Patty Wilkinson Writing, traveling, having fun and meeting up with friends old and new!

#97 Who Killed Clay Brady?

Who Killed Clay Brady?

By

Patty Wilkinson

Please Note: Some adult themes, strong language and violence

Chapter 1

Jess Harper had the light of battle in his deep blue eyes as he weighed up the big black stallion from his seat on the coral fence.
“Sure I can break him, Slim,” he said turning to where the tall blond rancher was leaning on the fence beside him. “It’ll just take some time that’s all.”
“Yes, and time is what we haven’t got,” Slim retorted irritably. “You know the deadline for the green broke mustangs is the end of the month and the army don’t like to be kept waiting.”
Jess rolled his eyes, “Well I know that don’t I. Nope I reckon we’ll keep this critter for ourselves, he’ll make a damn good worker once I’ve finished with him.”
Slim shook his head and sighed deeply, “Well OK but later. We need to get the others ready and delivered on time if we want that bonus.”
“Sure, sure,” Jess said vaguely. But his eyes were still on the proud animal that was galloping around the coral pausing occasionally to shake his head, snort and paw the ground showing his immense displeasure at being confined.
“You know, he puts me in mind of Black Jack,” Jess said, “same goddamn temper that’s for sure,” he added with a grin.
“And that’s exactly why I don’t want you working him,” Slim said in exasperation. “Black Jack was a widow-maker if ever I saw one...I reckon you’d never have broken him.”
“Just a damn shame I didn’t get the chance to finish the job,” Jess said sadly.
The horse had jumped the fence and then taken a bad fall later and sustained a broken leg, resulting in his death.
“As it was, he ended up dead, instead of you,” Slim reminded him morosely.
“Yeah, well Ace ain’t gonna jump the fence I’ve made dang sure of that.”

******
By the end of the month the rest of the small herd of mustangs had been green broke and delivered on time. Now Jess put all his energy and free time into working with Ace.
He’d started off by trying to gentle him, offering sugar lumps and soft-talking him in equal measure, getting him used to the human voice, touch and company. Some weeks later he was finally able to put a saddle on and started working in earnest with the recalcitrant beast.
Slim was getting more and more opposed to the idea; as he reluctantly shared with Daisy one evening when Jess was in town visiting his best girl, Millie.
“You really don’t like that big black horse do you Slim?” Daisy said as they sipped a cooling lemonade on the porch before turning in for the night.
Slim glanced over to the large corral opposite the ranch house where the horse was standing gazing into space and shook his head, “I’m afraid not Daisy. He’s a real bad lot and I reckon he’ll never be tamed, although Jess just won’t see it.”
“He does seem to have taken an awful lot of tumbles from him,” Daisy agreed. “I hate to watch him. The horse isn’t a real danger though is he dear? After all Jess is extremely proficient at what he does.”
Slim looked away for a moment. How could he tell her that yes, he thought Jess was in very real danger of falling and being crushed by the big black animal? Heck, he remembered his favorite Uncle James being trampled to death by just such a creature and he was an excellent bronc buster too.
However, there was no point in upsetting dear Daisy.
“Not really Daisy,” he finally answered, “you know me, ever the worrier.”
Daisy sipped her lemonade and said softly, “Do you think it would help if I said something?”
Slim smiled at her, then sighed, “I wouldn’t bother wasting your breath Daisy, you know how dang stubborn he can be.”
It was now early fall and the weather still very warm for the time of year, but Daisy knew winter was on the way.

She glanced up to the snow topped mountain range in the far distance and said, “I suppose you’ll have to think about bringing the stock down for the winter in the next few weeks, that should give him a break from the horse and maybe he’ll see sense?”
Slim nodded, “Yes good plan and I intend to get them down early this year too after the terrible winter we had last year I’m not taking any chances. Then there are the fences out on the east pasture to be checked before winter too...Not to mention a few repairs around this place. I sure want to be ready in case we get heavy snow again.”
Then he beamed at Daisy and said happily, “Yes that should keep Hotshot busy for the next few weeks, doubt he’ll have any time left to work that old mustang.”
However Slim had underestimated Jess’s resolve and he still spent every spare moment he had with Ace, even if it meant rising earlier or working on after supper.
So, it was that one Saturday afternoon when all the chores were completed, that he once again saddled up Ace.
He’d had words with Slim earlier when he’d objected to him working the horse yet again.
“You know darned well I’ve got the end of month returns to get done for the Overland Stage,” he’d said moodily. “I just haven’t time to go sitting around watching your back Jess.”
“I can though!” Mike said jumping up and down, “I can watch your back real good Jess and iffen you fall off again I’ll yell for Slim huh?”
“There ya go,” Jess said grinning at Slim, “all sorted.”
Then ruffling Mike’s hair said, “What’s this about fallin’ off AGAIN Tiger huh...huh?”
Slim was torn between his pard’ s needs and that of the Overland Superintendent.But then if he left the front door ajar, he could be out in seconds if anything did go wrong, he told himself...
Later, Jess was to blame himself completely. He knew he was feeling tired after a hard week and had also seen that Ace was in a particularly hostile mood. Even so he still mounted up. Hell, he knew that part of him was just being dang stubborn and trying to prove Slim wrong. He was convinced he could break Ace and turn him into a good working animal and he felt the need to prove it. What was it his old Ma used to say he remembered ruefully later, ‘pride goeth before a fall son.’
When the fall came it was spectacular...with Ace rearing and bucking before finally hurling Jess over his head where he hit the ground with a dull, thud. However, the big critter wasn’t done yet and rearing up again he crashed his iron hard hooves down on Jess’s arm and then rearing once more caught his thigh a glancing blow before Jess was finally able to come to his senses and roll out of the line of fire. By then Mike’s hysterical screams had alerted Slim and he was across the yard in a flash; and diving under the rails he grabbed Jess in a firm grip and dragged him to swiftly to safety.
Jess lay there sweating, bleeding and cussing softly as both Mike and Slim gazed down at him in consternation. Then seconds later the spell was broken as Daisy tore into the yard and looked down at Jess’s crumpled, bleeding body.
“Bring him inside, Slim” she said with steely resolve, “and then you must ride for doc Sam, this needs his expertise.”
It was a tribute to Daisy that she was able to deal with the situation so cool and calmly... her nurse’s training coming to the fore. However, once he was inside and resting on the old couch, she quailed when she saw the full extent of his injuries.
His left arm was obviously broken, but it was the wound to his right thigh that troubled her most. Slim had removed Jess’s denims and now as she gazed at the deep gash which was bleeding profusely, she again urged Slim to fetch the doc. She cleaned the wound and bandaged it as tightly as possible before elevating the leg on a couple of cushions.
Then patting Jess’s arm gently said, “Try and rest dear,” before moving to the door where Slim was already strapping on his gun belt and reaching for his hat. Then he gestured for her to join him out on the porch.
“It’s really serious this time isn’t it, Daisy?” he said looking anxious.
“It could be,” she agreed, “the arm needs setting properly, although I don’t think it’s a bad break. It’s his leg that worries me most though Slim, if I can’t get that bleeding to stop, he’s in real danger. As it is he’s already showing signs of severe blood loss. He’s very pale and drowsy. There really is no time to waste.”
Then they were joined by a fretful looking Mike leading Alamo all saddled up and ready to go.
“Thanks Mike,” Slim said stepping up into the saddle, “you do what Aunt Daisy tells you and I’ll be back with the doc in no time,” he said with a brief smile.
“Yes sir,” the boy said looking woebegone.
“Come along in Mike,” Daisy said, once Slim had been waved off, “you can help me fetch some extra blankets to keep Jess warm and then you can sit with him for a while.”
At that the child brightened a little and the two made their way indoors.

Chapter 2
A tall, handsome stranger, Clay Brady, sat in the Laramie saloon looking around him with interest. He was seated at a table in the shadows, yet near enough to the bar to hear all that was going on without being noticed himself. That was the way he liked it when he went to a new town. To find out who everyone was...the folk worth getting to know...the ones with money and influence. Then he would do what he did best; charm himself into their confidence before fleecing them and moving on to his next victim.
This time it was slightly different though because he was on the run and needed someplace to lie low for a while. The man he’d conned in Denver unfortunately was not quite as gullible as he had thought and before long, he had the full force of the law on his tail. Not only that, he had an irate husband out for revenge too; after Clay had seduced the man’s wife and had a brief affair.
Now the money he’d swindled from the elderly man was fast running out and he needed another source of income. However, he reckoned he’d hit just the right place to settle down for a while. The man who was to be his next victim lived someplace near town he believed. Plus, he would feel honour bound to help him out, he knew that for sure as he ran a hand down the deep scar on his left cheek and smiled grimly. Yup Sherman would cave in alright and be his meal ticket for the next few weeks. That overactive conscience of his would see to that he mused. But before he sounded him out, he needed to be prepared...needed to know all about the Sherman spread, who worked there and who might just be able to assist with his little plan...or maybe try to scupper it.
Moments later his musings were side-lined when that gossipy old timer, Mose Shell, who had driven him in on the inbound stage, came into the bar full of the latest news.
“Is Millie around?” he asked Tom, the barkeep, “It’s Jess, he’s done had an accident; hurt real bad I believe; been thrown from a mustang.”
Moments later that pretty little brunette appeared. The one Brady had decided to use his charm on that very night. But now it sure didn’t look like she’d be in any mood for some flirting and fun times, he noted as she was looking quite distraught.
“What, a fall from that awful horse?” she cried. “I told him that Ace was bad news, but he just wouldn’t listen to me…or Slim either!”
At that Brady pricked up his ears. Lieutenant Sherman’s nickname had been Slim, hadn’t it? He glanced over to the bar again and saw a blond girl, the one they called Lily, comforting her friend.
“I didn’t hear everything Slim said to the doc, but I think he mentioned a busted arm and nasty gash to his leg.” Mose continued. “So, I guess ol’ Slim Sherman will be in a real pickle. He told me the other day that they were bringing the herd down next week...he’ll not manage that on his own,” he said warming to his theme. “No siree this couldn’t have happened at a worse time” he added with relish.
“Never mind about all that,” Millie said tearfully, “I must go to him.”
“Nope, the doc sent you a message,” Mose said quickly, “didn’t I say?”
“Just spit it out,” Tom said looking irritated, “you can see the gal’s real upset.”
“Oh right, well Doc Sam said to tell you he’d call in after the visit and put you in the picture and you weren’t to worry. He said it sounded like Miss Daisy had gotten it all under control,” he added his old face lighting up at the mention of dear Miss Daisy. “Uh and that he’d probably need to put him out to stitch up the leg so there was no point in going for a day or so, until he’s over that sleepin’ stuff...”
“Chloroform, it is called chloroform,” Tom supplied, “makes him chuck something fierce...I’d give it a day or two, like the doc says Millie dear. Remember how he was last time?”
This just got better and better Clay Brady thought to himself. It sounded like it was the Sherman spread they were talking about and Slim’ s partner or maybe ramrod was out of the picture for a while. So Slim would need help at the ranch. What better reason to worm his way into their midst, offer to help out. Then start to bleed Sherman dry of his hard-earned cash,” he thought with a wolfish grin.
He glanced over to a tearful Millie and thought, this Jess sure wouldn’t be coming into town to romance his gal anytime soon either. So that would be the perfect opportunity to offer her a shoulder to cry on. Maybe even entice her away from her absent boyfriend he thought happily. Yup this sure was his lucky day.’
Brady lay low just sipping a beer and keeping his own council and it was nearly closing time when a tall distinguished looking man hurried in.
Millie ran to meet him and said anxiously, “How is he doc?”
The doctor smiled at her and ushered her to a table quite near where Brady was sitting.
Then he took her hands in his own and smiled warmly into her face, “It’s alright Millie dear. Not life threatening, nasty enough all the same though. A broken arm and deep lacerations to his thigh...I’m afraid he’ll not be able to work for several weeks, or even sit a horse.
“Oh dear, I imagine that didn’t go down too well,” Millie said none the less heaving a great sigh of relief.
Doc Sam smiled for the first time since entering the saloon, “Well you could say that, he used some rather colorful language when I explained he must rest for quite some time. As you know though he usually has a bad reaction to general anesthetic, so was unable to object any further...So that’s when I made my escape,” he chuckled.
“Oh dear poor Jess,” Millie said, “but he will be alright?”
“Oh yes as long as he behaves himself,” he said with a wry smile, “but you know Jess...”
“Slim and Daisy will have their work cut out getting him to rest,” Millie agreed.
“And that’s not all. Poor Slim is worried about his pard sure. But also, about all the work piling up while he’s sick,” Sam said. “I really don’t know how he’ll manage. After last winter folk are making sure everywhere is secure and safely battened down before the winter storms. Many local ranchers have taken on extra help, so I really don’t know if Slim will be able to hire anyone on at this late hour.”
Brady who had been eavesdropping since the doc arrived decided it was time to make his move. He took a deep breath and readied himself for yet another award-winning acting performance. Getting up from his seat he wandered over to where Millie and the doc were in deep conversation.
Removing his hat and nodding to Millie he said, “Ma’am” politely, then turned to doc Sam and gave him a smile with just the right amount of respect, without being obsequious, and said, “Do excuse me sir but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. Might I ask if that is Lieutenant Sherman of the Union 2nd Cavalry Division you were discussing?”
Sam looked up in surprise, “Yes I do believe Slim rode with them in the war.”
Brady then beamed, “Please let me introduce myself I am Clay Brady and I had the honour of serving under Lt Sherman, he was my CO in the war. I’ve come to look him up. And well it seems like I’ve arrived just in the nick of time to maybe help him out some?” he asked raising a questioning eyebrow.
Sam looked slightly bemused, “Well yes, I do believe he will be looking for some assistance, with his partner being laid up. So, are you used to ranch work Mr Brady? And is he expecting you?” he added.
“Oh indeed, yes, I have ranched for years and ... no he is not expecting me,” Clay replied again beaming expansively, “I thought I’d surprise him...and then I stupidly lost the address...I know it’s nearby; he told me a few years back he was just outside Laramie?”
Sam quickly told him where he’d find the Sherman spread and said, “I’m sure he’d be most obliged for any assistance you could give him Mr Brady.”
And then he introduced himself and Millie.
Clay shook hands with them both, holding Millie’s a fraction too long and staring deeply into her eyes, before saying, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Miss Millie.”
Then Tom was calling last orders and the spell was broken.
“Well, he was a forward one,” Lily said later as they washed up glasses together.
“Huh?” Millie asked, having been miles away worrying about her beloved.
“That Clay Brady, I reckon he likes you, Mil.”
Millie frowned slightly, “He was just being kind. So, when do you think I should go over to the ranch, will you cover for me?” she added.
“Of course,” Lily said smiling at her, “and I’d leave it until the end of the week. He should be sitting up and taking notice by then.”
Millie nodded, “Thanks...”
“That’s OK. I just feel sorry for poor Slim, he’ll be working all hours,” Lily said, “I’ll never see him.”
“Unless that...what’s his name...Mr Brady is really willing to replace Jess for a little while,” Millie said, “that would be a real help...”
“Fingers crossed then,” Lily said, ever the optimistic one, “and let’s just hope we get our men back for the Harvest dance huh Millie!”

Chapter 3
Clay Brady was lying low. Having decided to help Slim out he was now waiting until he was sure the guy would be at his wit’s end and desperate for some much-needed support. That way he’d be easier to con... Just like playing a fish…he’d reel him in he thought to himself.
In the meantime, he’d been doing a little research about the inhabitants of the Sherman Ranch and Relay.
He’d decided that Mose Shell was his best source of local gossip and after buying him a few whiskeys he came away with a quite comprehensive knowledge of all Slim’ s friends, especially those at the ranch.
The most worrying aspect was the fact that Sherman’s help at the ranch was an ex-gunslinger with a chilling reputation for his fast draw and short temper. He sure didn’t want to antagonize him. But there again maybe that temper would work in his favor he thought, especially if he could make the two friends fall out. Then he’d really be able to worm his way in. Maybe even take Harper’s place and then fleece Sherman out of everything.
That darned widow woman housekeeper that Mose Shell set such store by would be a nuisance...especially if she was as darned astute as Shell seemed to believe. As to the orphaned kid, well he’d be easy enough to get rid of once he had Sherman at his mercy. Indeed, the woman and kid could be good levers once he really tightened the screws and started blackmailing Sherman. Clay knew things that he was damn sure Sherman wouldn’t want the woman and kid to know about that was definite. However, first of all he would merely play on Slim s over-active conscience...that should see him sitting pretty and on the payroll for starters.

*******
As Brady had predicted, back at the ranch Slim was getting really exhausted and fretful a week into Jess’s enforced rest.
The weather had turned and was now chilly and wet and he really wanted to make a start on bringing the stock down. However, it was a two-man job and although Mike had insisted that he could help out, unfortunately the boy just didn’t have the experience yet.
To make matters worse Jess was insisting on getting up and doing all he could to help out around the place, even though both Daisy and Slim could see he was in a lot of pain.
He was resting with his leg up when Slim joined him by the fireside one evening; Daisy and Mike already tucked up in bed.
“You’re worried about this dang weather, aren’t you?” Jess said glancing across at his pard, “Think we’re gonna have another winter like last year.”
“Had crossed my mind,” Slim said succinctly.
“Look if you leave it another week, maybe two I’ll be able to ride out with you to bring the herd down,” Jess said.
“No, no you won’t!” Slim said angrily, “You know what the doc said, you ride too soon and that wound could open up again. Is that what you want Jess to bleed to death someplace out on the range huh?”
Jess ignored the rhetorical question and sighed deeply, “I’m real sorry Slim I guess I shouldn’t have ridden him that day.”
“So you keep saying,” Slim said bitterly, “but that doesn’t change anything does it Jess. I’m stuck with no help and a herd to move … not to mention all the other preparations we need to make before winter.”
“Well, I can do some of that,” Jess said eagerly. “Hell, I can still chop the wood and use a hammer and nails I’ll do all the repairs around the place. It’s only one dang arm I broke, the other works just fine.”
Slim secretly doubted he’d be able to do anything proficiently one handed but said, “Thanks, that’ll help some, anyway.”
Then he yawned, “I’m beat,” and with that he got up and wandered off to bed, leaving Jess feeling just about as guilty as sin. Hell, he had to get back in the saddle and sooner rather than later he mused.
The following morning the two men were sitting enjoying a mid-morning coffee, Daisy away visiting a friend and Mike at school, when there was a loud tattoo on the front door.
“Are we expecting anyone?” Slim asked as he rose to answer it.
Jess shrugged, “I don’t think so.”
He pulled the door open and stood there staring in amazement as his old corporal from the platoon stood before him.
The tall rangy man made a mock salute and then said, “It’s good to see you again Lieutenant, sir!”
“Dadgum it...Brady is that you!” Slim said grinning at the familiar face. Then he grabbed hold of his hand and shook it firmly before saying, “Come in Clay come on in and meet my partner, Jess Harper.”
Clay followed him in and then grinned at Jess and said, “Howdy.”
Once the introductions were over, he turned back to Jess and said, “I guess you’re the reason I’m here Jess. I heard in town you were sick and thought the lieutenant here could use some help.”
“Hey, less of the lieutenant,” Slim said slapping him on the back. “It’s plain Slim Sherman now; war’s been over a while.”
“Sure, sure sir,” Clay agreed.
“Just plain Slim will do fine,” Slim said again. “So, you heard I was short of help did you?”
“Yes, a young lady from the saloon mentioned it, the delectable Millie?”
Jess stiffened and frowned slightly, “So you were talkin’ to Millie?”
“Yes, she and her friend Lily are a delightful pair. Anyway, Miss Millie seemed very distressed at your accident Jess and Lily also about the extra work you would incur sir. So here I am... the cavalry has arrived,” he said with a chuckle, “at your service sir...uh Slim I mean.”
“That’s real good of you,” Jess said quietly with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Indeed, it is,” Slim agreed looking mightily relieved, “so when can you start Clay?”
“Well how about once I’ve had a cup of that excellent coffee I can smell?” he said beaming at his old CO.
So it was that Clay Brady inveigled his way onto the Sherman ranch.
He was a huge hit, with everyone, with the exception of Jess, who was reserving judgement.
Slim was delighted to have his old corporal on board and spent many happy evenings reliving their war memories and drinking copious amounts of Denver James’ best whiskey in the bunkhouse where Clay was bedding down. “Out of the way of Miss Daisy,” Slim had told his old colleague on the first night.
“The lady objects to strong liquor, does she?” Clay asked with a chuckle.
Slim nodded, “You could say, she’s got a thing about Moonshine in the house, you know the way women folk are,” he added with a grin.
“So, your partner doesn’t approve of strong drink either?” Clay asked with a raised eyebrow.
Slim practically choked on his drink and said, “Oh he likes a drink right enough.”
“But not tonight? Doesn’t he enjoy reliving the old war days?” he asked. “It was a hell of a war, but there were some good times to recall too? The comradery was really special huh?”
Slim looked uncomfortable for a minute and then made a decision, he figured Clay had a right to know. And hell, if he objected then he could just ride out as far as Slim was concerned, his loyalty was to Jess.
“Well, you see Clay, my Pard rode with the Confederacy so I don’t reckon he’d be any too keen on reliving all our side of the war.”
“The hell he did!” Clay said looking deeply shocked, “You hired a Rebel to work for you sir?” he asked in disbelief.
“He doesn’t work for me, he’s joint partner in this place,” Slim reminded him. “And probably the best friend I’ve ever had,” he added quietly. “He suffered at the hands of the Union soldiers, same as our men did in the custody of the Confederates. It was just the way the war was and we’ve both moved on now... But if you’ve got a problem with that Clay, you’d better ride out now.”
Clay’s head shot up and he figured he’d have to back pedal and fast.
“Uh no, doesn’t bother me any,” he said quickly, “after all the war’s been over a long time; like you say.”
Slim smiled at him and topped up their glasses...and he sipped his drink thoughtfully.
However, secretly he wondered why his pard really hadn’t joined them. He was pretty sure it was nothing to do with the war and more about Jess not trusting Clay yet. Why did he feel that way Slim wondered?
If Jess was somewhat hesitant at accepting Clay at face value Daisy and Mike were not and were soon singing his praises at every turn.
Clay was simply the best at fishing and checkers and rode real good too according to Mike.
He was such a well-mannered young man and so appreciative of her cooking Daisy enthused.
Plus, he sure was a hard worker Slim shared with Jess one night when they were getting ready to turn in, about two weeks after Clay’s arrival.
Jess who was lying on his bed watching Slim wash up rolled his eyes and said, “So where is the dang saint tonight...gone to town again?”
Slim threw the towel to one side and came over and sat on the edge of his bed and looked over at his buddy, “Well he’s worked real hard all week why shouldn’t he go to town... I’d be there myself if Lily wasn’t off visiting her Ma.”
Jess just grunted...
“Oh, come on Hot Shot you’re just jealous, aren’t you? Daisy thinks he’s wonderful and he’s Mike’s number one all-round good guy at the moment and you just don’t like it do you huh?” he said with a teasing smile.
Jess sighed deeply, “It ain’t that, I’ve just got one of my gut feelings about the guy. Anyway, I aim to get back in the saddle next week and as soon as I’m working again, he can go.”
Slim frowned and then said, “No, I’m sorry Jess but he’s going no place. I promised him he could have a job here for a few months, he needs the money.”
“So let him earn it someplace else,” Jess said looking annoyed.
“I can’t do that Jess; you see I owe the guy.”
“Huh?”
“Have you ever wondered about that scar on his cheek?”
Jess just shrugged, “Not particularly nope...I just reckoned it was maybe picked up in the war, looked like a bullet wound?”
Slim nodded, “He got it protecting me. He took a sniper’s bullet for me, saved my life Jess...”
Jess secretly thought, ‘well I’ve saved yer darned skin on more than one occasion but I don’t get treated with kid gloves the way Brady is.’ And yes, maybe there was a hint of truth in what Slim said about him being jealous. Slim seemed to be spending more and more time with Clay and he felt excluded. But it was more than that, nobody could be that charming and pleasant every dang hour of the day Jess argued. It had to be an act... didn’t it?
Then he frowned, he’d told Clay in no uncertain terms that the ‘delectable’ Millie was his property. They had an understanding and Clay’s advances would not be welcome. Now he wondered just what Clay was up to in town.

Chapter 4
Meanwhile over in town It turned out that Jess had reason for concern, because Clay was preparing to use his considerable charm on Millie. He had seen from the start that she was completely loyal to Harper and although she was polite and pleasant when she served him, she seemed impervious to his gentle flirting. Nope it was a case of slowly gaining her trust and making her think he just wanted to be a friend...and then when her guard was down, he would strike.
Clay Brady was a philanderer of the very worst kind. He pursued women and then once they had succumbed to his charms and he had bedded them he would drop them like a hot potato. Then he would move on to the next challenge and the more difficult the chase the more he enjoyed it. His past was littered with broken hearted females many of whom had left their lover or husband for him, just to be cast aside once he was bored.
Then of course there were a few who were seemingly immune to his charms and then...well then, he just had to make them see sense. Many times he had roughly forced himself on a vulnerable woman and got away with it.
Now he was feeling invincible and with his inflated ego he imagined that Millie would eventually give in and leave Jess for him. However, if not, he would play his ace card that had worked on so many other occasions...He would force her and then tell her if she said anything he would simply say it was her who instigated the liaison. His acting was such that his claim would be believable. After all he was the affable, trustworthy Clay Brady who made every man...and woman a friend. Who would believe he was capable of such evil, he thought to himself now as he wandered into the Laramie saloon.
It was quiet for a Friday night and he noted at once that Lily was not on duty, but another much older lady along with Tom the barkeep, and the beautiful Millie.
Clay lingered near the bar for a while until both Tom and the older lady Betty were serving and then he moved swiftly to Millie and smiling broadly wished her a good evening and ordered a beer.
Millie returned the smile happy to see the man who was working at the Sherman spread and hoping for some news of Jess.
They exchanged some banter and then she got to the point, “How is Jess is he recovering well?”
A slight frown crossed Clay’s face and he looked away for a moment before saying, “Uh pretty good I think Ma’am.”
Millie took the frown to imply that maybe Jess wasn’t improving as quickly as he’d hoped, heck as she’d hoped. It seemed ages since she’d been over to the ranch to visit and she was missing him terribly.
“Uh, I guess you’d need to talk to his nurse,” Clay said looking slightly embarrassed.
Millie looked surprised, “Who? Oh, you mean Carrie, the Doc’s daughter?”
Clay nodded, “Yup a cute little thing she is for sure...well Jess seems to think so,” he added quietly.
Millie looked surprised, “Well they’re good friends and Carrie is my dear friend too,” she added for good measure, looking slightly taken aback at what Clay was obviously implying.
He just nodded sagely and said, “Yes good friends I’m sure that’s all it is and she’s been tending that leg wound real good. So, I guess he’ll be back in the saddle before you know it Millie dear,” he said brightly, before changing the subject.
He spent the rest of the evening gently flirting and teasing her and smiling inwardly. Yes, he’d planted the seed of jealously nicely. Next time he’d make the alleged relationship between Jess and Carrie even more uh...close, he thought with a chuckle. Once she seriously doubted Jess’s fidelity, he would move in ready to comfort her and then sweep her off her feet.
It was just a few days later when he managed to get away from the ranch and ride to town. With it being a week night, the saloon was very quiet and again he made sure Millie came forward to serve him.
This time Lily was there too, but no sign of Tom the barkeep, and he decided to play his trump card that very night. So, when Millie asked him how Jess was, he was ready to take his next step in the deception. He again looked quite embarrassed and at first tried to change the subject. Millie picked up on that at once though and said, “Oh he’s not worse, is he? Please tell me he’s not been riding too soon and delayed his recovery.”
“No, no nothing like that,” Clay said quickly. Then leaning forwards, he said quietly, “Maybe you could come and have a drink with me, I need to tell you something and it’s rather personal.”
Assuming the worst and that Jess really was sick she got Lily to cover for her and followed Clay to a nearby table.
He had bought her a brandy and once she had sipped it, he took both her hands in his and said, “I guess there’s no easy way to say this Millie, but Jess is...well, he’s seeing Carrie.”
Millie’s eyes opened wide, then she pulled a hand away and clasped it over her mouth before shaking her head and bursting out in laughter.
Thinking she was hysterical Clay grabbed her hand back and held it more tightly and said, “It’s alright my dear I’m here.”
Millie quickly came to her senses and pulled her hands away again, “You’re crazy she said, what on earth makes you think that?”
“I…I saw them together...uh kissing, I’m so sorry Millie...”
Sure, when Carrie had arrived in town, she’d had a monumental crush on Jess when she was a young teen (See #3 The Doctor’s Daughter). Then a few years later Jess had admitted to having some feelings for Carrie. But that was all long ago and water under the bridge and he was completely committed to Millie now; she knew that. What of Carrie though? Millie knew that she still held a candle for Jess, but she also knew she would never do anything to upset her two closest friends, namely herself and Jess.
Gee this Clay sure was convincing...But no, Carrie would never betray her no matter how tempted she might be.
Now she turned to Clay and said, “Why are you telling me these lies?”
Clay was dumb struck, really shocked that Millie should see through him so easily... But then he gathered himself together and using every ounce of sincerity he could muster said, “I know this must be real hard for you honey, but I saw them with my own eyes and I really wouldn’t lie about a thing like this.”
“I don’t know what you thought you saw but you were mistaken Mr Brady; now if you will excuse me.” She rose and walked briskly back to the bar and Lily who was waiting to hear what had just passed between the likeable Clay Brady and her friend.
Millie banged glasses about behind the bar, muttering, “The cheek of the man,” before finally getting in a huddle with Lily and telling her all that had just transpired.
“What did he see?” Lily asked all agog.
“He reckons they were kissing,” Millie said, “but I don’t believe a word of it.”
“Why would he make it up though?” Lily reasoned, “Clay’s a lovely guy, I’m sure he wouldn’t lie just to upset you.”
“What? Are you saying Jess did kiss her?” Millie said sharply.
Lily shook her head, “No of course not, but maybe...just maybe she kissed him?”
“No, I don’t believe it,” Millie said stoutly.
“Oh come on Mil…we’ve all been temped occasionally to kiss someone we shouldn’t. Come now... you know how darned kissable Jess is,” she added with a giggle. “Maybe it was just a tiny lapse...huh? She’s probably feeling awful about it. You can just imagine him lying there feeling kinda sorry for himself. You know that wounded puppy dog look in his eyes...and she was real close tending his wound...and just got carried away for a moment...kind of romantic really.”
Millie sighed deeply, “You wouldn’t be saying that if it was Slim,” she retorted angrily.
Then she marched off and returned a moment later with her shawl on.
“Where are you off to?” Lily asked frowning slightly.
“I’m just popping across the road for a quick word with Carrie.”
The doctor’s housekeeper Mrs Hudson showed Millie in and took her into the parlour where Carrie and her Pa were enjoying a game of checkers.
“Why Millie what a lovely surprise,” the doctor said getting up and showing Millie to a seat. “Would you care for a sherry my dear?”
“No thanks doc,” Millie said returning his smile, “I just wanted a quick word with Carrie.”
The doctor beamed at her, “I understand... girl’s talk, I’ll make myself scarce then.”
“Oh, don’t go on my account,” Millie said quickly, but really needing her friend to herself to discuss the delicate matter.
“It’s quite alright,” Doc Sam said, “I have a fascinating article on gall bladders to read in my medical journal and with that he wandered off to his study, closing the door behind him.
“What’s wrong,” Carrie asked her friend, “aren’t you supposed to be working tonight?”
Millie nodded and then said, “I know there’s probably nothing to it...but Carrie have you been kissing Jess?”
Carrie just stared at her friend in puzzlement and then said, “No of course not...why ever do you ask?”
Then Millie explained exactly what Clay Brady had said.
Carrie looked bewildered and then said, “That’s madness.” Then she chuckled, “I’ve visited the ranch just twice to look after Jess. The first time he chucked up all over me after he’d had chloroform whilst Pa patched him up. Well, I sure didn’t feel like kissing him then,” she said rolling her eyes.
“Then I visited about a week ago just to check the dressing on his leg and he was in a terrible mood. Said he just couldn’t wait to get back in the saddle and back into town to see you,” she added. “So, I sure wouldn’t be kissing him then, would I?”
Millie laughed, “No I guess not and I’m sorry Carrie, I never really thought you would. Just that Lily thought you might have been tempted?”
Carrie flushed a little at that and then said honestly, “Well me and most of the young women in Laramie would be tempted to kiss Jess if they got half the chance, but I can honestly say I didn’t,” she said smiling at her friend.
Then Millie frowned, “Why on earth would Clay lie about it I wonder? He seems such a nice man. I thought of him as a friend you know Carrie...why would he hurt me this way?”
Carrie nodded, “Yes, I thought him to be very kind and genuine, it’s a mystery...unless he wants to try and break you and Jess up maybe?”
“No, I don’t believe it,” Millie said, “I don’t think of him that way, he’s just a friend...at least he was,” she added shaking her head; and the two girls departed on the best of terms.

Chapter 5
Jess was getting more and more impatient.
“Garldarn it Slim I’m goin’ to town on Saturday no matter what,” he said looking hard done by.
Clay Brady had just said his farewells and high-tailed it to town a few minutes ago and Jess was sitting out on the porch looking as miserable as sin with Slim.
“What’s he doin’ goin’ to town again anyway?” he asked crossly, “He was in just on Saturday...hell what’s he up to huh?”
“Maybe he’s got a girl,” Slim said indulgently, “he sure was scrubbed up pretty good.”
“Yeah, well I’ve dang well nearly forgotten what my gal looks like,” Jess replied, “and I aim to see her this week no matter what.”
“You know what Carrie said, no riding until Sam’s checked that leg over Jess,” Slim said looking anxious.
“Yeah well, he can check it over when I’m in town can’t he,” Jess replied stubbornly.
Slim just rolled his eyes and said no more, knowing it was useless to argue with Jess when he was in this mood. OK he knew the arm had healed really quickly and he’d started using it again...but that leg had been a real mess and could still cause him trouble so Slim believed. But Jess would have none of it and was determined to visit town and Millie; no matter what.
So come Saturday as the men made their way into the house for supper Jess said, “As soon as we’ve eaten, I’m off and don’t you dare say anything to Daisy until we’re ready to ride out, or I’ll git an earful.”
“I imagine she already knows,” Slim said with a wicked grin, “seeing as how you took a shower this afternoon and then went off to polish your best boots.”
“Shh,” Jess said irritably as they entered the house and went off to wash up for supper.
They were just sitting down to the meal when Clay popped his head around the door and said, “I’m just off, maybe see you later Slim?”
Then turning to Jess said, “It’s a real shame you’re stuck home again tonight, Jess,” the apparent sincerity in his eyes convincing...for all but Jess.
He merely grunted, but Daisy and Mike wished him a good time and Slim agreed he’d be in later.
Once he’d gone Jess said, “He’s dang keen to get off didn’t even wait for supper.”
“Oh, I cooked up something earlier,” Daisy said smiling, “he said he wanted to hit town early before it got too busy.”
“Well, he shouldn’t put you to all that trouble,” Jess said quickly.
“I don’t mind at all dear,” she said cheerfully, “the boy has such a good appetite he’s a pleasure to cook for.”
Jess said nothing and the conversation quickly turned to the price of the smart saddle in the mercantile window; and Clay was forgotten.
Once supper was over both men disappeared into their room and emerged a little later in their Saturday night finery of sparkling white shirts, string ties, and brocade vests. Along with their dark frock-coats and trousers, best boots and Stetsons they were very easy on the eye as many Laramie lasses would agree.
“Oh, Jess dear, you’re not really thinking of riding to town, are you?” Daisy asked looking fretful.
“Sure am,” he said cheerfully and coming over he gave her a hug and planted a kiss on her cheek, “don’t wait up. I figure me and Slim will be playing cards to real late, doubt if we’ll make it back.”
Daisy just sighed softly and said, “Keep an eye on him won’t you Slim dear?”
“Sure,” he said kissing her too and then said solicitously, “you’ll be OK Daisy?”
“Yes of course dear and I expect Clay will be home to do the early morning chores, so don’t rush back.”
Once they were out of earshot Jess said, “Of course he will, dang knight in shining armor...”
Slim turned to him and said, “I don’t know why you don’t like him Jess, he likes you well enough.”
Jess shook his head, “I dunno just something about him, he seems too dang good to be true...practically perfect in every way, ya know?” he said throwing Slim a pained look.

*******
Meanwhile back in Laramie Clay had stopped off at the Last Drop, a low dive on the edge of town, and indulged in several glasses of rough whiskey. Then he checked the clock over the bar. Just gone six and on a Saturday night he’d noted that either Lily or Millie always arrived down in the bar a little later than usual at about seven. Last week it had been Lily’s turn to relax and primp her-self a little more for the busy night. So, this week it would be Millie who came down later and he aimed to take advantage of that fact.
Swigging back a final double whiskey he made briskly for the door. He figured Jess would be fit enough to ride into town in another week or two and so he had to grab this last chance to have his way with the desirable Millie. Unfortunately, his lie about Jess and Carrie hadn’t worked. In fact, it seemed to have antagonized her and the happy banter they had once shared was no more.
It appeared that there were now only two avenues open to him...he would once more use his charm to try and bring her around to being more than just good friends. Or he would simply take what he wanted from her. Her room was upstairs and nobody would hear her cries for mercy if he decided to force the issue. Then when it was over if she made a fuss, he’d simply tell everyone she was a tease who had led him on and then changed her mind at the last minute. She wouldn’t want that reputation and would doubtless say nothing. Fueled with whiskey and wanton lust he was all fired up ready for the thrill of the chase. He often thought the ones who gave him the run around and weren’t interested were the most exciting...their fear and screams being a real turn on.
Now as he entered the Laramie Saloon Jess and Slim were just leaving the livery and marching down Main Street. Then Slim paused by Mort Cory’s office.
“I just need to see Mort about that court case next week, you go on ahead Jess and I’ll catch you up,” he said.
Clay entered the bar quietly and looked quickly around him. As he thought, Tom and Lily were busy serving and it was easy to move in the shadowy recesses of the room to the staircase and then quickly run upstairs unnoticed.
He tapped lightly on Millie’s door and she immediately put her powder puff down and hurried across the room. Was it Jess at last she thought with longing? Carrie had said it would be at least another couple of weeks before he could sit a horse. But knowing Jess he could happily ignore the doc’s advice and her heart skipped a beat as she threw the door open wide smiling broadly in anticipation.
When she saw Clay standing there her face fell.
“What are you doing up here Mr Brady, these are staff quarters,” she said briskly.
“Hey honey, don’t do this to me,” Clay said looking heart broken. “It was Clay before, wasn’t it? Can’t we go back to being friends again huh?” he asked in a wheedling voice his eyes wide and guileless.
She sighed and said, “Yes I suppose so,” just wanting him to leave really. “I’ll be down shortly,” she added and went to close the door, but a well-placed boot prevented her.
“What are you playing at?” she asked angrily, trying to close the door again. But he was too fast and strong and he was inside quickly forcing his way in, closing the door behind him in seconds.
“Oh, I’m not playing honey,” he said, “I’m deadly serious...Now come here and show me you’ve really forgiven me huh?”
Millie backed off, “This isn’t funny, just go will you Clay, you’re frightening me now!”
“Oh honey, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said moving in and grabbing her. I just want a little loving and I can tell you do too. You want me don’t ya huh? It’s so long since you’ve seen that two-timing boyfriend of yours isn’t it?” he said, now with a nasty sneer on his face. “So come here and let me show you how a real man does it,” and he pulled her even closer and started kissing her passionately.
Millie kicked him hard on the shin and wriggled free staring at him in horror, “No! Just let me go or I’ll scream the place down!” she cried.
“You little bitch,” he muttered. “Oh, you can scream all you like, nobody will hear you way up here,” he growled. “Now stop messing me about and come here!” he growled.” And I’ll tell ya now if you say I forced you I’ll simply say you’re a tease and got cold feet at the last minute. I guess everyone will believe good old dependable Clay against a cheap saloon trollop won’t they huh!”
That’s when he made his move and grabbing her again, he threw her on the bed pushing her down as Millie let out an ear-piercing scream.
Jess had entered the bar just a few minutes after Clay had left it and wandering over to the bar ordered a drink from Tom, then looking around asked after Millie.
“Her turn for the late start,” Tom said grinning, “go on up and surprise her Jess, she’ll be really pleased to see you.”
“Gee thanks Tom,” he said looking delighted and moving off at once.
“Oh, and don’t forget she’s working tonight,” Tom added, but Jess was already halfway up the stairs.
He was about to knock when he heard raised voices and then the sound of a scuffle followed by Millie screaming hysterically.
Jess threw the door open and stood on the threshold staring in abject horror at the scene before him.
Millie was spread-eagle on the bed with Clay on top of her desperately trying to pull her clothes off.
In one fell swoop Jess grabbed him from behind, turned him and delivered a haymaker that sent Clay hurtling across the room, he fell hard against the open door...then looking dazed he slid down to collapse on the floor.
Jess turned back to Millie and helping her up held her close whispering. “It’s OK, everything’s OK now sweetheart.”
When he glanced up, he was just in time to see Clay disappearing through the door.
“Oh no you don’t,” he roared and giving chase he lunged at him in the corridor bringing him down. Both men wrestled on the floor before Jess once more got the upper hand and dragging Clay up, he landed another punch to the jaw that sent him flying down the stairs and into the bar...where he lay in a groggy heap.
But Jess wasn’t done yet and in seconds he hauled him up again and started raining more punches down on the almost comatose man. By this time Slim and Mort had entered the bar and it took them both, plus another couple of bystanders, to finally pull Jess off.
Slim and Mort held Jess back as a very shaky Clay was helped to a chair.
Then Mort said, “Just rein it in Jess ... back off. What on earth is this all about? What has Clay done to upset you huh?” he asked looking deeply shocked.
Hell, Clay was well liked amongst all the Laramie folk, including the Sheriff. So, what was Jess so all fired up about?
Jess wiped a hand across his blood streaked, sweating face and turning to Mort said, “The bastard tried to rape Millie!”
Then turning to Clay, he said, “You’re fired and if you go anywhere near my girl again God damn it, I’ll kill ya!”
There was a sucked intake of breath in the crowded bar as everyone looked from Jess to Clay and back. Then the crowds parted to make way for Millie, supported by Lily, her tear stained face distraught.
“Is this true?” Mort asked looking deeply shocked.
But before she could answer, Clay said, “It was all just a terrible misunderstanding wasn’t it Millie dear?”
Millie stared at him and then flicked a glance over to where Jess was still panting from the fight, his eyes burning with fury.
Did he mean it? Would he really kill Clay? Surely, he wouldn’t murder him in cold blood would he...and hang for it. The thought was just too terrible for Millie to contemplate.
“Yes,” she whispered, “just a silly misunderstanding, Clay didn’t mean to hurt me really...”
Jess’s head shot up and he stared at her in disbelief, “Millie?”
“I uh think we’d better discuss this back at my office,” Mort said quickly and he escorted Millie to his office along with Jess, Slim, and a very battered Clay Brady.
But before they could discuss the matter further Slim looked closely at Jess and said, “I think you’re in trouble pard,” and he gestured to where a large dark red patch was spreading down Jess’s pants near his thigh.
Slim quickly insisted he take Jess over to the doc’s place to have the wound checked and said he’d see Mort later. Jess was again furious and argued, but Mort told him in no uncertain terms to do as he was damn well told for once, before he started bleeding all over his clean floor. That did the trick and Jess finally departed albeit unhappily.

Chapter 6
“Goddamn it, why are you lying, Millie?” Jess asked once they were back in the sanctuary of her room, the doc having patched up the wound and given warnings to rest up that night.
At first, she tried to bluff it by saying that Clay was just suddenly overcome with passion and he would have stopped before any real harm was done.
However, Jess gave her such a look of skepticism that she was finally forced to tell him the truth.
“I was so scared when you said you’d kill him,” she whispered, “I know how you can get...goodness Jess I do believe you’d have killed him today if Slim and Mort hadn’t stepped in.”
Jess just looked down and said nothing. But after a moment he looked up from his seat on the couch and said quietly, “There ain’t anything goin’ on between you two is there?”
She moved quickly from where she’d been standing by the fire and sat down beside him taking his hand, “How could you even think that? I love you more than life itself you know I do.”
He turned to her and tipped her chin up with his finger so he could see deeply into her sincere eyes. His own filled with hurt and puzzlement.
“I guess I do yeah, so why are you really protecting Clay?”
“I’m not, I’m trying to protect myself,” she said quietly. Then she told him exactly what Clay had told her. About how her reputation would be shot and everyone would think she was a lying little trollop. How of course they would believe the kind, virtuous Clay Brady over her.
Jess leapt up and paced the room cussing softly under his breath...before turning back to her, “Damn it…hanging’s too good for the bastard,” he spat angrily.
“Only it wouldn’t be him that hangs it would be you,” Millie pointed out. Then more gently, “Please Jess forget it...for me. I just couldn’t bear folk to think so badly of me... and they would believe him, he’s so convincing.”
“Oh, he’s that alright,” Jess snarled angrily.
Then he turned and saw the tears running down her flushed, pretty cheeks and his heart melted.
“OK sweetheart you win...but I’ve fired him and I’ll make dang sure he leaves town. I guess we’ll just try and put it behind us huh?”
She smiled for the first time that night and he took her in his arms and whispered that all would be well...he would always be there for her...he loved her.
But in his heart of hearts, he knew he could never forgive and forget the issue and at some stage he’d have his revenge on Brady... no matter what the cost.
Meanwhile Slim and Mort were sharing a coffee back in Mort’s office. The Sheriff had decided to keep Clay locked up in one of the cells for the night. The official line was he had been arrested for disturbing the peace...as Millie hadn’t pressed charges. But the real reason was he wouldn’t put it past Jess to have another go at the man and this time forget when to stop and kill the guy, just like he’d promised, or at least do him some serious damage.
“He was just so goddamn mad,” Slim said now, “he didn’t really mean it.”
“Didn’t he?” Mort said frowning, “Well he sounded pretty convincing to me. Hell, you know Jess as well as I do Slim. If anyone harms folk he cares about, well he just loses it...I really don’t know what would have happened tonight of we hadn’t been there to break it up.”
Slim looked upset, but had to agree.
Then he said, “I just don’t understand it. Clay told me he was innocent and Jess was just mad at finding him in Millie’s room, and I have to say he is very plausible.”
“You believe his version over Jess’s?” Mort asked raising a quizzical eyebrow.
“Heck no of course not,” Slim said, flushing a little. “What I’m saying is maybe Jess was mistaken that’s all. You know how protective he is of Millie.”
Then he said, “Do you think I could have a word with Clay, Mort; try and get to the bottom of this huh?”
“Sure,” the Sheriff said, getting up and stretching, “come on.”
They went through to the cells in the next room and Mort let Slim in before re-locking the cell door. “Just holler when you want out,” he said, I’ll leave the door into the office ajar.”
Clay stood up when Slim entered and said, “Thanks for visiting Lieutenant, I’m very sorry for the misunderstanding, really I am.”
Slim ignored the use of his old army rank for once and sitting down on the opposite bunk said, “What really happened, Clay? Jess seems convinced that you were attacking Millie?”
“All I can say is that he was mistaken sir. I really don’t understand it either. Miss Millie invited me up for a drink before work. I guess we’ve got kinda close since Jess has been sick...and anyway one thing led to another, you know the way these things do. Uh I’m talking man to man now you understand,” he added, “and well I guess things did sort of get out of hand, but she was willing enough. See thing is I guess Jess just couldn’t hack it seeing us together that way,” he added with a small conspiratorial smile.
Slim looked shocked to the core...Millie...Millie cheating on Jess? No way. OK Clay was a good-looking guy, hell even that bullet scar on his cheek seemed to add to his attraction to the opposite sex he mused. Plus, as Daisy said he could charm the birds out of the trees. But to turn Millie’s head, for her to actually be intimate with Clay and then lie about it to Jess that just wouldn’t happen no matter how convincing Clay appeared. As for Jess he knew what he’d seen alright and that was Brady forcing himself on Millie; of that Slim was now quite sure. This story about Millie being ‘willing’ was just a step too far into fantasy.
He stood up quickly and said, “You’re fired Brady, you can pick up your wages tomorrow and I want you off Sherman land before Jess gets back home, understand?”
Brady looked up at his former CO, shock in his eyes. Hell, he hadn’t managed to convince the bastard he thought fleetingly. Well, this called for the final part of his plan to fall into place. It was a bit sooner than he’d imagined...but it could still work well.
His eyes hardened and he said, “I don’t think so Lieutenant, see I kinda like it at the Sherman spread.”
Now it was Slim’ s turn to look shocked, “This isn’t negotiable Brady,” he said firmly.
“Oh, but I think it is,” the other said with a sly smile. “You see Lieutenant there is that little matter of the Major’s wife isn’t there... and all the trouble that business caused back in the War. Now I’m pretty damn sure you wouldn’t want your friends and neighbors to find out about that scandal now, would you?” Without pausing for an answer, he added, “I’ll be staying on and with a considerable hike in wages too don’t you think ... Slim huh?”
Slim turned ashen and said, “Are you blackmailing me?”
Brady nodded, “Yup and there ain’t a damn thing you can do about it either is there?”
Just on the far side of the door to the cells, Mort stopped in his tracks having just caught the tail end of the conversation. Now what the hell is all that about he wondered as he opened the door calling out to ask if anyone wanted a coffee?

******
When Jess rode into the yard the following morning Slim was waiting for him on the porch.
Jess slipped from the saddle and tethered Traveller before stepping up onto the porch and taking the other seat.
“So, has he gone? Mort said he’d released him into your custody,” Jess said.
“Nope, I haven’t fired him.”
Jess just gaped at his friend for a few seconds before erupting, “You what! Why the hell not?”
“It, well it’s not the right time,” Sim floundered glancing down to the dark stain on the leg of Jess’s best trousers. “You shouldn’t have ridden in to town you’re not fit for work yet Jess. Bottom line is we need him right now.”
“The bottom line is you believe whatever line he’s spun you, ain’t it?” Jess said angrily, “You believe him over me dontcha huh?”
“Uh, well Millie didn’t want to press charges, maybe you just over-reacted,” Slim said lamely, avoiding Jess’s eye.
“Millie was scared to death!” Jess exploded, “He’s got a hold over her. He said he’d tell everyone she was every kind of a slut and she was up for it, if she told the truth. Oh yeah and good old Clay would be believed by the town wouldn’t he...just like he’s conned you!”
Slim looked embarrassed, “Look it’s not how you think buddy, there are uh, extenuating circumstances.”
“Oh no,” Jess yelled getting up and glaring at Slim, “don’t you dare try and wrong foot me by throwin’ the damn dictionary at me. I may be kinda behind when it comes to book learnin’ but I can spot a con man when I see one!”
“I’m sorry Jess I didn’t mean to put you down, really, I didn’t. You know me when I get kind of het up, I fall back on words...”
“So?”
“So, what I meant to say is there are reasons why I’m keeping him on and it’s nothing to do with you or Millie...but I’m sorry I just can’t tell you why.”
“You can’t huh...so as well as not believing me now yer sayin’ you don’t trust me either!” Jess yelled. “Well, you know where you can stick yer ‘extenuating circumstances,’” and marching off the porch he remounted and headed Traveller back up the rise the way he’d come just a few short minutes ago.

Chapter 7

Jess stayed away for a couple of nights, camping up in the cave by the lake. But then once he’d calmed down some, he realized he was cutting off his nose to spite his face. There was Clay sitting pretty at the ranch adored by Daisy and Mike and having some hold over Slim. That sure weren’t right and he knew he just had to get back there and try and get to the bottom of what was really going on.
When Clay had arrived back at the ranch on the Sunday morning looking like he’d been run over by a herd of buffalo, Daisy was deeply upset. His eye was blacked and he had multiple bruising to his face and torso.
“What on earth happened?” Daisy asked sympathetically.
“Uh, there was a bit of a ruckus in the saloon and I guess I got in the way,” he said casting a colluding glance at Slim, who merely looked down.
“Oh... goodness me Clay!” Daisy exclaimed.
“So, where were you and Jess?” Daisy asked turning to Slim.Then looking even more troubled said, “And where is Jess now?”
“Away...uh on business,” Slim improvised, “something came up suddenly, you know Jess,” he added rather unconvincingly.
Daisy looked skeptical, “He’s not hurt is he dear?”
“No, really...we missed the fight, that’s right isn’t it Clay…”
Clay nodded, “Yup that’s right sir.”
Daisy was surprised at Clay reverting to treating Slim like his old CO rather than the friends they’d become, but she let it go, her main worry right then being Jess.
When he didn’t return on the Sunday night, or the next day, she became even more uneasy and that worry was increased by Slim’ s strange attitude. He hardly spoke to Clay other than to give him orders for the day. Then he told her that from now on Clay would take all his meals in the bunkhouse and wouldn’t be socializing in the house either.
“But why dear I thought you two got on so well?”
“Just accept it Daisy, because that’s the way it’s going to be!” Slim said so abruptly that it brought tears to her eyes. Goodness Slim never spoke gruffly to her. Jess occasionally maybe, if he was hard pressed and upset about something. But then an apology was always swiftly delivered. Now she was really worried about Slim who had just marched off without a backward glance.
Mike too was puzzled by the exclusion of his new friend... but picked up on the subtle change in Slim’ s attitude to the man. Then he got to wondering if maybe this Clay had something to do with the fact that Jess hadn’t arrived home. Maybe they’d had a fight and Jess was hurt really badly; his lively imagination suggested. But nah, Jess could beat anyone in a fist fight. But even so it was odd and he sure missed Jess. Then he got to thinking of the last few weeks. How he’d hardly hung out with Jess at all, spending all his time listening to Clay’s tall tales of his travels and fishing with him to the exclusion of Jess and he felt terrible.
So, it was later that day, when Clay called out to him to ask, “Are you coming fishing Tiger?” Mike felt really bad.
“No thanks,” he called back and then with spirit, “and don’t call me that, it’s Jess’s special name for me!” before running into the house, feeling close to tears.
Um...so Sherman had turned the boy against him had he... well no matter. He could still get away with ‘murder’ for a while longer he thought as he looked forward to the large wage packet at the end of the week. Plus, with Jess having ridden out he figured there would be even more spare cash that could be added to his already substantial wage increase. Yup this little scam could run and run he thought happily to himself.
The only fly in the ointment was Chas Mason and that stupid dumb bimbo of a wife, Bella, who he’d, had a brief affair with back in Denver. Hell how was he to know she had been taking all his overtures so damn seriously? He had seen the light when she’d left Chas for him... But to be honest once the chase was over, he’d lost interest. He had no idea that the dumb broad would go and drown herself because of him. That’s what the suicide note had said; he believed. However, he’d left town soon afterwards, so hadn’t had to face the grieving widower. That had been over three months ago over in Denver and there was no way the bastard could find him stuck out here on the ranch he believed. So just relax and enjoy the ride Clay...because you’ve hit gold here, he told himself. Hell, if Harper was gone for good, he could start coercing Slim into making him the new partner, he thought gleefully.
Jess rode back in the following evening; went over to the barn to put Traveller up for the night and was joined moments later by Slim.
“You’re back,” he said softly.
Jess turned and nodded briefly, “Looks that way.”
“Look Jess I’m truly sorry about everything, really I am.”
“Sorry enough to tell me what this is all about huh?”
Slim sighed and looked down, “Its real complicated pard.”
“Iffen you want my help you’d better spill, because if you don’t I’ll just ask Brady outright...get his version of what’s going on huh?”
“Alright, alright, but later OK...”
Then they heard Daisy calling Slim in for supper.
Once Jess had finished tending Traveller they marched across the yard and Slim said, “If she asks, you’ve been away on business...”
“Right, and so where is that bastard because I sure don’t wanna sit at the same table with him and play happy families.”
“You won’t have to…he takes his meals in the bunkhouse now. I made it quite clear he wasn’t welcome in the house anymore.”
Jess raised a quirky eyebrow, “So you do believe me about what he did to Millie then?”
“Yes, I always did.”
“Why the Hell is he still here then?” Jess asked impatiently.
“Like I told you it’s complicated...we’ll talk later,” and they entered the house.
Daisy and Mike hurried over to welcome Jess home.
“Oh Jess dear, I was so worried... are you alright?” Daisy asked studying him closely.
“Sure,” he said expansively before giving her a bear hug, “just a little private business I needed to attend to,” he added and then threw her a look that said please don’t ask.
“Oh, uh alright dear...as long as you’re safe and well,” she managed but feeling a little frustrated. What on earth was going on? First that nice young Clay was out of favour and had been banned from entering the house and now Slim and Jess clearly had something worrying them that they were hiding from her.
However, she had little time to think further as Mike was there, almost in tears and hugging Jess.
“Hey Tiger, what’s up?” Jess asked crouching down and putting a comforting arm around the child.
“I feel awful,” Mike said. “I was so likin’ hanging out with Clay I was real mean to you...I’m so sorry Jess! You’re my best friend in the whole world and I thought you’d gone away because of me,” he finished on a sob.
Jess held him close, “Hey Tiger I weren’t bothered. I guess Clay was kinda new and interesting…I understand, really, I do.”
Later once they had all retired for the night Jess stretched out on his bed and said, “OK I’m listening’.”
Slim sat down heavily on his own bed and studied the floor for a good minute before he finally peered over at his buddy and said, “He’s blackmailing me, Jess.”
Jess sat up looking deeply shocked, “Wha...? Mr straight as a die; honest and true Slim Sherman? What on earth could he have on you?”
“It was in the war...Hell Jess this is so hard for me.”
“Just spit it out. I won’t judge you...dang it you know that dontcha?”
“OK, so Major Henry Pendleton was our CO and he was stationed at the fort with a young wife, half his age...Delilah.”
“Nice name,” Jess said with a smirk. “So did she live up to it?”
“What betraying a lover? She sure did, well she betrayed her husband anyways,” he said bitterly, “and more than once.”
Jess hid a smile, “Go on this is gettin’ kinda interesting.”
Slim just rolled his eyes and continued. “She took lovers as a matter of course. Everyone knew except that poor bastard Pendleton... And he might have had his suspicions, but kept them to himself for the sake of propriety I guess.”
“So how did she get away with it?” Jess asked.
“She earmarked a young officer and got him to go to their quarters to allegedly do odd jobs for her. Then when things were getting kinda hot Delilah would head off to her friend’s place in town...and low and behold the latest beau would be due leave and he’d head off to town too. It didn’t take us too long to figure it out.”
Jess narrowed his eyes, “So where do you fit into all this?”
Slim sighed deeply, “One day I got a message she wanted to see me to help her out with a broken windowpane...except there wasn’t a broken window and her husband was out on maneuvers.”
Jess was openly grinning now, “So what did she really want?”
“Want do you damn well think?” Slim said angrily.
“So?”
“So, I turned her down of course. Well Jess, they say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...and she was mad... real mad.”
“Maybe you should have just done as she asked, done your duty, you might have enjoyed it,” Jess said chuckling now.
“Goddamn it will you take this seriously!” Slim barked. “I wasn’t brought up that way, to go having affairs with married women. Besides I liked the Major he was kind and fair and he sure as hell didn’t deserve that.”
“OK I can see that,” Jess said sobering, “so what happened?”
“She was saying that if I wouldn’t keep her bed warm there were hundreds of others who’d oblige...and then the door was flung open and the Major was standing there, he’d heard everything.”
“Jeez!”
“Yeah, anyway he just turned to me and said, ‘This is not your fault Sherman you may go’ and so damn it I went,” Slim said shaking his head at the memory.
“Well, that’s not so bad. So, what has Brady got over you?”
“I’m not finished yet Jess. I guess that was the last straw for the Major, you could hear him bellowing down the corridor...calling her every name under the sun, then lots of door slamming. She left and the Major got drunk. Hell, he was still pretty drunk when we went out on patrol the next day...but not so drunk that he didn’t see the dangers.”
“Huh?”
“There was a Confederate platoon heading our way, the scouts had said it was way too large for us to take on...but the Major attacked anyway. It was purely a suicide mission Jess.”
Jess turned pale, “I remember hearing about that almost everyone was killed, weren’t they?”
“By the time the Major gave the order to retreat there were only ten of us left standing; out of twenty-five...only five of us made it back to base Jess...not including the Major, he died out there.”
Jess let out a low whistle, “That’s too bad...so you think he was committing suicide?”
“I know it. He left a note...I just couldn’t figure why he took the rest of us with him...maybe some sort of payback as a few of them had uh, ‘entertained’ his wife.”
Jess shook his head in disbelief, “But hell none of that was your fault Slim, you can’t be blamed...held responsible.”
“That’s not the way some folk saw it. They reckoned that if I’d just done as Delilah wanted her husband would have been none the wiser and life would have gone on as usual...as it was, twenty good men lost their lives that day.”
“Yeah, well hind sight’s a great thing. You couldn’t have known that would happen Slim and you did the right thing, morally. Anyway, the war was a long time ago...nobody will think any the less of you now, even if he does spill the beans.”
“Somebody will,” Slim said. “You know Hank and Annie Harrison over at the Crooked Y?”
“Sure...”
“They lost their only two sons in the war...never got over it. Their boys, Les and Pete were killed on that patrol. How could I ever face them again?”
Jess opened his mouth to say it would be OK. Old Hank would understand, but he knew in his heart of hearts he wouldn’t. Never a day went by when Hank didn’t tell anyone who would listen how much he missed his beloved boys...how cruel war was to have taken them from him in their prime. Oh no Hank would make it his duty to blacken Slim’ s name throughout the town and Jess just knew it.
His face took on a determined look, “We’ll just hafta git rid of the bastard,” he said.
“I hope you don’t mean what I think you mean,” Slim said looking perturbed.
“You got a better idea?”

Chapter 8
As it happened it was Jess who eventually had a better idea, but Slim wasn’t any too keen on it.
“Look all you hafta do is tell Mort everything, say you’re being blackmailed and he’ll run Brady out of town.”
“Oh sure, and Brady will go straight to the press. He’s already hinted to the editor of the Sentinel that he might have a sensational story for him one day soon.”
“Well at least get some advice from Mort huh?”
“Slim shook his head I just can’t face Mort, it was bad enough telling you.”
“Alright damn it I’ll ride in,” Jess said quickly. “And no, I won’t tell him any details, just say we want Brady gone and need his backing.”

*******
“I’m sorry Jess there just isn’t a thing I can do...there’s no actual evidence that he’s blackmailing Slim and you won’t give me any details so what am I to do?”
“Well tell him it’s an offense...hell I don’t know Mort you’re the law around here!”
“If Slim wants to come and make a statement then the matter can go to court and if there is a positive outcome then of course Brady would be jailed...that’s the best I can do.”
“Oh sure, and then he gets his way. It’ll be headlines for weeks with everything Slim wants kept under wraps out in the open.”
“Look Jess aren’t you getting this all out of proportion? Maybe Slim misunderstood and it was just a bit of banter. I must say I’ve met Clay on several occasions and he seems a really nice guy.”
Jess opened his mouth to speak, but Mort held his hand up, “Let me finish. It’s not just me that thinks he’s a good man...the town council thinks he’s wonderful too. He donated a considerable sum to the orphanage you know Jess. Plus, I know for a fact that most of the local land owners think very highly of him. I should think long and hard before you start upsetting them, could be bad for business.”
“So, you’re saying you won’t help.” Jess asked coldly.
“I’m saying my hands are tied right now Jess.”
“OK so don’t be surprised if I take matters into my own hands then Mort,” he said angrily. “And this is one time you’re not gonna be relyin’ on Slim to get me to simmer down because he’s as dang mad at the guy as I am!” and with that he stormed out.
On his way back to the ranch he decided to call in at the Last Drop saloon, knowing that Clay would be drinking there as Tom had banned him from the Laramie Saloon. As he entered, he saw Clay with a bunch of his drinking buddies at the bar. Yup, Jess had to admit, the guy sure was a smooth operator. Not only had he made friends of all the movers and shakers in Laramie, but had also managed to inveigle himself into the confidence of the no-hopers who drank in that low dive. Doubtless counting on their support should he need any extra muscle power, but their sort didn’t bother Jess one iota.
He marched over to the bar a determined look in his eyes and Clay turned to greet him, that oh so fake smile on his face, “Why Jess good to see you, what are you drinking?” he asked affably.
“I’d rather sleep in a nest of rattlers than drink with you Brady,” Jess declared dispassionately.
There was a rustle of comment at this and the more sober amongst them backed off knowing what Jess was like.
He walked up to Brady until they were just a foot or so apart and glared at him.
“Seems I didn’t make myself clear the other night, over that business with my gal. So, let’s be quite sure you understand me. You do anything to upset Slim Sherman and you’ll have me to deal with...you understand? Do what you’ve been threatening to do and you’ll live to regret it. Is that plain enough for you huh?”
Brady nodded, “Sure Jess loud and clear.”
Jess threw the other drinkers an angry scowl before turning on his heal and leaving.
It was the following afternoon when Mort rode onto the ranch and tethered his old buckskin to the hitching rail and called out a ‘Howdy.’
After a few minutes both men emerged from around the back of the house where they’d been fixing some loose boards on the back porch.
They made the Sheriff welcome although they were still a little annoyed by his lack of support. However, Mort being Mort quickly came to the point.
“Thought I’d drop by and try and mend a few fences. I’m real sorry I couldn’t help you out over this business with Clay Brady. Believe me I really am on your side...just bound by the constraints of the law, you know how it is?” he added throwing Slim a hopeful glance.
Slim gave him a slow smile, “I guess I understand Mort. Maybe we should forget it, for now at least.” Then looking slightly apprehensive changed the subject quickly.
“I reckon the fish are biting down at the creek if you’re free?”
“Sure am, it being Sunday,” Mort agreed, glancing over to where Jess was also looking rather pensive.
“That OK with you Jess?”
“Uh, yeah, of course,” he said quickly.
“I could just have a quick word with Clay,” Mort suggested as an afterthought, “is he here?”
He looked over at Jess again and saw a look of disquiet flash fleetingly across his face before he recovered and said, “Nope ‘fraid not Mort, he’s probably at the Last Drop.”
“We’ve been out all morning,” Slim added quickly, “he wasn’t around when we got back at noon, must have gone out some place.”
Mort just nodded, but sensed something wasn’t right. Jess looked positively guilty and even Slim looked kind of anxious...he figured all this business was really getting to them.
“I’ll just put old Buck up in your barn out of the heat if you don’t mind?” He said.
Jess moved to take the horse in but Mort kept hold of him, “It’s OK Jess, I reckon he knows his way,” he said with a chuckle...as the old horse started towards the barn followed by the men.
“You’ll hafta put him in the far stall,” Jess said, “we’ve got one of the stage line horses laid up in his usual stall, come up lame.”
Mort removed the saddle and was just coming out of the stall when something caught his eye right at the back of the barn. The object of his interest was covered over with a blanket and partially hidden. He wandered over and nudged the colorful blanket with the toe of his boot.
“Hello what’s this?” he asked turning to where Jess and Slim had come over to take a look too.
Jess looked puzzled, “That’s Snowbird’s best blanket what’s it doin’ down there?”
He bent to retrieve it, and then jumped back in horror.
Concealed beneath the blanket lay the very dead body of Clay Brady...his chest peppered with multiple bullet wounds.
All three men stood staring down in total shock before Mort cleared his throat and said, “OK so what do you two know about this?”
Slim and Jess exchanged a guilt ridden look before Slim said, “Nothing, nothing at all Mort, this is as big a surprise to us as it is to you.”
Mort made a noncommittal grunt that could have meant anything and then turned to Jess.
“Jess...well?”
“Like he said,” Jess replied, “I don’t know what happened.”
“Well why are you both looking so dang guilty Mort exploded...and you didn’t want me in here either did you Jess huh?”
Jess shrugged, “I guess not...”
“So, spill…”
“OK…OK, me and Clay had words this morning, about the blackmailing business and he got real mad and said he was goin’ to ride in and talk to you, give his side of the story. Well, I guess I saw red and kinda punched him...just the once though, that’s all...honest.”
“Kinda punched him?” Mort asked peering down at the corpse, “It looks like you did a hell of a lot more than that Jess.”
“That weren’t me I swear it. OK, I knocked him out, but he was fine when I left him, was cussin’ saying he was still gonna tell you everything. I thought he might still be in here and didn’t want you talking to him...not right now. I figured I could persuade him to change his mind. He had a bottle of rye this morning and looked like he could start drowning his sorrows...and I figured he might be sleeping it off, that’s all.”
“So where do you fit into all this Slim?” Mort asked, “It seems to me you’ve got the most to lose in all this business. I know you were real upset about it. I heard some of what you said to Clay back at the jail. So, I have to ask...were you desperate enough to do this?” he asked raising an eyebrow.
Slim looked deeply shocked, “How can you even think that?”
“Yeah Mort, the guy ain’t even wearing his gun-belt,” Jess chipped in, “neither of us would murder someone in cold blood this way, no matter what; and you know that!”
“I guess I do,” Mort said, “but we’re going to have one hell of a job convincing anyone else on that score.” Then he looked hopeful, “Where’s Miss Daisy did she see anything...or the boy?”
Slim shook his head, “Nope Daisy and Mike went off to Church early and then they were attending a social, staying in town overnight.”
“We slept in,” Jess added, “and anyway we had some chores to attend to here.”
“So where were you this morning...he’s not cold yet so this must have happened today sometime.”
“There was a fence down over on the east pasture a neighbor reported it,” Slim said, “so I was over there all morning and Jess went fishing.”
“We tossed for it and I won,” Jess added.
“So, if you were down at the creek, did you hear anything Jess?”
Jess shrugged, “Some gunshots sure, but I thought it was just Slim or Clay rabbiting...we were making supper tonight with Daisy being away.”
“Can anyone verify your stories?” Mort asked, trying hard to forget these were two of his closest friends and falling back on legal talk.
“You mean do we have alibis?” Jess asked angrily, “Nope we don’t...didn’t figure we’d be needing one when we got up this morning...sorry we can’t oblige Sheriff.”
“Look I’m sorry Jess, but I have to keep this all legal and above board, especially with you and Slim being such old friends. I can’t afford to be accused of favouritism and not doing my duty.”
“God forbid that,” Jess muttered sarcastically.
“So, you’re taking us in then Mort?” Slim asked looking resigned and ignoring his pard.
“I’m afraid so and let’s just hope someone is able to confirm where you were. If not, you’ll have to stay in custody until I can approach the judge to grant you bail. If he will,” he added unhappily.

Chapter 9
As it turned out Slim had been seen mending the fence by his neighbor who was happy to confirm that he saw Slim leave his work shortly before noon, just as he had said...
Seeing as how Mort had arrived just half an hour later and the body was almost cold, he deduced that Slim was innocent of any crime and free to leave.
Things were not as straight forward for Jess however and Mort had reluctantly had to jail him until the Judge could ride over and grant bail, ‘or not’ as Mort had added.
Slim was furious at Jess’s incarceration and turned-on Mort, once his pard was lying on the cell bunk and out of earshot.
“I just can’t believe you’ve done that Mort; you know as well as I do that Jess wouldn’t gun down a man in cold blood that way.”
Mort shook his head, “I have to do my duty Slim. You saw the crowd that gathered when we rode in with Brady’s body, they were practically baying for blood. The guy might not have lived here long but he was really well liked. I’m just glad they don’t know the circumstances of his death, where he was found. At the moment they just think that you and Jess are helping me sort everything out because he was working for you.”
“But once they know Jess is in jail it will be another story,” Slim said furiously, “Hell Mort you know he threatened to kill Brady in front of witnesses on more than one occasion, folk are going to start thinking the worst.”
Mort sighed, “You’re right of course, I’ll go let Jess out of the cell and just keep him by me in the office at least that way folk won’t think he’s a suspect.”
“And so, is he... in your book Mort?”
Mort shook his head, “Sadly, in the absence of anyone else he has to be. Everyone around here liked Clay, it was only you and Jess that had the means, motive and opportunity and the Judge will have to know that.”
Luckily Judge Hanson arrived in record time and knowing Slim and Jess he agreed with Mort that neither was a cold-blooded killer...But yes, the circumstances were very difficult.
“I have to go through the motions and declare that you are a possible murder suspect but that you can be released on bail. That will become public knowledge in a day or so,” the Judge added. “It has to be registered you see and the press are bound to get hold of it. That will doubtless cause some bad feeling in the town so I need you to keep a very low profile, Jess. Stay in Slim’ s custody on the Ranch...and that’s an order young man,” he added frowning at Jess.
“OK, OK I hear you,” Jess said moodily. “So, what are we gonna do to find the real killer huh?”
“Well, if he is capable of molesting Miss Johnson as you say Jess and also blackmailing Slim, then I imagine it isn’t the first time that he’s broken the law. It is very possible he has some kind of criminal record behind him and made a good few enemies in the bargain I would reckon.”
Then turning to Mort said, “Sheriff, maybe you could look into that? In the meantime, I set a date for the trial two weeks from today.”
Then addressing Jess said, “I’m afraid you will have to stand trial and give your evidence Jess in the absence of any other possible perpetrators. Good day gentlemen.” And he was gone...
“That’s great,” Jess said looking hard done by. “So, I’m gonna hafta stand trial for something I didn’t do?”
“Just be glad he’s granted you bail, Jess, he didn’t have to. I reckon it’s only the fact that you’ve deputized for me so many times that swung it. Now you stay at the ranch like he said because you may not be any too popular with a few people once this gets out, like the Judge says.”

*******
“I really don’t think I can go away with all this terrible business hanging over Jess,” Daisy said to Slim over breakfast the following day...
Mike and Jess had made an early start on mucking out the barn and Slim and Daisy were sitting, lingering over their coffee cups.
“You and Mike always go and stay with your sister in Cheyenne in the school Fall half term,” Slim said smiling at her. “Jess doesn’t want you to change that. Besides it will do Mike good he’s been pretty cut up by all this business...he was really fond of Clay.”
“Well, he certainly took me in,” Daisy said looking upset, “I’d no idea about all this blackmailing business, and then dear Millie confided in me too, told me what he did. So, it was all true…the things you and Jess were saying about him. The reason you moved him out to the bunk house too.”
“I’m afraid so Daisy, but Mike needn’t know all about that…he’s way too young to understand.”
“Oh yes of course, he won’t hear it from me. However maybe that’s another reason to take him away, the gossip is spreading through town, like wildfire. Some folk are saying terrible things about Jess.”
Slim nodded looking suddenly anxious, “Yes I know, Mort was by the other day and told me.”
Then he shook his head, “Some folk have got real short memories around here. It wasn’t so long ago he was covering for Mort and foiled that raid on the Bank! Darn it he was hailed a hero then!”
“Yes, and he will be again. It’s just a few of the petty criminals that seem to be shouting the loudest. The sensible ones know Jess wouldn’t kill like that.”
“I sure hope so,” Slim said quietly.
Then rallying said, “You go pack Daisy and I’ll tell Mike the good news.”
“If you’re really sure we should go?”
“Of course I am. Anyway, Jess reminded me that you always make a start on the Christmas shopping over in Cheyenne and we sure wouldn’t want you to put that on hold,” he said with a big grin and a wink.
*******
It was late afternoon two days after Daisy and Mike left for their holiday. Jess and Slim were working in the barn, putting the horses up for the night and arguing as to who should cook supper when they heard the sound of several horses hurtling down the rise and into the yard.
“What the hell?” Jess said raising an eyebrow as they hurried to the barn door.
Across the yard Mack Stringer and several of his cronies, from the Last Drop saloon quickly dismounted. Then they walked over, all bearing arms. Stringer and his buddy Pete Davies actually pointing their rifles at Slim and Jess, who were unarmed...
“What’s all this Stringer?” Slim asked gruffly.
“We’re here to see Harper,” Stringer replied equally acerbically.
“Well, yer seein’ me,” Jess said coming forwards, “what do you want Stringer...and stop waving that dang rifle about,” he added irritably.
The other dozen or so men advanced one holding a length of rope with a noose and stood looking menacing
“Come to see justice done for what you did to Clay,” Stringer replied. Then turning said to the man with the rope, “Go get him Bud...men...”
The men surged forward, but Jess wasn’t about to take this lying down and he and Slim waded in sending men sprawling right, left and centre with well-aimed punches...until Stringer finally took control again. Three men had managed to hold Slim down, and now Stringer let off a volley of shots and turning his gun on Slim, yelled, “Stop right there Harper, or your partner gets a bullet through the head.”
Jess shrugged off the men who had surged forward to hold him and stared at Slim and Stringer for a moment before saying, “You really are lookin’ to die hard ain’t you Stringer!”
“ It ain’t me who’s going to be hung high,” the ugly ginger-haired man replied his florid face flushing even more.
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Jess muttered, “when the law finds out what you’ve done, I guess you’ll all be heading for the gallows.”
There were some feet shuffling and muttered comments from the amassed company. Several of them were only there because they were pretty drunk and had been carried away by Stringer’s impassioned speech back in the saloon. How Harper needed to pay for what he’d done to their good buddy Clay...but now...maybe they weren’t quite so sure?
“Don’t listen to him,” Stringer barked, “we’ll be long gone before anyone finds out about this...besides we’re just doing what that bastard Cory should have done all along.”
Then turning to his buddy said, “Go get his horse Pete…let’s get on with it.”
Traveller was still hitched at the rail, not yet in the barn, as Jess had been about to ride out and fetch the house cow in. Now he was led over to the home pasture where there were several huge old pines.
Stringer selected one with a suitable branch and slung the rope over it...then turning to where Slim and Jess stood nearby, rifles trained on them said, “OK Harper git up in the saddle.”
Jess and Slim exchanged an anxious glance.
“What if I don’t wanna,” Jess growled.
“Like I said Harper, your pard there will get a bullet...that what you want huh?”
Jess sighed and walked slowly over to Traveller, where Pete Davies put the noose around his neck; then shoved his rifle in Jess’s back urging him to mount up.
Once he was seated, he spoke softly to his good old horse, “Steady Trav,” he whispered.
Then there was a commotion over by the fence as Slim jerked free, “Let him go Goddamn you Stringer!”
“Shut it Sherman or your next,” the other retorted angrily.
Then he raised his gun, knowing that the shot would spook the horse and Harper would swing.
However, at the very last minute there was the thunder of fast approaching hooves and all turned to the rise where a posse of riders could be seen galloping in at speed.
Recognizing the Sheriff’s buckskin, one of the more drunken members of the lynch mob opened fire on the Sheriff and his men...then all hell was let loose.
Traveller was startled and reared before leaping forwards. The slack of the rope was taken up as Jess was propelled from the saddle and whisked upwards to hang by his neck from the noose.
Now that Slim’ s guards were actively involved in gun-play with the Sheriff’s posse, he tore across the field to where Traveller had come to a standstill nearby. He leaped into the saddle and galloped across to where Jess was hanging from the tree.
Reaching up from the saddle he was able to release the noose and Jess just seconds later.
He slithered down from Slim’ s grasp where he lay immobile on the ground. Slim quickly dismounted and threw himself to his knees by his pard...who was a terrible blue colour...and gasping for air.
Slim rubbed Jess’s back saying softly, “It’s OK Jess, it’s OK now just breath huh.”
Jess coughed and panted, the colour finally started returning to his cheeks...and he coughed some more, his eyes streaming.
“I’m dang well tryin’ to,” he groaned weakly.
Luckily Stringer’s audacity and stupidity were only equaled by his sad lack of knowledge regarding the art of how to hang a man successfully. The noose was in the wrong position to break Jess’s neck; and the drop the wrong height and so thankfully all he suffered was a badly grazed neck and sore throat for a week or so.
Both men looked over to the yard where the shoot-out seemed to be over and Slim stood up and helped Jess to his feet.
“Let’s go see what’s happening pard and find out what the Sheriff has to say about all this huh.”
Mort Cory had plenty to say on the matter and he didn’t mince his words. He said that the main perpetrators would be up on an attempted murder charge and the others could probably look forward to at least twelve months hard labour in prison for aiding and abetting. So, it was a very down-beat group of men who were escorted back to town by Mort’s Deputy and the posse.
Back in the ranch house Slim cracked open a bottle of Red-eye and Jess addressed the Sheriff.
“So, what kept ya Mort?” he whispered with a cheeky grin...one hand massaging his painful neck.
“I’m sorry Jess. I only got wind of the lynching party at the eleventh hour and I came as soon as I could.”
“And thank God you did,” Slim said topping up their glasses. “That was a bit too close for comfort.”
“You can say that again,” Jess muttered darkly, and then gasped and put a hand to his neck again.
“We’d better get you to the doc,” Slim said looking sympathetic.
However, Jess just shook his head, “Ain’t like it’s the first time...I’ll be OK,” he whispered hoarsely.
Slim rolled his eyes and exchanged an irritated look with Mort but said nothing.
Then he said, “So, is there any news for us Mort?”
The Sheriff’s rugged features lit up in a huge smile, “Indeed I have. I was going to come by later today anyway. It seems the Judge was right; Brady had been in trouble before and then some! Seems he swindled the life savings from a guy over in Denver. Sold him shares in a mine that didn’t exist and then hightailed it out of town…He laid a false trail and then paid folk to say he’d been sighted down in Texas; so, the trail went cold. I guess that’s when he headed our way. The old guy was in a wheel chair anyway...so he certainly can be ruled out as being responsible for killing Brady.”
“Great,” Jess said looking miserable.
“Hey wait up, I haven’t finished,” Mort said raising a hand. “That wasn’t all he got up to. Seems he stole the wife of the man he was working for over in Denver...seduced her and then a few weeks later dumped her once the novelty wore off.”
“The Hell he did,” Jess said quietly.
“It gets worse,” Mort said, “it seems this female was totally besotted with him and when he threw her over, she went and drowned herself.”
Jess and Slim were speechless until Slim finally managed, “So this guy, the husband was gunning for him maybe, wanted revenge?”
“It looks that way, yes. I figure that’s why Brady rode down this way to put some space between them. I suppose he thought he’d be safe enough out here. According to the deputy over in Denver he was apparently wanted in several other States for similar offenses, blackmail, rape...even arson.”
“What…good ol’ nice Mr Brady?” Jess whispered with a grim smile.
“Wait for the best bit,” Mort said openly grinning now. “Apparently this Chas Mason, the husband of the woman who killed herself, was here in town just the day before Brady was shot. A friend of his who was just passing through Laramie saw Brady in the Last Drop saloon and sent a wire to Mason to tip him off, according to Tom. It seems this Mr Mason came over to Laramie on receipt of the wire and asked at the Laramie saloon of Brady’s whereabouts. Well Tom was none too friendly, seeing as what happened to Miss Millie at the hands of Brady. But he did tell him Brady was at the Sherman spread. So, it looks like he came right over, the following morning to get his revenge.”
“Well why the hell didn’t Tom say something!” Jess cried and then clutched his throat in agony. “Tom should have told ya,” he added in a croaky whisper.
“Take it easy Jess,” Slim admonished, “you’ll only make it worse yelling that way...”
Jess took another sip of his whiskey to help alleviate the pain some and then said, “Well?”
“Tom didn’t say anything earlier because we didn’t know anything about all this until just recently. He just thought he was some guy wanting to catch up with an old friend; ain’t no harm in that. Then of course Tom has been sick since the day of the murder, only just back at work and that’s when he realized what might have happened and came to see me.”
“You’re sure it’s the same guy?” Slim asked.
“As sure as I can be, yes... you see Tom told me he was staying at the Hotel. I went to see him, but he’d checked out. Lon and I asked all around town, but nobody had seen him leave...he was on horseback, that we do know, but what direction he was heading in after he left here, having allegedly killed Clay Brady, is anybody’s guess.”
“That’s not good,” Slim muttered seeing their glimmer of hope disappearing fast.
“Don’t worry,” Mort said reassuringly, “I’ve wired all the Lawmen within a week’s ride. Plus, Lon is busy distributing Wanted posters...we’ll catch up with him...sooner or later.”
“Hell Mort, have you forgotten I stand trial next week and am looking at the business end of a rope iffen he can’t be located...I guess sooner or later just ain’t good enough,” Jess growled.

“I’m sorry Jess it’s the best I can do right now. I can’t go off on a wild goose chase; I do have a town to keep in order you know.”
Jess opened his mouth to say, “No, but I could go look,” and then closed it again...knowing what Mort would say... he was on bail with strict instructions not to venture beyond Sherman land.
“I’m sorry,” Mort repeated, “but my hands are tied right now, we’ll just have to hope for the best,” and with that he took his leave.

*******
“Are you crazy...no way,” Slim said later once Mort had ridden out.
“Look…whose gonna know except you? You know we got that wire from Daisy saying Mike had the chicken pox so they’d hafta stay a while longer over in Cheyenne...so like I say, there’s only you to know that I’ve gone AWOL”
“That’s not the point Jess…and what if someone does find out, you’ll be in deep trouble and I’ll have to pay out $500!”
“But that’s only if I don’t get back in time for the trial; and I will,” Jess croaked.
“Where will I say you are? Mose is bound to ask for starters.”
“Say I’m sick...got taken bad after that necktie party...hell Slim use yer imagination.”
“Dadgum it, Jess, what makes you think you’ll be any better at finding him than all the local lawmen? Tell me that!” Slim asked in exasperation.
“Because,” Jess said grinning at his pard, “they ain’t got a criminal mind like I have. I know exactly where I’d go if I were on the run...and that’s the way I aim to go. I’ll find him, don’t you fret!”

Chapter 10
Jess left later that very afternoon.
“At least wait until tomorrow,” Slim pleaded, “sleep on it huh?”
“No time pard, besides I need to go to Laramie and I figure I’d be better going in under cover of darkness huh.”
Slim merely rolled his eyes and said, “You’re plumb crazy, you know that?”
It was dusk when Jess took a turning off the Laramie Road and cut across land, arriving at the rear of the livery without being seen.
As he had hoped old Bert was busy feeding the horses and bedding them down for the night and was unaware of Jess’s presence as he snuck in through the back door.
After a minute he gave a low whistle and when Bert’s head came up, he called softly, “Back here Bert.”
The old timer came out of a stall and wandered over to where Jess was standing in the shadows.
“Hello Jess, you gave me a start,” he said giving him a toothless grin. Then he frowned slightly, “I thought you were confined to barracks right now son...released on bail huh?”
Jess grinned down at him, “I guess I went AWOL Bert. See I’m tryin’ to clear my name, locate the real guy who killed Clay Brady...Because iffen I don’t I’m gonna be looking at the business end of a rope myself ...so will you help me?”
“Why sure Jess, I never believed all that about you killing that Clay in cold blood anyways...it’s not your style.”
“Thanks Bert... so what I need to know is what kinda horse that Chas Mason was riding and do ya know where he was heading, huh?”
“What, you think that guy was the murderer?” Bert asked looking deeply shocked.
“Looks that way...so the horse Bert?”
“Well, that’s easy enough he was riding Charlie, a lively Pinto; a hire horse from the Cheyenne livery. He rode out early last Sunday...said he’d some business to attend to and he’d be returning the hire horse after that. He was really after a mount to buy, but I had nothing...so told him to ask Bill over in Cheyenne when he returned Charlie.”
“So, what did the guy look like?” Jess asked.
“That’s easy too,” Bert replied, “tall skinny and very pale blond hair almost white...real unusual.”
Jess thanked Bert and rode out at once heading for Cheyenne. It was a mild, moonlit night and he rode on through the hours of darkness and only stopped to rest at dawn.
Now he had a quandary to face, how to get to see his good friend, Sherriff Doug Masters without being seen.
Not only did Millie’s Ma live there, but Daisy and Mike were still in town.
But time was of the essence if he was going to track down Chas Mason before the trial, so he just had to bite the bullet and ride in. He sure didn’t know how Doug would react, whether he’d turn him in or not...but he had to take that chance.
It was still early when he walked into the Sheriff’s office to find Doug with his feet up on the desk enjoying the first coffee of the morning.
He looked deeply shocked when Jess walked in as bold as brass...and just stared at him for a moment before his handsome features relaxed into a welcoming grin, “I take it you’re not here to give yourself up then Jess?”
Jess gave him a hard stare and said, “Nope…that a problem Doug?”
The Sheriff slid his feet off the desk and rose heading for the coffee pot on the stove. He poured one for Jess and passed it over, “I guess that depends,” he said finally, “on what you’re up to huh?”
“Well, I ain’t on the run, if that’s what yer thinkin’,” Jess said angrily. “And I don’t murder folk in cold blood Doug.”
“Yes I know that,” Doug said quietly, “that’s why I’ve not slung you in one of my cells already...so spill, what are you up to, huh?”
Jess relaxed and sitting down opposite his old friend said, “Sorry Doug, getting a bit strung out...I guess.”
“Can’t blame you for that,” Doug replied, “So according to a wire I received earlier today the possible suspect is one Chas Mason?”
“You got to read the wire just today?” Jess echoed.
“Yes, I’ve been away on business and dadgum it my deputy got sick...food poisoning; so, I’ve just been catching up on all my mail. I got one wire telling me about the murder at your place and how you were in the frame, plus notification from the Judge of your bail. Then I got this one about Chas Mason.
“So, you know him...seen him?”
“Sure, he landed in town late last Sunday...went over to the doc’s place where he treated him for a gunshot wound.”
“What?”
“Yup in his left arm...nasty...Doc came and reported it. It seems it was an accident... a friend’s gun went off by mistake. The Deputy made a note of it all; this was just before he got sick,” Doug added.
“And he believed him?”
“He had no reason not to Jess.”
“OK so do you know where he is now?”
Doug shrugged, “Nope, but I do know he had a word with the Padre, if that’s any help?”
“Thanks,” Jess said draining his cup and standing.
Then he threw Doug a quizzical look, “Am I free to go then Sheriff?”
“You know damn well you’re not,” Doug replied dead pan. Then grinning, “Go on git out of here...but make damn sure nobody sees you Jess, because if it’s reported that you are in town, I’ll have no choice other than to arrest you.”
Jess nodded, “I aim to find him and take him back in time for the trial Doug...I promise you that.”
“Good luck buddy,” Doug said as he showed Jess out the back door. Jess made his way down the back alleys until he arrived at the small Church on the edge of town, just hoping that the Rev Joshua Wesley would be in residence. He knew he split his time equally between Cheyenne and Laramie. He breathed a sigh of relief when he entered the Church and saw his old friend busy collecting hymn books.
He stopped at once and looked pensive when Jess strode in, before gathering himself and moving swiftly forwards.
“Jess my dear boy, please tell me you’re not on the run,” he said quickly...and then, “But if you are I offer you sanctuary...for as long as you may require it.”
“Thanks, but nothin’ like that Josh,” Jess said quickly. “I’m AWOL for sure...but there’s a means to an end. I’m tracking down the real killer and I think you may be able to help me?”
Joshua heard a sound outside and grabbing hold of Jess said, “Come with me,” and escorted him to the little vestry room off the main Church, “Stay here,” he whispered, “I’ll be back.”
Some five minutes later he returned...and said absently, “A flower arranger, she’s gone now. So, Jess, how may I help you?”
“Why yes the gentleman in question did visit ...but on a private matter Jess. You know I can’t reveal what passes between me and a member of my flock. A Confession is between me and God.”
“Yeah, well I just hope God sees fit to spare me,” Jess said hotly, “because I kinda doubt it if I can’t locate this guy.”
Joshua looked sorely tried, “Oh dear what a dilemma...”
“You can say that again,” Jess muttered darkly.
Joshua looked very thoughtful, “Whereas I cannot divulge what passed between us I can maybe tell you where to find him; if that would help. He mentioned it after his confession and didn’t tell me to keep it secret so.”
“So?” Jess asked encouragingly.
“I will tell you. You see Jess I do believe that Chas is innocent of the heinous crime which you think he carried out. I also believe he is in dire need of help. He gave me the impression that he might be thinking of ending it all. The poor man is grief stricken after the loss of his wife you see...and also upset about what happened between himself and Brady too.”
“Please Josh, just tell me will ya?” Jess said feeling even more desperate at this latest piece of information, now clouding the issue. Hell, if Chas weren’t responsible...then dang it all who was?
“I’m sorry, yes, of course. I suggested he go up to the shrine of St Jude over on the Red Mountain, if you’re not too late you may find him there. It is a place of such peace and tranquillity I thought he might be able to think things through up there. Maybe even benefit from some Divine guidance.”
“St Jude…he’s the patron saint of lost causes ain’t he?” Jess said with irony, “Kinda fittin’ huh?”
“He is also the symbol of choosing faith when all seems lost,” Joshua reminded him, “So yes, maybe it is rather fitting.”
Then he smiled warmly at his old friend, “God’s speed Jess, I will pray for you.”
It was a good day’s ride south west of Cheyenne and Jess decided to break his journey at the base of the mountain and travel up early the following morning to try and catch his quarry unaware.
He resumed his journey at first light, leaving Traveller to graze on a patch of lush grassland about half way up the incline and walked in the last half mile or so.
He and Mike had found the small shrine in a shallow cave on the hillside once on a hunting trip; so, he knew where he was heading.
He reached the mossy area where huge pines made a canopy above his head almost like a massive Church. Entering the place, he experienced a feeling of deep peace and tranquillity...almost as though the whole world was holding its breath waiting for some miracle to happen.
He shook his head at the fanciful notion and then noticed a horse tethered nearby and the remains of a campfire and figured Mason was somewhere close by.
He made his way over to the mouth of the cave, housing a painting of St Jude on its far wall against a backdrop of pale blue tiles. There was a small altar before it with a roughly hewn crucifix...otherwise the space was empty...save that of a kneeling figure praying before the altar.
Jess drew his gun and was just about to alert Mason to his presence when the man crossed himself and then rose and turned towards Jess. Then seeing the drawn gun, he collapsed to his knees again and whispered, “Thank God, my prayers have been answered.”
Jess looked puzzled at that and said, “They have?”
The other man nodded and standing said, “I am Chas Mason, I imagine you have come to arrest me for shooting Clay Brady? I have prayed that I will be found and delivered of my guilt. I have confessed to the Lord and now I must answer to the law.”
Jess nodded, “Yup, I’m Jess Harper and in the frame for his murder...so you admit it do ya?”
“To shooting him yes; murder no. It was self-defence Mr Harper.”
Jess holstered his gun, “I think you and me need to have a little talk,” he said.
Once Chas’ camp fire had been stirred to life and coffee dispensed he started his tale.
“I needed some sort of retribution for what he’d done to me...stealing my wife...and then treating her so badly that she killed herself.” He shook his head, sipping his coffee and looking devastated at the memory.
“I can see how you’d wanna git yer own back,” Jess confirmed.
“When I got the message from a friend that Brady had been seen in Laramie, I just downed tools and went looking. I guess I didn’t really have a clear plan. I just wanted to fight him I suppose. I’m not a violent man...in fact I hardly ever use a hand gun. Maybe that’s why I kind of over reacted.”
“Go on,” Jess said quietly, “tell me from the beginning... huh...” and he remembered how the perpetrator had emptied his gun into Brady’s chest... yup he agreed that was kinda over reacting.
“I went over to the Sherman ranch real early on the Sunday morning and lay in wait and heard you and Brady fighting. Then your partner rode out in one direction and you took your line and went over the fields at the back. I reckoned you’d both be gone a while...so that’s when I made my move.”
“Go on,” said Jess encouragingly.
“When I entered the barn Brady turned thinking it was you back again...but when he saw me you know what he did?”
Jess just shook his head and waited patiently.
“Dang it he laughed at me! OK I know I’m no shakes with a gun...fast drawin’ and all that just ain’t me. And I’m not a fighting man either...but that really riled me. He wasn’t wearing a gun so I went to punch him. Then quick as a flash he drew a derringer...must have had it hidden in his vest pocket.”
“The Hell he did,” Jess said looking furious, “devious bastard.”
Chas nodded, “I haven’t ever been shot before Mr Harper and I’ve never felt pain like it...that’s when I opened fire on him. I was that angry and hurtin’ so bad I just shot him and carried on firing until the gun was empty. But it was self-defence I swear, he opened on me first.”
“What happened to the derringer?” Jess asked
Chas looked thoughtful, “I’m not sure, I think I kicked it into the straw when I covered his body over. Then I sort of panicked...and headed over to Cheyenne...I just wanted to get away...I never thought you’d be implicated; really, I didn’t.”
“OK I believe ya...so if we get a report from the Cheyenne doc, confirming the gunshot wound was made by the derringer and we can locate it in the barn, I think you might just be let off the hook,” he said grinning, “me too.”
So it was that after a signed statement from the Cheyenne doc Jess made his way back to the ranch with Chas. When Slim was up to speed on the situation he rode into town for Mort. Then once the derringer had been located in his presence and a statement given by Chas he prepared to head back to town with his prisoner.
As he left, he turned to Jess with a quizzical glance and said, “I still find it kind of hard to believe Mason rode all the way back here to give himself up...without any prompting...maybe from you Jess?”
“But that would have meant breaking my bail,” Jess said looking the picture of innocence.
“Um, yes it would wouldn’t it,” Mort said casting him a hard look before mounting up... Then with a cheery, “See ya in court,” he headed off with Chas.
“He’s right you know Jess you did break the bail agreement and if Mort finds out for sure you’re in deep trouble.”
“Not half as deep as I would have been if I hadn’t,” Jess said lightly, “besides you know Mort’s motto, ‘the means justify the end’”
Slim just shook his head, but said nothing.
The trial was short and sweet with Jess being cleared of any crime. Then the Judge acquitted Chas on the presented evidence and ruled that he shot Brady in self-defence.
Later as Jess and Slim discussed the day, Slim said, “I guess we can forget about Brady now. He’s dead and buried, so I figure we can get on with our lives again...”
Jess sighed with relief, “Amen to that, let’s just forget him and move on huh pard.”
But unfortunately, life was not to prove quite so simple...

Chapter 11
It was just a week after the trial when Mose drove the stage into the ranch yard at speed, pulling up with a flourish just by where Jess was standing.
Before he could even offer words of welcome the old timer jumped down from the box and waved a copy of the Laramie Sentinel in front of his face.
“Have you seen the news? Dadgum it I’d never have believed it, if I hadn’t read it here,” he said all agape.
“Well, if it’s in that darned rag you probably can’t believe it,” Jess parried...then his interest was grabbed, “So what is it anyway?”
“Uh... is Slim about I guess he needs to see this too,” Mose said holding the paper just out of reach and enjoying his moment of power.
“Nope gone down the pasture to fetch the house cow...so what’s all this about Mose huh?”
The stage driver reluctantly handed over the paper and then watched Jess carefully for his reaction.
The headlines shouted out in inch high type Sherman’s Grim Secret Out!!! Then it went on to elaborate in gory detail the story of Slim and the Major’s wife. It told all about their affair, resulting in the heartbroken Major leading his troops out to certain death whilst his mind was in turmoil. Then it told how twenty good men died that day and all down to Sherman having a lurid affair with the good Major’s wife. She it seemed had been a true and faithful spouse until Sherman turned her head...pursuing her until she finally gave in to his advances.
“What the Hell!” Jess yelled his eyes almost black with fury, “I’ll kill whoever wrote these damn lies!”
“Too late,” Mose said complacently, “already dead Jess. Apparently, Brady left a letter for the Editor saying to open it if he should die.”
“OK well the damn Editor then,” Jess said, “this is liable and he damn well knows it. Good grief anyone that knows Slim must know this ain’t true.”
He then changed the team at top speed and Mose was ready to go just as Slim rode in; the house cow leading the way.
“You’re ready to roll, so git,” Jess said urgently.
“It don’t make any odds, he’ll find out eventually,” Mose said as he shook the reins and made off back up the rise.
“He was in a darned hurry,” Slim said as he slipped down from the saddle, “not been upsetting the old dog again have you, Jess?”
Jess just shrugged.
Then Slim reached across to take the paper Jess was trying to hide.
“So, what’s the latest news in town then?” he asked smiling at his pard.
“Ain’t none,” Jess said gruffly, holding onto the paper tightly, “I was just gonna rip it up for the outhouse, only thing this old rag is good for.”
“Hey don’t be so hasty,” Slim said now pulling the offending item from Jess’s grip, “I want to see how that auction at the flying B went, should be a report in here someplace. I do believe he got a good price for...”
Then he stopped, his face a picture of horror as he saw the headlines.
“Don’t read it Slim, it’s a load of lies,” Jess said quickly.
But he was too late, Slim was already marching over to the porch where he threw himself down on a chair and read the article over several times.
After a few minutes Jess went and joined him leaning on the porch rail, his expression angry.
“Apparently Brady wrote it...but that dang Editor printed it. I reckon you should go and see Benson Slim, and sue the bastard...get yer lawyer on it pronto!”
Slim put the paper aside and said, “Oh you can count on that, but I’ve got something I must do first.”
“What would that be?”
“I need to visit the Crooked Y, see Hank and Annie Harrison before I do anything else. As you know Jess, they lost their two boys Les and Pete on that patrol. I guess I should have told them about it years ago...but I figured it was hard enough on them losing their son’s that way without all the added stuff. Knowing about the Major being out of his right mind and leading us all into certain disaster. One that could have been avoided...talk about throwing good lives away,” he added miserably.
“I’ll come with you,” Jess suggested.
“There’s no need...”
“I think there is, I’m not leaving you to face this alone pard.”
“Thanks,” Slim said with the ghost of a smile.
As it was a Saturday Mike was around to help finish off the chores. He was fully recovered from the chickenpox and back home with Daisy. So, the two men rode out after breakfast, saying they had some business in town.
After a while Jess turned to Slim and said, “I’ve been thinking, maybe you should see that damn Editor and Benson too if ya need to...before you visit the Harrisons. Then at least you’ll be able to say the story is lies and yer suing that no good Sentinel...huh?”
Slim nodded, “Maybe you’re right and it’s kind of early to be calling on them anyways.”
Once they hit town the men marched purposefully into the offices of the Laramie Sentinel and were greeted by a pretty receptionist.
“Can I help you gentlemen?” she asked with a winsome smile.
“Where is he?” Jess barked.
The girl looked fearful, “Uh...who?”
“That lowlife who runs this pitiful rag Jess exploded...Larry Seddon of course.”
“Uh...he’s busy,” she said looking even more worried, “said he wasn’t to be disturbed.”
Jess ignored her and merely walked past the desk and threw the door to the back office open and barged in closely followed by Slim.
Seddon half rose from his desk his eyes widening in shock, but he rallied well and sat down again, when he saw who it was.
“I imagine you’ve seen today’s edition,” he said addressing Slim.
“Too damn right I have,” Slim growled, with uncharacteristic vehemence, “and I’m here to demand a retraction; it’s all a tissue of lies as I’m sure you’re aware!”
“But my dear chap,” Seddon said placatingly, “it came from a most reliable source right from one of your comrades who was present at the time.”
“Goddamn it man, surely you’re not paying any credence to a man who was wanted in three States for everything from blackmail and rape to arson are you?” Jess yelled angrily.
“I just print what people tell me Mr Harper. I can’t help it if you can’t deal with the truth.”
“You wouldn’t know the truth if it upped and bit ya on the butt,” Jess snarled.
Seddon ignored this and then turned to Slim, “So what do you propose to do Mr Sherman,” he asked with a sly smile, “sue me?”
“That’s exactly what I aim to do, if you refuse to print an apology and disclaimer,” Slim said, “I’m on my way to see Benson now in fact!”
Seddon sat up at that, previously thinking the two cowboys were just sounding off and would leave shortly to drown their sorrows in the saloon, as so often happened. Now however he realized he needed to think quickly and shock them into submission.
“Uh, maybe we could come to some arrangement...a cash incentive maybe.” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “This could be a great story...could run and run. But maybe if you were to donate something to the paper, say $500, well then, I could be persuaded not print a follow up...how would that suit you Mr Sherman?”
Both cowboys were totally shocked by the turn of events. But Jess was the first to recover and he lunged behind the desk dragging Seddon to his feet and with a fist balled below his chin growled, “You wouldn’t be trying to blackmail my partner would you Seddon?”
The older man quailed, not having been at the receiving end of Jess’s temper before and he back peddled quickly, “Uh no... of course not...but I’m sure we can come to some agreement?”
“Why dontcha just sit down there and write a retraction before I knock ya into next week?” Jess said pleasantly, “I guess me and Slim will agree to that.”
Seddon knew when he was beaten and he sure didn’t want to push the dark-haired rancher any further...even if printing a denial of the story content was the last thing he wanted to do. But there again, it looked like Sherman wasn’t bluffing either and he really couldn’t afford to go to court over the matter...the content being kind of questionable anyway.
He sighed loudly, “If that’s what you gentlemen would like of course...”
He was just putting pen to paper when the office door crashed open once more and Mort Cory stood there looking as mad as all get out and holding a copy of the Sentinel.
“What the hell’s the meaning of these lies!” he yelled, “I expect a retraction immediately!”
“Just doing it Sheriff,” the editor intoned wearily.
Then Mort noticed Slim and Jess and grinned broadly, “I see you’re already on the case,” he said.
Then turning to Seddon said, “Well git on with it man...we’re not leaving until we’re satisfied!”
Once the retraction and heartfelt apology were completed and destined for the front page of the next addition, the Sheriff and ranchers made their leave.
“That’s the trouble with blackmail,” Mort said quietly, “has a terrible way of getting out in the end.”
Slim nodded, “The truth of what really happened was bad enough, but that version, why it was just pure evil.”
Then he looked anguished, “Jeez, I sure hope the Harrisons haven’t learned about the whole sorry business through that damn paper,” then quietly, “I so wished I’d told them about it at the time.”
“I think you’ll find old Hank is a reasonable man,” Mort said, “I can’t say as how his Mrs will take it all. By all accounts she never talks about her boys...it’s almost like they never existed...kinda sad. Old Hank there is always talking about them...still the proud Pa. Sure, it will be a shock, but if you explain everything, he’ll listen; he’s a sensible man, like I say.”
“Come on Hardrock,” Jess said slapping Slim on the back, “let’s go get it over with huh.”
They rode into the Harrison’s yard sometime later and Hank wandered over to greet them from where he’d been sitting on the porch smoking his pipe.
“Slim, Jess good to see you...and I guess I know why you’re here…come sit a spell.”
The men hitched up and went over to sit in the shade of the porch and the first thing Jess saw was the discarded copy of the Sentinel on the porch floor.
Hank followed his gaze and said, “It’s on its way to the outhouse...comes in real handy there.”
“I’m with you on that one,” Jess said with a faint smile.
Slim could bear it no longer and said quickly, “It didn’t happen that way Hank I swear, that’s full of lies.”
“Of course, it is Slim. Well I know that.”
“You do?” Jess asked looking puzzled.
“Why sure…I’ve known about all that disgraceful business since the war.”
Then he smiled fondly at Slim, “No blame attached what so ever my boy. It was all down to the Major’s wife Delilah Pendleton...a real bad lot if ever there was one. She was the catalyst that caused that terrible tragedy.”
“How’d you know all this?” Slim whispered.
“Sargent Evans from your platoon visited me after the war, told me everything. He said as how you felt it would just make things worse for me and Annie if we knew about it. But he thought different...said it would come out sooner or later and I should know. So, I guess I’ve kinda come to terms with it over the years.”
“And your wife...has she?” Jess said softly, remembering what Mort had said about her.
Hank frowned, “Nope I’m afraid not. She never spoke of them from that day to this...kept it all bottled up inside see...just can’t deal with it I guess.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Slim said at once, “and so sorry I didn’t tell you the real story sooner Hank, I just thought I was doing the right thing...protecting you.”
“I know that boy and I understand. But this business is bad very bad, you’ve sorted it out, I hope? I should hate to think folk would think badly of you Slim.You were a good officer as was your Pa before you.”
“Thank you, Hank,” Slim said rising and shaking his hand. “And yes, don’t worry…a retraction and apology are due in the next edition, hopefully that will be an end of things”
The three men wandered across the yard to where Traveller and Alamo were hitched up and Hank said. “I’m sorry Annie hasn’t come out to see you, she’s off in the kitchen preparing for the Women’s Group Annual Fall Bake Show next week. Dadgum it, place is full of pies and pickles, jams and jellies...and not one of them am I allowed to eat!”
Jess chuckled, “Yup the same back at the ranch. Miss Daisy’s been cooking up a storm all week too... But at least I guess we’ll get to sample them at the show in town.”
“Indeed,” smiled Hank, “see you both there,” and they rode out.
Earlier back on the porch Annie held the Sentinel in her hands, her face anguished as she read the headline, before disappearing back into the house to read the story in secret away from her husband. The last thing she wanted to do was discuss the matter with Hank. Once she had read the terrible report she replaced the paper on the porch, intending to return to her baking. But these latest revelations were just too much for her and locking herself away in the bedroom she wept bitterly. How could that nice Slim Sherman have acted that way? His actions had cost her sons their lives she realized, the thought filling her heart with misery.
Unaware of her suffering, Hank went off to feed the chickens and revue his conversation with young Sherman...poor boy he thought. Who would have thought all that sorry business would be dragged up again after all these years and he shook his head sadly.
Then remembering the newspaper out on the porch, he rushed back to where Annie had so recently replaced it. Goddamn it the last thing he wanted was for his dear wife to find out about all this now. He’d protected her from the truth at the time and now these lies had to be gotten rid of quickly. He marched over to the hen house ripping up the paper as he went. It would make good bedding for the fowl he decided with a grim smile.

Chapter 12
The day of the women’s group Fall Bake Show dawned bright and sunny. Over breakfast Daisy discussed her hopes for the day and said whatever happens it’s been a real team effort this year.
“I can’t thank you boys enough for picking all those Blackberries for my jam,” she said casting them all a loving smile.
“Yer welcome,” Jess said kindly, thinking now probably wasn’t a good time to tell Daisy that Mike had actually picked half a can of highly poisonous berries before Slim had noticed and they’d been chucked away.
“I’m sure you’ll be the star of the show,” Slim said beaming at her.
“Do we get to try all the baking and stuff?” Mike asked hopefully.
“Well maybe after the judging is over,” Daisy said, “And don’t forget there is a children’s tent with a conjurer and story teller, out the back of the hall.”
As they rose to get the chores done, Slim said, “So are you looking forward to the storyteller then Jess?”
Jess pulled a face, “Nope what I WAS looking forward to was a nice romantic Saturday night with my gal,” he said softly, out of Daisy’s hearing.
“Oh, come on now don’t be a sore loser. We can’t both stay in town as someone’s got to drive Mike and Daisy back and I did win the toss.”
“Well maybe I can grab some time with Millie while the stuff’s bein’ judged,” he replied his eyes lighting up, “we don’t hafta be there for that do we Slim?”
“Well, I guess not.”
“That’s settled then,” and he sauntered off to muck out the barn; whistling happily.
“Gee Daisy there’s enough here to feed an army,” Jess said later as he helped Slim unload the buckboard outside the hall where the show was to take place.
“Well, I intend to sell some of the jam,” she said cheerfully, “to make some extra pin money for Christmas and you well know there are plenty more jars stacked up in the larder.”
They helped Daisy set up her table and Mike went off to the children’s area roped off behind the hall, leaving Jess and Slim to their own devices once everything was in place.
They stopped for a while chatting to friends and neighbors and then Jess jabbed Slim in the ribs with his elbow as he saw Hank and Annie Harrison approaching...and said, “Uh-uh...maybe trouble Slim.”
They turned and smiled in welcome and the couple responded smiling and coming over. Annie was very quiet, but then she always was Slim knew and eventually she wandered off to help Daisy organize the refreshment stall, leaving the men chatting.
“Is everything alright?” Slim asked Hank anxiously, eyeing the disappearing back of his friend’s wife.
“Oh yes Slim don’t fret...all forgotten as far as I’m concerned. I’m just sorry that no hoper Brady dredged everything up again and added his lies into the bargain. As to Annie bless her, she has no idea of all this business. I’ve kept her in the dark, right from when the Sargent told me everything. I thought it for the best, seeing as she’s quite highly strung.”
Jess and Slim gave a hearty sigh of relief, glad they could at last draw a line under the sorry business. Then after chatting a while longer, they waved to Daisy wishing her good luck and headed to the Laramie Saloon, for a drink and few hands of cards. Well Slim did anyway, sitting with friends and enjoying quite a few drinks and several hands of cards.
However, Jess merely sipped a glass of beer and spent all his time chatting to Millie between her serving customers. Then as the afternoon drew on, she had her break and the couple disappeared for a while. Slim grinned to himself, well at least his pard had enjoyed a little of Millie’s undivided attention in the privacy of her room, he thought. Then he smiled again as he remembered he had a night of passion with dear Lily to look forward to.
Finally, the time came for the results of the ladies Baking Show and Slim and Jess dragged themselves away from the bar along with other long-suffering males to find out the fate of their loved ones and friends.
As it happened Daisy received a First Prize for her Apple Pie, and highly commended for her Blackberry jam. Now she was enjoying holding forth with her cronies, congratulating or commiserating where appropriate.
So it was that Annie Harrison came forward from her place on the refreshment stall offering the men a cup of coffee.
Both agreed with alacrity and waited patiently whilst Annie went off to the kitchen to brew a fresh pot. In the meantime, Jess did the rounds of the different stalls enjoying sampling a slice of cake here and spoonful of pie there.
When he returned Slim was standing balancing two coffee cups and handed one over, “Here this one in the blue cup’s yours, Mrs Harrison said she’s given you extra sugar in,” he said rolling his eyes and wondering why all the ladies of a certain age seemed to spoil his pard rotten.

Jess thanked him and took the cup sipping the contents happily.
“Surprised you’ve got any room for it,” Slim said darkly, “the amount of stuff you’ve just put away.”
“Gotta be eaten or it’ll go to waste,” he said before draining his cup and looking around him hopefully for some more free snacks. However, that wasn’t to be, as he and Slim were side-lined into helping with the washing up.
“The sooner it’s done, the sooner we can get off home,” Daisy said cheerfully as she started packing up her stall.
It was about a half hour later that Jess began to feel kind of strange.
He’d finished his chores at the sink and gone out to seek out Daisy to see if she was ready to leave. Then all of a sudden, his vision became blurry and the light in the hall, after the dimly lit kitchen, seemed extremely bright. He rubbed his eyes and looked around him again...the light now quite painful to his eyes.
Then when he moved off in his search of Daisy he staggered and almost fell over, bumping into Slim.
“Hey Jess watch where you’re going,” Slim said impatiently. Then he looked more closely at his pard and saw him stagger again.
“Hey Jess are you OK?” he asked. Then smirking added, “I thought you were just having a nice little romantic session with Millie when you two lit out. But looks like you’ve been tipping the jug. Had a nice bottle of Rye up in her room, did she?” he asked openly grinning now.
“Wash, yer talkshing about?” Jess slurred looking angry and bleary eyed.
“What I’m talking about is that you’re drunk as a skunk Jess. Maybe we’d better go outside and get some fresh air before Daisy claps eyes on you huh?”
Jess sank down on a nearby chair and muttered, “I ain’t drunk...”
Slim hunkered down in front of his friend and looked him in the eyes; and drew back in shock, “Hell Jess what’s the matter with your eyes, they’ve gone all black.”
“Dunno,” Jess whispered taking off his hat and running a hand through his hair and then over his face, “kinda hot in here ain’t it?”
“You don’t look too good,” Slim said as Jess turned decidedly pale. “Maybe you’ve eaten too much huh...let’s get you outside Jess.”
By now they were attracting several onlookers including Daisy and Annie; having finished their stint on the refreshment stall.
“Whatever is the matter,” Daisy asked hurrying over, “is he ill?”
Slim shrugged, “I don’t know Daisy, but his eyes look really strange.”
Daisy took one look and said, “Oh my goodness...is Doc Sam still here?”
The call went up and moments later Sam was hunkered down beside Jess who was now beginning to mutter and groan clutching his stomach.
Sam did a quick examination and then said to Slim, “Help me get him over to my office Slim he needs treatment right away.”
Daisy looked anxious and said, “I’m, right aren’t I doctor...those dilated pupils, the fever, dizziness and now stomach pain?”
“I’m afraid so Daisy, it looks like poisoning of some sort,” and then Slim and the doc bore him away, half carrying the now semi-conscious Jess across the street to the doc’s office.
The door was opened by the doc’s daughter cum Nurse, Carrie, who gaped in shock at the sight of her dear friend. But she quickly recovered and helped him inside. Then she, the doc and Daisy disappeared into the doc’s office, leaving Slim standing in the hallway an anguished expression in his kindly blue eyes.
It was sometime later before the door opened again and Carrie emerged looking shaken.
Slim immediately went over and said, “Will somebody tell me what’s going on...what’s the matter with him Carrie?”
She took pity on him and once they were seated in the parlour she said gently “He’s been poisoned Slim.”
“What? That can’t be. No, you’ve got it wrong Carrie...he’s just been overindulging in the old whiskey...not to mention stuffing his face at the Bake Show. I reckon he’s just gotten a real bad case of indigestion.”
“No listen to me Slim. Pa is absolutely certain. At first glance I agree I thought it was overindulgence too. But since then, the symptoms are all those of poisoning from a plant-based source, some berries maybe like the Deadly Nightshade family. So, if anyone else comes forward with the same symptoms well maybe one of the jams was inadvertently tainted. Pa wants the Sheriff to check. But in the meantime, Jess is in a bad way.”
Slim could understand the sense in that garldarn it, hadn’t Mike picked some poisonous berries by mistake. Then he said “Well make him chuck it up, get rid of it all.”
“That’s what he’s been doing since he arrived,” she replied quietly. “But we still don’t know if he’s ingested a fatal dose, it’s in the lap of the gods now Slim... we just have to wait and see.”
“Can I see him?”
“Yes of course, come this way,” she said and then patting his arm gently said, “try not to worry, Jess is one tough cookie, we both know that.”
The room was dimly lit and Daisy was sitting close to the bed and had just placed a cool cloth on his forehead as Slim entered.
“He’s got a terrible headache,” she whispered as Slim joined her on the other side of the bed.
After a moment Jess’s eyes flicked open and then threw his buddy a hurt look, “I ain’t dang well drunk,” he whispered, “I’m sick.”
“I know, I know buddy, sorry I misjudged you,” Slim said quickly. “It could have been some tainted jam, Carrie said. Mort’s out checking for any other casualties right now.”
“Didn’t have any,” Jess said and then groaned clutching his stomach. “I only had apple pie and some of Daisy’s chocolate cake... Miss Jones’ cookies and... uh... Widow Greene’s Ginger cake, that’s all and they sure wouldn’t make me sick. It was deliberate Slim, someone’s out to get me.”
“Maybe it was someone holding a grudge...like those no hopers that tried to lynch you over Brady’s death,” Slim muttered.
But Jess was past talking and groaning again turned on his side bringing his knees up as he grimaced in pain.
“I think that’s enough talking,” Sam said coming over and checking his patient’s pulse.
“Try and get some sleep Jess,” and then he signaled for Daisy and Slim to accompany him out of the room and back to the parlour, where they sat down by the fire.
“Jeez he looks bad,” Slim muttered looking deeply upset.
“I’m afraid this is just the beginning. If he’s ingested what I think he has we’re in for the long haul here, I just hope he’s strong enough to cope,” Sam sighed.
“What do you mean doc?” Slim asked now looking really worried.
“Well, if things continue as for this type of poisoning, we can expect even more severe cramps, confusion...maybe leading to hallucinations.”
“What you mean? He’ll start seeing things...like pink elephants?” Slim asked, his only knowledge of that sort of thing being the stereotypical pink elephants as seen by some lifelong drunks.
“Oh, a lot worse than that,” Sam said looking troubled, “some truly terrifying visions...then rapid heart rate and...um, well let’s not pre-empt ourselves...he may indeed recover without getting any worse.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Slim asked his eyes wide with shock and never leaving Sam’s face.
“If not...then coma and death,” Sam replied quietly. “But it’s not inevitable Slim. It all depends on the strength of the dose and Jess’s ability to keep fighting.
Just then the housekeeper, Mrs Hudson entered showing in the Sheriff.
“How is he?” he asked.
“About the same...maybe a tad worse,” Sam said honestly.
“I see...well it looks like your instinct was right doc, it seems to be a one-off case...nobody else has gotten sick.”
“Plus, he said he ate nothing with berries in. So, we’re back to square one,” Slim said.
Then addressing Mort said, “We think maybe one of that lynch mob had it in for him?”
Mort shook his head, “They’re all detained in the prison or doing hard labour over at the Cheyenne prison...nope a blank there I’m afraid.”
“It could have been one of their friends...maybe they slipped the poison into his beer in the saloon? He was so busy chatting to Millie he really wouldn’t have noticed,” Slim said.
“That sounds more like it, Mort agreed, it would be easy enough to pound down some berries to liquid and then tip them into his drink. I’ll have a word with Tom...see if he noticed anything. That sounds more likely than anything he’s eaten at the Bake Show.”
“Well never mind about all that,” Daisy said, “the most important thing is that he gets well.”
“Of course,” Mort replied, and then said, “By the way you know how you asked the Harrisons to keep an eye on Mike, well they said they could take him home with them if it helps?”
Daisy pulled herself together, “Annie Harrison is a good friend...but no I’ll go and fetch him now and we’ll book into the hotel. He’s bound to be terribly upset about Jess. He needs loved ones around him right now.”
Then turning to Slim said, “If you stay with Jess dear, I’ll come and sit with him tomorrow. Sam’s right…we have to be ready for quite a protracted illness, before he gets well again,” she added firmly.
Once Daisy and Mort had taken their leave Slim went back and sat in the hospital room with Jess and noted that he seemed to have deteriorated in just the little time he had been away. He was thrashing about in the bed and muttering. Carrie was having a job trying to swab him with cool water and calm him down.
“Pa’s given him a mild sedative to help him sleep,” she said.
“Here let me,” Slim said swapping places with her and commencing washing the icy water over his pard’ s face and torso...and talking to him softly.
After a while he seemed to settle some and drifted off into a restless doze.
“Thanks for your help,” said Carrie looking down at Jess with a mixture of worry and exasperation.
“I’ll sleep in here tonight,” Slim offered seeing a spare cot in the room, “give you and your Pa a break, huh.”
She smiled at that, “Thanks, but you must wake us if there’s any change...any at all.”
“Sure, why don’t you take some time now,” he added, figuring it must be nearly supper time.
“I think I will. I need to talk to Mrs Hudson. She was due to go and stay with her niece for a few days, it’s been planned for months and now she’s threatening not to go as she doesn’t want to leave while Jess is so poorly. The old thing is really rather fond of him you know Slim,” she said referring to the doc’s housekeeper.
He nodded with a trace of a smile, “Yup I know it. All the old dears love Jess,” he added sadly watching his pard looking suddenly so young and vulnerable.
“Yes, well she really needs a little rest, she works so hard,” Carrie said in a business-like way. “It’s all organized, Mrs Harrison is going to cover for her.”
“What Annie Harrison?” Slim asked in surprise.
“Yes, that’s right she’s been working part time here for a few months now. Gives her some pin money and a break from Hank and the ranch,” she said smiling at Slim. “She covers on Mrs Hudson’s days off or if she is away or sick, it’s very useful and she’s a good worker, very diligent and trust worthy.”
“That’s good,” Slim said seeing a different side to the usually shy retiring woman who was married to his Pa’s old friend, Hank. He knew she was firm friends with Daisy too and wondered if the little part-time job had been her idea. Maybe a way to help her after the tragedy of loss she had suffered in the past and never seemed to have recovered from. Strange that she never mentioned her sons, Slim thought, not for the first time. But there again folk dealt with grief in their own ways he acknowledged.
A little while later when Jess was still sleeping there was a tap on the door and Mrs Hudson entered, wearing her hat and coat.
“I’m just off Mr Sherman, but I wanted to see how dear Mr Harper is doing?”
“About the same Mrs Hudson,” Slim said softly, “but you know Jess he’ll bounce back, he always does.”
“I do hope so,” the elderly woman said throwing Jess a compassionate glance before turning for the door. “Goodbye my dear, I shall be praying for you both,” she added before taking her leave.
The next to arrive in the room was Annie Harrison, having exchanged her pretty dress of earlier in the day for a dark housekeeper’s frock with a neat white apron and she looked very much the part.
“The doctor and Carrie are just sitting down to supper,” she said softly, “and have asked that you join them.”
Slim cast his pard, who was now sleeping deeply, an anxious glance, “Well I don’t know Mrs Harrison, I don’t really like to leave Jess right now.”
“Oh, that’s quite alright,” she said smiling at him, “Doctor has asked me to sit in for a little while.”
She watched Slim closely, noting how possessive of his friend’s care he was and also how terribly worried he looked.
He got up reluctantly, and giving her a weak smile said, “You must be tired after all your hard work at the Bake Show today?”
“Not at all, I’m always ready to serve the dear doctor…he knows that. Now, off you go and enjoy a rest. I’ll call if there is any change at all.”
Once Slim left she settled down at the bedside, her eyes never leaving Jess’s face...her expression reflective.
Millie had been the last to hear the news, but had come over immediately and sat with him earlier. Now over supper Slim inquired as to how she was.
“Really upset when she left,” replied Carrie. “I’ll pop over and check on her after supper. Pa thought it better that you or Mrs Harrison sit and watch him tonight though...as poor Millie is so distressed.”
“It seems a bit harsh,” Sam said, “but Jess doesn’t need the added stress of worrying about Millie right now. He needs to use all his energy to fight this darned poison in his system.”
“You’re worried aren’t you Sam,” Slim said his fork suspended half way to his mouth, his eyes intent on the doc’s face.
Sam sighed, “Hard not to be Slim, the boy is in a bad way and the worst of it is we really can’t do any more than watch and pray.”
Back in the hospital bed Jess lay there listening to the voices that had been coming and going all afternoon. It had started with a shuffling sound...one he remembered all too well from his days in the Union prison camp...the shackled men heading out to work, splitting rocks to make a road. Then later he heard groaning and low cussing followed by the odd cry of pain...But now it had gotten worse, he could hear individuals calling him by name, begging him to help them. Worst of all was the sound of his good buddy in the next bunk dying of typhoid and calling out for water... but there was none.
Jess could stand it no more and he put his fingers in his ears...but still the weak cries penetrated his consciousness...begging, crying out and then weeping in despair. “Stop it for God’s sake stop it!” Jess yelled opening his eyes and looking around him in fear.
“Whatever’ s the matter dear?” Mrs Harrison asked looking quite taken aback.
Jess glanced at her hardly seeming to register her presence before looking behind her his expression now one of horror.
He was there in the hospital room and his jailer was advancing on Jess a look of sly pleasure on his face.
“You’re to come with me Harper,” he said, “We’ve the little matter of you stealing water for that no-good buddy of yours. I think the captain said twenty lashes,” and he grinned evilly. “But before that I figured I’d have some fun...you, filthy Confederate bastard,” and he cracked his knuckles and balled his fists. “Shame yer tied up so tight, you can’t fight back,” and he laughed loud and long.
“No!” Jess screamed, “Goddamn it go away...just get off of me!”
Mrs Harrison looked deeply shocked...and then she noticed that Jess was addressing someone behind her in the corner of the room...she turned to look and then turned back and said calmly, “There’s nobody there dear, please don’t take on so.”
Then she noted that Jess was now sitting up in bed, the sweat pouring down his face and glistening on his naked torso, his eyes opened wide in abject terror.
“Doctor...come quickly!” she cried as she left the bedside and ran towards the dining room.
Sam, Slim and Carrie were beside him in seconds and the doc quickly checked his pulse and tried to calm him down...with little success.
He put a hand in front of his face, but still he stared in horror at some unseen dreadful vision.
“As I thought,” Sam said quietly, “he’s hallucinating and God knows what he’s seeing, but it looks truly terrifying.”
Slim went and sat on the edge of the bed and slipped an arm around Jess’s shoulders, all the time talking softly to him, as he would to Mike if he had a bad dream.
Then slowly Jess seemed to calm down and eventually he relaxed and rested his head on Slim’ s shoulder...the shaking and sweating slowly easing.
All the while Annie Harrison had been looking on with grim fascination. But now the doctor turned to her and said kindly, “That will be all thank you Mrs Harrison. I think it better that Slim take over now.”
Then when she looked disappointed, he added, “He could well become violent if he continues to hallucinate this way, and I would hate to see you injured my dear. As would Jess, if he were in his right mind,” he added sadly.
It proved to be a long and traumatic night for both Slim and Jess with the hallucinations returning and appearing even more terrifying. However, by the early hours of the morning the voices and visions seemed to fade away and Jess appeared more himself.
“Hey buddy, how are you doing?” Slim asked, as he heard Jess move after falling into a restless sleep an hour or so earlier.
“Voices have quietened down,” he said with the ghost of a smile. “I can’t believe that the doc says it’s all in my head though Slim... the men and that bastard jailer all seem too damn real.”
“I know Jess, but it’s just all part of this darned poisoning you’re suffering from.”
“Is there any news on that? Has Mort come up with anything?”
“Not so far, but the smart money is on a friend or relative of one of those guys banged up in jail after trying to lynch you,” Slim replied.
“Jeez will this never end?” Jess spat angrily. “I guess that Clay Brady is gonna carry on haunting us forever.”
“Well, I sure hope not,” Slim said sighing. Then looking more positive said, “How’s about I go rustle us up a hot drink huh?”
When Slim entered the kitchen, he was surprised to see Ma Harrison sitting at the table sipping a coffee.
“I couldn’t sleep for worrying about that poor boy,” she said quickly as he entered, “so how is he?”
“He’s a little better thanks, thought I’d fix us a drink.”
“Nonsense you sit down dear, I’ll make it,” she said quickly getting up and bustling about.
Slim gratefully sank down at the table and thanked her before sinking his head in his hands feeling totally exhausted.
Then he felt her gentle hand on his arm, “You poor boy, this has really upset you hasn’t it, Slim...”
Her kindness was almost too much to bear and he felt tears prick behind his eyes. He swallowed hard and said quietly, “He’s like brother to me ma’am. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.”
She left the coffee to brew and took the seat opposite him and said gently, “I don’t suppose you’ve had much loss in your life?”
He shook his head, “Not really, Ma and Pa of course and an Uncle I was real fond of.”
“Yes, but that’s not the same as a brother... or a son, she said looking suddenly bleak. To lose a child is the very worst pain imaginable,” she added almost talking to herself.
“Yes, I’m sure it is,” Slim said feeling suddenly uncomfortable and thanking God that this poor woman didn’t know anything about his involvement in her son’s deaths. Sure, it hadn’t been his fault, he’d accepted that now and so had her husband, Hank. But maybe it was indeed better that she remained ignorant of the whole sorry business he thought now.
Then she seemed to pull herself together and said, “Go on my dear, it may help to talk it out.”
Slim looked thoughtful and then said, “I guess with Jess it’s different…from losing Ma and Pa that is. He’s so young. Heck I always knew in my heart that he wasn’t destined for a long life...at least when he first moved in anyway. Kind of life he’s lived it was a miracle he’d got that far, I guess. But over the years his life’s been easier and now living on the ranch...well he’s settled in and things are looking real good for his future...were looking good, that is,” he muttered angrily.
“What do you mean,” she asked, “you really think he’s not going to make it?”
Slim looked desolate, “I just don’t know, neither does the doc. We’ve got to wait and see. Sure, he’s perked up right now, but then the next thing he seems to take a turn for the worse. I really don’t know if he’ll make it or not,” and he swallowed hard looking down.
“But surely, it was only a few berries... that couldn’t kill him, could it?”
His head shot up and he looked lost for words, “How... how do you know that, about the berries?”
She looked surprised, “Why I heard Doctor Baker talking of course.”
Then she turned pale, “Goodness me, Mr Sherman, you can hardly think I would be involved...why ever would I?” she said indignantly.
Slim pulled himself together, “No of course not Mr Harrison. I’m real sorry...not thinking straight I guess... what with the lack of sleep and worry.”
“No, I’m sorry,” she said quickly, “I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat that way. I do understand my dear. The thought of losing such a good friend must be truly awful for you... I do sympathize,” she said earnestly.
Again, Slim almost felt moved to tears and getting up he went and picked up the coffee pot and cups and thanking her left quickly.
As Slim had predicted the apparent recovery of his pard was quickly followed by yet another decline and it was really touch and go as to whether he would make it or not.
The only good news was that Mort called to say he had found the suspected poisoner, one Abe McCoy who had been at the bar at the same time as Jess and was also a close friend of Mack Stringer, leader of the lynch mob.
“He’d have been among the mob himself, but he was out of town that day,” Mort confided. “So, I guess he had the motive...that is reprisal for Mack’s imprisonment. The method ...anyone can pick those wild berries...and the opportunity...apparently, he was seen real near where Jess and Millie were talking. And he left town the day after the poisoning. Open and shut case I guess,” he said as he made his report to Slim in the doc’s parlour. “He was last seen heading for Cheyenne, so I’ve sent Deputy Lon after him.”
“That’s good,” said Slim, absently.
“So, how’s the patient,” he added, “been three days now, shouldn’t he be on the mend by now?”
Slim shook his head, “Not good Mort. Daisy and Millie are sitting with him today. I’m off to the ranch shortly to check the Jackson boys are keeping the place ticking over. I’ll be back to sit with him tonight though. But he’s got a real bad fever right now. Doc’s trying to keep our spirits up...but I guess we both know we’re coming to the end. It’s kill or cure time ... we should know by tomorrow,” he said sadly.
That evening Jess was really fading fast and Slim, Daisy, Millie, the Doc and Carrie, all took it in turns to keep a silent vigil at the bedside. They swabbed him down with icy water to try and reduce the fever and then covered him with warm blankets when he shivered his teeth chattering as he fought the illness.
“It could go either way now,” Doc Sam said to Slim as they sat at the bedside, the women folk exhausted and having a well-earned rest. “The fever could take him... or it may break and he’ll start to recover...Or the other scenario he could fall into a coma...from which there is no return.”
Slim looked devastated. “It looks like the odds are stacked against him right now then doesn’t it.”
“Never give up hope,” Sam said squeezing Slim’ s shoulder as he looked down at Jess... a mere shadow of his former self.
There was a gentle tap on the door and Mrs Harrison came in looking visibly upset, “Is there anything I can do doctor?” she asked softly.
Sam shook his head sadly, “Thank you, but I’m afraid not my dear,” he said and with that she withdrew with a little sob.
It was early the following morning when she heard the doctor moving about and she got up from where she’d been sitting by the kitchen fire. She went slowly to Jess’s room and peered in from the doorway. The doctor and Slim had left and Jess lay immobile in the dimly lit room. A hand flew to her mouth as she realized, he had gone and she stood staring at the body for a good minute before turning and moving to where she could hear subdued voices coming from the doc’s study.
She opened the door without knocking and stood staring at the scene within.
The doc had just passed Slim a glass of brandy and said, “Here drink this Slim, it’ll help...”
Then both men became aware of her presence and looked up questioningly.
But before the doc could speak, she ran into the room with tears streaming down her face and her eyes looking tormented, “I’m so...so sorry!” she cried. “I really didn’t mean to kill him!”
Slim and Sam looked at her in astonishment.
“What did you say Mrs Harrison?” the doc finally managed.
“It was me! I poisoned him,” she said throwing herself down onto one of the fireside chairs and looking around her fearfully.
“But... but he’s not dead,” Slim said quickly. “He’s going to be OK Ma’am and whatever you think you may have done you didn’t really! He’s fine...just sleeping, the fever broke and he’s going to be alright.”
“Not dead?” she asked in a small voice.
“Nope, Sam here was just giving me a little pick me up,” he said gesturing to his glass. “It’s been a long hard night.”
“Just what are you telling us?” Sam asked now beginning to look serious.
“It was me doctor,” she said bowing her head, unable to meet his gaze...and the sorry tale came out.
“I did it...I mashed up the berries and used the juice. I knew they were harmful; Hank always cut the bushes down before the stock went in that pasture. Then at the Bake Show I made sure I was on the refreshment stall and it was easy to put it in Jess’s coffee cup.”
Slim had a flash back to juggling the two cups and then saying, ‘Mrs Harrison says the blue cup is yours Jess, she’s put in plenty of sugar’.... and the truth of the matter dawned on him...she was telling the truth.
“Good grief why did you do that woman!” he shouted furiously.
Annie Harrison suddenly became angry too.
“Why, to pay you back of course Mr Sherman, for the part you played in my boys’ deaths. I wanted you to suffer the way I did. The pain of thinking you were losing someone close to you. Someone you care deeply about. At first, I thought of Mike. But I couldn’t let the child suffer...so I decided on Jess. I knew he was strong and fit and thought he would survive. I just wanted you to suffer for a little while...to feel the pain I did all those years ago...and still do, to this day.”
Then she turned back to Sam, “But I never intended to kill him Doctor...never!”
“That may be,” said Sam earnestly, “but we have to report this to the Sheriff. Why even now they are hunting down an innocent man for the crime.”
“How did you know about all that business anyway?” Slim asked, ignoring the doc and really needing to get to the bottom of all this. “I thought your husband didn’t share it at the time?”
“He didn’t,” she said bitterly, “I had to find out from the local rag…all about the part you played Mr Sherman!”
Then it was Sam’s turn to speak up, “But my dear that was all a tissue of lies fabricated by that scoundrel Brady. Haven’t you seen the latest edition of the Sentinel with the retraction and apology?”
She shook her head looking puzzled, “Why no...”
Sam quickly brought a copy in from the waiting room and both men watched as she read the article. Her expression changed from disbelief to realization of the truth and then horror.
“Oh, what have I done?” she whispered before putting her head in her hands and weeping.
Slim looked at her unmoved and eventually said, “I trusted you! Just last night we talked... I told you how bad I felt about everything. Well, if that’s what you wanted to hear I sure hope it was worth it, I hope it made you feel better,” he finished sarcastically. All his pain and distress was making him uncharacteristically hard and unsympathetic.
She finally pulled herself together and after wiping her eyes said, “No Mr Sherman it did not. I thought it would. I thought seeing you suffer that way would help some...but no, I just feel ashamed and terribly guilty.”
“I think you’d better fetch your coat Mrs Harrison we need to go and explain everything to the Sheriff,” Sam said gently.
Once she’d left the room Slim sank back down on his chair looking desolate.
“This is my entire fault,” he whispered.
“No, indeed it is not,” Sam said firmly. “If you are referring to the original episode in which those poor boys died, if anyone is to blame it is that shameless hussy your Major was married to. It was she who instigated the whole sorry incident. You merely acted like the gentleman you are Slim.”
Slim just shrugged, “That’s what Jess says.”
“And he’s quite right too. Also, as it appears Mrs Harrison learnt about all this via Brady’s vicious lies, well then, the blame lies firmly at his door. And the editor of the Sentinel can take some responsibility for publishing the falsehoods too. So, none of this is your fault Slim...and even less so poor Jess’ either,” he said sadly.
“Even so, I’d never have forgiven myself if he hadn’t made it through,” Slim said doggedly.
“Neither would Mrs Harrison...poor woman,” Sam said gently.
“Poor woman, you say?” Slim echoed.
“Oh yes, she is clearly mentally unstable. I’d go so far as to say deranged, to have contrived such a terrible plan. I would imagine that her grief has developed into a deep depression and we should really be pitying her rather than blaming her,” Sam said mildly.
“Try telling that to Jess,” Slim said dryly.

Epilogue
To Slim’ s great surprise Jess took the news of the part Annie Harrison had played in the poisoning quite philosophically. Sure, he’d cussed and carried on at first. But then later when he’d heard the full story from Sam, he calmed down some.
It was a few days since she had made her confession to Sheriff Cory. She had been released on bail into her husband’s custody awaiting a decision as to whether the matter would go to court or not.
Now Jess was well enough to recuperate at home and he and Slim were sitting out on the porch watching the sun go down. Jess still looking rather pale and fragile, but clearly on the mend.
He sipped a glass of milk, his stomach still being inflamed from the poison, whilst Slim was enjoying some homemade cider.
“So, what do you aim to do about Annie Harrison?” He asked after a while.
Jess looked thoughtful and recalled a conversation he’d had with Daisy earlier that day.
“I just can’t believe she would hurt you that way,” she’d said tearfully. “I thought we were such good friends...but this?”
Jess had sighed, “Sam believes she ain’t in her right mind. The grief of losing her boys had affected her real bad. Then seeing those lies in the Sentinel just tipped her over into a kind of madness, I guess. She needed Slim to feel her pain and that’s why she did what she did.”
Daisy nodded sagely, “Well if that’s so I suppose she should be pitied, but even so...”
“Huh?”
“I should have found it impossible to forgive her if anything had happened to you dear.”
Jess had reached across and pulled her into a brief hug before saying, “Hey Daisy, you know nuthin’ keeps me down fer long.”
Daisy had just slapped his arm affectionately, then and she had said, “Oh you!” But he had seen the tear in her eye that she quickly brushed away.
Now he addressed Slim’ s question after deep thought.
“What do I aim to do about Annie Harrison?” he repeated.
Then turning to look at his pard said, “Nuthin’ I guess. If it’s true what Sam says and she ain’t gotten over her grief well then, I guess she needs help. Seems to me that readin’ those lies in the paper sent her half-crazy with grief and she just weren’t thinkin’ straight. God knows I know all about that, way I was after Maria, Slim...” (See # 1 Loved, Lost, Survived.)
Slim nodded sagely, “Sure you do buddy...and I know you went to hell and back. But you came out the other side.”
“With your help,” Jess said softly.
Slim nodded acknowledging the part he’d played.
“So, are you going to drop the charges?”
“I reckon so yeah. The Doc says he knows a guy that specializes in helpin’ folk come to terms with loss. He says she’s willing to have some treatment too ... try and get well again and I figure that’s what she needs rather than a spell in jail.”
Slim grinned at him and said, “Good, I’m pleased.”
“Yeah, well I can’t help thinkin’ all this could have been dang well avoided iffen you’d just seen sense and done what the lady wanted,” Jess said glancing across at Slim a small cheeky smile playing around his lips.
“What woman?” Slim asked looking puzzled.
“Why that Major’s wife of course, if you’d just uh...entertained her like she wanted then none of this would have happened. Brady wouldn’t have blackmailed ya...and Ma Harrison would have had no call to poison me, after reading his lies in the paper.”
“Aw Jess we’ve been through this a thousand times, I thought you’d agreed I’d done the right thing in turning down her advances? Besides she was a good eighteen years older than me,” he added ruefully.
Jess sighed and rolled his eyes, “I guess I’m gonna hafta educate you up on how to romance the older ladies one of these days Slim, it’s real easy when you know how,” he added with a smirk.
Then it dawned on Slim that Jess was just kidding him and gave him a sharp slap on the arm.
“Shuddup and drink your milk,” he replied grinning happily.

*******
It was at Church about a month later that they were to hear two lots of excellent news. Firstly, Hank Harrison approached all from the ranch after the service and asked for a quiet word.
“I just wanted to thank you again for dropping the charges Jess,” he began.
Then said, “I can’t tell you what a difference the treatment has made to our lives...why if all this business hadn’t happened, I doubt my dear Annie would ever have been herself again. But now,” he said beaming happily, “I am beginning to see the girl I married all those years ago. She was always so cheerful and light-hearted,” he said turning to Daisy, “and since the boys died, she had been a shadow of her former self. But now, well now I’m getting my dear Annie back,” he said with tears of joy in his eyes and he pumped Jess’s hand, “Thank you so much for being so understanding my dear boy ,” he added before wandering off to compose himself.
They were just about to leave feeling thoroughly elated by the news when Rev Joshua Wesley waylaid them by the doorway and taking Jess to one side said, “I have some wonderful news to share...”
Jess threw him a quizzical glance and said, “It seems like the day fer good news Josh, so what’s yours?”
“You remember that chap Chas Mason who shot Clay Brady, after his poor wife had committed suicide?”
“How could I forget,” Jess said darkly, “seein’ as I nearly got myself lynched for that killin’?”
“Precisely, so I thought you’d be pleased to hear some good came out of that dreadful business. You remember where you tracked him down?”
“Sure, that shrine to St Jude...kinda fittin’ as I recall... what did you say? It was somethin’ about choosing faith when all seems lost?”
“Indeed so...well it seems that whilst hiding out at the Shrine he had a religious conversion.”
“Huh?”
“To The Faith Jess...he is training to be a Minister!”
“Well, that’s real good Joshua...real good.”
“Yes, and you played your part too. You see the poor man was so terribly upset after killing Brady, albeit in self-defence, he just didn’t know what to do. He wanted to give himself up...but feared nobody would believe what really happened and he would hang for killing Brady. So, he prayed for help to come and lead him in the right direction. Then low and behold you turned up the very next day!”
“The hell I did,” Jess said grinning, “well I never...”
“That was the turning point for Chas and he promised God there and then that should he survive, he would dedicate his whole life to spreading the Word of our Lord...and so he has done! What good news eh my friend...what admirable news!” the cleric said, his handsome face beaming with love and joy.
Later that night, Jess and Slim were once more sitting out on the porch enjoying a coffee before turning in and Jess was reviewing the ups and downs of the last few weeks. Then he glanced over to the large corral opposite where Ace was peacefully grazing.
He tipped his hat in the direction of the big black horse and said, “See Slim I did break him in the end...he’s as sweet as a nut now.”
Slim looked thoughtful and then grinned evilly, “Ah, but there again Jess…if you’d just loosed him off like I said, you’d never have had that bad fall and I wouldn’t have had to take on Brady after your injury.”
Jess contemplated that point of view and knew in his heart his pard was right...but he wasn’t about to admit defeat that easily.
“Well hell Slim, we wouldn’t have got us a real useful horse like old Ace there...and Ma Harrison would never have received that treatment she needed.”
“No, I guess you’re right,” Slim admitted reluctantly.
Now Jess was on a roll, “And that no hoper Clay Brady would still be alive and messin’ with women and swindling folk out of their life’s savings, not to mention blackmailing folk.”
“OK... OK you’re right, I guess you’ve made your point,” he conceded.
“And... what is more, Chad Mason would never have had a whole new life as a Minister. I guess you could say I did real well helpin’ him out, so he turned his life around huh?” Jess said triumphantly...basking on an angelic cloud of righteousness.
Slim turned to him with a twinkle in his eyes, “Yup, you’re right Jess...you’re a real good man, real good, almost saintly...and don’t you believe any of those folk that tell ya different.”
Jess smiled happily, until what his pard had just said sank in...
Slim gave him a cheeky grin and then leapt from his chair, beating a hasty retreat into the house, swiftly followed by Jess; intent on retribution.

The End
Thank you for reading!

For my other stories please go to www.pattywilkinson.co.uk
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