Chapter Four

Previously:

Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught the sight of another young man dismounting his horse, tying it to a hitching post near the livery stable and then hurrying towards a back alley-one near the livery stable and one that led to the back of the sheriff's office. Though, the biggest shock of all was to realize just who he was seeing. While he knew he would have to find out who Eric was talking to, Jarrod turned and hurried towards the same alley Abby's friend had just disappeared into…and there was no way anyone could convince him the young dark-haired lad wasn't the boy Abby had been talking about.

Abby, who was standing near the cell window, gasped and called out as softly as she could and still be heard by the young dark-haired gentleman approaching her. "JOHNNY!" She quickly scanned both the areas outside (the part she could see) plus the back small area she was in. The last thing she wanted to do was to attract the sheriff's attention; she didn't want the deputy to hear either. "I thought you were going to keep an eye around town and out in the outlaying areas." The look in her eyes begged him to tell her that real culprits had been caught.

"No," he shook his head as he thought on the three men he'd tried to track. Unfortunately, he was still learning to track people and had lost the trail shortly after he'd found it. "They are still at large. They'll be caught though, sooner or later, your name will be cleared!"

Abby wanted to believe that only the fear she felt was crystal clear. However, before she could say a word-and before he could reassure her he was right, they both jumped three feet in the air as Jarrod walked up and said the same thing. He turned his face away from Abby.

"Hello, John." Jarrod smiled at the young man. "I dare say I have you to thank for saving me from whatever those three men had planned for me…that is, besides robbing me.

"You do." John smiled back. "Thanks for coming. I wasn't sure you would. I mean, without a name on the telegram I was afraid you wouldn't take it seriously." John kept his eyes on Jarrod, though he had reached out and taken a hold of Abby's hand; she'd slipped her hand and arm through the barred window.

"Why didn't you?" Jarrod asked, curiosity was in his voice as he spoke.

"I wanted to make sure your mind would be on her, clearing her name." John nodded towards Abby. "Not on John Michaud or on who he might or might not be." He went on to state again that, yes, it had been him who had shot the gun out of the would-be robber's hand while wounding the younger one. "I was too far away to identify them though." He almost admitted what he'd tried to do afterwards only to fail. "I still have a lot to learn and, with only a book to give you instructions…. I'm more of a hands-on learner. Can you identify them?"

Jarrod hesitated and then admitted he had his suspicions when it came to the youngest man in the trio. "Look, if we work together, I think we can clear Abby's name." While Jarrod and John had been talking, Abby looked hard at the famous attorney who had traveled from Stockton to Brighton. She then looked at John. Neither men had to ask why a questioning look came into her eyes.

"He might be. He doesn't know. Neither of us do," John quickly answered the unasked question. He then asked Jarrod if he really thought the sheriff would cooperate with them once he knew John was working with Jarrod. "He doesn't fully trust me. I mean, yes, he's admitted I've come quite a way since I came back from Stockton. Still, he's still a bit leery of me being in town."

Jarrod nodded. "I wouldn't worry about him. He's a good one. If he hasn't kicked you out of this town, then it means most of him trusts you. I'm sure he won't have a problem with us both looking for the men. Now, if you will, come with me. I want to discuss something with Sheriff Lawson. As long as you're keeping your eyes open, and trying to trail the men, you might as well be in the sheriff's office with me."

John hesitated and looked at Abby. "If I agree, are you going to fight me on it, Abby?"

Abigail shook her head slowly. "I'm still worried for you only, if Mr. Barkley will promise within an inch of his life to do what he can to keep you safe…"

"Abigail!" John interrupted, slightly annoyed. "I'm not a child. He and I can have each other's backs without treating me like I am." 'Young adult, fine, but not a child' John added only to himself.

Jarrod couldn't help but smile, especially since Abby's face now sported a look similar to that of Audra's …when his sister had not totally gotten her way.

"Fine. I'll stop fighting you." Abigail let go of John's hand and went back to her cot.

"Let's go talk to Sheriff Lawson." John started walking to the building's northeast corner. Jarrod was right beside him. Nothing was said until the two walked through the front door. Neither of them was really surprised when Sheriff Lawson, who was sitting behind his desk, lifted up his head and stared at them…a stare that said 'oh boy, I've got to be right on what I've been thinking.' The fact that the sheriff's friend who was visiting, who was standing near a pot belly stove with a cup of coffee in his hands, had the same reaction didn't faze them either.

Jarrod pulled a chair away from the wall and sat down; John remained standing. Jarrod looked from the sheriff to the law man's friend and then back to the sheriff. "John and I need to talk to you only, if you don't mind, I'd rather we be alone."

If it had been anyone but Jarrod telling him he wanted the extra man to leave, the sheriff would have refused the request. As it was, he asked his friend to leave, telling the gentleman they could visit later. Only when the door had shut behind the sheriff's friend did Jarrod begin talking.