Chapter 24 Mort Brings News.

It was mid-July. I was attending to the afternoon stage. Jess, Mike and Daisy had gone into town for supplies. Ginny was making bread for our supper.

As the stage left, I could see a rider approaching on the Old Laramie Road. I knew immediately it was Sheriff Cory. I was puzzled why he would be out this way.

Mort drew rein and dismounted. "Afternoon Slim. Is Miss Virginia around?"

"She's inside. I'll get her."

I opened the front door and called to her. She stepped out onto the porch wiping her hands on her apron. Mort politely removed his hat.

"Miss Virginia, I've got some great news," Mort said. "We got them! I just got a wire from Rawlins."

"Got who, Sheriff?"

"We got the men who killed your sisters! All of them!"

It was as if Mort had physically struck her! Virginia reeled and her knees buckled. She would have crumpled to the ground had I not been right beside her and caught her. She was trembling all over.

"You're…you're sure? You got them all? They're all dead?"

"No, they're not dead but most of them, including Ewell and Isom, are in the Rawlins jail. They'll be extradited to Laramie as soon as the paperwork is done."

I was worried. Virginia had gone very pale and her trembling increased. I made her to sit down on the porch chair. She was breathing heavily and looked like she might faint away any moment.

Mort looked confused. He thought he was bringing her great news that the murderers of her kin were finally going to meet Justice. To tell the truth, I was very bewildered by Virginia's reaction, too.

"Are you alright, Miss Virginia?"

Virginia ran a trembling hand through her hair. Shock still on her face.

"Thank…thank you, Sheriff, for bringing the news to me." Her voice quivered. "I'm… I'm just… shocked is all. I've been waiting for… for this news for some time. Right now I'm a bit overwhelmed. I think I need to… I need to…do you need anything from me, Sheriff? A…a statement? Anything?"

Mort still looked baffled. Clearly he wasn't expecting this type of reaction to his news.

"They'll have to be transported in a jail wagon since there are four of them but we can expect them within a week or so. I think any statement can wait a bit but I'll need you to come and identify these men when they get here. "

Now it was my turn to be shocked, "What? What are you thinking, Mort?"

"Slim, it has to be done. She needs to positively identify them. The sooner the better."

"Of course, Sheriff. I'll… I'll… I'll be in. You let me know…when. Slim, I think I'll go lie down a while. Thank… thank you, Sheriff for bringing me this information."

Virginia rose unsteadily from the chair. I put a steadying hand on her arm. "Let me help you to bed."

"I'm alright. Slim. I- I can make it."

She disappeared into the house.

"Slim, I'm sorry. I thought she'd be pleased that we got those hyenas."

"Give her time, Mort. How soon does she need to come to town?"

"Well, I'll let you know when they arrive from Rawlins. They were caught trying to rob the bank there. One of their men was killed. As soon as they arrive, I'd like to get the trial over and done with as soon as possible. I'll send a wire to see if we can't get a judge out here fast. I'll let you know something when I get word from Rawlins on the details."

Mort mounted his horse and rode off.

From inside, I heard a loud anguished wail! I rushed inside to see that Virginia didn't make it to her room; she had crumpled in a heap right by her door. She was crying so hard, she couldn't take a breath. I scooped and picked her up and carried her to her bed. She clung to me desperately, howling. I gathered her up in my arms and held her tightly. Gently, I rocked and smoothed her hair, trying to give her as much comfort as I could. It seemed to no avail. I sure wished Daisy were here!

"Shhh," I soothed. "It's ok. Go ahead and cry! Shhh!"

It suddenly struck me that I hadn't seen Ginny really grieve for the loss of her family. At first, she was in shock and then extremely sick for so long and then all the other things that had happened; but she had yet to mourn.

The prospect of the murderers of her family getting away must have weighed heavily on her shoulders; far more than we ever suspected.

That burden lifted now, even slightly, has allowed her to finally begin to grieve for her loss. That's why her reaction to Mort's news was so visceral.

It was a full half hour before she could calm down enough to finally talk.

"Oh God, S-Slim, they were so young! So full of life! Tory! Tory loved to draw! Papa bought…bought her a p-pencil and paper for the… the trip out here so she could draw what she saw. She… she was good too! Sis- Sissy loved to dance! Papa would play…played his guitar. Mama played his violin. Sissy w-would dance around the campfire. She and Tory would waltz around. We would laugh and sing. Sissy was… so full of joy!"

My mind's eye flashed back to my visions of Melissa in the blue dress and blue ribbons.

I saw Ginny smile thinly, tears still welling up in her eyes to splash down her cheeks.

Then I saw her stare into nothing, "I saw…saw it all, Slim! They… they made me watch! Every single thing they did, I had to watch! I couldn't help! They chained me, just out of reach! I-I could almost touch them! Cou…could almost reach their hands! I wanted to grab them; hold-hold them close! Pull them away from- from..! But…but I couldn't reach them! I-I… I couldn't protect them! Dear God, I couldn't reach them!"

Oh God, how my heart broke for Ginny! In my mind's eye, I could see Victoria and Melissa dancing around the firelight: Melissa with her powder blue dress and blue satin ribbons in her long white-blond hair- laughing and giggling. Then I could see the desperation in Ginny's eyes as she tried to keep the hyenas at bay-helpless to stop what was happening to her family! I could feel sorrow constrict my chest as I held her.

"Tory, Tory. Sh-she died in my arms! I wanted to pour my life into her but I was too late! I-I couldn't protect her. They took her away, Slim! Took her from my arms! I didn't know where she was! Sissy cried for her! They would…wouldn't tell me where she was! They kept laughing!'

"Shh!" I tried to calm her again. "You're safe! They can't hurt Tory or Sissy anymore!"

"Sissy! I thought Sissy would be safe! She was too young! She was so small Slim!"

"Yes, I know. Shh!" I tried rocking her again.

"They-they told me she was spec…special. I thought that meant she was… that they, they would leave her alone."

I steeled myself, knowing already what had happened to Sissy's tiny body. What Ginny had told me that day on the hill. I could never forget it as long as I lived.

"Oh Slim, she screamed so loud!" Virginia's voice was hoarse. "She cried out for Mama! For me! I couldn't help her! I screamed for her! They just laughed and cheered him on! She was in so much pain! I couldn't reach her! I could see her! Hear her screaming for me! She wanted me to take the pain away!"

"I begged and pleaded for her. They just jeered and hit me. I-I couldn't breathe!"

Her voice broke again, "Over and over again I had to watch," she caught her breath, "OH GOD SLIM I couldn't help them! I couldn't protect them! It's my fault they're dead!"

She hunched over in pain against my chest, wailing and crying uncontrollably again. She held on tightly to my arms; pushed herself against my chest, trying to draw strength from me. I held her tightly, rocking her, wishing I could take her pain away.

Behind me, I heard a slight noise. Through the door, I turned my head to see traumatized looks on Jess and Daisy. Daisy had tears glistening down her face. Jess' eyes were suspiciously glazed. Daisy disappeared. I heard the pump at the sink being worked. She reappeared with a glass of water.

"Here, dear, drink this," she said. Daisy cast a meaningful glance at me and I knew the drink would bring her rest. Virginia flung Daisy's arm aside.

"Please, dear," Daisy gently coaxed. "Drink this, it will help you rest." Virginia let go of me and moved out of my arms onto the bed. With trembling hands, she held the glass and drank it down. I gently took her shoulders and helped her settle into bed. I placed a quilt over her and sat on the side of the bed stroking her hair. She turned on her side facing me and curled up protectively. Her eyes were still bright with tears.

"I'll stay with her, Daisy, until she falls asleep."

"All right Slim." She patted me on my arm.

Ten minutes later, I quietly walked out of the room and gently shut the door. I let out a long sigh, running my hand through my hair. Daisy and Jess were sitting at the kitchen table sipping coffee. A cup was already poured for me. Though it tasted good, I wasn't sure I was in the mood to drink it.

"Where's Mike," I asked.

"He's in his room."

I took another sip, "how much did you hear?"

"Enough to know I want those bastards dead," Jess said in a low growl. Daisy said nothing.

"Did you see Mort?" I asked.

"Yeah, we met him on the way home" Jess said. "He told us about Rawlins."

"He came out here with his news. I know he was wanting to cheer her up. He didn't get the reaction he'd hoped. She almost fainted when Mort gave her the news. She went inside and collapsed by her door. It was almost as if Mort had hit her."

Daisy sighed heavily, "what that poor girl's been through!"

I let out another long sigh, "I know, Daisy. If only Mort and I had gotten there in time."

Jess looked at me, "Don't do that to yourself again, Slim. This isn't your fault. If we blame anyone, blame the Hardings.

Daisy said, "Jess is right, Slim. Don't torture yourself again over something you had no control over; had no knowledge of."

I got up from my chair and moved over to the mantle, "I know. But I can't help how I feel. I feel like she's one of the family. I feel like I need to protect her like a brother. She's been hurt enough."

Later that night, Daisy had gone to bed. Jess and I were up, sitting in front of the fireplace. I heard a door open behind us. Thinking it was Daisy, I was surprised to see Mike walk between our chairs.

"What are you doing out of bed, Tiger?" Jess asked.

"I couldn't sleep." Mike said, a little sleepily.

I picked him up and put him on my lap. "What's wrong, Tiger? Have another nightmare?"

Mike picked at the buttons on my shirt. "No, it's not that. I've just been thinking." His small face was frowning.

"What are you thinking about?" Jess asked.

Mike still picked my buttons. He looked like if he asked the question, he might get laughed at. Then he looked at me. "Why do bad things happen?" He asked.

I was startled. Looking at Jess, I think he was surprised too. "What?"

"Why do bad things happen?" He repeated his question.

"What do you mean, Tiger," Jess asked.

"Well, did Miss Virginia do something to those outlaws to make them mad at her?" His face was serious.

"No, Mike," I told him. "She didn't do anything to make them mad."

"Did her sisters do something?"

"No. They did nothing wrong. They were completely innocent. They didn't deserve the treatment they got from those outlaws."

"That's what I mean."

"How's that, Tiger?"

"Well, if Miss Virginia didn't make them mad and her sisters didn't do anything to make them mad, then why did those outlaws hurt them so bad?"

I glanced at Jess, a lump was forming in my throat, hoping he'd help me find an answer for the boy that wouldn't be so complicated. His eyes looked suspiciously bright.

I was thankful when Jess at least started the conversation, "Mike, some people don't need a reason to hurt others."

Mike looked confused, "But why?"

I looked down into his small face; Melissa's face clouded my vision. "Some people, Tiger, are just so selfish, they just don't think about others they may hurt," I told him. "Other people want to hurt people to make themselves feel big."

Mike stopped picking at my buttons.

Jess continued, "And some people are just plain mean, Mike. They enjoy hurting people. That's the kind of men that hurt Virginia and her sisters. They're just plain mean."

Mike resumed picking at my buttons some more. I lifted his chin, "I'm sorry, Mike. Jess and I wish we could keep all the bad stuff from you but we can't always do that."

Mike's face scrunched up in a deep frown, "I hope those men hang!" he exclaimed. He tried to wriggle out of my lap. I held him tight.

"Whoa, Mike. Why do you think they should hang?"

"Because of what they did to Miss Virginia and her sisters! You just said she didn't do anything wrong! They deserve to hang! I wish you and Jess and the sheriff had been able to kill more of them!"

"Whoa, Tiger." I said more sternly, "I don't want you thinking like that!"

"Why not? That's what they deserve, ain't it?"

"You, Jess and I think that is what they deserve. And that is wrong!"

Thoroughly confused, Mike's eyebrows knitted together, "Huh?"

"Mike, if Jess, Sheriff Cory or I had taken the law into our own hands, if we'd just hung those men without a trial because we felt that was what they deserved, we'd be just as guilty as those men."

"I don't understand."

"Mike, every person- and that includes you or me, Jess or Sheriff Cory, or even these men that hurt Virginia- deserves to have their day in court. A person is supposed to be innocent until it is proven in a court of law that he is guilty. A judge or a jury hears both sides of an argument and then makes a decision whether or not that person is guilty of a crime. If he is found guilty, the man will be punished according to the law. It doesn't matter if WE think he is guilty."

"I still don't understand."

Jess broke in, "Mike, s'pose you went to Mr. Randall's store an' took some candy from th' candy jar without payin' for it and your friend Jack was blamed for stealing the candy. The sheriff catches Jack in th' store and arrests him without letting Jack defend himself. Sheriff Cory knows Jack didn't have the money for the candy and he was in the store same time as you. Do you think the sheriff did the right thing?"

"No, because I stole the candy."

"Right, but the sheriff is so sure Jack stole the candy and deserves to be punished for stealing so he throws him in jail. Do you think Sheriff Cory is right?"

"No, because I stole the candy. It doesn't matter what the sheriff thinks. It would be wrong for him to put Jack in jail for something I did."

"It's the same thing with these men. We may be sure they did those bad things to Virginia and her sisters, but those men deserve a chance to explain themselves. If we punished them simply because we knew they were guilty, we would be guilty ourselves of not allowing these men to explain and defend themselves before a rightful judge and jury. Do you see?"

"I-I think so," I could tell he was thinking hard, "but I still think they should be hung for what they did!"

"That may be their punishment once they appear in court, but that is for a judge or jury to decide, not you or me or Jess."

"Good! I'm glad they'll hang!"

"NO, Mike! Don't EVER be glad about that!"

Mike's eyes widened with a bit of fear.

"Don't ever be glad someone has to die as a punishment!"

"Why not? I hear people say all the time that 'hangin's too good.'"

"Yes we hear it all the time; but those words are spoken in anger. It is never good when a person dies as punishment. When that happens, even if it is decided by a judge, we take judgment out of God's hands and put it into our own hands. We should never be glad about that."

"Well, why do we hang people then?"

"Mike, right now that is the law. Some bad men go to jail and some men are hung. It depends on what crime they commit. The worse the crime, the worse the punishment. Does that make sense?"

Mike replied, "Yes. Kinda like when I do something bad and I get punished. The badder I am, the badder the punishment."

"Worse, not badder," I corrected.

"But, you're right. I'm sorry, Tiger, Jess and I wish we could shield you from this; but that isn't possible. Just know if you have questions about anything, we're here to try an answer them. We hope to be able to; but sometimes even we grown-ups don't always have the answers."

"Okay." Mike said, a little downcast.

"It's way past your bedtime, Tiger."

"Okay." He hugged my neck tight, "G'night." He jumped off my lap to hug Jess, "G'night Jess."

"G'night Tiger."

We heard his bedroom door shut.

Jess, in a low voice, said, "I'm like Mike, Slim. I hope those animals hang. They deserve it."

"Me too, Jess." I sighed. "Me too."