Chapter 9

Bromley went out the Barkley ranch feeling pretty darned good about everything, and feeling even better when he was let into the house and found Jarrod, up and dressed and sitting in the living room with his mother.

"Hello, Mark!" Victoria said quickly and stood up.

Jarrod stood up as well and held out his hand. "Mark. How is everything going?"

Bromley took his hand and shook it. "Pretty well," he said, and sat down in one of the armchairs as Jarrod and Victoria sat back down on the settee. Victoria put a book aside. She had been reading to Jarrod. "Had arraignment this morning on all the charges, for Friday and yesterday. We couldn't find any lawyer to take Corell and Mason on."

"Sanders wouldn't do it, huh?" Jarrod asked.

"Nope," Bromley said, "nor would anybody else we asked. Corell and Mason pled not guilty. Judge Farnum set trial for Friday morning at ten and said he'd appoint counsel if necessary."

"We'll be ready," Victoria said quickly.

Jarrod chuckled. "My mother loves testifying, at least when it's as easy as this is gonna be. I'll be ready too, Mark."

"Good, but I want to suggest something to you," Bromley said.

"A plea bargain," Jarrod said.

"Corell and Mason are good and scared," Bromley said. "I dropped a thought into their heads this morning. I told them they were looking at life in San Quentin but I might be able to get them some shorter sentence if they pled guilty. I also reminded them that they had never been charged for Collier Dam. I wish you could have seen how scared they started to look. I told them I'd talk to you."

Jarrod had to chuckle. "One sentence for both charges, Friday and yesterday, and no charges for Collier Dam?"

Bromley nodded. "One sentence for both, and no Collier Dam. A complete plea or no plea."

"What did you have in mind?" Jarrod asked.

"How old do you think those boys are?" Bromley asked.

"Older than you," Jarrod said. "Probably a year or so older than I am."

"Twenty-five years would make them pretty old men when they get out," Bromley said.

"Late fifties," Jarrod said. "They could make it that far."

"They might go for it rather than risk life," Bromley said. "If they don't, we go to trial with whoever Judge Farnum appoints, and I'll bet anything we win and they do life."

Jarrod reached for Victoria's hand. "What do you think, Mother?"

She put her hand in his. "Well, in 25 years I may be long gone, and this concerns the two of you more than it concerns me," Victoria said. "I'll leave this decision up to you, you and Mark." She looked at Bromley with a smile.

"Give it a shot," Jarrod said. "For them, twenty-five years is better than life but for us it will put them out of circulation for a good long time, and it's a term Judge Farnum might go for."

"I'll let them squirm for a few hours," Bromley said. "I don't want to look too eager to compromise."

"How about joining us for lunch, Mark?" Victoria asked. "We can talk about things other than Cunningham's men and the law."

"Thank you," Bromley said. "I'd like that."

XXXXX

After lunch, Bromley went back to town. He checked at his office (the secretary Jane was happy to see him), took care of a few things, and then went over to the jail. The first thing Sheriff Madden said to him was, "The judge found him a lawyer. Matt Cooper's new partner, fella name Noonan. Do you know him?"

Bromley shook his head. "Has he been here?"

"He's in there now. Did you talk to Jarrod about a plea bargain?"

Bromley nodded. "Twenty-five years for each of them, total on both charges together, and no Collier Dam charges. That's what Jarrod agreed to. I'm all right with that too."

"They might go for it, but Noonan is pretty new," the sheriff said. "He might not see the wisdom in it."

"Then we go to trial and Noonan finds things out the hard way, just like I have."

Noonan came out of the cell block just then. He was very young, about five foot ten but that was a lot shorter than six-four Bromley and six-five Madden. The both felt like they towered over him.

Sheriff Madden introduced Bromley and Noonan to each other. He and Bromley were both surprised when Noonan said, "I talked to them. They say they had nothing to do with what happened yesterday."

"Then how come they told us where to find Jarrod when we caught them?" the sheriff asked right away.

"I'm only telling you what they say," Noonan said. "They refuse to say anything at all about Friday night."

"Jarrod has them cold for that," Bromley said. "He heard them. They manhandled him. He smelled Mason's pomade Friday night and he smelled it again yesterday morning. Tell your clients that."

Noonan said, "I will. But it might make more of an impression if you can make them a good offer."

"Twenty-five years for each of them, covering charges for both Friday and yesterday, and we'll forget Collier Dam," Bromley said. "That's as low as I'll recommend, and the judge doesn't have to agree to it, you know."

"I know," Noonan said.

"It's better than two life sentences each," Bromley said. "And that's what they'll be getting if they go to trial. You might be new around here but Jarrod Barkley is a respected member of the community, and he'll testify – and yeah, he's blind. The jury's gonna see that."

Noonan said, "Now you're making me think we can't get an impartial jury."

"You'll get as impartial a jury as you're going to get," Bromley said. "My witnesses are that strong, and your clients are as guilty as hell."

Noonan eyed them, but turned and went back into the cell block.

The sheriff said, "They'd be crazy to turn it down, but I suppose if Noonan thinks he's more of a hot shot than he is, they might."

Bromley sighed. "It doesn't matter. We're ready to go to trial tomorrow if we have to, and I'd love to put those two away for life."

"I don't know how long he's gonna be with them in there now. If you want to go over to the Empire for a drink, I'll come get you or send Noonan over when he's got a decision."

"Not a bad idea," Bromley said. "One shot of whiskey will hit the spot." He had no intentions of getting drunk again.

XXXXXXX

Bromley got a shot of whiskey from Harry at the bar and waited. He waited for much longer than he thought he would have to. He started wondering what was going on over in the jail. Why would it take so long to get a decision out of Corell and Mason – unless Noonan was really arguing with them over what to do? And that raised the question in Bromley's mind – would Noonan be arguing for or against the offered plea bargain?

"Another one?" Harry asked when Bromley finished nursing that shot.

"Better not," Bromley said. "I'm still working."

Harry smiled at him. "You're looking a heckuva lot better today than you did last week when you were in here."

Bromley had to smile. "I'm in a lot better mood. Jarrod Barkley's all right and I'm back in his good graces. I feel better about him and I feel better about myself."

"Then why are you hanging around here?" Harry asked.

Just as he did, Sheriff Madden came in. "For him," Bromley said.

The sheriff joined them, heaved a sigh and said, "There was a lot of yelling coming out of that cell block – but they're taking the deal. Noonan's gone over to tell Judge Farnum and we're gonna try to lock them down today. Are you sober enough for a judge?"

"Sober as a nun," Bromley said with a big grin.

XXXXXX

It was before dinner time when Bromley returned to the Barkley ranch and Silas let him in. The family was gathered in the living room, sharing their end of the day time together.

"Mark! It's good to see you!" Victoria said as he came in. "You're just in time for dinner! Silas, set another place."

"Thank you, I better get on home. I've had a very long day." He saw Jarrod sitting on the settee, and he smiled. "They got a lawyer – this kid Noonan who's with Matt Cooper now. He took the deal to them, and they took it."

Sighs of relief went all around.

"The judge has already accepted it," Bromley continued. "They'll be off to San Quentin tomorrow. It's over, Jarrod."

Jarrod leaned back on the settee and smiled – and then laughed. "Thank you, Mark. You just made my life a lot happier."

"It's my pleasure. What do you think? You'll be back in the office tomorrow?"

"For a little while," Jarrod said. "To help Jane put the file away. And I'll be in town long enough to talk to Howard Gaines."

"Howard Gaines?"

"I'm resigning as acting district attorney, Mark. I'm going to suggest he put you into the job until an election can be held, and if you want the job permanently, I'll be campaigning for you."

"Aw, Jarrod – "

"No, don't argue with me. You're the best man for the job. You've learned a lot, some of it the hard way. I'd be proud to campaign for you."

"I don't know what to say," Bromley said.

Nick poured him a drink and handed it to him. "Say thank you."

Victoria said, "And say you'll stay for dinner. We haven't had a lot to celebrate around here, but this is cause for it."

Bromley gave in, nodding. "All right. But it's me who ought to be buying dinner for you. All of you, really, but especially you, Jarrod."

Jarrod stood up, navigated the coffee table, and found his way directly in front of Bromley. He held his hand out. "We won this one together, Mark. Welcome back, Counselor."

Bromley shook his hand. He said, "Thanks – Counselor."

The End