I do not own The Big Valley nor any of the original Barkleys.

Once In a Lifetime

Chapter Twelve

Scene Twenty-Two

Heath opened the door to the study and stepped inside. Jarrod and Nick were talking, but stopped until Heath shut the door. Because Heath had told Jarrod that some cyanide was missing from the mine's store the same day the cave in happened and, though 'he couldn't explain it', Heath said he felt strongly any water in any part of the mine that was still assessable, and any water holes near the mine should be checked out as soon as possible'. Jarrod had not argued and hired a couple of men to check things.

"Tell me I wasted your time." Heath looked at Jarrod. He wanted to be wasting it; after all, Cynthia had said she couldn't remember which mine the historian said the leak had come from, only that she knew the cyanide would be coming from one of the mines they had heavy investments in. Her exact words had been, "If it's not caught early, thousands of cattle, not just yours, will die. Your family will be sued, and I mean major time sued. Also, someone, can't remember the name right now, is going to try to get you to invest in another mine, only you'll lose out on that deal too! Between the poisoned waterholes and the other mine, you'll lose the ranch! " She'd also apologized for being angry at him and admitted she'd known all along Nick wouldn't die in the cave in. While it upset him to know she could have spared him the anguish of wondering about Nick, Heath knew she had a valid reason for being upset with him. He' promised never to doubt her again, if she just promised not to allow him to worry about his family without just cause.

"Cyanide was found in one of the waterholes," Nick answered before Jarrod could say anything. "The rest are clean. The cyanide's coming from the mine. It's been shut down temporarily and that water hole is being covered up for now." The fact that Nick was angry could be seen in his doubled up fist and his slightly raised voice.

"We've got to find who was behind it. Do you know what could've happened if we hadn't checked things out?" Jarrod asked the question knowing it was a stupid one; still, he too felt a mixture of anger and relief. "Don't suppose you have any more 'feelings'?" Jarrod looked at Heath, a look of puzzlement in his eyes. After all, first Cynthia 'knew' about Mr. Willard and now Heath? What was up with those two?

'The Stockton historian said the name Hanks as I went out the front door. I think they're in on it, but I can't prove it.' Heath thought on Cynthia's words and would have said something, but McCall's yelling carried through the window. All three men ran outside. By the time they reached McCall, the man had William Hanks pinned to the ground and their newest ranch hand, Michael, had Troy pinned.

"What's going on here?" Nick yelled. Jarrod put his hand on his brother's arm, not needing any more 'excitement' at the moment.

"We've got your culprits right here." McCall looked up Jarrod. "These two were fighting behind one of the stables. This one," McCall yanked on William's already bent arm, the man let out a yelp, "was chewing the other man out for not waiting to put the cyanide in the mine. Said he was supposed to wait until 'he came back and follow his plan' but they won't say who 'he' is. That and he told Mr. Troy Hanks there someone must have seen him!"

The fury inside Nick shown in his clenched fists and teeth and he started for the man, only to have Heath and Jarrod both pull him back. "What do you want to do? Hang for murder while they live in a prison?" Heath asked. There would be time to try and get the men to talk.

It was all Nick could do to keep himself from acting like he didn't care. "Let's take them to Fred." Nick pulled his arms out from both his brothers grasp and then added, as he, his brothers and McCall secured the men and put them into a wagon, "Do me a favor." He leaned over the edge of the side of the wagon and hissed, "Try to escape." Both men pulled back and cowered down, just like the snakes they were.

Scene Twenty-Three

Cynthia was again standing by the corral when Heath walked up. "I wish I could tell you more, Heath, really I…" She paused as she remembered the man she'd seen coming out of the hotel.

"What is it?" Heath was instantly on the alert, wondering what else she'd remembered.

Slowly she explained, "I don't remember seeing him anywhere, only he's got to have been in at least one of the pictures that historian showed me! There's no other way I would know him! I don't know anyone else from this time frame. Oh, Heath, I wish I hadn't left when I did; I really wish I could tell you more." Her voice held frustration and her eyes a look that begged him to believe her.

"I know you do." Heath took a hold of her shoulders and turned her away from the fence. "As it is, you've saved us from what could have been a horrible ordeal, warned me about anyone trying to get involved in any other mines and possibly made it so we can handle whatever that other man tries throwing our way. I'm sure he'll do something when he gets back from wherever he went. If you see him, just tell me right away."

"Don't worry, I will," Cynthia answered. She just wished there was a way to tell the whole family what the deal was, only she couldn't think of any.

Heath gave her a lopsided grin and said, "I appreciate everything; you really are something else." She blushed and started to turn her face only to find his hand on her chin and turning her face back towards him. She didn't fight him as he pulled her to him, lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. She slid her arms under his and up his back. She'd dreamt of this moment for weeks. She wasn't about to stop him.

0000

"I tell you, she's alive!" Marie shut the gate as she and Paul arrived back at the Barkleys' home. "I feel it! We've just got to keep looking!" The official search for her missing friend had ended months ago, but Marie was still using every available minute she had to look.

Paul shook his head. "Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong. All I know is what it's doing to you. You've got to stop this and accept that if you are indeed right, then she'll be back when she wants to." He held up his hand when his bride of three months started to protest. "I mean, come on, the Barkleys were kind enough to give me a job, which keeps us on the ranch. At least, we can keep our eyes and ears open, but we don't need to let it consume us anymore!"

Marie was angry, worried and a bunch of other things. It finally caught up with her and she started bawling, "I just want her alive and happy." Her friend had never been quite happy; she always said something was missing.

Paul held her close and assured her, "If she's alive, I have a feeling she'll be just fine, but we need to stop looking and get on with our lives." He hoped, for Marie's sake, that what he'd just said would be proven to be true.