New Beginnings: A Fresh Start

From Ch. 20 :

Rob and Ethan have been summoned to the jail by Judge Stephens, to see a prisoner. The prisoner shocks Ethan by claiming to know Rob. It's revealed the man is a half brother of Rob's father. Seth Jordan then confronts Rob on why he never held up his end of a "deal". Ethan is now questioning his son about his involvement with this criminal.

Chapter 21:

Answers

Sheriff's Office:

"Alright, Rob, now that we are away from the cells, what do you have to say. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but your admission of knowing Jordan and him discussing a deal has me questioning. What can you tell us about Seth Jordan. I will listen and not condemn, son." Ethan tells the young man fidgeting nervously in front of him.

"I met him once again back in September when he was here in town. I saw him only once before then. I was about thirteen or fourteen and he came to Uncle Vern's and demanded something. I don't know what it was he wanted because Uncle Vern made me go to the barn while they talked. I tried to listen under the window instead but I couldn't make out what they argued about. I got caught listening and they went somewhere else to talk while I was sent to my room. The next time I saw him was this past September while I was working at the Feed and Seed. Seth showed up here in town and demanded I help him find some kind of leather pouch or bag out at my old home. He also wanted me to give him money. Seth threatened to hurt you or the kids if I didn't help him look for this bag. I went out late one night to meet him and then I never saw him again until today." Rob answers.

"Do you know the contents of this bag he was looking for Rob?" The judge asks, having taken a seat at one of the desks in the office.

"I was told it was to be a bag of 'loot' as he calls it, from one of my Pop's robberies. Seth is convinced Pop brought gold and more home and buried it at Vern's place. He didn't. Uncle Vern and I didn't have any extra money. We sure didn't have any gold hidden. We could have used some though. My Pop didn't ever bring anything home the few times he visited me. I only saw him three times since I was left with Uncle Vern at age ten. The last time he was home, he was to sick to have buried anything. Besides, he quit robbing stages and trains six years before he came home that last time. He worked in the mines in California not robbed people." Rob replies.

"What did he mean about you not holding up your end of the deal, Robert? What deal? Did you have anything to do with the recent robberies and harassment in the area? What about Kincaid? Did you have any involvement at all? Now is the time to set this straight. I want only the truth, Robert." Ethan asks, his eyes boring into Rob's.

Seeing Ethan's obvious irritation, Judge Stephens speaks up. "Sheriff, I can ease your worry that Rob had anything to do with the murder. Mr. Kincaid's daughters came to speak to me and one was a witness to the murder. She opened the door to the person and described him well. She spoke of him having the dark hat and boots, also being abrupt with her. The young lady spoke of how kindly Rob behaved towards her and how this killer did not. She informed me he did not have blue eyes as Rob obviously does. She spoke of the person demanding the cash box from the Boarding House and her Pa refusing. Mrs. Kincaid only had a glimpse of the visitor and thought it was Rob. You yourself have seen the resemblance between Rob and Seth Jordan. They could be brothers. Seth being older but a brief look could cause someone to mistakenly identify Rob."

"Yes, I have seen how they share a strong resemblance to each other. I still want to hear a satisfactory answer, Robert."

"No sir! I had nothing to do with any robberies or Mr. Kincaid's murder. I was home with you, remember? You confined me to the ranch after my fight with Kincaid and my time in this jail. I haven't been anywhere without you or in sight of another adult since the night I spent here in the jail. The plan Seth mentioned was for me to meet up with him at Uncle Vern's place again in September. I was to show him the spot where the loot was hidden. I never went back. I don't know anything about any bag or loot. I was afraid not to go meet him at Uncle Vern's the first time because he said he would hurt the family. He mentioned Claire and the little boys and I thought he would hurt one of them. I went there once but I didn't go back at all. I never saw him again until tonight. I didn't even know he was in town again! This is the truth, sir!"

"Alright son, just calm down. There's no reason to get so worked up. I believe you. What happens now, Judge?"

"Let's go confront Jordan and I'll get some answers out of him. He's most likely going to the federal prison for the holdups he and his gang have done. The marshals have been after them for months. The Kincaid girls' stories clearly identify Jordan not Rob. Come with me, I'd like to have you as witnesses."

Walking up and addressing the man in the cell, Judge Stephens asks "I hear you have been in Paradise before. There were reports back in September of a gang terrorizing and robbing passengers on the Colorado Springs stage route then also. Was that your doing? Did you threaten this young man and his family?"

"My gang outsmarted the law for months! Although, we didn't make out too well at the stage holdups! What is it with these people here? No one carries cash or seems to have bought ladies any jewelry! We should have continued to look for the hidden loot at Vern's instead. Accusing me of threatening that coward? Discipline is not threat. He needs discipline to learn to be strong not a weakling. Besides I am his family! NOT them! ME! I told that sorry kid then, he was to do as I said or he'd be sorry! He pretends not to know of where the loot is but I know better! Vern and Will buried it out on that lousy ranch! It's still there or the kid is lying and has it stashed somewhere! It's MINE and I want it! That kid should have been charged with murder and as a horse thief! All our work to get rid of him and you just let him off!"

"So you did set the boy up to take the blame? You murdered Kincaid to set up Rob? You stole the horse and did many things to cause suspicion on Rob, didn't you? You may as well come clean as you are looking at a long jail sentence for robbing the stage. The Federal Marshals have much on your gang of thieves as they have been tracking you a long time." Judge Stephens replies firmly.

"I'm to get a trial! I know my rights!"

"You may be right. Excuse me for a moment. Sheriff, if you please, there are four U.S. Marshals at the hotel. If you would be so kind as to having them come to the jail as well as your deputies. I believe all of the men you took to survey the crime scene would be sufficient. We will hold the trial right here."

After the men have gathered in front of the cell, the judge speaks.

"The trial will now begin. This jury is gathered to listen to evidence against Seth Jordan who is charged with theft, harassment, murder and blackmail. I have sworn testimony from four marshals as to your involvement in a stage holdup. I have written testimony from passengers in other stage robberies as to your description. There are witnesses who have sworn statements against you as to your being at the boardinghouse and committing murder. You just informed me of your blackmailing this boy, committing crimes in the township; including stealing food, harassment and horse theft. Do you have anything else to say on your own behalf?"

"I never blackmailed that kid! I had a right to the money as it was my brothers' not the kids!"

"The definition of blackmail is 'an act, often a crime, involving unjustified threats to make a gain, be it money or property or cause loss to another unless a demand is met.' Young Rob has testified how you threatened his new family with harm if he did not provide the location of this money you speak of."

"Does the jury have any need to hear witnesses or to make a sentence of not guilty?" As all the men remain quiet, Judge Stephens pronounces sentence.

"You, Seth Jordan are hereby convicted of murder and other listed crimes. You are sentenced to Federal Prison for life. I am not one to sentence someone to death so be thankful you didn't get caught in another Judge's territory. Transfer to Colorado Prison in Denver will occur in two days."

"YOU WILL REGRET THIS! My men are getting revenge as we speak! They will be back and I WILL BE OUT! Just wait!" Seth yells at the men gathered outside his cell.

Meanwhile back at the Cord Ranch:

Huddled in the corner farthest away from the cellar doors and behind two barrels, Joseph and Claire pushed together, the children hear sounds of gunfire.

"What are they shooting, Joseph?" Ben asks in a whisper.

"The windows, I think. It sounds as if they are shooting out the glass." Joseph whispers back.

"Who are they Joseph and why are they shooting at our house? What if they go for the horses next?" George whispers.

"The horses are safe in the barn. I don't know why someone would shoot at a house, George."

Wiggling up under Joseph's arm, Ben leans into his older brother's side, tears running down his face.

"YOU! IN THE HOUSE! SEND OUT ROB JORDAN! WE'LL COME IN AND GET HIM IF YOU DON'T!" The children hear someone shout.

"SHH! Don't speak!" Claire whispers as George says "We should tell them Rob isn't here. Maybe they'll go home and leave us be."

Everyone looks up as they hear footsteps on the floor above their heads.

Joseph and Claire exchange looks before each leaning down to whisper to the young brothers next to them "Be Quiet and Don't Move!

"Joseph! How did they get in? We barred the doors!" Claire asks Joseph silently.

Hearing her in his mind, Joseph answers back "I'm guessing through a window. It sounds like they are in the sitting area. We can't let the boys make noise!"

Nodding, Claire pulls George closer, wrapping her arm around the shaking boy.

All four of the children flinch as they hear the sounds of crashing above their heads. Ben buries his face into Joseph's side shaking all over. George has done the same to Claire. "NO matter what you hear boys, you MUST stay quiet. We can't be found down here." Claire whispers feeling George nod against her she looks at Ben who also nods.

After what seems to Claire to be hours, the noise and sounds from above stop. Listening, the older children don't hear anything but stay quiet. Several minutes later, they hear hoof beats going away from the house.

"Can we get out now? It's dark here." Ben whispers after a long silence.

"NO, not yet. We can't get out until we know it's safe." Joseph answers.

"Joseph?" George whispers a few minutes later.

"Hmm?"

"I need the W.C. so bad and so does Ben. I can't wait much longer. Can we go upstairs and go? "

"NO, we can't leave the cellar. Someone could be out there and it's not safe. We're safe in here." Unless they cut through the doors. Joseph replies, thinking the last statement.

"Try not to think about it boys. Think about something else." Claire tells him. "Let's play the Alphabet Game, that will make you get your mind off your problem. Everyone name something that begins with your letter when it's your turn but you have to recite what everyone else said before you. I'll start. My letter is A and A is for Apron. Joseph?"

"A is for Apron. My letter is B and B is for baseball. Your turn Ben."

"My letter is C and C is for candy."

"You have to say the A word and the B word too." Claire reminds him.

"Oh, A is for Apron and B is for baseball and for Ben. C is for candy."

"A is for Apron, B is for baseball, C is for candy and my letter is D. D is for door." George says in the same quiet tone they are all speaking in.

I wish Joseph would open the door so I could go to the outhouse! Ben sends silently to his brother. Me too, Ben! This game isn't making me think of something else like she said it would. George answers in his mind as Ben nods.

By the time the game gets to his turn again on the letter O, Ben is having problems remembering all the words. A is for Apron, B is for baseball, C is for candy, D is for door, E is for egg, F is for fishing, G is for gold, H is for horse, I is for umm, I don't remember.

"No Ben, the letter I isn't for "I don't remember" it is for ice cream." Joseph whispers causing George to giggle.

"George? Can you finish for Ben?" Claire asks.

"I is for ice cream, J is for jackrabbit, K is for kitten, L is for listen, M is for mountain, N is for nest and O is for ocean. My letter is P and it's for popcorn." George whispers.

"That's good, George. Both of you are remembering a long way into the game. When we used to play, you wouldn't get past the first set of letters without me or Joseph prompting you. It shows you have a better memory now." Claire praises.

"Joseph! I just wet. I couldn't wait any longer. Don't tease, I couldn't help it. Am I going to get in trouble?" George asks, beginning to cry.

"Shh, hush George. We aren't going to tease. Right Ben?" Joseph whispers.

"Yes. I won't tease him 'cause I went too. I don't want Papa to scold! I'll tell you wouldn't let us out of here! You made us stay in the dark! It's your fault!"

"It's alright. Neither of you could help it. Pa will understand and no one is going to scold you." Joseph reassures his brothers.

"Joseph! Boys! I hear horses again! They're coming right up to the house. STAY QUIET." Claire orders.

Riding into the ranch yard and seeing hoof prints in the dirt, Ethan checks behind the barn for any unwelcome visitors. Finding no sign of horses, he sends Rob to check inside

"Rob, whomever was here is gone now. Go check the horses and barn while I go check the children." Walking up the front steps Ethan can see the windows broken out. After checking the front and side door and finding them barred he climbs through the front window. Quietly drawing his gun just to be safe, he checks the inside rooms. Finding no one inside but bureau drawers thrown on the floor, the bench tipped over and broken, he is beginning to be apprehensive for the children. Noticing the small table in the front room has been moved, he reaches down to lift the trapdoor to the cellar.

All four children listen as they hear footsteps moving around overhead. As they sit huddled together they hear someone trying to lift the trapdoor as it rattles with the bar across it.

"They're trying to get in to get us! They came back to hurt us!" George whimpers as Ben begins to cry again.

"JOSEPH? CLAIRE? Are you down there?"

"PA! IT'S PAPA!" Ethan hears the younger boys shout from below.

"WE ARE ALL HERE!" Joseph calls back as he moves towards the trapdoor trying to slide the iron bar back to open the door.

"Open the door Joseph. It's still barred." Ethan calls down.

"I can't, Pa. It's stuck. The bar is jammed and won't move."

Hearing this, Ben shrieks. "I WANT PAPA! I WANT OUT OF HERE!"

"Ben! Stop screaming! We can open the other door! We'll get out in just a few minutes so hush." Claire tells him.

"Pa? We're going to open one of the cellar doors." Joseph calls up through the floor.

Going around the house past the side porch where the doors to the root cellar are, Ethan waits to hear the sound of the iron bars moving before setting the lantern down and pulling the doors open.

"Are you children hurt? " he asks before anyone can climb the steps to come out.

"No, we're not hurt." Claire answers helping Ben climb the stairs as he is crying so much he can't see well.

"Son, it's alright now. I'm here and no one is going to be hurt. Calm down. Shhh. It's alright." Ethan says as the sobbing child flings himself into his arms.

"They were shooting and yelling, Papa. Ben and I got really scared. We umm, well, we had an accident. We couldn't help it. Are you mad?" George asks as he climbs out next.

"Come here son." Ethan directs the boy hanging back by the doors. When George reaches him, he pulls him to his other side holding the boys with each arm. "I'm not at all mad, George. Things like this happen when you are really frightened. I'm just happy no one was hurt and you were all hidden. That was a good idea to go down into the cellar that way. Let's go inside and clean up then you can tell us all about what happened." Ethan answers as Rob walks up.

"Is everything alright in the barn, son?" Ethan asks.

Not getting an answer, Ethan raises the lantern to show Rob's face. When the boy shakes his head, Ethan doesn't question any further.

"Well now, Ben and George, I think a nice warm bath and some hot chocolate would help you feel better." Ethan says leading them inside.

"Papa? How did the door get open? We saw Joseph bar it after you left." Ben asks as they walk inside.

"Watch the glass on the floor boys, don't touch it. I unbarred the door after I crawled in the window, Ben. Now, go get your nightshirts while I put water on to heat for your baths."

After the boys are out of the room, Ethan asks "Rob? What about the barn?"

"There were two smoldering hay bales right by the back doors. I pulled them out and poured two buckets of water on each."

"What else? What are you not saying?"

"Lucky is missing. He's not in his stall and I know he was there when we left. Also, that newest saddle you bought is gone. I don't know what else is missing but I saw it was not on it's stand."

"Well, it's too dark to look for anything tonight. Don't mention this to the boys. We'll wait until the morning to tell them." Ethan replies as Claire, having walked up, nods in agreement.

"Is Joseph back inside?" Ethan asks having seen the boy walk quickly away from the cellar.

"No sir. He was brave the whole time, Pa. He helped me keep the boys quiet and mostly calm but I could tell he was scared too."

"You both did an excellent job tonight. Rob, go check on your brother and bring him inside, please."

"Yes sir."

Walking out with a lantern towards the outhouse, Rob sees Joseph sitting on the ground by the large Aspen tree.

"Joseph? Are you alright?"

"I'm still shaking, Rob. The men who rode up were shooting at the house. When they were inside, I was so scared they would find the trapdoor and break it open. Those men, whoever they were, wanted you. They yelled for you to come out. Did you know they were coming tonight?"

"No, I didn't. I don't know who they are or why they were asking for me. Joseph? Pa wants you to come back inside. Are you ready?"

"I suppose so. Is he mad with me?"

"Of course not. Why would he be angry with you? You didn't do anything wrong, you seemed to have done everything right from what I can see."

"I nearly took down the rifle, Rob. I was headed for it and was going to shoot at those men but Claire stopped me. If she tells Pa, I'll be in for an earful or worse."

"I don't think she'll say anything. Besides, nearly taking it down isn't the same as actually doing it, Joseph. I don't believe Pa will lecture or punish you for something you did not do. Come on, I want some hot chocolate. He was about to make some when I left."

"What went on in town, Rob? Are you in trouble again?" Joseph asks, not showing any sign of getting off the ground.

"No, I'm not in any trouble. I'll tell you later tonight. We'd better get inside before Pa has to come after us. We will be hearing about it if he has to do that." Rob answers knowing this will get the boy moving.

Feeling warm and sleepy after drinking the warm cocoa, the two younger boys are being tucked into their beds.

"Go to sleep boys. You are safe and no one is going to bother us while I'm here." Ethan says as he pulls the two quilts over each boy and tucks in the sides.

"What about the windows, Papa? The men can climb in just like you did if they come back." Ben whispers.

"Rob, Joseph and I will seal the windows with boards for the night. Nothing will come in unless we want it too. Now, hush and go to sleep."

Finished sealing the windows for the night, Ethan asks "Claire, Joseph? What can you tell me about what went on tonight. Did you see anyone?"

"It wasn't long after you two left, we heard riders come. They shouted something and I looked out. I saw three men on horseback but I didn't see faces. I didn't recognize their voices. Then they started shooting at the house. Claire and I took the boys down and barred all the doors. They kept yelling and shooting. We heard the glass breaking."

When Joseph stops Claire speaks up. "The men were calling for Rob to come out. We heard someone walking around up here and kept the boys very quiet. They were well behaved but very frightened, Pa. We heard them ride off after a long time but we stayed hidden. We were afraid to come out in case someone was out there."

"You two did very well at keeping the boys and yourselves safe tonight. I'm proud of both of you. It's time for you to get some rest also. We'll talk more tomorrow and take a good look outside as well. We'll have to go buy some glass to replace the windows and check the trapdoor. The bar shouldn't be getting stuck as it did. Rob, you've had a long night also. I'll finish cleaning up and turn in. Good night children."

Later that night:

Quietly, Ben whispers to George "Did you hear when Papa told about the man in jail?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" George asks, rolling over to look at his brother.

"I heard him telling Joseph and Claire when I went to the W.C. There's a man that looks like Rob in jail. He's the one who got Rob in trouble. I want to see him and tell him he's mean."

"Pa won't let us go to the jail by ourselves. You know that. He told us not to come to the jail without one of the big kids or an adult. I can tell you right now, Pa will not take us to the jail, Ben. Don't even try to ask him either. He told us it wasn't safe at the jail if there was a prisoner there and to stay away, remember?" George answers through their special connection, not wanting to risk being heard whispering.

"I'm not gonna ask, just gonna go." Ben sends back having, 'heard' George in his own mind.

"Ben! You can't! It isn't safe, Pa said! I just told you that!" George argues.

"We have to tell that man to leave Rob alone! You aren't a good brother, George cause you won't pr'teckted Rob."

"I AM a good brother! I want to protect Rob but Pa said not to go there." George answers silently. Not getting any message back, he says "Ben? Talk to me."

Getting nothing, he rolls back over to try to sleep. "I'll talk to him in the morning. I'll make him understand he can't go and tell him I am so to a good brother!"

^^^^(Thank you to guest reviewer Missy. I appreciate your kind words and hope you enjoy this latest update.)