All Roads Lead Home

“I visited every last ranch in the area!” Dick exclaimed excitedly. “To a man, every darned one of them’s ready and willing to join in. Some of my pals from Bozeman are on their way over as well.”

 

Abigail said wonderingly, “And all this time, I thought we were alone in this. I thought the world had abandoned us.”

 

“Folks around here have long memories,” Dick assured her. “You and Buck and Joshua and Thad have done a lot over the years for them and they aren’t forgettin’ it. They been here waitin’ to be asked all along. What we really needed was for Jess here to get us off our butts and to start askin’.”

 

Jess found himself unaccountably proud and pleased at Dick’s remarks. He’d grown to like and respect this quiet former lawman and his approval meant a lot to him.

 

As they entered the house, Joshua appeared looking uncharacteristically harried. “Those kids are doin’ the best they can but they jus’ got too much git up an’ go to stay cooped up inside for long.”

 

Jess, Abigail and Dick looked at him with sympathy. “Just a few more days and it will be over,” Jess assured him. “How are Rose an’ her family makin’ out?”

 

“Buster’s got his family includin’ Rose all settled in at their house – thought it might be best to separate. He’s got some of the men keepin’ watch there. We’re figurin’ most of the attention’s goin’ to be here.”

 

In actuality, the next two days flew by as Dick made a number of forays out in his tinker wagon to organize the ranchers.

 

Joshua settled the children and himself in the back kitchen areas of the main house.

 

Originally there had been several smaller rooms built off of it to serve as storerooms. These were converted to bedrooms, fully equipped with toys and books. The great wooden shutters were pulled down over the windows and the entire area sealed off from the rest of the house by a great heavy barred door.

 

Unseen – unnoticed – a dark bulky figure crawled over the long sloping roof of the main house and forced its way with some difficulty through a small and forgotten attic window.

 

Jess and Dick checked and rechecked all the arms and ammunition. Nonessential livestock were moved to safer locations and copious provisions were transported both to the main house kitchen, the farmhouse kitchen and the kitchen that serviced the bunkhouse area.

 

The men were all gathered together and at last all brought up to date with the final plans.

 

In the midst of all of this, Abigail tried her best to appear to all that she was carrying on as she always had. She tended her garden, worked over the books in the study and took her daily ride on her mare.

 

With Jess’ help she composed a careful letter to Dreb Farley and had Dick, once again garbed in his tinker suit, deliver it just after they had confirmed that the marshal and his men were in place.

 

That all accomplished they sat back and waited.

 

They didn’t have to wait for long. Bold as brass and freshly suited up and pomaded, Dreb came trotting up the drive, Sheriff McNeil in tow.

 

Dismounting and leaving the horses in the care of the sheriff, he sauntered up onto the sweeping veranda and pausing to straighten his cuffs, rapped sharply on the front door.

 

Joshua answered it and bowing exaggeratedly, he ushered him into the study where Abigail sat primly at her desk.

 

Abigail rose stiffly to greet him and he took her hand and kissed it wetly. Stifling an urge to gag, she nodded to him and bade him to take a chair. She offered him coffee and when he accepted, poured it for him gracefully. The very picture of a composed and well-bred hostess.

 

Sitting back in his chair and crossing his legs, Dreb began, “My dear Mrs. Davis. It’s been far too long. I was pleased beyond measure to receive your kind invitation. However, I fear it is more than just the pleasure of my company you seek. How may I be of service to you?”

 

Abigail regarded him coolly. “Mr. Farley, I know you and my late husband had, shall I say, disagreed somewhat as to the rightful ownership of Paddy Flanagan’s property. As I’m sure you recall, Paddy had deeded it to my late stepson before he and then my husband, ah, passed away. Upon their deaths that property became mine. While it has always been my desire to keep it in trust for my heirs, I find myself now to be in somewhat embarrassed financial circumstances. I pray, Mr. Farley, that you and I can reach an equitable agreement relative to the final disposition of that property.”

 

Dreb Farley could barely restrain himself from rubbing his hands together in glee. This was the moment he had dreamt of for the last two years. The haughty widow was now beholding to him. No more would she be able to treat him as dog excrement under her shoe. No – times were changing and he could smell success.

 

He reached out and patted her hand. “There, there my dear. I so understand. A young woman like yourself all alone and with no allies. How difficult these last years must have been for you. Ah, what sort of price were you thinking of?”

 

Abigail named a price that was far lower than he had expected.

 

“You poor darling. You must be in the most precarious of conditions to ask such a high price. I am a most sympathetic man, however, and I’ll not even quibble. After all, it’s what your poor departed husband would have wanted me to do.”

 

Abigail smiled demurely. “Ah, there is one other very small thing, Mr. Farley. I will require you to sign this agreement. It too is what my husband would have wanted.” She then handed him a handwritten but legal appearing document.

 

As Dreb Farley read it, his face became defused with anger. “Mrs. Davis! This is an affront. I couldn’t possibly consider signing such a – such a fabrication!”

 

“I’m afraid, Mr. Farley, that you will have to. I have other offers, you know. Offers far greater than the one I’m offering you.”

 

“But this says that I must put a notice in the Ruby Creek paper that the mining rights I’ve sold thus far are worthless and that I’m prepared to refund all monies involved!”

 

“Is that all not true, after all? And just think of what you are getting in return. The assay reports indicate that to one with the resources to mine it – unfortunately I lack these resources or I would do it myself – it is worth a great fortune. What care you what other’s think? What small consideration would it be for you to re-compensate those poor people?” She gave him her most melting and demure smile.

 

“My dearest Mrs. Davis. I’m beginning to think you and I have far more in common than I would have ever thought. Put like that, I would be delighted to sign your little paper.” He took a pen from her desk and signed with a theatrical flourish.

 

“Now, if you will just sign over that deed, I’ll make the arrangements to have the funds transferred to you from my bank”

 

“That won’t be necessary, Farley,” a deep voice said as the signed paper was snatched from his hand. A tall thin gray haired man with a handlebar mustache had just stepped into the room flanked by Dick and Jess. “I’m the territorial marshal in these parts – my men are outside and have your men in their custody. I’m arresting you for the murder of Paddy Flanagan and Thaddeus Davis and also for fraud.”

 

A faint look of alarm passed across Dreb Farley’s face but it passed quickly. Composing himself, he stood and gazed out the window. Sure enough the half dozen or so men that he had had follow him were obviously being restrained by men wearing badges.

 

Furthermore, standing in several rows behind them were ranchers and townsfolk and even men he’d never laid eyes on before. A veritable army. He mentally cursed himself for so misjudging the capabilities of these simple people.

 

He stood quietly for a long moment organizing his thoughts. Then he calmly turned to the assemblage and said, “I’m afraid, sir, that you will have a difficult time proving any wrong doing on my part. I’ve not murdered anyone. I’m just an ordinary business man trying to make a dollar like anyone else.”

 

Dick spoke up. “Farley, we’ve got McNeil out there an’ he’s squealin’ like a pig. From what he’s told us in the last five minutes, you’ve good as got a noose around yer neck.”

 

Dreb Farley gave Abigail a chilling smile. “Well my dear, there is one other thing. I do so hate to mention it. Those darling children of yours. Now what are their names? Let me see – there’s Lucy. Such a pretty thing and so innocent. And then there’s little Ben. How he wants to be a real cowboy. So sad that he’ll never have the chance.”

 

Jess was on him in an instant. Grabbing him by the lapels he literally lifted him off his feet. Anger pulsated off him in waves. His strong hands ached to crush the odious man’s windpipe. Dick laid a hand on his shoulder urging him to restrain himself.

 

“So – hit a tender spot did I? You really didn’t expect us to believe that little deceit you tried to pull. Having us think the children were at the Bishop place instead of here? Poke is a very resourceful creature – I do hesitate to call him a man – he followed you there and tried to follow you back. He lost you in the storm but made it back here. He’s taken quite a liking to those dear tots. Why he’s probably in there playing with them right now.”

 

Jess, Abigail and Dick looked at each other in horror.

 

“Now, if anything were to happen to me, there’s just no tellin’ what Poke might take it upon himself to do. As it is, I can just barely control him.”

 

Just as he spoke, one shot and shortly thereafter another rang out coming from the direction of the kitchen area.

 

First handcuffing Farley and then grabbing him by the collar and dragging him along, Dick led the way followed by the others.

 

The great door to the kitchen was thrown open wide.

 

In the doorway lay Adam, the larger of the two dogs, obviously dead. A far worse sight awaited them inside. Joshua lay motionless in a pool of blood to one side. Poke, mucus running freely from his nose leaned up against one wall his right arm around Lucy’s throat and holding a gun. It was immediately apparent that both Adam and Joshua and inflicted considerable damage before they fell to Poke’s bullets. Poke’s trouser leg was shredded and soaked with blood. His left arm hung useless at his side bleeding copiously.

 

“Ben,” Abigail whispered frantically to Jess. “Where’s Ben?”

 

Jess looked around anxiously, his hand on his revolver but saw no sign of the child.

 

Lucy pleaded to him with her eyes to save her. He knew his slightest movement would result in her death or worse.

 

“Let me and my men go and I’m sure I can convince Poke to release the child,” Dreb propositioned the marshal.

 

The marshal looked to Jess and Dick. Both of them stood frozen and thinking as fast as they could. Desperate to find a solution – a way to save the children.

 

Suddenly, out of nowhere came darting a tiny blond figure. Running up to where Joshua lay, Ben grabbed his revolver from where it had fallen.

 

Abigail gasped and Jess laid a comforting hand on her arm.

 

“Easy there, Pal,” Jess cautioned.

 

If Ben heard him, he gave no indication. Narrowing his innocent blue eyes, he cocked the pistol as he had seen the others do and pointed it directly at Poke’s ample belly.

 

Jess noticed the gun was shaking but realized that it wasn’t due to fear but that it was simply too heavy for the little boy to hold steady.

 

Poke noticed that as well and the familiar moronic grin began to spread across his repugnant features.

 

“Little boy tryin’ to act like a man. Now ain’t that cute!” he mocked. “Poke’ll make a man out of you. You just wait and see.”

 

Without letting go of Lucy, Poke took a step towards Ben.

 

Grasping the gun as hard as he could, the little boy fired. The shot went wild, blowing out one of the kitchen windows but it was all the distraction Jess needed. His bullet caught Poke cleanly between the eyes. Poke stood there for a moment, a bemused expression on his face and then slowly crumpled to the floor.

 

Breaking away, Lucy ran to Abigail and buried her face in her skirts, shaking and sobbing quietly.

 

Jess slowly walked up to where Ben stood and knelt until he was at eye level with him.

 

“You did good there, Pal. Thank you,” he said solemnly.

 

Then he reached out his hand. Calmly Ben laid the gun in Jess’ hand butt first. Jess took his hand and shook it, man to man. Then, he embraced him hard.

 

“Hey,” Dick called out. He was kneeling over Joshua’s prone body. “He’s alive! Someone! Go get some bandages.”

 

*********************************

Back to Fanfic

Back to All Roads Lead Home

Chapter Fifteen