Somebody's Watching

Chapter 1

The man who was not too tall and not too old but was nevertheless very formidable got off the train in Stockton and checked into the hotel straight away. He had a look of authority that made people pay attention to him, and when he showed the desk clerk his identity wallet and asked, "Will you tell me how to find the sheriff's office?" the desk clerk told him right away.

The man nodded his thanks, went up to his room, and unpacked. He wasn't sure how long he was going to be here in Stockton. He also wasn't sure how well he was going to be received once he did find the sheriff. His reason for being here was not one the sheriff was going to like, of that he was sure. The question was how deep the mire was going to get, given the job he was here to do and who it involved. The man could picture himself being the most unwanted person in this part of California before 24 hours went by.

But that wouldn't be anything new. He had been in this position before, though never around here. He had been investigating well-regarded people before, and the man he planned to question as soon as he possibly could was well-regarded, despite having a few chinks in his white shining armor. Rocking the boat was not something John Hogan relished, but it wasn't something he feared either, no matter who was riding in the boat with him. That's what the bureau gave this job to him. He had never been thrown out of any boat he rocked. It had always been the man he was after who was thrown overboard.

After he unpacked, Hogan went out and found the sheriff's office. The light was beginning to fade now, and Hogan thought he'd better get a quick something to eat after he talked to the sheriff. Fred Madden the man's name was. He supposedly was good friends with the man Hogan was really after. He wondered if Sheriff Madden would cooperate, or would he get protective of his friend?

It really didn't matter much. Hogan would do his job, regardless. It would just go easier if he could get the sheriff on his side, or at least strike a deal that made him somewhat cooperative even if he couldn't completely bless Hogan's undertaking.

Hogan found the sheriff's office and went in. Fred Madden was a very big man and towered over Hogan when he stood up, looking the smaller man up and down. "What can I do for you?" Sheriff Madden asked.

Hogan showed him his identification. "Sheriff, I've come to Stockton tracking a man I hope you'll help me talk to. He's a man you supposedly know well, and I'm hoping that we can come to some arrangement whereby you will help me deal with the situation I'm dragging along with me. Because I'm not going to fool either one of us. You're not going to like it."

XXXXXXXX

"Well, look who's here," Nick said, looking at the long legs sticking out from Jarrod's "thinking chair," feet under the coffee table. That was all he could see of his older brother, but it was obvious who it was.

Nick hung his hat on the hat tree, as did Heath right behind him. "You actually came home on the day we expected you," Heath said as he and Nick wandered into the living room.

Jarrod smile up from his glass of scotch. "Stranger things have happened," he said. "How are you boys?"

Nick headed for the refreshment table. Heath stood beside his older brother and looked down at him. "I guess that depends on what you have to tell us."

Jarrod said, "All is well. Contracts all signed, moneys wired to the bank in Stockton, every deal done and everybody happy in all four towns."

Nick brought a whiskey to Heath and then sat down on the settee. "That's exactly what I like to hear. What time did you get in?"

"A couple hours ago," Jarrod said.

"Are you back for good now?"

"For a few weeks. I need to get back to San Francisco and pay attention to a few things there, but I've got time to pay attention to me first."

"You've been doing a lot of traveling," Heath said.

"Don't I know it, and on top of the regular Sacramento and San Francisco stuff, and the side trip to Lancaster – I don't think I've spent five out of the last ten months here at home."

"We were beginning to forget what you looked like," Victoria said as she came down the stairs and through the foyer.

"The same as I have for the past ten years," Jarrod said. "Just a little more travel worn."

While Victoria sat down next to Nick, Heath quickly downed his whiskey and headed for the stairs, saying, "I'm gonna clean up before Nick beats me to the bath."

"We're still a good two hours from dinner," Jarrod said. "I've got copies of all those agreements if you want to see them, Nick."

"No, no, that's your job," Nick said. "Where's Audra?"

"Off somewhere," Victoria said. "She should be back any time."

"What's new around here?" Jarrod asked. "Any new nice-looking women in town?"

"One or two," Nick said. "There's a dance Saturday night. You can check things out there – if you have the energy."

"I don't," Jarrod said. "I hope you don't have any work you need me to do around here, because I'm planning to spend the next three days curled up with a good book before I jump back into my regular practice in town."

"Did you stop by the office before you came home?" Victoria asked.

"Only long enough to check the mail," Jarrod said. "Esther had it all nice and sorted for me."

"And you brought a bunch home so it's not just a good book you'll be reading."

Jarrod smiled at his mother. "You know me too well, Lovely Lady. I'll get to it tomorrow. Tonight I just plan to drink a little, eat a little, socialize a little, play a little pool, and sleep a lot."

Audra came bounding the front door then and directly into the living room, where she didn't notice Jarrod until she was practically beside him. "You're here!"

"In the flesh," Jarrod said and shared a kiss with her.

"I need to go clean up and change clothes," Audra said.

"Heath has already claimed the bath," Victoria said.

"Oh, I'll just wash up in my room," Audra said. "I didn't get into that much dust."

Jarrod smiled to himself. It was so nice to be back among the ordinary parts of his life. Business travels had taken him away for over a month, and he was tired of hotel rooms and restaurants and business meetings. Merced, then Modesto, then Carson City, then Virginia City, then back to Carson City to complete the last deal, then home today – at least, that was how he remembered the trip. Now he just wanted to forget it all, file it away, and relax.

Heath was down before long, Audra not long after that. Nick went up to clean up and change clothes. Victoria went off to check on dinner. Jarrod stayed exactly where he was, nursing that one glass of scotch, starting to drift off to sleep now and then but always jolted out of it by someone asking him a question. Outside he could tell the sun was going down. Inside, Silas came around lighting lamps and the chandeliers. Heath started a fire in the fireplace.

It was all so routine, so comfortable. The fire was warming and the scotch – now refilled thanks to Heath – was even more warming. Jarrod never once regretted the way of life he'd chosen. Being a lawyer was very rewarding, and not just with money. When he could come to an agreement in a business venture, or when he could defend an innocent person unjustly accused of a crime or convict one who deserved it – it was fulfilling. It made him feel like he had value and that he was using his God-given talents to the best of his ability. But being a lawyer could be exhausting, and it was good to come home and rest now and then before jumping into another round with the legal world.

Nick came down shortly, refreshed and in clean clothes, and they were all together talking, laughing, relaxing. It was good to be home.

Until the knock came at the door.