Amelia glanced around suspiciously as she exited from the alleyway behind the saloon. She needed to get into the jail and see Duncan. The deputy was still sitting outside the jail with his legs propped up against the post and his chair tilted back on its hind legs. She straightened her riding jacket, stiffened her body and made her way towards the jail.

"Good evening, AGAIN, deputy," Amelia said coldly.

Clem, who was busy whittling a piece of wood, dropped himself and stood up. "Miss Amelia." He tipped his hat. "I thought the Sheriff said we'd come and find you when you could see your brother."

"I KNOW what the Sheriff said, but it's been long enough. I DEMAND to see my brother."

"Well ma'am, as I told you before, I have my orders." Clem started to sit back down. "I'm sure it won't be much longer."

Amelia could hear the sounds of the wagon coming from the alleyway behind her. A feeling of panic radiated through her. Shooting a quick glance over her left shoulder she had to think quick. Bursting into fake tears she fumbled around for her purse. "Oh deputy, would you please check and see how much longer, David's the only family I have. I just got to get in there and see him."

Clem, not able to resist the tears of any woman, jumped up and moved towards her. "Don't cry, Miss Amelia. I'll go check for you, just please don't cry," he pleaded. "Here, use this until I get back. I won't be long, I promise." Clem handed her his dirty handkerchief and went inside the prison to find Sheriff Coffee.

Amelia pretended to hold the dirty rag to her face covering the wicked smile underneath. She could hear the voices from inside as Sheriff Coffee insisted that she'd have to keep waiting. Well, Amelia needed to find something out now. She turned and saw David moving the wagon off onto a nearby back street that would take him and their prisoner to a little used road that led back to the ranch. Turning back towards the Sheriff's office she could still hear the two men arguing. Clem was insisting that the Sheriff be the one to tell her she still couldn't see her brother. Frustrated, Amelia decided to take the matter into her own hands. Scanning the abandoned streets she made her way to the alleyway behind the jail. She was going to talk to her brother, one way or another.

"Duncan, can you hear me?" she whispered.

A voice called back, "Amelia? That you?"

Amelia searched around for something to stand on so she could talk with him face to face. She spied an old crate off to the side and slid it over in front of the window. Climbing up on it she peered inside the cell. "Are you okay?" she called to him.

Duncan stood up and moved towards the window, tossing nervous glances over his shoulder. "Won't they let you come in and see me?"

Amelia shook her head. "They told me they were questioning you. How could you be so stupid! You were just supposed to be seen, not arrested. Have you told them anything?"

Duncan stepped up into the window. "Nothin' to tell. They keep pumping me for information about the Cartwrights, but I don't know what they're talking about. Am I supposed to?"

"No," Amelia shot back. "They're trying to frame you for something you didn't do. Ben Cartwright thinks he's so high and mighty he can control anyone he wants." She jumped down from the crate and slid it back where she found it.

"Where you goin?"

"I have to take care of some stuff. I'll be back." She straightened her hair. "You sit tight and I'll get you out as soon as I can."

Joe grabbed the pocket watch and tightly clutched it in his hand. He stumbled blindly through the saloon and out onto the front porch. The harsh banging of the bat wing doors echoed loudly in his ears as he hugged the front post trying to catch his breath, the heavy weight pressing harder and harder against his chest. As he opened his hand, Joe re-read the inscription so lovingly chosen for his brother's treasured watch. A quick flash of visions burst through his mind, his legs weakening, and before he knew it he had collapsed to his knees on the ground. His uncontrolled sobbing was muffled by his hands as he pressed them tightly against his face.

The sound of loud voices coming from across the street caused him to pause. Slowly raising his head he peered off towards the Sheriff's office.

"Don't cry, Miss Amelia. I'll go check for you, just please don't cry," Clem said then went inside.

Joe watched as Amelia took the handkerchief, looked over her shoulder, and then ran to the alley behind the jail. She must be going to talk to her brother. Well, Joe needed to talk to her. He ran the sleeve of his green jacket across his eyes and nose, dropped the watch into his inside pocket and quickly made his way towards the jail. Roy had warned them about trying to talk to David Fairchild, but he was going to talk to Amelia. From what he could tell, she had been the last one to see Adam alive. As he approached the alley he could hear two voices so he decided it might be best to wait for her as she exited. Joe leaned up against the wall, arms crossed, hat kicked back and waited in the shadows. It wasn't long before she came tearing around the corner mumbling to herself.

"Hello, Amelia," he spoke up.

Amelia, startled by the voice, let out a small shriek. "Who are you? What do you want?"

Joe stepped from the shadows. "I want to talk to you."

"Joe Cartwright. Well, I'm kind of busy right now," she seethed. "As you probably know my brother's in jail and they won't let me see him." She forced out more fake tears.

Joe moved forward and grabbed her arm forcefully. "Well, as you probably know, MY brother's dead and you were the last one to see him."

Amelia froze as she heard him say the words. "D…d…dead? He just left me a few hours ago. Said he had to get back to the ranch to meet your father."

"Well, maybe you'd just like to tell the Sheriff that." Joe grabbed her arm again and dragged her towards Roy's office. He didn't even pause to deal with Clem, just forced his way in the front door, Amelia in tow.

Roy was sitting behind his desk drinking coffee and studying some papers when the pair barged in. Standing, the Sheriff set his cup down. "Miss Amelia, we was just comin' to get you so's you could talk to your brother. And Joe Cartwright, you should be at the ranch with your family."

Joe roughly released the woman. "I needed to find some things out, and I did. Tell him, Amelia."

Roy turned his gaze towards the aggravated woman. "Tell me what?"

"Tell him you were the last person to see my brother alive," Joe answered.

"Sheriff, I don't know what the hell is going on, but I just wanted to see my brother and then HE comes along and starts manhandling me. I want to press charges! Can I do that?"

"Now settle down, you two, and tell me what in blazes is goin' on?" Roy asked.

"You tell ME, Sheriff!" Amelia blurted out, the tears again freely flowing. "My brother's in jail for fighting at the saloon, but he tells me you're questioning him about the Cartwrights. Joe says Adam's dead. Well, that's impossible. He just left me a couple of hours ago. He was fine then."

"I see," Roy answered. "Well, why don't you go and talk to your brother for a bit."

Amelia grunted in frustration and walked through the door to the jail. Joe tried to follow but Roy put his arm out and stopped him. "Now, you hold on young fella. We need to talk." He motioned towards the chair and Joe, obviously frustrated, finally plopped himself down. Roy leaned against the edge of his desk. "What are you tryin' to do, son? That ain't no proof."

"But she…"

"She said she saw him a couple of hours ago." Roy placed a firm hand on Joe's shoulder. "Don't make this any harder, boy. Your father and brother need you right now." Joe looked up into the concerned eyes of their old family friend. "You need to make the arrangements. You want me to go with you over to Sylvester's?"

Joe lowered his head and shook it sadly. Reaching into his coat pocket he pulled out the watch and handed it to Roy. "Ask her why she had this on her, will ya? Adam never went anywhere without it." Joe stood up.

"Joe? We're going to find who did this, I promise," Roy said softly.

The youngest Cartwright nodded, tossed a glance towards the jail then walked slowly out the door.

Roy shook his head and looked down at the watch. That did seem a might peculiar she would have Adam's watch. He remembered when Adam had received it from his father; a boy couldn't have been more pleased.

Amelia exited from the back of the jail. "Is he gone?"

"He's gone, Miss." Roy held up the watch by its chain. "You recognize this?"

Amelia did. It was the watch that had been in her purse. Her purse! She must have left it in the saloon when she was talking to Sam. Even she was getting careless with their cover-up. "Yeah. What of it?"

"How did it come to be in your possession?" Roy questioned.

"Well, I told you he was in a hurry. He dropped it and I was just holding it for him until I saw him again," she quickly replied.

"Did he say why he was in such a hurry?" Roy pressed.

"Listen, Sheriff, I didn't have anything to do with his death, nor did my brother. Why don't you tell ME what happened so that maybe I can help you find those that are REALLY responsible," she answered.

Roy nodded his head and placed the watch on his desk, "Alright, I will. There was a fire out at the Ponderosa earlier this evening. Burned down the entire barn. We found a body, Adam's hat and gun. We also found his horse singed. Know of anybody that might want to see Adam Cartwright dead?"

Amelia had to struggle to suppress her smile: their plan had worked. Cleverly, she turned her laughing into sobs. "And Ben Cartwright thinks that my brother set that fire?" she narrowed her eyes. "Ever since he fired my brother he's accused us of causing harm to them one way or another. When is it going to stop!" She blew her nose on the Deputy's dirty handkerchief. "Why aren't you out there looking for the REAL killer instead of wasting your time on this…this witch hunt!?"

"I'm just investigating all possibilities," Roy responded coolly. "That's my job." He stood up and moved back behind his desk. "You can pick your brother up in the morning, after you've paid his fine."

Wiping her eyes, Amelia turned to leave. "Thank you Sheriff. I'll be back." She paused before exiting. "By the way, did Joe mention when the funeral would be?"

"I think it'd be best if you just stayed clear of the Cartwrights for a while. You wouldn't be a welcome sight, especially at Adam's funeral," Roy offered.

"I promise I'll be discreet," Amelia replied, and walked out the door.

Roy shook his head and rolled his eyes. At least he'd be there if there was any trouble.