DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the copyrights to The Big Valley. This is written for pure enjoyment.

Thank you to those who reviewed Long Road Home (whether on the board over through email). I hope you enjoy this story as well.

Overdue Justice

Chapter Four

Scene Six

The wind was blowing gently through the air as Audra walked up and stood next to Jarrod. Together they watched Heath work on breaking in yet another horse, "He pushes himself too hard." She turned and looked at her Jarrod. It seemed like Heath had been breaking one horse or another for hours on end, "We have got to find a way to slow him down."

Jarrod knew that; everyone did. There was hardly a day that went by that didn't find Heath up early; pushing himself hard throughout the day and sometimes into the night. It had been that way ever since they'd failed to reach the boat Barbary Red had finally admitted to Jarrod held the shanghaied men.

A half hour! They'd missed the boat by a mere thirty minutes! They'd hung around the dock asking questions for a good two hours but Heath had stood on the dock until the rising of the sun. It was as if he hoped the sunlight would wake him up to find the whole thing had been a horrible nightmare. It had been all Jarrod could do to get him to leave the dock and return home. For the next two months Heath was constantly checking the docks every time a ship came in; even though it was a known fact the boats 'never came back with the same crew'. That is, if the crew had been unfortunate to fall prey to men like Jack Thatcher.

It made Jarrod's blood boil that while Barbary Red had broken down and admitted to having gone back into 'that business' she had flat out to refused to admit Thatcher's part in it! He wanted to throw the man in a prison cell for a good many years. Yet there was nothing he could do about it; not without concrete evidence. "He isn't as bad as he used to be," he sighed and watched as Heath walked toward them, "at least he quits in time lunch or supper." It was almost noon now.

Heath knew they were talking about him. He hated to be the cause of worrying them only what could he do but throw himself into work? Every where he turned he could see Nick working or hear him bellowing. Was he alive or had he perished at sea? Would they ever see him again? It was the not knowing something-anything-that was really eating away at him.

"Come to make sure I find my way to the table?" Heath gave Jarrod and Audra half a smile.

Jarrod put his hand on Heath's shoulder, "He wouldn't want it this way, Heath. You realize that don't you? This pushing yourself all the time; it has got to stop." If only...no, he couldn't allow himself to dwell on the 'if only's' or he'd be unable to function himself.

"My head knows that," Heath gave Jarrod a lopsided-grin as he headed for the house, "only problem is my heart keeps forgetin'. I'll be fine though; really. We'd best hurry though. That wife of yours will be furious if we're late for lunch."

Jarrod had to smile. He'd shocked everyone by marrying Elizabeth McBrian after knowing her only six weeks. Needless to say a few tongues had started wagging only to be proven wrong. Oh well, that was their problem not his. With Silas away helping some friends of theirs she'd been more than delighted to step in and do the cooking; it happened to be one of her favorite things. "She does have a thing against cold food." he chuckled and followed Heath and Audra into the house.

Scene Seven

'Anna A. Barkley'' she sure felt strange writing that down in the hotel's registry book but Nick had insisted on it. Sure enough when she lifted up her head she caught the look of surprise on the hotel clerk's face. "Is there a problem?"

Quickly composing himself the man pasted on the worst faked smile she'd ever seen, "No, Miss Barkley. Room seventeen is all there is left. It's pretty small will it do?"

Her eyebrows raised up as she was taken aback by the question, "Why wouldn't it do? On second thought; don't answer that and it's Mrs. Barkley." She took the key from the man's hand and turned to head the stairs. Once again, Nick's 'guess' was right...the man let out a muffled involuntary gasp as he saw the initials on the back of the bandana she wore.

Acting irritated she turned around, "If there is nothin' wrong why are you standin' there gasping for air? WHAT is the problem?" she made sure her voice carried throughout the hotel lobby.

Embarrassed by his reaction to seeing the bandana Nick had been more than happy to show to everyone the day Audra gave it to him; the clerk stumbled for words, "I..I..am sorry. There is no...thing wrong, re..ally. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, I'll only be in town long enough to break in a few horses." she wanted to start laughing as the man looked as if he was going to faint.

"Who is letting a woman break in their horses!" the man was appalled.

"Sir, I've been breaking horses since I was fifteen years old! With the exception of one year; that I spent on my cousin's friend ship. And do you want to know what?," she paused and shook her head, "I'd rather deal with being thrown off a horse than to deal with that blasted sea again!

If using the Barkley name hadn't caught anyone's attention she had it now. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a couple of men who looked like ranch hands stand up and hurry out the front door. She headed for her room hoping that was a good sign.