Here comes My Friend, My Enemy. I messed with this one just a tiny bit since it was good as it was. More mix-ups are coming though, so keep an eye out. As always, entertainment only. I don't own Bonanza, only my OC.

"Candy, I don't know what to do with you sometimes." Ben leaned against the cell door, his face pulled tight with tension, forehead lined. "Why did you two bring the herd back to Reno?"

"I don't know!" Their foreman threw his hands in the air. "Legget wouldn't tell me why. He just turned them around. That's what we were arguing about."

"Why would Legget pull a knife on you?"

"Legget and I were always fighting," Candy protested. "You know that."

"I do know that, but fighting is one thing and murder's something else entirely."

"Yeah. I know."

"Why didn't he use the gun? Why'd he throw it away?"

"I don't know." Candy threw up his hands. "I don't know. Maybe he didn't want to make the noise." Ben sighed.

"Was that horse thief the only Indian around?" Annie rubbed her tired eyes. Ever since the messenger had brought them the telegram in Sacramento, they'd ridden nonstop to get to Reno before the judge. Candy threw her a look, complete with raised eyebrows.

"He was the only one I saw." Which of course, meant nothing. There could have been a whole raiding party hiding out but you'd never see them unless they wanted to be seen. "I know he's the only man who can prove I didn't kill Legget."

"What did he look like?" Ben asked.

"About my height, my weight. Uh, long black hair. He wore a blue shirt, the sleeves were cut off, and a beaded belt."

"Not much to go on," Joe offered. "That might fit any number of Indians."

"Thanks a lot," Candy muttered, and Annie gave her brother a shove. He stumbled sideways and shot her a glare which she returned. Hoss frowned.

"We got more to go on than we did with Annie. At least you've got a witness."

"Right," Ben said half to himself. "We'll be back later, Candy, after we get the horses settled at the livery, and try and find you a good lawyer."

"Thanks." His shoulders slumped and she went to him, touching his arm through the bars. He looked up and she raised her brows, silently asking. He looked past her at the others, then subtly nodded. She squeezed his arm and followed Ben and the boys outside.

They stopped at the hitch rail and Ben shook his head, arms folded across his chest. "How do you find a horse thief?"

"I don't know," Hoss said with a frown. Their pa snorted.

"Easier to find a needle in a haystack."

"All we can do is start looking where Candy saw him last." Joe hung his head. Hoss threw up his hands.

"Even if we find him, can we take his word?"

"Hoss!" He held up a hand.

"Now, sis, you know I believe Candy. I'm just saying a jury might not accept whatever this Indian tells them." He folded his arms. "Most people probably won't."

"Hey, Pa?" Three sets of eyes drifted to Joe. He had a thoughtful expression on his face she recognized all too well. He was up to something again. "I got an idea."

"Yeah?"

"I'll need some money." Their pa's eyebrow went up.

"How much?" Joe shrugged.

"$200." Their pa stiffened.

"Your ideas are bold, but very expensive, Joseph." Oh, good heavens, he wasn't really going to …? "For Candy's sake, and yours, I hope this is a good one." Ben dug bills out of his wallet and handed them over. Annie rubbed her forehead. This wasn't just bold, it was crazy.

She and Hoss trailed their brother down to the livery stable. He headed inside, looking over every horse in the barn. "Hey, Jack, what's the best horse you've got for sale?" The livery man appeared out of the shadows with a grin.

"Joe, good to see you." He shook hands all around, then thumbed back his hat. "Go down two more stalls and you'll find him, best horse I've gotten my hands on in a month of Sundays. The snow cap Appaloosa." Her brother's face lit up and he scurried away. She and Hoss traded long-suffering looks and ambled after him.

He was circling the horse like a buzzard, feeling legs and checking feet. He straightened with a grin. "We'll take him." Jack's mouth fell open.

"We haven't even talked price."

"Oh, it doesn't matter, he's perfect. How's two hundred sound?"

"Done," Jack whispered hoarsely with a dazed look about him. Joe left the stall and dug into his pocket. Annie slipped past him and collected the horse with an appreciative glance. He was very nice, but not that nice. "I've sold you Cartwrights a lot of horses, but none this nice," he said as Joe counted out the money.

"Never for that kind of price either, Jack," she commented. "That's highway robbery." Jack laughed.

"Take that up with your brother, he made the offer. Besides, you Cartwrights can afford it. I'll see you later."

"Little brother, quit playing games. What do you want with this horse anyhow?" Annie snickered.

"He's bait, Hoss."

"Bait?" He spluttered, and she nodded while Joe grinned like a possum in the corn crib.

"Bait," their brother confirmed, and took the lead rope from her hand. "How else do you catch a horse thief?" He led the horse down the street and Hoss ambled after him with a knowing shake of his head.

"I'll join you later," Annie called after them, and Hoss whipped around.

"Where are you going?"

"To see if I can find out anything else."

"Be careful."

"Always am." She turned and headed back up the street. Her pa ducked into the lawyer's office and she debated joining him, but that wasn't her priority. She was already several days late. She stopped beside Reno and dug into her saddle bags, then walked into the sheriff's office, surprising the man mid spit. Tobacco juice dripped off his chin and he choked, hurriedly wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

"Can I help you, ma'am?"

"You can let me in the cell over there." She held up the deck of cards.

"That ain't proper."

"You're right here, so what's the problem?"

"It ain't fitting."

"Then bring me a chair and I'll sit outside." His face twisted into several expressions.

"Well, I suppose that'll be all right. Your pa know where you are?"

"He'll figure it out." The sheriff shrugged and dragged over a rickety chair. Candy hopped off his bunk and waited at the door with a half smile. She sat down, crossing one leg over the other. "Who cuts?"

"Me." She handed him the deck and he cut it, then handed it back. She shuffled, then dealt their cards fast and clean enough to impress most card sharps. The sheriff's eyebrows rose.

"Should I be concerned about how a lady acquired such knowledge?"

"My name is Cartwright, that ought to explain everything." He finally left them with a shake of his head and they picked up their cards.

"You didn't have to do this, you know. I've already been in here for two days."

"You'd do the same." Candy nodded and laid down two cards, then drew two more.

"That is a fact. I'm just glad it isn't necessary this time. Once was bad enough, but twice? I think your pa would keel over from the shock."

"He might." She drew one card. "What are we playing for?"

"Fleas? I got plenty of those laying around." She made a face.

"Hop Sing won't let you in the house until there isn't a single one left alive."

"I'll take it," he said as he drew another card. "If they're dead, then I'm not." She looked up slowly and their eyes met. Candy swallowed hard.

"Sheriff, have you seen my daughter?" The door opened and closed; boots stomped across the floor. Annie drew a card.

"They've been playing poker for the last two and a half hours."

"What?"

"Back here, Pa." She turned and offered a smile. He stopped in the doorway, arms folded. "Did you find out anything?"

"We've got a lawyer, though I don't know how much good it will do if we can't find that Indian. Also spoke to Charley, he said Legget wasn't paying him, was scared of someone he owed a lot of money, but he didn't know who. They were out drinking and that's when he fell asleep."

"Great." Annie dropped her cards on her lap and buried her face in her hands. "What next?"

"I don't know. Candy, you sure no one else saw you?"

"No." He sighed. "I don't know what else to tell you, Mr. Cartwright."

"Well, I do."

"What?"

"Deal me in. Sheriff, you got another chair out there? Slide over, Annie." Sheriff Crowley shook his head and shifted his wad of tobacco with a frown.

"Since when do you play poker in a jail?"

"When it's my foreman accused of murder. We'll be keeping him company all night, Sheriff, but don't worry, we won't keep you up." Ben settled himself in his chair and reached for the cards. "I'll shuffle them this time, I know where you learned to deal."

"Pa?" She blinked innocently. "What do you mean?"

"You had that half brother of yours teach you, don't bother to deny it, he told me he did." Candy blinked slowly.

"Four brothers?"

"Clay isn't related to Hoss or Adam, he's our mother's oldest son, from before she married Pa. Her first husband's family was a real piece of work."

"Anne."

"It's true, Pa."

"True or not they have no bearing on him teaching you to deal cards." Ben shuffled the deck. "Let's get started."

"It's about time you showed up," Hoss grumbled. "We been eat up by everything you can think of and still no Paiute." She tied Reno up with the other horses and eyed the Appaloosa. The animal was impossible to miss, why wasn't anyone trying to take him? "Any news from town?"

"None that will help Candy." She bit her lip. "Trial starts day after tomorrow."

"Come on, Joe, we best get a move on, try someplace else. Annie, you get to lead the bait for a while."

"Good idea, Hoss, average brave sees a woman and a horse, he's not gonna pass that up." Hoss smacked their brother upside the head. "Ow! What was that for?"

"For being stupid. Do you have any idea what Pa would do if he knew what you was thinking about?"

"It was an idea, Hoss." Joe picked up his fallen hat and dusted it off.

"Don't mean it was a good one. Let's go." Annie smothered a snort and swung back into the saddle. Mirth fled and she stared down at Reno's tousled mane. No matter what Hoss thought, if they couldn't get this Indian to show up any other way, she'd try Joe's idea, consequences be hanged.

"Sis, where were you last night, anyway?"

"If it was our business, Joe, she'd have already told us." Hoss spared her a knowing look and she nodded. He nodded back and nudged Chub into a trot. They rode for several hours, crisscrossing the countryside searching for signs.

"This place looks as good as any, Hoss." Joe reined Cochise to a halt. Hoss thumbed back his hat and sighed.

"I reckon you're right. Get the bedrolls set up and I'll see to the horses."

The night passed in agonizing slowness. Not even a squirrel hopped around in the trees. Annie kept her hand on her pistol, but daylight came and the horse still stood there, mockingly, on the picket line. Joe scrubbed his hands over his face.

"What now, Hoss? Two days and no sign."

"It was a good idea, Joe, it just didn't work is all."

"The trial starts tomorrow," Annie said softly. Hoss squeezed her shoulder.

"I know. We'll keep trying until morning, something may turn up."

"The lawyer told Pa it could go either way, what if we can't find this horse thief?"

"I don't know," he said slowly. "I just don't know." She bit her lip and stared down at her boots. She knew Candy hadn't killed Legget, there had to be a way to prove it. But if they couldn't find his only witness …

"This is as bad as Younger," she said hoarsely.

"Yeah," Hoss agreed. "And I don't think Hop Sing's chops will help this time. Let's find another spot for tonight. We're burning daylight."

She curled up in her bedroll, staring past the dancing flames into the empty night. What were they going to do if they couldn't find the Paiute? They could beg the governor for a stay of execution, but that would only be a temporary reprieve. He might, if their pa begged hard enough, commute the sentence to life in prison, but Candy would never survive locked up in a cell for the rest of his life.

Annie pressed her lips together and clutched her pistol tighter. She couldn't watch her best friend hang, there was no way around it. Even if he was guilty she couldn't do it.

No, no, she couldn't think like that. Cartwrights never gave up, they'd find a way to save him, they had to.

A twig creaked and she stiffened. Outside the fire, Hoss cocked his gun. "Drop that knife." She threw off her blanket and scrambled over to her brother. Her heart beat faster. They'd finally caught an Indian, but was it the right Indian? "I've lost two nights sleep trying to catch you. There ain't nothing makes me madder than losing all that sleep."

"At least it wasn't two nights' supper," she quipped, and Hoss glared.

"Joe! Get up, I think we got him!" Her other brother bolted awake. Hoss took the man's arm and guided him to the fire. Joe looked him over.

"Blue shirt, beaded belt … yeah he fits the description. What's your name?" The Indian said nothing and Joe sighed. "Hoss, how's your Paiute?"

"I can say we come as friends."

"I don't think he's going to believe that," Annie said tartly with a meaningful glance at their weapons. "And I can't speak Paiute either." Joe sighed again.

"We … need … your help," he said slowly, accompanied by hand motions, but there was no response. "How do you say we need your help?" Annie shrugged; Hoss spread his hands. The Indian glanced between the three of them, then said something she couldn't understand. Joe frowned. "What did he say?"

"How should I know?"

"That's how you say we need your help." His voice shocked her, she didn't know what she'd been expecting, but it wasn't this cool, even steadiness. Hoss blinked several times and grinned.

"He speaks English."

"I also speak Paiute, which makes me smarter than you."

"If you're so smart, how'd we catch you?"

"Annie, stop it. We've been looking for you." The Indian tilted his head, regarding Joe with a gleam in his eye.

"Is that why you have been leaving that horse staked out?"

"Yeah."

"How did you expect to find me while you were hiding under trees?" Her brothers exchanged glances.

"We found you," Hoss protested. "That's the important thing."

"Look," Joe broke in. "About a week ago, you tried to grab two horses. A friend of ours caught up with you, a fellow named Candy. You had a fight. Do you remember that?"

"Why?"

"Because while you were fighting, someone shot and killed another man. Now our friend is being held for murder." Annie forced her voice not to shake. The Indian looked at them in silence.

"I remember," he finally said. "It happened as you say." Joe grinned, Hoss looked relieved, and her heart rate slowed to normal. Finally, they had a chance.

"Will you come with us to Reno and testify to that?"

"No." Dread pooled in her stomach. Why? Her breath seared her lungs. "I told you," he continued. "Now you go to Reno and tell them."

"We can't do that, you're the witness, you have to testify."

"All right. Bring them here and I will tell them."

"We can't bring the court here, you'll have to go there." Defeat tasted sour on her tongue. "They'll hang him if you don't!" The Indian regarded her calmly, too calmly for her liking.

"If I do go, they will hang me."

"No, they won't. Look, we guarantee it. We'll get you into town and out again."

"No." Joe grabbed her arm and she pulled away.

"You're a coward," she hissed. "Brave enough to steal a man's horse when he's not looking, but you won't ride into town to save an innocent man!"

"Annie!" Joe grabbed her again, hauling her off her feet.

"Stop it, the both of you," Hoss rumbled. "They probably wouldn't take the word of a horse thief anyhow." The Indian turned on Hoss.

"I am a chief."

"You're a horse thief."

"I am a great horse thief. Brave men steal the horses of their enemies. When you steal a man's horse, you steal his pride. Gives you honor."

"Where we come from, it gets you hung," she spit. Joe set her aside and cocked his gun.

"We can take you whether you want to go or not."

"Even if they will not believe a horse thief?" His calm was infuriating.

"They might believe a chief."

"Oh, Joe, he ain't no chief. A chief wouldn't let himself get caught this easily," Hoss pointed out.

"You did not catch me. I caught you." Her brothers snickered, but she wasn't so sure he was joking. The man waved his arm and braves swarmed out of the shadows, surrounding them. Joe swallowed hard and dropped his gun. Hoss raised his hands. Annie straightened and met the chief with a grim smile.

Braves tied her brothers' hands, but she was left alone. For the moment. The chief pointed at a nearby brave. "If I told him to cut your heart out, he would do it. If I told him to strip the flesh off your back, inch by inch, he would do it. Do you know why? Because I am a chief."

"I'm not the one who said you weren't."

"This is true. Also true, is the fact I could take you for my squaw and there is nothing they could do to stop me."

"Also true," she replied, "such a thing has been tried before. As you can see, I am no squaw, so what does that tell you?" He inclined his head.

"You are strong. You are also foolish to come out here."

"Candy is innocent, and I want it proven. A real chief would look for justice, not let an innocent man die because he's afraid of being hung!"

"I am not afraid."

"Prove it." They locked eyes for the space of several heartbeats. Finally, he shouted something in Paiute, and the braves cut her brothers loose.

"I will go to Reno. And you will eat your words because I will feed them to you on the point of this knife." He tucked the blade into its sheath and turned away. Joe looked at her, fear draining from his eyes.

"How about you not antagonize him again?"

"What part of that would you have left out?" She raised her eyebrows and he shrugged. "That's what I thought. He might have killed you."

"Are we going or not?" The Indian returned. "I will not wait all night." They traded looks, then moved to saddle their horses, mounting up within minutes. The Indian jumped on the Appaloosa and they headed for Reno, arriving behind the hotel an hour later. They slipped up the back stairs and eased inside, Joe looking to her for direction.

"That one," she whispered, pointing at the far room at the end of the hall. She knocked quietly on the door and it swung open in seconds. Ben's face lightened and he breathed a sigh as he closed the door.

"You're sure no one saw you?"

"Nobody saw us," Joe confirmed.

"He's the one?"

"Yes," she broke in.

"Good." Ben held out his hand, but the Indian ignored it, instead picking up something off the nearby desk and studying it. He dropped his hand with a sigh. "Will he testify?" Joe shrugged.

"He'll testify, but I don't know who's gonna believe him." Her heart thumped painfully. They had to believe it … what was the word of a horse thief compared to ancient Chinese signatures?

"What's his name?"

"Why do you talk about me as though I'm some kind of horse?" The Indian glanced over his shoulder with a pointed look. Ben stared.

"He speaks English," she said with a shrug.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You didn't ask." Ben frowned and stalked over to the Indian and held out his hand again. The Indian ignored it again.

"Who is he?"

"Our father."

"What is his name?"

"Ben Cartwright."

"Can he speak Paiute?" Annie shrugged.

"Well …"

"I can speak for myself!" Ben exploded.

"I can too. So if you have any more questions, ask me." The Indian wandered back across the room and Ben sighed and worked his hands.

"I'm sorry." He dug into his vest pocket and pulled out a card. "Hoss, while I'm talking to, uh …"

"Jocova."

"Yes, right. Run over to Mr. Scott, the lawyer, and tell him I want him over here, I want him to hear what Jocova has to say."

"Fine, Pa, but could we get something to eat first? I'm starving."

"You're always starving," Annie muttered. Hoss frowned and opened his mouth, but Ben shushed him.

"I could eat, too. Joe? Annie?"

"Yeah, I could use a steak."

"Maybe something small," she said softly. "I'm not that hungry."

"Uh, Jocova?"

"Hm."

"What would you like to eat? Just name it and we'll be happy to get it for you."

"Buffalo hump," he said without missing a beat. Annie smothered a snort at the looks on her brothers' faces.

"Oh, I … I don't think they have buffalo hump in the restaurant," Ben said apologetically.

"Then I'll have boiled dog." Boiled dog? Annie mouthed to herself with a stunned look at Joe. Jocova wandered over to the window and peeked through the curtain.

"How about steak?" Ben asked. Jocova turned around with what could only be described as a look of horror on his face.

"That's cow."

"Yeah, it is a cow," Joe said with a shrug. He snapped his fingers. "Hey, they might have venison."

"As a matter of fact they do. I saw it on the menu."

"Venison," Jocova said with distaste. "I suppose."

"Fine, how do you want it fixed?"

"Over an open fire made with dry buffalo chips." Now, he was playing with them. Hoss' grin faded.

"Sure. Just that." He headed for the door.

"Hoss, stop by the jail on the way and tell Candy the good news." Annie pushed off the wall.

"I could tell him."

"No, the fewer of us running around at night, the better. We can't tip off anyone that Jocova is in town." He went to the second bedroom door and opened it. "Jocova, I think this would be a good room for you to be in. No one can get in here without coming through this room first. That way nobody will get to see you." Jocova ambled into the bedroom and looked around. "I'll call you as soon as the food gets up." Ben closed the door and turned to them with a stunned look. "Oh, brother."

"What?"

"Don't you know who that is?" She and Joe traded glances, then shook their heads in unison. "He's the most wanted Indian in the territory."

"What?"

"There isn't a lawman around that doesn't want to get his hands on him." Ben rested a hand on the bedpost and stared at the blanket.

"Well, that's great." Joe threw up his hands. "What do we do now?"

"Try to figure out some way to keep our only witness from being hanged." Annie sank to the other bed and buried her face in her hands, fighting the urge to scream, her heart slamming against her ribs. What chance did they have now?

She sat in silence until the food arrived and Joe handed her a plate of roast and potatoes. She picked at it, eating a few bites, but laid it aside mostly untouched. No one else seemed to have lost their appetites, though, if the rapidly emptied plates were any indication.

Jocova wiped his hands on his pants. "Makes leather soft," he said by way of explanation when she blinked at him in confusion.

"You know, Jocova, how did you learn to speak English?" Joe finished the last of his steak.

"A pony soldier. When I was small, I lived outside of the fort gates."

"Is that where you learned to hate the white man?" Ben asked quietly. Jocova looked around.

"You think because I steal their horses, I hate the white man?"

"You kill them," Joe muttered. Jocova turned around slowly.

"I have never killed one white man." He glanced at her. "Or taken a white woman for a squaw." They all froze and looked at him in confusion. Ben found his voice first.

"Everybody thinks you have."

"Yes. This is good. If they think I am a killer, they do not chase me when I steal their horses." A knock came at the door; Annie grabbed her pistol and Joe tossed aside his plate to grab for his. Their pa rushed Jocova into the other room and closed the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Pa." Annie breathed a sigh of relief and took her finger off the trigger, but didn't let the hammer down just yet. It wouldn't be the first time they'd been fooled. She eased the hammer down when Hoss walked in with a stranger behind him. "Found him at the saloon."

"Evening, Mr. Cartwright."

"Good evening." The stranger puffed himself up.

"You picked a most inconvenient time for consultation." Annie bristled. Just who did he think he was? When did he consider an acceptable time when a man's life was on the line?

"I didn't think this could wait, the trial is tomorrow." There was an edge to his voice that the lawyer should be able to pick up on.

"It hasn't slipped my mind, if that's what's worrying you. I would like to get back to my poker game."

"You –" Ben shushed her.

"My foreman is on trial for his life, and that trial starts tomorrow morning."

"And I'm defending him. That is a terrible responsibility, Mr. Cartwright. I'm fully aware that I hold another man's life in my hands." He gave them a smug smile. "In court tomorrow, I will do my very best."

"Yes, I'm sure you will. And as a matter of fact, to insure that, we have a witness for you. An eyewitness, a man who was with Candy when that shot was fired."

"Then he really is innocent." He sounded surprised, which raised her hackles again.

"What did you think?" Hoss demanded through a mouthful of food. The lawyer glanced sideways.

"It doesn't matter what I think. Innocence or guilt, that's for the jury to decide." He strolled over and dumped Hoss' saddlebags and Joe's hat off the chair and sat down, pulling out a small nail pick. "Well, let's see the witness." Ben sighed and opened the door.

The lawyer stopped picking his nails when Jocova walked into the room and looked up at Ben. "You're joking."

"He was with Candy when Legget was killed."

"He is Jocova, isn't he?"

"Yes." Scott shook his head and went to work on his little finger.

"I'm sorry you went to all that trouble. We can't possibly use him." Annie choked on the breath that lodged in her throat. "His appearance in court would prejudice the entire case."

"What?!" Ben laid a hand on her shoulder and she looked up. He held up his other hand and marched over to the lawyer, leaning over him with his hands on his hips.

"How?"

"He's an Indian and a wanted man."

"And you're a jack –" Hoss grabbed her arm and shook his head. She swallowed back bile and took a deep breath. Ben tossed her a warning glare.

"You mean you're not going to use the only witness we have who can corroborate Candy's story?"

"It would only confuse the court. They wouldn't know whether to hang the defendant or hang the witness. They might end up hanging them both side by side." Scott filed at his nails.

"You're not gonna use him?"

"No."

"Well, then I'm afraid we're going to have to get another lawyer." The man tucked his file back into his pocket and stood.

"If you can find one." He headed for the door. "I'll see you at the trial, anyway. I wouldn't miss this for the biggest poker game in Denver," he said with a smile that she wanted to slap off his ugly face. The door closed behind him and Joe scoffed.

"I say good riddance. Let's get the second best." Ben shook his head and folded his arms.

"He's also the second, third, and worst. He's the only lawyer in Reno."

"I guess that leaves it up to us and … and Jocova." Hoss said slowly. Ben sighed.

"Jocova, just tell me exactly what happened out there so we'll know what to say in court." The Indian nodded and crossed the room.

"Two white men were fighting while I stole their horses."

"Oh, I … I don't think you'd better say anything about stealing horses in court."

"It is the truth."

"Yes, I know it …" Her pa trailed off and they all looked at each other in silence. "No … you tell it just the way it happened." Jocova nodded and went back to his room, closing the door behind him. Ben sighed and sat down.

Someone knocked on the door; Joe flipped his pistol around and cocked it. Annie bit her lip. Hoss wiped his mouth and looked to their pa.

"Who's there?"

"Sheriff Crowley." They exchanged looks and he nodded. Joe hid his pistol and opened the door.

"Yeah?"

"Evening." The sheriff walked in with two deputies at his back. "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Cartwright, but somebody said they seen your kids here sneaking an Indian up the back way." Her heart pounded. Ten to one it was the snotty lawyer.

"Oh?"

"Said it looked a whole lot like Jocova." Make that even money. She risked a sideways glance at Hoss, who shrugged and kept chewing.

"Now who would say a thing like that?"

"I don't know, but as long as I'm here, I might as well take a look around." Annie hopped off the bed and wandered over towards Joe. They had to keep him out of that room. She purposely caught her foot on the end of the bed and stumbled into the man's arms, giving Joe time to block the door. "Watch yourself there, Ms. Cartwright."

"Thank you." She offered him a sweet smile that she hoped wasn't betrayed by her pounding heart. "Come now, Sheriff, why would we have an Indian in here?"

"I don't know, but I aim to find out." He set her aside and walked straight to Joe. "You got something in here you don't want me to see?"

"Of course not, what is this?"

"You don't mind then if I take a look for myself?" Their pa sighed and motioned for Joe to step aside. Annie bit her lip and turned a worried look on Hoss. Her brother shrugged and worked his hands. She turned back around as the sheriff walked into the other room, gun drawn. He looked around, then stuck his head out the window. "Hey, C.J. you still down there?"

"Right where you left me."

"See anybody come out this here window?"

"Nothing's moved since you went up them stairs." She glanced at Joe, her eyes wide. If he wasn't in there, where was he? Crowley dropped the window shade with a scowl and ducked down to peer under the bed. She turned away, fiddling with the end of her braid. What were they going to do now? She held her breath, sure that any second, he'd order Jocova out of hiding and march him away to hang.

"Well, I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Cartwright." Her head came up in shock as he led his deputies out the door.

"That's all right, Sheriff." The door closed and they all ran for the other bedroom, skidding to a halt in the middle of the very empty room. A low chuckle drifted up from the floor and Joe frowned, then ducked down. He started laughing, and she dropped to the floor, yanking up the edge of the blanket.

Jocova lowered himself out of the bed frame and she laughed, too. It faded away too soon, relief he hadn't been caught dying as fear slipped back in. How would they get anyone to believe him tomorrow?

The church bells tolled, each ring sending a pang of dread through her chest. She bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. How did they find themselves in these messes? Every single one of them had been on trial for murder now, at least once.

The jury had to listen, they just had to.

"Let's go." Ben finished straightening his vest. "Jocova, stay in your room. No one must see you until it's time for you to appear in court. And when it is time, I'll have the boys come and get you. All right?" The man nodded and Ben ushered the rest of them out the door.

"Can we do it, Pa?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"We've got to."

They hurried down the street and climbed the steps to Reno's town hall. The courtroom was packed full. Ben headed to the defense table and they claimed the last three empty seats in the front row. The pompous lawyer elbowed his way over.

"In case you need me," he said smugly.

"Thanks." Her pa didn't sound impressed. Candy leaned in towards Ben after offering her a weak smile.

"Who's the judge?"

"Judge Butler."

"He's the hanging judge," the lawyer added with a sniff. Candy glanced up at him and his eyes flickered.

"Thanks," he muttered as the man left. "One of my lucky days." She reached forward, intending to offer what comfort she could, when the door in the front of the courtroom flew open.

"Take your hats off," the judge barked, a shotgun in his hand and saddlebags draped over his arm. He swept his off his head and hung it on the rack on the far wall. "Stand up." The whole room moved to comply as he settled himself at his bench. "Sit down. All right, Mr. Prosecutor, what have you got?"

The craggy-looking man carried a paper over to the judge, then went back to his seat. Butler read quickly. He glanced up once with a half smile. "Hello, Ben."

"Morning, Your Honor."

"What are you doing here?"

"Well," Ben stood and she squeezed her fingers together. "I'm acting as counsel for the defense of Mr. Canaday." The judge dropped his paper and motioned her pa over to the bench.

"Come here a minute." She threw her brothers a nervous look. What could he want? Joe squeezed her hand. "You're no lawyer, Ben."

"I know."

"What makes you think you can handle the defense of a man who's on trial for his life? I know your son did it for his sister, but … well …" he let it trail off and she swallowed hard. "You'd better hope luck runs in the family."

"Somebody's gotta do it."

"Oh." He drew it out into three syllables instead of one. "Can't get a lawyer to take the case, huh?" Her pa looked down at the bench and didn't answer. "All right. There's something you ought to know that's very important. If murder's proved, it's a hanging offense."

"I know that," he said quietly, steel lacing his tone. Butler nodded and sat back in his chair.

"Now, let's get on with it. Hiram, ah, Mr. Prosecutor, call your first witness." The man stood and looked over at them.

"I call Anne Cartwright." Her brothers jolted in shock; they were far from the only ones. Annie sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes flying to Candy's stricken face. He swallowed hard. Why her? What was their game? She slowly stood and made her way to the witness stand, and put her hand on the Bible the judge held out.

"Do you swear to tell the truth?"

"Yes."

"Sit down." The prosecutor hurried over, folding his arms as he stopped in front of her. She bit her tongue and crossed her legs. She had to stay cool and calm, they must not provoke her to irrational actions or screaming fits, no matter what they said.

"Ms. Cartwright, did you ever see the defendant and the murdered man in a fight?"

"I suppose so."

"How often?"

"Two or three times."

"Maybe four?"

"Maybe."

"Enough to know they really hated each other, right?" She pressed her mouth into a thin line and refused to answer. The prosecutor ambled away from the stand, then turned back with a calculating gleam in his eyes. "I'm waiting for your answer, Ms. Cartwright."

"Do you hate everyone you've ever argued with?" The courtroom buzzed.

"Answer the question, please. I am not on trial here." She glared at him through her lashes.

"Candy didn't kill him."

"That's not an answer."

"Not the one you want." He regarded her for a moment, then sighed.

"Ms. Cartwright, this court is not unaware of how close you are to the defendant. Lying for him will do no good to anyone." Her face flamed and blood pounded in her ears. Why did they still have to bring up that mine? Her brothers exchanged furious looks and Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. Candy looked mortified.

"I wouldn't lie for anyone," she hissed. "Would you sit back and let a friend be railroaded? He's innocent and we'll prove it."

"Moving on, do you know what they fought about?" She took a beat to think.

"Anything and everything, like most people, wouldn't you agree? How many fights have you been in?"

"That's not important." A muscle near his left eye ticked. Good, she was getting to him. If he lost control, she might be able to win Candy a little sympathy by association.

"Have you ever said something in the heat of an argument that you never actually did?"

"I will say it again, Ms. Cartwright, I am not on trial. Do you have any questions for the witness?" He turned away, rubbing his forehead. Her pa stood.

"Just one. Have you ever known Candy to take revenge on anyone?"

"No."

"No further questions." She stepped down and took her seat, earning a grin from both her brothers and Candy, and a long-suffering arched eyebrow from her pa.

"I call Mr. Quinn to the stand." The man took his place and the prosecutor didn't waste time. "I would like you to tell this court what you told our good Sheriff Crowley about the defendant."

"I told him that Candy had threatened to kill Legget."

"Do you think either of them took the threat seriously?" The man rubbed his forehead thoughtfully.

"Well, Legget said that Candy was a hard case and meant to kill him." The courtroom buzzed with whispers and Candy hung his head. Annie couldn't breathe through the fear clogging her throat. What if they didn't believe Jocova?

"Any questions, Mr. Cartwright?" Her pa shook his head. "I should like to call Sheriff Crowley." He waited until the man was seated, then leaned against the judge's bench. "In your opinion, why would the murderer bring the body of his victim back to town?"

"Hm … throw suspicion off himself and maybe onto the Indians?" The prosecutor shifted position and stabbed a finger in the sheriff's face.

"Could it have been the Indians?" The sheriff looked thoughtful, his wad of tobacco shifting around in his cheek.

"Well, he still had his scalp. I don't think it was the Indians."

"Your witness, Mr. Cartwright," the prosecutor said with a smug smile. Her pa sighed.

"No questions."

"That's all, Sheriff, thank you. That's my case, judge." Butler nodded and crooked a finger.

"Ben?" Her pa stood, pausing to whisper to her brothers.

"Get Jocova. Don't bring him in, don't let anybody see him until I call for him." They nodded and left the room. Ben made his way to the judge's bench.

"I have to tell you, he's got a pretty good case. You sure you can handle the defense?" She held her breath. Here went nothing. Ben's voice lowered and they talked quietly for a moment. "Hiram?" Butler motioned the prosecutor forward and all three of them whispered furiously. Candy shifted in his seat, his back stiff as a board. "You can go." The meeting broke up and everyone sat back down. The judge picked up his shotgun. "Now, Ben Cartwright is about to call a witness. You may not like this witness, but he's here to see justice done. And if anyone so much as lays a hand on him, he's gonna have me to deal with and the devil to pay. Ben, call your witness."

Annie turned to face the door, but her brothers weren't there. Ben glanced back as well; she shook her head and he looked back to the judge. "Well, Your Honor, uh … my boys have … just … just gone out to get him. And I'm sure they'll be here in just a moment." Butler scowled.

"You've got thirty seconds." Annie smothered a gasp and Candy stiffened, shooting her father a nervous, silent plea. Ben looked back at the door just as it opened.

Her brothers came in, alone, and Ben hurried to meet them. "Where is he?" Joe cringed.

"He's gone," he whispered. Her heart stopped and she sagged in her chair. What was happening? Why – why would he leave?

"He's not there, he's not anywhere," Hoss added.

"You looked all over?"

"Yeah."

"You're delaying things, Cartwright."

"Pa, please, do something," she pleaded, her hands twisting her shirt hem until it creased. Ben rubbed his forehead and looked around.

"Your Honor, I would like to ask for a temporary recess until we … until we can find our witness."

"I am here, Mr. Cartwright." Annie spun in her chair, along with everyone else in the room. Jocova stood next to the other doorway, wearing a long, black coat and hat. He calmly surveyed the room, then walked towards the witness stand, sat down, and removed his hat, letting his hair tumble free.

"Where'd he get the hat?" Ben hissed under his breath. Joe shrugged.

"Same place he got the coat, I guess." The room buzzed again, but Jocova ignored it, pulling out what looked like a toothpick or something and began to clean his nails.

"Your Honor, I'm ready to proceed." The whispers built and Butler banged his gavel on the bench.

"Shut up!" He pa drew in a deep breath and headed for the witness stand.

"Would you please tell the court your name?"

"Jocova."

"And you are a member of the Paiute Nation?"

"I am a chief," he said calmly and returned his attention to his nails. What was he doing? How could he be so calm? Candy's life was on the line. Ben looked around, then went on.

"Chief Jocova, do you know what this trial is about?"

"Yes."

"Now, would you please tell the court where you were and what you were doing the day Legget was killed."

"I was hiding in the woods." He lowered the toothpick. Was that what it was? She squinted. Had it been in the coat pocket? He was playing with them again. "I saw two men coming. One was the man who was killed. The other was this one." He pointed to Candy. "They left their horses and climbed to a high point to look around. The one who was killed attacked this one with a knife." Annie shoved her finger in her mouth and bit down hard. What if they didn't believe him? The crowd murmured and Ben glanced back over his shoulder. Butler rapped his gavel on the bench. "While they were fighting, I ran out to steal their horses," Jocova finished, and continued picking his nails.

The crowd buzzed furiously and Butler banged his gavel again. "Shut up!" Her pa cleared his throat.

"I see. And then?" Jocova looked up calmly.

"I was riding away with their horses when this one jumped from a … a bank and knocked me from the saddle. While we were fighting, there was a shot. I thought more white men were coming, so I rode away and hid." Candy's shoulders relaxed. "I saw this one run back to the other man. The other man was already dead," Jocova finished and went back to that infernal toothpick.

"Thank you, Chief Jocova. Your witness." The prosecutor stood up and slowly walked over to the witness stand. He leaned on the judge's bench and cocked his head.

"Why did you hide when you saw the two riders approaching?" Jocova looked up, a look on his face like he thought that was a stupid question.

"Because I was going to steal their horses and their guns." More whispers.

"Shut up!"

The prosecutor smiled to himself and swapped sides, moving to Jocova's left. "Did you intend to kill them?" The Indian paused for a moment.

"Only if I had to." The prosecutor slapped his leg and her heart stopped. No, please, no.

"Judge, you can't take the word of a man like this! He just confessed to being a horse thief and a would-be murderer."

"You don't believe all the things he said about himself, do you?"

"I certainly do."

"Well, if they're true, the rest is true, and Mr. Canaday is innocent. Sit down, Hiram!" The man scowled and shoved off the bench, stalked back to his chair. Ben allowed himself a tiny smile, but she couldn't relax, even when her brothers exchanged smiles. Butler turned to Jocova. "Was Legget killed by an Indian?"

"No. If it had been one of my Indians, he would have bragged about it."

"Did you see anything else?" Jocova paused, then held up the toothpick.

"This." He handed it to Butler and the judge examined it closely. "It was in the grass where the two white men were fighting."

"Why didn't you mention this before?"

"Nobody asked me," he replied with that infuriating calm. Butler frowned and held up the toothpick.

"Mr. Canaday, do you own a gold toothpick?"

"Me?" Candy asked with a forced laugh. "I never owned a gold toothpick. I don't think I've ever seen but two or three before …" he trailed off and her heart beat faster. Gold toothpick? Who had she seen with one recently? "Wait a minute, wait a minute. Joe … Joe, who was it?" Candy whipped around. Her brother frowned.

"Uh …"

"Who was it?" Hoss grumbled. Joe's face lit up.

"Quinn!" Hoss brightened.

"Yeah, it's Quinn." The whole room turned to face the suddenly nervous little man. Butler smiled like a cat with a cornered bird.

"Mr. Quinn, if you've got a gold toothpick, let's see it."

"I …" He dug in his pockets, his face going red. "Well, I … I guess I left it at home." Annie leaned forward and whispered in her pa's ear.

"Ask him if he saw anything else that no one has asked him about." Ben shot out of his chair.

"Your Honor, I'd like to ask another question."

"Go right ahead." He pushed out of his chair, determination on his face.

"Jocova, is there something that you haven't told us because nobody's asked it of you?"

"Yes." She closed her eyes and breathed a prayer of thanks.

"What is it?" Jocova pointed at Candy.

"After this man rode out with body, I saw another white man come out from hiding behind trees. I followed him to Reno." His pointing finger swung around to aim at Quinn. "It was this man." Quinn shook his head wildly.

"That's a lie."

"And he rode an unshod Indian pony."

"Lies!" Quinn jumped out of his chair and darted to the front row of seats. "Every word!" Candy shot to his feet, realization spreading across his face.

"No, no, no, they're not lies. An unshod pony to make the killing look like the work of the Paiutes."

"No!" Crowley had Quinn by the arm, looking as confused as everyone else.

"You and Legget were working together!"

"No!" Candy turned to her pa.

"They had to be. That's why Legget wanted to bring the herd back to Reno. To sell the beef to you for $12 a head."

"Instead of the eighteen we could get in Sacramento. Of course." Her pa whipped around, too. "That's what Charley-Boy was talking about. Said that Legget owed somebody a lot of money. That he was afraid the fellow was going to kill him. It was you that killed him, wasn't it?"

"No!"

"I think you're lying," Butler announced and the crowd buzzed. "Put that man in jail, Crowley." The sheriff blinked.

"Judge, what about Jocova?" The Indian tensed. Annie bit her lip. Butler frowned.

"Well, if it hadn't been for Jocova, we might have hanged an innocent man. Now, the rest of you people sit down, this court is still in session." Everyone sat and Butler picked up his shotgun again. "You take that man over and lock him up, Crowley."

"Yeah." He led Quinn away and Scott jumped to his feet.

"Mr. Quinn, you're going to need a good lawyer. I'll go with you." Annie rolled her eyes. That man. Butler cleared his throat.

"Now, the rest of us are gonna sit here for thirty minutes while I review this case. Ben, I don't think I'm gonna need you or your witness anymore."

"Thank you, Your Honor." Ben grabbed his hat and pulled Candy to his feet. "Jocova, let's go." The Indian left the witness stand and joined them at the rear of the courtroom. All six of them hurried outside and rushed back to the hotel.

Annie whooped and threw her arms around Candy's neck. He gave her a sideways hug. "Thanks, all of you. And Jocova, thank you just doesn't cover it."

"You could always give me your horse." His lips twitched in the first semblance of a smile she'd seen him offer. They laughed, and Ben slapped him on the back.

"Thank you, Chief Jocova. Hoss, get the horses ready, I want to get out of here."

"Me, too," Candy said.

It was a mad scramble to pack saddlebags. Hoss returned within a few minutes. "Horses are ready, Pa."

"We're almost ready, too. Jocova!" The door flew open and Crowley burst into the room wielding a shotgun.

"Hold it. Don't nobody move now, I don't want nobody to get hurt. All I want is that there Indian. Now, you just put your guns on the bedspread there, nice and neat like. Come on. You too, Ms. Cartwright." She looked to her pa. He sighed and tossed his gun on the bed, prompting the rest of them to follow suit. "All right, if you'll just fold it up in a nice little bundle for me." Joe and Candy threw it together and Ben handed it over.

"The judge promised Jocova immunity."

"I don't care what the judge said." He threw open the other door and charged inside, shotgun raised. But the room was empty. Crowley went to the window and stuck his head out. Jocova leaped up behind him and yanked the gun from his holster.

"Don't move. Put the shotgun down." He set it down and Jocova snatched it up. "I was under the bed, Sheriff, where I was before. Come in, all of you." They filed into the room and Jocova shoved Crowley away, leveling his stolen shotgun on her. "You called me a coward, now you will eat your words."

"You're a brave man, and a chief." She lifted a brow. "You're also a thief."

"A great thief," he corrected.

"A big thief, anyway."

"You will go with me. I may make you my squaw." Crowley looked horrified, shooting desperate looks at her brothers and her pa. "As I told you, I have killed many white men. One woman will make no difference." Beside her, Candy stiffened, and she remembered he hadn't been there when Jocova revealed he'd never killed even one white man. Annie shifted her foot so she could press her boot over his. "Do not follow me." The shotgun pushed forward and she stepped back, hands in the air, walking backwards until Jocova closed the door behind him. She turned and hurried out of the room and down the back stairs. As soon as they were outside, she put her hands down and rushed the last few steps. Jocova stopped beside her.

"Take the horse," she said. "He's yours." Jocova looked at her in astonishment and she smiled. "Go on." Slowly, he walked over to the beautiful Appaloosa and stroked its neck. She bit her lip and glanced back up the stairs, then darted over to him. "I told you, he's yours. What are you waiting for?"

"If I rode into my village on this horse now, my people would know you gave him to me."

"Well, what's wrong with that? You saved Candy's life, can't we show our gratitude?" Jocoava turned around, his face conflicted.

"I do not accept gifts from my enemies."

"What about friends?" He regarded her for a moment.

"It is true you would be a good match as my squaw, but I do not wish to always sleep with both eyes open." He ran down the street and disappeared around the hotel. Annie frowned and leaned against the Appaloosa, her arms resting on his back. She turned her head to find the horse looking at her with one big brown eye.

"Was that supposed to be an insult or a compliment?" The horse snorted and she frowned. "I wasn't talking to you, mister." She patted his sleek back and started back up the stairs. She counted to ten, then opened the door. Crowley looked stunned, the rest of them relieved.

"How did you get away from that savage?" She shrugged.

"He decided I wasn't worth the trouble." Crowley dropped his tobacco and everyone burst out laughing.

"You know something?" Candy stretched his legs out by the fire. "It's gonna feel mighty good to get back to that ranch." He shook his head and stared into the flames. "For a while there, I thought maybe I wasn't gonna make it."

"As soon as we finish the drive to Sacramento," Ben clarified. Hoss rolled to his feet and poured himself some more coffee. His gaze drifted over their shoulders, and he cleared his throat.

"Look behind you." They turned and found Jocova standing at the edge of camp.

"Hey, Jocova." Joe stood and they followed suit. Candy held out his hand.

"Thank you. Again."

"Welcome." Jocova looked around.

"It is not easy to be friends with your enemy. Now, before I steal from a white man, I will have to look into his face to see that I am not stealing from a friend." He shook hands with all of them and walked back into the shadows. They all sat back down except for Candy, who stared out into the night. Hoss stretched out with his coffee.

"He turned out to be a pretty decent sort of fellow, didn't he?" She nodded agreement and sipped at her coffee.

"Sure did a lot for me," Candy said. Joe hummed agreement.

"You know, in a way, I'm sorry he didn't take that horse."

"Strange man," Ben said. "But in his own way, a very honest man." They nodded and a horse neighed. Annie squinted into the dark, but she couldn't see a thing. Then came the sound of racing hooves. Candy ran towards the picket line, then skidded to a halt. He turned around.

"The son of a gun stole the horse." She and her brothers exchanged glances and burst into laughter. Ben pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.

"Well, as I said, in his own way a very honest man."