21. Home Truths
Vin watched from the livery as Nathaniel escorted Leah and 'lizabeth back to the brothel. Assured that the child was safe he relaxed slightly.
"Chris alrigh'?" Vin asked the big preacher when he came in.
"Brother Chris is recovering from his stupidity," Isaiah sighed. "Vin, are you all right?" Isaiah asked as he studied the blood smears and bruises on the younger man's face.
"I'se fine," Vin flinched back from the reaching hand. "It won't never be no different," Vin mumbled looking out at the town without really seeing it.
"Vin," Isaiah looked troubled. Vin ducked throwing up an arm in a protective manner when Isaiah reached out to touch his shoulder. Soundlessly the tracker shrank back and darted to his horse. Mounting he was moving fast as he rode by the preacher.
"Watch your lamb, Lord," Isaiah prayed.
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Chris woke and grunted "Damn you hit hard."
"If you're interested in what happened. Mary almost ran 'lizabeth over with her buggy. Vin managed to grab her in time. The girl's fine," Buck growled. Chris gazed blearily over at the rogue.
"Damn," he groaned.
"Junior's pulling out," Buck growled "He was saddling up. I guess he's waiting to see how 'lizabeth is for he goes."
"Shit," Chris muttered "Where the hell's my pants?" Chris struggled up intent on seeing Vin.
Chris had barely reached the street when Vin came barreling out of the livery astride Peso. The rest of the team gathered in concern.
"You figure he's heading for open country?" Buck asked as he moved to Chris' shoulder.
"Reckon so," Chris sighed.
"He's running from his own shadow lately," Isaiah noted.
"I figure them nightmares is back," Nathaniel said.
"Yeah I've heard him rocking in that ole chair late at night. Junior's trying not to sleep," Buck agreed.
"I woke him a few nights while I was on rounds. He was crying in his sleep," JW said.
"Mr. Larabee, has Vin approached you at all," Ezra asked quietly.
"No," Chris answered.
"Overload?" Nathaniel asked. Worried looks were exchanged.
"I'll never catch him in the dark," Chris snarled.
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"I want to file a complaint, Chris," Nathan's eyes were flashing in fury.
"Now?"
"Now. It's waited long enough," Nathan growled. Puzzled the other men followed the healer and the sheriff to the jail.
"All right, Nathan who do you want to swear out this complaint against?" Chris sat down and pulled out the correct forms.
"Mrs. Mary Travis," Nathan growled.
"What?" startled exclamations filled the room.
"Wanton endangerment, attempted manslaughter, abuse of minors, assault, slander, reckless behavior, and being a danger to the safety of the community," Nathan listed.
"Nathan, are you sure you want to do this?" Chris hesitated.
"Yes."
"All right then," Chris began writing. "These are some serious charges," Chris looked up.
"They sure are," Nathan agreed.
"I'll have to arrest her," Chris sighed.
"Yes, you will," Nathan agreed once more.
"You want her kept in jail," Chris grimaced. Buck and JW flinched at the idea of dealing with a jailed Mary Travis.
"I figure once you book her you can put her under house arrest," Nathan said.
"Sounds fair enough the judge can sort this out when he gets to town," Chris relaxed.
"If she leaves that house without a police escort she goes into a cell. You make sure she knows that. Chris I want you to impound that horse and buggy of hers," Nathan said.
"Yeah, I'll do that," Chris agreed and stood up.
"Buck," Chris spoke as he started out the door.
"Your faithful deputy is right behind you, Sheriff. I'll go arrest that horse right now. I'll even go after that law breaking buggy," Buck darted past Chris at a run.
"Coward!" Chris called after the fast moving man.
"Sure am," Buck laughed as he ran.
"Chris Larabee, what is Buck doing with my horse and buggy?" Mary snapped as Chris entered the newspaper office.
"Impounding them," Chris answered flatly.
"Impounding them? Who does he think he is?" she snarled.
"A duly appointed deputy of the law. Mary, a complaint has been filed. By territorial law an arrest warrant was issued considering the severity of this complaint," Chris explained.
"So," Mary tapped a foot.
"I'm here to serve that warrant," Chris spoke without emotion.
"So why aren't you out serving it," Mary huffed.
"As Sheriff of Travis County an arrest warrant has been issued for Mary Travis. You have the right to an attorney. You have the right to an open trial by your peers. Mary come on down to the jail so we can do this quietly," Chris said gently.
"How dare you. You can't arrest me," Mary screeched.
"Yes I can. Mary, come quietly or I'll have to shackle you. You don't want everyone see me drag you out of here in cuffs," Chris explained. "Once we fill out the paperwork then you can stay here under house arrest instead of in a cell," Chris soothed.
"I'll have your badge for this, Chris Larabee," Mary gritted as they walked over to the jail.
"I'm just doing my job. If you had just slowed down that buggy like we asked none of this would have been necessary," Chris gritted back.
"This is all over me driving too fast," Mary laughed.
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"No, it isn't," Chris snarled.
Mary looked bewildered and grew quiet as they entered the jail.
"JW, book Mrs. Travis," Chris ordered.
"Chris?" JW hissed.
"It's the way things work, son," Chris sighed.
"OK, Chris," JW started the necessary actions.
"Mary, you have the right to know the charges against you. I would suggest you retain a lawyer. Your court date will be up to Territorial Judge Orrin Travis. The charges against you are as follows. Attempted manslaughter, two counts of assault to a minor, wanton endangerment, child abuse, slander, reckless behavior resulting in bodily harm, property damage, and being a danger to the public safety. If you wish a written list of these charges this office is obligated to provide you with one," Chris informed her.
"This office has determined that you will not be a flight risk. As such you will remain under house arrest until your court date. If you do not remain within your home unless escorted by an officer of the court you will be incarcerated within this facility. Do you understand your situation, Mrs. Travis," Chris asked.
"Yes," Mary hissed.
"I'll take you home now". Chris stood up and led the woman to the door. "Do you need anything from the stores?" Chris asked polietly.
"No," Mary huffed.
"Good. Let's get you home," Chris sighed.
"You know these charges are bogus," Mary pouted.
"No, their not. Stop acting like a spoiled brat and look what you're doing. What you're turning Billy into," Chris responded coldly.
"How I raise my son is none of your business," Mary hissed.
"Yes, it is. If he was a few years older it might not have been his fists he was using on 'lisbeth," Chris warned.
"How dare you say something like that. Billy is being raised as a gentleman," Mary growled.
"With his mother telling him anything that happens to that little girl is perfectly all right," Chris hissed back. "Take sometime and think, Mary," Chris glared "Good Night". Larabee shut the door firmly closing Mary inside.