Chapter 21

I Solemnly Swear

Lew Pitts shifted uneasily in the witness chair. "I wouldn't know if he went bothering the lady or not."

Judge Brooker let his gaze roam slowly across the court room. He felt like the enemy in this camp but the truth was, he very much wanted to find no guilt in this woman. Still, it was his duty to confirm the statements that had been gathered. "It has been reported by Mr. Sparks, that there was an altercation between you and the deceased regarding Mrs. Sharkey."

Seldom did a roguish smile have the courage to attach itself to the bronco rider but it suddenly appeared to look very comfortable hanging there. "It wasn't much of an altercation as you put it your honor. I struck him and he went down."

"Thank you for clearing that up." Brooker replied. "But you still haven't answered my question."

"First off…" Lew cast a warning glance at Sparks. "…That loudmouth needs to mind his own business. Styles had been watching the ladies but that's not why I hit him." When he searched out the face of the young redhead, the anger left his eyes. "He said something bad about Little Doc. That's why I punched him in the face." Brooker picked up his gavel to quiet the laughter but decided it was just a break in the tension.

Calleigh made no attempt to hide the smug grin that leaped to the surface as she listened to how the rugged cowboy had defended her honor. Triumphant blue eyes searched the crowd for the nosey tattler. Her intention to embarrass Linney was futile as he was clearly not paying any attention to her.

Curiosity stepped front and center as she watched the cowboy. Linney had slouched down in his chair as usual but his expression was puzzling. Calleigh scowled prompting the tiny smattering of freckles to dance across her nose. It appeared as though he was too engrossed in his own thoughts to pay a mind to his surroundings. What could he be thinking? She mused.

Linney was deaf to the snickering and blind to the scoffing of those around him. Granted, this was just an inquest but it still looked as though Nina Sharkey was the main suspect. It occurred to him that there was one other person that might have had a motive to kill Cobb Styles. A wicked smile hid deep inside his black soul, away from prying eyes. He knew exactly how to throw suspicion in another direction. As long as no one suspected him, that was the main thing.

Finally it was his turn. Linney tried to remain calm while he waited for Lew to vacate the spindle- back captain's chair. He had spent most of the night practicing his testimony. It was important to be calm, sincere with just the right amount of sympathy for Nina Sharkey. He settled himself into the witness seat and waited for the first question.

"According to your statement…" The Judge began. "…Mr. Styles told you on more than one occasion that he was 'involved' with Mrs. Sharkey." A collective gasp echoed throughout the small room.

Linney was prepared for the response. "Yes he did. He said he had been slipping over there at night. Said he just wanted to have fun but she was getting too serious." He quickly buffered the first lie with a second one. "I don't know that it was true, it's just what he told me."

"When was the last time you saw Mr. Styles?"

"About a week ago I guess. The day after he had that row with Bear. Not the first time." He added quickly. "The second time – when Bear broke his hand." Once again, Linney shook his head as though it pained him to tell his tale. "Cobb said the big man was jealous and he was afeared that Bear might…well that he might kill him." Linney searched the stunned faces singling out the biggest and hairiest. In a trembling voice he spoke directly to Bear. "Bear I'm sorry. Like I said before, that's just what he told me."

Suspicion darkened Calleigh's bright blue eyes. She kept her gaze fastened to Linney's face as he walked back to his seat. Even though his solemn expression remained intact, Calleigh knew there was a smile lingering under the surface. He's up to something, she thought, and I'm going to find out what.

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Brooker decided it was best to call for a professional witness to bring order back to the room and

Dr. Adams was the next logical choice.

Doc's testimony was direct and to the point. "Cause of death was a gunshot. Single shot, .45 caliber in the back."

"According to your report." Brooker paused as he glanced over Doc's notes. "You were unable to determine the time of death."

Adams gave a tug on his ear lobe and nodded. "Too much damage to the body."

"How much would you say the body weighed?"

Confusion darkened Doc's brow. "I uh guess maybe a hundred and eighty pounds." The answer had no sooner been spoken when the old physician understood. "I'm not sure a woman could have dragged him up the hill."

Brooker scribbled a few words on the paper in front of him. "Thank you Dr. Adams. That's all the questions I have for you."

Bear stood up when the Judge called his name. He should have been angry with Linney for throwing suspicion in his direction. But, if it would take the pressure off of Nina then he would quietly accept the accusation. After all, protecting the women at the ranch wasn't just his job, it was his life.

The Judge studied the quiet demeanor of the giant man. He was familiar with the story of this man they called Bear and how he had become a treasured member of the family. On his last visit, Brooker had been a guest at the Lady K. He watched the way Hadley had Bear wrapped around her little finger and it was obvious that his devotion extended to the entire Dillon clan.

Four decades of sitting on the bench had made him a pretty good judge of character. Brooker could believe that if someone brought harm to any one of the redheads in his charge, this man could kill with his bare hands but shoot someone in the back – no, that just wasn't believable.

"Bear could you tell me about the altercation between you and Cobb Styles?"

"I hurt him."

"Was Mrs. Sharkey the reason?"

"Nope."

It took a moment for Brooker to realize that the witness had finished speaking. "Then could you tell me what the fight was about?"

"He was going to hit Miss Calleigh." Bear said his piece and withdrew into his usual silence

Kitty had told the Judge that Bear wasn't much of a communicator but, he wasn't prepared for this. "Bear, why was Mr. Styles going to strike Dr. O'Brian?"

"She slapped him." Again, his words were few.

Brooker shared a questioning glance with the marshal but the most Matt could offer was a rueful shrug. He thumbed through the pile of statements until finding the one he wanted. "Thank you Bear, I'm sure that Calleigh would be willing to fill in more of the details for us." Bear offered a grateful nod as he lumbered back to his seat.

Calleigh settled into the chair. She had no qualms about telling about the encounter but her eyes never strayed from Linney Sparks. "Cobb had Nina cornered in Mr. Jonas store front. I went over to them and told him to leave her alone. He said something nasty and I slapped him." Calleigh looked away from Linney long enough to flash a grateful smile toward her protector. "Bear stepped in to save me from a beating."

It had been a long day and Judge Brooker felt as though all of the statements had been explained and confirmed. When he called a recess for the day, Kitty invited him to join the family at the Prairie Rose.

The crowd of spectators narrowed into a single file to exit the courtroom. They emerged like an army of ants at a picnic, all heading in different directions. Some went home. A handful joined the Dillons for supper. Several headed to the Long Branch. But one nosey redhead strayed from the pack. Even the lure of freshly baked pie could not deter Calleigh from her plan to follow Linney Sparks back to the Lady K.