A/N: As a warning, this chapter does contain slight verbal and physical abuse. Also, I made up a lot of the following legal scenario from pieces of different Bonanza episodes. All in all, Shannon does not have a fun time in this chapter.
"Class, you are dismissed for recess."
The boys in the classroom were out of their seats as though they had been shot from a gun. They all shouted and pushed to grab their outerwear before they fought to get through the door. They were followed closely by the youngest students, and then the girls exited the schoolhouse, leaving Miss Jones to enjoy a few moments of peace.
Carefully pulling on her gloves, Shannon Cartwright avoided meeting her friend Amy's pleading look and hurried out to stand on the porch of the schoolhouse. The air was cold, signalling that winter had nearly arrived. Her right ankle gave a twinge, reminding her of her mishap with Amy Jackson not many weeks earlier. Absently, the girl leaned down and rubbed at the pain as she looked out over the schoolyard.
Her gaze landed on the group of boys who were crouched on the ground. "Hey, Molly? What are they doing?" she asked the closest girl.
Molly Cooper gave a scoff. "They think they're playing poker."
"Where did they learn poker?"
"That new boy, Richard Smith, taught Jimmy Walters and now they think teaching the other boys is great fun."
Sharing an exasperated look, full of disdain for the opposite sex, the two girls shook their heads. Molly waved to her friends and hurried away from the porch. Shivering, Shannon moved closer to the wall in an effort to protect herself from the light wind that blew. Between having to be cold or having to spend recess inside with Miss Jones, though, Shannon knew she'd take the cold, no matter how uncomfortable it was.
It was on days like this that she envied the other's apparent imperviousness to the cold. She watched as one of the braver girls ran up behind the poker playing boys, smacked one of them upside the head, and then bolted away with a laugh. Shaking her head, Shannon decided to take advantage of the break and make use of the outhouse.
When she was leaving the outhouse a few minutes later, she spotted a woman in red enter the schoolhouse. A sense of unease washed over her. "There you are," Jimmy Walters exclaimed, rushing over. He had a grin on his face that meant only one thing: trouble. "That couple was just asking about you. What have you done now?"
"What couple?" Shannon asked, looking again at the schoolhouse. "Who are they?"
"Oh, I don't know. I sent them inside to speak to Miss Jones."
Without waiting to hear more from the boy, Shannon half-walked, half-ran, to the closest of the schoolroom windows. She peeked in and her breath caught in her throat. Though she did not recognize the man, she did know the woman: her aunt, Scarlet Mallory. Time had not changed the woman a bit, red hair gleaming beneath her hat. Sitting at her desk, Amy had a horrified expression on her face.
"No!" Jerking back, Shannon pressed her hands to her mouth. "How can she be here?"
After all this time, why was she here? What could have brought Scarlet Mallory back into the Nevada Territory when she must have known Ben Cartwright would stop at nothing to see her punished for the crimes she had committed? What nightmare come to life was this?
"Shannon? What's wrong?" Questions came from all sides and from more than one person.
"I have to find my pa," Shannon said, ignoring them all. She spun and raced to the small stable. For a moment, she hesitated, looking at the saddle. Making a split second decision that saddling Scout would only take up too much of her time, Shannon pulled herself onto the mare's back. She kicked Scout's sides and raced away from the schoolyard. She thought she heard a man's voice call her name but she couldn't look behind.
All that mattered was that she get to Pa as soon as possible.
Scout was breathing just as hard as Shannon when she reined the horse to a stop in front of the house. The girl slid to the ground and wrapped the reins around the hitching post. She rushed for the front door, shouting for her pa as she went. Stumbling on the threshold, she managed to catch herself before she became intimately acquainted with the floor.
No comforting baritone responded to her calls. No thud of feet hitting the floor to come to her.
"Lil' Missy, why you home?" Hop-Sing demanded, hurrying from the kitchen. He was drying his hands on a towel. "What happen?"
"Hop-Sing, where is my pa?" Why hadn't she paid attention during breakfast when her family discussed the day's tasks?
The cook frowned. "Him out clearing fence row with sons," he answered. "In south pasture they say."
That was all she needed to hear. With an almost moan, Shannon spun and ran back outside. Concerned, Hop-Sing followed her to the porch, and shivered in the wind as he watched her ride out of the yard at a speed her father would have been appalled to see. Sensing trouble, the cook hurried inside, muttering to himself.
Pausing in his work, Hoss studied the sky with an expert eye. "We're going to have snow sooner than I thought," he commented. "Just look at the way those clouds are building up over the mountains."
Around him, his brothers and father also paused in their work of clearing out old trees along the fence row. It was not a task that took all four of them, but it was occasionally good to work as a family. Their breath showed in brief fogs that dissipated almost instantly. "The sooner we get this cleaned up, then, the better," Adam responded, leaning against the handle of his ax. "Think of how much work it will be if these get mired down in mud during the winter and spring."
Joe picked up his ax. "I don't know about you fellows, but I'd rather get this done now," he said with a grin, "before the cold freezes my fingers."
The rest of the family chuckled in agreement. Before Ben could lift his ax, though, he spotted movement in the north. "It looks like we have a visitor, boys," he said.
Hoss squinted, trying to get a better look. "Well, doggone," he said, recognizing the horse. "Pa, I think that's Shannon. At least, the horse looks a lot like Scout but she's supposed to be at school for another four hours, ain't she?"
"She's riding awfully fast," Joe said. The corners of Ben's mouth tugged downward at that observation.
"Something must have happened," Adam said, frowning.
Less than five minutes later, Shannon pulled Scout to a halt in front of her family. The Cartwright girl slid from the horse's back, landed unsteadily, and ended up falling on her hands and knees. "Shannon, you've about ridden that horse to the ground," Hoss instantly said, his sharp eyes taking in the exhaustion of the little mare as he grabbed the reins.
Ben knelt down by his daughter, and grabbed her shoulders as his sons crowded around. "Pa, s-she's h-here. S-she c-came b-back," the girl stammered as she tried to straighten herself. Her words were rushed together as though she wanted to get them all out. There was a blue tinge to her lips, and her skin pale.
"Shannon, you're frozen through," Ben exclaimed in horror. He shrugged off his own coat and wrapped it around her. "What happened? Slow down and tell us. Why did you leave school?"
Shivering violently, Shannon fixed wide eyes, filled with fear and panic, on her father's face. "Aunt Scarlet is here."
"What?"
Scout shied at Ben's angered shout, and Hoss focused on calming the animal. Joe let out a low whistle. "I didn't think that woman would ever show her face in this territory again," he said.
Adam crouched down. "Shannon, where did you see her?"
Shannon's gaze flicked to him. "She came to the schoolhouse with some man. They were asking about me, and while they were inside talking to Miss Jones, I got out of there. I had to find you. I didn't want to...to disappear again."
His heart aching for Shannon's palpable fear, Ben pulled his only daughter into a tight embrace. "I've got you," he said, his voice muffled as he spoke against her head. Somewhere along her frantic ride, she had lost her knit cap. Her curly hair was a tousled mess.
"I think we should take this to the house where it's warm," Adam said as a gust of wind hit them. His face was grave as he straightened up. "It won't do none of us any good to get a chill out here."
Nodding, Ben got to his feet and pulled Shannon up with him. As his sons mounted up themselves, Ben set his daughter in Buck's saddle and mounted behind her. Though the cold wind bit through his shirt, he had no intention of taking his coat from her, not when she was so cold herself. He wrapped his arms around her to hold the reins.
"Pa, I'm scared."
Those words, spoken so softly, sent anger rushing through Ben. Hadn't she been put through enough? How dare Scarlet Mallory reappear to torment them again? "There's nothing to be afraid of, sweetheart," he said. "Your pa's got you and I'm not letting go."
Two men rode up to the Ponderosa ranch. "So this is the place," the shorter man, dressed in a business suit, remarked, examining the house as they drew closer to the large house. "I have to say it isn't anything like what I imagined. Miss Mallory led me to believe this was more a hovel than a functioning business."
"Miss Mallory has a low opinion of the Cartwrights," his companion responded with a smirk. "They are a well respected family in this territory. For the most part, that is. There are those who would like to see the high and mighty Cartwrights taken down a few pegs."
"You're one of those few, I would imagine, Mr. Ryans. Tell me, will this respect for the Cartwrights hamper our plans?"
"Miss Mallory and I have already taken everything into consideration," Ryans said. He reined his mount in. "You should go on without me, Roger. I think it would be unwise for us to tip the Cartwrights off as to my being in town."
With a nod, Roger rode on and as he approached the house, the front door opened. Adam stepped into view and called out, "Can I help you gentlemen?" Though he had no gun visible, his stance was a protective, defensive one.
"I've come to speak to Mr. Ben Cartwright about a matter," the stranger responded, reining his mount in. "My name is Michael Roger."
"I'm afraid you've come at a bad time. Perhaps you could give me a message and my father can contact you when it is convenient."
Mr. Roger shook his head. "I've come from San Francisco, Mr. Cartwright. I really do need to speak with your father. Now."
Eyeing him, Adam weighed the matter. "Alright. Come on in." He waited for the man to dismount and then led the way into the house. He announced, "Pa, this is Michael Roger of San Francisco. He says he's come to Virginia City on a particular matter that concerns you."
"Really?" Ben said in surprise. "Welcome to the Ponderosa, Mr. Roger. I'm afraid you've caught us at a bad time. What can I do for you?"
"It's more of a personal issue, I suppose you could say, Mr. Cartwright. I've come about my daughter." The man's voice was thin and tight with anger. He took off his hat to reveal his fair hair. He was dressed more for a businessman in the city than a man riding to a ranch. "She belongs with me in San Francisco, not on a little known ranch like this."
Adam's eyebrows went up at that rather incorrect description of the Ponderosa. Dumbfounded, Ben shook his head. "Perhaps you can explain further," he said, sensing his sons moving behind him. "As far as I know, I am not acquainted with your daughter, Mr. Roger."
"There you are mistaken. Shannon Mallory is my natural daughter, and I do not intend on leaving this God forsaken territory without her."
Shocked, Ben stared at the man. "That's ridiculous!" Little Joe burst out. "Where did you come up with a fool story like that? Who put you up to this? Scarlett Mallory?"
Roger didn't even glance at Joe as he stared steadily at Ben. He took a single, deliberate step forward. "We can do this the easy way, with you handing her over now and we going on our way, or the hard way, which I promise you will not be pleasant for anyone."
"Shannon is my daughter, and you're not going anywhere near her," Ben said evenly, struggling to keep his voice down. He knew all too well that sounds could easily travel to the kitchen and this was not something he wanted Shannon to overhear. "I don't know where you got this idea, but—"
"Carolyn said the child was mine and I will take her anyway I have to! I have already filed a case against you with the judge in Virginia City."
"A case? For what?" Adam asked when it was apparent Ben couldn't ask it.
"The custody of Shannon Mallory and control of her inheritance."
"Money," Ben said, his voice a growl of annoyance. He stepped forward again, his eyes on Roger. "I'll meet you in court, and I promise you, you won't win. You're not going to take my daughter from me. Now get off of my land before I throw you off."
Settling his hat on his head, Roger gave a mirthless laugh. "I am not some backwater man you can push around, Mr. Cartwright. I've come prepared for a fight and I will win."
Before he could go on, there was a knock on the front door. Glancing at his pa, Adam eased around their unwanted visitor to get to the door. He opened it recognize Sheriff Coffee. "Roy, come on in," he said, stepping back to allow the lawman in. "You have impeccable timing."
Removing his hat, the sheriff entered. "I didn't recognize the horse out there—" He broke off as his eyes focused on Roger. "You? Now what in tarnation are you doing here?"
"Mr. Roger here came to tell us about the court case he's presented to the judge," Adam said, "and to offer a deal for us to avoid it all if we handed Shannon over to him now."
"Mr. Roger, you had no right to ride out here just to stir up trouble," Roy said sharply, keeping his eyes on the man.
"Sheriff, do your job already," Roger said sharply. "That is what you've come to do, isn't it?"
There was a pause and the sheriff turned away from Roger. "I'm sorry, Ben," he said, his tone full of regret. "I have no other choice. I have a signed order from the judge to take Shannon off the Ponderosa immediately. She is to be put in the care of a neutral party for the duration of the court case."
"What?" All four Cartwright men exclaimed. Hoss continued with, "Pa, he can't do it, can he? How can he take us to court about this?"
Roger smirk made Ben's temper snap. "Why are you still in my house?" he demanded, his voice thundering. "Haven't you caused enough harm and mayhem? Get out!"
"I have the right to see that the judge's order is carried out," Roger responded defensively. "After all, the sheriff is a friend of yours and might take a bribe to see the girl disappears between her and Virginia City."
Swiftly, Sheriff Coffee spun around. "You best not be calling into question my integrity as a lawman," he said. "Way I see it, Mr. Cartwright has every right to shoot you down where you stand for trespassing. I suggest you get yourself off his land."
At the sheriff's sharp words, Roger recoiled. Without another word, he left the house. Adam followed them out, presumably to make sure he left for good. It was only when he met up with Ryans that Roger said, "You're right. They do think themselves superior. I have every intention of bringing them down, one way or the other."
Ryans chuckled. "I do love it when an arrangement is mutually satisfactory."
Inside the Ponderosa house, Ben focused on his old friend. "Roy, is there anything you can tell me?" he asked, hating the note of desperation in his voice. "How long has that man been in town?"
"He only arrived in town about a week ago," Sheriff Coffee answered, shaking his head. "He didn't cause any trouble. I had no idea this was coming until I was called to the judge's office this afternoon."
Sagging against the side of the chair, Ben covered his face with his hand for a moment. He heard his oldest son enter the house. "How can this be happening?"
"We shouldn't have assumed that Scarlet Mallory was done," Adam responded. "If there's even the slightest chance she can get money, she'll try for it."
"Scarlet Mallory is here in Virginia City?" Roy asked with a frown. "I...hadn't heard that."
"She's not working with this Roger fellow?"
The sheriff shook his head. "If she is, she hasn't been seen doing it."
Ben sent a glance up. "You have no idea how this is going to hurt Shannon, Roy."
"Where are you taking her?" Adam asked. "We do have a right to know that, don't we? Is it with someone we know? How safe will she be?"
"Roger pushed for a truly neutral home, and Paul was deemed unacceptable due to his friendship with you," Roy answered. "A family who is new to Virginia City was chosen. I've met them, Ben. They seem to be good people. She'll be safe."
"Seem to be," Ben repeated, turning his gaze back to his friend. "And how do we know this new family has no connection to Roger or Miss Mallory?"
"Now you're just being paranoid. Ben, I'll look after Shannon. I promise you that."
"Pa?"
At the soft question, Ben turned. Shannon was by the table. Her eyes were wide and she was paler than he had ever seen her. "Pa, what's going on?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, Miss Shannon," Sheriff Coffee said, true regret in his voice. "You have to come with me into town now."
"Town?" she repeated, shaking her head. "No. No, I can't do that. That's where Aunt Scarlet is. You can't take me back to her! I won't go!"
As her voice rose with every word, the twelve year old swayed. "Joe!" Ben exclaimed needlessly. His youngest son, who was the closest, was already scooping Shannon up and setting her back on the chair. Turning, the Cartwright patriarch glared at the sheriff. "Was there no other way to tell her?"
"Ben, you know I don't like having to do this but there is no choice. If you try to stop me, you'll be in contempt of court and I'll have to arrest you."
"Pa, I just don't understand it," Hoss said. "How can someone come along and say you ain't Shannon's pa?"
"I don't know, Hoss. He must have some kind of proof that convinced the judge to look into it," he answered. He hesitated, trying to think of a strategy or some way to fight this. "I have to go into town and speak to Hiram."
"This is Scarlett Mallory's doing, isn't it?" Joe asked, hate glittering in his eyes.
"Joseph," Ben said, rubbing the side of his head. "Not now."
"Shannon? Shannon, everything's fine. Shannon!" Hoss pleaded. He crouched in front of his sister. "Shan, look at me. Pa, I think she's gone into shock."
Abandoning the argument with Roy, Ben hurried to the chair and knelt next to Hoss. The twelve year old's eyes were wide with fear and shock, and focused on nothing at all. Her breaths were short gasps. When Ben grabbed her shoulders, she didn't react.
"Shock," Ben said, keeping tight hold on his anger. How dare that man come onto his land and threaten to take his child away? "Shannon, listen to me. Look at me, sweetheart. You're fine. Your pa's right here."
But was that the truth? Ben ruthlessly shoved that thought to the back of his mind and locked it there As far as he was concerned, Shannon was his and he was going to fight to keep her. "Joe, bring her fresh tea," he ordered, glancing over his shoulder. Something stronger was usually needed in a case of shock, he knew, but he was reluctant to go that route with his daughter.
Behind him, he could hear Adam speaking to Roy, demanding to see the court order reached. Roughly, Ben shook Shannon's shoulders in an attempt to shake her back to reality. The girl gasped, her head snapping up. "There you are, is fine."
Shannon's eyes shifted to Ben's face. "Pa," she whispered. "He said..."
Gathering into her arms, Ben held her close. "I know, I know. I've got you."
"But for how long?" Shannon's muffled question reached his ears and Ben found he didn't have an answer.
"Pa, she has to go with Roy," Adam said. "We can submit an appeal with the judge, but she has to leave now."
Not long at all, it seemed. Feeling as though he was breaking his daughter's heart and his own, Ben let go of Shannon. "Sweetheart, go up with Hoss and Joe," he said. "They'll help you pack what you need, alright. It won't be for long."
"But, Pa," Joe started to protest.
"Joseph, please do as I ask."
Hoss scooped Shannon up. "Come on, Little Joe. Let's not make this any more difficult than it already is."
Sitting on her bed, Shannon had nothing to say as her brothers tried to pack what she'd need. Hop-Sing slipped in soon after and took charge of the situation, scolding the two young men in his native tongue. The Chinese man was quick to fill the carpet bag with clothes and then set it on the end of the bed.
"It's not right," Joe said, looking over Shannon's head. "How can Roy be going along with this?"
"Joe, Pa'll sort it all out," Hoss said, his tone unusually sharp. "Don't upset Shan. In fact, why don't you carry her bag down for her."
Without a word of complaint, and that wasn't like Joe at all, the young man obeyed. Sliding off the bed onto the floor, Shannon began searching under the bed. "What are you looking for, Shan?" Hoss asked in confusion. "Did Hop-Sing forget something?"
"No, but I almost did," the twelve year old said, pulling a medium sized wooden box out. Sitting on her knees, she lifted the lid and pulled an old family bible out. She opened the bible to the first page where a worn, folded sheet of paper rested. "Hoss, you have to promise me you'll give this to Pa. It's the letter my mother wrote to me before she died."
Carefully, Hoss took the whole bible from her. "That sure will help, Shan," he said. "I'll take care of this, I promise."
Shannon stood up, her eyes teary in her pale face. Setting the bible on her bed, Hoss brought her coat to the girl and helped her get it on before he hugged her tightly. "It won't be for long," her large brother promised, when he stepped back. "Pa'll have it all sorted out quicker than you know."
She almost smiled as she nodded. With Hoss' hand on her shoulder, she left her room. Roy was waiting by the door. Spotting her, Adam moved to meet her at the bottom of the steps. "Keep your gloves on," Adam told her in his big brother tone. "It's too cold for you to go without them anymore."
His hug was briefer than Hoss' had been but he never was an openly sentimental person. Shannon clung to him, remembering all the times her oldest brother had rescued her. Adam straightened up and stepped back to let Joe say goodbye. Her normally vocal, animated brother's manner was so subdued that Shannon wouldn't have recognized him. His hug was fierce and tight, though he didn't say anything.
Roy had her bag in his hand. "Come along, Miss Shannon," he said. "We ought to get into town before dark."
Hovering in the dining room, Hop-Sing called out, "No need worry, Missy Shannon. Not be gone long."
Shannon bit her lip and nodded. Ben knelt in front of her, searching for the right words. "Now, you be good, Shannon," he told her, rubbing her arms. "Roy says the Smiths are good people and they'll look after you."
"The Smiths?" Shannon repeated with a frown. "The family with five kids?"
"There, you see? You already know the children, you'll get on just fine," Ben said, striving to speak with a cheerful tone. He pulled the girl into a hug and then moved back. "It won't be for long. Now, go along with Roy."
Tears glistening in her eyes, Shannon whispered, "Yes, Pa."
She walked to the sheriff, who put his hand on her shoulder. Ben followed them out onto the porch with his sons right behind them. Shannon looked over her shoulder as she walked, and Ben lifted his hand in a reassuring wave, trying to push the choked feeling in his throat. Pulling his hand from the girl's shoulder, Roy tossed Shannon's bag onto the back of the wagon.
Shannon took a step closer to the wagon, hesitated for a second, and then spun around. She ran back to the porch and Ben stepped forward to catch her. He lifted her off the ground. "Pa, I don't want to go!" she said, hiding her face against his shoulder.
"I know, sweetheart, I know. And I don't want you to either," Ben said, closing his eyes. When he opened his eyes, he started walking to the wagon where Roy was waiting patiently. "But you've got to, alright? Before you know it, I'll be bringing you back and everything will be as it should be. You just go with the sheriff."
He set her on the wagon seat and tried to ignore the way she rubbed at her face. "I'll see you in town, Ben," the sheriff said, climbing up beside the girl. He released the brake and slapped the reins.
Ben watched as the wagon rolled away. Shannon twisted around to keep her home in sight for as long as possible. "Come inside, Pa," Hoss said, going to his father's side. "It's too cold to be out here without a coat."
"Yes, I have to pack and go into town," Ben said, brushing at his eyes. He turned and strode to the house with determination. "We're going to need Hiram Wood's help in this. Boys, I'm going to have to leave the ranch to you until this is settled."
His three sons followed him into the house. "Pa, there's nothing too urgent we need to do here," Adam responded. "I think we all should go into town until we can bring Shannon back."
"Thank you, Adam."
Even though Sheriff Coffee had thought to wrap her in blankets, Shannon shivered the whole way to Virginia City. After the first ten minutes, he gave up trying to talk to her and simply drove the team. He pulled the wagon to a halt in front of a newly built house on the edge of town. "Here we are," he said, setting the brake. "Let's get you inside where you can get warm."
He climbed down and came around to her side. He reached up, and lifted her down. As Shannon looked up at the house, the sheriff grabbed her bag from the back. "Now you have nothing to worry about," he said, taking her hand. "The Smiths are new in town, but they're good people. Mr. Smith works down at the bank. I expect you've already their children."
They climbed up onto the porch and Sheriff Coffee rapped his knuckles against the wood. "Hello, Sheriff. So this is the girl," Mrs. Smith said when she opened the door in answer to the sheriff's knock. She took a step back. "Come right on in, you poor dear. Sheriff, can I get you some coffee?"
"I can't stay, ma'am, but thank you for the kind invitation," Sheriff Coffee said, holding out Shannon's bag. Silently, the twelve year old took it from him. "I believe you and your husband know what's expected."
Mrs. Smith nodded. "We'll look after her like she was one of our own," she said. Reaching out, she pulled Shannon across the threshold. "We'll make sure neither party comes to see her without the judge's say so."
Tipping his hat, the sheriff bid farewell to the woman and Shannon. Mrs. Smith closed the door, cutting off Shannon's view of the sheriff.
The four Cartwright men made their way from the International House to Hiram Woods' office, ignoring the whispers and stares that followed them. Word had, somehow, gotten out about their troubles, apparently. Adam did, however, filed the information away to get to the bottom of it later.
"I had the feeling I'd be seeing you in here," the gray haired lawyer said, holding his hand out to his client and friend. "Have a seat, Ben."
"Then, you've heard already?" Adam asked with a grimace.
The lawyer retook his seat. "Rumors have been flying all around town since this morning," he answered. "Why don't you tell me what you can."
Leaning forward, Ben began to tell the story that had begun over twelve years earlier. Hiram tooks notes, making no comments as Ben told of his brief, disastrous marriage to Carolyn Mallory. Some of the details, even Hoss and Joe had never heard before. Ben pushed forward papers, signed statements, a wedding license, and the letter Carolyn had written to Shannon.
Hiram heaved a sigh at the end of the tale. "I'm going to be honest, I've never had a case like this before," he said honestly.
"Will you be able to find out what this Roger' proof is?" Ben asked.
The lawyer hesitated for a moment and nodded. "Legally, his lawyer will have to make such evidence available to us as well as the judge. I can't help but think he has something else up his sleeve, and his lawyer, Mr. Burgess, has a reputation for underhanded dealing. I think it would be best if we were all wary and expect anything to be presented."
"But Burgess is still allowed to practice law?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"There has never been any solid evidence to prove anything."
Impatiently, Ben shook his head. "Do you think you can win, Hiram?" he asked, getting back to the topic on hand. "You understand, I have to be sure about this. I can't lose. Not this one."
"I do understand, Ben, believe me. These papers and documents should be evidence enough, but there are no guarantees. I'll see that the judge gets these so he can make his determination."
"What's this about we can't see Shannon without the sheriff or a court order?" Joe asked.
Again, the lawyer sighed. "It's to protect Shannon, to keep her from being kidnapped by either party before the judge makes his decision. I can send Betty May over to see her in the morning and make sure Shannon is doing as well as possible."
"Can't we just arrange to visit her with Roy?" Adam asked.
"The judge would have to give his permission first and it could take several days before we can get that order."
Ben got to his feet. "Thank you, Hiram. I know you will do the best you can."
His expression grave, Hiram watched his friend and client leave. He shook his head, unable to think of how he would react if he was in the same situation. Going to his bookcase, he began to pull his law books down.
"There you are, Shannon," Mrs. Smith said as soon as the twelve year old came through the door. "I was wondering where you had gotten yourself. You have a visitor waiting for you in the front room."
Instantly, Shannon's thoughts went to her father. Though Betty May Wood had told her how much her pa missed her, it hadn't felt like enough. Without questioning Mrs. Smith or even pausing to think her visitor could be anyone else, she bolted for the front room. She opened the room and went several steps in before she skidded to a halt. A gasp left her lips as she recognized her visitor. "No," she breathed.
"Well, don't just stand there, Shannie," Scarlet Mallory said, lifting her tea cup from the saucer. "I decided it was about time you and I had a little chat. Come and sit next to me."
Someone—presumably Mrs. Smith— closed the door behind her, but Shannon only vaguely heard it. Everything her aunt had ever done to her rushed through Shannon's mind. She swallowed hard. "Why are you here? she managed to ask.
"Dear Shannie, after so long apart, you and I have a great deal to discuss, I think." Scarlet sipped her tea and set the cup aside. "Why must you stand so far away? How will I ever get a good look at you? I want to see how you've changed since I last saw you. When was that?"
"Well over a year ago, when you left me in an orphanage."
Scarlet tutted and shook her head. "How dramatic you sound when you put it like that. I left you in a perfectly respectable place while I traveled. I couldn't very well keep you with me. It would have been impossible! You needed to stay where you could continue your education as your grandfather would have wanted. Why I can't begin to tell you how distressed I was when I learned you had vanished."
Anger bubbled up, but Shannon tried to push it down. "It wouldn't have been too difficult for you to find me. If you had really cared."
"My dear Shannie, you must not doubt my feelings so."
"I am not your dear anything. And my name is Shannon, not Shannie."
"I can see Ben Cartwright hasn't taken the time to curb your willfulness," Scarlet remarked. The smile left her lips and she stared intensely at Shannon. "I wonder if you know just how much trouble you've brought me. You're the same as your mother ever was. It's a shame you didn't die when she did, as you should have."
Unsettled, Shannon took a step back. "I think you should leave now," she said. She hated the way her voice shook. "And I don't want to see you again."
Her aunt began to smile again. "You're afraid of me, aren't you." She stood up and walked to her niece. Shannon forced herself not to move as the woman reached out and touched her hair. "I can't even be surprised your hair looks like this. I would have expected nothing else from a man who only raised boys."
The girl's desire to defend her father vanished when Scarlet's fingers tightened and the woman pulled Shannon's head back. Crying out, Shannon grabbed the woman's wrists. "You should be afraid of me, Shannon," Scarlet whispered in the girl's ear. "You will never be free of me just as I am haunted by you. After all, we're family."
"No," Shannon whispered. "You're no family of mine."
Scarlet laughed softly. "We have the same blood, Shannie dearest, you cannot deny our connection," she said. Her gaze dropped. "Oh, I remember that stupid necklace. A tad simple for my tastes, but your mother did love it so."
Curling her hand around the locket, Scarlet jerked on it and shoved the girl to the floor. The delicate chain snapped, and the locket remained in the woman's hand. "We'll be seeing each other again very soon, Shannie," Scarlet said over her shoulder as she walked out. Mrs. Smith was in the hallway, drawn by the cry of pain. "Thank you for your kind hospitality. Shannon is rather emotional at the moment. It might be best to give her some time alone. And don't question her, she invents the wildest stories when she's in this kind of state."
"Poor thing," Mrs. Smith said as Scarlet closed the door. "It's always the case when there are children involved in these kind of things, isn't it? They get caught in the middle and they suffer so much."
"Indeed, and you are a fine person to say so," Scarlet said fervently. She hesitated. "By any chance do you have a young boy who could handle some errands for me?"
"My oldest son, Richard," Mrs. Smith responded immediately. "He seems to have spare time on his hands for mischief."
Scarlet's smile broadened. "Perfect."
On the other side of the door, Shannon had managed to push herself into a sitting position. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "I want to go home," she whispered and tears formed in her eyes. Resting her head on her knees, she sobbed.
"What do you mean the judge turned down our request?" Ben demanded, leaning forward in his seat.
"I'm sorry, Ben," Hiram answered. "Judge Walker said no. If you're allowed, then Mr. Roger must be permitted to visit as well, which he has not requested. The judge has set the court date for three days from now. He says he will have examined all of the evidence by then and can make a determination on where Shannon should go."
"But we can't see her until then?" Adam asked.
The lawyer shook his head. "Betty May went to the schoolhouse this morning," he told them. "She said Shannon is doing well. Shannon isn't happy but she's bearing up well."
Ben shook his head. "Of course she is. What else would she do?"
"Have you been able to learn anything about what Scarlet Mallory is doing here?" Adam asked. "Where did this Michael Roger come from?"
Sighing, Hiram leaned back in his chair. "I've yet to hear from my contacts in San Francisco," he answered. "I've only had less than a day to work on this, Ben, Adam. I know you're concerned, but I'm doing the best I can."
"At least Scarlet Mallory can't go near her," Ben said. When the lawyer made no reply, Ben looked up with narrowed eyes. "Hiram?"
"The only names listed are that of Michael Roger and you, Ben."
"So, Joe, Hoss, or I could visit her without needing the judge's permission," Adam said, latching onto the technicality.
Hiram hesitated. "I would advise you not antagonize Mr. Roger, Adam," he said. "I'm sure you and your brothers are included in this."
"Are you telling me that Scarlet Mallory is free to see Shannon whenever she wishes?" Ben demanded. "What's to stop her from kidnapping her again? She's done it once, and I don't see what's to stop her from trying it a second time."
"Sheriff Coffee made it a point to make it known he would be going by the Smiths' house often," Hiram assured him. "And the Smiths are looking after Shannon. She's perfectly safe with them, Ben."
"You don't know this woman, Hiram."
The Smith children hurried ahead, the frost making crunching noises under their feet. Shannon stayed several feet behind them. Someone slammed into her shoulder and knocked her forward several steps. She caught her balance and glared over her shoulder. Richard Smith smirked. "Problem, Roger?" he asked.
Gritting her teeth, Shannon turned back. Ever since her aunt had visited, the boy would only call her 'Roger'. The first few times, Shannon had argued the point. When Richard only grinned, she realized he was simply doing it torment her. Her silence and lack of a reaction didn't seem to discourage him either.
"Come here, I want to show you something."
"No," Shannon answered, continuing on her way. The younger children were already getting farther away.
Hearing running footsteps, she braced herself to take a hit. What she didn't expect was an arm to come around her waist and a hand to clamp over her mouth. Her screams muffled, Shannon kicked as she was lifted off her feet, swinging her schoolbooks by the strap as a weapon. Richard was much larger than her, though, and carried her easily. The book strap slipped from her mittened hand.
"Miss Mallory told me to use my imagination," he said in her ear as he carried her into the closest barn. "My sisters are all afraid of the dark, did you know that? They cry like anything whenever I shut them somewhere out of my way. Will you, I wonder?"
Still protesting, Shannon tried to wriggle out of his grip as he carried her inside. An open trunk caught her eye. "In you go," Richard said, sticking her feet into the trunk. As he tried to shove her down, Shannon locked her knees and pushed back. With a growl of frustration, the teen pulled his hand away and smacked the side of her head.
For a moment, everything went black and Shannon struggled to get her focus back. Richard pushed her down and slammed the trunk lid closed. He gave it a pat. "I'll see you around, Shannon," he said.
"Let me out!" Shannon shrieked, hitting the side of the trunk. A distant laugh was the only response she got and then there was nothing. "No!"
Smiling, Scarlet watched the light reflect off of the silver pendant as she held it up. She was seated on the purple borne settee in the middle of the Hotel International's lobby. Hearing heavy footsteps from the stairs behind her, she dropped her hand and turned her head slightly to check who was coming down.
"I'll see if Roy has learned anything, Pa," Adam said as she reached the bottom step.
"And I'll be at Hiram's office," Ben responded.
Smoothing her red dress, Scarlet got to her feet. "It's always business with you Cartwrights, isn't it?" she asked, turning to face the two men. "I'm not at all surprised none of you are married. A woman couldn't stand to be second to business."
Coming to a halt, Ben stared at her in astonishment. "Miss Mallory," Adam said, keeping his tone civil.
"What? You have no greeting for me, Benjamin?" Scarlet asked, raising her eyebrow. She let out a laugh as she held out her hand. She moved around the settee and walked until she was less than a yard from the men. "Come now. You wouldn't want it to get around that you were unpleasant to your sister in law, would you?"
"What are you doing here?" Ben demanded, his hands balling into tight fists. Adam put his hand on his father's shoulder as if to hold him back. "You should not have come back here, Scarlet."
The woman laughed again, allowing her hand to drop. "Oh, Ben," she said. "Won't you at least have coffee with me before you start threatening me?"
"I don't think you and I have anything to talk about," Ben told her.
As the man turned to go, Scarlet held up the silver necklace. "Shannon looks more and more like her mother, don't you think, Ben?" she said, admiring the pendant once more. "I'm surprised you can even stand to look at her."
Ben's eyes focused on the necklace. "Where did you get that?"
"Off Shannon's neck, of course." Scarlet took a step back as Ben moved towards her.
"What did you do to Shannon?" Adam asked, a dangerous edge coming to his voice. "She doesn't go anywhere without that necklace. She'd never give it to you."
Humming, Scarlet nodded. "That's so true," she said, holding the necklace away from them. "I suppose she'll be missing this something dreadful by now, wouldn't you think? Let's you and I talk, Ben, and I'll give it to you. You can be her hero and return it to her."
Adam moved between his father and the woman. "Pa, that's not a good idea," he warned.
"You go on, Adam," Ben told him. He lowered his voice and turned his head so that only Adam would hear his next words. "Please make sure your sister is safe."
Skeptical, Adam glanced at Scarlet and then nodded. The dark haired man hurried out of the hotel. "Sending your son to break a court order, Ben?" Scarlet asked. Tutting, she shook her head reprovingly. "For shame! What will the judge think of that, I wonder? Those things are generally viewed in a serious way, are they not?"
"Shall we take this conversation somewhere more private? " Ben asked, mindful of the desk clerk who was making a poor pretense of ignoring them.
"Come along, Benjamin," Scarlet said. "I know just the place."
It wasn't hard for Adam to find the Smith house. He heard a baby crying as he went up the porch steps and knocked on the front door. He had to wait several minutes and knock three times before Mrs. Smith opened the door, eyeing him warily. "Can I help you sir?"
"Yes, ma'am. My name is Adam Cartwright, ," he said, noticing the way she tensed as he said his last name. "I'm not here to cause you any trouble. I just wanted to make sure Shannon was safe and well."
Mrs. Smith shook her head, closing the door slightly as if to keep them out. "I don't think you're supposed to be here without the sheriff or a court order."
"You can't tell me if she's alright or not? She don't do too well away from home."
Visibly, the woman hesitated. "I wondered if that was the case. The poor dear has been jumpy ever since she arrived here but she is well, Mr. Cartwright. She left for school this morning with my other children. There's no need for any concern."
Something shattered behind her and she excused herself. Adam turned away from the closed door with a frown. He glanced towards town where he knew his pa was undoubtedly still speaking to Scarlet Mallory and then turned his gaze towards the direction of the schoolhouse. Adjusting his hat, he set off in that direction.
