Friday afternoon, Mark stopped at Hattie's store after school and was alarmed to find the candy supply depleted.

"…Miss Hattie?"

"Don't worry," the woman called over her shoulder. "I have a big shipment coming in on Monday, and I could use some help stocking it in exchange for a few samples."

"Oh boy!"

"Just don't go eating it all at once or I'll never hear the end of it from your father."

"Yes ma'am."

"Mark?" The boy turned around to see Willard walking towards him with an envelope. "Will you please give this to Luke? Seems someone left it for him when I wasn't looking."

Mark nodded as he studied his father's name. "How come it is that some folks got real nice writin', and other folks' looks like this?"

"Why do you think Miss Adams has you write all them sentences in school?" Hattie asked. "It takes practice to get good at anything, and writing is no exception."

"I guess that explains why teachers always have such fancy writin'. They sure do do a lot of it. …Miss Hattie, you don't think that shipment will be in before lunch on Monday, do you?"

"Miracles have happened," she chuckled. "But you be sure to eat your lunch before you come over here. And I want an empty pail to prove it."

"Yes ma'am."

"Tell your father I said hello, and I'll be expecting to see him in services on Sunday."

"I will!"

Mark waved as he left the store, then mounted up on BlueBoy before heading home. He tended to his chores before starting super, Lucas arriving home shortly after five.

"Sorry I'm late, Son. Had some trouble on the range."

"Everything alright?"

"Just one too many stray cows." As Lucas took off his hat and gloves, he noticed the envelope on the table. "What's this?"

"Mr. Willard asked me to give it to you. Said somebody left it at the store."

"He didn't say who?"

"He said he wasn't looking."

Lucas tore open the envelope and read the note before letting out a heavy sigh.

"Somethin' the matter?"

"Judge Hanavan wants to meet with the jurors tonight at the town hall."

"But isn't the trial over?"

"Something's obviously come up. Let's hurry up and eat."

"You mean I can go with you?"

"You can come into town, but you'll have to stay with Micah until the meeting is over."

After supper, father and son saddled up and rode into town. As they entered the marshal's office, they found Micah pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Lucas, Mark," he greeted. "What brings you to town this evening? Supper at the hotel?"

"Judge Hanavan's called for a meeting with the jurors. I wondered if Mark might stay here with you until it's over?"

"Something happen?"

"That's what I'm going to find out. If you're busy-"

"No, no; boy's more than welcome to stay. Mark, why don't you get the checkers board set up?"

"Yes sir!"

As Mark started across the office, Micah stepped closer to the rancher. "You don't think someone interfered with that jury verdict, do you?"

"I don't see why or how. Nothing seemed off to me. Who knows? Could be something as simple as a bank note being left behind in the jury room. I'll be back as soon as I can." Turning to his son, Lucas continued, "Mark, you stay here and behave yourself. Then maybe we'll see about some apple pie afterwards."

"Oh boy!"

"Thanks, Micah."

Lucas left the office and made his way down to the meeting hall. He entered the courtroom before stepping inside the jury room, surprised to see that he was the last one to arrive.

"I'm sorry to keep everyone waiting. Judge, what's this all about?"

The man's brow furrowed in confusion as he looked back at the rancher. "What are you asking me for? You're the one that called this meeting."

"Me?" Lucas pulled an envelope from his pocket as he shook his head. "Mark brought this home this afternoon; Willard told him someone left it at the store and it said you wanted-"

At the sound of the door being slammed shut, Lucas and Judge Hanavan whipped around as the other men ran across the room. Charlie Goodnight tried the handle to no avail; one man after another attempting to break the door down.

"It's no use," Tom Merrar finally called. "It's barricaded shut from the other side."

"Lucas, what's going on here?!"

"Luke doesn't have any more answers than you, Nick," the judge replied. "He got a letter just like the rest of us; only his was supposedly from me."

"Well somebody better start talking!"

"…Maybe this will explain a thing or two."

The men turned around to see Eddie picking up an envelope from a side table. The clerk opened the letter, briefly looking it over before reading aloud.

"Twelve men were entrusted with a commission:

To see the law upheld and justice given.

For one man, it was his responsibility to see

That this verdict was reached properly.

Thirteen men their duty have forsaken,

And now must face the effect of their determination.

Alas, it is better that one man should die than the people should perish,

So I charge you that these hours you men do cherish.

The room in which you stand set ablaze shall be,

Except your verdict turn one man over to me.

A process of elimination I will allow you to use

As every half hour a man to go free you must choose."