All Roads Lead Home

Jess and Traveler carefully picked their way through the mud and debris that liberally coated the main street of Ruby Creek. Heading first south and then west, they followed the river as the sheriff had directed. All this time, Jess was unable to shake the feeling he was being followed. He kept glancing over his shoulder and Traveler, sensing his unease, nervously flicked his ears back and forth.

 

The road took them up a long gradual incline through a thick forest before coming out on a ridge overlooking sweeping meadows, the river and high on a rise what had to be the main house and buildings of the Davis Ranch. It was exactly as Thad had described it to him.

 

His momentary distraction as he took in the magnificence of the scene below was all Poke needed. By the time Jess heard the hiss of the rope as it dropped over his shoulders and tightened, it was too late. Poke gave the rope a sharp jerk and Jess was pulled from the saddle. Startled, Traveler galloped off in the direction of the ranch.

 

Laughing to himself, a trickle of saliva flowing from the corner of his mouth, Poke dismounted while keeping an even tension on the rope.

 

Poke approached him slowly, the ghastly odor of his rotten teeth and unwashed body preceding him. “Now Poke’s gotcha and Poke’s gonna have some fun with ya,” he chortled gleefully.

 

Jess got to his feet and forced himself to stand perfectly still thus encouraging Poke to come ever closer. Finally, as he came into range and reached for him, Jess drove his knee into Poke’s groin with all his strength.

 

Poke roared like an enraged bull and clutching himself, curled into a tight ball moaning.

 

Jess glanced around thinking to simply make a run for it but neither horse was close enough. Discarding the rope, he drew his revolver and trained it on Polk’s head. Cautiously he approached Poke who was quieter now, his face a sickly greenish gray color.

 

“Mind tellin’ me what you find so interestin’ about me?” he asked.

 

Poke’s only response was what was intended to be a snarl but what came out as a guttural whimper.

 

Jess waited a few moments before retrieving the rope and then prodding Poke with the toe of his boot said, “On yer feet. Let’s go get those horses and then I’m takin’ you back to town.”

 

Poke made as though to obey him and then, quicker than a striking rattler, he grabbed Jess by the ankle and yanked his foot out from under him. Jess landed hard on his back. His head snapped back, hitting the ground and momentarily stunning him. His gun flew from his hand and landed nearby.

 

Poke was on his feet in an instant. He grasped Jess by the shoulders and pulled him upright. Then, he stuck him hard with a vicious left hook, opening a gash above his eye.

 

Jess struggled to see through the blood and desperately twisted in Poke’s grasp, causing his next blow to land harmlessly on his upper arm. Then, catching sight of his gun, he dropped and rolled coming up with it trained once again between Poke’s eyes. “Like I said, let’s head back and have a little chat with the sheriff.”

 

“That won’t be necessary,” a familiar voice said. To their right and out from behind a large oak tree stepped the sheriff accompanied by a tall good looking man Jess estimated to be in his late thirties. His hair and complexion were dark, his eyes cold and snakelike. He was dressed in the unmistakable garb of a professional gambler and eyed him with interest.

 

“Hand over the gun, boy,” the sheriff demanded congenially. “My friend here just wants to ask you a few questions.”

 

The tall man gave him a slimy smile. “Don’t know that we’ve had the pleasure. My name is Farley. Dreb Farley, Mr. Harper and I hear you’ve been asking for me. Might I ask why?”

 

Jess balled his fists tensely and stared straight ahead before speaking through clenched teeth. “No reason – just happened to hear the name somewheres.”

 

At that, the sheriff suddenly jabbed the butt of his Winchester into Jess’ belly causing him to double over gasping. When he was finally able to raise his head, the sheriff said calmly, “Now I think there’s a little more to it than that. How’s about you fill us in some more and while yer at it, tell us why you’re so interested in Thad Davis. You can just chat with us nice like or my friend Poke here can maybe jog your memory. I think he’s takin’ a likin’ to ya.”

 

Hearing his name, Poke looked up at the sheriff expectantly. “Easy there buddy. Let’s see what your friend has to say first before I turn you lose on him.”

 

Jess swallowed convulsively, feeling the first icy fingers of fear run down his spine. “Like I said, Thad Davis is an old friend of mine and I’d heard someone mention the name of Dreb Farley the other day and just got curious. Sorry.”

 

Dreb’s face darkened with barely suppressed fury. “We’re just wasting our time. If Mr. Harper doesn’t want to talk to us let’s just make sure he doesn’t talk to anyone. Take care of it.” And with that he turned on his heel and started for his horse.

 

The sheriff turned to Jess and said in a menacing tone, “Boy, you just made the last big mistake of your sorry life.” He then pushed him roughly up against the oak tree and lashed him firmly to it with Poke’s rope. Jess struggled frantically and was rewarded for his efforts with a vicious barrage of blows to his ribs. Then, grabbing him by the hair, the sheriff pulled his head back roughly while he jabbed him again repeatedly in the belly. Finally, when Jess slumped against the ropes, blood flowing freely from the cut over his eye and from his mouth, the sheriff turned to Poke who was standing by anxiously and said, “Guess I’m done – you can finish him off. Dreb and me will watch.”

 

An evil grin lit up Poke’s ugly face. Jess looked up in horror as he felt Polk’s hands roughly grab his belt.

 

Suddenly Dreb’s voice rang out, “Riders coming. Looks like they’re from the Davis ranch. Let’s get out of here.”

 

“That means you, Poke,” the sheriff said. “Sorry to break in on your fun. Make sure he’s dead and follow us. Now!”

 

Frustrated, Poke gave Jess one last vicious series of punches before firing a shot into the air above his head. Then, running his hand roughly along Jess’ battered cheek; he said in a low voice, “I’m not through with you yet.” He checked carefully to make sure the others hadn’t noticed before joining them and riding off.

 

Gratefully, Jess allowed the darkness to overtake him as his last vestiges of consciousness slipped away.

 

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Chapter Six