A/N I realize that the character Frank Sawyer was a sheriff only I've promoted him up to US Marshall. Also, as you know, *Dave Barrett and Mr. Glover and the town of *Rimfire are not my creations. I'm just borrowing them. And, for a change, the title is not in the story. However, I chose it for a reason.

Chapter One

"Nick, please!" Jarrod stood in the living room near the fireplace doing his best to get through to his hot headed brother while his mother and sister sat on the sofa; Eugene had already stormed out of the house in anger and disbelief.

Nick, who stood in front of the far window, turned around and snapped as he pointed at Jarrod. "Don't please me! You stand there and tell me you received a telegram from Dave Barrett. You tell me and the rest of the family that the man claims that while the posse Frank Sawyer and Heath were riding with was out tracking a wanted criminal our brother was shot in the back and killed! You say Dave claims Heath was buried down there instead of being brought home, and you want me to calm down?" Nick eyes blazed with fire and his volume was louder than it had ever been, not that it surprised anyone in the room. "IF that's the truth, why wouldn't Frank Sawyer send someone with Heath's body back here? Or at least send for one of us to come and get him?"

While Jarrod wondered the same thing, he knew of Sheriff Barrett's reputation; he also remembered the short time he'd gotten to know Dave Barrett… before the lawman even had a deputy. He knew the way Heath had often talked about Frank Sawyer, now a US Marshall. "I don't have the answers to those questions. However," he held up his hand before Nick could explode again, "I've already wired the necessary officials." Jarrod pulled out a telegram and held it up. "I've been given permission for us to go to Rimfire, dig up the coffin and transport Heath's body back here. The official papers will be waiting for us in *Rimfire; *Dave is holding them for us. Maybe he'll have some of those answers for us." Jarrod said as he let out a long drawn out sigh. It hurt so much to think that he'd never hear Heath's laugh again or see his crooked smile.

"Well, what are we waitin' for?" Nick snapped as he hurried out of the living room and ran up the stairs. The sooner he packed, the sooner they could leave. The moment Nick had disappeared up the stairs Victoria looked at Jarrod and began speaking.

"Your brother has some very valid points. When Frank Sawyer stopped by here and asked for Heath's help, he promised me that if anything happened to Heath that he, Frank, would make sure that Heath was brought back here. "Why would he have him buried outside Rimfire instead? It doesn't make any sense." The hurt and betrayal she felt at this not happening could be heard in her voice as she choked up more than once while speaking.

Jarrod's eyebrows turned slightly downward. He had not known of the promise his mother spoke of before now. "Frank gave you his word on that?"

"He did." Victoria stood up, doing her best to control the emotions rolling through her. Keeping an eye on her oldest, the tone in her voice turned to steel as she said, "Jarrod, when you and Nick go down to Rimfire, don't just go down to bring Heath home. Go down and find out exactly what happened. I don't believe it was as simple as being shot in the back. I think there's more going on than anyone is telling us. Don't ask me what gives me that idea; I don't know. It's just a feeling I have."

Jarrod wasn't about to tell his mother no to that request, especially after hearing the promise that Mr. Sawyer had made and for the fact that he too felt there was more to the story than they had. "You have my word mother; we'll do just that." He then turned and walked out of the room; he had his own packing to do.

~oOo~

The lights burned low in the small Rimfire sheriff's office that sat in the middle of town. Dave sat in his chair thinking about Frank Sawyer, Heath Barkley and a mess he wish he didn't have to deal with. Dave sighed and shook his head as his mind replayed the past twenty four hours, mostly on the telegram he had sent to the Barkley family. He felt horrible for what the news in the telegram would do to the Barkleys. He also guessed that neither Jarrod nor Nick would waste any time in traveling to Rimfire. They would want a 'better' explanation and their brother. He couldn't blame them for that either. If only he could have sent another message in the telegram to them, something he could have easily done if it hadn't been for the suspicions he and Frank Sawyer held when it came to the telegraph operator. His mind turned back to the first conversation he'd had with the US Marshall, just a few minutes after he and the posse had ridden into town.

"No, I don't trust him." Dave Barrett leaned back in his chair and looked at Frank Sawyer. The man had just inquired about the new telegram operator, a twenty-seven year old gentleman by the name of Kyle Muriel. "I tried to tell Mr. Banks the man wasn't trustworthy." Then, thinking of the wanted fugitive, the one Frank, Heath and the men with him were tracking, Dave asked, "Are you sure Mr. Jensen isn't working by himself?"

Mr. Jensen. The name made Frank's stomach turn. The man had swindled people from the east coast to Stockton, along with being wanted for bank robbery. He'd killed, or had others kill; more than fifteen men over the past ten years. "I'm absolutely sure." Marshall Sawyer leaned forward, "I just know Mr. Muriel is the one keeping his eyes open wide…especially on telegrams that are sent and received. I'm also pretty sure I know who the second man is, but I don't have the proof either way, just circumstantial evidence. We have to capture Mr. Jenson and then flush those other two men out." He went on to explain what he had in mind once they had captured the wanted man. By the time Frank was through, Dave was sitting back with his eyes wide open.

Sheriff Barrett stood up and walked to the window. From where he stood he could see Mr. Muriel talking to *Sidney Glover, a wealthy miner owner who lived in Rimfire. The man made Dave sick. That man had more than a short memory…he had no memory at all! The good sheriff ran everything that Heath had told him and Frank-after having a run in with Mr. Glover and before the posse had ridden out of Rimfire. Dave Barrett was sure than ever that Mr. Sawyer was right when he said he suspected Glover. Mr. Muriel who had warned Jensen in the past, and Mr. Glover just had to be the man handling the rest of the business…as the miner owner always thought he needed another income.

~oOo~

A/N *The town RIMFIRE, Dave Barrett and Sydney Glover were all in the episode RIMFIRE.