll have
to remind you.”
“Yeah,” he said smiling. “You are
afraid. You just won’t admit it. I know
what you’re doing Nick. And I
appreciate it very much. But you don’t
need to worry about me. I’m going to be
fine.”
“I am not,” Nick replied starting to get angry. “Just for that. I’ll show
you. I know you are going to get well. Haven’t I been telling you that all
along? Let me show you how it’s done.”
Nick climbed up on the corral fence and then over onto the ground. He walked over to the two hands that had
gotten a hold of the horse after Steve had been thrown to the ground.
“Let me have him,” Nick said as he looked back at Jarrod. “Old Jarrod there doesn’t think I can break
him. He thinks I’m too soft. I’ll have
to prove it to him and you.”
“I was only joking Nick,” he replied trying to talk Nick out of trying to break
the horse. “I didn’t mean for you to
take it so seriously.”
“I’m going to show you lawyer man,” Nick told him as he climbed up on the
horse’s back.
Nick held on with all his might. Jarrod
watched as the horse tried to dislodge Nick from his back. Jarrod climbed up on
the bottom fencing. His right foot
slipped and he was forced to drop to the ground hard because he couldn’t grab a
hold of the top fencing with his right hand because of the cast. He jarred himself but he didn’t notice any
problems at the time so he decided not to mention it to Nick at least for now.
If his mother found out about this, she would never let him out of her sight.
Nick wasn’t about to be thrown because he wanted to show that brother of his
just what he could do. He waved at
Jarrod, who stuck up his right thumb toward his brother. After a few more minutes, Nick was sitting
on a trotting horse. Jarrod smiled.
“Nick,” he called, “you’ve still got it.”
Nick dismounted walking over to his brother.
“Didn’t I tell you that I would break him,” Nick said smiling broadly. “You’re the one who didn’t want to believe
me.”
“I’m sorry Nick,” he replied lowering his head. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Lately, that’s all I feel
like I have done to everyone. I’m sorry
for everything.”
“You didn’t,” Nick told him putting an arm around Jarrod’s shoulder. “You all right?”
“Yeah I guess,” he said smiling. “I’m
still confused about things and I’m trying to deal with what has happened to me
even if I can’t remember it. I’m just relieved that you are still in one
piece.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Nick asked him.
“I’ve been doing this since I was a very young boy. Jarrod, is something
wrong?”
“No,” he answered but Nick could tell that something was indeed bothering him.
“What is it?” Nick asked looking at Jarrod.
“I know you’re still recovering from what happened in that sanitarium
but there must be something else.”
“I’m fine,” he answered and turned away.
“Jarrod,” Nick said as he walked closer to his brother, “I...”
“Just let it drop,” he replied and changed the subject “I remember the first time you tried to
break a horse. You scared me to death.”
Jarrod thought back to the day that his brother had first tried to break a
horse.
“Nick,” fourteen year old Jarrod said as
his ten year old brother was climbing up on an unbroken horse, “I don’t think
you should be doing this. You’re too
young. Father is going to be angry with
you if he doesn’t kill you first.”
“Jarrod,” Nick replied as he looked down at his brother, “quite worrying. I’ll be fine and I guarantee father will be
proud of me.”
“If you don’t get killed first,” he told his stubborn brother. “Please don’t do
this. I’m afraid Nick and I don’t want
to lose you.”
“Quit you’re bellyaching,” Nick said looking smug. “I’ll be fine and I’ll show you what I can do.”
Nick and the horse were turned loose even though the hands didn’t want to let
Nick do it. He pushed them into it.
“Nick,” one of the hands said as he looked at the boy, “you know your father
don’t want you doing this just now.
You’re too young. What if you
get hurt? He’ll blame us for letting you.”
“Quit worrying,” he replied looking at the hands. “I’m going to be fine.”
“Nick,” Jarrod told him, “I wouldn’t.”
“Shut up Jarrod,” he said looking at his brother. “I’m going to ride this horse and there’s nothing either one of
you can say that will change my mind.”
“OK,” Jarrod replied giving up. “Don’t
say I didn’t warn you.”
But Jarrod knew that their father would be just as angry at him as he would be
with Nick because he hadn’t been able to stop Nick from doing this. Nick
managed to stay on the horse’s back for only about a minute before being thrown
to the hard ground. Jarrod was at his
side, helping him to his feet.
“You were lucky you weren’t killed,” he said as he looked over at Nick. “I told
you not to do it. But as usual you wouldn’t listen to me. Now you’ve not only gotten yourself in
trouble but me as well. Sometimes Nick
you make me so mad.”
“I was perfectly fine,” Nick replied smiling. “I showed you big brother. That’s
all you worry about isn’t it? You’re
only concerned with yourself. Let me
tell you something Jarrod, I don’t need nor do I want your help. I can handle my own problems from now on.”
“You could have been killed,” he told Nick.
“Father will be very upset when he finds out I let you do it. That’s
fine with me. You won’t listen to me
anyway.”
“I’ll tell you something,” Nick said smiling.
“Father won’t be angry. He will
be smiling. We go our separate ways.”
“I don’t think so,” he replied trying to warn Nick. “All right.”
That evening after the family had finished their dinner, Tom looked at Nick. He
had the impression during dinner that Jarrod and Nick were having
problems. They wouldn’t look at each
other nor would they speak to each other.
“Did you do it?” he asked looking right at Nick.
“Did I do what father?” Nick wanted to know.
“Did you ride that horse?” he asked looking upset. “I’ve told you and Jarrod to
stay away from the horses that are not broken.
They are dangerous and they can hurt you.”
“Sure did,” Nick answered smiling broadly.
“I showed Jarrod that I could. He kept saying that all I did was get him
in trouble so I proved to him that I could ride that horse.”
“And you let him do it,” he said looking over at Jarrod. “You’re supposed to be the oldest. You were supposed to stop him not let him.
What am I going to do with the two of you? It’s like you’re in competition with
each other. You’re trying to best each
other. If you don’t stop, one or both
of you are going to get hurt or killed.”
“I’m sorry father,” Jarrod replied looking ashamed. “I did try. But you know
how Nick is when he gets something in his mind. He goes out and does it. And
besides I won’t be telling him what to do any longer.”
“I’m grounding both of you,” he told his sons.
“You are both confined to your rooms except for meals and chores. You
have to do this for one week. And if
either of you say a word about it, I’ll make it two weeks. Is that understood?
What do you mean you won’t be telling him what to do?”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod said looking down. “I’m very sorry father. Nick and I have
parted as brothers. He doesn’t want nor
need my help any longer. So from now on
if he does something stupid you can’t blame me. I promise it won’t happen
again. Ad least from my point of view.”
“Same here,” Nick replied smiling. “And
it was certainly worth it. Jarrod always wants to stick his nose in my business
and I don’t like it.”
“I see he told his sons. “I have a
feeling before too long you’ll both change your minds.”
“I don’t think so,” Jarrod said looking at Nick who shook his head.
“We’ll see,” he replied.
Jarrod shook his head as he came back to the
present.
“You not only got yourself in trouble but me too,” he said shaking his head. “I
was never mad at anyone in my life as I was at you. I remember that week. It
was so hard to stay in my room and father made me stay away from my books
too. You really had me punished."
“Yeah but I proved to father what a rancher I was,” Nick replied nodding. “He never stopped me after that. And I’m
sorry you couldn’t read those sissy books of yours. No wonder you are starting to look fat, you never get out and
exercise.”
“He didn’t want to break all the windows in the house with your loud voice when
you were yelling at him because he didn’t want you to do something that stupid.
And I am not fat! I’ve never been fat
in my life. You sometimes rile me up so
much that I want to haul off and sock you.
But I won’t. I know you and all
it would do would be to get me into trouble and I can think of better things to
do with my time.”
“Stupid!” Nick cried. “That was a
perfect ride. How can you call it
stupid? Jarrod, if you weren’t hurt, I’d think about punching your lights out
for that remark but since you are I’ll forgive you this time.”
“Because you scared me half to death,” he said looking at Nick. “I was afraid that you were going to get
killed. It was a very stupid thing to
do. You’re going to forgive me. I’m
just being honest Nick. You’re the one
that can’t deal with the honesty.”
“I was all right,” Nick replied looking back at the corral. “Let’s drop it now. Just watch the hands and enjoy your
freedom.”
Jarrod nodded and smiled.
Chapter One
In Carson City, Henry Radcliff sat at his desk and
he wasn’t a very happy man.
“You let him get away,” he said as he looked at the other man sitting in the
room. “You let him get away. I had it all planned out. And you blew it. He had the mind of a child;
he was scared to death and what did you do, you let another doctor help him.”
“I’m sorry sir,” Aaron Powell replied as he looked at his employer. “I tried but he was able to get help for
that drug. I had him scared to death of
his own shadow.”
“You failed,” he told the man. “I’m
very disappointed in you. I’m sitting
here looking forward to a trial where I could end up in prison for the rest of
my life. I should take you out and
shoot you.”
“Please sir,” Powell said trying to come up with a way to keep from getting
killed. “I promise that I can still get
rid of him. I have another plan.”
“What is it as if I’m interested?” he replied shaking his head. “There is a saying and I think it applies
here. If you want something done, you
have to do it yourself.”
“I was thinking that since he was in Stockton we could still get to him,”
Powell told him. “It would be simple
just to shoot him where he stands.”
“No,” he said as he thought of a better idea.
“I don’t want him shot just yet. It may come down to that later but
first and foremost I want him to suffer to the end. I want him to know who did this to him and why.”
“Are you going to send him a wire saying that his days are numbered?” Powell
asked not understanding. “He would know that you were coming after him and he
would be prepared when you arrived. It
doesn’t make any sense.”
“No you idiot,” he answered shaking his head at Powell’s grasp of what he was
planning. “Let me put this in words
that someone as stupid as you can understand.
Frankly, I don’t know why I ever hired you. I have a plan that will take
care of our young Mr. Barkley once and for all and let me have the revenge that
I’ve wanted for the last eighteen years.”
“You’ve said that the last two times and the young cuss is still alive,” Powell
said looking at the man. “What could
you possibly do to him that would kill him? I don’t think he can be killed. And
what do you mean for the last eighteen years? What are you hiding? And let me
tell you something. I shouldn’t have
taken this job in the first place. It
has been one headache after another since you hired me. Don’t you dare lay all
the blame on me. You’re responsible
too.”
“What would you say if I was to tell you that I’m going to cause the young cuss
to die in agony and suffer to the end?” he asked smiling. “It’s none of your
business what I meant. I know what I
meant and that’s all that matters.”
“I would say how,” Powell answered. “You’ve also tried that twice before and
failed both times. You had him left out in the desert to die but he was saved
by an Injun that shouldn’t have been out there in the first place and then you
had him committed to that sanitarium where another doctor was able to repair
the damage that you caused. What more
could you do to him? I promise you this much.
I will find out what you are referring to and then I’ll know your
secret.”
“Just suppose that he is riding along toward Stockton from the ranch on his horse,”
he said smiling as he talked. “A man is
sitting on his horse on top of one of the many high rolling hills above the
road to town. Young Barkley is riding
along when a shot rings out to the back of the horse. Since he’s not expecting
anything to happen, he would be surprised or startled. He wouldn’t have time to
react. You try to blackmail me and you won’t live very long. I mean it
Powell. You don’t mean a thing to me.”
“You’re not going to shoot the horse are you?” Powell asked interrupting. “I
mean that wouldn’t do any good. And how do you know so much about the landscape
around Stockton. Have you been there
before? Don’t threaten me. Remember I
can go to the sheriff and tell him everything even though I will also be making
myself liable for the wrongs I’ve done, you will be right there beside of me.”
“I was getting to that,” he answered showing his displeasure at being
interrupted. “The horse would bolt and
start to run very fast. Then the man
could fire again at the front of the horse causing it to rear up throwing its
rider off. But not just anywhere. I want him thrown off where he will fall to
his death down a ravine or something similar.
He will die out there all alone.
And they will call it an unfortunate accident just like the one that
killed his grandfather almost twenty years ago. No, I’ve never been to Stockton
but Paul Davis has and so has a few other men who’ve worked for me. They have explained the landscape around the
town. This idea will work if I can find
the right man. You’re making it very easy for me to shut you up for good. I would advise you to do what you’re told
and let the rest alone.”
“Sounds like it just might work,” Powell said as he thought about what Radcliff
had just told him. “Who would you get?
How do you know his grandfather died in a similar accident? All right. I’ll let it be for now.”
“I have a man for just that purpose,” he replied looking at Powell. “He is a perfect shot and that’s what it is
going to take to pull this off. I have my ways of knowing. It seems that young Barkley was quite
upset. He even tried to end his own
life. I think this would be
fitting. Don’t you? Good. I’m glad you’re seeing it my way.”
“What about his family?” Powell asked realizing that his family could cause
problems too. “They seem to know when
he is hurt or missing. If you say so.
How do you know so much about his family? ”
“I’ve considered that too,” he answered.
“I believe I know how I can stop that from happening again. In the last
few months, I’ve made it my business to find out everything I could about
Barkley. His life is filled with
problems. Not only did he blame himself
for his grandfather’s death but he was angry with his own father. That’s not a very sane man. If he somehow makes it to court maybe my
lawyer can just tear young Barkley’s life to shreds. But I’m hoping to stop him from even making it to court in the
first place.”
“Well?” Powell wanted to know. “Don’t
leave me hanging.”
“I am not only going to kill young Jarrod Barkley but his father and brother
too,” he commented very calmly. “And if I get a chance, I’ll just take care of
the whole family. They’ll never be able
to hurt me after I’m through with them. Especially after what happened those many
years ago. I owe them big time and it’s
time to collect. And no one will know that it was me that caused an entire
family to die.”
“No way,” Powell said as he realized what the man was planning. “You can’t wipe out an entire family just to
get one man. That’s premeditated
murder.”
“Yes it is,” he told Powell. “But I’m
tired of having to deal with any of them.
I believe my plan will still work. And I’ll walk out of that courtroom a
free man. And my other problem will be taken care of too.”
“It will work but the authorities will not say it’s an accident,” Powell said
as he thought about what Radcliff was planning. “It will look like someone wanted them dead. You have to make it look like an accident.”
“That’s why you are here,” he replied looking at the man. “You come with that answer. That’s what I pay you for. And if you can’t, I know more that can.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Powell told him as he rose. “I need to contact a man.
He is an excellent shot and it might come down to just shooting all of
them.”
“If he won’t do it,” he said standing also, “I also know someone who will.”
“Of course sir,” Powell replied heading out the door. “I will keep you posted.”
After Powell left his office, Radcliff turned to the door that led into the back
room of the office. Another man walked
out only this one didn’t smile. He
sneered as he made his way to the desk.
“You heard it all?” he asked as he looked at the man.
“Yes,” the man answered. “Do you want
it taken care off?”
“By all means,” he said smiling. “I
don’t want any slip ups this time. And tie up every loose end. I don’t want anything to implicate me in any
way. And while you’re at it, take care of him too. He knows too much and that is a liability.”
“There won’t be any,” the man replied sneering. “There won’t be any witnesses either. He won’t know what hit
him.”
That said, the man left the same way he had entered. Radcliff sat there and smiled.
“It will soon be over,” he said.
Before the man left Carson City, he shot and killed Aaron Powell leaving his
body in an alley.
Chapter Two
Jarrod came inside the house from the corral about
two hours later. His mother met him at
the door.
“Are you tired?” she asked as she met him in the foyer. “You’ve done enough for
today. It’s time to rest.
“A little,” he answered as he stopped in front of her. “All right. I am kind of tired.”
She looked closely at him. His face was
pale and he was breathing heavy. She
caught his arm as he almost dropped to his knees.
“Jarrod,” she said as she helped him to the couch in the living room, “I knew
this was a mistake. You’ve overdone and
now you’re ill.”
“I’m just a little bit weak,” he replied as he sat down laying his head
back. “I have a small headache.”
“You’re going straight to bed,” she told him as she sat down beside of
him. “I don’t want any argument from
you either. I’m going to have your
father or Nick help you to bed and that’s where I want you to stay for the rest
of the afternoon. Is that understood?”
“Yes mother,” he said trying to focus on her face. “I guess I’m more tired than I thought but I really enjoyed
spending time with Nick outside. Nick
broke Dynamite. I guess I dared him and
he took the dare. I remember the first
time he tried to break a horse.”
“I remember it very well,” she replied smiling. “Nick was only ten at the time.
That was much too young to try to break an animal bigger than he was.”
“I know mother,” he told her trying to relax his aching head. “I was punished for letting him do it.”
“You know why you were punished don’t you?” she asked looking at his pale face.
“Yes,” he answered trying to think but not being able to. “I was supposed to stop him from doing
it. But it was like arguing with a
fence post. Nick wouldn’t listen then
and he won’t listen now. He’s
stubborn.”
“I know someone else that is stubborn,” she said looking at Jarrod. “He doesn’t want to listen to someone who is
only concerned about his health.”
“I’m sorry mother,” he replied putting his left hand up to his head. “It’s a
little warm in here too.”
“Jarrod,” she asked becoming very concerned, “is your head causing you pain?”
“I believe so,” he answered but his facial features showed the amount of
discomfort he was in.
She felt his forehead noticing that it was warm. She stood up realizing that the doctor needed to look at
Jarrod. She wasn’t sure what was wrong
with her son but whatever it was it was serious.
“I’m going to send for Dr. Merrar,” she said as she started for the front door.
“I want him to have a look at you. I
don’t like the fact that you are in so much discomfort along with feeling like
you have a fever.”
“Mother,” he replied trying to stop her, “I’m all right. I just need to relax a
few minutes before I try to do anything else. I guess I overdid it
outside. That’s all.”
“No Jarrod,” she told him continuing to walk.
“I’m sending your father for the doctor and I don’t want an argument
from you about it.”
“Yes mother,” he said as his eyes closed.
“You stay right there until I get back,” she replied as she opened the
door. “I don’t want you to get up.”
“All right,” he told her as he left.
She could tell that he was uncomfortable. She also knew he was running a fever
probably from whatever was making him so weak. She wanted to be safe than
sorry. She left the house walking out to the corral where she saw Tom and Nick
talking. It was getting close to noon and they were undoubtedly getting ready
for lunch.
“Tom,” she said as she hurried over to him, “I need you to ride into Stockton
to get Dr. Merrar.”
“Why the doctor?” Nick asked not understanding. “Is someone hurt?”
“No,” she answered still looking at Tom.
“Jarrod is not feeling very well.
He is very pale and he seems to be some pain from his head.”
“He was fine when he was outside with me earlier,” Nick said looking at
her. “What do you think caused it?”
“I’m not sure,” she replied looking worried.
“I only know that he needs to see the doctor.”
“All right,” he told her as he headed for the barn to saddle his horse. “I’ll ride to Stockton and ask the doctor to
have a look at Jarrod. Where is he
now?”
“He’s resting on the couch,” she said as she headed for the house. “He didn’t
think he could make it upstairs by himself and I agree. One of you will have to help him. I better
get back to him.”
“I will when I get back from town,” he replied as he walked out of sight in the
barn.
Nick couldn’t understand what had happened but he knew one thing for sure. Jarrod was sick and he needed to be with his
brother.
“Wait mother,” he said as he caught up to her.
“I want to see him especially if he is very ill. I want to be with him
because I was afraid twice before that I was going to loose him. And I’m not
going to let him go through this alone.”
“All right,” she replied as the two of them walked back into the house. “Nick,
he’ll be glad you’re there with him through this. You’re a very special
brother. I’ll need help getting him up to his room.”
“Is he that bad?” he asked looking very concerned. “I mean I didn’t see him do
anything that would have hurt him while he was outside with me.”
“Yes,” she answered hurrying toward the house. “He almost fell to his knees
when he walked inside a short time ago.
I’m very worried.”
After his mother had left the house, Jarrod’s stomach lurched and he tried to
stand. He wanted to try and make it to the front door. He thought the fresh air might help stop him
from feeling like vomiting. But he didn’t make it. His legs became very wobbly
and wouldn’t support his weight. He
went down on his knees just inside the foyer and tried to cradle his head with
his hands, which threatened to explode
“Nick!” he cried as he tried to deal with the pain he was having. “Help me!”
When Victoria and Nick entered the house, they both saw Jarrod on his knees on
the floor of the foyer. She quickly ran
to him, cradling his head in her arms after turning him over onto his back. She
could tell he was very ill.
“Honey,” she said as she looked at him, “I told you to stay put.”
“I felt like I was going to throw up,” he replied trying to hide his pain. “I tried to get to the door for some fresh
air but I guess I didn’t make it. I’m better now.”
Jarrod tried to sit up but he fell backwards into his mother’s arms. She shook her head at Nick.
“No you’re not,” she told Jarrod as she continued to hold him in her arms. “I’m going to put you to bed until the
doctor arrives and then we’ll see what we are dealing with.”
“I wish I could argue with you,” he said trying to hold his aching head
up. “But right now I’m in so much pain
that I can’t think.”
“Jarrod,” Nick replied as he knelt down beside of his brother, “you were fine
when we were outside. What caused you to hurt?”
“I’m not sure,” he told Nick trying to focus on his brother. “I was watching you riding the horse and I
climbed up on the bottom fencing. My
foot slipped and I dropped to the ground pretty hard because I couldn’t get a
handhold on account of my broken wrist.
My head was starting to bother me then but it gradually got worse. By
the time I walked to the house, I was in a lot of pain. Mother, I can’t feel anything other than
pain. My head feels like it is going to explode. Please do something.”
“Take it easy Jarrod,” she said looking down at him knowing how much he was
hurting. “I want to get you to your
room. The doctor is going to be here soon.
He’ll give you something to help you feel better.”
“I don’t think I can stand up again,” he replied trying to focus on her. “I’m still sick on my stomach and I’m
dizzy.”
“All right then,” she told him looking up at Nick. “We’re going to put you up on the couch. When the doctor and your father arrive, then
we can move you.”
“Fine,” he said as he tried to sit up only to grab his head with his
hands. “I can’t.”
“Don’t worry Jarrod,” Nick replied getting onto his feet. “I can pick you up and lay you on the
couch.”
Nick gently picked up his brother laying him on the couch. Jarrod cried out as
the sudden movement made him very sick.
“Oh no!” he cried trying to stay as calm as he could but not entirely
succeeding. “I’m going to be sick.”
“It’s all right,” Nick said as he laid his brother on the couch. “Go ahead and
throw up. It might make you feel
better.”
Jarrod had closed his eyes trying to curb his aching head. Nick looked at his mother and she had the
same expression on her face that was on his.
They were both very worried and very concerned about Jarrod.
“Honey,” she asked as she looked down at him, “is your stomach settling down
any? It won’t be long before the doctor will be here.”
“I hope not,” he answered as he closed his eyes again. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“You go ahead,” she told him as she knelt beside of the couch. “I’ll be right here beside of you.”
Jarrod nodded but he was able to keep it down. He breathed a sigh of relief, as
he was able to relax a little.
“Mother,” Nick said as he looked at Jarrod, “he looks like he is in a lot of
pain.”
“I know,” she replied looking up at him.
“I only hope that the doctor will help.”
“I’m sure he will,” Nick told her trying to cheer her up but not doing a very
good job of it on himself. “He has to.
I need him.”
The doctor followed by Tom walked in a short time later. He went right to Jarrod. He didn’t have to
be told about Jarrod’s condition, he could see it in the young man’s face.
“How long has he been like this?” he asked looking up.
“Since he walked inside the house about an hour ago,” she answered trying to remember.
“He’s gradually gotten worse since.”
“His concussion is rearing its ugly head again,” he said as he continued to
examine Jarrod. “I’m going to give him
something to help him deal with the discomfort.”
“Doc,” Nick replied as he looked at his brother, “Jarrod said he jarred himself
while he was outside. I didn’t see him
do it.”
“It’s all right Nick,” he told Nick.
“You didn’t know. I don’t think
he would have told you either. He’s too stubborn for that.”
“Doctor,” she asked looking at him, “will he be all right?”
“Yes,” he answered. “But I want him to
rest the remainder of the day and tomorrow.
What has happened is that when he slipped, he jarred his entire body. His head, which is still recovering from not
one but two serious concussions, fought back the only way it could. It made him ill. With rest, he will be fine.
That’s why the doctor in San Francisco told him to rest for an entire
month. Concussions can linger for
several weeks. And Jarrod has had two
of them within a very short period of time.
He’s having to deal with the bruising that it caused and when he jarred
his body, it caused his head to hurt.”
“He will be all right,” she said looking at her son.
“With time and rest,” he replied looking at the family. “I mean rest. I don’t want him up for two days and then when he does start
moving around, he is to take it very easy.
Until his head can heal.”
“We understand doc,” Tom told him. “Now
we need to get him to his room.”
Jarrod opened his eyes looking at his family. He felt just a tiny bit better
but he didn’t want to think about standing up.
“I don’t think I can,” he said closing his eyes to the pain. “I’m feeling so sick.”
“Son,” he replied pulling out a bottle of liquid, “I’m going to give you
something for the pain and to help you be able to rest. It will be rough for about an hour until the
medicine starts to work but you will feel better.”
The doctor gave Jarrod the medicine.
Then Tom, along with Nick eased Jarrod up onto his feet. He was still very ill and he couldn’t stand
up without help.
“Father,” he said begging to be laid back down, “I can’t. I’m so sick. Please let me lay back down.”
“Son,” Tom replied holding onto Jarrod, “it won’t take that long to get
upstairs to your room. I want you to
lean on us.”
Jarrod couldn’t hold his head up nor could he walk on his own. All he wanted to do was cradle his head and
his stomach. Tom and Nick had to practically take all of Jarrod’s weight on
them.
“Please,” he begged again. “I can’t
make it.”
“It’s just a little further,” Tom said trying to keep his son moving. “I know
you’re miserable but we have to get you to bed.”
“I know,” he replied very quietly. “I
am trying.”
“We know you are,” Tom told him continuing to help him up the stairs.
It took all the effort of Tom and Nick to get Jarrod up the stairs. Once they were in the hallway, Jarrod fell
to his knees. The doctor was beside of
him.
“He can’t make it,” he said looking up.
“He’s completely exhausted. If he tries again, he will be very ill.”
“I can carry him,” Tom replied as he put one hand under Jarrod’s back and the
other one under his legs.
Tom carried his son the rest of the way to his room where he gently laid him on
his bed. Nick helped his mother remove
Jarrod’s boots. They didn’t worry about his clothes. Jarrod was just relieved to be still again. She covered him up
and sat down beside of the bed.
“I’m sorry mother,” he said very quietly.
“I never meant to hurt myself.”
“It’s all right,” she replied pushing his hair out of his face. “You’ve overdone and now it’s time to rest.”
Jarrod barely nodded as he closed his eyes drifting off to sleep.
“I’m going to leave this bottle of liquid with you,” the doctor said as he
handed her the bottle of amber liquid.
“I want you to give him a spoonful every two hours for the next five
days. It’s to help his aching head and
the nausea that goes along with it. I also noticed that he appears to be
running a slight fever. This will also
help that.”
“I will,” she replied taking the bottle.
“How long should he remain in bed?”
“I would like for him to stay in bed at least today and tomorrow,” he told
her. “If he feels like getting up the
next day, allow him to but also make him rest some. He’s still dealing with a lot.
But those two concussions really worry me. I don’t want him to overdo and hurt himself again.”
“I sure will keep him in bed,” she said looking at him. “And he’s not going to
argue with me either.”
“Doc,” Tom replied looking at his son, “thanks for helping him. He didn’t ask for any of this. He was kidnapped and placed in there. I watched my own son afraid of me, his own
father. Do you know how that made me
feel?”
“I can only imagine,” he told Tom. “One
thing is for sure. Jarrod will recover
with time.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Tom said smiling.
“The next thing he will have to deal with is the fact that he will have
to testify against the man who caused all this to happen, Henry Radcliff. I still get very angry every time I hear his
name mentioned. That man has done
nothing but try to end Jarrod’s life.”
“Tom,” he replied looking very serious, “you know it’s just possible that the
man could try again. You need to
consider some form of protection for Jarrod until he does testify. He doesn’t
need any further torture. He’s dealing
with enough right now.”
“I know,” Tom told him. “Nick and I can
keep him safe here at the ranch. As for
anywhere else, we’ll worry about that when the time comes.”
“I’ll come by some time tomorrow to see how he is,” he said as he walked toward
the door. “Remember, nothing except
rest.”
“We will,” she replied looking at the doctor as he left. “Tom, I’m going to stay with him for
awhile. You and Nick go on back to
work. But be sure to get you something to eat.
I’ll eat a bit later when Jarrod is feeling better. There’s no need for
all of us to wait. If I need you, I’ll come get you. You have things that need to be done.”
“All right,” he told her as he headed for the door. “Let us know if there is any change.”
“Mother,” Nick said as he headed for the door, “tell Jarrod I’m here for
him. If he needs anything all he has to
do is ask.”
“I will,” she replied as she watched her husband and son leave.
Victoria turned her attention back to Jarrod.
“Honey,” she said looking down at him, “I’m right here. You just rest.”
Tom and Nick slowly walked out to the barn after picking up a sandwich from
Silas. They were both lost in their own
thoughts about Jarrod.
“Father,” Nick said as they walked, “I had no idea he would do something like this
when I asked mother if he could come outside to watch the hands break Dynamite.
I only thought it might do him good to get out in the fresh air for a
while. If I had, I would have kept a
closer watch on him.”
“It’s not your fault son,” he replied looking at Nick. “We can’t watch Jarrod every minute of every
day. He’s trying to heal but he’s going
at it too fast. He needs to give his
body the time it needs. The rest will
come with time.”
“I see what you mean,” Nick told him smiling.
“But I’m still worried. He’s been there for me and now I can be there
for him. He doesn’t have to face this all alone like he did in that
sanitarium.”
“I know you are,” he said putting his arm around Nick’s shoulder. “You and Jarrod are very close. In fact, if it hadn’t been for you, we would
never have found him when he was left in the desert and in the sanitarium. You are a hero son.”
“I don’t feel like one,” Nick replied shaking his head. “I just feel bad for Jarrod. Like you said, he didn’t ask for any of this
to happen to him. But he’s put up a
battle to survive and I’m very proud of him.”
“I am too,” he told his son. “We had
better get some work done.”
Tom and Nick went to work but their hearts were still with Jarrod.
Chapter Three
The man with the snarl rode into Stockton that
afternoon on the stage from Carson City.
He had already taken care of one problem and now he was ready to deal
with the other one. He walked into the hotel where he got a room.
“Wonder if you might tell me where the Barkley spread is,” he said to the hotel
clerk.
“It’s north out of town,” the clerk replied looking at the man after he looked
at the man’s signature. “You got
business with the Barkleys, Mr. Brown?”
“Yes,” he told the man. “I’m here to
conduct some business with at least one of them.”
“You can’t miss the ranch,” the clerk said smiling. “Biggest in the area. Ole Tom is the businessman. He has interests in five states I’ve heard.”
“I see,” he replied looking at the clerk.
“My business is not with him. It’s
with another member of the family.”
“You must mean Jarrod,” the clerk told him.
“He’s a lawyer and has an office here in town only he doesn’t use it
right now. Been out of town for the
past few months I’ve heard working for some big shot in San Francisco.”
“Yes,” he said looking at the man, “my business is with him. I have a legal matter that requires
immediate action. I had heard he was a
pretty fair attorney and thought I would speak to him about it.”
“I’m sure he’ll help you,” the clerk replied.
“He’s always been one to help others.
Good man just like his pappy. In fact, a lot of people around here think
that Jarrod is going to be a politician someday. His pappy wanted to be but things ain’t worked out for him. The boy would be a good candidate. He’s very well liked by most.”
“Thanks for the information,” he told the clerk as he took his key and headed
to his room.
Once inside the hotel room, the man pulled out his rifle, which he kept rolled
up in a cloth so he could clean it. He wasn’t ready to show the town what he
was here to do. To him, this job meant the end of a problem once and for
all. He thought about his intended
target.
“Won’t be too hard,” he said as he worked.
“They can’t guard him every minute of every day.”
He realized from what the clerk said that young Barkley was here. He was afraid that he had missed him
somehow.
“Won’t be too much longer either,” he said with that snarl on his face.
Late that afternoon, the man left the hotel and rode out to the Barkley Ranch where
he looked closely at the road to the ranch as well as how the ranch was laid
out. He didn’t want to make any mistake
in what he was here to do. Unfortunately, he couldn’t shoot him the way
Radcliff wanted it. There was no ravine
anywhere on the road to and from the ranch.
He knew he would have to just shoot him off his horse and let it go at
that. He didn’t see any sign of the one
he was looking for but he did see the old man and one of the boys. So he decided to bide his time. He was in no hurry. They couldn’t hide him forever. Sooner or later, he had to come out of that
house. And Mr. Brown would be there
waiting for him.
When Jarrod finally opened his eyes after sleeping for three to four hours, he
saw his mother’s face looking down at him.
He smiled but his face was still pale and he was still in some pain.
“You’re looking a lot better than you did this morning,” she said as she sat
beside the bed. “How do you feel?”
“I’m better,” he replied trying to sit up. “I think I’ll get up and try to walk
around.”
“Oh no you don’t,” she told him pushing him gently back onto the bed. “The doctor doesn’t want you up for at least
a couple of days.”
“But mother,” he said trying to argue with her. “I’m all right. I was just weak
but I’m fine now.”
“No butts young man,” she replied looking at him with a stern expression on her
face. “I’m telling you Jarrod, that you
have to rest. Your concussion flared up
again. The doctor feels that you need
to completely rest in order to heal. You are pushing yourself too hard too
fast. You have to give yourself time to
heal. And that’s what you are going to
do even if I have to sit on you to do it.”
“I see,” he told her digesting what she had just told him. “Well, I guess I had better do what he says.
I know just how angry you can get and I don’t want to listen to one of your
lectures now.”
“That makes perfect sense,” she said smiling.
“Would you like something to eat? You missed lunch and I had Silas save
you a plate.”
“Not right now,” he replied as he thought about the question. “I’m still a little sick but it’s not near
as bad as it was earlier.”
“That’s good,” she told him smiling.
“When you’re ready I’ll fix you a plate. Why don’t you go back to sleep?
Rest is the best medicine.”
“I am kind of tired,” he said letting his eyes close.
She covered him up and leaned back in the chair.
Tom and Nick had begun to watch a stranger riding the road between the ranch
and Stockton.
“Father,” Nick asked as he watched the man on horseback, “what’s with him? He keeps riding up and down the road. Do you think he’s lost?”
“I’m not sure,” he answered as he too watched the stranger. “I’ve never seen anyone just ride the road
back and forth. It doesn’t make any
sense.”
“You don’t think he’s trying to find Jarrod do you?” Nick asked suddenly
concerned for the safety of his brother.
“I wouldn’t put it past Radcliff to try to get to Jarrod before the
trial.”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” he answered but the same thought had occurred
to him. “Maybe he’s just lost or
looking for something. He’s not come
near the house.”
The man disappeared an hour later.
“That’s strange,” Nick said as he looked up.
“He’s gone.”
“Maybe he found whatever it was he had lost,” he replied smiling. “We have work to do.”
“I know,” Nick told him, “but I’m not going to rest easy as long as Radcliff is
loose.”
“Frankly son,” he said looking at Nick, “neither am I.”
Victoria had dozed off until she heard the front door slam. She knew that Nick
and probably Tom had come in. She looked at the clock noticing that it was
nearly six. She rose from her chair
after looking at Jarrod. He was still
asleep so she quietly exited his room.
When she walked down the stairs, she saw Tom and Nick.
“How is Jarrod?” they asked as they walked over to her.
“He’s still asleep,” she answered as she stopped in front of them. “He woke up once but he was still sick so he
went back to sleep. I’m very worried
about him. His face is so pale. And I
can still see the pain on his face even though he tries to hide it.”
“I’m sure he’s going to be back up on his feet in no time,” Nick said
smiling. “You know Jarrod. You can’t keep a good man down.”
“In this case,” she replied looking serious, “we’re going to have to. He’s still a very sick boy. He’s been through so much and he is in such
a big hurry to get well that he’s not allowing himself the time he needs to
completely heal. I think he realizes
that now. But I doubt that he will heed
the doctor’s orders unless one of us rides herd on him.”
“He sounds just like a Barkley,” Nick told her smiling. “Stubborn.”
“That’s for sure,” she said smiling for the first time. “Takes that from his
father.”
Tom looked at her and finally smiled.
“You’re right of course,” he said smiling.
“But he’s also got a stubborn mother too.”
“Mother,” Nick asked looking at her, “can I go sit with Jarrod? I promise I won’t bother him. I just need to be close to him.”
“All right,” she answered understanding how Nick felt. “There are a few things I need to do. If you need me, you come get me.”
“I will,” Nick said as he bounded up the stairs.
“He really loves and cares about Jarrod,” he replied as he watched Nick
disappear down the hallway.
“He should,” she told him. “After all
they are brothers and have always been close.
You should know that by now.”
“I do,” he said looking at her.
“Remember the time Nick was trapped in that mine?”
“Yes I do,” she replied remembering that day. “It was the longest day of my
life. I didn’t know if I was going to
lose one son or two.”
“Tom,” she asked looking at him as he
stood in the living room of their home late in the evening, “how did it
happen? Why was Nick in there?”
“He was checking on some of the braces for me,” he answered trying to explain.
“I had asked him if he would mind checking them to see if it was safe to send a
crew inside. I would have gone in there myself but the foreman wanted a few
words with me. And Nick volunteered so I let him. He went in by himself and told me it would only take him a few
minutes. I know that I shouldn’t have let him go in there alone but I just
didn’t think about it. The next thing I know I heard a rumble and then a burst
of dust came out the opening. Evidentially, one of them collapsed for some
reason and he’s now trapped inside. I tried to call to him but didn’t get an
answer. I’ve got a crew working on
trying to clear the rubble out of the way to try to reach him but it’s slow.
And not knowing for sure where he is makes it difficult.”
“Jarrod needs to be told,” she said realizing how worried he would be.
“I’ll wire him tomorrow,” he replied nodding.
“There’s nothing he could do tonight. I need to get back out to that
mine just in case they break through to him.”
“Be careful,” she told him as she looked at his face. “I want Nick out of there but I don’t want you or someone else to
become trapped as well.”
“I’ll be careful,” he said as he headed for the door. “Don’t wait up. I’ll
probably be at the mine all night.”
“I understand,” she replied watching him leave. “Please let Nick be all right.”
Jarrod, who was attending the University of California at San Francisco
studying law, woke up in the middle of the night. He was covered in sweat and his heart was pounding very hard in
his chest. Not exactly knowing the
reason behind the feeling he had, he got up, dressed, rented a horse and rode
home to Stockton. He knew something had
happened to Nick.
“Tom,” she asked as she walked up to her husband the next morning outside the
opening to the mine, “has there been any news about Nick?”
Victoria hadn’t heard a word so she was anxious to hear about whether or not
Nick had been found.
“None,” he answered looking at her helpless.
“I wish we could locate him. At least
know that he is alive. There is so much rock that has to be moved. And that’s what is taking so long.”
“We’ll find him,” she said looking at him with hope in her eyes. “I’m sure of it.”
“I wish I was as positive as you,” he replied showing his worry. “Nick’s been in there since yesterday and no
one has heard a word. I’m afraid...”
“Don’t you dare say that,” she told him angrily. “Nick is alive and I won’t believe otherwise.”
“Hey,” he said listening closely, “I hear a horse.”
“Who the devil could that be?” she asked as she heard the horse too. “It’s too
early in the morning for someone calling on us but they wouldn’t be coming
here. They’d go to the house.”
They looked up to see Jarrod ride in.
He jumped from his horse running over to them. They knew he knew
something was wrong. And they guessed
he knew it had something to do with Nick.
“What’s happened?” he asked out of breath.
They could tell that he had been riding all night. He looked tired but also worried about his brother.
“I woke up in the middle of the night knowing that something was wrong with
Nick,” he said as he stood there in front of them. “What’s wrong?”
“Your brother is trapped in the mine son,” Tom answered looking at Jarrod. “He was checking on the braces when it
collapsed.”
“Have you heard anything from him?” he asked very concerned. “I want to know if he...”
“He’s not dead,” she answered. “But
your father said they couldn’t reach him.”
“I never said we couldn’t reach him,” Tom said looking mildly annoyed. “I said that we hadn’t heard anything or
hadn’t found him as of yet.”
“I’m going in there to find my brother,” he replied heading for the mine.
“Tom,” she begged trying to stop Jarrod, “stop him. I don’t want to lose another son.”
“Now you know that I can’t stop him,” Tom told her as he watched Jarrod walk
toward the mine. “He knows his brother
is in there and it’s just possible that he can find Nick.”
“I still don’t like it,” she said looking at him, “but it’s just possible that
you are right.”
Jarrod headed into the mine where he ran into several of the men coming out.
“Any luck?” he asked hopefully.
“None,” one of them answered. “I don’t think he’s even alive.”
“I won’t believe that,” he said as he rushed past them.
Jarrod began to dig frantically. He
knew Nick was alive but he was sure that his brother was hurt.
“Tom,” she said as she came to stand by him at the opening to the mine, “Jarrod
has been in there for hours. He can’t
keep this up.”
“I know that,” he replied as he looked over at her. “But you know how stubborn he is. I’ve already sent a man in there to get him to leave and he’s
refused.”
One of the men hurried over to Tom and Victoria.
“Jarrod just called out,” he said as he came to a stop in front of them. “He’s broken through and he’s going in to
find Nick.”
They waited to see if Nick was alive or dead.
“Nick!” he called as he crawled through the opening he had made in the
rubble. “Nick! Can you hear me?”
“Jarrod,” came a weak reply.
“Nick,” he said as he continued onward, “tell me where you are.”
“I’m about another six or eight yards ahead,” Nick replied very weak.
“Hold on,” he told his brother. “I’m on
my way.”
Jarrod found Nick pinned under a support beam.
He used every ounce of strength he had to move the support. Then he knelt down beside of Nick.
“How bad are you hurt?” he asked very concerned.
“I’m just bruised,” Nick answered looking at Jarrod. “What are you doing here?”
“I knew something was wrong,” he said as he helped Nick to his feet. “I woke up drenched in sweat. I got on a horse and rode until I got here.”
“I’m glad you did,” Nick replied smiling slightly.
Jarrod helped Nick out of the mine. His
parents were thrilled to see their second son even if both he and Jarrod were
filthy.
“I remember the relief that I felt when those two
boys came out of that mine,” she said coming back to the present. “Now I believe that Nick wants to return the
favor to Jarrod.”
“He already has,” he replied looking at her.
“He found Jarrod when he was left in the desert to die and he was able
to get Jarrod to respond to him in the sanitarium. There’s not many brothers
who could do what Nick’s done for Jarrod, Gene and Audra.”
“Yes you’re right of course,” she told him remembering how Nick had found
Jarrod. “And now he needs Nick to help
him through this. I just hope that Nick can do it.”
Tom nodded.
“My sentiments exactly,” he said but inside he was praying that Jarrod would
completely heal.
Chapter Four
Nick walked into Jarrod’s bedroom. He noticed his brother’s eyes were
closed. He sat down in the chair that
his mother had used and watched Jarrod.
“I’m here big brother,” he said as he sat down. “You’re not alone.
Remember that. You’re going to have to lean on me now until you’re
better. I did that to you the time I
was trapped in that mine. And now it’s
my turn to help you. You never gave up hope of finding me. I remember lying
there wondering if I’d ever see the light of day again. And then I heard your voice calling to
me. I was never more relieved to hear
anyone in my life and I was so glad it was you coming to rescue me. Now I’m
going to help you. So you get better
big brother.”
Nick remembered when he had found Jarrod in the desert being helped by that
Indian. His brother was barely alive.
“Jarrod,” he said looking over at his brother, “you fought to come back to us
after being left in the desert to die and you fought really hard in the
sanitarium and the hospital even though you were so angry because of the drug.
I know you have the strength inside of you to pull out of this. Please come
back to me now. I need you big
brother.”
Jarrod was dreaming or at least he thought he was a dream. But it all seemed so
real. He was walking in a lush green
pasture. He could feel the wind on his face and the ground beneath his feet. It
was the most beautiful landscape he had ever seen in his whole life. All of a
sudden he saw someone coming toward him. He started to turn and leave afraid
that the person might be Henry Radcliff. But something told him to stay. He
couldn’t put his hand on it but he wasn’t afraid any longer. As the person came
closer, he couldn’t believe who it was. Charles Barkley came to a stop in front
of Jarrod. Jarrod looked at him trying
to make sure he was seeing his grandfather standing there. The man was the same
age as when Jarrod had last seen him when he was nine. He couldn’t believe any
of this yet here he was standing in front of a man that had been dead for
years.
Nick was also listening to the conversation and his mouth dropped open when he
heard Jarrod use the name.
“Jarrod,” Charles Barkley said not understanding, “you’re not supposed to be
here. It’s not your time. You have much
work to do before you will come here.”
“Is this heaven?” he asked not sure of anything at the moment. “I thought I was
dreaming but this dream is too real.
And why you? I haven’t thought
about you in the last twenty years almost. Except for the other day. I mean before all this happened. But you wouldn’t know about that.”
“Yes son it is,” his grandfather answered smiling. “Your grandmother is here too.
She came to me a few years ago. I know what you’ve been through son. I know you’re afraid and that you’ve been
hurt. Whether you know it or not, I’ve been with you through it all.”
Charles Barkley put a hand to Jarrod’s heart.
“I’m in there,” Charles commented as he looked at his grandson. “Remember that.”
“I remember,” he said looking at Charles.
“How do you know and why am I here?”
“I don’t know,” Charles replied looking at his grandson. “I just do. You still haven’t completed your
destiny Jarrod. You must go back. You have to carry on.”
“Is law what you meant when you said that when I was a boy?” he asked wondering
if he had been right. “I mean father said I would be a famous man someday. I
always wondered if you and he meant law.”
“Yes,” Charles answered. “But you have
a lot of work to do before you come here to join us.”
“I’ve been hurt,” he said looking at his grandfather. “I can’t seem to get better.
I guess I’m at a crossroads sir.”
“You’re not sure which way to go,” Charles replied looking at Jarrod. “That’s
quite understandable. You have to
choose the correct path.”
“Yes,” he told his grandfather. “Tell
me what to do.”
“I can’t do that,” Charles said smiling.
“You will have to make that decision on your own. I will tell you this much. You have to testify. You have to show the people in Carson City
that the man they look up to is nothing more than a murderer and bent on
revenge. He uses people and he will
continue to use people until he is stopped.”
“I see sir,” he replied nodding. “I’m
supposed to testify in a few weeks. Do
you really think I can do this?”
“I know you can Jarrod,” Charles told him.
“You are a Barkley and we never give up at anything. You prove to everyone that you are their
equal. In that way, you will go far as
an attorney and as a man.”
“Thank you grandfather,” he said smiling.
“Again you have helped me. But I
still feel responsible for what happened to you those many years ago. As I told
my partner, Adam Howard, I caused your death.
If I had thought about your feelings instead of wallowing in my own self
pity, you wouldn’t have died.”
“None of that was your fault,” Charles replied looking at Jarrod. “You were very young and your father was
having a hard time dealing with something that had happened to him. Thankfully, before you were hurt any worse,
he realized what he was doing and turned his life around. I was glad I could
help you two mend your relationship before it was too late. You didn’t kill me. You made my last weeks happy. I was thrilled when you and Nick agreed to
stay. I knew before you left the farm,
that you would be stronger inside. And
I was right.”
“We are a whole lot closer,” he told his grandfather. “I’m sorry for your death.”
“I don’t blame you or anyone,” Charles said smiling. “It was my time to come here. I was finished on earth and now it
is your turn to carry on. Remember
that. I’m always there with you in
spirit. You are not alone son. You have
others that can help you. Your parents, brothers, sister and others whom you
trust. Don’t be afraid to seek them out, lean on them and learn from them. You
have a gift inside of you. Use it.”
“I don’t understand,” he replied looking up at his grandfather.
“Jarrod,” Charles told him, “you are my grandson and I love you very much. But you are also a man and as a man you have
to be strong in your convictions. Don’t
let them tell you how to live, work, etc.
You remember who you are and you will go far. Now, you had better
go. You have a lot of work to do before
you will join me here. Remember, look
inside yourself and you will find all the courage and knowledge that you seek.”
With that said, Charles Barkley was gone.
Jarrod finally understood why he had died and he no longer blamed
himself for his grandfather’s death. He
smiled.
Nick had been listening to Jarrod talking and he realized that somehow Jarrod
had been talking to a man who had died almost twenty years ago. Nick couldn’t understand everything he heard
but he too realized that Jarrod was not to blame for Charles Barkley’s
death. He also smiled.
“I wonder what father told grandfather that day,” Nick said as he thought back
to that day still vivid in his mind. “Something happened back then and I intend
to find out what it was.”
Victoria walked in a short time later.
“Nick,” she asked as she walked over to the bed, “has he been awake?”
“No mother,” he answered looking up at her.
“I’ll stay with him now,” she said smiling.
“You go on and get something to eat.”
“I think I will,” he replied standing up.
“There’s something I need to tell father.”
Nick left the room heading down the stairs to the study where he knew Tom would
be.
“Nick,” he said as his second son walked in, “your mother told me she was going
to sit with Jarrod. Any change?”
“No,” Nick replied looking at his father.
“He’s still asleep. Father, can
I tell you something?”
“Of course,” he told his son laying down the pen and looking up at Nick.
“What’s on your mind?”
“While I was sitting with Jarrod,” Nick began still not completely believing
what had just transpired in Jarrod’s room, “he began a conversation.”
“With you?” he asked not understanding. “I thought he was asleep.”
“No,” Nick answered trying to explain.
“With someone else. He was still
asleep. Father, he was talking to
grandfather.”
“Nick,” he said looking at his son, “your grandfather has been dead for nearly twenty
years. There is no way that Jarrod could have been talking to him.”
“I know that,” Nick replied getting angry.
“But Jarrod was talking to him.
I didn’t get all of what was said but Jarrod and I both now know that he
didn’t kill grandfather. Don’t ask me
how I know but I do. Also, Jarrod is
more at peace than I’ve seen him in years.”
“Are you sure about this?” he asked not wanting to believe what Nick was
telling him. “I mean he’s been so ill.
Could it have been something connected with that?”
“Yes father,” Nick answered. “I heard
Jarrod’s side of the conversation. He
was definitely talking to grandfather.
What happened that day we went to Denver? Why did you whip Jarrod? Why
were you so angry with him?”
“I would rather not answer that,” he said wishing Nick had not reminded him of
Strawberry and Leah. “It was a long time ago and I don’t think I need to
explain anything more.”
Tom knew he had to be careful. He
didn’t want to get that angry again.
Because he was afraid someone would get hurt again if he did.
“What are you hiding?” Nick asked wanting to know. “It can’t be that bad. Please tell me father. I know I can help you.”
“I told you I didn’t want to discuss it with you at this time,” he answered
more forcefully than he meant. “I’m sure someday you’ll find out when I decide
to tell you.”
“Well whatever it was,” Nick said looking at his father, “it almost cost me my
brother. I’ll never forget that. Grandfather knew what it was and he didn’t
tell me either. Maybe someday I’ll find
out.”
“I’m sure you will,” he replied smiling.
“You believe that your grandfather stopped Jarrod from feeling guilty in
his death don’t you?”
“Yes I do,” Nick told him nodding. “I
can’t explain it.”
“You don’t have to,” he said smiling.
“Jarrod has blamed himself for his grandfather’s death all these years.
I never realized that until now. No wonder he’s had a hard time. Carrying all that guilt around inside of
him. And now finally, he’s at peace because the guilt is gone. Maybe now he can heal and go on with his
life.”
“I hope he can father,” Nick replied also smiling.
Nick would not find out the secret until after his father’s death and then when
he did his life would change forever.
Chapter Five
After Nick left the room, she sat down in the chair
and looked over at Jarrod. She noticed
a peaceful expression on his face. She
wasn’t sure what it meant but she decided to discuss it with Nick at her
earliest convenience. Something had happened while the two of them were here.
Jarrod opened his eyes looking around.
He noticed his mother sitting next to the bed.
“How long have you been here?” he asked but he wasn’t upset or angry, in fact,
he was smiling.
“Just a few minutes,” she answered not sure what exactly was going on. “How do you feel?”
“I feel better inside than I’ve felt in many years,” he said smiling. “It feels like a giant weight has been
lifted off of me. It’s hard for me to explain exactly how I do feel. But it’s
the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
“I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” she replied looking at him.
“Mother,” he told her, “I’m going to tell you something you might believe or
you might not believe. But it’s the
truth.”
“All right,” she said leaning back.
“I’m ready.
“I had a dream,” he replied looking at her.
“Or at least I think it was a dream. I saw Grandfather Barkley again
after all these years. He was standing
in a lush, green meadow. I believe it was Heaven mother. He told me that I’ve not yet fulfilled my
destiny but that law was part of it. He
also made me understand that his death was not my fault. I now know that I didn’t kill him. I can’t tell you how I know but I do. I
didn’t kill him. I’ve lived with that ever since that day I saw him at the
bottom of that ravine. Now that pain is gone. All the hurt inside of me is
gone. I can now look at him and not feel guilty. He told me that I have to
testify and put Radcliff in prison so he can’t hurt anyone else. And I’m going
to do it. I promise.”
Victoria digested everything she had heard.
Then she looked at her son. He
was very quiet but he looked like he was finally at peace with himself.
“I’m glad you’ve been able to work all this out,” she said smiling. “You deserve to enjoy life.”
“Thanks mother,” he replied smiling. “I
know you don’t really believe me but thanks for agreeing.”
“I do understand,” she told him smiling.
“You just rest.”
“You know something else,” he said sitting up in bed.
“Jarrod,” she replied getting upset, “you’re supposed to stay in bed.”
“Mother,” he told her, “you don’t understand.
“The headache is gone. I’m not
sick any more. Everything is fine.”
She looked at his face realizing that he really believed everything he had
said. She also realized that he was
indeed on his way to recovery.
“Honey,” she said smiling, “I’m so glad that you are feeling so much better
however I still want you to do as the doctor said.”
“I will,” he replied looking at her. “I
also want to apologize to you for all I have put you and father through. I know it hasn’t been easy and I’m sorry
that I had to become involved with a man like Henry Radcliff. But I will make you a promise. I will testify against him and put him
behind bars where he belongs.”
“Jarrod,” she told him holding his hand in hers, “you have nothing to apologize
for. You have almost died and I’m just
thankful that you are home and recovering.”
“You remember earlier when you asked me if I wanted something to eat,” he said
smiling as he looked at her face. “I
believe I would like that plate now.”
“Oh Jarrod,” she replied smiling even wider.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time. I’ll be right back. Now, you stay put.”
“No need to worry,” he told her. “I’ll
be right here.”
She left his room and she was very relieved for now she knew that her son was
going to be fine. She walked into the
study where Tom was working.
“Where’s Nick?” she asked looking around.
“He’s in the barn,” he answered looking up.
“He told me the wildest story I’ve ever heard.”
“About your father and Jarrod,” she said looking at him.
“Why yes,” he replied looking at her with a puzzled look on his face. “How did you know?”
“Jarrod told me,” she told him smiling.
“Tom, he’s no longer sick. He’s
hungry.”
“What!” he exclaimed not believing what he had just heard. “You’re joking right?”
“No,” she said smiling. “I couldn’t
believe it either. He’s also at peace
with himself. I believe that he has
come to terms with his grandfather’s death and no longer blames himself.”
“I think I’ll go see him,” he replied standing up. “I need to see this for
myself.”
“I’m going to fix him a tray,” she told him leaving the room.
Tom walked out of the room but he was still not willing to believe all that he
had been told at least until he saw and talked to his son. He walked up to
Jarrod’s room, opening the door. He was
shocked to see Jarrod sitting up in bed.
“Son,” he said as he walked in, “you look a hundred percent better.”
“I feel better father,” Jarrod replied looking at his father. “Did mother tell you about my dream?”
“No she didn’t,” he told his son, “but Nick did.”
“Nick?” he asked not understanding. “Oh
wait. He was in the room when it
happened. He probably heard my part of it.”
“He said you no longer believed you killed father,” he answered looking at
Jarrod seeing the same peace that the others saw. “I never realized that you
still blamed yourself for that. It wasn’t your fault. Your grandfather loved you very much.”
“No sir,” Jarrod said nodding. “I
talked to him father. He told me it
wasn’t my fault. He told me that law
was part of my destiny but I had a long way to go. I now know that I didn’t
kill him.”
“Son,” he asked looking at Jarrod’s face, “are you sure this wasn’t coming from
your head? I mean you were a very sick
boy.”
“No father,” Jarrod answered. “I know
it was real. I saw him and talked to
him. He helped me deal with everything
that was wrong in my life. And now I
can handle anything.”
“I’m not going to say I believe you saw and spoke to him,” he said trying to be
truthful without hurting Jarrod. “What
I am going to say is that something has happened to you. I wouldn’t have believed that you could be
this well in a matter of a few hours.
But here you are sitting up in bed.”
“It’s a miracle,” she replied as she walked into the room carrying a tray. “That’s what I call it.”
She sat the tray down in front of Jarrod and he cleaned his plate. His parents were thrilled. Whatever had happened to Jarrod was a dream
come true. And that was all they needed
to know.
Chapter Six
The next morning when the doctor came by, he was
amazed at the change in Jarrod.
“Jarrod,” he said as he looked at his patient, “I’m frankly amazed. There is no sign of the concussions. You are completely healthy. However, I still want you to take it easy
for a few days. I want to make sure
this is not something that is going to come back, which concussions are known
for doing.”
“I understand,” Jarrod replied as he smiled broadly. “I think Nick and I will go fishing. It’s a quiet sport. Just
the two of us.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she told him smiling. “You and Nick haven’t
had a lot of time to spend together since you were younger. It’ll do you both good.”
And I can do without him for a day,” Tom said smiling. “What do you say son?”
“I’m in agreement,” Nick replied also smiling.
“Besides, if I remember right, it was my idea in the first place while
you were in the sanitarium. I told you that I would take you fishing and that
is just what I’m going to do.”
“I don’t remember that,” Jarrod told his brother. “Maybe I didn’t hear it and
that’s why I can’t remember it.”
“Oh you heard it all right,” Nick remarked looking right at Jarrod. “You were as close then as we are now.”
“It’s not unusual to forget some memories after a concussion,” he said looking
at Jarrod. “You had two concussions
remember within a short amount of time.
You’re bound to have some problems associated with that.”
“No sir I don’t,” Jarrod replied looking at the doctor. “In fact I don’t remember much of anything
in the sanitarium. I do remember waking
up in that small, dark room but not much else.”
“You were being drugged at the time,” Tom told his son. “That drug probably didn’t help you any.”
“I would say not,” he said looking at Tom.
“Jarrod is lucky that the doctor there knew how to help him
recover. If he hadn’t more than likely
Jarrod would have been nothing more than what would amount to a vegetable for
the remainder of his life.”
“I guess I am lucky,” Jarrod replied smiling.
“I wouldn’t want to spend my days just sitting or lying around. That’s not living. That’s not really existing.”
“Honey,” she told him, “you were lucky but I believe that a miracle pulled you
through. A higher power brought you back to us.”
“Maybe it was grandfather that did it,” Jarrod said looking hopeful. “I mean I
did speak to him.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked completely in the dark. “Did I miss
something?”
“Doc,” Tom answered before Jarrod could, “Jarrod swears in a dream he spoke to
his grandfather who has been dead nearly twenty years. I think what he experienced was because of
how sick he was at the time. And he dreamed that he saw and talked to his
grandfather.”
“You’re wrong father,” Jarrod said looking at him sounding hurt because his
father didn’t believe him and angry. “I
know what I saw and what I heard. It
was real and no one can tell me it wasn’t.”
“Jarrod,” he replied looking at the young man, “tell me what happened.”
“I was standing as close to him as I am to you in a lush, green pasture,”
Jarrod told him. “First, he was
surprised to see me. Second, he told me that it was too early for me to join
him and grandmother. He said that I had
to testify against Henry Radcliff to show the people in Carson City what they
looked up to, a murderer who used people and would continue to use people until
he was stopped. I plan on stopping him all right in a few weeks when I testify.
He said something else that I don’t understand. He said that Radcliff was doing this for revenge. I’ve never ever heard of him before I met
him that day. I don’t understand about
the revenge factor. He said that I wasn’t responsible for his death those many
years ago. I guess I had continued to
blame myself for killing him in that fall from his horse but he told me it was
an accident. I needed to stop blaming
myself. It was like a giant weight had
been lifted off of my shoulders. I felt
so much better inside that I guess it showed on my face. Ask Nick, he heard it all.”
Tom listened to Jarrod talk about revenge from this man. He had a bad feeling about this whole
matter.
“It’s true,” Nick said as he looked at the doctor. “I heard his side of the conversation and when he was through a
peace came over Jarrod’s features. I can’t really explain it any better than
that.”
“I saw it too,” she replied looking at both Nick and Jarrod. “He was happy, completely happy. I could tell that things were looking up for
him. He’s hasn’t been that way for a long time. He’s carried that guilt inside of him all this time. No wonder he was miserable.”
“See what I mean doc,” Tom told the doctor still puzzled over something that
Jarrod had said. “I don’t know as I buy
all of this but one thing is for sure.
He is better and that is a fact.”
“Jarrod,” he asked looking at Jarrod, “were you still blaming yourself? Did you
believe in your heart that you had contributed to your grandfather’s death?”
“I thought I wasn’t,” Jarrod answered thinking back to when he was ten. “When I was ten I tried to explain to
grandfather that I was sorry for causing him to die. I had a picture of him
that I had taken out to the barn. But
for some reason, he wouldn’t accept the apology. I was so crushed. Father tried to help but he couldn’t do
anything to really make me feel better. I thought I believed it but
evidentially I didn’t. I must have
continued to blame myself all of these years.”
“I see,” he said as he digested everything.
“It’s just possible that’s what you did. Did you mention this to anyone in the last six months? Did you
think about it any? I’m trying to
figure out why it would have come to the surface so quickly if you weren’t
either thinking about it or talking about it.”
“Why yes,” Jarrod replied remembering his conversation with Adam the day he was
taken to the sanitarium. “Just before I
was taken to the sanitarium, I was sitting in my office in San Francisco
talking to my partner, Adam Howard. We
got to discussing grandfather and I told him how I blamed myself for his
death.”
“It fits,” he told them. “Jarrod did blame himself and now he is free from that
blame.”
“What fits?” Nick asked confused.
“All of this,” he answered trying to explain.
“Jarrod was under pressure at work.
He was worried about being accepted for who he was not who everyone
thought he was. He wanted to be
accepted as Jarrod not another Tom or another Charles. Am I right?”
“Yes sir,” Jarrod said but he wouldn’t look at anyone. “I’ve always been compared to father all of
my life. I hear comments like, ‘he’s a
chip off of his father. I wonder if he
will have the business head his father does.
I bet he goes into politics just like Tom wanted to.’ What was I
supposed to do? Follow in your
footsteps. I wanted to make my own
mistakes and my own decisions. Can’t you see that?”
Jarrod was truly disappointed as he stood there. Everything he had tried to hide was out in the open and he
couldn’t stop it.
“Son,” Tom said as he walked over to Jarrod, “I never meant for that to
happen. I’ve always wanted you to make
a name for yourself. I guess I never
realized that people would compare you to me.
If I had it to do over, I would have done it differently. Can you understand that?”
Jarrod stood there looking at the floor.
Finally, he looked up and smiled.
“Yes sir,” Jarrod said smiling. “I know
you didn’t mean to. I want you to know
something. I’m proud to be your son. I
hope I can live up to it.”
“You have nothing to live up to,” Tom replied hugging his son. “You are Jarrod not Tom and I want you to
always remember that. I’ll always be
here if you need me but the rest is up to you.”
“Thanks father,” Jarrod told him returning the hug. “I’m glad. I wanted to
make you proud.”
“You have,” Tom said looking into his son’s face. “No father could have asked for a better family than I have. I have three fine sons and a beautiful
daughter. I am so proud of all of
you. You have made your own path in
life and you’ve done it on your own.
You are true Barkleys.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” she replied smiling. “I’m proud of all of you. You have made me happy.”
“We’re happy you’re happy mother,” Jarrod told her. “Doc is there anything else?
Nick and I want to get going soon. The fish won’t bite all day.”
“I want you to stay on the medicine for a few more days,” he said trying to
keep Jarrod calm as he could. “Then I
want to see you in my office in one week.
I want to see how you are doing and then if you haven’t had any more
problems, I’ll turn you loose.”
“Fine,” Jarrod replied smiling. “Let’s
go Nick.”
“Coming,” Nick told him as the two of them left the room.
“Jarrod,” she said as the two of them headed out the door, “be careful.”
“We will,” they replied as they headed down the stairs and out the door.
“Will you slow down?” Nick asked as he had to hurry to keep up with Jarrod.
“I’m sorry Nick,” he answered looking at his brother. “I’m just happy to be free.”
Jarrod and Nick grabbed their fishing gear and headed toward the stream in the
south meadow.
Chapter Seven
The man with the snarl had been perched on a high
hill sitting on his horse since early that morning overlooking the road from
the Barkley Ranch. He had been there
every day watching for any movement from the family at the ranch. He knew they
had to let him out some time. So he waited. Finally, he saw his target emerge
from the house, mount up on a horse and ride away with his brother. He waited until they were well away from the
house before he took care of it once and for all.
“Jarrod,” Nick said as they rode down the road toward the south meadow, “I’m
glad you’re all right. I don’t believe I could have handled it very well if you
had remained as you were in the sanitarium. I never realized how much I do
depend on you. If you hadn’t gotten
better, I believe I would have been lost.”
“Me too,” he replied smiling as he looked over at Nick. “It’s been a rough time
for me of late but now I feel like I’ve been given a second chance and I intend
to make the most of it. But there is one thing that bothers me.”
“That’s the spirit,” Nick told him smiling.
“I’m just glad you’re you. What’s that?”
“And I’m glad you’re you too,” he said smiling. “What was I like in there? Did I know who you were? Did I understand anything?”
“Well,” Nick said trying to choose his words carefully, “at first, you didn’t
recognize any of us. But I was able to
win you over. You recognized me. I’m not sure how you did but you did. Then I got upset and mad. I left the room in
a hurry and I didn’t realize that you would try to fine me. I guess I didn’t think. You tried to reach me but you ran headfirst
into the door. That’s where one of your
concussions came from. It was all my fault.
I didn’t think about how you felt.”
“I wish I could remember it,” he replied shaking his head. “I’m sorry I got hurt. But it sounds like you were there the whole
time urging me to get better. What made you run? I’ve never seen you afraid of anything.”
“I tried but I don’t know whether I helped or not,” Nick told him. “I was
afraid of what a doctor had done to you.
Injecting that other drug into you.”
“Of course,” he said smiling. “You were
the one who helped me over the worst of it. I don’t understand Nick. What drug?”
“Not exactly,” Nick replied hem hawing around.
“Father forced you to remember some of it in the hospital. He made you
realize that you had made him ashamed of you.
And that’s what turned you around. You became yourself again. But up
until then you were very angry.”
“I don’t remember that,” he told his brother. “Why was I so angry? Why would
father tell me he was ashamed of me? I
don’t understand.”
“The drug you were on caused you to become addicted to it,” Nick said looking
away for a minute. “You were very
angry. You even scared me. You were
trying to get some more. And when you
didn’t get it, you reacted angrily.
Father said that to get you to respond to him. You wouldn’t respond any other way.”
“I did!” he exclaimed very surprised.
“Why would I do that?”
“You were injected with another drug that turned you into a madman,” Nick said
shaking his head. That’s how you broke
your wrist. You fought against me, Gene and even father. You wouldn’t listen to anyone.”
“Nick,” he replied looking very sincere, “I’m so sorry. You know I would never
hurt you or another member of the family. Can you answer another question?”
“I know you are,” Nick told him smiling.
“But you’re better now and that’s all that matters. What?”
“What did I do and why didn’t I hurt anyone else?” he asked very sincerely.
“The doctor in the hospital decided that the best way to help you was to
restrain you,” Nick answered trying not to hurt his brother.
“You mean as in tied,” he wanted to know.
“Yes,” Nick said nodding. “You pulled
and tugged on those ropes. At one point
I actually thought you were going to get loose and hurt us but you didn’t and
that’s all that counted.”
“How long did all this go on?” he asked but inside he was very shocked over
these events.
“A few days while you were being taken off the drug,” Nick answered looking at
Jarrod. “When you were finally off of
it you were back to your normal self.
You suffered another concussion while you were in the hospital. I was never glad anything was over in my
life as I was when you came back to us.”
Jarrod still couldn’t get out of his mind that he had been so angry. He didn’t remember any of it. If he had, he
had a feeling that he would have hated himself too.
“Nick,” he said as he looked over at Nick, “all I can say is that I’m
sorry. I would never hurt anyone on
purpose. You have to believe me.”
“I know that,” Nick replied smiling.
“It wasn’t really you. It was
the animal that the drug made out of you that was behind it.”
Jarrod nodded and they rode on.
“Nick,” he said turning to his brother, “I really appreciate everything you did
to help me. Even if I can’t remember
the most of it I know that you were there helping me. You’re a terrific brother and I mean that from the bottom of my
heart.”
“Thanks,” Nick replied smiling. “You’re
not so bad yourself.”
“Nick,” he told Nick, “I remember something that grandfather told me and it
bothers me.”
“What was that?” Nick asked curious.
“He said that Henry Radcliff had done this out of revenge,” he answered shaking
his head. “I never knew the man prior
to taking Sandra’s case. Why would he
say something like that?”
“I don’t know,” Nick said looking at Jarrod.
“I have no idea.”
“Maybe father will,” he replied.
The two of them continued on their way.
The man still sitting on his horse on top of the hill followed the two boys
with his eyes as they rode by. He knew he had to make this shot count because
more than likely he wouldn’t get another chance. Then he slowly raised his
rifle up, took aim and fired. He saw
one of them fall from his horse and he fired again. The other one jumped from his horse running for cover.
“Jarrod!” Nick screamed as he saw his brother fall from his horse clutching his
side. “I’m coming. Hold on.”
Nick heard the second shot and looked up briefly at a man sitting atop his
horse above them on a hill. He dove for
cover behind a large rock afraid the man would fire at him. But he didn’t fire anymore. He rode away
leaving behind another dead body.
Nick turned to look at his brother.
Jarrod was lying very still on his back with a lot of blood on the left
side of his shirt. He hurried over to
him. Jarrod had been shot in the left
side. He was unconscious and looked to
Nick to be near death. Nick knew he had
to do something or Jarrod would bleed to death. He quickly pulled his shirt off, despite the cool air holding it
on the wound. He knew he couldn’t move
Jarrod so he stood up, caught his horse and smacked its rear. The horse headed for the ranch and hopefully
help. He prayed he could keep Jarrod alive until help arrived. Nick knelt down
again beside of Jarrod.
“Hold on Jarrod,” he said as he tried to stop the bleeding. “Help is coming.”
The man calmly rode back to Stockton after making sure the target wasn’t going
to get up, turned in his horse and left. He went back to Carson City on the
afternoon stage to see a man about some money for a job well done.
“Radcliff will now be a free man,” he said as he walked up the stairs to his
room. “His problem has been eliminated.”
He put his clothes together and took the stage out of town before the sheriff
could get suspicious.
Back at the ranch, Tom and Sam Williams were coming out of the barn talking
when Nick’s horse galloped in.
“Tom,” Sam said as they walked out of the barn, “that new herd is getting
restless. I think we need to post extra
guards. One loud noise and off they’d
go.”
“I’ll let you take care of that,” he replied as he looked at Sam. “That’s why you’re so valuable around here.”
“Thanks,” Sam told him smiling. “I just
wanted to run the idea by you first.”
A horse ran by them. It was saddled but
there was no rider on its back. Then
Tom realized whose horse it was and became very concerned.
“Something is wrong,” Tom said as he realized whose horse it was standing
outside the barn door. “This is one of the horses the boys took. There’s only one
reason a single horse would come back here.
Something has happened to one or both of them.”
“What are you talking about?” Sam asked not understanding.
Sam hadn’t been paying attention to Tom for the last five minutes. He was going over in his mind who would
watch the herd tonight.
“This is Nick’s horse,” he answered suddenly looking very worried. “I’m going to ride the road toward the south
meadow to see if I see anything. Probably one of them was thrown and the other
one is staying with him. I’ll know more
when I can see for myself.”
“You want me to come along,” Sam said already knowing what Tom’s answer would
be. “I bet you’re right. But I hope
it’s not Jarrod. He can’t take much
more.”
“No,” he replied heading back into the barn to saddle his own horse. “That’s for sure. His head has already had two concussions. I don’t think it or I can handle another
one. You take care of things here. I’ll be back as soon as I see what is
wrong.”
“Right,” Sam told him as Tom rode away.
Nick continued to battle with the blood still seeping out Jarrod’s side. He prayed that someone would be here soon to
help.
“Jarrod,” he said as he worked, “I can’t stop the blood. If help doesn’t get here soon, you’re going
to bleed to death.”
Nick heard a horse and looked up to see his father riding toward them. He breathed a sigh of relief. When Tom saw Jarrod prone on the ground, he
jumped from his horse running over to them.
“Nick,” he asked as he came to a stop beside of them, “what happened?”
“Someone shot Jarrod from up on that hill,” Nick answered pointing above
them. “I can’t get the bleeding to
stop. I took my shirt off to keep it from bleeding but it won’t stop.”
“Has he been conscious?” he asked as he checked the wound. “Bullet must have
hit an artery or something. I’m no
doctor but it looks like he is hurt bad. We need to get him back to the ranch
as soon as possible.”
“No,” Nick answered as he watched his father wrap the shirt around Jarrod. “The bullet didn’t come out either. I couldn’t find an exit wound so that bullet
is still inside of him.”
“We have to get him back to the ranch,” he said as he looked at his son. “He’s losing blood. It’ll take too long to
go back for a wagon. We’ll have to take
him by horseback.”
“How?” Nick asked not sure how to move Jarrod. “I doubt that he can sit a horse
by himself.”
“We don’t have a choice,” he answered coming up with a plan. “I’ll sit him up on my horse with me. Can you bring his horse?”
“Yeah,” Nick said as he helped his father pick Jarrod up. “I’ll ride his
back. I sent mine back to the ranch so
you’d send help. Am I glad you came.
How are we going to tell mother? I hope we’re doing the right
thing. If we lose Jarrod, I’ll...”
“I understand,” he replied as he looked at his sons. “Your mother is a very strong woman. She can handle this. In
fact, she can handle anything. Hand him up.”
Tom mounted up and Nick sat Jarrod up in front of Tom with his father’s
help. Then Nick mounted Jarrod’s horse
and the two of them rode back to the ranch.
“He doesn’t look good,” Nick said as they rode. “He’s so pale.”
“Lose of blood,” he replied trying to hurry. “His breathing is getting worse
too.”
Tom continued to hold his hand on the wound to try to slow the loss of blood
but he knew that the chances of Jarrod surviving were dwindling. Still he wouldn’t give up hope that somehow
his son would fight back and live.
“Nick,” he said as they rode, “I want you to be prepared for something.”
“You mean that Jarrod might die,” Nick replied looking at his brother. “I knew that the minute he was shot off the
horse. It also looked like the man that
was riding the road in front of the ranch the other day.”
“It is a possibility,” he told his son.
“Jarrod is hurt very bad and he might not make it. Are you sure it’s the same man?”
“I can’t be sure,” Nick said thinking back. “But it sure looked like him.”
“Radcliff,” he replied angry. “It has
to be his doing. I promise you that
this will not go unchallenged. I intend
to make that man pay for what he’s done to my son and family.”
“One thing puzzles me,” Nick told him.
“What’s that?” he asked curious.
“It’s something Jarrod said while we were talking earlier,” Nick answered. “He said that in the conversation with
grandfather, he said something about this being revenge. Jarrod commented that he hadn’t met the man
but the one time when he was working on Sandra’s case.”
“You know something,” he said. “I’ve
had the same feeling myself. I can’t
explain it either. I don’t think it has
anything to do with Jarrod.”
“Then who?” Nick asked wondering.
“Me,” he answered before Nick could.
“You?” Nick asked confused. “Why hurt
Jarrod if they were after you?”
“Nick,” he answered choosing his words carefully, “I’m not sure. But I believe that some where in my past
there are those that would want to get even and if they had to use my son to
get even, they would.”
“I see what you mean,” Nick said but he was not really thinking about who had
shot Jarrod but about Jarrod.
“Son,” he replied looking at Nick, “I know you’re very worried. I am too.
We’re almost to the barn.”
“I hope he’ll be all right,” Nick told him.
“Me too,” he said.
When they rode up to the barn, Sam, who had been discussing putting extra guard
on the herd with the foreman, caught Tom’s horse as they stopped in front of
the barn. He saw Jarrod and knew he had
been shot.
“How bad?” he asked as he stopped beside of Tom’s horse. “Is he still alive?”
“Bad,” Tom answered handing Jarrod down to Sam until he could dismount. “Ride to Stockton and bring the doc. The
bullet is still inside of him. We can’t stop the bleeding. Here, take my
horse.”
“Right,” he said as he jumped on Tom’s horse riding off.
Nick dismounted and between the two of them, they carried Jarrod inside the
house as gently as they could. He never
moved but continued to bleed. Victoria heard the door open and gasped when she
saw them.
“What happened?” she asked as she came closer. “Jarrod looks like he’s been
injured.”
“Jarrod was shot on the way to the fishing hole,” Nick answered trying to talk
and walk at the same time. “I didn’t
get a very good look at the man but I’ll bet it was the one we saw yesterday.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” he said remembering the man. “He did seem awfully
interested in the ranch.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked as they carried Jarrod to his room and
laying him on the bed. “Has the doctor
been sent for?”
“Yes,” he answered looking at her.
“Yesterday, Nick and I both saw a man riding up and down the road in
front of the ranch. We thought he might
be lost but he was watching for Jarrod. I’m sure of it. He came here to stop Jarrod from testifying.
I bet he was working for Radcliff.”
“Why would he shoot Jarrod?” she asked not understanding.
“One guess,” Nick answered. “Henry
Radcliff. That trial is in two weeks and Jarrod is the main witness against
him. Without Jarrod there is no case.”
“I agree,” he said looking at the wound. “And right now he doesn’t look very
well. I don’t know if he will get
better or not.”
“Tom,” she asked looking at her son, “is he alive?”
“Barely,” he answered. “The wound is
still bleeding. I wish Sam would get
back here with the doctor. He’s going to die without help very soon.”
All they could do was watch and wait.
Chapter Eight
The doctor walked inside going straight to his
patient. When he looked up a few
minutes later, he shook his head.
“That’s a very deep wound,” he said as he continued to examine Jarrod. “I can
feel the bullet. It has to come out or it will kill him.”
“Where is it?” Nick asked looking at Jarrod.
“I couldn’t find it when I checked him out on the road. There wasn’t an
exit wound so I knew it still had to be in him somewhere. I didn’t want the
wound to bleed more or cause Jarrod more pain.
He’s already had too much.”
“It’s lying right next to his left lung,” he answered continuing to work. “I don’t believe it has pierced the lung but
it has cut a small artery. I’m tying it
off now to stop the bleeding. Luckily
the artery is not a major one. But he’s lost so much blood already. Nick,
Jarrod doesn’t feel the pain yet. He’s
still unconscious and from what I’ve seen it’s for the best that he is. If he
survives, he’s going to deal with more pain and there’s not a whole lot I can
do to stop it. Whoever shot him knew
where to place the bullet to either kill him or keep him in bed for a long
time.”
“Would a transfusion help?” Nick asked rolling up his sleeve. “You mean there
is a possibility that Jarrod will die?”
“Yes,” he answered knowing what Nick was offering. “You want to give it to him. Jarrod is very ill. The bullet has done a great deal of damage
to his body. I’m not sure that I can
repair it or keep him alive.”
“Yes,” Nick said still unable to take his eyes off of Jarrod. “Doc, you have to
save him. He has to testify and I need
him desperately. Please.”
“I’ll need to get this bullet out first and then I’ll take care of the
transfusion,” he replied. “I can feel
it but I can’t get a hold of it. Getting the bullet out might not save his
life. The transfusion might not save
his life.”
The family digested what the doctor had just told them. He continued to probe for the bullet.
“I’ve got it,” he said as he pulled the bullet out of Jarrod. “Nick, he needs that transfusion now.”
“I’m ready,” Nick replied looking at his brother lying on the bed so pale.
The doctor began the transfusion and as Nick sat there, he remembered
something. The doctor continued to clean the wound and then wrap it.
“Jarrod,” he said as he sat there giving his brother the blood he needed, “I
remember when we were in Denver visiting Grandfather and Grandmother Barkley,
you said that you weren’t ever going to forgive father for what he had done to
you. But you did.”
Tom remembered that day very vividly and he remembered what he had done to his
son. He would give anything if he could
have gone back and changed what happened but he couldn’t. All he could do was live with the fact that
he had beaten his son.
“Nick,” he said very quietly, “I never meant to hurt Jarrod. I loved him but I was at a crossroads in my
life. I needed guidance and I sought
out my father for that help. He helped
me choose the right direction to go.”
“Father,” Nick replied as he looked over at his father, “I don’t know the
reason behind what you did to Jarrod but I still remember him screaming in pain
from the belt hitting his bare skin.”
“I remember it well too,” he told his son.
“I also was grateful that Jim chose that moment to knock me to the
ground. If he hadn’t, there is no
telling what damage I could have done to my son. When I walked into the living
room where he was lying with his back to me, all that I saw were the whelps on
his back. But when I got down on my
knees and told Jarrod that I was sorry, he turned to look at me.”
“He saw the love in your eyes Tom,” she said looking at him. “The love he remembered from you. You were genuinely concerned for him. And that’s why he forgave you.”
“It’s true father,” Nick replied nodding.
“I was there. I saw it too. You really loved him. And Jarrod knew
it. Tell him father that you love him
now. Maybe it will help like it did
then.”
“I don’t know son,” he told them. “This
situation is totally different.”
“Not that much,” Nick said trying to convince Tom. “You are his father and he needs you now.”
Tom nodded and walked very slowly over to the bed where Jarrod was lying so
still. He knelt down beside of the bed,
lowered his face and spoke into Jarrod’s ear.
“Son,” he said very low for only Jarrod to hear, “I love you and want you to
get well. You have made me very proud
becoming a lawyer. I know your
grandparents are proud too. I only want
to ask you to do one thing for me.
Fight hard to beat this. Fight
to heal.”
As Tom started to stand something tugged on his sleeve. He looked down to see Jarrod’s right hand on
his arm. He knelt down beside his son
again.
“I’ll try,” Jarrod said very weak.
“I know you will,” he replied as he squeezed his son’s hand. “We’ll be right here with you all the way.”
Jarrod barely nodded before he fell quiet again. Tom stood up and when he turned where they could see him, there
were tears in his eyes. Victoria came
to him holding him.
“He’s going to live Tom,” she said as she looked into his face. “Jarrod is going to be fine.”
“I know,” he replied as he wiped his eyes.
“I know.”
The doctor stood up and looked at the family.
“The transfusion is complete,” he said as he looked at them, “and the wound is
wrapped tightly. I’ll have to watch to
make sure infection doesn’t set up in it.
I’m going to give him something to help him heal but he will need
time. The wound is going to keep him in
bed for at least a week if not longer.”
“We understand,” she replied as she looked at Jarrod. “The one thing to remember is that he is alive and he’s going to
heal.”
The doctor nodded.
“I’ll come by in a couple of days,” he said as he picked up his bag. “Give him a spoonful of this medicine every
four hours. If he is conscious, don’t
let him up on his feet until I say so.
He needs rest and plenty of it. He’s still very weak from the earlier
episodes so with this one, he is going to rest. If you have any problems, just
send for me.”
“We will doc,” Tom replied nodding.
“Thanks.”
The doctor left and the family stayed with Jarrod.
Chapter Nine
Sitting in his office in Carson City was Henry
Radcliff. Another man was sitting there
as well.
“You say the job is done,” he said looking across the desk. “Are you sure?”
“I watched him fall from his horse,” the man replied leaning back. “I know for a fact that he is still alive
but he won’t be testifying any time soon.”
“That is good news,” he told the man.
“This is money well spent. I
told that young lawyer he would regret the day he first met me. I don’t like to be used and I sure don’t
like to be set up for a fall. Looks
like young Barkley has bitten off more than he can chew.”
“Do you want me to go back and finish the job?” the man asked as he leaned
forward. “If he lives he can still
cause problems.”
“No,” he answered smiling. “You have
stopped him from being able to testify and that’s all I wanted. But if young Barkley decides to pursue the
matter, it will indeed be the last thing he ever does. I’m not going to have my life ruined by some
snot-nosed boy who is trying to be a big shot like his old man.”
“You know his father,” the man said as he puffed on a cigar in celebration.
“Yes,” he replied looking slightly upset.
“I met Tom Barkley years ago in a small mining town called
Strawberry. We both owned mines and we
were at a meeting concerning one of the mines.
I introduced myself then as Matt Simmons, brother of Leah Thompson. He was hurt shortly afterwards and my sister
along with her good friend Rachel took care of him. But he made my sister love him and then he turned his back on her
and the baby.”
“Baby?” the man asked. “What baby?”
“He got my sister pregnant,” he answered as he remembered. “Then he just disappeared. She had to raise that boy all by
herself. But I did help with his
punishment. He didn’t want to listen
very well so I had to take a belt to him.”
“Where is he now?” the man asked curious.
“Took off when he grew up,” he answered trying not to use those undignified
words he was made to use when he was living in Strawberry. “I guess he’s working somewhere by now. Don’t look for him to ever come back
either.”
“He got a name,” the man asked.
“Heath,” he answered nodding. “Leah is
all alone and that man took advantage of her.
I aim to see that he pays. I aim
to make sure he suffers like he made her suffer.”
“So that’s the real reason you wanted to get rid of young Barkley,” the man
said figuring everything out. “It
wasn’t because of the death of Paul Davis.”
“No,” he replied smiling. “I set up
Paul so I could get Barkley to come here.
I realized when Paul began talking about his girl that I could get
revenge against him. Paul mentioned
that his girl worked in the office of Adam Howard. He also said that she had mentioned another younger man working
there as well.”
“Barkley,” the man told him also smiling.
“So you decided to get even for the father through the son.”
“Exactly,” he said nodding and smiling.
“I’m only sorry that he didn’t die in the desert or in the
sanitarium. Barkley needs to know
exactly what he put my sister through.
I thought if I hurt or even killed one of his children it would help me
live with the fact that my sister fathered a son by a married man who then took
off and left her.”
“Why change your name?” the man asked.
“Because,” he answered, “I came here to exact my revenge and now I have.”
“Are you going to tell Barkley?” the man asked.
“Not yet,” he answered. “I want him to
suffer until I’m ready for him to know.
And then there’s nothing he can do about it.”
“What about you going to prison?” the man asked.
“I won’t be in there but a few years at the most,” he answered looking at his
visitor. “After all, I didn’t kidnap
the boy.”
“An elaborate trick,” the man said shaking his head. “I don’t believe it. You
came here to Carson City and changed your name.”
“True,” he replied. “I just told my
wife Martha that I had to be away on business for a period of time. She knows nothing about this. She is still in Strawberry.”
“Are you through with the Barkleys?” he asked very curious. “I mean they already know that you are
behind what’s happened to their son.
They’re going to be out to get you.”
“I know that,” he answered the man. “By
the time the wheels are in motion to try to lock me away, I’ll be back in
Strawberry as Matt Simmons. No one will
ever know.”
“I do,” the man said as he looked at Radcliff.
“But I’m also involved in this too so I won’t say anything because it
will hang me.”
“True,” he replied as he stood up. “I
just want to stay here long enough to see how the lawyer is. He won’t testify because I won’t be here
when the law comes to take me to court.”
“You are a very devious man,” the man told him as he also stood up.
“Thank you,” he said as he pulled a pistol from his desk drawer, shooting the
man in the chest.
The man dropped to the floor of the office, his last minutes of life ebbing
away.
“I also don’t leave loose ends,” he said as he turned to see two men enter his
office, picking up the body and disposing of it.
Then he began to pack up his belongings.
By the next day, there was nothing left of the man who called himself
Henry Radcliff except for an empty office.
Chapter Ten
Jarrod was still unconscious and the family was
worried that he would never awaken.
“I don’t like it,” Tom said as he looked down at his son. “Jarrod should be awake.”
“Tom,” she replied trying to get him to calm down, “you’re not giving him
time. The doctor said it would take
time for him to heal. It’s only been
two days. He’s so weak.”
“I guess you’re right,” he told her nodding.
“I just want him to get well. He
deserves better.”
There was a knock at the front door.
Tom and Victoria looked at each other.
“Who could that be?” she asked as she looked at her husband. “It’s not time for the doctor.”
“Silas will get the door,” he answered turning his attention back to Jarrod.
Silas walked into Jarrod’s room a few minutes later.
“A telegram was just delivered Mr. Barkley,” he said as he handed Tom the
paper.
“Thank you Silas,” Tom replied taking the folded paper.
Silas left and Tom opened the paper. As
he read it, his face became angry.
“Tom,” she asked wanting to know what was wrong, “what is it?”
“A telegram from the sheriff in Carson City,” he answered looking up from the
paper. “Radcliff has disappeared.”
“What!” she cried louder than she meant.
“How could that happen?”
“I don’t know,” he said just as puzzled.
“He said that the office was empty and there was no sign of the man
anywhere. They have a wanted poster out
for him. But the sheriff doesn’t hold
out much hope that he will be found.”
“At least Jarrod won’t have to testify,” she replied looking down at him. “I’m thankful that he doesn’t have to face
that man but I also feel cheated that Radcliff has gotten off scott free.”
“I know what you mean,” he told her. “It’s not fair to Jarrod. But life is seldom fair.”
“That’s for sure,” she said smiling slightly.
Jarrod began to fight through a haze as he fought to open his eyes. Then the waves and waves of pain hit him all
coming from his left side. He moaned.
“Jarrod,” he said as he kneeled down beside of the bed, “we’re here son. You’re going to heal.”
Jarrod could hear his father’s voice but he couldn’t answer. He still hadn’t opened his eyes either. He
continued to fight and finally was able to open his eyes a little.
“Father,” he said but it was barely audible, “mother.”
“We’re here honey,” she replied as she sat down beside of him. “You need to rest.”
“What happened?” he asked but it was only a whisper.
“You and Nick were riding to the fishing hole when you were shot,” Tom answered
as he came over to the bed. “You’ve
been asleep for two days.”
“I have,” he said looking at them. “My
side hurts.”
“You have to rest son,” Tom replied as he looked down at Jarrod. “The doctor said it’s a very bad wound.”
“I guess I don’t have much of a choice,” he told him trying to smile. “Where’s Nick?”
“He had something he wanted to do,” Tom said smiling. “He said he would see you later.”
Jarrod nodded drifting off again. Nick
walked in the room a short time later.
“Has he been awake yet?” he asked as he walked in carrying a package.
“Yes,” she answered looking at him. “He
asked about you.”
“What have you got son?” Tom asked as he turned toward Nick.
“After everything that Jarrod’s been through,” Nick answered looking at his
brother, “I wanted to go into town and get him something.”
“Nick,” she said smiling, “that’s so sweet.”
“I hope he likes it,” Nick replied laying the package on the foot of Jarrod’s
bed. “It’s a new hat. Black in color. I hope he likes it.”
“I’m sure he will son,” Tom told him as he put his arm around Nick. “You are a very thoughtful brother.”
“I know he will sweetheart,” she said smiling.
“He woke up a little while ago.
He’s in some pain but he is going to recover.”
“That’s great news,” Nick replied walking over to the bed.
Nick knelt down beside the bed, holding the package in his hands and looked at
his brother.
“Jarrod,” Nick said very softly, “I have something for you.”
Nick laid the package on Jarrod’s chest careful of the wound. Then he backed away.
“Nick,” he said very hoarsely.
“I’m here big brother,” Nick replied coming to where Jarrod could see him.
Jarrod felt the package. He tried to
open it but with his broken wrist, he was having trouble. Nick came to his aid.
“Here,” Nick said as he helped Jarrod open the package, “let me give you a
hand.”
“Thanks,” he replied as he pulled out the hat.
Jarrod just laid there looking at the hat.
His eyes became very moist. He
looked up at his brother.
“Nick,” he said still very weak, “this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done
for me. I’ll be proud to wear this
hat.”
“I just wanted to do something for you,” Nick replied smiling. “And besides, you looked like you could use
a new one.”
“I can and I’m very happy,” he told his brother. “As soon as I’m out of here, you and I will definitely do
something together I promise.”
“I don’t want you to feel obligated to me Jarrod,” Nick said looking at
Jarrod. “I want you to get better and
finish your job in San Francisco. Then
you can start working here some too.”
“I look forward to that,” he replied trying to smile. “I’ve been away from here too long and I’m glad to be home
although I don’t like having this bullet hole in my side.”
“Jarrod,” Tom told him as he came closer, “I have some news for you.”
“What?” he asked as he turned his head toward his father.
“I received a telegram from the sheriff of Carson City,” Tom answered choosing
his words carefully. “Henry Radcliff
has completely disappeared.”
“What!” he cried as he tried to sit up only to be forced back down by the pain
in his side. “How is that
possible? I thought they had him in
custody.”
“According to the wire,” Tom said as he made sure Jarrod was all right, “his
office is cleaned out and it’s like he was never there.”
“But I saw him,” he replied still very upset.
“Jarrod,” she told him coming to sit beside of him again, “you need to stay
calm and rest. That’s the doctor’s orders.”
“But mother,” he said still not believing what he had just heard, “all I’ve
been through is for nothing. I’ve
suffered and the only thought that helped me cope with it was the fact that I
was going to be able to put this man away for a long time. And now that is gone. There’s no reason to try anymore.”
“Son,” Tom replied trying to understand how his son felt, “I know you are
disappointed and upset. You have a
reason to be. But do you think your
grandfather would be proud of the way you are thinking right now?”
Jarrod considered the question before he answered.
“No sir,” he said very quietly. “He
wouldn’t be very proud.”
“That’s why you have to show this man no matter where he is that you are better
than he is,” Tom replied. “You have to
get better and go on with your life. In
that way you’ll have beaten him even if you didn’t get a chance in court.”
“Yes sir,” he told his father with a positive attitude. “I will and someday if I ever meet him
again, I’ll be able to look him in the eye.”
“That’s the spirit,” Nick said smiling.
“You do that lawyer man.”
Jarrod grinned and so did Nick. The
family knew that this hurdle had been jumped and now all they had to
concentrate on was getting Jarrod back on his feet.
Chapter Eleven
Two weeks later, Jarrod was up on his feet. The past incidents just a bitter
memory. As he prepared to return to San
Francisco for his final two months of working for Adam, he knew inside that he
had made the right decision and he had his Grandfather Barkley’ s spirit inside
of him helping him to pursue the right course of action. He knew that everything was right with his
grandfather and his father. Now, he
could go forward and do the best job he could for Adam and for himself.
THE
END