Victoria watched Abby and Sister Catherine talk about her 'venture' with Jarrod. It was quite apparent to Victoria how much the little girl cared for her son. And given what Jarrod had done for the little girl she knew he loved her as well. As she looked back to Abby it broke her heart to know what her own father had done to her and could not blame Jarrod for trying to protect her.
She looked at Mary and wondered what the relationship was with Jarrod and this young woman. Mary did not go into any details but she knew they must have met after Jarrod fled with Abby. She was glad Mary offered her help to Jarrod and Abby.
But her concern was her eldest son. He was in Lincoln but where? And what were his plans? Mary said he told her it had to end; and that scared Victoria. When Beth had been killed Jarrod went after Cass Hyatt and now she was worried about the same thing happening. She hoped Nick and Heath would find Jarrod before it was too late.
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Nick and Heath walked out of the hotel and looked around Lincoln and back to each other.
"Where could he be at Nick?" Heath questioned.
Nick frowned and said, "I don't know but we need to find him before it's too..." Nick's voice trailed off.
Heath sighed as he knew what Nick was referring too. When Cass Hyatt killed Beth Jarrod went after the man hell bent on revenge not caring who got in his way in his pursuit of justice. Heath often wondered if they hadn't showed up in Rimfire when they did if Jarrod would have killed Cass Hyatt or stopped. He shuddered to think his otherwise calm, cool and collective brother would kill in cold blood but that was what he almost did to Hyatt. And now Jarrod was in town looking for Danny Wells and Heath suspected if they didn't find one of the men...
Nick speaking broke Heath's train of thought, "I'm not so sure this time I'd stop Jarrod if he was...well you know."
Heath looked at his brother and said, "After reading that file I'd have to agree with you Nick but we can't let Jarrod do that."
Nick sighed, "Guess you're right." Nick motioned towards the street. "Better start looking." The brothers walked off together in search of Jarrod or Wells.
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Wells could not believe that Barkley was going to raise his daughter as his own and lunged at the attorney. Jarrod side stepped him but did not see the knife in Wells hand. As Wells went by he struck Jarrod with the knife, hitting the attorney in his left side bringing Jarrod down to his knees.
Immediately Jarrod looked down at his shirt and saw the blood coming through and knew Wells had stabbed him. Judging by the amount of blood Jarrod knew he would have to end this as soon as possible otherwise he would be in trouble.
Wells circled around and smirked when he noticed Jarrod bleeding. He laughed and said, "Last chance Barkley."
Jarrod struggled to his feet and spat, "Go to hell!"
Wells lunged at Jarrod again but this time Jarrod was ready and pushed him into the bar head first with a loud bang. He dropped the knife which Jarrod kicked away out of his grasp and starting kicking Wells in the mid-section.
Wells grabbed Jarrod's boot and yanked him down with a large thud which brought a grimace from Jarrod. Wells jumped on Jarrod and started pounding on the left side where he had wounded the attorney. Jarrod was finally able to push Wells off him and get away. He looked around and grabbed the whiskey bottle as Wells came at him again. He broke the whiskey bottle on the edge of a nearby table and used a jagged edge to stab Wells in the mid-section.
Wells staggered after Jarrod stabbed him and looked down to see his own mid-section now bleeding. He looked at Jarrod and thundered, "Damn you." He once again tackled Jarrod bringing down both men but Jarrod landed awkwardly on his right arm which caused him to hear a crack.
Wells rolled over and started beating on Jarrod's open wound again while Jarrod tried to land punches with his good arm but it was apparent Wells was doing more damage. Jarrod fought the nausea he felt coming from the loss of blood. He knew he had to stop the barrage of punches Wells was landing before he lost consciousness.
With the little strength he had he pushed Wells off of him and into a table. Jarrod grabbed a chair and used it to hit Wells.
Jarrod was finally able to get to his feet, slowly raising his aching right arm to protect his left side. Wells stood up and smirked as he looked at the attorney. It was quite obvious he was hurt badly; he knew he wouldn't last much longer. Wells lunged at Jarrod again but this time Jarrod grabbed a broken piece from the chair and started landing numerous blows to Wells body. Wells was unable to protect himself from the blows as Jarrod refused to stop the pounding.
Wells was finally able to get the broken piece from Jarrod and slung it across the bar as he walked towards the attorney. Jarrod was having trouble breathing and was leaning heavily on a table. Wells knew he was hurting and it was time to end this now.
Wells pulled out his gun and took a shot but the attorney moved just as the bullet tore threw his already injured right arm. If Jarrod hadn't moved he most likely would have been hit in the chest. The pain he felt in his arm was almost unbearable. Jarrod's gun was holstered on his right side and the pain in his arm made it nearly impossible to reach for his gun. In a desperate decision he ran towards Wells tackling him.
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Nick and Heath saw the towns people running towards the saloon and their hearts dropped. As they ran with the other people Nick asked to no one in particular, "What's going on?"
One of the men answered as he continued to run, "Big fight at the saloon."
Nick and Heath exchanged worried glances and ran at full speed towards the saloon hoping they weren't too late.
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Jarrod wrestled with Wells trying to get the gun away from him with his good hand. Wells definitely had the upper hand on Jarrod but the attorney had one thing on his side. His anger and rage towards this man; but would it be enough.
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Nick and Heath arrived at the saloon just in time to hear the second gunshot. Neither one of the brothers hesitated as they kicked in the saloon doors. The brothers took in the sight and noticed both Wells and Jarrod lying in the floor. The brothers unholstered their guns and made their way to their fallen brother.
Before they could reach Jarrod; Wells finally moved and stood up slowly. Before either brother could shoot the man he looked at them and back to Jarrod as he smirked and fell face first back on the floor.
Nick pointed his gun to Wells head but he was already dead. Nick put his gun in his holster and raced to his brother.
Heath ran to Jarrod's still figure and noticed his brother was still breathing but barely. He shouted to no one in particular, "Get a doctor NOW!"
Nick knelt down next to Jarrod and whispered, "Hang on Jarrod the doc's on his way."
Heath whispered, "He's lost a lot of blood."
Nick bellowed, "Get the damn doctor someone, PLEASE!"
Nick leaned down next to Jarrod's head and whispered, "Pappy the doctor's on the way." Nick picked his brother's head up gently and put it in his lap not caring about the blood.
Heath's heart broke as he watched Nick hold their oldest brother.
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Victoria and Mary knew something was going on by all the people running around on the streets. Both women wanted to desperately go see what the commotion was but didn't dare leave for fear of upsetting Abby. Victoria looked at Mary and noticed the look of fear. She was just as scared as Victoria. Victoria offered her hand to the young lady as they watched the people running towards the center of town.
Audra said quietly, "I wish someone would tell us what's happening."
Victoria sighed, "We all do dear."
The knocking on the door scared all of the women. Jarrod always had Abby hide when someone knocked on the door but know she looked at all the women in the room and wondered what was going on. Maybe it was Jarrod finally.
Victoria was scared to open the door but she knew she had too. After Mary had taken Abby into the water closet Victoria opened the door.
The desk clerk had a look on his face and Victoria didn't need to hear what he had to say; she knew.
"Mrs. Barkley, your son's want you to get to the doctor's office as soon as you can."
Victoria choked back a sob and said, "Thank you." She quickly closed the door as she knew Mary and Abby would want to go with them but she didn't know what was going on.
Mary came out and said, "We're going with you."
Sister Catherine said, "No you can't, not until we find out what's happened." Mary tried to protest but Sister Catherine stopped her, "Once we find out it's safe I'll come back for you."
Mary sighed as she knew the Sister was right but she didn't have a good feeling. "Okay but if you're not back within thirty minutes we're going to the doctor's office."
Victoria, Audra and Sister Catherine left Mary and Abby in the room as they hurried to the doctor's office.
