Arriving back at the cabin, Curt Wolff laughed as he remembered how easily he had fooled the women at the clinic and convinced JD to come with them, signing him out after promising that doctor brother "Nathan" would watch over the boy.
Then he studied the trembling youth, who stared defiantly at him.
"Don't take it so hard, Kid. You really are a hero – you saved those women's lives."
"That's the only reason I didn't give you away," JD replied angrily. "I didn't want them to get hurt."
"Easiest million I will ever make," Curt said smugly.
JD was startled, but Mort swigged a bottle of whiskey. "Easy for you, Curt. This boy has been nothing but trouble from the start."
Bob whistled. "Did you say a million, Curt?"
"Yes, his big brother Ezra is so fond of the little brat, he will hand over one million without batting an eye."
"Ezra?"
With an evil gleam, Curt walked closer. "Ezra and I know each other from Las Vegas," he said. "He messed up a good thing for me and I owe him. And now I have something worth more to him than money – his baby brother."
"My brothers will stop you," JD said defiantly, though his hazel eyes were wide with fear.
Curt smiled, baring his teeth. "Bob, take this camcorder. Standish wants to see the little brat before he hands over the money. I promised he would be undamaged – but this way may be better."
JD tried to stop trembling as he looked into the camera, not wanting to worry his already traumatized brothers. He even tried to smile.
"Talk, Kid," and Mort gave JD a shove that sent him backward onto the couch.
"Ezra," JD said tentatively, "Ezra, I'm fine . . .please I want to come home to see Buck and Chris and Vin . . . please let them be all right," and JD could not stop the large tears that leaked from his eyes.
"See, Standish?" Curt said offhandedly. "Your baby brother is only slightly damaged. More than we can say about the others, right? I would say I am sorry about Buck and Vin dying in the fire and Chris from his wounds, but you know I would be lying. Alton will be upset to hear Tanner perished before he could get revenge on the bounty hunter who sent him to prison."
JD heard the words, but it took a minute for them to register, but then he screamed, "No!" and launched his small body at Curt, who caught his fists and threw him back on the couch.
JD continued to scream at the men. "Chris! He isn't dead! I called him, and Buck and Vin . . . they are not dead! They can't be!" The hysterical boy launched and started to pummel Mort with his fists and kicked him with his feet, blaming him for what happened at the Diner. The whiskey bottle flew out of Mort's hands and he cursed as he tried to stop JD. Mort slipped on the whiskey, cutting his back on the glass while JD rained blows until Curt, with an amused smile, snatched JD up and with one blow, smashed his fist under JD's chin, causing the boy to instantly crumple into unconsciousness. Curt scooped JD up and looked into the camera. "One million, Standish. Come alone. Or you'll never see your baby brother again." And motioning to Bob to turn the camera off, he kicked open the bedroom door and flung JD onto the bed. JD bounced once and then lay still with a large bruise darkening on his chin.