Hold on Tight (Part Two of Against the Crooked Sky)

Chapter Twenty-Five

The streets of Rockville were unusually busy as Nick and Jarrod made their way towards the bank. They received more than one 'good day' and gave a few in return. From an outsider's point of view, the day seemed good enough and no sign of trouble could be seen. "You know, Nick. You can't follow me wherever I go all the time." Jarrod grinned at his brother as he they passed the general mercantile. He couldn't help but say those words as he felt like he had his own personal bodyguard.

Nick chuckled and answered, "I know that, but I told you before I'd have your back. Okay, maybe not in all places at all times, but I'll still have it when I can." Jarrod smiled; even with the months that had passed by since Nick had first told Sarah and him that, it still felt good to hear. Opening the door to the bank the men stepped inside. Mr. Jacobs, the banker was behind the clerk's desk; Peter had stepped into the back room.

"Why, hello Mr. Barkley. I heard you were in town. May I help you?" The banker had barely said the words when Peter stepped out of the back room. Instantly, Nick and Jarrod were both on the alert. Of course, that reaction might have been prompted by the look of pure hatred that was in the man's eyes. Thinking his clerk only meant to help in the transaction, the banker excused himself and headed to the back of the bank saying he was going to use the back door to take a short cut to his friend's home. In reality he wanted some time in the back undisturbed.

Thus, thinking he had no witness, Peter threw the good manners he had been using away. "Well, well, if it ain't the Indian lover. Where's that squaw of yours?" Peter just knew if he pushed hard enough he could get one of them to go for his gun, and he was equally as sure he was faster and no law would hang him for self-defense.

Jarrod lightly touched Nick's wrist as if to say don't let the jerk get to you. He didn't want trouble with Peter if he could avoid it. "We just came to cash a bank draft, not fight." Jarrod stepped up to the counter only to have Peter shake his head.

"I don't have to serve anyone I don't want to," Peter sneered at Jarrod.

It infuriated Nick and he barked, "What will your boss say when he finds out you turned us away?" The banker had always welcomed the Barkley's business and their friendship.

"I don't have to serve you, and I ain't. Your brother can go back to Stockton and to that squaw of his as far as I'm concerned!"

"Why you…" Nick was stopped from advancing towards the man as Jarrod stepped in front of him. He wasn't going to allow his brother to start a fight in the bank, especially one with Peter Langston.

"Come on, Nick. This isn't worth it. There are other places that can help us out."

Peter was more furious as ever. Nick had been on the verge of attacking him, an attack that he could have used as an excuse to 'defend' himself. Any reason went out of whatever brain he had. Before Jarrod knew it, the man had pulled his derringer out and Nick was pushing him to the floor. To his horror, Jarrod heard the derringer go off and saw Nick falling to the floor. He whipped out his own pistol and sent a bullet into Peter's chest. The man's eyes widened as he felt the metal penetrate his skin and then fell to the floor.

Jarrod grabbed a clean bandana that sat on a nearby desk and knelt over Nick pressing the cloth down upon the wound. "Talk to me, Nick!" Jarrod begged as his voice slightly rose.

"Th..at m..an wa..sn't cr..az..y. H..e w..as…in..sa…ne," Nick managed to speak before slipping into unconsciousness. Jarrod continued pressed down upon the wound until Rockville's sheriff, doctor and the doctor's assistant came running into the bank. The banker, who had realized there would be trouble the moment he heard Peter start talking, had managed to slip out the back unseen and run for the law. The sheriff had turned around and grabbed Dr. Mitchell and his assistant 'just to be safe'. The redheaded assistant, a young man by the name of Timothy Blackham, ran over to where Peter lay while the silver haired doctor took over with Nick.

"You're lucky Timothy and I just got back into town," Dr. Mitchell said before the sheriff started talking.

"Is Mr. Langston alive?" the sheriff looked more than disgusted as he asked the question. He'd tried to warn the banker that Peter wasn't the kind to change, but no, what did he know? Problem was, too many people like his sister had wanted to believe he was serious if for no other reason than she'd be able to cease worrying about him if he did.

"No," the tall young assistant answered as he stood up. He looked at the sheriff and answered, "Don't tell his sister I said this, only good riddance. How's he doing?" Timothy stepped over to where the doctor knelt and looked at the unconscious Nick.

"He's holding his own. We need to get him back to my office," Dr. Mitchell looked at Jarrod and the sheriff, "How about grabbing a wagon and let's get him there. I've got the bleeding stopped, but that bullet has to come out like yesterday!" He didn't have to ask twice as Jarrod practically flew out the door with the sheriff right behind him. Within a matter of minutes they had secured a wagon, returned to the bank, and loaded Nick up into the back of it. Jarrod and the doctor stayed in the back with Nick while Timothy drove the wagon as fast as he dared.

"Don't you dare go dying on me, Nick," Jarrod kept his hand on his brother's wrist and began praying like mad. His brother had to live; he just had to.