Note from the author: I hope to make a series called the Deadly Sins Series. I was going to wait to post after I finished the story but found that it is more difficult to write without feedback or without any readers : Warning The prologue can be deceiving. This isn't a story about Jarrod Barkley as you will see. (As a matter of fact, the prologue is a lead into the story but not necessarily about the story until I continue on with the series) I didn't want any Jarrod fans to start reading and be disappointed. The Barkleys will not be the center of this story but one. HEATH of course. They may make rare appearances but not necessarily. Now on with the story. I hope all enjoy. Also, Nick isn't as far apart in age of Jarrod as assumed by most stories. (2 1/2 years apart in age)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;

The Deadly Sins

the sins of pride,greed, lust, (wrath), gluttony, envy, and sloth

Wrath-Prologue

Stockton, California
Three Years after the Civil War
May 4, 1868

Twenty-Six year old, Jarrod Barkley pushed his sweating hand through his slicked back hair. His steps were paced quickly as he headed towards the jailhouse. The sun was unbearably hot on him considering he was wearing his newly purchased three piece suit. It was one of the two suits he had proudly purchased with his own money. Jarrod didn't know why he wanted this case to start out with new suits, one to meet his client and one for court. This suit was a lighter gray than the dark suits his father had picked for him. Jarrod felt light gray was more his style. Yes, his style was needed so he could finally be the man he wanted himself to be. His father and mother had bought him plenty of suits for his career as a lawyer. But this was different, he wanted this case to be all about his dreams and not theirs.

Jarrod had finally finished up law school after the war. At nineteen years of age, the young law student decided he needed to go fight for the cause of the Union Army. Thomas J. Barkley protested vehemently while Victoria Barkley cried silently. She understood her eldest son's need to be his own man and to fight for his own justices. So in July of 1861, Jarrod joined the war. Soon after his joining, his high intelligence brought him up in the ranks and he was assigned to Army Intelligence. The only regret with joining the war was the fact his younger brother, Nick, joined up two years later. Nick was eighteen. Nick was now a twenty-three year old man. He, along with their father, ran the Barkley Empire. Jarrod still handled the legalities of the family business. Yet, the young man wanted more of his life.

He had been building his reputation as a lawyer in both Stockton and San Francisco. Joining the war as a Union soldier had helped delay his schooling. Helping his brother on the ranch was also a deter to putting off his dream of being the lawyer he wanted to be. Fortunately, his father had realized Jarrod didn't belong on the ranch like Nick did. Thus, when Jarrod spoke honestly of wanting to be a lawyer, his father proudly said to follow his dreams. Thomas Barkley added a lawyer could be used to help in building the Barkley empire.

His thoughts of the past were halted as Jarrod watched a leaf being twisted and twirled on the dry cracked dirt road. The leaf reminded him of his life thus far. It too was being thrown uncaringly about with no real destination. That was up until now.

Jarrod Thomas Barkley Esquire had proven himself in every type case from civil to business. He had more victories under his belt than losses. However, Jarrod had not yet gotten to sink his teeth into what he really longed to bite into. He wanted to right the wrong, save the innocent, and bring truth and justice to those who needed it both victim and the falsely accused. Jarrod Barkley wanted to defend or prosecute criminal law.

And now, a case was thrown in his lap. A case that Judge McCoy claimed was already in the bag. For the PROSECUTION. What was Judge McCoy's words again? Oh yes. "All that needs done is the rope purchased for the noose."

Well, Jarrod would just have to see about that. After all, Judge McCoy had said the accused had no lawyer to take his case. Therefore, Jarrod was assigned it. Jarrod had memorized his notes. The man was a known gunfighter. He was wanted for a murder that took place over a year ago. He had killed at least seven men so far that the records showed. Most of those kills were in gunfights as far as what witnesses saw. The man had probably killed more but no one witnessed it. Jarrod wasn't exactly out to prove him innocent. After all, there were witnesses for this particular murder. However, he would hear him out and try to keep the man from hanging. Life in prison would probably be the man's best bet. Even that would be prove difficult as the man had served two months in prison already but had escaped only to kill again.

Yes, Judge McCoy had not done Jarrod Barkley any favors by throwing this case at him. However, Jarrod still appreciated that he was finally going to have a case in criminal law.

The sheriff arched his eyebrow as Jarrod walked through his door. "Don't tell me you got stuck with this case, Jarrod?"

"I believe so, Sheriff Madden." Jarrod shook the sheriff's hand. "How is he doing? Is the prisoner causing you trouble?"

"No. Actually, it is the opposite. The boy hasn't said two words to me." Sheriff Madden pushed back his hat from his eyes.

"Boy?" Jarrod questioned in confusion.

"You better come with me, Jarrod." The sheriff stood up and retrieved the keys as he did. "See for yourself."

Jarrod was taken aback by the young boy in the jailcell. He couldn't have been no more than sixteen or seventeen. He didn't look like the hardened criminal Jarrod had read about in the file. Actually, if anything, the boy looked almost angelic with his cherub face and blonde hair. Even his blue eyes sparkled with innocence as he looked up from the cot he was lying on.

"I'm Jarrod Barkley. I was assigned to be your lawyer." Jarrod reached his hand out between the bars of the jailcell. He placed his hand back down to his side when the young man refused to take it.

A small chuckle could be heard from the boy as he glanced up at Jarrod. It was then that Jarrod noticed the soft blue eyes harden into anger. The boy spoke quietly surprising both Jarrod and Sheriff Madden.

His slow southern drawl accentuated his words. "This is going to be fun."