Chapter 13
Jarrod and Fred made it back to town and went straight to Dr. Merar's. The office was well lit and Jarrod noticed the sheriff had already posted a deputy at the door. He was grateful for his friend's foresight. Jarrod was going to suggest it himself after he'd had a chance to speak to John.
The bell above the door rang as they entered, and the older doctor stepped from behind the curtain. He nodded to the men and then looked squarely at Jarrod.
"Would be lying if I said it looked good. He has some scrapes and cuts but it's the stab wounds that are the most concerning."
Jarrod clenched his jaw. He knew John was in bad shape because of what he'd asked him to do and he couldn't help but let his anger boil over.
"Thing is…" the doctor started but then paused.
"What, Doctor?" Jarrod asked.
Howard Merar had seen a lot in his many years as Stockton's doctor. He knew how depraved man could be. He admitted to himself though, what he saw in the injuries of John Hampton was something out of the pit of hell.
"None of the stab wounds were meant to kill him. At least not out right. This man was tortured. If he hadn't gotten away he would have surely been dead by sunrise."
Jarrod took a deep breath.
"May I see him?"
"He's been waiting for you. Wouldn't let me give him something to help with the pain until he saw you. But Jarrod, don't take long. He needs rest."
Jarrod nodded and walked behind the curtain. Bile rose in his throat as he saw the shape his old friend was in. John's face was bloody and bruised. One eye was swollen completely shut. The other was closed. John's breathing was ragged, and Jarrod could tell the man was in pain. He promised himself he wouldn't stay long. He wanted John to get rest as soon as possible.
"John?" Jarrod said softly.
John stirred and opened his one good eye.
"Jarrod," John's raspy voice answered. He tried to move but Jarrod gently pushed him back.
"No, friend. Rest. Do you know who did this?"
John nodded. He began to cough and Jarrod poured some water in the glass next to the bed. He lifted John's head for the man to drink. When he'd take a few sips, he lay back. The effort costing him almost all remaining strength.
"Someone sent by Thatcher. He knows Becca is here. He just doesn't know where," John choked out. "I didn't tell him anything. He knew already she was here."
John took a shallow, raspy breath, determined to tell Jarrod everything he knew.
"Becca's mother and uncle are dead. Same as the telegram operator."
John winced in pain and Jarrod knew he wasn't going to get any more information. What John had said was plenty though.
"I'm going to have the doc give you something for the pain. Rest, John. Just rest," Jarrod said softly.
Jarrod walked out to where Fred and the doc were talking in quiet tones.
"He's ready for you to give him something," Jarrod said. The doctor left to tend to his patient.
"Well?" Fred asked.
"It was someone sent by Elliot Thatcher. He tried to get information from John but couldn't. John said the man already knew Becca is in Stockton but doesn't know where."
Fred considered Jarrod's words.
"What do you want to do now, Jarrod?"
Jarrod sighed.
"We knew he'd find out eventually. I'm going to go to my office and gather a few things and stay out at the ranch. I'm going to send word to Mrs. Smith to stay home for a while. I don't want to risk whoever this is trying to use her to get to me. Fred, can you post a guard near her house?"
"No problem. I'll go with you to your office and then one of my deputies and I will escort you back to the ranch."
Jarrod nodded and thanked the other man. He was going to insist he didn't need the help but after seeing what happened to John, Jarrod knew it was best to accept Fred's offer.
Hendricks had fully intended to kill John when he wouldn't give any information but thought perhaps, he could still be useful. Hendricks knew the man could lead him to Rebecca Thatcher and her daughter. He decided to let the man be found and then he'd watch who came in and out of the doctor's office.
From where he was standing, Hendricks could see most of the street. He stayed in the shadows and when two men rode in and entered the doctor's office, he hung back. Several minutes later, the men left and led their horses across the street, to an office with a sign that read "Jarrod Barkley, Esquire."
Again, Hendricks waited. One thing he'd learned from his career was patience always served him best. The sheriff, and the man he called "Jarrod" exited the office and mounted their horses. Hendricks didn't follow. The Barkley name was well known enough that Hendricks knew he could easily find their ranch. He would wait until the telegram office opened and send word to Thatcher. That message would read: Found them.
The sun was beginning to rise as Jarrod arrived at the ranch. He was dreading having to tell Becca about her mother and uncle. He wanted to protect her from the hurt but knew she needed to know.
Only Silas and Heath were awake when Jarrod entered through the kitchen. Heath had been on the small grove to watch the sunrise but came to the house when he saw Jarrod ride into the yard.
"John Hampton was attacked in town," Jarrod told Heath quietly. "He'd gone to Fresno where Becca's mother lived and discovered she and Monroe were murdered. I need to tell her."
Heath nodded somberly. He knew this was a heavy weight carried by Jarrod. He briefly wondered if Jarrod would give in to drinking but pushed that from his mind. He knew his brother still struggled, but he was determined to do everything he could to help his wife. He wasn't going to let the demons win.
"What can I do?" Heath asked.
"What you have been doing. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious. And let me know when the hand that was sent to Pinewood arrives. We need to get everything organized. This is coming to a head soon."
Heath watched as Jarrod headed up the stairs. He did not envy the task his brother would be doing.
Jarrod opened the door to his bedroom as quietly as he could. Thankfully, Vi was still asleep. He saw through the first morning rays of light that Becca was asleep as well. He sat down in the chair beside the bed and watched her for a few minutes. He knew as soon as she awoke, her world would change.
Becca stirred and began to open her eyes. She looked over and saw Jarrod sitting next to the bed. She smiled at him and he came over to sit with her.
"How's John?" she asked.
"He's in bad shape but the doctor thinks he'll be alright. It'll just take time."
Becca's violet eyes watched Jarrod. She knew there was more.
"What else, Jarrod?" she asked.
Jarrod took a deep breath. He told her what he knew about her mother and uncle, and Becca's eyes began to fill with tears. She covered her face with her hands, sobs shaking her body. She tried to be quiet so as not to awaken the rest of the house. Jarrod held her, wishing he could take the pain from her.
Vi began to stir and would soon want to eat. Becca pushed back from Jarrod and wiped her eyes. Jarrod picked up their daughter and brought her to her mother.
"I'll go let everyone else know. When do you want to tell Emma?" he asked.
Becca was having a difficult time trying to think.
"Maybe after breakfast," she said quietly. Tears continued to course down her cheeks. Jarrod wiped them as they fell. He gently kissed Becca on the forehead and left the room.
Breakfast was subdued. Emma picked up on the mood and ate quietly. The adults in the room could feel the weight of sorrow and each sent up a silent prayer for Becca to have strength and comfort.
Nick and Heath didn't linger, wanting to get out onto the range as soon as possible. They wanted to check in with all the hands and then get the hands coming from the Wheelers and Marvin's in place. The Barkley hands were stretched thin and most of the men were exhausted. Adding to their crews would help.
Emma finished her breakfast and took her Pappy's hand as they went up the stairs. The young girl bounded into the room and climbed onto the bed next to her mother. She listened as her mother told her the news.
Jarrod watched the scene before him, and his heart broke for his family. He could tell Becca was trying to be brave and Emma was struggling with comprehending what she'd been told. She barely remembered her grandmother, having not seen her in a couple of years. However, Emma could see how sad her mother was and that affected her more than anything. Becca and Emma snuggled in bed with Vi.
"Pappy?" Emma spoke up after a few minutes. "Would you read to us?"
Jarrod looked to Becca who nodded, and Jarrod climbed into bed with his girls. For the next hour he read to them until all were asleep.