Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the original Cartwright characters.
Only thing I can lay claim to is the characters "Mariah", "Jacob" and the old man "Jim"...along with the storyline.
A/N Because of the difficulty I had in writing scene Ten PLEASE-I would really like to know how I did on it. (No, I won't redo it only any tips for future writing would be GREATLY appreciated). And yes, there is only one scene to this chapter. If I waited until I had two it would be this weekend before it got posted (due to that blasted homework I talked about at the first).
For Jacob's Sake
Chapter Six
Scene Ten
Mr. Lynn had just left when Adam came out of the room. "I hope it was worth it." Ben did his best not to show just how irritated he was."
Adam grabbed a chair and pulled it into the front room, "I am sorry, but, what with Mr. Lynn's connections in Australia? I was afraid he might have turned bad and joined Mr. Johnson. I am sure the man will let you sign them tomorrow," he looked at his father, "And, unless you are in love with standing,why not sit down?"
Ben sat down next to Mariah on the couch while Adam continued talking, "After wards we need to figure out how we are going to deal with things," then looking at Little Joe, he said, "would you mind going up and keeping an eye on Little Jacob? No, I do not think he will run off again but his room does have a window someone could use to slip in."
Little Joe's eyebrows rose. He was shocked. Surely Adam did think anyone would try that while they were all in the house! "Okay," Little Joe stood up and hurried up the stairs. 'Would be nice if he would at least tell me what is goin' on first!'
Ben and Mariah were more than curious as to what Adam had come up with; especially since he'd sent Little Joe up to keep an eye on Little Jacob.
"First off, Jim was right when he said he feared that a con artist by the name of William Jones was back to using the alias Lane Johnson. Little Joe intercepted a reply to one of the telegraphs that Roy sent out. It verified the description Roy sent out as being Mr. Jones."
"Mr. Lynn is so picky about who he hires; how did Mr. Jones get past him?" Ben wondered out loud.
"I do not know but the telegraph also claimed Mr. Jones is from Australia and anything but an Australian accent is faked."
Mariah shook her head, "Who cares where he is from? Why not just tell us why Little Jacob would be in danger from the man!"
Somehow Adam wasn't surprised by Mariah's reaction; still, after all the time he'd spent figuring things out it would have been nice if he could explain it to them. Guess that was not to be. He leaned forward, "I thought it would help to start at square one but maybe I should just stick with the major points."
"Sorry but please, just give us the jest of things. It is late." Ben was tired of being in the dark per say and wanted out.
"I know it was a shock to learn that Jim had just been paying taxes on the land your husband's aunt left you and that it is still legally yours; however," Adam looked at Mariah, "Did you realize your first husband's aunt was really from Australia?"
"Adam." Ben's voice held a tone of irritation that was rising.
"Okay," Adam turned up his hands, "Mr. Jones- or whatever you want to call him-is also related to that same aunt. There was a catch in that will, do you remember what it was?"
Mariah shook her head, "Not really, I do remember thinking it was crazy and couldn't understand Aunt Jane's reasoning behind it."
"She stated the land was to be yours until your oldest grandson was old enough to inherit UNLESS something happened to him then..." Adam sat back in his chair, "It was to go to her great nephew's oldest son-should say oldest living son. The man's oldest son was a man by the name of Tyler Jones but this telegraph said the man's been dead for five years. Because Jim knew your first husband's aunt's family better than anyone-you even admitted that-I asked him about their sons. He says there were only two sons. Want to take a wild guess who he says the living son is?"
"WILLIAM JONES!" Ben and Mariah answered in unison.
"Yes, as soon as he realized who the doctor might very well be talking about he feared he may have brought Little Jacob home only to have put him in harm's way."
"If he is lying about who he is why not tell Mr. Lynn and have him fired?" Ben respected Mr. Lynn and did not like the idea of anyone lying to him.
"I think the man should be told only, pa," Adam's eyebrows turned down, "do you think you could keep Mr. Lynn from telling him he knows the truth or firing him yet?"
Ben was startled, "Why would you ask me to do that?"
"Because, at least we can keep an eye on him," Adam rubbed his forehead, "I would like for us to be able to force the man's hand somehow and it would be easier if we at least knew where he was part of the time."
"Guess I can see that reasoning. Roy sent out those telegrams so I assume he knows all this."
Adam nodded, "He is keeping his mouth shut while he keeps his ears and eyes open."
Ben sighed, "For Jacob's sake I will do as you ask. However, I can only promise to talk to Mr. Lynn. I can not promise what he will do."