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

Also, when it comes to the Barkley's ranch help? I am using the names that have stuck in my mind.

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 Five

SCENE Eight

"What did you say!" Heath dropped the saddle he was holding in his hands as he turned to face McCall and another one of their ranch hands.

"We were in the hotel visiting some of our friends..." McCall again told Heath what'd they'd seen and what they'd heard. By the time they'd finished Jarrod had come outside and was standing next to his brother.

Jarrod didn't like it, "Did she actually say she was, or had been, married to Nick? Did she even say she'd seen him?"

"No," McCall looked at the Barkley men with somewhat of a look of disbelief, "but come on. She calls herself Mrs. Barkley, is wearing the bandana Miss Audra made for him and she has been out to sea?" If that didn't spell 'Nick'...what did?

Heath picked up the saddle and headed for his horse. Work could wait; he was going to that hotel without stopping for anyone or anything!

Jarrod stepped in front of him, "What are you going to do? Storm into the lady's room and start demanding answers?" He could just seeing the hotel clerk sending for the sheriff when the woman started thowing things at 'the intruder'.

When his brother didn't answer Jarrod asked again, "Well? What are you going to do?"

He couldn't believe Jarrod had to ask such a thing. What did he think he was going to do? "Simple," he spoke flatly as he stepped around his brother, "Get some answers. Don't go frettin' none; I ain't planning on doin' anything stupid."

Truth be told Jarrod had no intention of just sitting back. If this woman held any kind of answers that would help put things to a rest he was all for it. Only -so help him if he found out she was some sort of con artist. She would never feel the end of his wrath if that was the case! "I'm coming with you. McCall you two do me a favor," he turned and looked at the men, "go back to work and say nothing. We don't need to worry the women. If they have ask just tell them we went to town on business."

"Yes, sir." Both men turned around and did as they'd been told.

Unbeknownst to Jarrod or Heath, Victoria was standing just around the corner of the barn and had been listening to the whole conversation. Looking heavenward she pleade, 'Dear Lord, please, give us some answers!'

SCENE NINE

Anna's walk around the small river port Stockton boasted had produced enough information to know that Mr. Thatcher was still very much around. 'Well, brother,' she stood on the edge of the dock over looking the clear blue water, 'I hope you're watching 'cause with any luck at all Nick and I will make sure that man gets what he has comin' to him. Though it would be nice if you kind of stuck close by. I may not have had my nerves that night you and the others were taken but I have them now and I won't be hiding this time!'Slowly she turned around and walked back in the direction she'd come from. She was getting hungry.

Anna walked into the restaurant the hotel clerk had told her had lower prices but still served good food. There were only a handful of people eating so she found her way to a table near the window and sat down. Soon her order had been taken and her food brought.

She was almost through with her lunch when she saw the two men walk in. One dressed like a professional business man the other looked like someone who would be down right comfortable on a ranch. 'Think I am about to meet my "brother in laws"' she continued eating as they talked to the waitress then headed her way.

"May I help you?" she looked up at her visitors and smiled as she felt more than a dozen butterflies making her stomach their playground.

"My name is Jarrod Barkley and this is my brother Heath." While Jarrod spoke politely she could see the wariness in his eyes and the downright coolness in Heath's.

For a moment she said nothing then nodded towards the empty chairs, "If you trust me not to bite you go ahead and sit down." She was grateful they had not found her until she'd started making sense out of what Nick had asked her to do. She'd felt like an idiot as she remembered the talks she'd had with Nick concerning her brother and all the things that had taken place the night he and a few of his friends had been shanghaied. One by one the pieces had fallen into place for her.

"Let's get one thing straight," she sat back in her chair and looked at Heath, "I'm not the enemy. Thatcher is. If we can't agree on that there's I've wasted a good portion of my day waiting for you."

Waiting for them? Jarrod and Heath were more confused than ever. Why would Nick's wife/or should they say 'apparent widow' have cause to wait? Surely Nick would have told her where he lived along with everything else a man would tell the woman he was going to spend a lifetime with.

"There was no need for you to wait!" Heath spoke forcefully but did not raise his voice. Jarrod put his hand on his brother's upper arm with a warning look in his eyes.

If she didn't know how it felt to lose someone you dearly loved and cared about Anna might have let her own temper show its head as it was she stood up and quietly, but firmly, spoke, "Don't ya know the last thing a body should do is assume things? They usually wind up apologizin' later," she look at Jarrod, "My guess is you would like to put Thatcher away for a good many years but," she put on her jacket, "personally? I have every intention of watching the law hang him. If you care to hear the rest follow me." Anna walked out the door without looking back.