Chapter 15, by Dogwood

Within minutes of finishing his beer, Hoss thought of his hunger and decided he'd make his way back to the hotel dining room for nourishment and then rejoin Adam and his family. He knew danger wasn't on the horizon. The danger had arrived.

He was unable to get the thought out of his mind that something wasn't right and that Folly was involved up to her neck. Byron, he thought. An older brother? Why would he pay for information to know Adam's whereabouts? As he made his way across the busy street toward the hotel, he was followed by piercing and curious eyes from the young man leaning against a post. Billy had seen Hoss talking with Folly and wanted to know what had been said. He'd find out one way or another.

As he drew closer to the hotel Hoss acknowledged those who knew him and realized the warmth that was usually extended seemed cold. Something was gnawing at him but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. When he and Joe had rushed to Adam's room earlier they found things fine … just their father sitting with Adam. Ummmm … what was it?

Billy's curiosity had gotten the better of him. He tossed the toothpick he was chewing on to the ground and followed the path Hoss had chosen toward the hotel.

As he was catching up to Hoss he yelled, "Cartwright!"

Hoss turned and saw a determined young man heading toward him. Releasing the handle of the hotel door, Hoss turned and waited. Billy joined him and asked, "What she tell ya?"

The look on Hoss' face became a question without words for Billy.

"Look, I saw ya talkin' to Folly. What did she tell ya?"

"Tell me? You need to step back youngin' and not jump to conclusions. I know ya got some deep anger inside ya, but ya just can't think because I talked to Folly that she told me anything."

Not liking what he heard from Hoss, Billy quickly responded. "I don't want to play games with ya. If'n the truth be told, we both got something to settle. My pa was killed and your brother's hurt, and whether you want to accept it, Farrow is behind all of this. He ain't gonna git away with it. Until he's brought down, ain't none of you Cartwright's safe. Right now I'd be worryin' about your older brother and your pa."

Billy's words hit their target. Hoss grabbed the front of his shirt and pushed him against the front of the building.

"You don't have to tell me what I already know. Now if you take my advice, you let the law work through this and keep a cool head. We'll get this all sorted out, but you getting hot headed and going off ain't gonna do any good."

Billy forced Hoss' hands away from his shirt. "Don't talk to me about keeping a cool head. It's been a long time coming but I'm going to see to it that it's over .. and it's over quick. Now get out of my way." With that Billy pushed past Hoss and strode off.

Hoss sighed as he entered the hotel. He'd forgotten about the hunger he'd felt and thought of his family upstairs. As he walked toward the stairs the desk clerk said, "Howdy Hoss. Glad to see that with everything happening you Cartwright's are still doing business."

Quizzically asked, "Business?"

"Yes," replied the desk clerk. "A man stopped by earlier asking for Adam's room because he said he had some business arranged with him. I gave him the room number and he went up the stairs."

Hoss now knew what had to be done – and done quickly. "I guess I forgot about that with everything going on. What did he look like?" The description given was not someone Hoss knew.

He entered the room and saw both his father and Adam resting. Looking up Joe saw Hoss motioning him to come out into the hall. Quietly closing the door behind him Joe asked. "What is it?"

Nervously Hoss explained. "Joe we gotta get Adam out of town and Pa. People are lookin for him and I don't think it's to say hello."

"What are you talking about?"

"Joe your hunch about somebody being after Adam is right. He ain't safe here 'cause he must be the source to put the Farrows in jail or on the gallows. The desk clerk just told me that someone lied by saying they had business with Adam and gave him the room number. He said the man came up these stairs."

"But Adam's okay," replied Joe.

"Maybe he is fer now, but it plum don't sound that is gonna stay like that. We need to get him moved and pa as well."

* * * * * * *

The voices coming from Roy Coffee's office were loud and each was overpowering the other. Marshal Taylor was in disagreement over the manner Roy had planned to guard Adam and Ben while bringing the town to a calmer state. He made no bones about Roy's plans, acknowledged he knew Roy wasn't pleased he was there, and felt not only did the Cartwright's bear watching but the Farrows as well – starting with Dirk.

Roy knew Taylor had a personal as well as professional interest in the situation feverishly brewing in Virginia City. He struck out at Taylor indicating it was his town, his problem, and his request for assistance was one that he would be in charge of. He further ordered that Taylor and his deputy would take orders from him. There would be no debate.

Marshal Taylor took a deep breath, looked at his deputy Zak Bentley and asked him, "Have you seen Billy?"

Zak's reply was, "No."

Sighing once again Taylor said, "We need to find him and keep him in sight." He then turned to Roy and said snidely, "Do you agree?"

"That's one thing we can agree on. But what I said goes. One guard on Adam is not going to work. Farrow has too many men working for him and some are people I'd least expect. It's a short time before the trial begins and if you're gonna stay here make sure it's to help. I ain't about to have this grow into any kind of war."

Before Marshal Taylor could speak his next words, the door to the sheriff's office burst open. "Sheriff you better come quick. There's been a shooting behind the Yucca.

* * * * * * * *

Hoss and Joe reentered Adam's room. Adam was still sleeping but Ben heard their quiet rustling.

"Ummm. What are you two up to?" quizzed Ben.

Rising to join his two sons by the door, Joe spoke. "Pa, we need to get you and Adam out of here and to safety."

"What are you talking about Joe."

Hoss chimed in. "The beating Joe took was no accident. The shooting of Adam was no accident either. From what we know now from Marshal Taylor, it appears the shooting of Adam was related to something other than you witnessing Dirk robbing the bank."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying this is bigger and more dangerous than we thought. With the possibility of Adam being able to identify actions that lead to the murders of three people ten years ago is all the more reason for Farrow to want him out of the picture."

"Farrow wouldn't dare move in that direction."

Joe chimed in, "Then why do you think Adam was shot?"

Ben turned to look at his eldest son. He was trying to digest what his sons were saying.

"Pa listen to me," continued Hoss. "We know fer sure a man asked Pearl at the Yucca where he could find Adam. He also passed himself off at the front desk stating he had some cattle business to conduct with Adam and the desk clerk gave him Adam's room. That makes him a sitting target."

"So that explains your rushing in here with you gun drawn Joe?"

"Yeah pa. But now it's time to move outta here."

"Where are our men?" Ben asked concerned.

"Most of 'em are milling around town and the others are probably in the Bucket of Blood or the Yucca."

"What's going on?" asked a groggy voice. Adam could see the concern on his father and brother's faces.

Approaching Adam Ben sat down on the bed and explained the scenario that was playing out while he slept. Adam looked from one brother to another.

"Maybe it's the medicine the doc gave me, but from the looks on your faces and what happened ten years ago it could be that you're right. I'm just a little confused and that was a long time ago."

"Son, we're going to get you out of here. We're heading back to the Ponderosa and now."

* * * * * * * *

The Farrow household was quiet. Dirk had not returned. Byron was fuming over this fact when his father entered.

"Where are we on this problem?"

Byron stood up and walked over to the window. "Cartwright is in the hotel. I spoke with Folly very briefly but she knows we mean business and I will be talking with her again. Last I saw her she was talking to a young boy and the man we put on Hoss Cartwright tells me Folly was being friendly with him in the Yucca."

"Sounds like we're making some headway. What about the money?"

Turning toward his father Byron continued, "It will be here this afternoon. Had it removed from the private account in San Francisco."

"Good. I've received word the judge assigned to Dirk's case has been recalled for another case. We'll get the judge we want."

Byron looked at his father with disgust. "I'm tired of being the person to clean up this family's problems. We're treading in dangerous territory now. I just want this over and I want you to do something with your son."

Ray Farrow narrowed his eyes and faced Byron straight on. "You'll do what you're told and like it. As for Dirk, when this is over, I'll take care of him."

Byron didn't believe his father would ever be able to control his brother. He just wanted to return to San Francisco.

* * * * * * *

Roy Coffee, Marshal Taylor and Deputy Bentley were busy behind the Yucca when it appeared the Cartwrights were leaving town for the Ponderosa. A wagon had been retrieved from the livery and pulled up to the rear of the hotel. The Ponderosa hands assisted in placing a man wearing a black hat into the wagon who was joined by Ben. Joe and Hoss were saddled and rode quietly out of town surrounded by the Ponderosa hands.

The town was more concerned over the recent shooting that took place to notice this quiet exit with the exception of one person, a Farrow hand. He quickly departed to inform his employer the Cartwrights had left town.

Within a few minutes, another wagon was being loaded with boxes and light supplies. This seemed a normal daily occurrence. The difference was that under the supplies was the actual Adam Cartwright. Plans had been made to secretly take a longer route to the Ponderosa.

As Adam felt each bump in the road, his heart raced in hopes that his father and brothers would make it home safely. For reasons he could not understand, his thoughts turned to Folly.