Chapter 7

Jarrod rode into Placerville earlier than he had expected. He acquired a room at the local hotel. He located the telegraph office, after asking for directions.

He sent a wire to the judge who had signed the papers that Heath's aunt and uncle had given him. He was asking for a meeting with him. Jarrod filled out the paper and handed it to the operator, who scanned it quickly then looked at Jarrod.

"Sir I can save you the cost of sending this wire," the operator quickly wrote down an address and handed it back to Jarrod.

"Judge visits his daughter once a year about this time. They will be having dinner tonight at the hotel. It's his grandson's birthday, it's always a celebration."

Jarrod couldn't believe his luck, "Well send one to him just to let him know I would like to speak with him anyway."

"Would you like me to send him one as a courtesy?" asked the operator.

"Please, I would hate to drop in unannounced and be surprised at the reception." Jarrod turned to go, "I will be at the hotel," he said as he exited the door.

After a hot bath and a nap Jarrod felt refreshed. As he was dressing for dinner there was a light tap on his door. He opened it and was surprised to find an older man with gray hair, dressed in formal attire. He held in his hand his hat and cane.

"Jarrod Barkley?" he asked.

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"I am Judge Saddler. I believe you wanted to speak with me?"

Startled by the man's appearance at his door, Jarrod hesitated for a moment, and then opened the door wider allowing the Judge to enter.

The room's furniture was limited to one chair and the bed. Jarrod offered the judge the chair and seated himself on the edge of the bed.

"How can I help you Mr. Barkley?" asked the judge as he settled into the chair.

"Well sir, some years ago you had brought to you a case for guardianship."

"Mr. Barkley, there have been many such cases in my court," said the judge in tired voice. "Would you care to be a bit more specific?"

"It would have been about eighteen years ago. In the town of Strawberry. A Mr. And Mrs. Simmons had been granted guardianship of a six year old boy, their nephew."

"Ah yes, I recall the case. The Simmons claimed that they were providing for the child's welfare. His mother worked in a saloon and his father could not be located."

"The father couldn't be located?" asked Jarrod.

"Yes that is what they claimed. The mother was single and working in a saloon as I recall."

"Your Honor, I know for a fact that Mr. Simmons knew who and where the boy's father was located."

"And how do you know this?" asked the Judge.

"Sir, I was there the day Mr. Simmons came to our ranch, seeking compensation for taking care of the child."

"And why would Mr. Simmons come to your ranch looking for compensation, Mr. Barkley?" Judge Saddler had begun to wonder where this was all coming from.

"Because your Honor, that man is my brother."

"Brother? Now I am confused.'

"My father, and Heath Thomson's father was Thomas Barkley. Heath came to live with us a few years ago."

"But you just said that Simmons came to your ranch looking for compensation – when was that?"

"After he gained guardianship of the boy. He brought a boy to the ranch, and told my father he had another son. Simmons thought he could get money from our father, compensation for caring for the child."

Judge Saddler looked at Jarrod. "But if he did that, Simmons would have lost guardianship of the child. And I believe your brother would have known who is father was. Unless of course," and here he stopped, conscious of what he was saying, "your father didn't want the child with his family?"

"On the contrary Judge, I believe my father would have welcomed Heath into our family. But the boy Simmons brought with him was not my brother; it was someone bore no resemblance to my father or our family. Simmons couldn't take the chance that father would see Heath and take away what he thought was his way to easy money. So he took another child, hoping to scare my father. He had no idea my father would run him off, and not believe him."

The judge sighed and sat deeper into his chair. "I always felt that there was something wrong with the way the Simmons presented their case. And the way Leah Thomson looked when I granted them guardianship. She looked like a balloon that had just had its air released. She begged me to reconsider, but I was young. I was trying to make a name for myself. If I could reverse the decision I would gladly do it."

"Judge Saddler, you just may be able to do that," smiled Jarrod. "According to the document you gave the Simmons guardianship until Heath's twenty-first birthday. They are claiming that they have supported him all this time, when in reality they haven't supported him at all since he was twelve. I can obtain an affidavit stating he worked for the pony express for a year, and then joined the army for three years- he spent the last year in a prison camp in Texas."

"The Simmons never looked for him? Surely the war department sent out letters to the families of those that were in the prison camps, informing them."

"They never looked, Judge. They left that boy to suffer in that camp. Afterwards he did many odd jobs, anything to stay away from Strawberry and the Simmons. He sent all his money to his mother for her care. He's just found out within the past few days about the guardianship."

"Mr. Barkley, you get those statements and I will have the guardianship vacated effective the day it as granted. It sounds to me that this boy has already gone through enough in his life time..." The judge stood and shook Jarrod's hand. "Now, I really must go. We're having a special dinner tonight, but I would be interested in meeting this man. What is his name?"

"Heath Barkley, your Honor, a man I am proud to call my brother." Jarrod shook the judge's hand. "I'll get those affidavits to you immediately. How long will you be in town?"

"Another week. Here, let me give you an address at which to reach me. I'll look forward to getting those affidavits." Jarrod gave the judge a paper on which to write his address, took it when he was finished, and he walked the judge to the door. "Thank you for listening Judge; this will mean a great deal to my brother." Jarrod smiled as he closed the door behind the judge.

Now all that remained was the matter of Rachel Caulfield's mysterious death, and Jarrod already had a pretty good idea of the 'who' and 'why' of that as well.

Early the next morning as Jarrod was leaving the hotel, the desk clerk stopped him.

"Mr. Barkley? Judge Saddler sent this for you this morning," he said handing Jarrod an envelope. Opening it, he scanned the letter and the document it came with. With a smile that would make a Cheshire cat envious, he thanked the clerk and made his way to the livery.