Shattered Silence

Part 5

by Lily B.

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.

Heath watched Rachel while she quietly slept on her stomach. His fingers gently combed through her soft hair and he thought of the day when he would sleep next to her every night. He imagined her curled up next to him, perhaps lying her head on his shoulder and her body pressed up against his. Getting up with Rachel before the sunrise and sharing that moment together as the first light of day crept across the sky. He didn’t realize that he was smiling as he sat by her bedside and thought of their future together.

“What are you smiling at?” Nick whispered hoarsely.

Heath hadn’t heard him come into the bedroom and it surprised him. “Just thinking.”

“Ya see the time?” Nick said with a frown.

Heath checked his pocket watch. “Megan’s not back yet?”

“Nope. She should’ve been home by now. I got a bad feeling Heath, a real bad feeling.” Nick’s fist were locked tightly around his gun belt and he stood with a rigidity that only came when he was angered or extremely worried, his younger brother was well aware of his stance and it’s meaning.

“You’re right. She should’ve been home by now. You going to the saloon?”

“Yep, think I better.”

“Alright, I’ll keep watch over the children and Rachel. Do me a favor and leave me the rifle though, will ya?”

Nick was puzzled for a moment, “You aren’t gonna argue with me about it? Just leave you the rifle?”

Heath shook his head. “Nope, ain’t gonna argue with you about it.”

“Well…why not?!” He demanded.

“Because if the shoe were on the other foot, I’d do the same thing.”

“Oh. Well, I’m sure everything is okay. She probably just got real busy or she’s helping clean up.” Nick spoke more to reassure himself than anyone else. “I’ll get my coat then bring you up the rifle. You look after the kids and Rachel.”

“Yep Nick, said I would do that.”

“I know, I know.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s just what you said. She probably just got stuck with helping to clean up and all of that.”

“Yep, that’s what it is. And maybe I’ll give that darn owner a piece of my mind for keeping a young woman out half the night!”

“I think you should.”

“Right.” Nick looked a more than a little lost as he searched for his coat and then retrieved the rifle for Heath. “I’ll umm..be back soon I’m sure.”

“Sure you will.” Heath smiled at him, “Sure she’s just fine.”

“Yep, sure she is.” Nick closed the door slowly behind it, careful not to slam it and wake up the children.

He headed into the city as fast as his rented horse would carry him and he wished that he had brought Big Duke on the train with him. He found himself silently praying as he rode, willing to promise anything as long as she was okay. She had told him it was too soon for talk of her not working there anymore, but it wasn’t too soon. No, he told himself, it wasn’t too soon to talk of that or of how he found himself thinking that he wanted her and her brother and sister to come back to California with him. Jarrod, now he keeps talking about how he needs an assistant or a secretary in Stockton, Megan would be perfect for that. Yep, next time he saw Jarrod, he was gonna talk to him about that. Then they would have the proper time to court and to get to know each other better. Just like he should with a beautiful young lady. “Please God, I know you and I don’t talk as often as we should, but please let her be alright. Okay?”

He approached the saloon from the front first and dismounted. Trying the door, he found it to be locked tight but shook the handle several times for good measure. Peering inside the front window, it was completely dark inside and he saw no movement. Nick went to the door again and pounded upon it for several minutes, still there was no movement and no one opened the door. He then walked around the corner towards the back door, where all the staff came and left from. The first thing to catch his eye was Megan’s carriage, parked just across the alleyway from the back door. “Megan!” He shouted. “Megan!” He lit up a match and did his best to examine the carriage in the dim light, nothing.

“Jarrod.” He thought out loud. Maybe she had been scared or something happened, she knows where Jarrod is staying. Yep that’s it, he told himself, she must have gone to the hotel. As he made his way to his horse, his foot kicked something on the ground. He could barely make it out, it looked to him like a shoe. Nick lit another match and leaned down to get a better look, a button up heeled shoe, bright red. Matched Megan’s dress perfectly, fiery red, just like her. “Oh no.” He grabbed hold of the shoe and ran down the alleyway and across the street towards the Royale Hotel.

Jarrod found sleep impossible. He was waiting for news, waiting to hear from one of the policemen that Alexander Simpson had been arrested for assault. Then everything could begin and perhaps then he would sleep. Once he knew the wheels were finally in motion, maybe then sleep would come and he might begin to forgive himself for this horrible mess that was completely his fault. He cursed his blasted curiosity everyday since he had found out what had happened to Rachel and to Sprite. Sprite, that name had really grown on him and so had Laura, she was as sweet as the day was long. Full of life and energy, just like Nick. They were quite the pair together! He wondered at what would happen between Nick and Megan, they seemed well suited for each other, though they both seemed a tad uncomfortable with admitting it, it was quite obvious that the two were falling in love. He imagined the days ahead, Heath and Rachel together with Sprite, Nick and Megan and her two younger siblings. Somehow he had a feeling that once they returned to California, their home would be filled to the brim with love and laughter.

Jarrod sat down at the edge of his bed and stared at the small photograph of Beth that he always carried with him. He picked it up and ran his finger along the outline of her face. “I miss you so.” He whispered. He was quickly shaken from his melancholia by a loud knock on the door.

Jarrod picked up his gun from the nightstand. “Who is it?”

“Jarrod, it’s me Nick. Open up!” Nick pounded again on the door.

“Nick!” He said as he opened the door, “Are you trying to wake up everyone in the hotel?”

“Is Megan here?” Nick’s eyes darted about the room.

“No, she’s not here. Why..Nick what’s going on?” Jarrod looked down at the bright red shoe in his hand.

“I can’t find her Jarrod. She didn’t come home and her carriage is still in back of the saloon.”

“Did you go in the saloon?”

“Place is locked up tight, Jarrod I know something’s happened to her!”

“Okay Nick, calm down. Let’s go back to the saloon together and if we don’t find anything, we’ll go to the police station.”

“Alright.”

“Don’t worry Nick, I’m sure she’s just fine.”

“Just fine, yep, that’s what I keep telling myself.”

Sleep wouldn’t overtake him, he had to be vigilant. If something had happened to Megan, then Simpson or his men could be on their way to them. Heath sat with the rifle propped on his thigh, watching the door. Watching and listening, a sentry and protector of the woman he loved and the children in his care. Before he had sat down and taken up his position, he had checked again on everyone. On Mrs. Ling sleeping on the worn sofa, on Daniel, Hannah and Sprite sleeping in the two beds in the small bedroom and finally, one more to check on Rachel while she slept peacefully on her stomach. He brushed back the long soft hair that had fallen over her face and kissed her cheek before moving a chair closer to the door where he would sit and watch and listen for the rest of the night.

Rachel could just barely see him from her vantage point in bed. After watching him for a time, she decided to get up and sit with him for awhile. She sat up in bed and straightened the long man’s nightshirt she was wearing and then tiptoed barefoot towards him.

Heath turned when he heard her light footsteps and grinned lopsidedly at her. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“Probably.” She signed. “Did I hear someone leave awhile ago?”

“Yeah,” Heath replied. “Nick left a bit ago.”

“Why?” She went to Heath’s side and put her hands on his shoulder, deeply rubbing them and tried to ease away the tight mounds of muscles in his broad shoulders.

“Mmm, Rachel you keep doing that and you’ll put me to sleep.” He said.

“You still haven’t told me why he left…wait, Heath where’s Megan?” She leaned down and looked into his clear blue eyes, they wouldn’t hide from the truth.

“She didn’t come home Rachel.” Heath put the rifle down beside him and pulled her into his lap; hugging her tightly. “Nick will find her, he’ll bring her home.” Just grazing her neck, he placed a small kiss on the scar that encircled it.

“Heath, if anything has happened to her, I could never forgive myself!”

“I know honey, I feel the same. But I know he’ll find her, I just know it.” His strong arms enveloped her.

She couldn’t help but think that if anything happened to Megan, it would be her fault. She never should’ve come here, Nick and Heath should never have brought her here and put Megan and her siblings at work.

“Rachel, hey why the tears?” Heath asked. “We’re gonna get him Rachel, he may already be in jail and Nick and Megan are on their way back here to tell us right now.” Heath wasn’t sure he believed that himself, so why did he tell her that he wondered. Because he so much wanted for everything to be over, to know that Rachel and Laura would never have to look over their shoulders or be frightened by him ever again. That’s what he wanted for all of them, to never have to worry about Alexander Simpson again.

She laid her head on his shoulder and when she did, she made a small audible sigh. For a moment, she didn’t realize it but then her head shot up and she stared wide-eyed at Heath.

“You made a sound Rachel! I didn’t want to tell you right away, but you did the same thing when Mrs. Ling cauterized your wounds. You cried out, just for a second, but you cried out.” He touched his fingers to her lips as she continued to look at him in disbelief. “Try Rachel, please try.”

Jarrod somberly followed Nick out of the hotel and across the street to the saloon. The thought of something having happened now to Nick’s new love tore his heart apart. All of this, every part of it, because of his damnable curiosity and one letter that had been sent to Chicago. His curiosity had nearly killed Rachel and had put a large mark on Laura’s face and now, Nick’s happiness was threatened by Megan’s disappearance.

Nick led his brother to the alleyway behind the saloon, where he had found Megan’s shoe. They had brought a lantern from the hotel with them and he would be able to get a much better look around. But he deeply dreaded the thought of what he might find now. “If Simpson has harmed one hair on her head Jarrod, you’re gonna need to defend me for murder.”

“If that’s the case Nick, we might both need a very good lawyer. As it is, I don’t know that we’ll be able to keep Heath’s hands off of him.”

“Not sure that I would even try to stop Heath.” Nick replied. “No, that’s not true, I’d stop him so that he don’t go and ruin the rest of his life with Rachel and Sprite.”

“I know that Nick, I know you would.” Jarrod lit up the lantern with a match from his jacket pocket and held it high in the air to get a look around. “Where’d you find that?” He asked Nick of the shoe.

“Right over here.” Nick walked slowly to the spot and looked around on the ground. There were many footprints to be seen in the ground, but he was most interested in the cluster he saw in front of him. “This look like it was a struggle to you? You‘re more the expert on this kinda thing than I am Pappy.”

Jarrod knelt down and brought the lantern close to the ground. “Yeah, I’m afraid that it does. Can’t tell how many though, there’s so many footprints around here, men’s and ladies.” Jarrod stood back up, “We had better go see the Chief of Police Nick and tell him everything.”

“I say we had over to Simpsons house right now!”

Jarrod grabbed Nick’s arm as he started to head out of the alley. “Nick, no not yet!”

“C’mon Jarrod, I don’t wanna waste another second here jawing about this!”

“Nick! Neither do I, but this monster is nothing if not smart. You think he would bring back Megan to his own house?” He watched Nick shake his head slowly. “Neither do I. I think what we need right now is a very good Chicago police force to find Alexander Simpson and then we can find out where Megan is. He’s going to go to prison for what he did to Rachel, I’m very confident of that and if I can convince him he might get a lighter sentence if he tells us where Megan is, he just might tell us.”

“I hope your right Jarrod.”

“So do I.”

Nick and Jarrod went back across the street and to the horses they had rented. They rode as fast as possible down Chicago’s darkened streets to the police station. They dismounted in front of the station and Nick tied up both their horses.

“How do ya know this Chief fellow isn’t home in bed.”

“You didn’t see the expression on his face after we left Megan’s place, he was genuinely horrified by what he had seen. He has daughters of his own Nick, one is Rachel’s age and from what David told me he is truly a loving father. I think the whole idea of a parent abusing their children sickened him and better yet, angered him deeply. I don‘t think he‘ll rest until he finds Simpson.”

They told the sergeant on duty that they needed to see the chief and were asked to wait in the front lobby. Only a few minutes later, the chief emerged with a tired smile.

“That was fast!” He exclaimed.

“Fast? What do you mean?” Jarrod asked.

“I only sent the officer over to your hotel about fifteen minutes ago.”

“You got him?” Jarrod said.

“Yep, isn’t that why you’re here? He’s in one of our cells at this very moment. It was all I could do not to pummel that river rat myself. He has had this smug grin on his face since we picked him up.”

Nick had a distinct feeling that he knew why Simpson was wearing the smug grin. “Chief, the young woman that had helped us, it was her place you visited earlier. Well, she’s missing.”

“What? When did this happen?”

“She works at the saloon across the street from our hotel. Nick found her shoe in the alley and there’s evidence of some kind of struggle.”

“Frank!” The chief shouted. “Frank!”

“Yes Chief,” A middle aged man appeared from the room adjacent to the lobby. “Frank, there’s a young woman missing. Last scene behind the Four Clovers bar across the street from the Royale. Looks like there was a struggle. I want you to send three officers out there to try and find her right now! I want updates every two hours, do you understand?”

“Yes sir, I’ll need her name and a description” Frank told Nick and Jarrod.

Nick gave the officer her name and a detailed description, including what she had been wearing when she left the flat that evening. He then reluctantly handed over the shoe to him.

“Frank and my officers are very good and very thorough. I’m sure we’ll get a good track on her soon. And perhaps, Mr. Simpson might shed some light on the subject. I take it Jarrod, that you would like to speak to him?”

“Most definitely.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you go with us to the jail cells Nick, against the rules. Why don’t you just sit here until we’re finished.”

Nick took a seat on an uncomfortable wooden bench and waited.

Following the Chief, Jarrod mentally prepared himself to face the monster in his cage. The chief opened the door to the jail cells and Jarrod walked inside. He was taken aback when he saw him face to face for the first time. Simpson was a huge man, not fat, but tall and broad. A man that could easily stir fear inside of anyone. And he was still grinning smugly as he stood up and looked over Jarrod from head to toe.

“Well now, what do we have here? Would this be the lily livered lawyer from California? I do believe it is, my my!”

“You can say whatever you want to say Simpson, but the fact of the matter is that you’re the one in the cell!”

Simpson thrust his hands into the pockets of his expensive wool pants. “I don’t expect to be in here very long counselor. Rest assured, my lawyers are going to eat a small town nothing like you for breakfast!”

“Tell them to give it their best shot Simpson, for all your money is useless, the law is going to win this time!”

Simpson snorted at him, “The law’s for people like you Barkley, sheep that need to be led around and told what to do. That’s who the law is for! Not for someone like myself, I’m part of the future of this nation, the future of its economy. Do you know how much power I have?”

“Doesn’t look like much to me!”

“Funny Barkley, enjoy yourself now because I’ll be out of here soon and I’m going to have my daughters back with me!”

“You’ll never have them with you again, I’ll see to that.”

He stepped close to the cell and whispered to Jarrod, “You allow this to continue Barkley, you try to keep me away from my girls and that pretty little saloon girl will die a terrible death.”

“What are you saying Simpson!” Jarrod wrapped his hands around the bars.

“I’m saying drop the charges or Megan O’Rourke will never see the light of day again.” Simpson smacked his lips. “By the way counselor, have you been with her yet? She’s quite the little wild cat!”

Jarrod reached between the bars to grab Simpson by the throat but the large man easily pulled away from him.

When Jarrod emerged from the cells, Nick and the chief could both see that he was deeply troubled. Nick’s heart rose to his throat, wondering if Simpson had given him any news on Megan’s whereabouts.

“What he say?” Nick asked.

“He’s quite full of himself, seems to think that we don’t stand a chance in court.” Jarrod replied without looking at his brother.

“Of course we do! With you and Travers on our side, we’re gonna make sure that Simpson spends a very long time in prison. That’ll teach the monster a little humility!” Nick asserted, but then in a much quieter voice he asked, “Did he have anything to say about Megan?”

“Yes Nick, he did. Chief I know that it’s just my word against his, but he told me that if we didn’t drop this case and get ‘his girls’ back to him, that Megan would, as he put it, would die a terrible death.”

“He actually said that to you?!” The Chief was shocked, he’d run across cocky men before, ones that thought they would never go to prison, but this one truly took the cake.

“Yes sir, he did at that. He seems to think that he’s above the law, has an incredibly high opinion of himself. I’d even go so far as to say he has delusions of grandeur!”

“I wouldn’t say that too loudly counselor. His lawyers just might find a way to use that in court, some kind of mental deficiency.”

“You’re right of course.”

“So what do we do now Jarrod!” Nick hated this, hated not knowing where Megan was, hated the fact that there wasn’t much he could do legally except join the search party for her.

“Right now, I’m going to go see David Travers and get our case ready. I think you should go back to Megan’s place and at least fill Heath in. Nick, I know how deeply you care for Megan but I think you should stay with Heath and Rachel in case Simpson’s men come looking for them.”

“Megan wouldn’t tell them where they are, she wouldn’t do that!” Nick spat back angrily. He loved her, knew it deep inside but hadn’t told her yet. He regretted deeply the last words they had shared before she had left for work. He couldn’t shake the thought of what if they had been the last words they would ever share.

Nick wrapped his arms around Megan and pulled her close. “You can always pretend that you’re sick and come back here early.”

“I wish I could. But rent’s due and Daniel needs new shoes badly.”

“I could help with that.”

Megan shook her head, “Why?”

“Because I want to.”

Megan stared up into Nick’s clear hazel eyes. “Is that the only reason?”

“No Megan, it isn’t. After all that you’ve done it’s the least that I can do. Let me help with the rent and such.”

“Oh, so that’s it. Give a favor and receive a favor. I see.” Megan broke from his embrace and pulled on her shawl. “You don’t have to wait up, I can take care of myself.” Megan opened the door and started out.

“Wait Megan, that came out all wrong.” Nick called out to her but she had already slammed the door shut. He turned and went into the kitchen, “Stupid, stupid, stupid.” He slapped his forehead in frustration.

“Nick, I didn’t mean it like that. I believe under normal circumstances she wouldn’t say anything, she wouldn‘t tell them. But how long do you think it’ll be before they find out where she lives on their own. Or for that matter and believe me I hate to say this, but you don’t know what Megan’s been through. You saw what he did to Rachel, what if he did something similar to Megan to find out where his girls are?” Jarrod put a hand on Nick’s shoulder in an effort to give his younger brother some comfort. “You have to get back to Megan’s place and if I were you, I think you and Heath should try to find somewhere else to hide Rachel and the children. Megan‘s place isn‘t safe anymore.”

“You don’t have to worry about that” The chief jumped in. “Look, my parents owned a house just on the banks of Lake Michigan. Its been empty for several years now. I’m sure there’s several pounds of dust in there, but the furnishings are all still in the house. And hopefully, if it hasn’t gotten too rusty, you should still have water. I’ll get two of my men and we’ll take them there. They’ll be safe, I’ll make sure that there’s always an officer outside to watch over the place.” He saw the hesitation and mistrust in both of the brother’s faces, “I swear it, they will be safe there. You have my word on it.”

Jarrod looked to Nick for approval and after a short time considering the offer, Nick nodded once.

“Alright then, let’s get this move going. If we go now, we can get them over to the house by sunrise and no one will be any the wiser.” The chief then went back into the station and emerged a few minutes later with two armed police officers to escort them. “Jarrod, you go see Travers and make sure that you put this river rat away for a long time. Nick, let’s go get those girls to safety.”

With a wagon and three officers riding on horseback, they headed towards Megan’s place to take everyone to their new hiding place.

Nick couldn’t get his mind off of Megan and he vowed silently to find her once they had Rachel and his little Sprite stowed away where they would be safe from the grasp of Simpson. He would find Megan and if anything had happened to her, one scratch, one bruise; he’d kill Simpson with his own two hands. No one would be able to protect him, not even his fancy lawyers.

Her first tries came out as little squeaks, but they were sounds, audible sounds. She was so excited by the prospect of speaking that she was giddy. Even though Heath had suggested she go back to bed and rest; she couldn’t. Rachel wanted to keep trying, more than anything now she wanted to speak again and she knew what she wanted her first word, in over two years, to be. Rachel took another long drink of water while she sat comfortably in her cowboy’s lap.

“Come on Rachel, the sun is going to come up in a couple of hours. We’ll try again later. You’re making sounds now, it’ll be no time before you’re talking about a storm again and singing lullabies.” Heath had a thought and smiled, “I bet you are gonna sing beautiful lullabies to our children!”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. One more try she thought, just one more and I’ll go back to bed. She looked into the face of the man she was going to love for the rest of her life and tried once more. “e..e..Hhh..eeaa..tt..h..h.”

“Rachel,” Heath gasped out. “You did it!” His name had never sounded so beautiful as it did on her lips, with her voice. It didn‘t matter that it came out slowly and slightly stuttered. It was the first word he had ever heard her say and it was his name. She was so happy, her face was glowing when the word came out. He held her tightly “I love you Rachel, I love you so much!”

Having heard Heath’s excited voice, Laura sleepily wandered out from the bedroom, rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?” She asked dreamily.

Rachel jumped off of Heath’s lap, forgetting for a moment about the wounds on her back and a sharp pain spread like a knife across her back. “Owwwwwwwww!!” She cried out in pain.

“Rachel! You talked!” Laura ran the last few feet to her big sister. “You talked!!”

She knelt down in front of Laura and concentrated hard, her throat was starting to become sore and the muscles in her neck were tightening but she ignored the discomfort and tried as hard as she could. “Laawwwaaahh” She said in a hoarse whisper.

“Heath! Heath, did ya hear that! She can talk! Rachel, you can talk!” Laura exclaimed happily.

Heath laughed, “Yep, she’ll be singing again in no time!” Heath picked up Sprite in his arms and lifted her high into the air then brought her back down for a big hug.

“What going on here!” Mrs. Ling entered the kitchen, the small woman looking more than slightly disheveled and just as equally irritated with being woken up in the middle of the night. “You go back to bed Miss Rachel, you get your rest!” She demanded.

“Mrs. Ling, she can talk!” Laura yelled and pointed at her sister.

“What?” Mrs. Ling asked, not quite sure that in her state she had really heard what she thought she had heard.

Rachel tried again but her throat was dry and burning. Nothing but a harsh squeak came out. But Mrs. Ling still recognized that it was a sound.

“She said my name and Laura’s, Mrs. Ling. We heard her.” Heath put his arms around Rachel, careful to avoid the lashes on her back. “Maybe we should get some rest now and we’ll try again tomorrow. Ya know, I heard that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Can’t expect you to be singing and chattering the first night you start making sounds.”

Rachel nodded in agreement, but she was a little disappointed. She wanted to be singing and chattering right away. She wanted to try and put into words everything that Heath meant to her. She wanted to wrap her arms around Laura’s small frame and sing her to sleep again.

Heath could sense her disappointment, “Don’t worry, your voice will come back. Look how much you’ve done in just one night honey. You’ve said my name and Laura’s, I’d say that was a lot.”

It was a lot, he was right, she had said the names of the two people that meant the most to her in the world, Laura and Heath. She was feeling very tired and her throat hurt, not to mention the fact that her back felt as though it were burning up. She would try again in the morning and she’d keep trying over and over again until her voice fully came back to her. Rachel was determined to even sing again, she wanted to sing lullabies to their future children.

“C’mon Rachel, I’ll tuck you in!” Heath grinned at her lopsidedly.

They all turned at the sound of footsteps just outside the door. Heath grabbed the rifle and pushed Rachel and Laura back away from the door.

“Get in the other room!” He whispered, “Now, go now!” Heath positioned the rifle and put his finger on the trigger, ready to shoot at any intruder. “Who’s there!” He shouted

“Heath, Heath it’s me Nick, the Chief of Police is with me!”

Heath exhaled heavily through clenched teeth and set down the rifle. Rachel held tight to Laura and gave her a quick hug when she heard Nick’s voice.

“Ya know I was about ready to shoot you!” Heath said as he opened the door.

Laura broke free from Rachel and flew into Nick’s arms as though she hadn’t seen him in days. Nick lifted her up and gladly received her tight hug and the wet kiss she put on his cheek. He ignored the pain in his side, where once a bullet had been and just took in the comfort of the child’s sweet hug.

“Thanks Sprite, I really needed that hug!”

“Are you sad Nick?” Sprite asked, still up in his arms.

“I was sweetie, but you just made me lots better!”

“I did?” She asked and Nick nodded to her. “Then I’m gonna make you even more better!” She hugged Nick tightly around the neck.

“Come on now, we best get everything together and get a move on.” The chief said.

“What’s going on?” Heath asked of Nick.

“Sprite, listen I need you to go get dressed and wake up Daniel and Hannah for me okay?”

“How come?” She asked as Nick put her down.

“You’re just gonna have to trust me right now, okay?”

“Oh, it’s a surprise?”

“Yep, it’s a surprise!”

“Okay!” Laura smiled a toothy grin at him and left the grown ups, returning to the bedroom to wake Megan’s brother and sister up.

When Laura was out of sight, the police chief filled Rachel and Heath in on what had happened. “I’m afraid your stepfather has Megan, Rachel. Its quite possible that his men may come here to try and get you and Laura back. He’s in jail right now, but as I’m sure you are aware, he has many men in his employ. Several of them are known to be rather unscrupulous.”

Heath took Rachel’s hand and held it tight. “What about Megan?” He asked.

“We don’t know Heath.” Nick said sadly. “As soon as I get all of us to the new place, I’m gonna go search for her. And I think I’m gonna start with your house Rachel.”

Wordlessly, Rachel released her hand from Heath’s and went to Nick, giving him a small hug.

“Thanks Rachel, we’ll find her and she’ll be okay. I know she will.”

“Y..ooo..u..kaaayy?”

“Yeah, I’ll be okay, don’t worry about…” Nick’s eyes flew open wide and his mouth gaped open. “Wait a minute! You just spoke! I mean I did just hear you speak, didn’t I?”

Heath put his hands on Rachel’s shoulders. “Ya sure did! Not a lot though, her throat really hurts and she’s been working it for several hours now. Tried to tell her to rest her voice and we’ll do more tomorrow but she listens about as well as you do!”

Rachel smacked his hand and grinned.

“That’s great Rachel! I’m really happy that you’ve found your voice. But c’mon the chief is right, we need to get moving.”

Rachel listened to what Heath and Mrs. Ling had been telling her and she signed her question instead of trying to say it. “What are we going to say to Daniel and Hannah?”

“I don’t know Rachel, hopefully we won’t have to tackle that one till the morning. Maybe by then we’ll come up with something to tell them.”

“I hope you’re right Heath.”

Heath turned to the Chief. He was reluctant to trust him, but they had no other choice, just as it had been with Megan. They would have to put themselves in his hands. “So, where we going?”

“I have a house on the banks of the lake. It’s on the other side of the city. No one really knows about it, they’ll be safe there. And, I’ll have an officer posted by the house at all times. It’ll probably take you all day just to clean up the dust, but it’ll do for now.”

“Thank you,” Rachel signed to him.

“She said thank you. That goes for me as well.”

Heath and Rachel went to check on the children and came out a few minutes later. Heath carried the youngest, Hannah, in his arms. She was still fast asleep. Daniel was too groggy for many questions and clung to Rachel’s arm.

“I think we’re ready to go.” Rachel signed.

“Umm not quite yet.” Heath replied with a sly grin.

“We’re not?”

Heath reached out and gave a small tug to Rachel’s nightshirt. Her eyes went wide, she had forgotten what she was wearing and now her cheeks flushed hot pink with her embarrassment. He chuckled as she quickly disappeared into the bedroom with Mrs. Ling following her on her heels.

Just a short hour before sunrise, they arrived at the small house. It was a small narrow two story house. The white picket fence around the house wasn’t so white anymore and there were places that showed it’s age. But Heath’s eyes went to the large wrap around porch the porch swing sitting out front. He smiled to himself, just a little, the porch faced the sunrise.

“Ya know,” The chief started, “I grew up here. Me and my two brothers and sister. Never did have lots of money, but we were always happy here. Mother was sure that some day we’d run off into the lake and never be seen again. But my brothers and I, we just loved to come out here fishing and to watch all the boats go past.”

“I kinda like this place.” Heath said. He looked over to Nick and saw the worry and anger on his face. “Rachel, Mrs. Ling you go on and take the children inside. I’ll be there in two shakes.”

“I’m gonna get going.” Nick said after the women and children were out of earshot. “I’ve gotta find her Heath.”

“You will Nick, she’s out there and I know you’ll find her. So, she coming back to California with you as Mrs. Nick Barkley or ya gonna wait a little while.”

Nick smiled, “Don’t rightly know yet, but either way she’s coming back with us.”

“Glad to hear it Nick.” Heath slapped his brother on the shoulder. “Hey and if you see big brother, tell him to hurry up and nail this case so we can ALL go home.”

“I will at that!” Nick mounted his horse and headed back into the city to find Megan.

Heath went inside with the chief to find Rachel, Laura and Mrs. Ling pulling sheets off of furniture and opening windows to let the fresh air inside.

“Daniel and Hannah went right to sleep, there’s lots of beds upstairs Heath, wanna see?” Laura said.

“Sure do and while we’re up there, you can pick one out for yourself.”

“But I’m not tired!” She said with a yawn.

“I’ll even throw in a piggy back ride, how’s that?”

“Okay, I guess so! But I’m only gonna lie down for a little while, okay?”

“Okay, ya got a deal there Sprite!” Heath leaned down so she could climb up on his back. He bounced her all the way up the narrow stairs and her giggling echoed down into the small front parlor of the home.

“Rachel, come child, we both need our rest.” Mrs. Ling started to head up the stairs.

“You go on ahead Mrs. Ling. I’ll be up in a little bit.” She signed to her.

“Brought some coffee with me. How ‘bout I make us a pot?” The chief asked. “My wife’s coffee is much better than mine, but it’ll do.”

Rachel smiled at him and nodded. She liked this Chief and was glad that he was on their side. Stepping to the window, she looked outside and saw the first glimmer of light beginning to peak across the horizon. Rachel put down the sheets and went out the front door. Her hand pushed on the old porch swing and since it appeared to still be sturdy, she sat down on it and gently moved it back and forth while she watched for the sunrise.

The porch door creaked open and Rachel turned to find Heath coming outside.

“Been awhile since we’ve watched this together.” He said quietly.

“Yes it has. Too long.”

Heath sat down beside her and took her hand, Rachel’s head came to rest upon his shoulder.

“We’ve got a lifetime of sunrises to watch together Rachel. Ya know I was just thinking, our house should have a big porch just like this and one that faces the sunrise. We can sit outside together with our coffee and watch the sunrise together. Even after we have children, this will be our own very special time together. What do ya think about that?” Heath paused. “Rachel?” He leaned his head down and found her fast asleep, her head still nestled upon his shoulder. “Our time Rachel, a life time.”

Jarrod poured over papers and law books with David Travers. Though the laws were quite similar between California and Illinois, he still wanted to prepare himself as fully as possible. David would be lead attorney in the case to win full custody of Laura, but Jarrod would be right beside him throughout the case.

In less than two hours they would be meeting with the Prosecuting Attorney and would give him whatever information he needed for nailing Simpson and sending him away for a very long time. Any information he was willing to give, except Rachel and Laura’s new location. Jarrod wouldn’t even tell Travers that information.

Jarrod looked up from the stack of books in front of him. “I think we should talk to this lawyer about having him prosecute Simpson for kidnapping Megan O’Rourke as well, don‘t you?”

“And how do you think that will go over Jarrod? Let’s see we want to prosecute Simpson for the kidnapping of Megan O’Rourke. No, she hasn’t been found yet. No, she won’t be able to testify against him at this moment. How do we know he kidnapped her? He told Jarrod Barkley a lawyer from California that just so happens to be trying to take away Simpson’s daughter. Any one else hear him admit to kidnapping her? No sir. I see.”

“Dammit, you’re absolutely right David. Sorry.” Jarrod threw done his writing instrument and leaned back in the chair.

“Look Jarrod, whether or not you want to admit it, you’re emotionally involved in this case. I understand believe me I do, but let me make the final decisions on this and you might want to let me do the talking too when we meet with the prosecutor.”

Jarrod nodded in agreement and went back to studying. Both lawyers were looking for anything, anything that might help them win not only temporary custody of Laura, but permanent custody. Neither one wanted Simpson to get out of jail and be able to come back and claim her again. Their case would begin immediately. Originally, they had intended to wait until Simpson was tried and convicted but then they both realized that at today’s arraignment, Simpson might get out on bond and demand that Laura be returned to him until the trial’s end. They would have to get a temporary injunction preventing Alexander Simpson from seeing or claiming his daughter.

When they met with the prosecuting attorney, Jarrod found that he didn’t care for the man at all. The lawyer was both arrogant and domineering, taking over the conversation from the moment they walked into the office.

“I do know how to do my job Mr. Barkley and believe me the evidence is clearly against Mr. Simpson. By the way, I will expect Mrs. Ling, your brothers and the two sisters to all testify.”

“My brothers and Mrs. Ling of course will be there. But I don’t know if we should subject Miss Knight and Miss Simpson to a courtroom after everything that they have been through.”

“Mr. Barkley, Mr. Travers I should hope that you would both realize how powerful it would be to OUR side if they testified. To have two young women testify about their pain and suffering would put the emotions of the jurors on our side.”

“Yes we do see that.” David jumped in. “I certainly understand Miss Knight’s need to testify but I must concur with my colleague here that I don’t believe I see a need to have the child testify as she not a victim by the law’s standards.”

“I am well aware of that fact counselor. However, it would do well to gain sympathy for the child from the jurors. And, having her testify in a criminal court might possibly help you in your bid for custody. But quite honestly, I certainly don’t think you should hold out much hope for that.”

Travers smiled smugly, “You’ve come up against me in court to know by now that I rarely lose and I don’t take on lost causes either. Believe me, I have ever intention of winning custody of the child for the Barkley family.”

“Has the arraignment been scheduled yet?” Jarrod asked.

“Yes, 9am tomorrow morning and I understand that he’s pleading not guilty. But that’s no surprise.”

Jarrod and David soon took leave of the prosecuting attorney and headed back towards David’s office.

“You know Jarrod, I may have lied back there.”

“Lied?” Jarrod didn’t remember David lying about anything in the prosecutor’s office. “About what?”

“About not taking on lost causes. I may have just taken on my first one with Laura Simpson.”

“It’s not a lost cause, it can’t be. It has to start somewhere, someone has to make the stand for children like her. You’re a good man for taking on this case David.”

“You’re right, I am a good man.” David grinned back after a long pause. “Animals have rights, its time we make people see that children should have protection from the law as well.”

“Animals have rights.” Jarrod murmured to himself. Nick had said something about animals having more rights then children when they first arrived in Chicago, he remembered how angry Nick was at the time. Jarrod stopped in his tracks, right in the middle of the street.

“Jarrod!” David grabbed his arm and nearly had to drag his new found colleague the rest of the way across the street and onto the sidewalk. “Please don’t tell me things are that bad, that you’re hoping you’ll bet run over by a horse and buggy!”

“Bad?” Jarrod was far off, trying hard to remember.

“Hello Jarrod? What’s the matter with you.”

“David,” He said in a low voice, “Is there a library here in Chicago?”

“A library? Of course there is, one of the best in the country I might add.”

“Do they keep newspapers from the major cities?”

“Yeah, I think they keep all the big ones, store them in the cellar.”

“How about New York?”

“Well that would be considered one of the main cities!” David put his hands on his hips, “What is going through your mind counselor?”

“We need to go to the Library.” Jarrod began walking down the sidewalk with a new look of determination on his face.

“Alright, but you want to tell me why?”

“I need to see the papers from New York, I think we might find what we’re looking for. Two or three years ago, if the library keeps them that far back.”

“I think they do, though I don’t often go looking for them. So what are we going to look for.”

“The case that will save Rachel and Laura from Alexander Simpson.”

On the other side of the city from the library, Nick joined up with Chicago’s finest to help with the search for Megan. As soon as Megan was back, he knew exactly what he was going to do. Jarrod had been complaining for months now that he needed a secretary in Stockton and Megan was just perfect for the job. A job out of the saloons and much safer. He’d be able to talk her into the move to Stockton, he was sure of it. And once she was in Stockton, he’d have the time to court her, treat her like the lady he knew her to be and introduce her to everyone in Stockton. Even those snooty ladies from church that looked down on half the women of Stockton, he’d even introduce Megan to them, for in his mind Megan was several rungs above them on the ladder of humanity.

With a court order in hand, three police officers and Nick Barkley went to the empty mansion of Alexander Simpson’s. Nick hoped and prayed that they would find Megan there, but he also hoped that she would be in much better shape then when they had found Rachel in the cellar.

Mrs. Ling was not there to answer the door and the policemen forced open the lock on the door to gain entrance. Thick velvet curtains darkened every room and they quickly set about opening all the curtains to allow the morning light inside.

Nick headed right to the cellar, a part of him hoping to find her down there and a part of him dreading what he might find. He grabbed a lamp from the kitchen and walked down the narrow steps carefully.

“Megan?” He called out. “Megan, are you here?”

Silence.

He walked past the rows of wine bottles tucked neatly on the shelves and he stopped in front of the closed door in the corner of the cellar. He heaved a heavy sigh before calling her name again. “Megan! Are you in there?” Again he was greeted by only silence. The door was locked, just as it had been when he and Heath had found Rachel in there. Closing his eyes, he tried to push back the image of Rachel tied by her neck to the beam, her clothes in tatters and her back a mass of raw flesh and tissue. “Megan!” He said again hoarsely.

When no answer came, he put the lantern down on the floor next to him and kicked open the door. Picking up the lantern again, he directed the light inside of the small room. She wasn’t there, his eyes had first gone to where Rachel had been tied up. Nick took his first breath since kicking the door off of its hinges. He was about to turn and leave when the light landed on something in the corner, partially blocked by the open door. He knelt down for a closer look and his breath caught in his throat. A bright red dress lay in a heap, a bright red dress that was low cut in the front and the hemline went up to the knees. The bright red dress that Megan was wearing the last time he had seen her.

“No..” He muttered to himself. Nick picked up the shiny garment in his large hands and carried it upstairs to show the officers. He found one in the music room, looking through a large closet. “Megan was here, she was wearing this dress when she left for work. She was here and we missed her.”

Mrs. Ling cleared off the dishes from breakfast while everyone gathered in the living room.

“Thanks again for getting the food chief, much obliged.” Heath said, raising his coffee cup to him.

“You’re more than welcome. Way I see it, Officer Moore was looking a bit bored anyways so a little shopping did him some good.” The chief chuckled heartily at his own joke.

Daniel looked up at the grownups, “When’s Megan gonna be back?” He asked.

“I’m sure it’ll be soon. You just wait, my brother will be back with her in no time!” Heath forced a smile for the little man.

“Is she with Mama and Papa?” Hannah asked innocently.

Rachel hadn’t spoken in a few hours and felt she had to try for the child. She knelt down in front of Hannah and took her small hands in hers. “Nooo, n..n…ot..in hev..enn. Back soo..oon.”

“You sure?” Daniel interjected. “You’re not just trying to make us feel better are you?”

“No son, we’re not. Megan will be coming back, she’s not in heaven.” Heath sat down on the floor next to Rachel.

“Hey don’t worry now! Heath and Nick saved me and Rachel, Nick will save Megan too, he can do anything!”

“He can?” Hannah asked, so wanting to believe her new friend.

“Yep, he sure can. Why you should see the way he rides a horse, fast as the wind. He can do anything and Heath here can do, ‘cepting he’s staying here with us to make sure we’re all okay. But Nick will find her, I just know he will!”

“Of course he will!” Heath agreed.

“Well, you have been great company but I’m afraid that its time for me to get back to my office now and actually get some work done. If we find out any news at all, I’ll make sure to send over someone to let you know.” The chief stood up and brought his cup into the kitchen. “Officer Moore is a fine man, he’ll keep a good watch on all of you while I’m gone.”

Heath extended his hand to the Chief. “I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done.”

“Thank me when we have Mr. Simpson behind bars for many years to come.” He smiled and shook hands with Heath. “Good day all of you and take care.”

After the chief had left, Officer Moore excused himself to take up watch outside the house. The officer was all business and didn’t take to mingling with the people he was trying to protect. He went down to the sidewalk and walked the short block continuously, never losing sight of the house.

“What should we do now Heath?” Sprite looked at him.

“Well I dunno, what would you like to do?”

“I wanna go back to California and I wanna go riding and I wanna see you and my sister getting married and I wanna go to school again!”

“I know you do Sprite and it’ll happen soon. But right now, I do believe I saw some games upstairs in one of the bedrooms. Why don’t you take Daniel and Hannah upstairs and see what you can find.”

“Good idea.” Rachel signed, “I do believe I saw some Chinese Checkers and some dominoes up there.”

After the children had nosily run up the stairs, Rachel turned to Heath with sadness filling her eyes. “I want the same things that Laura does, well except for school perhaps. When will this all be over Heath or will it ever end?”

Heath put his arms around her waist and brought her close, kissing the bend in her neck. “It will be over Rachel. You and Laura will be safe from him forever and you’ll be able to come back to California, free from fear and worry.”

“You have very high goals Mr. Barkley.”

“Oh that’s just the start of it Rachel. We’re going to have a houseful of children and a house just big enough for all of us and we’ll watch the sunrise together everyday and I will never stop wanting to be near you.”

“And I’ll never stop wanting to be near you or stop loving you. Heath, I’m so glad we came to California and that the wagon overturned!” Rachel made the first move and pressed her soft lips to his.

Beneath stacks of dusty newspapers, Jarrod and David ran their inked fingers across every page from the last two years of news from New York. Jarrod had vague memories of the case that could turn everything around for them, but he needed to see it in print again to refresh his memory. A colleague of his had mentioned something about it while they were in Sacramento, but when exactly it had taken place, he just wasn’t sure.

It was nearly closing time at the library when Jarrod shouted out. “Got it!” He folded the paper in half and went around the other side of the table to show David. “Mary Ellen. This is the case David!” He was excited as a young boy about to take his first solo ride on horseback.

David’s eyes flew wide as he read the article. “I don’t believe this and it actually worked?!”

“Yes, read on, it worked by God it worked!”

“Alright then, I don’t know if we have one of these Societies here, but let’s ask the librarian.”

The two lawyers gathered their belongings and headed up the stairs to the main lobby. They found a middle-aged woman sitting behind the large information desk in the center of the room.

“Excuse me,” Jarrod whispered.

“Yes, can I help you?”

“Could you please tell us, is there a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Chicago?”

“Why yes of course there is! Here wait a minute, I have an address here somewhere.” After a few minutes of searching the woman found the address and wrote it down for the two anxious lawyers.

Jarrod and David left the library together and hailed a carriage to take them to the office of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“Stephen Bergh.” Jarrod started, “That the name of the gentlemen that not only started the Society in New York but was pivotal in getting Mary Ellen out of that abusive home. We’ll recommend that the Society here get in contact with him and if they aren’t willing to listen to our case, we’ll contact him ourselves.”

“Did the librarian give you a contact name for the office here?” David asked.

“Yes, let me see.” Jarrod pulled the piece of paper from his pocket. “Here it is, Lucy Taylor. She is listed as being the founder and the president of the Society.”

“Lucy Taylor, are you sure?”

“Quite sure, that’s what’s written.”

David broke into a grin that stretched from one ear to the other. “Lucy Taylor is married to Jeb Taylor.”

“And?” Jarrod pushed.

“Jeb just happens to be the Editor-In-Chief of the evening newspaper, the Herald. In fact, I’ve met Mrs. Taylor. They throw quite the holiday party every year at the Grand Hotel’s ballroom and last year was the first time I was invited. Quite the formidable woman, if I recall correctly.”

“Well that my friend, is the best news I think I’ve heard all day!” Jarrod’s grin matched his cohort’s.

The carriage pulled in front of an unassuming brownstone on River Street. David paid the driver double the fare and asked the man to stay there until they were finished with their meeting.

Jarrod banged the large lion head doorknocker and stepped back when the door opened only a moment later.

They were greeted by an attractive older woman who looked at them with bright green eyes. She was quite tall, nearly reaching Jarrod’s full height, dressed in a dark green high necked dress and had silver hair that was tied neatly into a single braid that ran halfway down her back. “Good afternoon gentlemen, may I help you?”

“Yes, Mrs. Taylor I believe?”

“Oh! Mr. Travers, I know who you are! Forgive me for not immediately recognizing you. Do come in.”

“Thank you Mrs. Taylor.” David turned to Jarrod, “May I present a colleague and friend of mine from California, Jarrod Barkley.”

“How do you do, Mr. Barkley, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine.”

“Now gentlemen,” She said as she led them into the front office. “What can I do for the both of you.”

Jarrod exchanged a glance with David and began. “We’re here because we very much need your help Mrs. Taylor.”

“I see, is there a horse in need of rescue or what kind of animal are we talking about.” Mrs. Taylor took out a sheet of paper and a writing instrument, ready to take her notes.

“Actually Mrs. Taylor, it’s a young child that we need help with.”

Her instrument dropped on the desk. “A child? I’m afraid that I don’t understand.”

“We’d like you to help us rescue a child, a young girl that is being abused by her father. Her older half sister has filed charges against him for assault, but that won’t do anything to protect the child from him.”

“That’s where you come in.” David added. “As the child is a human being, she’s a member of the animal kingdom, is she not?”

“Ahhh,” Mrs. Taylor nodded, “I know where you are going with this gentlemen. Don’t think that I’m not aware of the goings on in other cities of our Society. Stephen Bergh was the founding father of this Society and I’m aware of nearly everything he’s been involved in.”

“So you are familiar with the case of Mary Ellen?” Jarrod asked.

“Quite familiar with it. It’s a landmark case and several of us in Chicago want to use it as an example to start a Society for the protection of children. Part of the difficulty is that when you have parents that love their children they find it unfathomable to believe that someone could do harm to their own child, a complete innocent.”

“Now, who is this child?”

Jarrod sat forward in his chair, “You mean, you’ll help us?”

“Of course I’ll help you! Wouldn’t I be just as much a monster as the abuser if I turned the other way on this?!” Mrs. Taylor was a bit shocked that they had considered the idea that she might not help them. How could she not? She had five grown children of her own that she loved dearly, the thought of anyone laying a hand on them or her seven grandchildren made her heart jump to her throat.

Nick and the two officers had searched the Simpson mansion from top to bottom, every corner, every closet and they had turned up nothing save for Megan’s dress. Once they had given up the search there, they went back into the city and to where Megan worked, asking everyone if they had seen or heard anything the night she disappeared.

They questioned everyone that worked at the Four Clovers. He was a bit surprised to find out just how mean spirited some of the other women were in that place. It appeared that Megan was a favorite of the gentleman that frequented the establishment but rarely did she allow anyone into her upstairs room In fact, one of the women had commented that Nick was the first one she’d seen go upstairs with Megan in over six months. Although he had to admit that it did his heart good to hear that bit of information, he was still no closer to finding her then when he had left Heath that morning.

Nick bellied up to the bar and ordered a much needed beer before he would begin again with trying to find her. Trouble was, he had no idea where to go next. What he wanted to do was go right to the jail cells and beat the information out of Simpson, but there was no way anyone would let him near that monster.

Nick felt a hand upon his shoulder and looked behind him to find the chief of police standing there.

“Trying to drown the pain, lad?” The chief asked.

“A bit of that and trying to figure out where in blazes I should be looking next!” Nick said, agitated.

“I know it’s rough, Heath tells me that you are quite fond of the young woman. Look, I know that it’s not much consolation, but I stopped by the morgue on my way here and no one fitting Megan’s description has turned up there.”

“That’s something at least.” Nick sighed into his beer mug. “What about Simpson, have you talked to him?”

“Indeed I did, but I’m afraid that he’s denied saying anything to your brother about Megan.”

“What about the dress, did your officers tell you about the dress?!” Nick demanded to know.

“Yes and Simpson claims that it belonged to Rachel. You won’t believe this but now he’s claiming that not only did he not abuse Rachel but that their sexual relations were mutually agreed to and didn’t begin until Rachel was sixteen years of age.”

“What?! Oh I don’t believe this! Wait till Heath and Rachel find out about this! Does Jarrod know what Simpson is claiming?”

“Not yet, apparently Jarrod and David Travers haven’t been in the office all day. And David’s secretary has no idea where they are.”

Nick developed an uneasy feeling. “Neither have been seen all day?”

“I’m afraid not.” The chief gripped Nick’s shoulder, “Now before you fly off the handle, let me tell you that I already have an officer out looking for them, just in case. They are probably just out doing some leg work to get ready for Simpson’s arraignment tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right about that. Jarrod can get pretty wrapped up in things and forget about the world and people around him sometimes. Just the same, thanks for sending someone out to track them down.”

“You’re more than welcome Nick. How about you finish up that beer and we’ll go over to check on your other brother and Rachel.”

Nick slugged down the last of his tall beer and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Right behind you Chief!”

She lifted up her aching head and tried once more to call or help. Her voice was nearly gone from having yelled so many times. She remembered Simpson laughing at her when she had yelled out the first time, he had told her that no one would hear her screaming. But she still had to try, long after Simpson had locked her in there, she still called out for help.

Clad only in her petticoats, her body shook violently as she laid on the cold slab. Her hands were bound behind her back and her ankles had a rope around them as well that one of the men had drawn up and looped around the ropes at her wrists. She was beginning to grow numb from the cold and getting quite sleepy. “Someone help me! Please!” Megan cried out hoarsely.

It had proven to be quite an arduous task to get all of the children settled down and into their beds. Daniel and Hannah were understandably very worried and anxious about their sister Megan. Heath and Rachel both did their best to allay their fears and lessen the worry they both wore on their faces.

Daniel proved to be the most difficult. He felt himself to be the man of the house now that his father had died and the young man/boy tried continually to assume that role. Both Rachel and Heath felt the pain he was feeling and their hearts ached for the children. The couple knew what it was like, knew the pain of losing a parent and they could only imagine at the pain that Daniel was feeling inside himself.

When the children were all finally put down for the night, Heath began to struggle with his own emotions. On the one hand, clearly his place was by Rachel and the children for their protection and well-being. But on the other, his brothers were out there in the c city working on this case and trying to find Megan. He longed to be with them as well, he felt completely in the dark. It was excruciating to him to be locked up in the house while Nick and Jarrod were out there, working and searching. All he could do was wait for their return. He adored being with the children; playing horsey, checkers and chasing them around the house. But the fun and games weren’t that fun to him, not when Megan was still missing and the fate of Alexander Simpson was still very much unknown.

Rachel saw the far off look in his clear blue eyes and had a feeling she knew what was going through his mind. She reached out and touched his bristly cheek. “Are you wondering what’s going on? With Jarrod and Nick, I mean?”

“Is it that obvious?” He took her hand from his cheek and kissed the inside of her palm softly.

“To me it is. Maybe not to the children or Mrs. Ling. You know Heath, your presence here has meant so much to the children. Just having you around is such a calming influence on them.” She signed to him.

Heath sighed and took her hand. “Just feel like I should be doing more than just this.”

“I..kkkn.ooww..But..I’m gglad you arrrre here wwit meee.”

He gave her hand a small squeeze. “C’mon, you should be getting some rest too you know. Those wounds won’t heal all proper like if you’re always up and moving around.”

“Yesss siirrrr”. She smiled and saluted him.

They found Mrs. Ling sitting in the parlor working on some embroidery and Heath told her that he was walking Rachel upstairs. At the top of the stairs, he cupped her chin in his hands.

“See ya at sunrise?” He asked.

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Hey, no stutters that time, it’s getting better, your voice.”

“Trying.” She smiled slightly, wishing that her voice would return to normal instantly and not have to work at it so much.

“Throat still hurt?” His hand traced down her neck to the silk scarf that hid the scar.

“Not too bad.”

With a smile, he moved closer to her till their bodies were just barely touching and he placed a kiss upon her neck, just above the scarf. “Does that help?”

Rachel grinned mischievously and shrugged her shoulders, then signed “a little.”

“Oh, a little huh? Well now, guess I’ll just have to try again!” His arms went around her waist and he kissed her neck again, harder this time. Another small kiss was placed on her jaw line and then traveled up to her earlobe. Rachel exhaled a small gasp at the sensation of his lips and teeth gently nibbling on her lobe and he pressed her body tightly against his. Lips met in a long kiss that told of their desire and longing for each other.

When the kiss ended, he continued to hold her close, feeling every curve of her body against him.

“I..I shhou..l..ddd ggettt to be.dd.dd if I’m going to be u.pp at sun..rise.” She whispered in his ear breathlessly.

With a kiss upon her cheek, Heath reluctantly released his grasp on her. “S’pose you’re right about that. I’ll see you at sunrise Rachel.”

“Yes. “Ggg..nite..Hhe.aathhh.”

Heath watched her go into the bedroom and close the door behind her. Now there was nothing for him to do but wait or try and catch some shut-eye. He decided to wait, wait for Jarrod or Nick to return to the house with news, any news. He passed Mrs. Ling, fast asleep in the parlor and went outside onto the front porch. He gave a nod to the officer standing across the street and pulled a hand-rolled cigarette from his shirt pocket. Using the bottom of his boot, he lit the match and put the flame up to the tightly rolled cigarette. He took a long drag on it and watched the thin line of smoke billow up into the cold night air.

Normally, he limited himself to one cigarette. A guilty pleasure that he took once every evening, normally after most of the family had gone to bed. But tonight, the waiting was making him uneasy and tense; he found himself lighting up a second cigarette only an hour after finishing the first.

He heard a carriage turn onto the street and stood up straight. When Nick and Jarrod came into view, he flicked his cigarette onto the sidewalk and went down the steps to meet them.

Nick and Jarrod pulled up in front of the house and jumped down from the carriage.

“Starting to worry about the both of you, much longer and I’d be sending out a search party for my wayward brothers!” Heath exclaimed, half-serious.

“Why don’t we all go inside and talk about things for a while.” Jarrod said to him.

“You have news?” Heath asked.

“Mostly from Jarrod Heath, not from me.” Nick replied solemnly.

“Nothing on Megan yet?” Heath led his brothers inside the house and to the kitchen.

“You don’t see Megan with me, do ya?!” Nick said irritated. But shook his head at his own small outburst. “Sorry.”

Heath simply nodded and went to the kitchen cabinets. He opened one and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. “Don’t know how long this thing has been here or if its any good; figured we could all use a drink about now.”

Jarrod stood up and searched the cabinets for three glasses. Heath poured out a liberal amount of whiskey into each glass and the brothers simultaneously slugged down the hot liquid without a second thought. All of them winced at the taste; but with nothing else in the house it would do.

“There’s no good new about Megan” Nick shook his head and poured out another round for himself and his brothers. “We know that he had her Heath. I found her dress in the same room that we found Rachel in. But Megan wasn’t at the house, we searched every room, every closet and still came up with nothing!”

“The chief questioned Mr. Simpson about the dress.” Jarrod added in. But then stopped, how difficult would it be for Heath to hear about what Simpson had said, he wondered.

“And?” Heath pushed.

“Heath, no easy way for me to say this, but Simpson claims that the dress belonged to Rachel.”

“To Rachel?!” Light blue eyes flew wide open with surprise. “What’s that all about?”

“Heath, he’s claiming that Rachel was a willing partner. That she’d been his willing sexual partner since she was sixteen.”

Heath nearly shook with rage and stood up fast from the table, sending his chair backwards to the floor. “That’s a LIE!” The anger in his stance matched the level of his voice and he slammed his fist into the counter. “It’s a lie, a damn lie!”

“I know that Heath, believe me, no one here thinks its anything but a bold-faced lie!”, including the chief or David.”

“But…” Heath said. “Jarrod, I know you, you’re not telling me everything that’s going through that head of yours.”

“But..we’re not a jury.”

“Whaddya saying Jarrod, just spit it out!” Nick demanded.

“What I’m saying is that Alexander Simpson is a well known and very wealthy member of this city. He also apparently has three very expensive and very successful lawyers working for him.”

“So, you think the jury might be more likely to believe him then his stepdaughter.”

“I think we’re in for an uphill battle. The jury could actually believe his story that he and Rachel were lovers.”

“Noooo!”

Three brothers abruptly turned around at the child’s tearful scream.

“Sprite!” Nick gasped. “You should be in bed sweetie.” He quickly rushed to her and scooped her up into his arms.

“Rachel isn’t a bad girl, she had to go with him and do what he wanted her to do. You saw what he did! How can anybody believe his stories!” She choked out between the tears.

Heath went to her and rubbed her back while she was still snug in Nick’s arms. “We know that Sprite, we do. The jury will believe the truth, won’t they Jarrod.” Heath turned to look at his elder brother. “Won’t they.”

“We’ll make them see the truth.” Jarrod replied. But he was not looking forward to first thing in the morning and the arraignment of Simpson. Even with Lucy Taylor on their side, this wasn’t going to be an easy case. Jarrod took another long drink of whiskey as he thought about what was yet to come.

A small candle was lit so he could find his way. This wasn’t home, where he knew his surroundings so well that he could move about in darkness, they were very far from home. Heath pulled on his slacks then set about to shaving his bristly face in the dim candle light. Buttoning up his white shirt, he opened the door and headed down the narrow stairway into the front hall. His jacket was pulled off the coat hook and he threw it over his shoulders as he stepped outside into the cold air. He could see his breath and he sat down upon the porch swing to wait for Rachel.

Just as his eye caught the first shimmer of light dancing across the horizon, the porch door slowly squeaked open. Rachel smiled at him and the warmth of it reached down to his very soul and spread across him like a warm blanket. Sitting down beside him, she snuggled up close while he put his arm around her shoulders.

“Morning.” He said and kissed her tenderly.

“Go..od..d m.m..ornn.ing.”

He’d been up for hours now, fact of the matter was that he hadn’t gotten more than an hours worth of shut eye last night. Laura walking in on the conversation he and his brothers were having last night, had kept sleep just out of his reach. The little girl’s face when she had cried out to them had rent his heart in two. He adored Sprite with all of his heart and the fact that they had been careless and she had heard their discussion filled him with guilt and remorse. But now, he was dreading that he would have to tell Rachel what Simpson had said about her, about what had happened. He didn’t want to see any pain on her beautiful face, she’d suffered so much already, but he had to tell her the truth and let her know what they were facing.

“Rachel, listen, there’s something I’ve got to tell you. It’s not gonna be easy for you to hear.”

“Isss it abbbout my stepp-fatherrr, he ssaiddd I wasss w..w..illing?”

Heath‘s eyes flew open wide, “You know about that?”

“Afftterr y.ou put L.laauwwa to bb.eedd she c..came into my r..room.” Rachel grew frustrated with herself and her speech.

“It’s okay honey, take your time.”

But she gave up and started signing to him. “She was very upset, she told me she heard the three of you talking in the kitchen and what you had said.”

“I’m sorry Rachel, none of us knew she was awake. I never wanted her to hear that.”

“I know you didn’t. It took a while for her to calm down, but I think she’ll be alright.”

“And what about you? Are you alright?” Heath asked, concerned with how she had taken the news that Simpson planned on claiming she was his willing sexual partner.

“I’m okay.” She answered, then paused. “I wasn’t shocked, maybe I should have been but I wasn’t. In a way it’s sad, a woman my age should be shocked by something like that, shouldn’t I?”

“Yeah,” Heath agreed. “I s’pose you should.” He held her tighter and she leaned her head upon his shoulder. Mourning, that’s what he felt inside, it took him a moment to figure out the emotion but then it hit him like a slap in the face. He mourned her loss of innocence, the loss of all the joys a young woman should have. The joys of growing up in a happy home. Though he had grown up in the poorest of circumstances, he was still blessed with a happy home and a mother that had loved him with all her heart. It was something Rachel had lost at all too young of an age.

They sat together, clinging to each other, until the sun had risen. Rachel was the first to rise and told Heath that she would put on a pot of coffee for everyone and check on the children. Soon the house would be bustling again and Heath would have to get ready to leave.

“Rachel, one more thing. Nick is going to stay here during the arraignment. I’m going to go with Jarrod. When it’s over, I’ll come back here and Nick’s going back out to look for Megan.”

She took hold of his strong hands. “B.bbee cc.aareff..ulll. I ll..lo..vee..y.you H..hheaath.”

He pulled her close and hugged her tightly in his arms. “I My heart is with you always, I love you too Rachel.”

A short time later, three brothers sat together at the kitchen table sharing a pot of coffee that Rachel had made for them. None of them had found much sleep.

Nick was beside himself with worry over Megan. He was torn between carrying on the search right away and his little Sprite. The look on her face last night when she had overheard them talking, it had brought an ache into his soul that he couldn’t get rid of. He had realized as he had carried her up to the bedroom that he had been lax in spending time with her. He dreamed of the day when he would have a daughter of his own and hoped that she would be just like Sprite, so full of life and personality. He needed to spend this morning with her and also with Megan’s two younger siblings. How much they must be suffering right now, he wondered to himself. They had already lost both parents and now their sister was missing. So he had volunteered to stay the morning and let Heath be the one to go to court. Besides, he had reasoned that it would probably not be the best idea for him to go; his temper could get the best of him and Simpson would be laid out on the court room floor while he himself went to jail for assault. No, it was best that he be the one to stay at the house.

Jarrod had stayed up all night considering the case. Lines of questioning, possible testimonies and revelations, he tried to think of every possible angle. If there was anything he was confident about, it was his ability to cross-examine. But his speech abilities would do him no good today or during the rest of the trial. He wasn’t a licensed attorney in Illinois and would be unable to talk to people while they were on the stands. He was a bystander and he hated the idea of it.

Heath checked his pocket watch and stood up. He pulled his light blue suit coat off the back of the chair and put it on. He watched Jarrod get up as well and put on the blue suit coat that matched the color of his eyes.

“I’ll meet you outside Heath.” Jarrod told him.

“Good luck today Pappy.” Nick added.

“Thanks, we’re going to need it.” Jarrod left the kitchen and went outside the front door, allowing the porch door to slam shut behind him.

Heath went into the parlor to find Rachel. She was sitting with Mrs. Ling and needle pointing while the three children played on the floor around them. She looked up as he entered the room.

“Tt.immee to g..gooo?”

Heath looked down at the floor, he had wanted to go to the arraignment. But now, he found it difficult to leave the house and Rachel. He went to her and stroked her cheek, “Yep, ‘fraid so.”

Rachel hugged him and he heard her sigh, she trembled slightly. “It’s gonna be alright. Everything is gonna be fine, before you know it we’ll all be back in California and we’ll be planning on a wedding.”

She only nodded and kissed his soft cheek.

“It WILL be alright Rachel.” He said again, reassuring himself just as much as her.

Together, they walked out onto the porch, clutching hands. He briefly kissed her lips and then let go of his grasp and went down to the waiting carriage. He gave a small wave as she watched him ride off with Jarrod.

Jarrod and Heath rode into the city and stopped in front of David Travers office. Once inside, they found Mrs. Taylor was already there and ready to go if they needed her. Both the Californian lawyer and the Chicago lawyer hoped that they would not need their best weapon until the actual trial began. But all the same, she would join them this morning in court.

Heath sat and patient waited while the lawyers went over their notes together. They would aim for the highest bail possible of twenty thousand dollars. And they hoped that if they were able to get that amount, Simpson would at least need some time to come up with the funds necessary for his release. But both Jarrod and David knew that they might be grasping at straws, bail that high was normally reserved for the most heinous of murder crimes. Their next goal at the arraignment was a temporary restraining order against him, to keep him away from Rachel and Laura. Once he had been found guilty of the assault, then their star witness Mrs. Taylor would help them win full custody of Laura and the fear would be over for good.

The courtroom was packed from front to back with city people that had heard the news of Simpson’s arrest. Until this point in time, he had been a highly respected member of the community and Jarrod just prayed that they would be able to show everyone the real Alexander Simpson.

The bailiff called the case and Heath watched as Simpson was brought out from the side door and into the courtroom. He was so filled with anger, he glared at the large man in shackles. Just beneath the surface raged an urge in Heath to jump the small wooden separators in front of the gallery and to wrap his hands around Simpson’s neck, squeezing the life out of the monster.

Jarrod stood at the end of the table with two lawyers to his left, David and the prosecuting attorney. The judge banged his gavel and all stopped to listen to the charges brought against the prominent bank president. Assault, assault with intent to kill, assault with a deadly weapon and rape.

“And how does the defendant plead?” The judge asked.

“Not guilty, your honor.” Answered one of Simpson’s lawyers.

“And bail?” The judge looked over at the prosecutor.

“Due to the nature of this crime and the fact that it was perpetrated many times over a period of several years; we are asking that bail be set at $20,000.”

“Your honor,” One of Simpson’s lawyers whined. “Mr. Simpson is a respected member of this community and the president of the second largest bank in Chicago. I hardly think that he is any kind of risk of fleeing. The bail should be set at no more than $100.”

“What? That is ridiculous!” Jarrod whispered to the prosecutor. “That’s bail money for nothing but a barroom brawl!”

“Bail is set at $1,000.” The judge banged his gavel loudly.

“Your honor,” The prosecutor said, “there is one more thing.”

The judge rolled his eyes, “Yes, what now?”

“These two esteemed colleagues of mine and myself request that a temporary restraining order be placed so that Mr. Simpson cannot have any contact with either Laura Simpson or Rachel Knight, pending the outcome of the trial.”

“And why are you requesting this?” The judge asked.

“Because it is Rachel Knight that is the victim of the assaults and rapes your honor and she believes that her sister is in great danger if left in the care of Alexander Simpson, given the fact that he has committed these crimes against a child already.”

“Allegedly committed these crimes.” The judge corrected.

“Your honor,” The third lawyer for Simpson chimed in. “Alleged crimes is quite correct and the prosecutor is failing to mention one very important item. Rachel Knight is not his daughter and we intend to prove that she was his mistress for the last six years. Laura Simpson IS his daughter and he has every right to be with her.”

The judge said nothing for what seemed to be forever to both Jarrod and Heath but in reality was only several minutes. “I would tend to side on the prosecutor with this one. Mr. Simpson is barred from having any contact with Rachel Knight or Laura Simpson pending the outcome of this trial.” Again the gave came slamming down upon the desk. “Next case.” The judge called out.

Jarrod exhaled with his whole body. The first round had been won for Rachel and Laura, but the fight was far from over. There was still the trial and they still had to prove that Rachel had been assaulted and raped; not a willing partner as Simpson was alleging.

The urge to jump over the gallery railing and strangle the man that had done so much harm to the woman he loved and the little girl he adored; had been successfully squelched during the arraignment. But he found himself drawing closer to Simpson and just as he was about to be led back to his jail cell, Heath had to say something.

Just under his breath, he leaned over the barrier and whispered. “Where’s Megan O’Rourke Simpson. Do yourself a favor and tell us where she is!”

Simpson turned to look at Heath with disdain, but then surprisingly, he smiled at Heath. “Oh you mean the little whore from the saloon?” He whispered. “She’s gone to be with the girls mother. So sorry.”

He could no longer retain his emotions and lunged at Simpson. Heath grabbed the larger man from behind and threw him to the ground, landing one solid punch in Simpson’s face before two police officers pulled Heath off of him. As they dragged him off, Simpson got in one hard kick between Heath’s legs and dropped him to his knees in pain.

“Heath!” Jarrod shouted. He went to his brother’s side and kneeled down beside him. “Heath are you alright?”

“You!” The judge bellowed and pointed his gavel down at Heath. “This is no barroom, you will act appropriately in this court room or I will have you thrown in jail! Do you understand me?”

Heath winced, “Yes sir, sorry.”

“I’ll help you.” Jarrod locked his arm underneath Heath’s shoulder and raised him to his feet. “Anything really damaged?”

“Don’t think so,” He grimaced again while taking his first steps out of the court room. “Wouldn’t want to spoil Rachel’s plans of having children, now would I?”

“That wasn’t the smartest thing to do back there.” David Travers chimed in.

“Yep, reckon I know that.” Heath shook his head at himself, he knew better. “It was just that what he said got the better of me.”

Jarrod stopped. “What did he say to you?”

“Jarrod, I asked him where Megan was and he told me that Megan’s joined the girls mother. He’s killed her or he’s had someone kill her Jarrod. How we ever gonna tell Nick? He really fell for her, fell hard.”

Jarrod‘s shoulders dropped and he hung his head, he‘d had a horrible feeling about Megan since she disappeared and Heath‘s words only confirmed it for him. “I don’t know Heath, we‘ll have to tell him though. Poor girl, all she did was help us, she could‘ve turned her back on Rachel and Laura but she didn‘t. You know I can’t help thinking about the morning that Megan came to my hotel room to deliver that message. She was actually worried that she wasn’t good enough for Nick.”

“How do we get Simpson linked to what happened to Megan?” Heath said glumly.

“Any ideas?” Jarrod directed his attentions to David.

“None, not yet anyway.”

“We’ll think of something. We have to, after all that she has done to help us when we needed it.” Jarrod added, “We can’t let her death be in vain.”

Megan lifted her pounding head up slowly off of the cold floor. How long had she been out she asked herself. A faint streak of light came through the corner of the door and told her it was a new day. She figured this would be her last day on this earth. She had stopped being able to feel her body sometime yesterday. It had grown numb, her bare skin exposed to the cold floor.

Surrounded by death, the air even stank of it and she was coughing more and more, she felt fluid rattling around in her lungs each time she did. It was getting harder and harder to keep her thoughts clear. There was one time yesterday she could’ve sworn that she’d seen her Mama and Papa, they were standing in front of her and holding out their hands to her, beckoning her to join them. Megan had looked away from them, closed her eyes to them so she wouldn’t see them anymore and wouldn’t give in to her own thoughts of joining them. It was the last thing she remembered until she had woken again.

With a great deal of effort, she focused her thoughts on lifting a prayer to the heavens. ‘God, you and I haven’t talked much in a long time. Not since Mama and Papa died. I’m not gonna make it much longer, I know that. You have to look out for Daniel and Hannah, they got no other family once I’m gone. Daniel wants to be the man of the house, but he’s still just a boy God. I’m gonna ask you for a real big favor. I want the Barkleys to take them back to California with them. They’re good people God and I know that they would be taken care of out there. Can’t let them my brother and sister go to an orphanage, it’s not right. Please God, let them go to California and live with Nick and Heath and Rachel. I guess I do need one more favor from you, I’d like you to look after Nick too, he’s a good man, a real good man. Just make sure he doesn’t get himself hurt or killed, take care of him please.’ Megan laid her head back down on the floor, ‘Amen.’

Maybe the next time she saw her Mama and Papa, she might accept their outstretched hands. ‘No I won’t.’ She tried to say but no sound came except a hoarse rasp. She’d long since worn out her voice with her yelling for help. Her eyelids were heavy and her thoughts became cloudy again, but she willed herself to stay awake and fight the endless sleep.

While Jarrod and Heath were busy in the courtroom, the officer standing out front of the house, welcomed the shift change. He shook the officer’s hand, informed him that everything was quiet and left to spend some time with his wife.

Nick surprised Rachel with helping out in the kitchen and making sure that all the children ate a full and hearty breakfast. He had even helped with the dishes afterwards.

“T.t.than.kk.. you..Nniiicckk.”

“You’re more than welcome. Ya know,” He smiled at her, “My brother’s a lucky man to have you.”

“I’m the l..lucky one. Nnottt only wwith H..heath bb.utt the whole ff.family. I amm vv..verry l..lucky.”

Nick hung up the towel after having finished drying the last dish. “Do ya think Heath would mind if I kissed the cheek of his future wife?”

“I.I..ddd..on..ttt thin.kk..he.dd. Minddd.” Rachel tilted her head to the side and accepted Nick’s chaste kiss upon her cheek.

“Ya know, I think the children can use a little fresh air. I’m gonna take them out into the backyard to play for awhile.”

“Y.you pplay too, b..bee g..good fffor you.”

“S’pose you’re right. You coming?”

“Lllit.tt.lee..bitt..makke the be.dd.sss firsstt..tt.”

“Okay but don’t spend all morning cleaning, you could use a little fun yourself Rachel.” Nick left the kitchen to retrieve the children.

He picked up both Laura and Hanna, tucking each of them inside his arms and carried them outside to the backyard for some much needed playtime. Daniel followed behind them and after some coaxing from Nick, he was soon laughing and playing with the two girls.

Nick pulled out his watch from his pocket and checked the time. His thoughts went to Megan and he wished he was out there looking for her at that very moment. But he needed to be with the children and Rachel right now. He had also recognized Heath’s need to go out and actually do something with the case, not be cooped up in the house all the time.

Young Daniel attempted to jump on Nick’s back and drag him to the ground.

“Oh ya want a wrestling match, do ya?!” Nick laughed.

Rachel watched for a little while from the back door and then went upstairs to make the beds. She started with hers and Mrs. Lings first and several times she glanced out her bedroom window to the street below. ‘Too soon yet.’ She told herself, waiting for Heath and Jarrod’s return and news of the arraignment.

Next was the children’s room and she glanced out the back window to watch the children trying to wrestle with Nick. She tried to open the window slightly so she could hear their laughter, but the old window wouldn’t budge.

Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, she held her breath. She stopped holding it when she saw the officer in the doorway.

“Sorry ma’am, didn’t mean to give you a fright. Thought I should give a quick check to the house.”

“Itt.tt.s o.kk.aay..” She said.

“You must be Rachel.” The officer said.

“Y.y.yesss.”

The young officer stepped inside the bedroom. “Good, cause I have a message for you.” The officer grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, pulling a rope from his pocket he slipped it easily around her neck. “You’ve outlived your usefulness Rachel.”

She grabbed at the rope around her neck as he drew it tighter and cut off her air. Still close to the window, she used one hand to bang against the glass but it went unnoticed by the wrestlers in the backyard. Dragged away from the window, he pushed her onto the bed and climbed over her. The previous wounds on her neck began to open and she felt the trickle of blood down her neck.

She let go of the rope and scratched at his face and scratched at his eyes. She made her mark and the officer grabbed at his eye. Rachel sprung off the bed and back towards the window; she grabbed the water pitcher and threw it, shattering the glass. “Nn..icc.” She didn’t get it all out before the officer grabbed hold of her again and started choking her with his bare hands.

The children and Nick stopped their rough-housing and stared for a moment at the pitcher that had come flying into the yard. His eyes then shot upward at the sound of his name. “Rachel!” He saw the officer grab her throat and drag her from the window.

“Nooo!” Laura cried out and started following Nick into the house but she couldn’t quite keep up with him.

He nearly threw the door off of its hinges as he swung it wide open and went running to the staircase. Laura cried out after him.

“Laura stay here!” He said as he stopped for just a moment and grasped her shoulders.

“No, I’m coming!”

“No! Sprite stay here!” He shouted back at her and went up the stairs, taking them in twos. He reached for his sidearm but it wasn’t there, he had taken off his holsters when he went outside with the children. “Dammit! Rachel!”

He found Rachel on the floor with the officer over her, trying to steal what life she had left in her. Nick was in a fury and grabbed the man by the shoulders, hauling him off of her. He leveled a solid punch into the officer’s jaw. The officer lunged back at him and tackled Nick, throwing him backwards on the floor.

Nick took a quick glance at Rachel, she was motionless, her eyes closed. The officer began to reach for his gun, Nick moved quickly and attacked the man, wrapping his large arms about the man’s waist and pushing him backwards into the broken window. A few shards of glass pierced the man’s skin. Nick swung his fist again and blood spewed from his nose. Another punch was landed into the man’s gut and he turned and fell. He fell face forward into the broken window. His neck landing squarely upon a sharp and large piece of glass that had remained in its frame. The man gurgled and choked, spitting up blood, before the life went out of him. Nick felt for a pulse, but he already knew that there was none.

He dropped to his knees and cradled Rachel gently in his arms. “Rachel? C’mon Rachel, wake up.” He said softly. He felt for a pulse in her neck and said “Thank God.” when he found it. With the sleeve of his shirt, he started to lightly dab at the reopened wounds on her neck. Fortunately, this time it appeared that only the scabs had been partially opened. “Rachel please, I’m so sorry.”

Hazel eyes slowly opened up wide and her hand went to her neck.

“Thank God you’re alright Rachel.” Nick said

She pushed herself away from Nick and crawled to the wall. Drawing her knees to her chest, she buried her face in her skirts.

“It’s over now Rachel, he’s dead.”

Rachel didn’t respond, didn’t look up at him.

Laura couldn’t wait downstairs anymore, she came bounding up the stairs and running into the bedroom, crying out her sister’s name. She saw the man dead in the window frame and began to scream hysterically. Megan’s siblings were soon at the bedroom door, staring wide-eyed at what they saw.

Nick didn’t know what to do, he wanted to scream out and throw his fist into the wall. Laura would not calm down despite his pleadings with her and Rachel was unreachable. “God! Help me!” He cried out in desperation.

Jarrod and Heath pulled up in front of the house. As soon as the horse had been pulled to a stop, they both heard Laura’s frantic screams. They bolted from the carriage and up to the house. Heath took the lead and went up the stairs towards the source of the screaming. He stopped in his tracks at the scene before him.

“Oh my Lord!” Jarrod exclaimed. “Nick, what in the devil happened here?”

Heath pushed past everything and everyone to get to Rachel. He knelt down beside her and stroked her long hair. “Rachel?” He said softly, “Rachel?” Nothing, no response from her at all so Heath turned his attention back to Nick and Laura. “What happened Nick, what’s going on?”

Nick threw his arms about Laura and physically turned her away from the window. He hugged her tightly in his arms and felt her shaking. “That officer tried to kill Rachel.” Nick started. “If she hadn’t thrown the pitcher out the window I might not have known. He was strangling her and the rope cut into her old wounds. I struggled with him and he fell into the window. He’s dead.”

“I can see that he’s dead.” Jarrod replied. “How’s Rachel?” He asked his brother. He moved closer to Nick and Laura, stroking the little girl’s hair.

Heath just shook his head at his brothers’ question. Rachel refused to even look up at him and she remained curled up in a small ball on the floor. “You should take the children downstairs Jarrod, then get the Chief in a hurry.” After a few moments, he looked at Nick “You better go downstairs too, let me be with Rachel. I’m gonna see if she’ll let me take her outta here and to her room.”

Nick and Jarrod ushered the children from the room. Nick picked up Laura into his arms and carried her downstairs. Jarrod found a pair of arms reaching up to him, Hannah wanted him to carry her and when he picked her up she nuzzled her head into his chest and cried.

Left alone with Rachel, Heath tried desperately to reach out to her. His calloused hands stroked her long brown hair and he ran one hand down her shoulder to her hand, clasped tightly with the other around her knees.

“It’s over now, that man is dead, he can‘t hurt you.” He said in a whisper. He waited and waited for her to say something to him or to sign, but nothing happened. “Please Rachel, just look at me, ya don’t have to say a word, just lemme see those big eyes of yours.” He smiled at her, hoping that she would raise her head and see his smile. But nothing happened, she didn’t cry or move or even sign.

“Listen honey, the Chief is gonna be here soon. We need to move to another room, how about you and I go into your room and we can just stay there for awhile until you feel better. That okay?” After a long silence, Heath slid an arm underneath her knees and another behind her back. He carried her as she had been sitting, as a small ball in his arms.

He sat her down in the center of her bed and as soon as he had released her, she turned away from him and curled up on her side. Heath moved closer to her and continued with stroking her hair and speaking softly to her, trying to encourage her to speak with him again.

He eventually heard the sounds of the Chief downstairs talking to Nick and Jarrod. They were soon upstairs and Heath could hear the shock in the chief’s voice when he saw his officer in the bedroom window. He listened to the chief’s profuse apologies and swore that it would never happen again. Where one officer was standing guard, the chief promised three. It provided no comfort to Heath to hear those words from the head of the police force, for it was one of those very men that had tried to kill Rachel.

Nick and Jarrod poked their heads into the bedroom and stared at the silent figure lying beside their brother.

“Is she up to talking to the police?” Jarrod asked quietly.

Heath shook his head.

“Not a word?” Nick asked.

“Nothing.” Heath replied.

“Ya want some coffee?”

“I could sure use some right now, thanks Jarrod.” He turned away from his brothers and went back to giving his full attention to her.

All night, he never left her side. He stayed awake next to her and hoped that she would come back to him. He talked to her about everything and anything, praying that something he said would get a response. “Ya know I’ve been thinking about our wedding. June’s not that far away and by then Mother’s roses will be starting to bloom again. We could have the ceremony right there in the rose garden. What do ya think of that?”

Nothing.

“We haven’t talked about the honeymoon yet. Wherever ya wanna go is fine by me. We can go to San Francisco or up to the mountains, heck we can even go to Boston if ya wanna go there! I think we should go for at least a month! Boy howdy, won’t that get Nick all worked up! Me not being around for a whole month.” Heath’s smile disappeared, “If he finds, no, when he finds Megan I think he’ll be pretty busy with other things too and maybe we’ll have to leave all the ranch work to Jarrod and Audra!”

Again he waited and the silence was breaking his heart. He looked out the window to see the sun rising up in the sky. “Please Rachel, come back to me. Don’t leave me now, it’s all going to be over soon. Before you know it, you and Laura will be coming back to Stockton with us and you’ll have a brand new life out there.” He sighed and reached out to touch her cheek. “It’s almost over Rachel.”

Rachel rolled over and stared up into Heath’s clear blue eyes. “It will never be over Heath.” She signed. “We are never going to be safe again.” She tried to hold it back but it wouldn’t listen and she let out a cry.

Heath pulled her close, wrapping his arms so tightly around her, protecting her. “It is going to be over soon Rachel. Ya gotta believe me, it is gonna be over soon.”

No longer able to hold everything in, she sobbed in his arms until the tears had dried up and they both eventually fell asleep in one another’s arms.

The majority of the day had been spent by her side, trying to calm her and allay her fears. But it seemed that nothing he did would bring her around. She wouldn’t speak to him or even try. He’d only gotten a few brief words from her and those had been in sign language. He was so frustrated and angry that he wanted to scream out at the top of his lungs. He wanted to go right down to the jail and throttle Simpson with his bare hands, finish the job that he had started in the courtroom yesterday. Although it gave his heart an ache that was nearly unbearable to see her this way; a part of him could understand it.

How many times she had suffered, he wondered. How many times had she been hit, abused or nearly strangled to death? Every person has their breaking point, doesn’t matter how strong they were, even Heath had his. He could remember on more than one occasion how close he had come to his own. An image of Risley and an iron box came into his head and he shut his eyes tight, willing the image to go away. He was closer to his own breaking point than he would admit to anyone, not even to Nick. Was Rachel on the verge of her own?

He would give her the rest of the afternoon and evening to rest and recover from the trauma of yesterday but no longer. He couldn’t stand by and watch her slip away into a shell again. They belonged together, he knew it and somewhere inside her she knew it as well. When Rachel had finally opened up, back at the ranch, she had become the most loving and giving person he had met in a very long time. And her touch, a single touch from her could set every nerve of his to the edge, he wasn’t going to lose her. Not to Simpson or anyone else, he wouldn’t let her slip away.

Heath looked at her again, she was rolled on her side away from him. He closed the door part way and headed down the stairs gradually, pausing for a moment to look back at the bedroom door and wondering for a moment if he had heard her call to him. But she hadn’t, it was just his own wishful thinking. He needed to find out what else was going on and he wanted to know how Nick was handling the news about Megan.

“Mrs. Ling, can you please go upstairs and sit with Rachel for awhile?” He asked. “And if there are any changes, come and get me right away.”

“Yes Mr. Heath. I go now, you see she be fine soon. You see.” She patted Heath’s back and disappeared up the stairs.

Hearing his voice, she followed the sound into the hallway. Heath was leaning up against the banister post with his head lowered onto his palm.

“Is she okay?” She waited for just a moment and then asked him again. “Heath, is my sister okay?”

Heath looked down into the hopeful round face that gazed up at him. Picking her up, he gave her a hug that he needed just as much as she did. “She’ll be okay Sprite, she just needs to rest for a little while. That’s all.”

Laura leaned back in his arms and stared at him. “Ya sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Just let her rest for awhile and she’ll be just fine.”

“But when I went upstairs she wouldn’t even look at me. Whenever I cried, she was there to make me feel better and when I cried yesterday, she didn’t do anything! Nothing!”

“Oh Sprite, she just needs some time to herself. Give her a little bit and she’ll come around in no time.” He carefully set her back down on the floor. “Listen, why don’t ya go play with Daniel and Hanna for awhile. I need to go talk to Nick and Jarrod.”

“Okay, but promise ya’ll tell me when I can go up and see her?”

“Cross my heart Laura.” He watched her go into the parlor with the other children and prayed that he hadn’t just told a lie to the child. Rachel had to be alright, for all their sakes, she had to be. Heath slowly made his way to the kitchen to spend some time with his brothers.

Nick was helping Jarrod by sorting a rather large stack of papers, but he stopped when Heath came into the kitchen. He didn’t even really need to ask how things were, he could see it all in Heath’s crestfallen face.

“How’s she doing?” Jarrod asked, stopping what he was doing as well.

Heath walked past the table and went to the kitchen door, he leaned against it and stared out the window at nothing. “She won’t try to talk anymore. I tried to get her to say something, but she won’t. Actually she’s hardly said anything, even with signing. She feels like she’s never going to be truly free, never safe from that monster.” Heath turned to look at them both, “She’s closing herself off again.”

“Heath, I’m sorry. I never should have left her alone in the house.” Nick threw down the papers in his hand and they scattered across the table. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”

Heath shook his head, “It’s not your fault. How were you to know that the officer was going to try something like that.”

“Heath’s right Nick, there was no way for you to know about that. Not even the Chief of police knew that he was working for Simpson.” Jarrod stated adamantly, he didn’t want Nick trying to shoulder the blame for this.

Heath didn’t say a word to either of them, but he was beginning to have his own doubts about the Chief of Police and just what side he really was working for. But he had no proof, just a gut instinct, so he remained silent. His best friend and partner was beginning to share in those doubts as well, but like Heath, Nick had no proof and opted to keep his feelings about the chief, for the moment.

“From now on,” Heath said, “She’s not left alone, period. We can’t put our trust in the police. One of us has to be awake and close by at all times.”

“Agreed Heath.” Nick hit his fist on the table for emphasis. “It’ll never happen again, I swear it!”

Jarrod folded his hands on the table, “Look Nick, Heath and I need to tell you something. It’s not going to be easy for you to hear.”

Heath stared wide-eyed at his eldest brother, “You haven’t told him yet?!”

“TOLD ME What?!” Nick demanded in a booming voice.

With a heavy sigh, Heath pulled out a chair and sat down next to him. “It’s about Megan, Nick.”

“What about her?”

“At the arraignment, Simpson as much as told me that Megan was dead.”

Nick stood up fast and toppled his chair, “No!”

“Nick, I’m so sorry..” Jarrod started.

“When? How? Did the police hear this?” He raked his fingers through his dark hair and leaned up against the counter.

“No, he’s too smart for that. I was the only one that heard him say it. He smiled and told me that Megan was with Rachel and Laura’s mother now.”

“Oh God, no. She never did anything wrong! All she did was help us, that’s all! I dragged her into this and now she’s gone!”

Heath stood up and went to him. “You didn’t drag her into anything. She wanted to help you, she obviously cared for you.”

“The feeling is..was very mutual Heath.” Nick folded his arms tightly around himself. “What in the blazes are we going to say to those kids? How do we tell them? They’ve lost both their parents and now Megan too!”

“I don’t know Nick. Maybe we shouldn’t say anything just yet. Maybe we should wait until they find her..until they find her.”

“Jarrod’s right, Nick. Let’s be all the way sure before we say anything to them.”

“I’ll talk to David in the morning, maybe the children have some relatives that can take care of them.”

“They don’t have anyone Jarrod, Megan told me that. It was just the three of them.” He picked his chair back off the floor and sat back down. “They’re coming back with us to Stockton.

“Nick, you don’t want to go and do something rash.” Jarrod sighed.

“Sorry Jarrod, but I’m with Nick on this one. They are coming back with us. They’ll have all of us to look after them and maybe after Rachel and I are married, maybe we can adopt them legally.”

“Any of that whiskey left Heath?” Nick asked.

“Think there’s one more bottle up there, I could use a drink myself.” Heath went to the cabinets and found the second and last bottle of whiskey. It was going to be another long night for all of them and only four days left till the trial began.

Continued…