Chapter Twenty Two

A/N Thanks again for your patience.

Previously:

"I-if I tell you everything I know," Thomas squealed when Nick tightened the grip he had on the man's collar.

Unaware of Jeremiah's, Heath's and Nick's conversation with Thomas Hyde, Sanders had taken his time doing his business in town and traveling out to the general's house. This being the case, he stood in Alderson's living room talking with the man, never realizing just how close the law was.

"I didn't say you had to like it, and don't go blaming me for the stupidity of Jeff Madison!" Sanders snapped when Alderson tried to blame him for Mr. Madison's death. "Look, I told you when I first arrived you'd hired the wrong men! You wouldn't listen! I tell you something isn't right!"

"There can't be anything going on. I'd have heard from one of our other men if there was." Oblivious to the fact the mole he had in the federal government had been exposed, General Alderson-who had been sitting on the couch-stood up. "You haven't seen any of them in town, have you?"

Sanders stared at the General in disbelief. Sure, since he'd seen one of their men being hauled into the jail cell a mere few hours ago, he could understand the general being clueless on that one. However, how could the man not know one of his men had ridden out of town the week before? Sanders had only arrived in town not that long ago, and he already knew that. He shook his head and related everything to the man who had ridden out of town and the man in the cell. There was no way he was going to admit the blacksmith was still very much alive. "I have noticed quite a few strangers in town, not just the ones Mr. Madison and I were playing cards either. If it was just those men, I wouldn't think anything of it."

General Alderson didn't like it…as he remembered Mr. Hyde's earlier visit to him. Maybe he had dismissed the man's warning too easily. He walked over to the fireplace and leaned against the mantle, and gazed into the empty firebox.

The whole time Sanders had been in town, and then ridden out to the general's home, Jeremiah, Nick, and Heath been gathering the men-along with the sheriff. Now, while Alderson and Sanders talked, Jeremiah and the others had made their way to home Mr. Hyde confessed General Alderson was using. From where they sat on their horses, they could see Sanders' and General Alderson's backs. When one of the men started forward, Macklin quickly stopped him.

"We can't go barging down there. It will only get one of us killed." He went on to tell the men to carefully surround the house-making sure he paired them up and told them where to go. He turned and spoke to Jeremiah while looking at Nick and Heath. "We have an odd amount of men. Do you mind pairing up with the Barkleys?"

Jeremiah allowed a small smile to appear and shook his head. He more than liked the idea. "Don't mind if they're okay with it."

"It's fine with us." Nick and Heath replied as they turned their horses around and made their way to area Macklin had assigned them. By the time they had the house surrounded, the general-still unaware of what was going on outside-turned away from the fireplace and snapped. "If you're right, then James Barrett had to have turned on me!" The idea infuriated the general and he swore to get even with 'that traitor' if he ever got the chance. "I'll pay you double what I am now if you help me get away from this place unnoticed!" Even as the general made the offer he began thinking of a way to get rid of Sanders….as there was no way he could pay the man double.

Double! Sander's greedy eyes flew open. For that kind of pay, he had no trouble helping the man-even if he didn't like him. "All…" he started to answer only to hear the sound of a something breaking outside. Both he and the general flew to the window and looked out. Their eyes scanned the area, having no way of knowing Macklin, who had stepped at twig, was no standing behind a couple of trees, his back pressed against the tree. "There's something…" the general started to speak only to have his heart jump to his throat when he saw a couple of men kneeling behind a boulder that set roughly 10 yards from the house. He let out a string of curse words while Sanders flew to the front window. He too turned the sky blue as he started swearing and turned on the general. "You pulled me into trap!"

Before the general could say a word, Macklin-who had repositioned himself-was speaking. "This is Lt. Macklin speaking, General Alderson! You are under arrest! Come out with your arms up, and no one will get hurt!"

"You got to get me out of here!" The General started whining and rambling to Sanders.

"HOW!" Sanders, who was madder than a wet hen, snapped…and then busted a window-enabling him to point his pistol out the window and took a shot at a red headed fellow he could see. He wouldn't have wounded the man only the bullet ricocheted and hit the man in the arm. This naturally had the other men returning the fire.

While the general and Sanders were exchanging fire with Macklin and the men with him, Jeremiah was making his way to a door on the back side of the home. It appeared to lead into some sort of storage area. He could see that because the upper part of the outside walls were simply wire. Naturally, this meant Nick and Heath were right with him.

"They might hear us." Nick knew he was making an obvious statement, only he didn't really care.

"Maybe," Jeremiah shrugged his shoulders and told Nick and Heath to go back if they wanted.

"You're stuck with us." Heath and Nick said as Jeremiah quietly opened the back door. All three let out a breath they didn't realize they were holding as no sound came from the hinges. Carefully Jeremiah opened what turned out to be the back door of the house itself. Again, the three men were releasing a breath of relief…though they made no noise as they silently made their way up the small hallway. As they did so, they could hear Sanders telling Alderson they should risk going out the back.

"No need to do that." Nick, Heath and Jeremiah barked as they turned the corner. Both Alderson and Sanders whirled around and, in spite of three guns pointing at them, turned their guns on the gentlemen. In a matter of seconds, the general, Sanders and Jeremiah all lay on the floor, not moving a muscle.

A/N NO, this is NOT a story where ANY Barkley dies.