By: Helen B
The trapdoor released. “Adam!” Joe screamed at the realization that he was too late. Joe turned away, the bile rising in his throat. The people who had gathered to watch turned at the sound of approaching horses.
Ben and Hoss Cartwright, along with the marshal that rode beside them, pulled their horses to a stop as they saw with horror, the body hanging from a rope. Ben’s eyes turned to his youngest son and Joe took a step shakily towards him. “Pa,” Joe whispered, as his knees buckled and he collapsed, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Joe rode into the town of
As he rode, Joe’s eyes searched the streets for any sign of his brother. When Joe saw the sheriff’s office at the end of the street, he headed there. He had just dismounted when he heard someone call, “Looking for me?” Turning, Joe saw a man walking across the road towards him, a sheriff’s star pinned on his shirt. “I’m Sheriff Carlson.”
Joe waited until the sheriff reached him and said, “Actually, I’m looking for someone,” Joe described both Adam and his horse and was disappointed when the sheriff shook his head.
“No, sorry. Haven’t seen him and I know whenever there is a stranger in town even if he’s just passing through.”
“I guess he never reached here then,” Joe said, disappointed. Joe was so tired he felt like he could sleep standing up. He’d been riding as hard as he could, pushing both himself and his horse to their limit. As much as he wanted to push on, he knew he needed to get some sleep and his horse Cochise, needed a beak.
“Why are ya looking for this fella?” The sheriff’s words interrupted Joe’s thoughts. “He’s my brother,” Joe replied as he looked around, seeing the saloon he said, “Excuse me Sheriff. I want to get a room for the night and ask around a bit more.”
Joe started to walk away and the sheriff said, sharply, “I already told you. He’s not here. He hasn’t been here.”
Joe frowned at the man’s attitude, just giving the man a nod as he walked away.
**********
When Joe stepped up to the bar, the bartender asked, “What can I get you?”
“A beer and a room for the night, please.” Joe looked around. It wasn’t very busy, only six men were seated around the room, Joe wasn’t surprised though, it was a small town. He guessed there would be about eighty people living there. “I’m looking for someone,” Joe said, “His names Adam Cartwright,” Joe was sure he saw a couple of the men shoot glances at each other and he made sure he made eye contact with each man as he described Adam and his horse. Once again, Joe felt a pang of disappointment when everyone shook their heads negatively.
Joe drank his beer and after telling the bartender that he’d be back for the room, he took Cochise over to the livery.
“How long do you want to stable him, mister?” the livery owner, Sam Tompkins asked.
“Just the night,” Joe replied, as he started to unsaddle Cochise, intending to see to his horse himself before leaving. As he worked, Joe said, “I’m looking for someone. My brother. He might have come through here recently. He….” Joe stopped as the man shook his head and then said, “I haven’t even told you what he looked like.”
“No need, mister. I ain’t seen ‘im.”
Joe clenched the brush tightly in his hand, resisting the urge to throw it as the man turned and walked away.
After seeing to Cochise, Joe walked around town and spoke to everyone he saw but the reply was always the same. No. Finally, as it grew dark, he returned to the saloon and went to his room.
As Joe lay down on the bed his mind continued to whirl as he wondered what he should do next. He’d already wired his father and Hoss that Adam was missing. They had wired back that they would head for San Francisco and start searching from that end. It wasn’t long before exhaustion got the better of him and Joe fell into a deep sleep.
Joe awoke the next morning and blinked at the strong sunlight coming in the window. He felt a lot better for the sleep but he was angry with himself for sleeping so long when he’d wanted to get an early start. “I should have been on the trail a couple of hours ago,” Joe mumbled to himself, as he got dressed.
**********
As Joe approached the stable, he heard a voice, raised in anger. “You fool. Get it out of here. He hasn’t left yet.”
Joe reached the doorway and stood there in shock as he saw his brother’s horse.
Turning his head, one of the men saw Joe. Before the man could say anything, Joe stepped forward and ran his hand over the horse, glaring at the men, he said, “This is my brother’s horse. I thought you said he hadn’t been here.”
“I….” The second man started and Joe could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to think of something to say, “I didn’t know who owned him. Found him wandering around outside of town and I brought him here.”
“Liar,” Joe spat the word out. He pulled his gun from its holster and pointed it at the two men. “I want to know where he is. Now!”
Facing the angry young man with the gun held so steady in his hand the livery owner lost what little courage he had. “He’s in the jail,” he said.
“Why?” Joe asked, “What’s he accused of?”
The two men looked at each other. “Not just accused, Mister,” the second man said, “He’s been found guilty,” Joe frowned as he waited for the man to continue, “of murder. He’s going to be hung at dawn tomorrow.”
The color drained from Joe’s face but he held his hand steady. Slowly Joe backed out of the stable. Once outside he drew in a deep breath to try and settle his nerves and then all but ran over to the jail. Thrusting open the door, he burst inside. The sheriff, sitting at his desk, looked up.
“Where’s my brother?”
Knowing the young man obviously knew his brother was there and that there was no point in trying to lie, the sheriff nodded towards the back room where the cells were. Joe immediately started to walk to the door but the sheriff called out, “Stop!” Joe stopped and slowly turned back to face the man. The sheriff stood to his feet and said, “You can go back there but you leave your gun here.” Without saying a word, Joe walked to the desk and lay his gun upon it, then turned and hurried to see his brother.
At the click of the door, Adam looked over, expecting to see the sheriff. Seeing his younger brother, Adam jumped to his feet. “Joe!” he walked over to the bars and wrapped his hands around them. “When did you get here? How did you find me?”
Joe shook his head, for the moment ignoring the questions. “Are you all right?” his hands gripped the bars beside Adam’s.
Seeing the anxiety clearly displayed on the young mans face, the elder brother tried for a reassurance he didn’t feel. “I’m fine,” he said, reaching through the bars and laying his hand on his brother’s arm, “Now,” Adam said, as he squeezed Joe’s arm, “how did you find me?”
“I just back tracked you from Silver Water when you didn’t show up. Kept asking at every town I went though. I got here yesterday but everyone I asked said you hadn’t been though here. I would have left town believing that except I just saw your horse at the livery. Adam,” Joe paused and then said quietly, “They say you’re to be hung for murder,” Joe shook his head and his voice started to rise as he continued, “Adam, what happened? How do I get you out of here?”
Adam looked into his brother’s eyes. “Listen to me, Joe. I need you to calm down for me first all right,” Adam watched as his brother nodded and struggled to get his emotions under control.
Joe could hardly force the words past his lips but he knew he had to ask. “Adam,” Joe swallowed, “What happened?”
“I can’t tell you much, Joe. I don’t know what’s going on. I got into town Friday afternoon. I got a room above the saloon and went to get something to eat. After that I had a couple of beers and then went up to bed,” Joe was silent as he listened intently, “Next thing I know, my door is kicked in and I was dragged over here,” Adam looked into Joe’s eyes, “Joe, they say I…. They say I assaulted a woman, Callie Shaw, had my way with her and then killed her. Joe, I….”
“You don’t have to tell me that’s not true,” Joe broke in quickly, “I know beyond a doubt it’s a lie, Adam.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation he was in, Adam smiled at his young brother’s implicit trust in him.
“Why are they blaming you?” Joe asked.
Adam shook his head. “I guess they want to believe it was a stranger rather than one of them and I’m the only stranger in town,” Adam stopped as he realized he wasn’t the only stranger in town now, concerned now that Joe might be pulled into the trouble. “Joe, I want you to get out of this town. Go somewhere else, wire Pa and Hoss to come.”
Joe shook his head. “I don’t know exactly where they are, Adam. They’re looking for you, too. And I can’t leave you here alone. I won’t leave you. I’ll get you out some how.”
“You can’t do it alone, Little Joe. And I don’t know if there’s anyone in this town you can trust.”
Joe looked around to make sure the sheriff wasn’t within earshot. “How did they have the trial so fast?”
“I wouldn’t call it a trail,” Adam said bitterly, “they just declared I was guilty and passed sentence. Guess I’m lucky they didn’t hang me then and there. That’s what a lot of them wanted.”
“Who’s, they?” Joe asked, “Who are the ring leaders?”
“The sheriff,” Adam replied, “You can’t rely on him, Joe. And a man named Barnes. Tom Barnes. From what little I’ve been able to pick up, Barnes practically runs this town. Everyone else is either in his hip pocket or too scared to go against him.”
“If I can get a wire to Sheriff Coffee to find Pa, they could get a marshal or someone to come here,” Joe was filled with uncertainty about the best way to help his brother. There was so little time. “I wish Pa was here now.”
Adam nodded. “I know. So do I but even if you find out where they are, they’d be days away from getting here. They’d never make it in time, Little Joe.”
Joe shook his head and turned his face away. “Don’t say that.”
Adam had seen the tears in his young brother’s eyes before he’d turned away, he put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Look at me, Joe,” Joe refused to turn towards him, “I know you’ll do your best. Whatever happens, don’t blame yourself. Promise me, Joe,” Adam reached up and putting his hand on the side of his young brother’s face, forced Joe to look at him, “Promise me.” Joe reluctantly nodded and the brothers embraced, as much as the bars between them would allow.
“Times up,” a voice called from the door and Joe reluctantly pulled away, turning to face the sheriff. “Why can’t I stay longer?”
“Because I said times up. Be grateful that I let you talk to him at all,” the sheriff replied. “Come on.”
“Go on, Joe. I’ll be all right.”
Joe nodded sadly, unable to force any words out past the lump in his throat.
As Joe started to leave, Adam reached out to him. “Joe,” Adam said quietly, squeezing his brother’s arm, “Be careful. The girl who was killed, she was the fiancée of Zack Barnes. He’s Tom Barnes’ son.
Joe nodded. “I’ll get you out, Adam. I promise.” Before his brother could reply Joe hurried from the room.
**********
Going over to the telegraph office, Joe wrote out the message he wanted to send. The telegrapher looked at the message and then up at Joe. “Sorry mister. The wires are down. Won’t be back up for at least a couple of days.”
Joe glared at the man, knowing he was lying but unable to prove it. Snatching the paper out of the man’s hand, Joe walked angrily outside. Looking around he debated what he should do. Ducking into some shadows near a building across from the telegraph office, Joe waited.
Three hours later, Joe was becoming impatient. He felt like he was wasting time but he knew he had to get word to his father. Joe tensed as he saw the door open and the telegrapher made his way over to a café. Joe looked around to make sure no one was watching and then quickly ran across the street and stepped into the telegraph office.
Sitting down at the desk, Joe started to tap out a message to Virginia City.
SHERIFF COFFEE STOP IN TOWN OF PRESTON FALLS STOP NEED HELP STOP ADAM….
Joe looked up at the sound of someone bursting into the room. “Don’t move!” the sheriff said as Joe’s hand paused on the telegraph key. Keeping his gun pointed at Joe, Sheriff Carlson walked over to him and pulled the wire from the control. Joe watched in dismay knowing the line was now dead.
“Stand up,” the sheriff ordered.
The telegrapher came back into the room and looked at the scene before him. “What happened?” he asked.
“Caught him trying to send a message,” Sheriff Carlson said, “I don’t think he got much through. I saw Mr Barnes in town earlier, I’ll find him and see what he wants to do with him,” he nodded towards Joe. Carlson reached out and pulled Joe’s gun from its holster. “Let’s go,” he said, as he roughly pushed Joe towards the door.
Joe knew that if he allowed himself to be taken away by the sheriff, not only would his own life be at risk but there would be no one who could help Adam. As Joe started to step out of the door, he pushed hard back against the sheriff and then ran as fast as he could around the building and down some alleys. By the time Carlson had regained his balance, Joe was nowhere in sight. Furious, the sheriff set off in pursuit.
Joe ran through alleys and around buildings. He found himself ducking behind a small white house with a white picket fence. As he leaned against the back wall of the house, trying to catch his breath, he was startled when the door next to him opened.
The young woman who stood in the doorway was about Joe’s age, she had long blonde hair that was tied in a bun at the back of her head. “Don’t be frightened,” Joe said, “I….”
She shook her head, cutting him off. “Quickly,” she said, “Come inside.” Not sure if he could trust her, Joe hesitated but knowing the sheriff could come upon him, he realized he had no other option. Once inside, Joe shut the door behind them.
“Thank you. My names Joe Cartwright,” Joe said, introducing himself.
“You’re in trouble, aren’t you?” the woman asked.
Joe nodded. “Yes, I am. But I promise, I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just trying to help my brother.”
The woman smiled and Joe was struck by her beauty. “I know you’re telling the truth,” she said softly, moving to stand next to Joe, he could smell the scent of rose water on her.
“Why are you helping me?” he asked.
“Because you need it. There’s no one else in this town who will help you.”
“They can’t all have been bought by Tom Barnes.”
“No, they haven’t,” the girl replied, “but the one’s that haven’t are too scared of him to be of any help.”
Joe glanced out the window and saw the sheriff walking up the street, he moved to stand next to the window, out of sight but where he was still able to watch. He saw Sheriff Carlson approach two men and they stood talking.
“That’s Zack Barnes and his father,” the girl said, “That’s the man who should be in jail for murder instead of your brother. The neighbors must have heard the argument when he came to the house that night and he parked his buggy outside. He wasn’t trying to hide that he was calling.”
‘Zack!’ Joe thought to himself, ‘Maybe a lovers argument got out of hand?’ He cursed that he hadn’t thought to suspect Zack earlier. “Did you see him at Callie’s that night?” Joe asked the young woman, knowing that he needed evidence. “Did you hear them argue?” Glancing out the window, Joe saw the three men split up and begin to knock on doors, going into the houses to search. Sheriff Carlson headed towards the house where Joe was.
“You have to go,” the young woman said, “Quickly, before he finds you here. Go out that way,” she pointed to a door.
“Thank you for your help,” Joe said, heading towards the door.
“Be careful,” the young woman said as Joe heard the front door open. He wondered at the audacity of the sheriff to not even knock before entering the lady’s home. He left the house, quietly closing the door behind him.
**********
Joe lay on his stomach, hidden in some bushes, watching the Barnes house. He’d waited until Tom and Zack had left town and he’d followed them, now he waited for an opportunity to get Zack alone. Joe hadn’t thought about what he was going to do next, he was short on time and he knew he had to work quickly.
Joe watched as the man he knew to be Zack Barnes came out of the house. He was a few years older than Joe, with a bigger build. Walking over to a horse, the man mounted and rode away.
Joe quickly made his way to his own horse which he had been able to sneak out of the livery, and followed Zack. Joe rode off the track and circled out, he rode quickly to get in front of the man and cut him off.
Coming around a bend, Zack Barnes was confronted by Joe who was holding a gun steady in his hand.
“Stop!” Joe called.
Zack Barnes’ hand moved toward his gun and Joe shouted, “Don’t try it!” Noting Barnes was right handed, Joe said, “Use your left hand to get your gun out and throw it on the ground. The man glared but did as he was told.
Joe nodded and then motioned with his gun. “Get down.” Zack Barnes slowly complied.
Joe also dismounted and Zack eyed him warily as Joe tied his hands behind his back and said, “My name’s Joe Cartwright.”
Zack nodded. “I should have guessed,” Sheriff Carlson had told him about Joe, “Cartwright,” he spat the word out like it left a sour taste in his mouth, “I don’t know what you think you can do. That filthy murderer you call a brother is going to hang and he deserves to.”
Joe shoved the man, knocking him off his feet. “Shut your mouth,” Joe pointed his gun at Zack, his eyes flashed and he fought to control the anger that was building in him. “I want you to tell me the truth.”
“What truth!”
“You killed Callie Shaw.”
Zack’s eyes widened in surprise and shock. “You’re insane. You can’t make me say that. I loved Callie. I’d never have hurt her.”
“I know you’re lying,” Joe spoke angrily, “You murdered her!”
Zack struggled against the ropes that bound his hands. “You’re the liar,” he said furiously.
Joe stood watching Zack and wondered if he could be telling the truth.
“You were at her house that night,” Joe said, “You argued.”
Zack shook his head. ”I wasn’t there. I didn’t see Callie at all the night she died.”
“You were seen,” Joe replied.
“By who?” Zack snapped, “Your brother? He’s trying to save his own skin. He’d say anything.”
“No,” Joe shook his head, “Someone else. They saw your buggy and heard you arguing.”
“They saw the buggy,” Zack said thoughtfully, “not me. I’m telling you I wasn’t there. I was playing cards that night with friends. Believe me or not, that’s the truth.”
Joe sat down beside Zack. “My brother didn’t kill her either.” Both young men looked at each other and each believed the other was telling the truth about what they’d said.
“I want the person who killed Callie to pay for what they did. If it wasn’t your brother, I want to help you find who it was.”
“How do I know I can trust you?” Joe asked.
“Who else do you know who can help you? I don’t see that you have much of a choice.”
Joe went to his saddlebag and retrieved his knife. Going back over to Zack, he cut him loose then picked up Zack’s gun and handed it to him. Joe knew it was a risk but in his mind, it was a risk he had to take if he was to have any chance of saving Adam.
Zack holstered his gun. “Where do we start?” he asked.
“Who was driving your buggy that night?” Joe said.
Zack shrugged. “No one should have been driving it except for my father or myself but any one of the hands could have taken it, I guess.”
“I think whoever used the buggy that night killed Callie.”
“I’ll ask some of the hands, see if anyone knows who took it out. I’ll meet you back here in two hours.”
Joe nodded. “Be careful.”
“I will,” Zack replied as he mounted and rode back towards the ranch.
**********
Joe nervously paced up and down waiting for Zack to return. Joe was starting to think that Zack wasn’t coming when he saw the young man riding up.
“What did you find out?” Joe asked as soon as Zack reached him.
“Nothing,’ the young man shook his head, “A couple of men said my father used the buggy that night. No one saw anyone else. Whoever it was must have taken it after father returned home.”
“Your father,” Joe said in thought, “Where did he go?”
“I don’t know,” Zack replied, and then catching the meaning behind the words he snapped, “Don’t be ridiculous. My father would never have laid a hand on Callie. Never!”
Even as he said the words of denial, thoughts and memories were colliding in Zack’s head. He remembered the times Callie had seemed afraid when he’d taken her to his parent’s house. Zack had just put it down to nerves. He and his family were very well off. Callie had been alone in the world, having lost both her parents, she’d had little money. Zack had thought the excuses she had made not to visit his home had been because she’d felt inadequate and out of place. Now he wondered if it was something more. In his heart, he now knew it was but he didn’t want to accept it.
“My father would never have laid a hand on her,” Zack repeated, but this time Joe heard the doubt and hesitation in Zack’s voice.
“You know he did.” Joe was determined to make Zack face the truth because if Tom Barnes got away with murder an innocent man would hang in his place, his brother.
Joe’s eyes narrowed in thought, a suspicion creeping into his mind. He frowned as he remembered the conversation he’d had with the young woman who had told him that Zack had been at Callie’s house the night she’d been killed. Suddenly he realized he might have jumped to the wrong conclusion. ‘Had she meant that it was Tom Barnes at the house that night,’ Joe wondered. “I’ll have to talk to her again.”
“Who?”
“What?” Joe asked, not realizing he had spoken aloud.
“You just said that you’d have to talk to her again. Who did you mean?”
“The woman who told me you were at Callie’s the night she was killed. I think I misunderstood and she meant your father.”
“What’s her name?”
Joe shook his head. “I don’t know. She didn’t tell me but I know where she lives. I can find her house again.”
Zack’s knees suddenly buckled and he sat heavily on the ground. “What do we do?”
Zack had a troubled relationship with his father. They weren’t close. Tom Barnes was a hard man, showing no affection for his wife or son. To Tom Barnes, they were his possessions and they did whatever he told them to do. But for all the harshness of the man, Zack found the thought of turning his father in almost unbearable to face but as the image of the woman he’d loved so much swam before his eyes, the rage built inside him.
Zack stood up, looking at Joe, he said, “Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To talk to my father.” Zack walked over to his horse and mounted.
“Wait,” Joe called, “We have to go to the sheriff.”
“He’s been bought and paid for by my father. We can’t go to him.” As Zack rode off, Joe mounted and followed.
**********
Riding up to the ranch house with Zack, Joe looked around at the house again. It was obvious that Tom Barnes was a wealthy man and he liked people to know it. Zack pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted, walking angrily towards the house. Joe looked around, unsure of what he should do. Deciding there was little else he could do, he followed Zack.
Zack flung the door open, the door hitting loudly against the wall.
“Father!” Zack shouted, “Father!”
Tom Barnes came to the head of the stairs and looked down. “What is it? It had better be important. You know better than to raise your voice to me, boy.”
“I’ll do more than raise my voice to you!” Zack’s eyes flashed angrily.
Joe’s hand was reaching for his gun, unsure what would happen next, he wanted to be ready. Before he could pull it from its holster though, he felt a gun pressed into his back. “Don’t move,” a voice said as a hand removed his gun. Glancing over at Zack, Joe saw the same thing had just happened to him. Looking around the room, Joe saw another two armed men in the room. Obviously Tom Barnes’ hired henchmen.
Zack’s heart sunk, he’d let his anger over rule common sense. He should have thought about the men his father always had guarding the house.
Tom Barnes came down the stairs and stood in front of his son. “Now, as I said, what is this about?”
“You murdered Callie,” Zack replied, looking his father in the eye. Tom Barnes just stood there and looked back without saying a word. “Aren’t you even going to try to deny it?” Zack asked.
“Why should I? She got what she deserved.”
Without thinking, Zack struck out at his father, hitting the man squarely on the jaw and drawing blood from a split lip.
Tom Barnes drew back his fist and punched Zack in the stomach, the force of the blow knocking the young man to the floor. “Never raise your hand to me again,” he said angrily.
Turning to Joe, Tom Barnes looked him over. “Who are you?”
Joe held the man’s gaze as he replied, “Joe Cartwright.”
Tom Barnes nodded and turned to the other men in the room. “Lock him in the back room. I’ll deal with him later. By tomorrow they’ll be two dead Cartwright’s”
One of the men reached for Joe’s arm but Joe pulled away. “My brother is innocent!” he shouted.
“That’s of no concern to me,” Tom Barnes replied.
“Why did you kill her?” Zack asked, needing to know.
“She wouldn’t give me what I wanted. She fought me. She had to pay for that. She wouldn’t shut up. She wouldn’t have kept her mouth shut. I couldn’t let her live,” his eyes locked with Zack’s, “What about you? Surely I’ve taught you well enough that you know the value of keeping your mouth shut.”
Nodding at Zack he said, “Lock him up with Cartwright until we know where his loyalties lie.”
As the men started to drag Joe out of the room, he struggled with everything he had in him, dreading what the morrow would bring for Adam.
Joe’s own life was now in danger but he wasn’t thinking about that. He’d promised his brother he’d get him out and now in Joe’s mind, he’d let him down.
The two young men were thrown into a dark windowless room and Joe heard the sound of a bolt sliding into a lock.
Joe immediately started to feel his way around the room. Zack heard him and said, “There’s no way out of here, Joe. I’m sorry. I really messed up.”
“It’s not your fault,” Joe replied, “We can’t just sit here. There must be something we can do.”
Joe felt around the entire room but could find nothing that would aid their escape. They had no way of knowing how much time had passed before they heard someone at the door. Joe guessed it must have been at least a few hours.
“It’s all right. It’s me,” a quiet voice said as the door opened.
“Ma,” Zack whispered, “What are you doing here?” he was worried about her having to face his father’s anger when the man found out.
Both young men blinked at the light coming in from the lamp in the hallway. Mrs Barnes grabbed her son’s hand. “Your father’s furious with you. I’m so afraid of what he might do.”
“Do you know what he’s already done?” Joe asked.
The woman nodded. “I heard the argument you both had with him. I should have stood up to him years ago, before it came to this. You both need to get away from here as quickly as you can.”
“You have to come with us,” Zack replied urgently.
“No,” she replied, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be all right.”
“Ma,” Zack shook his head, “I can’t….”
Mrs Barnes pushed her son towards the door. “Go,” she said firmly, “Go now before we all get caught.”
“No,” Zack said again, holding his mother’s hand, he pulled her along as they made their way towards the back door.
Joe, Zack and Amelia Barnes stopped suddenly as Tom Barnes stepped out of a room to stand in front of them, blocking their path to the door. “Going somewhere?” he said, coldly.
“Yes,” Zack replied with false confidence, “We’re leaving.”
“No, you’re not,” Tom Barnes replied, the click of his gun being cocked sounding loudly in the room.
“You’re mad!” Joe snapped, anger getting the better of him, “You’ll never get away with this.”
Tom Barnes’ eyes glinted as he said, “In my town I can get away with anything, boy. Including murder.”
“You truly are mad,” Zack said, staring at his father in horror.
Worried about what her husband would do to Zack, Amelia Barnes rushed forward and grabbed her husband’s arm. As he went to push her away, Amelia grabbed the gun and it went off, she slumped to the floor as the three men stared at her in shock.
Zack quickly dropped to his knees to kneel beside his mother. Amelia drew a breath in and looking into her son’s eyes she said, “Run. Go now, Zack. Run.” Zack watched as his mother closed her eyes and he knew she was dead.
Joe heard the shouting coming from outside the house and he knew it was Tom Barnes’ henchmen. He and Zack were unarmed, Joe knew if they didn’t get out of the house now they didn’t stand a chance.
Zack had also heard the voices and like Joe, realized their only chance of surviving was to make a run for it before his father’s men got inside. Zack knew he had to escape. He had to tell someone the truth about his father. He couldn’t let the man get away with what he had done.
Joe and Zack traded glances and their eyes locked on each other in silent communication. Zack sprung up from the floor. Taking his father by surprise, he knocked the man off balance. Joe grabbed the gun from Barnes’ hand and Zack shoved the man towards the door. “Move!” Before they reached the door and what they hoped was safety, four of Tom Barnes’ men ran into the room where Joe and Zack were.
Joe held Tom Barnes in front of him with the gun held at the man’s head, pressing hard into the flesh, “Make a move towards us and I’ll blow his head off.” Joe felt he had nothing to loose. If he was going to die there, then he would take Tom Barnes with him.
Tom Barnes was as frightened as he had ever been of anything in his life. He knew the young man was serious and would do as he had threatened. “Stay back,” Barnes told his men
Zack opened the door and waited until Joe had pulled the other man through it and then he slammed it shut.
Their horses were still where they’d left them. Joe quickly tied Tom Barnes hands and threw him up onto Zacks horse. Quickly Joe and Zack mounted. As they urged the horses on, Zack flinched when a shot rang out from one of the men who had been unable to resist trying to stop the two men from fleeing with his boss.
Zack’s relief that the bullet had missed him was short lived as he saw Joe slump forward. “Hang on, Joe,” he called, “I know a place we can hide out. It’s not far.”
Joe shook his head. “We have to go to town. They’ll hang Adam if we don’t get there in time.”
Zack nodded and agreed, “All right.” Zack didn’t care about his own life anymore. With Callie and his mother dead he felt he was alone now and he wanted the man responsible to pay for it.
**********
It was a few hours before dawn when Zack led the way into town. Joe was barely conscious when he felt his horse come to a stop, he felt hands on him and Zack said, “Come on. Let me help you down.” Zack helped Joe to lie down and set about doing what he could to stop the flow of blood. “Joe, we’re in an old stable. No one will find us here.” Joe was unaware of anything more though, his body had reached its limit of endurance and unconsciousness claimed him.
**********
Joe slowly opened his eyes and blinked, trying to remember where he was. Turning his head he saw faint sunlight peaking in the cracks of the walls and his heart nearly stopped as he realized the sun was rising.
Joe sat up and despite the pain that erupted in his side, struggled to his feet. He looked around frantically but could see no sign of Zack or Zack’s father.
Joe stubbled to the door and pushed it open. Staggering he made his way in the direction of the jail. Joe’s vision swam, the images waving around in front of him, he found it hard to even see where he was going but he knew he couldn’t stop.
Joe rounded a corner and saw a crowd gathered. He heard them gasp.
The trapdoor released. “Adam!” Joe screamed at the realization that he was too late. Joe turned away, the bile rising in his throat. The people who had gathered to watch turned at the sound of approaching horses.
Ben and Hoss Cartwright, along with the marshal that rode beside them, pulled their horses to a stop as they saw with horror, the body hanging from a rope. Ben’s eyes turned to his youngest son and Joe took a step shakily towards him. “Pa,” Joe whispered, as his knees buckled and he collapsed, unconscious before he hit the ground.
**********
Joe tossed restlessly, consumed by fever. A doctor had removed the bullet that had been lodged in his side.
As Joe’s temperature climbed, he cried out for Adam. Joe fought to push away the hands that tried to still him. Not realizing in his delirium that they were the hands of his family. In Joe’s dreams, the hands held him back from reaching his brother before the trapdoor was released and Adam fell to his death.
Joe screamed, the dream so real to him. Ben felt like a knife was being driven into his heart. His child was suffering and he could do so little to ease it. Ben saw the white bandage wrapped around Joe’s stomach was now stained with red. “He’s broken open the wound again,” Ben turned to the doctor, “He can’t go on like this.”
“Joe’s fighting hard Mr Cartwright,” the doctor replied, “We just have to help him keep fighting.”
Ben nodded and once again began to wipe the cold cloth over Joe while the doctor repaired the pulled stitches.
**********
Ben sat beside his youngest son. Joe lay so still in the bed, the worried father feared the boy would never awaken. It had been two days since Ben and Hoss had arrived in town. Joe’s fever had broken a few hours previously but Joe still showed no sign of waking up.
Ben slowly stroked the hair back form his young son’s forehead. “Why hasn’t he woken yet?” he asked unconsciously for what was probably the hundredth time.
The doctor shook his head. “I don’t know. The bullet wound went untreated for hours but we have the infection under control now. He’s still suffering from shock and extreme blood loss though. We just have to wait.”
Later that afternoon, Ben watched anxiously as Joe began to move restlessly. Leaning forward, he said, “It’s all right, Joseph. Lie still. I’m with you now and it’s going to be all right.”
Joe opened his eyes, blinking at the light and then stared up into the face of his father. Ben smiled and patted his son’s arm. “You’re going to be all right. Don’t worry about anything. How do you feel?”
Ben watched as tears pooled in Joe’s eyes and slowly slid down his cheeks. Alarmed, he asked, “Joseph, what is it, son? Are you in pain?” Ben held Joe’s left hand.
“Adam,” Joe choked the name out over the lump in his throat.
Joe felt someone gently squeeze his right hand. “I’m here, buddy.”
For a moment Joe just lay still, not daring to believe it could be true. Slowly his head turned until he looked at the face of his oldest brother.
“I thought you were dead,” Joe whispered.
“I’m fine, Joe. Everything’s just fine, thanks to you,” Adam swallowed thickly, feeling the emotion swell in him. “Oh, Joe. I didn’t expect you to almost give your life to save mine.” Standing beside Adam, Hoss wiped away the tears that gathered in his eyes.
“I’d do anything for you, Adam. But I thought I was too late. I saw you hang. How are you here?” Joe asked, staring at his brother in wonder.
Ben lifted Joe’s head and held a glass to his lips. “That’s enough talking, young man. You need to rest. We’ll tell you all about it later.”
Joe’s eyes stayed locked on Adam’s face until slowly, they finally closed. Adam sat watching him sleep, his young brother’s hand held tightly within his own.
**********
It was two days later before Joe’s family thought he was well enough to hear the story about what had happened. He already knew Cochise was safely stabled with the other Cartwright horses. Adam and Hoss had gone to the old stable to get him when they found out he was there.
Joe sat propped up by pillows. “But I saw you hang,” he said.
Adam shook his head. “No, buddy. You did see someone get hung but it wasn’t me,” at Joe’s look of confusion, Adam continued, “It was Tom Barnes.”
Joe stared at his family in shock for a moment. “Really?” he struggled to take the news in. “How? And where’s Zack?” Joe had told his family about Zack and how Zack had helped him. Joe didn’t know what had happened to him though or why he’d left Joe alone in the stable.
“Joseph,” Ben said gently, knowing there was no easy way to break the news, he reached to hold his sons hand, “Zack’s dead.” Joe shook his head, not wanting to believe it. “I’m sorry, Joe, but it’s true. Just before dawn Zack must have taken his father to the gallows. When the sun started to come up, people saw him just standing on the platform next to his father. He’d put the rope around his father’s neck. Zack made him tell the truth about what had happened; that he’d killed Callie and his own wife. And then before anyone had a chance to do anything, Zack released the trapdoor.”
“We arrived in town just after it happened,” Hoss continued the story. “Roy Coffee had sent some wires to different towns for us and we thought that Adam had to have made it to somewhere around here so we were coming to meet up with you. Roy had heard they’d been a lot of things happening in this town that pointed to a crooked sheriff so we brought a marshal along with us. He’s still sorting the town out. Roy got a message to us about the wire you sent to Virginia City. We knew you were in trouble. We came as fast as we could.”
“I was released from jail straight away, ” Adam said, “You saved my life, Joe. You and Zack. The sheriff had been about to take me to the gallows when we heard the commotion going on out in the street. He locked me back up and went to find out what was going on.”
“But what happened to Zack?” Joe asked, “How did he die?”
“Joe,” Ben found himself struggling to find the right words to tell his son what had happened, “Zack ran to Callie Shaw’s house. Before anyone could get in to talk to him, there was a shot. He killed himself, Joe.”
Joe shuddered, shocked at the news. “I feel like it’s my fault,” Joe whispered.
Ben quickly gathered Joe into his arms, holding his son close to him, Ben said, “It’s not your fault, Joseph. You did nothing wrong. You found out the truth and that truth saved your brother’s life. Tom Barnes is responsible for all that happened. Not you.”
“I know,” Joe said quietly, “but I still feel sorry for Zack. I knew him for such a short time but I felt like he had become a friend.”
Ben rubbed Joe’s back soothingly. “I’m sure he felt the same way, son. As he ran to Callie’s house, he told people where to go to find you. He didn’t know that you’d already left the stable. He wanted to make sure you got help. It’s a terrible thing that happened, Little Joe, but it’s over now, and Zack’s at peace. Try and take comfort from that.” Ben continued to rub Joe’s back until he fell asleep.
**********
Four days later the Cartwright’s slowly walked towards the graveyard. Ben kept his arm wrapped around his youngest son’s waist. He hadn’t wanted the young man to make this trip, feeling that he wasn’t up to it but Joe was insistent. Adam and Hoss walked on either side of their father and Joe, also keeping a close eye on their little brother.
Joe suddenly stopped and looked at the house they were about to walk past. “The woman who lives there helped me the day I ran from Sheriff Carlson. Can we see if she’s home?”
Ben frowned and shook his head. “Joe, you must be mistaken. This can’t be the house.”
“I’m sure this is it. I know it is.”
“I’m sorry but that’s impossible, son. This is Callie Shaw’s house.
Ben tightened his grip on Joe when his son paled alarmingly.
“Joe,” Hoss said quickly, “What is it, boy? What’s wrong?”
“Help me with him,” Ben said urgently, afraid Joe was about to collapse.
Mrs Miller who lived next door to Callie’s was standing on her porch and called to the Cartwright’s, “Come and sit him down over here.”
Ben nodded his thanks and between them, the older Cartwrights got Joe seated in a chair on the porch.
Joe’s family hovered anxiously over him. “I knew it was too soon. I should never have let you talk me into letting you even get up,” Ben said, worry creasing his face.
“I’m fine,” Joe replied, taking deep breaths and his family shook their heads at his statement, knowing the boy was far from fine.
Mrs Miller had gone inside and came out with a glass of water which she handed to Joe. “Here you go,” she said kindly.
“Thank you,” Joe said, reaching out to take the glass. Adam’s hand immediately wrapped around Joe’s to help still the shaking hand. Keeping his hand wrapped around his young brother’s, Adam helped Joe drink the water and then took the glass from him. “Better?” he asked.
Joe nodded and managed a slight smile. “Sorry.”
“No sorry needed, short shanks,” Hoss said, “We’re just worried ‘bout ya.”
Ben lay his hand on Joe’s forehead, feeling for a fever. He was worried that Joe was feeling ill. “I’m fine, Pa,” Joe tried to reassure his family, “Honest.” He looked at Mrs Miller. “What did Callie look like?”
“She was such a lovely girl,” Mrs Miller said sadly, “I have a likeness of her. I’ll just get it.” Mrs Miller returned quickly with the picture and held it out for Joe to see.
Joe stared at the picture wondering how it
could be. The young woman in the picture was the woman who had helped him when
he had been running from Sheriff Carlson. Callie had let him into her home.
Joe starred at the picture, unable to draw his eyes away from it, his family shot concerned glances at each other. Ben gently shook him, trying to get his attention. “Joseph. Joseph, Look at me.” He was relieved when Joe finally turned his head to look at him.
“I’m all right now,” Joe said.
“We’re going back to our room. Come on, let me help you,” Ben helped Joe to stand up and once again put his arm around Joe to steady him. After thanking Mrs Miller the family started back to their rooms.
Joe stopped and said, “Please, Pa. I really want to see Zack’s grave. Please.”
Against his better judgement, Ben nodded, knowing Joe wouldn’t rest until he’d gotten his way.
**********
Callie and Zack where buried side by side. With his family standing close to him, Joe looked at the two graves. “They’re together again now,” Joe said quietly. The air seemed to carry the faint smell of roses and he could have sworn he heard the wind whisper thank you as he felt a light kiss on his cheek.
**********
That night, Ben was reading in his bed and he looked across at Joe who he was sharing a room with. The young man was staring up at the ceiling. “I thought you’d be asleep by now. Do you need anything?”
Joe shook his head and sat up. “Pa,” he asked hesitantly, “Can I talk to you about something?”
“Of course,” Ben put down his book, getting up, he went and sat on the edge of Joe’s bed. “You can talk to me about anything, you know that.”
“It’s just,” Joe bit his lip worriedly, “It’s just I don’t know if it will sound crazy.”
Feeling Joe’s anxiety, Ben sought to relax the boy, he moved so that he was lying next to Joe on the bed with his back against the headboard. Ben put his arm around his son’s shoulders and Joe rested against his father. Slowly, haltingly, Joe told his story, after he’d finished, he said, “Do you think I’m crazy?”
“No, Joe, of course not. You’ve been through so much. It’s understandable that everything’s all mixed up in your mind.”
Ben felt Joe tense and gently squeezed his shoulder. “I’m not saying I don’t believe you. I’m just saying there’s a possibility that you’re mixed up about things but I do know that sometimes things happen that there are no explanations for. Maybe we just have to accept this as one of those times.”
Joe nodded and slowly closed his eyes in sleep, comforted by his father’s arms around him and the knowledge that tomorrow the family were starting their journey home.
The End
August 2004