Chapter 4
Bromley wasn't surprised at the look on Sheriff Madden's face when he went into the man's office. The sheriff was surprised, almost shocked, to see him. "Hello, Mark," he finally said, uneasy.
Bromley could tell Sheriff Madden was looking for some indication of why he was here – and maybe if he was sober? Bromley said, "Hello, Sheriff. Before you ask, I'm perfectly all right. I've just come from the Barkley ranch. I'm working with Jarrod on dealing with Cunningham's men – Corell and Mason – and with getting the case against Cunningham dismissed on Monday morning, so I have a few questions."
Sheriff Madden breathed easier. "How is Jarrod?"
"Very well, all things considered," Bromley said. "He's gotten himself together completely. We spent the afternoon documenting what happened to him last night – so we can put the case together against Corell and Mason when you can bring them in. I'll be prosecuting the case, since Jarrod was the victim."
The sheriff still looked a little uneasy about things. Bromley could see him reach a decision. The sheriff asked, "Jarrod knows what happened with you and Cunningham?"
The question was embarrassing, but Bromley said, "Jarrod knows everything. I didn't take any bribe. I was just scared and backed down. I'm still scared, but not nearly as scared. I'm in this for good, for Jarrod. I'm not going to back down again."
"Good," the sheriff said. "I'm awful glad to hear that."
Bromley nodded and got down to business. "What do you know about Corell and Mason? Have they been located?"
"I got a wire from the sheriff in Modesto about half an hour ago," the sheriff said. "They were there today and headed out toward the south. It sounds like they're heading for Mexico. The sheriff sent out a posse after them, and wired ahead to Merced and other towns south. The only question is whether they can avoid any posse and stay ahead of us."
Bromley nodded. "Does Judge Farnum know what's happened?"
"I talked to him this morning," Sheriff Madden said. "He said he expected Jarrod would dismiss the case against Cunningham in open court on Monday morning."
"I'll be assisting him," Bromley said. "Jarrod wants me to touch base with him tomorrow afternoon, so I'll go back out there. I don't think he's planning to come into church tomorrow."
"Jarrod didn't come to church last Sunday. After what he managed to do yesterday – in court, at home – it's easy to forget he's still blind and it's still hard for him to get around, at least when he's not at home or in the courtroom. There's something about that man – give him work to concentrate on, and he bucks up, no matter what."
"He's got more courage than I had," Bromley said.
"It sounds like some of it has rubbed off on you."
Bromley smiled. "I sure hope so."
XXXXXXX
Still embarrassed by everything that happened in the courtroom, Bromley did not go to church the next morning. Instead, he went over the notes he'd taken when talking with Jarrod the day before and started outlining the case and preparing the questions for the trial against Corell and Mason. He had no idea when they might be caught, or even if they would ever be caught, but he was going to be prepared even if the law had them in court on Monday.
Bromley went back out to the Barkley ranch that afternoon. Silas let him in and led him to the library where Jarrod was, this time with his brothers. Nick and Heath were playing pool, Jarrod was sitting on the sofa, they were all talking about the sale of horses to the army.
"Mr. Bromley is here," Silas said as he led Bromley in.
Nick and Heath stopped the game. Nick said, "Hello, Mark."
"Good afternoon," Bromley said. "Jarrod, I've got some news and I've been working on preparing the case against Corell and Mason."
Nick and Heath stayed by the table but listened.
"Sit down, Mark," Jarrod said and motioned to the armchair facing the sofa. "Silas, would you bring some coffee?"
"Yes, sir," Silas said and left.
Bromley sat down. Heath asked, "Have they caught Corell and Mason yet?"
"No," Bromley said. "The sheriff had word they left Modesto yesterday, heading south. A posse's after them. We might have them back up here in a day or two."
"Judge Farnum is ready for us to dismiss the case against Cunningham tomorrow morning?" Jarrod asked.
"The sheriff's been keeping him up to date, yes," Bromley said.
"Well, then," Nick said, "I suppose we'll have to get back to that horse sale after dinner, if you two are gonna work up a case this afternoon."
"We need to get out there and do a final tally anyway," Heath said. "You won't need us in court tomorrow, will you, Jarrod?"
"No, you tend to those horses," Jarrod said. "Mark and I will handle the court hearing. But thanks – for all the help you've been. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Look at it this way, Mark," Nick said as he put his pool cue away. "It took two of us to replace you."
Mark smiled a little as Nick and Heath went out. "You're a lucky man, Jarrod – to have a family like this."
"They don't let you feel sorry for yourself for long," Jarrod said. "Let's have it. Tell me everything I need to know and then let's run over the plan you have for the trial. I'm going to be optimistic and figure we'll have Corell and Mason in jail by tomorrow."
Bromley and Jarrod were together most of the afternoon, going over the case against Cunningham's men, fine tuning the testimony they planned to produce and the questions Bromley would ask. Then they spent a moment going over the hearing the next day when Jarrod would move to dismiss the case against Cunningham.
Then Jarrod asked, "Have you heard anything about any kind of funeral service for Cunningham, when it might be?"
"No, but I'll ask when I get back in town," Bromley said. "Are you thinking Corell and Mason might turn up?"
"No, I'm not thinking anything," Jarrod said. "If they're heading south out of Modesto, they're heading to get to Mexico as fast as they can – or at least they should be. Has George Allison at the newspaper been bothering you yet?"
"No, he hasn't bothered me. As far as anyone but the sheriff knows, I'm still on the outs."
"That won't last long, but if Allison tries to talk to you, you just send him my way. That probably won't happen until after the case is dismissed tomorrow. You didn't talk to him about the case before the trial started, did you?"
"No. I've never talked to him at all, and actually I've never talked to a reporter at all before."
"You'll have to get used to it sometime," Jarrod said, "but for now, let me do the talking. I guess we're done for today. Do you have anything else?"
"No," Bromley said and gathered up his papers.
Jarrod got up. "Let me walk you out."
Again, Jarrod led the way without much trouble and opened the door himself. He extended a hand, and Bromley took it.
"I'll see you at the courthouse in the morning, Mark," Jarrod said.
Bromley felt his stomach sink a little. He wished Jarrod would be seeing him in the morning, or anytime ever again. He felt another twinge of guilt about what happened to his boss, but Jarrod's warmth and smile eased it off. "I'll be ready," Bromley said.