Chapter Five

Previously:

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.

"Eric Bradley was talking to one of the robbers? Are you sure about that?" Sheriff Lawson stared at Jarrod as his visitor finished speaking.

"If Eric Bradley is the Widow Timmons brother then; yes, I'm pretty sure that young man who was talking to Mr. Bradley and the young robber are one in the same." He went on to tell the sheriff that it was John who had stopped the robbery from actually taking place.

"Before you ask, I can't identify any of the men myself. I was too far away." John shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just glad I had a rifle that has the shooting range it does."

"I could go talk to Eric only, unless you can identify that young man as definitely being one of the men who attempted to rob you, I'm not likely to get a confession out of him…nor will Eric willingly admit to being tied in with the three robbers. You see the young man's name is Samuel Miller; he's Eric's godson. What we need is definite proof. If you and…John can find that proof, it would be best. I, of course, will start looking around myself." Sheriff Lawson stood up and headed for the door, only not before again glancing at Jarrod and then at John. Though, it did no good. Neither one bothered answering his unasked question.

The moment the door shut behind the sheriff John looked at Jarrod. "Before we start our own search," He ran his hand through his hair-an action that Jarrod noticed right away. "We need to talk about Eric Bradley…or more specifically, his godson."

"What about him?" Jarrod leaned slightly forward.

"He's used to getting what he wants, or making one's life miserable when he doesn't. Oh, people around here don't see that side of him only I have seen it a number of times. And," John paused and then confessed Samuel Miller had had his eyes on Abigail at one time. "Abby turned him down cold. She has a knack of seeing through a person's words. The fact that she turned him down at a very public dance hasn't set right with him. He tried to get her attention on other occasions. He had more thane one person tell him to back off her…or anyone else who didn't want his attentions. He didn't appreciate hearing the truth." He went on to say Samuel had bothered more than one of the saloon girls as well, and that he-John-had told him off. "Fought him in the saloon a couple of times." John rubbed his jaw, though he was grinning wide. That told Jarrod who had won the fights.

Jarrod nodded. He'd too many 'Samuels' in his life. "I'll keep that in mind; though, don't let yourself get frustrated right at the beginning. It won't help our search any."

"How did you know I was feeling frustrated?" John stiffened as he asked the question. The fact that he was confused could be seen in his questioning eyes.

Jarrod couldn't help but chuckle as he pointed out what John had just done.

"Don't tell me." John smirked-though there was just a tad bit of laughter in his eyes. "You do the same thing."

"Yes, I am known for it." Jarrod then took a chance and asked why John had come to Brighton…and how he could say Jarrod was the best he'd met when their paths had only crossed while John was in Stockton.

John didn't answer for a minute. He then sighed and admitted he'd asked around about Jarrod. "I had so many people telling me how far out on a limb you'd go to help people." He went on to say he'd inquired about the other Barkleys. "You all have such sound reputations. My word, even the illegitmate one called Heath was praised as a good man…one that succeeded in fighting his way into the family because of the integrity and hard work ethics he had before appearing in Stockton.." John batted his hand through the air. "I was still having skirmishes with the law. If you were my father…" he shrugged his shoulders. "I was still getting my head on straight, still working to get my name truly cleaned up. You and your family didn't need a black eye from me."

Jarrod couldn't help but laugh just a little. "If you ask my mother, she'll tell you we've all done our share of giving the family name a black eye or two. You would've have been welcomed…still would be. We might not be able to give absolute proof you're my son only I have no problem claiming you as mine. In fact, truth be told, I've already been claiming you. That is, when I've met people and they've asked me about my family. I tell them I have a son, just waiting for him to realize he has a home to come back to."

John stared at Jarrod in disbelief. "Is being a tad bit crazy a requirement to becoming the best in your field?"

Jarrod smiled wide as he stood up. "If people were honest, they'd admit there's a little bit of craziness in everyone. At least I think so."

"Me too." John stood up as well. "Enough of this small chat. If Samuel is involved, it explains everything when it comes to Abby being framed. I'm sure of that one."

"Just how well do you know the Miller family?" Jarrod asked as they headed for the door.

"Not as well as I thought I did," John shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, if I had been right, I'd have known who they were no matter how far away I was." He then went on to tell Jarrod what he did know. By the time John finished the two were standing in front of the Widow Timmons store.

"Let's see if she knows anything about that godson of Eric's." Jarrod started for the front door; John was right behind him.