Chapter 9, by Tiggeroo

Two steps inside the saloon and Roy's nose told him that this was one trail that was going to lead to a dead-end for the time being.

In an instant he changed his mind about entering further and slowly turned around and left the 'scent' behind him. To a lesser experienced lawman this could have seemed the end of this particular trail but to an experienced veteran like Roy Coffee the explosion of scent he had just witnessed meant that the guilty party or someone who knew something was close by. Someone was trying desperately to throw him off the scent but in attempting to do so they had just given Roy his first real clue. He reasoned to be extra careful as he moved across the street to 'sniff around' some more. As he purposefully strode across to have a little chat with Tom who could be found at the Mercantile store, Roy's heart began to beat with a little more excitement as he thought in advance of the questions he was going to ask Tom and how the answers could help him get nearer to knowing who had beaten Joe and who had shot Adam. Roy's logical problem-solving mind moved further on as he considered that finding those who did these horrible things to Joe and Adam will probably lead them to the person who is trying to turn Virginia City against the Cartwright's. He shook his head as he remembered how Ben identifying Ray Farrow's son Dirk in the bank robbery was the catalyst to all this bad-blood being shown to a law-abiding family whom he felt privileged to call his 'friends'. His friend Ben Cartwright, "Why would anyone want to hurt Ben or his sons?" Roy thought. "I hope Ben stays back at his ranch and doesn't come into town looking for his boys. It will only heat things up".

He resolved in that moment to find out the truth no matter what that truth revealed . . . and quickly before anyone gets killed!

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Ben Cartwright rode ahead of his men as they made their way towards Virginia City and he realised that no matter how old he got or even how old his sons got, he would never stop worrying about them when they were 'overdue'. Was it because he had been widowed three times and each son was a special connection to the wife he had prematurely lost? Or was it because he and Adam had 'roughed' it together as they embarked on a wonderful but extremely hard and dangerous journey across America as they searched for their 'dream'? Or was it because without his sons there is no purpose to the Ponderosa Ranch? It was probably a combination of all three plus many others but Ben shook his head to throw away the fear that kept calling him as he imagined life without one or even all three of his sons. Ben knew that fear unleashed in an uncontrolled manner could put his sons in more danger than they were already probably in. How did he know they were in danger? Call it father's instinct. Ben didn't know how he knew they were in trouble, he just knew they were. He had thought that riding into town would have been enough to stop the pivot of fear entering his thoughts but he had miscalculated. So once again Ben made a conscious effort to gain control of his emotions as he told himself that he couldn't deny seeing Dirk Farrow robbing the bank and that neither Adam, Hoss nor Joe would have wanted him to "As soon as I get to Virginia City the boys will be sitting in the hotel having breakfast" he tried to convince himself as he spurred his horse on to Virginia City . . .

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Roy stepped up onto the sidewalk and started banging on the door of the Mercantile. The door was still locked as Tom hadn't opened up yet.

"I'm coming" Tom called "Oh, oh sheriff, I'm sorry. I didn't realise it was you" he said slightly disappointed as he had hoped that maybe Miss Folly might have been calling again. "C-c-can I help you?" Tom asked a little nervously as he was beginning to remember Miss Folly telling him that the sheriff will probably come to see him and ask questions about the tonic he ordered for someone.

"Hello Tom" Roy said as he greeted the storekeeper. Taking his hat from his head Roy continued "Looks like it's going to be hot day weather-wise judging by the sunrise we had this morning. I know it's early but I just wanted to ask you a few questions, that's all, before you get busy with your customers".

Tom started to stammer "Ye-yes of course sheriff. What do you wa-wa-nt to know?"

Roy continued with his questions "There's a smell around town and I was hoping you might be able to tell me what it is and who bought it?"

Wh-wh-what sort of smell you ta-ta-alkin' bout sheriff?" Tom stammered as he walked behind the counter. He was always more comfortable behind the counter and he hoped to find a large bottle of confidence on the shelf behind him.

Roy didn't have to be an experienced sheriff to see that Tom was really nervous about this topic of conversation and so he continued slightly irritated by Tom's question to his question.

"What sort of smell do you think Tom? A tonic of course! If I wanted to check out a manure smell I would go over to the livery where they have an awful lot it! If I wanted to check on an anesthetic smell I would go to Doc. I am talking about the smells you sell…tonics! This tonic was an expensive one and Joe Cartwright apparently tried it the last time he came in here. It was a special one you ordered in. Now do you have any idea which tonic I'm talking about?" Roy leaned over the counter towards Tom to let him know he was not going to get away with another evasive question to Roy's question.

"Oh yes no-o-ow that you mention it I do. B-b-b-b-ut unfortunately I don't have any in at the moment sheriff, sorry." Tom replied.

"Great. Now we're getting somewhere. What's it called? Who do you order it in for?" Roy continued with the questioning.

"It's called Mysterious sheriff and I don't know the name of the man who buys it. Ho-ho-nest sheriff I don't know his name. I-I-I- really am sorry."

"Ok Tom. Relax will ya. If you remember anything about this man that will help to identify him you will let me know now won't you?" Roy was a little disappointed but not surprised. Someone had already been here judging by the smell in the saloon. Roy placed his hat on his head and left the store to 'sniff around' some more.

Tom stood still behind the counter thinking "Miss Folly, I did just as you said. I never told the sheriff you had the last bottle." As he watched the sheriff leave the store he brushed his cheek with his hand as he remembered her kiss.

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Ben noticed three riders off to his right. They seemed to be riding at a rather quick pace for men just on their way into Virginia City. "These riders look as if they are on a mission" thought Ben as he slowed his horse and men to a fast trot instead of a gallop. As the three riders got nearer it became obvious to Ben that he and his men were the next part of their mission so he stopped and waited for the mystery figures to meet them. Ever cautious Ben had his hand resting on his gun just in case there was any trouble. "I wonder if these strangers are in any way connected to my sons being overdue at the ranch" Ben thought to himself.

When the three riders came to a sudden stop in front of Ben the heavy set and eldest one said "Howdy".

Ben replied "Howdy. My name is Ben Cartwright. You sure seemed in a hurry. Can I help you at all?"

"In that case yes you can Mr Cartwright. I was on my way to talk to Adam Cartwright as he could have some valuable information regarding a man and his business dealings in another state 10 years ago. However, I was on my way to the Ponderosa Ranch when I heard that someone was stirring the people up in Virginia City against the Cartwrights due to yourself, I presume sir, having witnessed Dirk Farrow robbing a bank. Decided to keep my head low and watch what was happening 'from a distance' if you know what I mean Mr Cartwright". Having given as much information as he was prepared to for the time being the rider shifted in his saddle.

Right away Ben felt this man was not telling him the entire story and asked. "Excuse me sir you know my name but I don't remember you telling me yours".

Oh, please excuse my bad manners. My name is Taylor, Marshal Taylor". Pointing to the messenger who had informed him of Ben's movements towards town he said "This is my associate Zak Bentley" and finally pointing to the young man he said "And this is a young man with, shall we say a personal interest in the investigation".

Ben nodded to each man as he was introduced to him then continued "Thank you but I still would like to know why you were riding your horses as if there was no tomorrow to meet me and what has this investigation got to do with my family and particularly my son Adam who happens to be missing at this moment with his two brothers".

Taylor could feel the tension mounting in Ben and in a way he could feel for this man as he too had once been in a similar situation when his two sons went missing but unfortunately when he found them they were already dead. Ben's boys were alive for the moment and he hoped to help keep them that way. However, as a father once himself Taylor knew that the minute he told Ben one son was badly beaten up and another had been shot he was going to have a battle on his hands to stop Ben racing into town and if Ben did that he might never get to the bottom of his investigation and expose that evil businessman for what he really was . . . a murderer!

"Mr Cartwright, there is something I am going to tell you but you really have to trust me . . .