AN: Special thanks goes to my patient readers :-) I am trying my best to work on all my WIPs in all the fandoms I'm currently writing in and I'd like to thank everyone for their understanding when it comes to being time poor due to a demanding RL.

To Kirsten: Thank you so much for your continued support. I, and Griff, appreciate it ;-) I hope you'll enjoy this next installment.

This is for Questfan...


Chapter 6

Nightfall arrived sooner than Griff had anticipated. He had ridden to the lake and basked in the solitude the wilderness provided. Away from accusing stares and words spoken to him in contempt, the young man felt at peace as he let the hours pass him by while he read the novel that Mrs. Walters had entrusted him to keep for Candy. Now with the sun dipping low below the horizon, he figured it was too late to ride back to the ranch and decided he would sleep under the stars. His stomach growled and he thought longingly about Hop Sing's cooking, realizing that apart from some beef jerky during the ride, he hadn't eaten since breakfast. With a sigh, Griff marked where he had left the story by placing a feather between the pages of the book then lay himself down under the tree and used his saddle as a pillow. It didn't take long for his tired eyes to droop shut.

Unbeknownst to the young man were a pair of eyes watching from a distance then disappearing into the night.


Slade McCoy paced the guest room in the Cartwright home until at last a knock on the door followed by Mr. Howard's voice greeted his ears.

"Well?" McCoy demanded impatiently once his associate entered the room and shut the door behind him.

"He's in the woods, sleeping under the stars. Didn't even bat an eyelid, stupid kid," Mr. Howard scoffed.

"That may very well play to our advantage. After all, who can vouch for his whereabouts but the wilderness? The more time he spends away from the ranch, the stronger the temptation will be for him to slip up and break the law. I know his kind only too well. And what of my son?"

"Hidin' out on the outskirts of town, probably waitin' for the rest of the gang to show up."

"Foolish boy!" McCoy cursed his son for the ill-fated choices he made in his life. Ever since the fever took away Aaron's mother, their relationship had been strained then over the last couple of years, the boy had started to find himself caught up in more trouble than McCoy could handle. He vowed to bring his son home at all costs and to straighten the boy out. If it meant that someone else would have to take the fall then so be it. Particularly when it was going to be someone who had cheated justice. After all, who would believe a con over the son of the US Marshall? McCoy thought darkly.

An unexpected knock on the door abruptly ended their conversation.

"Yes?" McCoy called out, politely.

Ben Cartwright poked his head in the doorway. "I'm sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting?"

"No, not at all. Please come in," McCoy reassured, although in truth he thought the rancher could've picked a more favorable time.

"I wanted to bid you both a good night and to make certain that the tack room is going to be sufficient to accommodate Mr. Howard." Making eye contact with McCoy's companion, Ben added, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay in Adam's room? It can get a little drafty in the tack room."

"Thank you, Mr. Cartwright. I'm grateful for your concern, however, I assure you I'd be more comfortable in the tack room. Old habits. I grew up on a ranch just like this and I always slept better when I'm closer to the horses," lied Mr. Howard. In truth his sole purpose was to keep a watchful eye on one Griff Kinng. Staying in the ranch foreman's tack room allowed him easy access and a clear view of the ranch hands' bunkhouse.

"Very well. If you insist, I'll breathe no more word about it. If there's nothing else either of you need, I'll bid you both a good night. It's payroll tomorrow so an early start for me and Joe."

"Thanks, Ben. You've done us a great favor by accommodating us. Sleep well," McCoy returned the gesture with a friendly slap to Ben's shoulder.

"Good night, Mr. Cartwright," Mr. Howard followed suit. "And you too, Mr. McCoy. I best let you get some much needed rest."

"Yes, Mr. Howard, I think we have both earned it," Slade slyly returned the greeting.

Once Mr. Howard and Ben left the room, McCoy decided to settle in for the night. There was much to think about in relation to his son, but he knew he needed to be patient. He believed in the saying that all good things come to those who wait. With Griff King playing right into his hands, all he needed to do was keep his boy from making any more foolish mistakes; a hardship he was determined to overcome at all costs. He'd already lost his wife, Jane. The thought of losing the last link he had with his wife, not to mention the humiliation the family name would have to bear, was a consequence he could not live to endure.


Camped out between the rock formations away from the main road well outside of town, Aaron McCoy jumped up from his bedroll with his gun in hand at the sound of two horses approaching.

"Easy there, McCoy!"

"Don't call me that, Troy or I'll put a hole in ya!" Aaron hissed angrily. For the young man, McCoy was his father's name and he did not want to be associated with a man he bore a deep hatred for. His law abiding and seeker of justice father, Marshall Slade McCoy, was dead to him.

The sandy haired young man dismounted from his horse, ignoring the riled up youth. His companion, a heavier and taller cowboy also climbed down from his perch in the saddle.

"Where's Zeke?" Aaron demanded.

"Romeo's busy with that Allman gal. Said he'd meet us at first light," the larger youth answered. "You know, he's slowin' us down. Once we pull that job in Carson City, I'm goin' straight to Reno. I ain't comin' back to this town. If he wants ta come back, I say we cut our losses. I'm sick and tired of him telling us what to do while he sleeps in that big house and we're stuck out here. Besides, it's only a matter of time before the law catches up to us if we keep on comin' home after a job."

Aaron nodded in agreement. "Only a matter of time before Allman finds out his daughter's bedding a good fer nothin' cowpoke. It'll serve him right too."

"Well I ain't gonna wait that long! Allman's blind as a bat when it comes to Betty."

"What are you sayin', Levi?" Troy questioned suspiciously.

"Tomorrow, I'm gonna set the record straight. Zeke's gonna have ta do things our way from now on or there's gonna be an extra share of the loot for the rest of us. Do either of you have a problem with that?" Levi proposed none too kindly then added, "Cause I've had it!"

Uncomfortable with the way in which the direction the conversation was taking, Troy reluctantly shook his head. "I'm with you."

All eyes turned to the dark haired youth.

An evil smile pulled at the corners of Aaron's mouth. "Why wait till tomorrow?"