Chapter Two
"Warning"
Beechers Hope, July, 1911
"Mr. Marston," Archer says. "We need to talk."
Archer Fordham had knocked on the Marston family house door late at night. The door next to John and Abigail's room. John stands there as he is more awake now then before at the unexpected sight of Archer. One of the very agents that took his family away. That made John chase his old brothers in arms not so long ago.
"What the hell are you doing here?" John says in frustrated tone.
"Mr. Marston," Archer starts off saying but pauses for a few seconds. "I apologize for coming at a such a time at night. I don't know any other time I can speak to you without others knowing."
"What are you talkng about?" John asks. Still frustrated. "Why are you here?"
"Our mutual friend, Agent Edgar Ross, he's planning... something".
"Planning what?"
Archer sighs at Johns question.
"He's planning an assault. An assault here, on your farm."
John stands there confused. He partly thinks he is still sleeping, but his senses tell him he's awake.
"What?" John asks confused and unconvinced.
"Agent Ross," Archer states. "The director of the Bureau of Investigation department for West Elizabeth. The man who had you eliminate our old gang."
"Yeah I know who, but what the hell are you talking about? An assault?"
"Yes, Agent Ross wishes you dead. For your crimes in the van der Linde gang."
John, still unconvinced, moves forword in a intimidating manor.
"What are you talking about?" John says angrily. "You and him said I would be forgiven for my crimes as long as I eliminated my old gang. You let me come home. You let my family go."
"I know Mr Marston. Doesn't matter. Do you really think it matters to him. Your an outlaw."
"An outlaw who changed."
"Perhaps, but not in his eyes. Your a murderer and a thief. You derserve death just like Dutch, Williamson, and Escuella got."
John stands there, looking at Archer with anger in his eyes.
"So what the hell are you doing here?" John asks angrily. "Come to gloat about killing me before you actually do it?"
"I've come to save you Mr. Marston," Archer says.
John stands there unconvinced. Looking at Fordham with anger still.
"What game are you playing friend?" John says.
"Im not playing games Mr. Marston. Agent Ross wants you dead, because he thinks your an idiotic outlaw killer who should be sentenced to death. However, Agent Ross knows your a skilled killer. You know how to handle guns and you won't go easily."
"And you know this too huh?" John says. "So why the hell would you come to tell me this, if I could get my gun and kill you right now before you kill me."
"Im here to save you Mr. Marston. Like I told you, Ross knows your skilled and won't let him take you down without a fight. Not after everything he made you do, then letting you go just to come back and kill you. So, he is trying to get the best men he can to assault your farm. Not just Marshal's and agents from the bureau, but the army."
"The army?" John says while chuckling. "You have to be joking."
"Im serious," Archer says. "he wants them because your skills are pretty much top notch. So he is getting skilled killers that could match that."
"Its been two weeks since you let me come home, and released my family. If Ross wants me dead, why the hell is it taking him this long?"
"He's going through the motions. Getting resources, certain peoples approval. Its not as easy as you would think."
John sighs.
"So you expect me to believe your here on your own goodwill to save me?" John says unconvinced.
"I am," Archer says desperately. "I am here because you don't deserve to die."
"Forgive me if I am wrong, but I remember you worked with Ross. had me go after my old gang while you held my innocent wife and son hostage."
"I know, but we only did that as your punishment for all the crimes you committed. You served your punishment. You were forgiven and redeemed."
"Well I guess you didn't believe that."
"I did," Archer says in a calm and convincing tone. "Ross didn't. I believe he and a few others knew from the beginning you've been a deadman on borrowed time. I didn't, but now that I know what he wishes to do with you...I wish help you."
A few moments of silence pass as a skeptic John and Agent Archer look at eachother.
"I was apart of the knowledge of you being redeemed for your crimes in return for your work," Archer says. "I agreed with it because it was right. What with Ross wanting you dead is wrong. I don't agree with it."
"So you are saying you want me alive?" John asks.
"You deserve it. You earned it. Like I told you, you did your country proud."
John remains skeptical as he looks at Archer with doubt.
"I ain't here tricking you Mr. Marston," Archer says. "I ain't here to screw with you. Play games with you. This ain't apart of Ross's plot to have you killed. I think you did crimes that you deserved to be punished for. You got what you deserved, but that was it. Its over now. Your redeemed. Atleast more decent and should just be left alone. What Ross is doing is beyond the rights of the law. He's been doing it for a while now. I've seen it and I been questioning why I still follow him. This plan to have you killed is the final nail in the coffin."
John looks down at the ground as he starts considering Archer's words.
"You don't have to forgive me," Archer tells John. "Being involved with taking your family away, the insults we've thrown against eachother. All of that is something you don't have to forgive me for, but I am here to help you. Its my job to fight for justice and now I know, I know that stopping Ross and his growing corruption is justice."
"So whats your plan?" John asks. "Whats your plan with telling me this in the first place. Stopping Ross?"
"the only way to stop him. His position in the bureau and the respect he has from others. We can't get him thrown into prison. The only way to stop him is by sending him away. Permanently."
"What?" John says a little concerned.
"Listen it wasn't my first option but its truly the only way," Archer says.
"Are you mad in the head? Killing him? Thats what your talking about right? That could create a further load of problems worse then right now."
"Listen, with him dead I would succeed him as director of the bureau because of my position as his partner and service to the agency. Once in that position I can pull any strings we need pulled to clear everything up after its done."
"Okay, so how the hell would you even do it? Sure you will get those connections after its all over and can use them, but what connections do you got now that will allow you to even pull this off?"
"I ain't alone on the realization that Ross has lost his sense for justice. Realization on how he doesn't care about whats right or wrong anymore. Two other agents in the bureau, I been speaking with them. All three of us agree Ross now fights for decent motives, but in a bad way and to further his own career too. All three of us are willing to do this. Killing Ross for the greater good. Its not just about you John. Your not the only reason we are trying to stop him, but you are a big enough part of it that I am telling you this."
"So what do you want from me?" John says skeptically.
"We need another persons help," Archer says. "Just another person I know would be willing to help. You are the only one. After what he did and your obvious hatred towards Ross. I think you are the best person. It would also make it all fair after everything that's happened with him making you kill that old gang you ran in."
John looks at Archer. He thinks of what he's been told. He is can see how its true and understand what's happening. He dislikes Ross and wouldn't mind killing him. However, John remains on edge. Skeptic and unsure if Archer is just trying to trick and mess with him again.
"Are you sure about this?" John says.
"Yes," Archer replies. "I am being honest. I swear my word is true. Now will you help me stop Ross, and save your own life before he kills you?"
John thinks. While he remains a little unsure if this is true, he can believe the situation and decides not to give up an opportunity that might actually stop what could be a very bad situation against him.
"What do we need to do?" John says.
Archer looks down as he gives a faint chuckle to himself. Realizing John is willing to help with this. Archer looks at John and proceeds to explain whats happening further.
"Edgar Ross has friends," Archer tells him. Pausing to check the time quickly, he soon returns to talking to John as if he needs to finish up soon.
"What type of friends?" John asks.
"Certain friends that he gets most of his resources from. The people he talks to which allows him to do things like kidnap your family or use the army to assault and kill Dutch. Even though that assault would've been police work. That main friend of his that he gets these resources from is the most powerful man in the state."
"Nate Johns ain't it," John asks. Even though he knows he is right.
"Governor Nate Johns has used Ross a few times now," Archer says. "Ross has been willing to help Governor Johns for awhile now. In order to get on his good side. In return, Ross has a powerful figure that can help him. Pretty much Ross is a suck up to Nate Johns so that in return Ross can use him as a resource to get what things done for himself."
"So what is the deal with Governor Johns in this?"
"Well, Ross is meeting with Nate Johns soon. He is gonna try to use his friendship with him to gain the resources for his assault on your farm."
"So what? Gonna try and stop him before that?"
"Me and the other agents are meeting tomorrow night," Archer says. "A cabin that I have access to at Aurora Basin. You know where that is?"
"I do," John replies.
"Meet us there at around four or five in the evening. We will be discussing plans there about what we need to do."
John nods his head. Archer looks at him for a few seconds, before slowly backing up to leave.
"I'll see you then Mr. Marston," Archer says. "Goodnight."
John watches as Archer turns. He walks to his horse back on the dirt road that runs through the ranch. Archer mounts up and leaves. As John watches him depart, he slowly turns around and heads back inside for the night. He closes the door and proceeds to lock it. Here, John stands still and thinks about whats been told to him. About everything that's happening. He remains skeptical, but also is willing to figure this all out. Not wanting to give a chance to actually stop Ross from attacking if it is true.
The next morning,
Its evening, and John prepares his horse over by the barn. Jack walks by as he heads for the house.
"So what did you want me to tell mother again Pa?" Jack asks his father.
"That I gotta head out," says John. "Shopkeeper in Manzanita had a problem with something I sold to him a few days ago and I gotta sort it out."
"Well hurry back Pa. You are missing some good dinner."
John smiles as Jack departs for the house. John proceeds to mount up just as Uncle makes it over to him.
"Alright John, what the hell do you want?" says the old man. "Called me over here so suddenly."
"Don't act like you were doing anything important old man," John tells him.
"Whatever, just tell me what it is you wanted. Need to to head out with you?"
"No, I actually wanted to ask that you keep an eye out around here for me. There's... a problem."
"What problem?"
John sighs and looks around to make sure no one else is near.
"Listen Uncle," John tells Uncle firmly. "I'm gonna tell you this, and you can't let anyone know. Not Jack or Abigail."
"What is it?" Uncle asks.
"Say you ain't gonna tell no one."
"I ain't gonna share a word dammit! Now what is it?"
John hesitates.
"One of the agents who sent me away," John begins. "He came here last night and said that man Edgar Ross, he's planning to have me killed."
"What!" Uncle suddenly shouts out. John signals him to be quiet, and looks around to make sure Jack and Abigail didn't come out and hear anything.
"Damn you old man I said you gotta keep quiet about this."
"Well them agents that made you leave want you dead. What are you gonna do?"
"Only one of them want me dead. Edgar Ross, but the other one is named Archer Fordham. He warned me and wants my help to stop Ross. Stop him from killing me and stop his corruption once and for all."
"You are gonna kill a government agent?" Uncle says. "I mean I wouldn't mind doing it myself cause they all crooks anyhow, but how could you do this without know if its necessary?"
"Im gonna find out if its necessary," John assures Uncle. "I am going out to a meeting with him and some others. While I am gone, I need you to keep an eye out for trouble. If any of them show up you get Jack and Abigail out of here. Promise me you will keep them safe if anything happens old man. Promise me cause I need this from you."
Uncle sighs.
"Damn John what mess have you gotten into? Alright, I'll do it. I'll keep alert and on watch till you get back."
John nods.
"Thanks old man."
Later on, as the evening continues, John rides his horse over to the cabin in Aurora Basin. As he makes it to the cabin, he dismounts his horse and hitches it. John stands there on the little bit of snow on the ground. He looks and see's other horses that are hitched near. John walks around to the front and makes his way to the door. As he stands at the door, John grips his holstered cattleman revolver and prepares for the worst as he slowly opens the door. As John opens the door and enters, he walks in to see Archer and two other Bureau agents sitting at a table.
"Mr Marston," Archer says. "Good to see you joined us."
"Likewise," John replies.