The next telegram Jarrod received confirmed what he had been thinking. The brothers and the mining company were connected. Dorago Mining Company was known for its shady deals, intimidation and violence to get what it wanted cheaply. His business friend had even found out that the mining company owned an unprofitable mine on the other side of the Barkley mine and had desired to tap into the profitable gold seam of the Barkley mine since the company had purchased the mine.
"Not if we can help it." Nick proclaimed. He had just finished shaving Heath when the telegram came. Jarrod was finishing cleaning Heath while Nick read the telegram. Heath's eyes fluttered open.
"Well hello there Brother Heath." Jarrod smiled down at his younger brother. "You're looking better." He ran his thumb down Heath's smooth cheek. "Do you feel better?"
Heath nodded, his trusting blue eyes watched Jarrod's every move. "We're just going to change your bed sheets and make you more comfortable." Nick stepped in front of Jarrod and scooped Heath up in his arms.
Nick masked his distress when he felt how light Heath was. His backbone protruded through his paper thin skin. "Nick?" He looked at his brother. "I need to go." Nick sat Heath on the edge of the bed, fully supporting him while Jarrod held the chamber pot in place. Heath lent his head on Nick's shoulder and closed his eyes. It was embarrassing to have his brothers do everything for him. Jarrod quickly finished making the bed and soon Heath was lying between the fresh sheets.
Silas entered with a steaming bowl of broth. Nick sat Heath up while Jarrod placed pillows behind him and started to spoon feed him. With a full stomach Heath soon drifted off to sleep. He had finished over half the bowl. Both brothers were pleased. "I'll sit with Mister Heath for a while."
"Thanks Silas." The brothers both answered. They left their younger brother's room and met their mother downstairs. Supper was waiting for them. They discussed the telegrams over the meal.
"I'm going to go up there and help Jason." It came as no surprise to Nick or Victoria that Jarrod wanted to see things for himself."
"You be careful Pappy. We don't know how far these people will go to get what they want." Nick wanted to desperately go with Jarrod but he also wanted to stay with Heath and keep helping with his care. He also didn't want Heath to get distressed by the brothers' absence.
When Jarrod arrived in town to board the train the next morning he was surprised to find a marshal waiting for him. "My name's John…John Franks. I heard that you're looking into the dealings of the Dorago Mining Company."
"You're correct marshal…and what interest do you have in this company?" Jarrod shook his hand and like any good lawyer got right to the point.
"I have reason to believe that this company is responsible for the deaths of at least ten miners."
"Well marshal I think you can probably add two more to your list and an attempted murder also. Our small mine in Scott Valley has suddenly been plagued with problems and Dorago Mining Company has offered to take it off our hands."
"These problems wouldn't include a cholera outbreak would they by any chance?" The marshal asked knowingly. His smirk gave him away, Jarrod nodded in reply.
"Why marshal how did you guess? Would you like to get a firsthand look?" Jarrod waved the marshal in the direction of the Barkley private car.
The marshal stepped into the private car and looked around. "I heard about your trip with your sick brother. How is he?"
"He's recovering. The worst is over…he just needs to get his strength back. He's tough and he's been through worse."
"Yes I know…Caterson…He'd have to be very tough to survive that hellhole." Both men sat down and got comfortable. It came as no surprise to Jarrod that this marshal had done his homework. Jarrod explained what had happened to date and also that he had an engineer looking over the mine. He then went on and explained what they had found out about two brothers who were working at the mine. "Ahh…the Pattersons…They've had their greedy fingers involved in every shady deal in California."
"So you know them well?" Jarrod asked a little amused by the marshal's scowling. "Do they know you by sight?"
The marshal shook his head. "No it's usually been one of my deputies sent to investigate but I decided to see for myself this time and hopefully get an arrest."
"We could say that you're interested in buying the mine. That should stir up trouble." Jarrod announced.
"Mr Barkley…I like the way you think." Jarrod picked up his cup of coffee and saluted with it, Marshal Franks doing the same.
Howard straightened up and smiled down at Heath. "You just rest…It's the best thing for you." He watched Heath's eyes slowly close and soon he was breathing deeply. Howard pointed to the door indicating that he wanted to talk to the family outside out of earshot of Heath.
They all descended down the stairs into the parlour where Silas quickly served coffee. "As I told you before Heath has a long road to recovery and that many cholera victims survive the disease but not the recovery. My main concern is Heath's heart. It's had to work hard to keep him alive and I'm afraid it's not improving. His heartbeat is very weak."
"Well can't you fix it?" Nick scowled at the doctor. Howard smiled, Nick was a man of action with little patience and he knew Heath's slow recovery was going to be very hard on him.
"It's not that simple Nick. His heart needs rest and time. Which means Heath will be bed ridden for some time. So there are a few things you are going to need to do. I might suggest that you think about hiring a specialised nurse for starters."
"Specialised nurse?" Victoria repeated.
"Yes…one that nurses long term patients. Heath will need to be massaged and exercised whilst he is bed ridden."
"How long are we looking at Howard?" Victoria tried to remain calm but inside she was screaming at the injustice of her son's suffering.
"Close to a year Victoria."
"A YEAR!" Nick yelled out of shock more than anything. Victoria's hands went to her mouth.
"I'm afraid so…Until I'm happy with his heart, he must stay in bed."
"Where would we hire one of these specialised nurses?" Victoria calmed herself and took control of the situation.
"I'll make some enquiries and get back to you. In the meantime I'll show some things you should be doing." Howard got up and asked Nick to lie on the floor so he could show them some of the less stressful exercises. The determined family listened to the instructions and soon Nick, Silas and Victoria were proficient enough to carry out Howard's instructions. Victoria, a believer in the useful therapy of various oils, would take charge of the massaging that Heath would need to keep his limbs supple.
Between the three of them a routine was set up. Heath was cleaned, fed, massaged and his limbs lightly exercised through bending each day. In between he slept soundly, most times falling asleep while being massaged. Nick looked after the ranch in between caring for Heath. He hated seeing his brother so weak and helpless but kept reminding himself that he was very lucky that he was alive to worry about. No one but the doctor visited from town and it soon became obvious that friends who the Barkley's had helped on several occasions were being isolated and ignored. Even after the doctor had assured the town that there was no longer a threat of cholera they stayed away.
The Barkley's stayed away from town too engrossed in looking after Heath and waited patiently to hear from Jarrod.
