Mary gave Jarrod ten minutes before she and Abby left the train. Before disembarking she spoke to the conductor and requested that their luggage be stored at the depot and that Jingo be taken to the livery. She gave him some money and then taking Abby's hand they headed toward the hotel.
Since she was familiar with Lincoln she knew a few alleyways where she and Abby were able to take and make it to the hotel Jarrod was certain his family would be staying without being seen. She prayed he was right about his family being in town. When they entered the hotel, the desk clerk recognized Mary and smiled at her.
"I thought you left town Mary."
Mary smiled politely and said, "Change of plans," she nodded towards Abby.
"Ah, well in that case what can I do for the prettiest ladies in Lincoln?" Mary smiled when she heard Abby giggle.
"Can you tell me if there's a family here by the name of Barkley?"
"Well as a matter of fact there is. Do you know them?"
"Yes, I'm a friend of the family. Could you tell me what room Mrs. Victoria Barkley is in please?" Mary gave him a dazzling smile which caused the young clerk to blush.
"Of course Ms. Mary. Mrs. Barkley is in room five, just go up the stairs and it's at the end of the hall."
"Thank you," Mary turned to leave but stopped. "Could you please have someone retrieve our luggage from the train depot, I'll be down to check us in after I visit with Mrs. Barkley."
"Of course. I'll get right on it."
"Thank you." Mary and Abby walked up the stairs and Mary noticed Abby was sticking to her like glue. Mary looked down at Abby and smiled as she knocked on the door.
A blonde headed young man answered the door and spoke with a drawl, "May I help you?"
Mary guessed the young man was Heath Barkley. "Ah yes, I'm looking for Victoria Barkley."
Heath looked at Mary and at Abby and asked, "And you are?" He had a sneaking suspicion who the little girl was but he had no clue about the woman.
Before Mary could answer Abby saw Sister Catherine and ran to her calling, "Sis Cat, Sis Cat."
Sister Catherine froze as she heard Abby calling her. She turned and caught the little girl as she jumped into her arms crying. Sister Catherine was not sure why Abby was crying but was concerned when she didn't see Jarrod.
Heath looked at Mary and showed her in as the rest of the family was now looking at her and back to Sister Catherine holding Abby.
Victoria walked to Mary and extended her hand to Mary, "I'm Victoria Barkley, Jarrod's mother."
Mary shook Victoria's hand and said, "I'm Mary Clarke and I'm sure you have a lot of questions for me."
Victoria raised her eyebrow at her and said, "We certainly do."
Nick, Heath and Audra joined her while Sister Catherine and Abby sat in the chair.
Mary sighed and said, "I'd rather not talk in front of Abby if it's all the same to you."
Victoria agreed and said, "We can go to my son's room."
Mary nodded her head and walked to Abby and Sister Catherine. "Abby, I'm going to talk to Jarrod's family okay?"
Abby got out of Sister Catherine's lap and said, "You coming back?"
Mary smiled, "Yes I promise." Abby looked nervously around which Mary noticed immediately. She turned to Victoria and said, "Do you have connecting rooms?"
"Yes, there is the connecting door right there," Victoria pointed to the door.
Mary smiled and took Abby's hand as she walked to the door and opened it. She pointed inside the room and said, "I'll be right in there and if you want we can leave the door open?"
Abby looked at Mary and said, "Leave it open?"
"Of course dear."
Abby was happy with that and went back to sit on Sister Catherine's lap as Mary followed the Barkley family into the adjoining room.
As soon as they were all seated and Abby could see Mary Nick blurted out, "Where the devil is my brother?"
Mary sighed as she answered, "I'm not sure."
Nick asked, "What do you mean you're not sure?"
Mary looked at Nick angrily and spat, "He's here but I don't know where he's at this moment."
Victoria asked, "He's in Lincoln?"
"Yes we all arrived about thirty minutes ago. He went to confront Wells to give me time to get Abby to safety and out of sight."
Heath asked, "How did he know Wells was here?"
"He wasn't sure. But once he found out you were all following Wells here he had a feeling everyone would still be in town so we came back."
Victoria asked, "Why?"
Mary looked down and said quietly, "Because he said this has to end one way or another."
"What the devil is that supposed to mean?" Nick asked.
Mary shrugged her shoulders and said, "He wouldn't say but I have a pretty good idea." Mary looked at Abby and Sister Catherine and continued, "I tried to talk him out of doing this but he wouldn't listen to me."
Audra stated, "After what we've found out what that man did to Abby and her mother I can't blame him."
Mary looked at Audra and said, "You know?"
"Yes, Mr. Well's former attorney sent us a rather large file of some very incriminating evidence on all of Wells misdeeds and to say it was disturbing would be an understatement." Victoria looked at Abby and smiled. "You have no idea what my son's plan is?"
Mary shook her head, "No I don't but I'm pretty sure what he has planned is dangerous."
Nick paced around the room, "We need to find Wells or Jarrod before something happens."
Heath agreed, "Let's go."
Nick and Heath grabbed their gun belts and hurried out of the room hoping Wells had not already started his search of their oldest brother.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wells paced angrily in his room as he waited for his men to return. Where the devil were they? It wasn't like Lincoln was a large town. He watched as Barkley went into the saloon but he still hadn't seen Abby. He wondered if he even brought Abby back with him or not. The longer Wells thought about it the angrier he got; he didn't need his men to take care of Barkley. He stormed out of his room bound and determined to settle this once and all.
Jarrod had purchased a bottle of whiskey and sat at a table with his back to the wall where he could watch the comings and goings of the patrons. He thought wryly that his brothers could show up any time now as he was sure Wells would be coming any time with his men. Every time the door swung open Jarrod's eyes darted over to see who was coming in.
Jarrod had gulped down a shot of whiskey as Wells entered the bar. Jarrod smirked at him as he realized he was by himself. Wells walked over to the bar and talked to the gentleman behind the bar. After several minutes Jarrod noticed Wells take out a large envelope and slide it to the bartender. The bartender opened the envelope and smiled and announced, "Bar is closing fellas." Neither Jarrod nor Wells moved. The fellow patrons grumbled and complained as they all left.
The bartender handed Wells a key and Jarrod watched as Wells escorted everyone outside and closed and then locked the doors, which surprised the attorney; as he thought Wells would have his men do his dirty work. Just as well Jarrod thought, he couldn't wait to get his hands on the little weasel. He poured another drink as he watched Wells and now noticed he had his gun belt on.
Wells turned slowly and faced Jarrod who was nursing his drink.
"Better enjoy it Barkley, it'll be the last thing you ever taste." Wells spat.
Jarrod smirked as he sipped the whiskey and calmly replied, "You don't scare me one bit Wells. You're a little man who beats up women and children," Jarrod finished his drink and stood up.
Wells laughed. "I've worked over my share of pompous men as well."
Jarrod laughed as he walked slowly towards Wells with his hand on his gun, "Oh really? Were they old men?"
Wells spat, "Tell me where my daughter is Barkley and I may let you live."
"Go to Hell."
"This is not going to end well for you Barkley you may as well give it up now. There is a warrant for your arrest for kidnapping my daughter," Wells bluffed.
Jarrod laughed, "No there isn't. I've already checked." Jarrod continued to walk towards Wells. "If anyone is in trouble it's you."
Wells laughed now, "Me? Whatever for? Killing you?"
Jarrod's tone was icy cold, "Only one dying today is you Wells."
"You won't kill me lawyer."
Jarrod's tone was cold, "I will," Jarrod motioned to the windows, "And I'll have all the witnesses I need, saying it was self-defense."
Wells swallowed slowly as he realized he may have made a mistake coming to confront Jarrod by himself. "What about Abby?"
I'll raise her as my daughter."