by Page
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.
Part 1
Billy Hoyt had been waiting for spring. He whistled down the winding, gravel path to
his favorite fishing hole. He savored
the warm sunshine against his skin, listening to the gentle rustle of the trees
and the chorus of birds. The air was
fresh and cool. Billy’s heart began to race as he heard the gurgling of the
stream. Reaching his favorite spot,
Billy sat down, the morning dew still hung on the leaves and grass as Billy
whipped off his boots and socks. Out of
the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman’s shawl draped over some nearby
briars. Billy reached for it, pulling
it from the briars. It was a golden
yellow silk with fringe, nothing like Billy had ever seen. He had only seen his mother draped in course
wool or hand knitted shawls.
Tossing the shawl and his boots aside, Billy scrambled
over some rocks, finally standing on a smooth, flat rock, eagerly baiting his
hook. Billy cast his line in the
water. Pulling back, Billy felt the
line tighten. He yanked the line but
nothing happened.
“It must be caught on some log,” Billy thought. He yanked on it again and the line remained
rooted and firm. Billy began
tugging but could not budge whatever
was holding his line. Billy rolled up
his pants and waded in toward the end of his line. The water was frigid, swirling around his ankles. As Billy approached, his eyes grew
wide. At first, Billy was not sure what
he was looking at. Hesitant he moved
closer. A woman in blue velvet, floated
face down in the water. Her hair
radiated from her head, rippling in pale yellow streams. Billy backed away, tripped on a rock and
fell into the water. Rising while still
looking at the woman, he turned and ran for help.
Standing ramrod straight, Louise Millwood Talbot stared
out the window. Her gaze was sure and
disapproving . It was always obvious to
those around her that her sullen silence meant her contempt. Non-conformists and anyone with radical
ideas were never welcomed in the Talbot house.
The only way Louise Talbot maintained her matriarchy was by intimidation
and if that was not enough, withholding money always kept those that dared to
challenge her in their place. She
believed that the only thing that
mattered was the perfect ancestry, good social standing and wealth. This to her
meant privilege and scandal was intolerable.
Louise’s appearance was as dull as a botany teacher but
flawless with every silver hair in place and not a crease, crinkle or smudge
anywhere. If one appeared, she changed
her clothes immediately. If something
was not washed or ironed properly, it would be done again with much grumbling
from the staff. It was not a surprise
that maids and cooks left her employ.
She was neither generous with pay nor was she kind.
She has been described as emotionally blocked by her
children. Friendliness, warmth and
charm were never her greatest characteristics.
That is if she had any worth boasting of and everyone in the valley were
hard pressed to think of any. The only
time she was the least bit charitable
was a yearly donation to the church only to assure her a place in heaven
in an afterlife. It would take more
than a donation to assure Louise Talbot a place in God’s house as some would
say. Her underlying motive was to
squelch rumors that she was stingy. She
read the Bible once in her life, attended church every Sunday because that was
what was expected not that she believed in anything.
It seemed to everyone around her that she was nothing more
than a stone cold relic from a bygone era.
If it had been for all the wealth she acquired through either
inheritance or marriage and good business practices, she would have been left
alone years ago for no sane person would tolerate her verbal abuse,
disapproval, and high expectations.
“Catherine.” Catherine,
a petite brunette with delicate features, a pouty rosebud mouth and large,
round blue eyes tried to slink past her mother.
“Yes, mother?”
“It is bad enough that Dominick Ruttono’s son shows up
here but must you encourage Heath Barkley as well?”
“There is nothing wrong with Heath.”
“You know what I mean.”
Louise glowered at her daughter.
Catherine looked at her mother in her drab olive silk, annoyed by the
sameness of her.
“The Barkleys are a good upstanding family.”
“Well…that’s debatable, bourgeois would most likely
describe them. But Heath, I can’t even
speak about him.”
“Mother lets not repeat ourselves. I understand how you feel about Heath but I
can’t help how I feel about him either.
Besides there was nothing wrong with his mother. She was a good woman.” Louise cringed thinking about it. Catherine
was walking on a tightrope for fear of sparking an argument which would grow
into some deep seeded bitterness.
“A cheap saloon girl is what she was, sleeping with a
married man with children. She has a
baby out of wedlock and you see nothing wrong with this? Then Victoria Barkley
had the gall to take her husband’s child by another woman into her house. It shocks me.” Louise twisted the wedding band on her finger.
“Everything shocks you mother. Lea made a mistake. Why
should Heath continue to suffer because
an otherwise decent woman makes a mistake.”
Catherine tried reasoning with her mother.
“Some mistake. The
sins of the parents are visited upon the children.”
“God I hope not, I hope I’ll never bear your sins.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“You heard me, mother.”
Louise looked at her watch pin.
“Lunch is being served.”
Louise walked past Catherine then stopped and wheeled around. “You are not to see Heath Barkley again, is
that understood?” Catherine looked
away. “Or something might happen to the
Barkleys.”
“Like the time you got rid of your sick cattle by mixing
them in with the Barkley herd, and they were blamed for an anthrax epidemic.”
“It was never proven I had anything to do with that
incident.”
“Jarrod fought you on that one.”
“Never mind, lunch is getting cold.” Catherine sighed, rolling her eyes
heavenward. Reasoning with a stone wall
had numerous disadvantages. Catherine contained her anger long enough, every
nerve in her body tingled and burned.
To suffer any further rage from her mother was nauseating. Persistent
black thoughts passed through her mind, though
she tried to ignore them. She
then grasped her mother’s prized vase, picking it up, Catherine glared at it as
it was the embodiment of everything she despised. She hurled it across the room, watching it shatter into colored
glass confetti. Catherine decided to
forego anymore confrontations with her mother and see Heath away from the
ranch. Dreading lunch with her mother,
Catherine left the house.
“Martha…Martha.”
Louise rang a little bell. The
ringing was loud, frantic and angry.
Martha scurried in like a frightened little mouse, fearful of Louise’s
criticisms and whining about the
meal. “Tell the cook the meat is
dry…and overcooked.” Martha was fidgety,
biting her lower lip as she glanced over at the kitchen door. “Well?”
Martha looked down as Louise gingerly handed her the platter of meat as
if it were diseased. Martha lingered
for a moment. What is it?” Martha said nothing as she hurried back into
the kitchen. There was a commotion in
the kitchen. Louise sat, drumming her
fingers on the table when her youngest son Jonathon walked in, holding his
head. “Isn’t this a pretty sight.”
“Please mother, none of your wit this morning.” Louise raised an eyebrow. “I have a
headache.”
“You have a hangover and were no doubt with that cheap
tramp Lila Hauser.”
“What if I was?”
Jonathon poured some coffee as Louie continued her diatribe. She was sending sound waves but Jonathon
quit listening. “Nothing satisfies
you.” Jonathon managed to look at her through bleary, bloodshot eyes and a few
strands of brown hair.
“Look at you, you’re a disgrace.”
“Why must you always say horrible things to me. Why do you hate me so?” Louise ignored the question. “You find fault with everyone.” Louise banged her fist on the table. “Oh, mother, please, my head feels like it’s
on backwards.”
“Why must you always challenge me?”
“Why is it that is always what matters to you and no one
else.” Jonathon could no longer
tolerate her rigid suffocation, threw his napkin down and left the dining
room. Martha then returned with a tray
of food.
“Isn’t Mr. Jonathon eating?”
“It seems that I’ll be dining alone today.” Martha was not surprised.
Part 2
Flipping open his pocket watch, Jarrod noticed it was
almost 1:30. Snapping it closed, he was
determined to finish the will he was working on before stopping to eat
lunch. Suddenly the door opened.
“Jarrod?” Looking
up, Jarrod remembered he sent MaryAnne to lunch.
“Robert.”
“I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
“No, not at all, come in.”
“You’re sure I’m not interrupting?”
“As a matter of fact I was about to go to lunch, want to
join me?”
“Yes…but first there is something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?” Robert sat down, toying with his hat.
“It’s Laura.”
“What about her?”
Jarrod noticed the strange look on Robert’s face.
“She’s dead.”
“What?” This was
unexpected and was Jarrod not sure how
to react, if this was a joke or knowing Robert to be firm and steady, to
take him seriously.
“The sheriff found her Munson’s Creek.”
“I don’t understand, I thought she died in a fire five
years ago.”
“So did I. God only knows who is buried in that
grave.” Jarrod shook his head.
“How do you know it was Laura?”
“She was wearing a locket I gave her with photos of Philip
and myself.”
“This is incredible.”
Both men sat in silence, absorbing what Robert had told Jarrod. Robert stared at the floor.
“How did she die?”
“Gunshot…it was like an execution.”
“What do you mean an execution?”
“Right to the back of the head. Sheriff thinks she fell forward into the water and drifted
downstream to where she got caught up on some logs.”
“Does the sheriff know who did it or why?”
“No.”
“This whole thing is so strange. Why after five years would she appear after being presumed dead?”
“You’re asking questions Jarrod, I have asked myself and
have no answers.”
“Why did she leave?”
“She went with mother and Philip up to our cabin in the
high country. You recall she miscarried
our second child after that fall off her horse and I felt she should get some
rest and I thought the peace and quiet there would help her. She seemed so agitated. The next thing I knew she burned up in a
fire. She was the only one, mother,
Philip and the maid all made it out.
Strange that she was the only one who didn’t get out of the house and
mother never said anything about that night.”
Jarrod was not surprised, knowing Louise and her conniving ways, she was
probably hiding something about that night.
Jarrod had his own ideas but would not press Robert for more information
about that ill fated night. “And all this time she’s been alive, it doesn’t
make any sense.”
“I agree.”
“It sounds as if she were running away from something.”
“Or someone?” Robert looked at Jarrod. “Why do suppose she returned?”
“Philip…she loved him more than life itself.”
“If that were true then why leave and abandon her
son? What was so awful she could not
stay?” Robert rose and walked to the
window. Looking out into the bright
sunlight, it jarred him, making him realize he had impaired vision when it came
to his mother. Robert sometimes found
his stability humiliating, almost like a carbon copy of his mother. Robert sometimes despised himself for never
objecting to his mother’s dominance, knowing her convictions were often wrong
and senseless. The murky motives she used to rationalize her schemes and
destruction that ruined the lives of others.
Maybe she didn’t know about Laura.
Maybe this time her innocence was genuine.
“Jarrod would you do me a favor?”
“Name it.”
“If for some reason I should need a good lawyer…would you
defend me?” Jarrod’s eyes grew wide.
“What makes you think you need a defense lawyer?”
“Well…with all that has happened, some might think I had
something to do with Laura’s death.”
“I don’t think it will be necessary.”
“Will you?”
“You know I will but I still think you’re worrying over
nothing.”
While Robert rode home, the rain began a steady tap on the
roof of his buggy. He thought about
the inevitable showdown with his mother concerning Laura. Laura was so sweet,
so quiet, and never pretentious. The
fact that Laura was the daughter of a local farmer was something Louise was
unable to accept. Laura was part of a world
that was unable to live up to Louise’s high expectations. Laura symbolized all that Louise despised.
Robert thought about the times Laura cried from frustration while trying to
satisfy Louise.
For that matter Laura found it difficult to satisfy
anyone. She was not the most highly regarded hostess in San Francisco or
Washington D.C. She felt slighted by the snobbish, pretentious,
high-society types like Louise. She
felt their disapproval as they gazed above their lorgnettes, turned away as she
spoke and were polite only when she was in the presence of her husband. The
disappointment of never belonging anywhere always seemed to consume and crush
Laura. This saddened Robert, realizing
that the only joy in her life was Philip, that even Robert failed in making her
feel wanted.
Robert found Louise in the living room, arranging flowers
when he walked in, hesitating in the doorway.
He remained silent while she grumbled to herself about the wilted
flowers and the neglectful gardener.
“Mother.”
“Robert, dear.” If
there was anything Louise loved or took any pride in, it was her oldest
son. Robert always did what was
expected, assuring Louise’s affection.
But Louise’s love was never genuine, it was warped and always bargained
for, what little of it she spared for her children. Mistakes, revealing frailties were seldom forgotten by
Louise. She bypassed Robert’s mistake
of marrying Laura, feeling the burden was on Laura for luring her son into
marriage.
“Mother I have something important to tell you.” Louise kept her back to her son. “The sheriff found Laura this morning.” Louise stopped arranging flowers but did not
respond. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes?” Robert was
mute, searching for words when Louise spoke.
“Where did they find her?”
Louise began arranging flowers again.
“Munson’s Creek.”
“What happened to her?”
Louise’s questions were casual and cold.
“She was shot.”
Louise remained silent. “You
said she died in a fire.”
“She did…at least I thought she did.” Louise did not
reply. Robert grasped his mother by the shoulders, turning her around to face
him. Louise was startled by Robert’s
forcefulness. “What do you want from
me?”
“I want the truth.”
“All I know is she died in a fire.”
“Well, I guess she didn’t if she’s walking around,
breathing five years later.”
“Don’t be flip with me.”
“Mother, try to see it my way. All these years I believed Laura was dead, I tried to forget and
now I find out she has been alive.
Don’t you see, now I have to mourn her all over again. I never seem to get rid of the grief.”
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, it’s not your best
characteristic.”
“Why do you belittle what I feel?”
“Perhaps what I’m about to tell you will shorten your
grieving process.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Perhaps it would interest you to know that the
miscarriage Laura suffered, that baby was not yours.”
“You’re lying…that’s not true…who told you that?”
“She was having an affair…with your law partner, Wilton
Palmer.”
“You’re lying.”
“She was a tramp,” Robert turned away. “I never said anything because I didn’t want
to hurt you.”
“You lie in your teeth, mother.” Jonathon grinned, leaning in the doorway.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to hear you weave your tale of lies. The truth is you didn’t want anyone to know
about Laura’s affair with Wilton Palmer, that would add some tarnish to the
family tree. Your ulterior motives are
as obvious as an exposed petticoat.”
Louise bristled. “Maybe you
killed Laura. I always thought it was
strange everyone got out of the house that night but Laura.” Jonathon was inches from his mother’s face.
“Don’t be absurd. She obviously ran out on Robert and her
son.”
“Oh, you have an answer for everything.” Robert stormed
out as Jonathon threw his head back and laughed.
Part 3
Jarrod detested Louise Talbot and that was stating it
mildly but out of respect for his friend and colleague, Jarrod would attend
dinner at the Talbot house. Jarrod made
the effort but gritted his teeth, rapidly emptying his glass of bourbon. Much to his and Dorothy’s relief dinner was
announced.
“Jarrod.” Robert
grabbed Jarrod by the arm, pulling him back into the room.
“Robert, what is it?”
“I need to ask you something.” Robert hesitated.
“What?”
“Did you know Wilton was having an affair with
Laura?” Jarrod looked at the floor.
“Robert, I don’t think that is important now…”
“I want to know, was she having an affair with Wilton, yes
or no?”
“I’m afraid so.” Robert slipped his thumbs into his vest
pockets and walked over to the fireplace.
Leaning on the mantle, he gazed into the fire. “If you want to blame anyone, blame Wilton. You know he was a notorious ladies man.”
“Maybe so and maybe I should blame myself for not being
there enough for her.”
“Don’t worry about it.
That’s all in the past, there’s nothing you can do now.” Robert remained silent. “Lets go into
dinner. You don’t want to miss the
fireworks.”
“Oh, I can see it now.”
Jarrod gave his friend a hardy pat on the back and headed toward the
dining room.
Dorothy glared at Louise, thinking Louise had as much
humor as one of the dining room table legs.
Jarrod glanced down at the silverware, thinking, “How nice, forks on the
table, knives in the back.” Robert
seated himself at the head of the table with Louise at the other end. Jarrod sat between Lila Hauser and
Catherine. Dorothy sat between
Jonathon, who was three sheets to the wind and Leland Mason, Louise’s lawyer.
Lila, uninhibited about her emotions, kept winking and
giggling at Jonathon. Louise exhibited
her usual deep reserve. Even the soft
glow of candlelight could not soften Louise’s starchy appearance.
“I’m sorry Sarah could not join us for dinner.”
“She wasn’t feeling well,” said Leland, arranging the
napkin in his lap. Everyone sat in
silence, knowing why Sarah Mason was not among them and for the same reason
Jarrod was uncomfortable. If it was not
for Robert, no one would go within twelve feet of the main gate and even that
was miles from the house.
Lila was arranging her napkin on her lap when she slid her
hand over, resting it on Jarrod’s knee.
Jarrod looked as if he would choke on his soup. Rearranging his napkin in his lap, Jarrod
gingerly lifted her hand off his knee, dropping it in her lap.
Dorothy looked at Catherine who was trying her best to
remain invisible.
“Catherine, I forgot to give you that muffin recipe when
you were out at the ranch yesterday.”
Catherine’s muscles tightened up like sailor’s knots as she looked over
at her mother then at Dorothy.
“I thought you weren’t seeing Heath anymore,” said Louise,
a slow fire burning in her eyes.
“I went to see Dorothy.”
“Really, I thought you came to…ouch.” Catherine kicked Dorothy under the table.
Lila slurped her soup while Louise watched and
cringed. Jarrod’s eyes widened as he
saw that Lila’s soup bowl was empty. He
then looked at Lila. Noticing him glancing at her, she winked. Lila laid her hands in her lap then slid her
hand over to Jarrod’s knee. Jarrod
dabbed his mouth, laying his napkin in his lap, he slapped her hand away. Lila rubbed her stinging hand, smiling at
Jarrod, who failed to see the humor.
She liked men with fire in them, particularly if they were as attractive
as Jarrod.
“Louise, did you know a Flo McGarrity?” Louise almost choked.
“Who is Flo McGarrity?” Jonathon slurred.
“No one for you to be concerned with,” Louise
answered. “Where did you hear about
her?”
“Did you know her?” asked Jonathon.
“No, who is she?”
“You sound like you know her.” Jonathon kept needling his
mother. Jonathon loved to badger his
mother. It was only a flesh wound but
Jonathon would soon draw blood.
“From friends,” said Lila. Louise’s gaze was invasive and had a numbing effect but not on
Lila who continued to challenge her.
“It seems I heard about a case that was tried years
ago. Nick and I were just kids. Flo McGarrity owned a waterfront saloon and
was brought up on charges of crimping
and sent to prison.” Said Jarrod as Louise cleared her throat.
“Isn’t that when you shanghai sailors?” asked Lila.
“Yes.”
“Like that unsavory woman you defended,” said Louise.
“You mean Barbery Red?”
Louise shuddered.
“Actually, I think Barbara bought that place from Flo’s
sister who took it over after Flo was sent to prison,” said Jonathon.
“You ought to know,” said Louise.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? That’s what I heard.”
“You knew Barbara or whatever name she went by.”
“Yes, I did, and wouldn’t you agree Jarrod she was
attractive.”
“Oh, yes.”
“I think we should change the subject,” said Louise.
“Oh, really, why, I think the conversation is just getting
interesting.” Just then the dining room door burst open and Jake Wilder
stumbled inside. Louise jumped to her
feet.
“What is the meaning of this. You leave here at once.”
“Always giving orders.
Who did you give orders that night to?
The night my farm burned down and my wife and son were killed.”
“That was an unfortunate accident I had nothing to do
with.”
“Ha! You lie in your teeth.”
“I think you better leave,” Robert said, grasping Jake by
the arm.
“Why are you dining with the enemy Jarrod? She buy you off
too?”
“Jake.” Robert
tried leading Jake out of the room but he pulled away, lurched and fell into a
nearby china cabinet. All the dishes
shook inside while Louise took a deep breath.
“Jake lets go,” Jarrod walked over and took Jake by the
arm. “This isn’t doing you any good.”
“She took it all away, I have nothing…nothing.” With one foot in front of the other, Jake
went out with Jarrod.
“Not the evening you expected,” said Jonathon, who made a
sudden move that knocked the roast beef platter from Martha’s hands. Louise looked at the meat on the floor then
glared at Jonathon and Lila who burst out laughing. Louise turned scarlet.
“The party is over.” More laughter from Jonathon and Lila. Those looking at Louise could tell Jonathon
crossed the line, stomping on scared ground, something so unforgivable.
Dorothy hurried upstairs to bed with a raging headache
while Jarrod poured himself a brandy.
Jarrod loosened his tie.
“I thought I heard you come in…where’s Dorothy?” asked
Victoria.
“Went to bed with a headache and I can’t say as I blame
her.”
“What happened?”
Victoria sat down.
“What didn’t happen.” Jarrod slumped in the chair by the
fire. “Lila Hauser kept grabbing.”
“Grabbing what?”
“Never mind…Jonathon was pie-eyed as usual, everyone was embarrassed
by his behavior, Leland Mason’s wife did not attend because she wasn’t feeling
well. Only man I know who is married
and goes solo to all the dinner parties.
And all that stupid smiling he does is so annoying. Oh, and then Jake Wilder storms in accusing
Louise of burning down his farm and killing his wife and son. And the crowning touch to the evening was
when the entire dinner fell on the floor. Why are you smiling?”
“It was anything but dull and I can just imagine the look
on Louise’s face.”
“It was a study, believe me,” Jarrod said, sipping his
brandy. “Strange though.”
“What is?”
“I thought Louise would hemorrhage when Lila mentioned Flo
McGarrity’s name.”
“Flo owned that waterfront saloon…the one Barbery Red
bought from Flo’s sister. Oh, she had
quite a reputation.”
“So I understand.”
“It seemed to me…and this was just a rumor…that Robert
Talbot Sr. had and affair.”
“You think it was with Flo McGarrity?”
“I can’t say.
However, after this affair, Louise said she was pregnant. We never saw
her much and then she went back east for awhile and returned with a baby. It was Jonathon. Anyway, all I knew about
Flo McGarrity was that she was arrested and convicted on charges of
crimping. She claimed she was
innocent. Apparently she died in prison
of influenza.”
“Interesting,” Jarrod downed the remaining brandy.
Louise slammed the door behind Leland after stepped into
the library. Unruffled by the evening’s
chaos, Leland fixed himself a drink.
“What am I going to do?”
“About what?”
“About Lila.”
“What about her?”
“Stop asking questions and help me.”
“You never panic Louise, why now?”
“Did you hear her tonight? She was talking about Flo McGarrity.”
“So?”
“So? She knows something Leland and you know if the truth
ever came out it would tear this family apart.”
“Not to mention you precious reputation you hold in such
high esteem.”
“Damn, you can be so annoying. I cannot have that woman running loose around town, dredging up
old family history, and spreading
rumors.”
“Who says she will?”
“Were you not listening to her, Leland?”
“I heard and she can’t prove anything. You and I are the only ones that know.”
“Jarrod Barkley is another one who lets curiosity get the
best of him.”
“Jarrod had more integrity than that.”
“Not if he wants to destroy me.”
“What the hell is the matter with you? Is there something else you’re not telling
me? I heard they found Laura this
morning. Are you hiding
something?” He was surprised to see
Louise so rattled and wondered.
“Don’t be absurd.”
“Then why do you care what Lila babbles about. It speculative gossip and no one puts much
stock in that or anything Jonathon might have said.”
“I’m glad you’re convinced that it’s just a gossiping tart
and the ravings of my drunken son.” Louise scrambled for something to make
sense. “Everyone knows I didn’t care
for Laura. Next I’ll have that pig
farmer knocking on my door accusing me of killing his daughter.”
“Laura’s father?”
“Of course, who did you think I was talking about.” Leland laughed. “What is so amusing?”
“Louise, Jeremy Harper died a year ago.”
“That’s right…I forgot.”
“I guess so…Did you kill Laura?”
“Of course not.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
“And Jake Wilder…now that’s something very dangerous.”
“He has no proof.”
“But Jarrod might___”
“Louise, stop worrying about Jarrod and Lila. They have nothing and can’t hurt you.” Something more than her demons coming back
to haunt her, was provoking Louise’s uneasiness. This wasn’t like her. She was like a rock, nothing penetrated or
moved her and this disturbed Leland who relied on her apathy in moments like
these.
Part 4
On his way to the office, Jarrod stopped by to ask Fred a
few questions about Laura Talbot’s death.
After Jake Wilder’s outburst at dinner the night before and it seemed to
Jarrod to be more than the drunken ravings of a depressed man. Jonathon’s usual
drunken diatribes regarding strange family events also had Jarrod
wondering if all these occurrences were
more than tragic coincidences. Too coincidental to be random and this stirred
Jarrod’s curiosity.
“Jarrod, what brings you here?”
“Fred, what do you know about the death of Jake Wilder’s
wife and son in that fire?” Jarrod sat
on the edge of Fred’s desk, tipping his hat back on his head.
“Do you mean was it arson?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“I couldn’t find solid proof that it was but I couldn’t
rule it out either.”
“I see.” Jarrod
thought for a moment. “Do you remember what happened to Laura Talbot?”
“When she supposedly died in that fire five years ago?”
Jarrod nodded. “That was out of my jurisdiction.”
“Who could tell me?”
“Sheriff Bates, but he died a year ago.” Jarrod sighed. “But Fiona might know.”
“Fiona?”
“Her land was adjacent to the Talbot property. She had her fair share of trouble with
Louise.”
“I’m sure.”
“She’s in town, stopped by about a half hour ago. I think she was headed toward the general
store for supplies.”
“Have any idea who shot Laura Talbot?”
“None, all I have is a shawl Billy sound snagged on some
nearby bushes and that she was shot point blank range into the heart.”
“None of this makes any sense.”
“Oh, I agree. I did have a talk with George at the hotel.”
“Oh?”
“George said a woman, fitting Laura Talbot’s description,
wearing blue velvet, same as the victim, blond hair, signed the register as
Lynette Harper.”
“Her maiden name was Harper.”
“George said he couldn’t really identify her as the same
woman because she wore a heavy netted veil on her hat and he really couldn’t
see her.”
“Anything else?”
“Yeah, he said Billy delivered a note to Lynette Harper
and that night she left and headed out to the livery stable and he never saw
her again. He said that was the night
before the body was discovered the next morning.”
“What about her things?”
“I went up with George to take a look but the room was
clean, nothing was in there, not even a bag.
George said she came in with a bag.” Jarrod sighed. “I still have to talk with Toby at the
livery stable. I’ll let you know if I
find out anything.”
“Thanks, Fred.” As
Jarrod walked to the door, he had a thought.
“Fred…that shawl Billy found, was Laura Talbot wearing it when she left
that night?”
“I don’t know but I’ll ask George.”
Lila stood admiring herself in the mirror, smoothing out
her corset when she heard a knock on the door.
“Just a minute.”
Lila grabbed a filmy lace robe to cover herself. Opening the door, Lila saw Louise Talbot,
standing straight as a two-by-four, stern and just as colorless. “Well, if it
ain’t the duchess. What do you
want?” Louise walked past her.
“I came to ask a favor.”
Lila burst out laughing.
“You must be joking.”
Lila pushed the door shut.
“What’s the favor?”
“Leave town.” Lila
laughed some more. Lila stood inches
from Louise, folding her arms.
“You’re a card Louise.
Leaving town takes money which as you keep reminding me, I have
none.” Louise reached into her bag,
pulling out a wad of bills.
“Here take this and go to San Francisco.” Lila looked at the wad of bills in Louise’s
gloved hand.
“I guess that tactic didn’t work on Flo, huh?”
“I’m not sure I understand what you are insinuating.”
“You know damn well…when paying her off failed you framed
her for crimping. Everyone knew she was
clean.”
“I wouldn’t know about such things.”
“The hell you didn’t.”
“Do you want the money?
You might find San Francisco exciting, there are a lot of rich men there
waiting to spend their money on someone like you.” Lila twisted her face up into a scowl, gazing at the money in
Louise’s hand. She then half smiled.
“You think I’m a bad influence on Jonathon.”
“For once you are correct.”
“The only reason he is the way he is, is because of
you.” Louise clutched the money in her
hand, making a fist.
“Are you going to leave town?” Lila let her flimsy robe fall open, revealing her sumptuous
figure in a camisole and pantaloons.
Louise looked away. Lila smiled,
laying her hands on her hips. Louise
despised Lila’s defiance and knew Lila would not shrink in fear from Louise’s
thinly veiled insults.
“How much is there?”
“$1,000.”
“I see and all I have to do is leave town and never see
Jonathon again.”
“That is correct.”
Lila thought for a moment while Louise simmered. Louise wanted to leave the room
immediately. Lila’s cheap perfume was
more than she could tolerate.
“Add $2,000 and you have a deal. I’ll leave today on the next train.”
“I’ll get the money now.”
As Louise brushed by her, Lila grabbed the money out of her hand and
stuffed it into her camisole.
“Nice doing business with you Louise.” Louise scurried out
the door and down the hall. Lila leaned
in the doorway, calling after Louise. “No good luck or bon voyage?” Lila then let out a loud and rowdy
laugh. Louise could still hear the
awful laughter ringing in her ears as she hurried down the stairs.
Jarrod noticed Fiona outside the general store, loading up
her wagon, while her wolf dog, Mahican, sat up top on the seat. Fiona, was a good friend and an
extraordinary woman, much like his own mother and his wife. The daughter of a
Shawnee Indian woman and a Scottish trapper and miner from Canada, Fiona Lundee
was bold and determined. Everyone knew
this bounty hunter by sight. She was a
tall, willowy brunette with keen mahogany eyes, wearing a buckskin jacket, a
prairie skirt, her mother’s native American jewelry and a braid down her back. They also knew her kindness and fairness but
never make an enemy of this knife throwing, sharp shooter.
“Fiona.”
“Jarrod, how good to see you.”
“How are you?”
“Fine and you?”
“Can’t complain.
Fiona, I wonder if you could tell me something?”
“Ask me.”
“Do you recall what happened five years ago when the Talbot
place was burned down?”
“Yeah, I remember.
That was a strange night.”
“How strange?”
“I was returning from a trip when I saw a glow in the
distance. I knew it was the Talbot
place and rode over there. When I got
there, Louise, Philip and the cook were all outside. Philip was crying, said his mother was still inside. The fire was spreading but hadn’t engulfed
the house yet. I asked where she
was but no one answered except
Philip. So, I grabbed the blanket off
my horse, wet it down in the horse trough, wrapped it around me and ran
inside. I called for Laura but there
was no answer. I looked around, but could not see her with all the smoke. I didn’t go upstairs because it was blocked
by a flaming ceiling beam. I ran back
out but I still didn’t see anyone upstairs calling for help or trying to break
the windows to get out.”
“I guess you heard Laura Talbot turned up dead.”
“I heard.”
“Thanks, Fiona and come over for dinner sometime, the
family would love to see you.”
“I’ll do that.”
Jarrod stopped inside the general store to buy some cigars
when he saw Dr. Merrar.
“Good morning, Jarrod.”
“Dr. Merrar.”
“I saw Dorothy this morning.”
“Oh?”
“Nothing serious, just needed some headache powders,
something about a dinner at the Talbots.”
Jarrod smiled.
“Cigars. Tell me,
what do you recall about Jonathon Talbot’s birth?”
“What about it?”
“When was he born?”
“He wasn’t born here in Stockton. He was born in Boston.”
“Did Louise come and see you during the time she was
pregnant?”
“Not me.” Jarrod
looked puzzled. Jarrod paid for his
cigars and both men walked out together.
“Why do you ask?” Dr. Merrar
pulled out a crisp, clean handkerchief and began polishing his spectacles.
“Lila Hauser mentioned Flo McGarrity at dinner last night.”
“I found out Flo was three months pregnant when she
fainted during the trial. Some say
Robert Talbot Sr. was the father.”
Squinting, he held his spectacles up to the light, then began rubbing
once again. “Then she went to prison.
About a year later, I heard she died of influenza.”
“And her child?”
“I don’t know.
They may know at the prison but that was over thirty years ago.” Dr. Merrar finished cleaning his spectacles,
shoving the handkerchief back in his pocket and placing the spectacles on the
bridge of his nose while adjusting them behind his ears. “That family was odd.”
“You mean the Talbots?
They began walking up the street.
“Mostly Louise herself.
Alice Talbot’s death was always a puzzle to me.”
“Alice Talbot?”
“You might not remember her. She was about Nick’s age.
Robert’s sister. She was never
quite right, didn’t develop like other children and that deeply disturbed
Louise.”
“How?”
“She had no tolerance, was always impatient with the
child, speaking harshly to her. Then
Alice became ill. I was trying to
diagnose what was wrong with her but Louise kept interfering and telling me she
did not need my help that Alice would get well on her own. I doubted that.”
“What was wrong with her?”
“I believed it was poison. Once I told Robert Sr. my suspicions, Alice suddenly died and the
governess, Emma Wilkerson was accused of murder, found guilty, and hung.” Jarrod’s eyes were wide.
“Was there any proof?”
“I was called to testify about what I told Robert and that
seemed to be enough for a conviction including all the circumstantial evidence
they had against her. Personally, I
think Louise had Robert wield his power and railroaded that poor woman into her
grave. She didn’t stand a chance
against the Talbot dynasty, if you know what I mean?”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
Just then Billy Hoyt ran up to them.
“Dr. Merrar.”
“What is it Billy?”
Billy tried catching his breath.
“Well…I was chasing this cat…I think it was Mrs. Miller’s
cat, the marmalade one…and he ran into the alley between the livery stable and
the gunsmith’s shop.” Billy stopped.
“And?” Dr. Merrar
was frantic, thinking someone needed medical attention.
“He disappeared. I
heard him meow and it sounded like it was coming from the hay pile. As I came closer, I tried to grab the cat
but he got away and that’s when I Saw him.
I think he’s dead.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Wilder.”
“Jake Wilder?”
“Uh, huh, come, I’ll show you.” Jarrod and Dr. Merrar followed Billy down the street to the alley
where Billy pointed to Jake Wilder’s partially covered body under a mound of
hay. Dr. Merrar approached, knelt down
and felt for a pulse. Looking up at
Jarrod, he shook his head.
“Billy, go get Sheriff Madden.” Jarrod then looked back at Dr. Merrar. “Murder?”
“Look like he’s been strangled.” Jarrod and Dr. Merrar exchanged glances.
As the deputy helped the undertaker remove the body, Fred
walked over to Jarrod.
“This might be a good time to talk with Toby.”
“All right.” Both
walked over to Toby, who leaned on his pitchfork, staring at the spot Jake
Wilder occupied in his final moment.
“Toby.”
“Did I see or hear anything…no, nothing.”
“Could you tell us about the night before last?” asked
Jarrod.
“What about it?”
“Did you rent a rig to a pretty blond woman…say around
eight?” Toby stroked his whiskers while
he thought.
“I did.”
“Can you describe her?” asked Jarrod.
“She was dressed in blue velvet, fancy…pretty and blond
like you said.”
“You didn’t recognize her?”
“No, she had on this hat with a lot of feathers and a
veil.” Jarrod and Fred looked at each
other.
“Did she say where she was going?”
“No, and I didn’t argue when she paid me two times the
amount to rent the rig.”
“What happened to the horse and the rig?”
“I knew something was wrong when Dave Brown brought Molly
and the rig back to me the next morning.
I asked about the woman but he said he didn’t see any woman. He said his darn milk cow got loose again
and he found her down my Munson’s Creek, munching away. He saw Molly and the rig but no one
around. He said he looked and called
out but didn’t see anyone.”
“That must have been before Billy got there.”
“He didn’t say he saw Billy. He recognized my mark on the rig and Molly and took her back with
him and later brought her and the rig to town.”
“Thanks Toby.”
Jarrod and Fred walked down the alley. “Oh, by the way, I did ask George
about that shawl Billy found.”
“And?”
“He said Laura
Talbot was not wearing a shawl the night she left.” Jarrod smiled.
“Now we know that whoever Laura Talbot was meeting by
Munson’s Creek that night was a woman.”
Jarrod then saw Billy watching from around the corner.
“Billy.” Billy
came forward.
“Yes, sir?”
“Who gave you the note you delivered to Lynette Harper at
the hotel?”
“Some man.”
“Can you describe him?”
“He was dressed real fancy, fancier than you…I’ve seen him
around town…sort of a big man…smiles a lot.”
“Thanks Billy, you’ve been a big help.” Jarrod gave him a
penny. “Get yourself a licorice stick.”
“Gee, thanks, Mr. Barkley.”
Part 5
Jarrod left Fred and on his way to the office, he noticed
in the distance a woman waiting for a train.
There was no mistaking that the woman he saw, dressed in ruby red and
black was Lila Hauser. Her outlandish
hat with the black plumes, bobbed above the crowd. Jarrod continued on down the street toward the train
station. As he got closer, Lila stood,
swinging her purse and a bag sat down by her side. In the distance, the train blowing puffy clouds of ashen into the
air, ambled down the tracks, coming into the station. As Jarrod made his way through the crowd, he grabbed Lila’s
arm. She jumped and turned.
“Going somewhere?”
“I’m going to San Francisco.”
“Oh?”
“I came into a little windfall.”
“Really?…a windfall… a relative?”
“Heavens no.”
“Why are you leaving?”
“I always wanted to go and taste the high life in San
Francisco and now is my chance to do it.”
Jarrod gave her sidelong glance.
“What about Jonathon?”
“We were just friends, nothing more.”
“That’s not the way Louise saw it.” Lila smiled, walking her fingers up Jarrod’s
chest.
“You’re fishing counselor.”
“Was it when you mentioned Flo McGarrity? Is that why she’s paying you off to leave
town?”
“Who said anything about Louise, it’s like you said, I had
a relative leave me some money.” Lila
picked up her bag and boarded the train.
Jarrod had another thought. He
would find out where Flo McGarrity had served her time and when she gave
birth. Somehow, in Jarrod’s mind, these
assorted scraps and fragments of the past all came together and all of it
contrived by Louise Talbot.
Leland Mason was his usual accommodating self when Jarrod
stopped in to see him at his office.
Leland’s wide toothy grin was like a neat row of Chiclets and more than
Jarrod could endure. Leland pumped
Jarrod’s hand up and down and offered him a seat. Leland was never a threat to lawyers like Jarrod, he was too busy
social climbing while clinging to the skirts of his rich wife and his
clients. Clients like Louise Talbot
whose questionable and unsavory past
required the tawdry skills of lawyers like Leland Mason to squelch all the
gossip and innuendo.
“What can I do for you Jarrod?” Leland smoothed out his silk vest and sat down.
“Do you know Lynette Harper?” For the first time, Leland stopped smiling.
“The name doesn’t ring any bells.”
“Really? Billy
Hoyt says he delivered a message for you to Lynette Harper at the hotel.”
“Oh, he must be mistaken.
I told you I don’t know the woman.”
“Yes you do.”
“Jarrod, I told I don’t.”
“You knew her as Laura Talbot.” Jarrod leaned forward in his seat, looking straight at Leland.
“I’ll bet if I ask around town, someone would have seen her visiting your
office.” Leland tucked some fingers
into his collar to loosen it around his neck.
It felt like a noose.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. I never met this Lynette Harper and Laura
Talbot is dead or she was until yesterday.”
“Laura Talbot signed in at the hotel as Lynette Harper and
the night she left the hotel, never to be seen again was the same day you sent
a note over with Billy.”
“I have nothing more to say to you.” Jarrod nodded and
rose from his chair.
“By the way, I think you might be interested to know.”
“Know what?”
“Jake Wilder is dead.”
Leland turned snow-white.
“How?”
“Strangled.”
“Does Fred know who did it?”
“Not a clue.”
“Why tell me?”
“Don’t you think it’s rather odd that after making those accusations
about Louise last night in front of all of us that he turns up dead.”
“It’s a coincidence, nothing more.”
“Was it also a coincidence about the governess, Emma
Wilkerson, accused of murdering Alice Talbot?”
“I know nothing about that.”
“I just saw Lila Hauser leaving town. Said she came into a little windfall.”
“So? Maybe she did.”
“Strange she suddenly leaves town after talking about Flo
Garrity at dinner the last night. And Flo McGarrity, what was her connection to
the Talbot family. I can only guess.”
“Guess your head off. I had nothing to do with those
cases.”
“You were just starting out in your practice, you must
remember something.” Jarrod glanced
over at Leland’s file cabinet.
“And as for Jake Wilder, he was a notorious drunk, always
fighting with everyone. Anyone could
have killed him.”
“He wasn’t a drunk until after his farm burned down and
his family died.” Leland looked away.
Heath and Catherine wandered under the trees on the edge
of the open pasture. The trees swayed, stirring a soft breeze in the shade where they sat.
“Why are we always meeting here? Do you know how many picnics we’ve had?” said Heath.” Catherine stoked Heath’s hand but avoided
looking at him.
“It’s better than sneaking around the hayloft,” said Catherine,
smiling. He wasn’t imagining it, things
had changed and he knew why.
“Your mother dislikes my family, that’s no secret.” Catherine turned away, unable to reveal the
real reason for her mother’s contempt.
“I wish that were all it was.”
“Isn’t it?”
Catherine looked up into the large tree, burgeoning with green leaves
until Heath tucked his hand under chin, turning her head toward him. “Tell
me.”
“I hate saying it.”
“Is it because I’m illegitimate?”
“It’s what mother believes.”
“It doesn’t bother me anymore.”
“Well it bothers me.
It’s horrible the things she says and I’ll never understand what she has
against your family.”
“I guess she just thinks she better than some folks.” Catherine knew this was true but didn’t like
hearing it. She argued the point no
further.
“Come.” Catherine took Heath by the hand.
“Where are we going?”
“Down to the stream, we’ll take our shoes off and go
wading.” Both ran like little children
into the golden haze of the tall grass and the daisies. Laughing and out of breath, they stopped and
looked at one another for a moment.
Taking Catherine’s face in his hands, he kissed her. In the distance, Luke Haskell, Louise’s foreman,
watched.
After leaving Leland’s office, Jarrod walked over toward
Judge Lansbury’s office. Leland watched from his window, knowing Jarrod was tenacious enough to uncover
something that would expose Louise and ruin him. He also wondered about Louise, her behavior the night before
concerned him.
Jarrod then walked to the saloon, to talk with the
bartender. He would have to wait now
until Judge Lansbury returned to get the court order to see Louise’s bank
account information.
“Burt.
“Hey, Jarrod, drink?”
“Sure.” Jarrod
leaned on the bar, tipping his hat back on his head. “Was Jake Wilder in here last night?” Burt thought for a moment.
“Yeah, he was,” Burt said, pouring a whiskey.
“Did he have a fight with anyone?” Jarrod took a sip of his drink while Burt
thought for moment, corking the bottle.
“No…no, he just sat in the corner over there,” Using the
bottle, Burt gestured to a dark corner near the stairs. “Just sat there grumbling, polishing off a
whole bottle of whiskey then stumbled out of here.” Jarrod reenacted the events in his mind.
“Anyone follow him?”
“Hmmm…there was an old rawhider…and Luke Haskell.”
“Luke Haskell, Louise Talbot’s foreman?”
“That’s the one.”
“Do you recall what time that was?”
“I’m not sure…might have been around nine.” Jarrod swallowed the rest of his drink,
dropped a coin on the bar, and thanked Burt for his time.
Part 6
Louise adjusted her spectacles then set to her
bookkeeping tasks. A knock on the door
disturbed her. Sighing, she removed her
spectacles.
“Yes?” Leland
walked in, shutting the door behind him.
“What is it Leland?”
“Jarrod Barkley.”
“What about him?
You told me the other night not
to worry about him.”
“That was the other night. Now, he knows that Laura came to see me when she came to
town.” Louise did not respond. She folded her spectacles, laying them down
in front of her on the desk.
“What else does he know?”
“Plenty. He’s
digging deep, you didn’t bury the family skeletons low enough. He questioned me about Flo McGarrity and
Emma Wilkerson.”
“There’s nothing anyone can tell him about them. That was long ago unless you open your
mouth.”
“You know better than that Louise. I have just as much at stake as you do.”
“Good…remember that.” Louise replaced her spectacles.
“Jake Wilder is dead.
Strangled.”
“Oh?” Louise began
making entries in her ledger.
“Aren’t you concerned he may find out something?”
“Should I be?.”
“I think it’s time we dissolve our business relationship.
Murder was never part of the bargain.”
Louise stopped writing, glancing over the rims of her spectacles.
“I beg your pardon.”
“You heard me, Louise.”
“Are you afraid of Jarrod Barkley?” Louise dipped her pen in the inkwell.
“No, of course not but I think it’s time for me to retire.
I cannot be a part of this cover-up any longer. The adoption was one thing and
all the other things you asked me to do but murder…”
“I have not murdered anyone, Leland. What murder are you referring to?”
“Jake Wilder’s family.”
“I had nothing to do with that. It was an accident.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“What do you mean it wasn’t an accident?”
“I found a kerosene can in the burned ruins.”
“Doesn’t mean I had anything to do with it. Why did you go out there?”
“I wondered if you had made good on your threat to get rid
of Jake Wilder when you knew Jarrod was winning the case against you.” Louise leaned back in her chair.
“I see and now you suspect me of killing Jake.”
“No, not you. You
would never dirty your hands that way Louise.
You had someone do it. Probably
Luke. Too many things were
happening. Other than Jake’s farm there
was that saloon girl that Jonathon was seeing, the one that was nearly beaten
to death. And now Lila Hauser leaves
town after mentioning Flo McGarrity and Laura turns up dead after being dead
for five years. Think about it Louise if I’m wondering about all these
accidents, as you call them, you know damn well Jarrod will figure it out.”
“Oh, I agree and how much will it cost me, Leland?” Louise folded her hands on the desk.
“Cost you?”
“To get rid of you and ease your guilty conscious?”
“I never thought about that.”
“Don’t be coy, Leland, your past the age where it’s
attractive.” Leland sniffed at her
remark. Louise opened her desk drawer
and pulled out her checkbook. “Lets get
this over with, how much?”
“$25,000.”
“That’s the Leland I know.” Louise signed the check, handing it to Leland. “For services rendered.” Leland grabbed the check and left.
Later, Louise laid her spectacles down, rubbing her
eyes. She stood up and stretched,
picked up her spectacles and walked toward the window. Looking out, she became incensed at seeing
Nino Ruttono talking with Catherine.
Looking away, every nerve in her body tingled as she seethed in vain. Nino was persistent and ignorant of her
repeated warnings. Glancing out the window
again, she saw Heath ride up and greet them.
She watched the exchange between them.
Louise rushed from the room, through the house and out the front door. Not wanting to seem anxious, she walked the
veranda then summoned Nino.
“What is it you want?” asked Nino, his dark chocolate
brown eyes fixed on her.
“May I have a word with you?” Nino followed her inside.
“What is it?” To
Louise, Nino’s thick Italian accent was anything than continental charm.
“Do you love Catherine?”
“What business is that of yours?”
“As her mother, I would like to know what your intentions
are.”
“Why?”
“Just answer the question.”
“Yes…yes, I love her.
I would even marry her.”
“I see.” Louise
thought for a moment, rubbing her chin with her forefinger. “You do know she has been seeing Heath
Barkley.” Nino’s eyes widened.
“I thought that was over.”
“Apparently not.”
“I think Catherine thinks of you as just a friend. She might think more of you if Heath were
not around.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“Why not?”
“It is no secret you do not like me or my family. You tried to steal my father’s vineyard.”
“That was between your father and I. It has nothing to do with you. But you and Catherine, that does concern
me. If you’re in love with her as you
say you are, then I would do something about it.” Louise looked out the window.
“Just look at them, I can tell
Heath is also in love with her.” Nino
turned and left the house.
Louise continued to watch the intense exchange between
Heath and Nino after Catherine left for town.
Heath tried to climb onto his horse when Nino grabbed him by the
shoulder, whirling Heath around to face him.
Nino was excited and yelling as Heath tried reasoning with him. Nino seized Heath by his shirt collar when
Heath pushed him away. Nino stumbled
back and fell, hitting his head on a nearby buck board. Nino fell to the ground stone-still. Heath knelt down, trying to revive Nino who
was still breathing. Heath’s only
thought was to ride to town and get Dr. Merrar.
After Heath rode off, kicking up a trail of dust behind
him, Louise watched out the window.
Louise opened her hand, looking down at her bleeding hand and broken
spectacles. She took a delicate lace
edged handkerchief from inside her sleeve and wrapped it around her hand. In a robotic action, Louise walked
outside. Louise walked toward
Nino. Nino began to groan, his eyes fluttered
open. As he raised himself onto his
side, the sunlight was blazing in his eyes then evaporated into the looming
shadow of Louise Talbot. Nino’s eyes
grew wide as he brought his hands up to shield him from the first blow. Louise swung a two-by-four into his face,
knocking him back down on the ground.
Nino moaned as Louise struck another blow. Blood trickled from his ear and Nino gurgled as if choking on his
own blood. Louise swung again…and
again…and after a total of ten blows, stopped, gazing at the blood spattered
two-by-four. She dropped it, then
looking at the blood on her hands, something horrifying was happening. It all
came flooding back to her. She backed
away from Nino then turned and ran into the house.
She braced herself against the door, the silence was all
there was except for her erratic breathing.
“This didn’t happen, I didn’t do this,”
she thought to herself. Glancing
down at her skirt, she noticed there were blood stains where she had smeared
her hands and zig-zag pattern of blood spatters all across her dress. She gazed at her hands then ran upstairs to
her room. “I’m not as insane as
mother…I’m not…I can’t be,” repeated in her head. She immediately burned the dress in her bedroom fireplace.
Heath sat on the edge of his bunk, running his fingers
through his hair. Jarrod stood nearby,
leaning on the bars of the jail cell.
“Heath, What happened?”
“I Don’t know, Nino was alive when I left.”
“Tell me everything from the very beginning.” Jarrod walked toward the window.
“There’s not much to tell…I stopped by to ask Catherine to
go to Percy Caulder’s barn dance with me and Louise Talbot came out asking Nino
to come inside, she wanted to talk with him.”
“Was Nino angry about anything?”
“No, he and Catherine were just talking when I rode
up. I just said hello and not much else
when Louise came out. If anyone was
steaming mad, it was Louise.”
“What makes you say that?”
“The way she looked at me and ordered Nino into the
house.”
“Do you know why she asked him into the house?”
“No.”
“And he wasn’t agitated before talking to Louise Talbot?”
“I told you no but he sure was spitting fire when he came
out of the house after talking with her.”
“What did he say?”
“He accused me of coming between he and Catherine.”
“Was Catherine seeing him?”
“Not that I know of.
Catherine said they were just friends.”
“Maybe that’s what Catherine thought.”
“You think Nino was more interested in her than she
thought?”
“Probably.” Jarrod paced. “Then what happened?”
“He grabbed me and I pushed him. He stumbled, fell backwards and hit his head on the edge of the
buckboard behind him. He was still
breathing when I left. When I returned
with Dr. Merrar, Fred was there and Nino was dead.” Jarrod stopped pacing, thinking for a moment.
“You said he hit the back of his head?”
“Yes, but when we arrived, Dr. Merrar examined him. His nose was broken, his teeth were
shattered and his jaw was broken.
Believe me Jarrod it was not pretty.
I didn’t do that to him, I had no reason to.”
“Take it easy, Heath, I believe you.” Jarrod slipped his thumbs into his vest
pockets, took a step forward and stopped, gazing at the floor.
“Jarrod, what is it?”
“Were there any witnesses?”
“The only one I knew must have been watching was Louise
Talbot. I saw her at the window when
Nino came blasting out of the door all fired up. She must have seen
everything.” Jarrod rolled his eyes
heavenward, sighing.
“God help us, couldn’t it have been anyone else.” Suddenly gunfire roared into the quiet
night. Jarrod clutched his upper arm,
falling to the floor. Heath leaped off
his bunk, kneeling beside Jarrod. He then ran to the window and looked out and
saw a fleeting figure running from the alley, passing through the
lamplight. Heath squinted trying to
make out who it was.
“Heath what is it? What happened?” Seeing Jarrod unconscious
on the floor Fred went for Dr. Merrar.
Part 7
Fred poked his head in the examining room as Dr. Merrar
was bandaging Jarrod’s arm.
“How is he doc?”
“He’ll be fine.”
“What did you find out Fred?” asked Jarrod.
“All I could determine from what Heath told me was he
thought it might be Luke Haskell but he couldn’t be sure to make a positive
identification. Luke was seen at the
saloon talking with Hannah Powell earlier.”
“Was he there when I was shot?”
“No, he left the saloon before you were shot. What does Haskell have to do with this?”
Jarrod began thinking. “I know that
look…what are you thinking?”
“It’s strange that every time a dead body turns up, Luke
Haskell has been in the area.”
“You think he tried to shoot you?”
“I also think he strangled Jake Wilder. Haskell was the last one to see him alive
that night.” Jarrod buttoned his shirt.
“If you’re on to something, maybe we better have a talk
with Luke.” Fred paused. “Why?”
“He works for Louise Talbot.”
“You think Louise Talbot had something to do with Jake’s
death?”
“I do,” said Jarrod, fiddling with his cufflinks. Fred tipped his hat back on his head.
“You think Jake’s death is connected to that lawsuit he
had against her?”
“With enough proof, I’m going to hang Louise Talbot once
and for all. She had to leave some
loose ends somewhere.” Jarrod buttoned
the last button on his vest and grabbed his coat. “Come on, lets go.”
Jarrod brushed by Fred on his way out the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“With you, lets talk to Luke Haskell.”
“Doc, shouldn’t he be resting?” Dr. Merrar just shook his head as he gathered his instruments to
sterilize them.
“Wouldn’t do any good.”
Jarrod poked his head in the door.
“Are you coming?”
Luke Haskell threw his hat on his bunk.
“That’s bad luck,” one of the hands said.
“Shut up, Weaver.”
“What’s eating you?”
“Nothing you need to know about.” Their loud and rowdy exchange was
interrupted by a knock on the bunk house door.
Another hand, still holding his poker hand, leaned back in his chair,
opening the door. Fred and Jarrod
stepped inside.
“What now sheriff?”
“You tell me Haskell.”
“Tell you what?”
Luke looked at Jarrod then Fred.
“Where did you go after leaving the saloon,” asked Fred.
“I came here.”
Jarrod glanced over at Weaver, who was leaning on the bunk, chewing on a
tooth pick, calm as a horse, chewing on summer grass.
“He just came in.”
Jarrod and Fred looked at Luke.
“It doesn’t take two hours to ride from the saloon back
out here.”
“You got something to hide, Luke?”
“Shut up, you little runt.”
“Now, I know you’ve been seeing Hannah.”
“I’m warning you Weaver, one more word out of you and I’ll
bust your head open,” said Luke, wagging a finger in the hand’s face. Jarrod walked over to Weaver.
“Where was Luke two nights ago?”
“Well, he sure as hell wasn’t here playing poker with
us,” Weaver folded his arms, looking at
Luke and grinning while shifting the tooth pick between his teeth. Jarrod and Fred stared at Luke.
“What is this all about?” asked Luke.
“Jake Wilder,” said Fred.
“What about him?”
“Someone strangled him,” said Jarrod.
“You think I did it?”
Weaver began to snicker. Luke
pushed past Jarrod and jumped on Weaver who threw a punch. Luke brought his fist back when Jarrod
stepped between them, blocking the blow.
Fred grabbed Luke, pulling him away.
“You’d do anything that old lady asked you,” Weaver said.
“She never asked me to do anything.”
“Are you sure she never
asked you to kill Jake Wilder,” said Jarrod.
“That’s crazy…why should I?”
“Maybe she paid you,” said Weaver.
“I’ve had my fill of you,” Luke said, lunging for Weaver’s
throat. Jarrod got between them,
pushing Luke back toward Fred. Fred
grabbed him, pinning his arms behind him.
“That’s enough, Haskell,” said Fred.
“It seems strange that after Jake Wilder left the saloon
the other night you followed him out.
According to the bartender that was around nine.” Jarrod then looked at Weaver.
“Oh, he didn’t arrive here until close to 10:30.” Jarrod glanced over at the card
players. A couple of them nodded in
agreement.
“What did you do all that time?” asked Jarrod.
“I went to see Hannah.” Jarrod and Fred exchange glances.
“Don’t leave town, Haskell,” said Fred, brushing by him.
Once outside, neither said a word. Fred looped his thumbs into his gun belt.
“I still think he’s lying,” said Fred.
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“Ask Hannah.” Jarrod nodded.
Hannah was about to loosen her corset when she heard a
knock on her door. A blowsy blond with
uncombed hair and an ample waistline, Hannah had watched a lot of time pass in
the saloon and she looked well beyond
her thirty-three years.
“Who is it?”
“Sheriff Madden, open the door, Hannah.”
“Alright…alright.”
Hannah threw on a flimsy robe.
Opening the door, she smiled at the sight of Jarrod.
“Hmmm…what brings you here counselor?” Hannah leaned on the door frame, letting her
robe fall open.
“Luke Haskell.”
Hannah closed her robe and stopped smiling.
“What about that deadbeat?”
“Is that any way to talk about someone you care about?”
“You’re kidding…that creep owes me some money.”
“Were you with Haskell on the night Jake Wilder was
murdered?” asked Fred. Hannah was about
to say no, that she was with an out of town cattle buyer but Hannah was never
one to misspend opportunities.
“Yeah…yeah, he was here with me.”
“I see…well, thanks for your time, Hannah.” Hannah slammed the door behind them.
“I wonder why she lied,” said Jarrod.
“Lied? How do you know she lied?”
“Fred, I’m a lawyer, remember? People lie to me all the time.
She hesitated before answering your question and looked away.”
“Maybe she was trying to remember.”
“Judging from the way she looks do you think she is that
much in demand?”
“Not unless they were blind, drunk, or ugly.” Jarrod smiled thinking how ridiculous their
conversation was becoming. Jarrod and
Fred began walking down the street. “What would she gain by lying?…maybe the hand was mistaken about the time.”
“I doubt it.
Haskell stands out in her mind not for any good reason.”
Martha scurried into the dining room, where Louise and
Catherine were having breakfast.
“Mrs. Talbot.”
Martha was trembling.
“What is it Martha?”
Louise did not look Martha while
she continued to cut up her ham.
“Your sister is here.”
Both Louise and Catherine glanced up from their plates.
“My sister?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Damn,” Louise said a muffled voice. Louise shoved her chair back, brushing
by Martha.
“Louise, dear, how good to see you.” Elizabeth VanOak took her sister by the shoulders, kissing her on the cheek. Louise made no attempt to return the light affection. Louise’s niece,
Angela, stood behind her mother, looking stiff and stern. Catherine hung back in the doorway, avoiding
the cold family greetings.
“Angela, come give your aunt Louise a hug,” Elizabeth
summoned her daughter over. Angela
walked over to Louise, giving her a quick hug.
Catherine slipped out, went through the kitchen and out the back
door. Catherine smiled, amused at the
thought of aunt Elizabeth meeting Jonathon when he was able to rise and greet
the mid-afternoon.
“Why didn’t you come and meet us at the train?” asked
Elizabeth, removing her gray kid gloves.
“There were things here at the ranch that demanded my
attention.”
“Of course.”
“Sit…I’ll have Martha bring us some tea.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth sat in her chair like the dignified
New Englander that she was while Angela slumped down in her chair, sulking.
“Angela, stop it.”
“This trip was not my idea.” Elizabeth glared at her daughter. “Did you see Catherine run out
as soon as she saw us?”
“That’s none of our concern.” Elizabeth’s eyes darted around the room, absorbing the various
objects to see if it met with her approval.
“How long will you be staying?” asked Louise, returning from the kitchen.
“Oh, I thought we would plan to stay a couple of weeks or
so.”
“What about Charles?”
“He has his work to keep him occupied. I doubt if he
notices that we’re gone.”
“I see.”
“You needn’t worry about us. We can amuse ourselves.” That’s what Louise was afraid of and what
concerned her was exactly where they would seek out their amusement. Elizabeth could not have arrived at a worse
time.
“I’ll have Martha prepare your rooms.” Louise took any opportunity to avoid
interaction with her family. These
moments were awkward and always unpleasant
for Louise with her older sister.
Louise made up her mind that she would make no effort to give her sister
a warm reception, hoping her stay would be a short one. But knowing her sister, as she did,
Elizabeth was obstinate and would stay long enough just to annoy Louise.
Hannah woke to a persistent knock on her door.
“What…what?”
Hannah raised her head off the pillow, squinting at the door. “Who is
it?”
“Open the door, Hannah.”
Hannah recognized Luke Haskell’s voice.
“What the hell do you want?”
“Open the damn door.” More pounding followed. Hannah shoved the covers aside and slid out
of bed, still foggy from a hangover.
“Come on open the door before I kick it in.”
“Ah, keep your shirt on, I’m coming.” Hannah scrambled to find her robe and slid
it over her underwear. Hannah twist and
turned on her way to the door.
Unlocking it, Luke stepped in, slamming it behind him.
“What did you tell Barkley and the sheriff?”
“Why?” Luke
grabbed her arm. “Let go, you’re hurting me.”
Hannah tried loosening his grip.
“Tell me.”
“I didn’t tell them anything.” Luke released his grasp on her.
Hannah backed away, pulling her robe around her.
“I told them you were with me the night Jake Wilder was
murdered but I don’t think Jarrod Barkley believed me. But if you don’t pay me the money you owe then
I’ll tell him.” Hannah rubbed her arm. “I wouldn’t mind getting a second look
at him.”
“You ain’t getting no more looks at him.”
“Then give me my money.”
Haskell lunged for Hannah, pushing her down on the bed. Hannah brought her leg up and kicked him in
the stomach. Haskell went reeling
backwards. He came toward her again as
she picked up a water pitcher, hurling it at his head. The pitcher nicked Luke
on the side of the head before shattering on the wall, falling to pieces.
Wong Ho went outside the back of his laundry to empty some
trash when he heard the ruckus in Hannah’s room. Curious but not wanting to get too close, Wong listened but the
noise stopped. He stepped out further
from his back door, peering up at Hannah’s door. The door burst open and Luke raced down the stairs. Wong dropped his trash and ran for the
sheriff.
Wong Ho hung in the doorway as Fred examined the
body. Fred grabbed the edge of the
quilt on Hannah’s bed, pulling it off and covering Hannah’s body with it.
Jarrod appeared behind Wong.
“Fred, happened?”
“Hannah has been strangled.”
“Who did it?”
“Haskell.”
“Are you sure?”
“I got witnesses, Jarrod.
Percy Myers said Haskell nearly ran him down in the street fifteen
minutes ago and Wong heard a scuffle and yelling and Haskell ran out of here
like he was propelled by a firecracker.”
“That’s lucky.”
“I’ll say.”
“Saw him last night too,” said Wong.
“Last night?” Jarrod asked.
“Yes.”
“Where?” asked Fred.
“In the alley by the jail.”
“Are you sure it was Luke Haskell?”
“Yes, he came in my laundry once and tore the place
apart.”
“Why?” asked Jarrod.
“Said for me to forget seeing him argue with Mr. Wilder on
the night Mr. Wilder die.” Jarrod and
Fred exchanged glances.
“You saw them arguing?”
asked Jarrod.
“You bet and Mr. Myers heard it too.”
“How do you know Percy Myers heard it?”
“He called out his window, told them to be quiet, they
woke him up.”
“Looks like I’ll be taking a ride out to the Talbot place
and arresting Haskell for murder.” Jarrod nodded.
Louise stepped inside the stable, trying to see in the
dark.
“Luke, where are you?”
There was no answer. “I don’t
have time for this.” Luke stepped out
of the shadows. “What is it?”
“I need some money and I need it now.”
“You get paid at the end of the week.”
“I can’t wait, I need it now.”
“For what? May I ask.”
“For doing all your dirty work.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t play innocent with me, I mean_____”
“Shhh.”
“What now?”
“Quiet.” She heard Elizabeth in the distance. Louise went
over to where Luke was standing, shoving him into an empty stall.
“Louise, are you here?” Louise watched as Elizabeth came
and stood in the doorway. “Answer me, are you here?” Louise flinched at hearing her sister’s harsh voice. More than
anything Louise hated her controlling nature.
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and walked away toward the house.
“What do you need the money for?”
“I have to get out of town, the sheriff is after me.”
“What did you do?”
“I killed Jake Wilder.”
“I didn’t tell you to kill him, I said take care of him.”
“What did you want me to do?” Louise was disgusted with Luke’s stupidity.
“Is that it?”
“Is what it?”
“Wilder?”
“I winged Jarrod Barkley.”
“What for?”
“You wanted him out of the way. You said he was getting too nosy.”
“Anything but killing him.”
“What then?”
“Alright…alright.”
“Then there’s Hannah Perkins.”
“What about that tart?”
“I killed her.” Louise glared at him. “She was about to blow alibi for Wilder’s murder.”
“My, my you have been on a killing spree. There are better ways of getting rid of
one’s enemies and what you did was sloppy, Luke.” Luke did not care for Louise’s flip remarks. “Why didn’t you just leave town when you knew
the sheriff suspected you.”
“Leaving takes money.”
Louise heard the clip-clop of hooves coming closer.
“Wait here.” Louise went to the door of the stable. “It’s
the sheriff.” Louise motioned to look
to get out of sight.
Fred dismounted. Louise looked over her shoulder as the
sheriff approached.
“Mrs. Talbot, have you seen your foreman, Luke
Haskell?” Louise looked over her
shoulder again. “Something wrong?” Look peered over the top of the stall.
“Nothing…I haven’t seen Luke.”
“Are you sure?”
Louise stepped forward, lowering her voice.
“He’s in there, he has a gun and threatened to kill me.”
“I see.” Louise
stepped aside as Fred whipped out his gun, step by step he walked toward the
stable door. “Haskell, I know you’re in
there. Put the gun down and come out.”
Luke realized at that moment there were no choices left, he had to shoot
his way out of the stable, suicide or not.
If he survived, Louise Talbot would get the next bullet.
“I don’t know what she told you sheriff but she’s lying.” Louise held her breath. Luke sprung up, firing a shot at the sheriff
who dodged it and then shot back. Luke
fired off another shot as he ducked behind a wagon. Fred crouched down, looking into the shadows for any movement.
Meanwhile Louise rounded the back of the stable and
entered from back door. Luke heard the
door creek behind him and glanced over his shoulder. “Haskell, I’m warning
you.” Luke looked back at Fred as he
felt a stinging blow to the back of his head. Fred heard a thud and looked in the
direction of the noise. Louise grabbed
Luke’s gun and fired a shot into
Luke. Fred fired back as Louise ducked
out of the way. She then put the gun in
Luke’s hand and scurried to the back door, slipping outside. Fred heard nothing
more and walked toward the area where the shots were coming from. Circling the wagon, gun still drawn, Fred
almost stumbled over Luke Haskell’s dead body.
“Sheriff, where are you?”
“Over here, behind the wagon.” Fred slid his gun back in his holster. Louise looked down at Luke
Haskell as Fred checked for a pulse.
Fred shook his head.
“Terrible thing, just terrible.”
“What did he tell you?”
“He said he needed an advance on his pay he was leaving.”
“Did he say anything about Jake Wilder or Hannah Perkins?”
“He wouldn’t say.”
Fred sighed.