Man of Honor

Chapter Five

Jarrod rode Jingo alongside the buggy Heath was driving, as Rebecca sat beside him with her hands clasped together sitting as tall as straight as she could. She was more than aware of the looks people were throwing their way as they drove into town. It made her more than uncomfortable as she was sure she knew what they were thinking. Though, she didn't know what she could do about it either. Her mind turned to her late husband and the fact that she was praying like crazy that Heath and his two brothers would be successful in clearing Hank's name. By the time the three of them sat in the Fred's office, Rebecca was more than ready to be off the streets of Stockton, away from the stares and gossipy mouths of its residents.

"What can I do for you?" Fred asked after everyone was seated. He knew whatever the three needed had to be serious. How could it be otherwise? Two of the Barkley's in his office, at the same time, with a stranger, it couldn't mean anything but trouble for someone. Question was…who?

Jarrod turned to Rebecca and nodded towards the good lawman. "Tell him everything you've told us."

Rebecca looked from Jarrod to Heath, who both gave her nods of encouragement, and then to Fred, who was waiting patiently for her to speak. She took a deep breath and began, "It's like this…" she went on to repeat the whole story once again finishing with the fact that her husband was buried just outside the town of Hazard.

They were all surprised when Fred picked up some wanted posters and, going through the small stack, pulled one out and handed it to Rebecca. The name at the bottom read 'Hank Wilson'. "Is that your husband?"

Rebecca took the picture and looked at it. From a quick glance it looked like her late husband; however, upon closer inspection, she knew it wasn't. It was the man she and Hank had seen in Carson City. "No," she answered as she looked up at Fred, pointing to a slight scar that was on the cheek of the man in the poster, "Hank never had any scar, except on the back of his left thumb, cut himself while whittlin' on a piece of wood. He looks like the feller that we saw the day I told you about."

After she'd finished speaking, Rebecca handed the lawman the poster back. He leaned back in his chair and said nothing for a moment. Finally, he started speaking. "That man has robbed four more banks and killed three more people in the past year. He's fast becoming a very wanted man." Fred sighed and shook his head. "I don't like to ask that a grave be disturbed only; in order to do anything law wise, I have to have proof of what you're saying. If I don't have it, there's no authority above me that's going to listen to me. You understand that?" He looked at Rebecca with one eyebrow raised slightly.

"So, both Heath and Mist…" she stopped as Jarrod gave her a look that said "who"? She smiled and corrected herself. "Jarrod has explained that to me. I must admit, I guess I knew that all along; I just didn't want to admit it to myself."

"What about Weaver?" Heath leaned forward a few inches and asked. After what had happened the day before, he wanted to know if Fred could do anything. Heath also explained what he feared the man might try claiming should he find out where Mr. Wilson was laid. In that he was to be disappointed.

"All I can say is post at least three 'Do Not Trespass' signs somewhere on your property for right now, make sure they're not close together. That way there's more chance of men like Weaver seeing them. If he continues to step onto your property and try to talk to Mrs. Wilson I will have a severe talk with him and remind him that no one is allowed to harrass anyone. If he breaks a law when he's around you. I could also do something. As it is…." He turned up his hands in resignation. "He hasn't done anything illegal yet, annoying and stupid, yes, but illegal?" He paused and then added, "The thing is, until I have a body to back up Mrs. Wilson's claim, I can't do a blasted thing to stop him from looking, though I could send some telegrams off, let other lawmen know I have good reason to believe they have the wrong name on these posters. It might take some pressure off you for awhile ma'am." Fred turned and looked at Rebecca.

"Thank you." Rebecca smiled at the sheriff with the friendly smile and sparkling eyes. She liked this lawman. He listened; he was being as polite as all the Barkley's been. For the first time since she'd found her husband shot to death, Rebecca felt extremely hopeful that Hank's name would be cleared.

"We'd appreciate that, Fred." Jarrod said as his brother and their guest stood up and shook hands with their friend. "Why don't you do that? I think we best get going." However, when Jarrod, Heath and Rebecca headed for the door, Fred stopped them.

"You know," He said as he stepped away from his desk, "if Weaver is refusing to listen to you then he'll be tailing you wherever you go. I mean, you said he's convinced Mrs. Wilson here isn't being straight. Also, I think you might be right; he'll lie to himself just to keep himself on this hunt of his."

Heath wasn't sure what Fred was getting at and he didn't feel like standing around in the office guessing. "What are you thinking?"

Fred looked from one brother to another and then went onto suggest what Jarrod was already having Nick do, contact the Pinkerton Agency and let them send someone to Hazard to bring the body back. When Jarrod started chuckling, the lawman let out a 'humph'. "Don't tell me; there's a reason Nick didn't come in to see me also." Somehow, he wasn't surprised when Jarrod, Heath and Rebecca all started laughing and then walked out the door.

Once outside, Rebecca turned to Jarrod and Heath. While she felt strongly that the Pinkertons could get her husband's body, and bring it safely to Stockton, she didn't know what to think about the feeling that everything was not yet right. Heath and Jarrod must have felt it too. Jarrod insisted that Heath take Rebecca straight back to the ranch while he went and met Nick, who was the one sending off the telegram to the Pinkerton Agency. Rebecca might have fought it only she was tired and wanted to rest. She just hoped Weaver would keep his distance for the time being; she didn't want to face dealing with him quite yet.