Guns And Switches Chapter 17: The Pearl Handle Gun

Previously:

After dealing with Alexandra's disobedience, the pair join Marty and the family for lunch; brunch to be exact. Adam and Marty announce their engagement.

~oOo~

'Brunch' that's a dandy word that dad uses. He said they made it up when he was at the university in Boston when theys were too late ta eat breakfast and too early ta eat lunch so they jist done made a whole new word for a meal. Marty said that in Australia, they can have a bit of tucker anytime of the day. Anyway brunch was pretty good, not jist the food. Grandpa called it a wonderful affair, with everybody almost as excited as Marty and Dad about thems being betrothed an all, their upcoming nocturnals.

Dad reckons he's gonna find it hard ta wait. He has ta hold off marrying Marty until after this year's trail drive. Grandpa reckons that he should be real busy and won't have too much time to ba thinking about the weddin an all. Don't know why he's in such a hurry, though I reckon there will be some mighty good food there. But we are gonna have ta dress up in our best frippery says Uncle Hoss. Guess we can do that jist for an hour or so. Dad's gonna be busy with getting the stock to market so he won't really have enough time to himself ta think about Marty. Dad's in charge he's the ram rod.

Marty giggled when Uncle Joe called him that. Uncle Joe's going again this year and Hop Sing he's goin as the cook. I wonder where I'm gonna stay, though I don't see why I can't go. Grandpa said somethin about bein billeted out, like he done when Joe was little and he and Hop Sing both had ta go on the trail ride. Don't know what that means. Marty reckons I could probably stay with her and that it would be a great opportunity for me and her to really bond. Billeted and bondin'; sounds kinda dangerous. Might be alright iffin Marty can stay at the Ponderosa with me. We could go ridin and fishing. She said she'd teach me ta swim. Yep that might be real good. We could miss dad together that way and wouldn't be so lonely.

Marty talked about when she went on a cattle drive with her brothers. She reckons she would love ta go on one here. She could be a real asset an all, cause she's a nurse and could help ifin anyone got hurt. Dad nearly choked on his champagne, and then jist said; "Hmmmm". I could tell he really meant over my dead body, but Marty was sooo happy all afternoon, I guess he didn't want ta have an argument with her.

He was a bit more happier when she started talkin about the mid wives she was gonna be training. There kind of like nurses that jist deliver babies. I don't think dad's too keen on the idea of Marty working at the clinic after theys are married, but she had started training a few of the ladies in midwifery, which would take a large load offa Doc Martin's hands, especially like now and next spring when there seems a lot of more babies born. You'd reckon momma and papa's would be too cold during the winter ta spit in each other's mouth like that, but I guess it's a good time ta have babies cause a lot of the dad's then goes away on the cattle drives, so it keeps everybody busy. I guess too them fathers get sleep on the cattle drives. The baby calf's sound like youngins though, I reckon they could get lonely for their own youngins. I wonder ifin dad and Marty are gonna get a baby too when theys come back from the drive. Maybe that's why Marty wants ta go on the cattle drive ta get a baby now, so she don't have ta wait till next winter when it's too cold.

I heard dad tell grandpa that he would allow Marty the excitement over working at the clinic, but they were going to have to discuss it sooner or later, and that maybe once there were others that were trained as baby nurses, Marty would be happy to settle down and jist be a rancher's wife.

Corse dad never said No, or I want ya ta do as I say. He turned all the talk back to this year's drive, sayin' that there was much to organise with the wedding seeing that Hop Sing was away. I wonder ifin Marty knows how bossy dad can be and that he don't liked ta be disobeyed, that's real big no no, that an lying and getting inta situations that could get you or anyone hurt. Believe me I knows what happens when dad has ta remind ya about that. I'm still not all that comfortable from this morning's discussion. Thank goodness we got the fancy buggy ta drive home in. It has padded seats.

It was closer to three o'clock by the time we finished up at brunch which was closer ta supper time really. Maybe it shoulda been called Sprunch. We done drove Marty home. She was real happy when she showed Mrs Wilburns the ring dad gave her and my flowers. Then Mrs Wilburns got real excited and kissed dad and congratulated them. Then she started fussin about plans for the wedding. She even offered fer me ta be billeted with her and Marty when dad and all the Cartwright household went away on the trail drive. I reckon I've got about four weeks ta convince dad that that ain't such a good idea. I woulda done it there an then when she suggested it, but dad jist stared at me with them eyebrows when I told him; I was gonna upchuck my Sprunch over her the sticky nose big bum face. Corse I didn't say sticky nose big bum in front of Mrs Wilburns I jist thought it. Dad don't like me saying the word; bum.

We are going to the sheriff's office now, cause dad promised Sheriff Roy that he would come and pay the fines. Ta tells ya the truth I'm a little bit nervous about seeing the sheriff again. But Dad said it's the last thing we hafta ta do ta make the Tree house Gangs night of chaos right. And after I help Hop Ling with the laundry next week, we'll be all square and forgiven, so best get it over with. Dad's says he's really jist looking forward to a nice quiet night at home.

~oOo~

Adam tethered the horse and buggy outside the sheriff's office and helped Alexandra down.

"Why do I have ta come in, Dad? I cin jist wait here for ya ta finish up."

"You have to because it's not safe for you to be sitting in a buggy all by yourself. The horses may get spooked and take off, " explained Adam , though he was more concerned that Alex might take off in it on her own, especially after Mrs Wilburns offered to take care of her while they were away, next month.

"I could hold them, Dad; I could pull them up iffin..."

"No you couldn't Alexandra. You also need to come with me I know you may not like to have to face Sheriff Coffee again, but I'm paying the fines your tree house gang are responsible for and you should be aware that was another consequence of the shenanigans you and your gang caused last night."

"Okaaay Dad, I get it. Are we gonna hafta pay yer back?"

"Yes, I'll think of something your little troupe can do to make up for the cost. So come on let's face this together."

Roy looked up from his desk. "Adam; I was expecting yer around noon."

"Sorry Roy, we got a bit carried away with the announcement and the celebrations."

Roy laughed and patted Adam on the back. "I know, Ben's just been here with a smile so big, he dang near pushed his own ears off."

Alex laughed.

"Oh yer think that's funny do yer, Missy," said Roy, feigning annoyance as he tickled the child.

Alex visibly relaxed. Sheriff Coffee was back to his old self again and obviously not holding a grudge.

"Careful Sheriff Roy, I jist drunk a whole glass of champagne, I'll have an accident if in yer keep tickling me like that."

"A whole glass of champagne, hey?"

Adam stood behind Alex and shook his head, then indicated he only given Alex a small amount of the liquid. Adam winked at Roy as they played along with Alexandra's exaggeration and excitement. "Sorry Roy, I hope I haven't kept you away from anything important."

"No, Adam its fine I have prisoners here that have to be watched. They are being arraigned tomorrow at the courthouse. Old Henry's gonna do the night shift for me after supper."

"Well then, I should pay any fines and damages due for last night."

"There ain't too many fines, Adam or damages neither; Twenty dollars should cover Hop Lings -and the other clothing expenses caused by the glue, but no other major damage was done. The fine's a dollar a piece for causing a public nuisance, so that makes it twenty eight dollars all together twenty nine if I count Marty's prank, but consider it an engagement present," he laughed.

Adam looked at Alexandra, making her blush. "How much pocket money do you get Alexandra if you do all your chores?"

"Fifty cents a week."

"Hmmm, so how long do you think it would take you to earn twenty eight dollars?"

Alex screwed up her face and calculated ... Fifty six weeks... Gosh dad that's over a year.

"Fifty six weeks? How did you get that number?"

"Well it be fifty six weeks ifin I gave ya ma pocket money every week, but I'd need some money fer birthday presents and Christmas presents and the poor box , plus the entry fee for the sling shot competition at the Easter fair, cause I'm the champion and I hafta defend ma title. So that's two dollars apiece for birthdays jist in the family, plus momma and now Marty so that's; twelve dollars times two fer Christmas that's; twenty four, plus a penny for the entry fee, and fifty cents fer the poor box so that's; twenty four dollars and fifty one cents, which would take me forty nine weeks and I day ta save up for. Which is only three weeks short of a year, then I'm gonna hafta start all over again. So in one year I'd only pay off a dollar and a half so it would take me twenty seven years ta pay it off, but iffin, I calculate that maybe,I'd get a increase in my allowance; probably about a dollar a week over the next year, at a dollar a year and I still only spent twenty four dollars on all the other things, minus the fifty cents a year, cause I probably won't enter the sling shot competition again, that would mean; I could have it paid off in about…"

"Stop, Adam I'll pay the fine myself," said a flabbergasted Roy.

Alex smiled.

Adam frowned, "NO. Okay so let's s imagine you not getting any pocket money for a year."

Alex slumped. "Boy this has been the biggest lesson I done ever learned."

"Good," said Roy. "That's what I like to here. Well except for a couple of firearms that ain't been picked up yet, consider the incident over."

"Oh who hasn't collected their guns?" asked Adam.

Roy walked over and pulled out the box holding the weapons. "There are three; two of them belong to the Hunter brothers. This third ones a might different, though. Reckon it belongs to the dandy looking fella that was in the saloon last night. I'll have a look and see if he's staying there as a guest. Can't believe he hasn't missed it."

Roy held the small gun up. It was well polished silver with a cream inlaid pearl handle.

Alexandra's eyes went wide, and then she gasped. "That's that same…"

Roy continued on; not hearing Alexandra's gasp. "It's seems more of lady's gun than a man's, except maybe for a gambler, or a sneaky dude who likes at keep a gun concealed."

Adam looked at Alexandra, ready to jump on any argument she might start up with about women owning weapons when he noticed her expression. He expected curiosity, but instead he perceived fear.

"Alexandra what is it? It's not loaded is it, Roy?"

"Sure is, Adam."

"No dad, you don't understand; momma had a gun jist like that. It belonged to Grandma Williameena. Momma's Papa' Ardelle gave it to grandma when she left Georgia. It's jist like momma's gun."

Adam frowned, "You say a smart looking gentleman was at the saloon last night?' asked Adam.

"Yeah," said Roy, "looked like a city fella." Roy went on to describe the man after putting the gun back in the box.

Alexandra walked over to it and picked it up and examined it. Her eyes grew wider.

Adam caught her out of the corner of his eye and pounced immediately, "Alexandra put that gun down."

Alex instantly obeyed, yet careful as she placed the gun back in the box.

Adam rounded Roy and grabbed Alex by her arm and pulled her away landing two hard swats to her backside. "Little girl you are going to be the death of me."

"OW, ow, sorry dad, but it more than looks like momma's gun; it is momma's gun!" she demanded, as she rubbed the smart out of her rump. Alex then pointed to the small gun lying in the box. "Look at it. Momma's gun had a chip in the handle; in the white part. Grandma said she dropped it a long time ago before I was born and the white pearl bit broke off. Ivan put a little bit of silver in its place, but it was a little charm from Delilah's bracelet. It was a theatre mask, Daddy. Look at it; ain't no other gun like it in the whole world. It's momma's gun. Truly it is."

Adam turned back to the box and lifted the gun out and sure enough the corner of the pearl inlaid of the handle grip had been chipped and a silver charm had been patched in its place; the smiling face of a theatre mask.

A chilling realisation came to Adam. "This feller Roy, you stay he's staying at the saloon?"

"Not sure Adam. So it is Alex's mother's gun, then?"

"Yeah it appears it is, Roy."

"What could that mean?"

"I'm not sure, but Hiram is expecting a visit from a man called Hallett; Frank Garner- Hallett."

"No daddy, you done said he was dead!" Alex yelled fear tipping the edge of her voice.

Adam went over to her and picked her up. "It's okay Alex it's not the first Frank Hallett; it's his son his name is Frank Hallett too."

"Then he was the man I saw that day, dad. He was the man that said he was gonna hurt mamma and you and me, dad. Sheriff Roy yer hafts put him in jail."

"Can't do that little missy, but I won't be giving back his gun."

"Okay Roy, don't give him back the gun, but you'll have to make up some kind of excuse, if he comes in for it. I'm meeting with Hiram tomorrow and I'm sure he'll turn up there. I know why he is here. I don't want him getting suspicious, so delay him as long as you can, I don't want him to take off. I've got a few questions for him, but first we'll need to check out a few things in Elk.

"Okay Adam. But what's this all about?"

Adam set Alex down on her feet, but kept her close by him. "Frank Garner – Hallett is the son of Frank Hallett. His father owned the Star And Garter in Elk over ten years ago. He was the man I shot, Roy when I was seventeen and first met Katherine and well…"

"That's when my momma and daddy made me Sherriff Roy," piped up Alexandra, and then hugged her father around the waist.

Adam hurried on before his blush could take over. "He is laying claim to the theatre that is now in my Molly's and Alex's name; with me as caretaker. He's saying that Williameena and therefore Katherine obtained ownership illegally. Alex also saw a man, her mother referred to as Frank Hallett a week before Katherine shot Darcy Plummer. He threatened both Katherine and Alex."

"Oh well then, if he is this Frank Hallett, I'll find a way ta keep him here in town, but he could jist be a man that procured the gun honestly... Say in a pawn shop or in a poker game."

"No, Molly wouldn't a given it away and she don't gamble, Mr Roy!" exclaimed Alex.

"Alex is right Roy. Katherine would not have given him the gun, or Molly sell it. It's suspicious that he has it."

"True Adam; mighty suspicious, but If I don't give it back to him, he won't have possession of it, then you may not be able to prove anything."

"Well, stall him before you give it back. Get him to make out a report of stolen property describing it, but If you give it straight back to him he might hide it or throw it away."

" Smart thinkin', Adam."

"Thanks Roy, do what you can. I need to send a wire to the Sherriff in Elk. Ask if Katherine's gun was gathered as evidence. I don't remember it mentioned during the trial. Also find out what gun was used to shoot Darcy Plummer. I just presumed it was a gun Katherine had. I'm going to wire Molly, see what she knows about it. See if this Frank Hallett has been in contact with her."

"You think he mighta killed this Darcy and not Katherine?" asked Roy.

Alexandra suddenly looked up at her father. Adam patted her shoulder. "Ah, I don't know, but I believe he scared Katherine so much, that she believed he was Frank Hallett senior; that in her mental state she was reliving the incident from ten years ago. I think she mistook Darcy for Frank; she may have well shot Darcy thinking she was defending herself from harm. They alone are strong grounds for her appeal."

"And he wants ta kill my daddy, Sherriff Roy, yer can't let him."

"I won't, Alexandra."

"I don't think he wants to kill me sweetheart. He just wants the theater; The Star And Garter. He thinks he has a claim to it seeing his father owned before he died."

"Well jist give it to him, dad, take his gun away and jist give him the theater and tell him to go away from us and never come back."

"I can't Alexandra it is not mine to give. Molly owns half and the rest is held in trust for you and your momma's medical expenses."

"I don't want it dad, he can have my share just tell him to go away."

"Alexandra I can do that, but Hiram has to draw up all the papers to make it legal, but I'm going to be asking him some questions first, and if he is the man that threatened you and your momma, I won't be handing over anything. And besides I don't think Molly would want him for a business partner. But if he has a right to it, I'll pay him for his share."

"No daddy, just give him the money and tell him to go away. I will pay you back for momma's bills, when I grow up, I will pay everything back I promise, just tell him to go away."

Adam bent down and put his arms around Alex and quietly said, "Settle down, Alexandra. I will sort this out Roy will be with me. Come on I'll send those wires off and we can get straight home, Okay. You don't have to see him."

"Okay daddy, I'm just scared. I'm guess I'm not very brave after all. I'm not scared for me, I'm scared he'll hurt you then I'll have nobody, nobody left."

"Alex, sweetheart, you have a big family; uncles, grandpa and all the family at the theater and now you have Marty as well. If anything did happen to me you would have lots of people that loved you and lots of places where you belong. But this man will not hurt me. And I'm going to make sure he doesn't hurt you. I also think that if we prove he was the man that threatened you and your momma, him having her gun will also prove that he was there, then we may have new evidence and good grounds for an appeal for your momma."

"So tha means she gets to come home, maybe?"

"Maybe, but at least she gets out of the jail's hospital and I can get her better care… Care that I will pay for. You never have to worry about that."

"Alright then, but Dad be careful and you too, Sheriff Roy and don't give him back momma's gun. Don't give him no gun."

"We will, Alexandra. Why don't you stay here why I get those wires sent."

"Okay,Dad."

"Good girl," said Adam then brushed Alex's hair away from her eyes before leaving.

Roy saw Adam out the door, then turned around and grabbed the box with the guns in it and headed over to the safe to lock them away.

"Can I say hello to the Hunter brothers, Sherriff Roy?" asked Alex as she walked towards the solid doors that lead to the cells.

"Sure don't see why not, but I'm gonna leave the door open." Roy sat the box down on top of the safe and retrieved the key to the cell room doors from the hook board above. He then opened the cell block and allowed Alexandra to enter.

Ted and Jack Hunter sat up when they heard the key turn in the door and watched Alexandra peek her head around the opening before entering the small corridor and stand outside their cell.

"Hey fellers, you sleep better once we was gone?' she asked cheerfully.

"Yeah, kid it was a lot more peaceful. So how did ya pull up after your stint behind bars?" smirked Ted the older Hunter brother.

"Not too bad, I guess. My dad had a serious discussion with me this morning," grimaced Alex.

"I bet he did, his words still ringing in yer ears I hope. Yer don't want ta end up like us now do ya.?"

"It ain't my ears that are ringing, its ma tails that stingin'!"

"Oh well, guess that's fair enough too."

"Yep, but heck you guys ain't that bad are ya, really. Yer wouldn't hurt anyone would ya?"

"Wouldn't want to, so I guess we kinda lucky we didn't have them guns. Young Jack here's only eighteen, I wouldn't like ta see my baby brother hung fer murder," answered Ted in all sincerity.

"Aww Ted, I ain't a baby," complained Jack.

"Yer young enough! Yer shouldn't be involved in a life a crime. I done ya a real disservice kid. I'm sorry. But, I promise yer when we get outta jail, we find a good job, maybe I cin try and get yer a trade somewhere," pondered Ted.

Jack choked back the emotion his brother's words evoked and then swung his head around to look at Alexandra through the bars. "Well kid, I guess you get ta start afresh now too. Yer done ya penance and yer gotta clean slate. That's a good thing."

"Sure is exceptin', I got me some more concerns," frowned Alex.

"Ohh?"

"Yep this man; a bad man scared my momma and wants ta get rid of my daddy. My dad's goin ta send a wire to another Sherriff ta help Sherriff Roy and him stop him from hurtin anybody. But it's gonna be hard because, they might hafta wait and the bad man might get away or worse hurt my daddy. So Sherriff Roys gonna keep his gun away from him fer as long as he can, so that will at least help… won't it? Cause, jist like you if he ain't got a gun then he can't shoot anyone. I jist hope Sheriff Roy can act real good, though, because ifin he gets suspicious he might get real nasty."

Alexandra took a huge breath, ready to continue on, but stopped when Ted held up his hand. "I get the general idea."

"Gee kid that sounds real bad," said Jack.

Ted nudged his younger brother, "Hey don't scare the kid even more," he whispered, and then turned back to Alexandra. " hey, but you said it that Sherriff reals smart and as long as that bad man, ain't got a gun then he can't hurt yer daddy, Right!" explained Ted.

"Yeah," smiled Alexandra. "Thanks fellers. Hope all goes well at your orangutan tomorrow."

"Our what?"

"Your orang-utan; the Sherriff, gonna take yer over to the court house ta have yer officially charged in front of the judge."

"Oh I thought an orangutan was like a big monkey," said Jack.

"Me too," admitted Alex, "but I guess ifin the judge decides yer guilty or ifin yer gonna have a trial and end up behind bars, I guess they call it that, cause it's like monkeys in the zoo."

Ted laughed, "kid you are the funniest thing… we ain't monkeys, somehow I don't think ya got the right word there. Jist the same, we won't be needin' no trial. We's gonna plead guilty to attempted robbery. The Sherriff in there's gonna put in a good word fer us. Hopefully the judge will go easy and we'll only get a year up at the state pen."

"I'll put in a good word fer ya ifin that will help," offered Alexandra.

"Thanks, we might jist take yer up on it. But don't you worry none, we'll be right. Besides, ifin the Sheriff and your daddy catch that bad man and he end up in here will punch him on the nose fer yer."

"Ya will?"

"Yep, and we'll tell him he better leave our friend Alexandra and her dad alone or else."

"Gee thanks, fellers."

"You're welcome, now you better get going…"

"And ask that old coot in there, ifin our suppers commin on time tonight; we're starvin," interrupted Jack.

"I will, but I won't call Sherriff coffee old coot, he might look real old but he's real clever," declared Alexandra.

"Yeah kid we're only joshin," apologised Ted.

Alexandra waved and headed back into Roys office where she found him sitting at his desk by the door writing reports.

"Hey Sherriff, Jack and Ted are hungry, they getting supper soon?"

"Yep, Old Henry's bringing it over, then minding the place while I get some shut eye."

Roy, stood up and went back to the cell door and poked his head in, delivering the news to the boys about their supper. While he was there, Alexandra noticed the box of guns still on top of the safe. She walked over to it and eyed her mother's gun. Checking to see that Roy was still busy at the cell block door, she picked up the gun, emptied the barrel and hid it in her drawers under her petticoats. She then held onto the only two bullets that were in the gun. Alex quickly straightened her dress, before Roy returned. "Hey sheriff you gonna lock these guns up?" asked Alexandra and she picked up the box and bent down then placed it in the safe.

"Child, don't you touch them. Goodness, dang forgot to lock them away; too busy listenin at the door. I thank yer for remindin' me." Roy walked over to the safe and closed the heavy door and shut down the handle then spun the dial, without checking the contents of the box.

Alex smiled; at least Sherriff Roy wouldn't hafta lie about not havin the gun ifin that Frank Hallett came in, and there's no way that Frank Hallett is gunna have a gun that he could use ta shoot my dad. Alexandra knewwas taking a big chance that her theft would be quickly discovered and she was pretty sure she would be in real trouble with both Roy and her father when they found out; however, at least they would be safe.

~oOo~

Adam and Alexandra arrived home just before supper. Alexandra had hidden her mother's gun as soon as they had arrived home while her father was unhitching the buggy. Hop Sing had prepared a small meal, after their large lunch, and the family enjoyed a quiet night. Alexandra had fallen asleep at the table, and Hoss had carried her up to bed and tucked her in.

While Joe went out to the barn to finish the evening's chores, Adam and Ben took their coffee over to the big room and sat in their favorite chairs by the fire.

"Pa, I want to ask you about Frank Hallett; senior and what happen ten years ago in Elk."

"Still haven't put all the pieces together, Adam?"

"Only a few, Pa…." Adam then went on to explain Hiram's details of the claims and the recent discovery of Katherine's gun turning up.

"Seems strange that this man has Katherine's gun. If he is this Frank Hallett junior, he may well have killed Darcy and not Katherine after all."

"Roy suggested the same thing, and I have to tell you my gut tells me he had something to do with it all that night, but I didn't want to discuss that in front of Alex. I also can't prove it. And until I can get some more information from Elk, I'm not going to push that barrow. It seems Frank Garner- Hallett claims that his father's share of the theater was illegal obtained have some merit. If I can sort that out, perhaps I can use the lure of the theatre and a payout to at least have him testify that he visited Katherine, and scared her enough that she shot Darcy in self defence. It will strengthen her appeal tenfold. If I get proof that there may have been more to it than that I will let Roy interview him."

"That way Katherine will be exonerated."

"Yes, but still not well enough to come home, I fear."

Ben Nodded, "Okay, so what do you need to know about the first incident ten years ago?"

"Well, was the theatre illegally obtained?"

"Well I guess it might appear that way. But, then everything was legal and above board; the Sheriff even witnessed the sale. Frank Hallett's brother sold his share of the theater, after his brother was buried."

"Okay Pa, but how did that all come about and who bought it? I know the reason Frank was so angry that night was because Williameena had bought his forfeit notes from the bank. He was arguing with her about it, threatening her. Katherine and I were sneaking back from an afternoon picnic at the waterhole up near the number two mine. Katherine saw Frank at the window in her mother's dressing room. She went running in. I chased after her but they wouldn't let me in the front doors. The evening burlesque was on, so the minders at the door kicked me out. By the time I got through the basement door and through the back stage vomitories and tunnels, Frank was accosting Katherine; he'd already knocked Williameena almost unconscious. Molly ran in just as I jumped Frank. I remember getting pelted, Molly screaming, Katherine sobbing… then not much else. I remember struggling a bit and then the gun going off and me hitting the floor, I thought I had been shot."

"No you weren't but you were in a bad way as was Katherine. She was black and blue all over, her clothes ripped. The doctors weren't real sure what else Frank had attempted, but they were certain; whatever his intentions were, you put a stop to them. Frank Hallett tried to shoot you. You hit your head when he slammed you against the door jam, trying to get you to release your hold on the gun he held in his hand, but the gun went off. It hit him in the thigh, damaging one of his major arteries. The doctor had to take his leg off to try and stop the bleeding, but he ended up dying two days later. You were unconscious with a severe concussion for nearly five days. Then of course your memory was pretty jaded for months. There Sherriff was able to piece together the story from Williameena and Molly."

"And then you helped Katherine and Williameena get out of town," said Adam.

"Yes, the Sheriff thought it would be best. Williameena had been paying out Hallett's bank forfeits and eventually owned half the theatre's bank notes. Hallett was angry about that. He had been gambling away a lot of the profits and wasn't meeting his loans. Williameena confronted him. She told him, that she would eventually stop the sporting house activities and develop the theater just as that; an entertainment venue not a front for a brothel. Hallett was furious. Williameena told him that she understood it would take some time, and for some of the girls that sort of work was their only means of income and survival, but she hoped that over the next two years she could change it all…Train the girls in other facets of the theater. She wanted to buy Hallett completely out but l didn't have enough money to do that, but with her fifty percent of the profits she would aim to do that. She was totally upfront with him, though only after she had bought his bank notes out from underneath him."

"So who bought Hallett's share from his brother, how did the whole lot end up in Willameena's hands?"

Ben looked Adam square in the eye. "I did."

"What?"

"I bought Frank's share of the theater. It was valued by the bank and witnessed by Willameena's lawyers and the Sheriff. I paid a good price. Then I had my share put in Katherine's and Molly's names. Williameena paid me back from her profits. She got Ivan to take over as manage and took Katherine and Molly away. Katherine was still traumatised, so Williameena took them back to Georgia."

Adam paced the hearth in front of the big fire. "Why did you do that, Pa, did you know that Katherine was with child?"

"No I didn't. Not yours or anyone's. Katherine needed to be somewhere safe. For a while, Williameena stayed in Georgia with family there. But, they couldn't stay and eventually joined up with the De Foe's; Willameena's carnival family, where Katherine had her baby. Again, I never knew about the child. Williameena sent me letters, with the loan repayments, but never mentioned Alexandra. She had paid off the entire debt to me within two years and I never heard from her again."

Adam had stopped his pacing. "Molly told me that Williameena took them back to Georgia hoping that Katherine's father; Ardelle would help. But he shunned them again."

"I don't think it was quite like that. Oh, Ardelle was no true gentleman, but he wasn't as bad as some of the big plantation owners of Georgia. Molly was his child, born from one of his slaves. Then he had an affair with Williameena."

"Katherine told me her mother loved him. Williameena believed he would marry her."

"I think Ardelle wanted too, but his family prohibited it. His family had arranged a marriage with the daughter of another wealthy land owner. They paid Williameena off; that's where she got some of the money to buy Hallett's first lot of bank notes. Ardelle also asked her to take Molly. He loved the child, but would never be able to have her around the big house and he was loathed to see her sold as a slave. The child's mother agreed that Williameena could take her. Williameena passed her off as her dresser, but considered her a daughter."

"She was Katherine's half sister; I knew that."

"Yes and quarter African. Katherine's father may have sent them away again, but he didn't send them away penniless. In some ways it wouldn't surprise me if Williameena decided to leave anyway. Thinking that it was best for Ardelle's position in society and his family that she leave. She didn't want Katherine being shunned either."

"Well then this Frank Garner– Hallett could have a case. If I've been the cause of his father's death and Williameena became the benefactor of his estate, even though you provided the financing, you the father of the man that killed his father. Not to mention the fact that Molly's biracial blood excludes her from owning property, even though she is a free woman."

"Perhaps, but I will fight Adam. You were a boy of seventeen. Everything was above board. Frank Hallett was running a house of ill repute. Williameena was trying to change that and give those girls some dignity, including her two daughters. Frank Hallett attacked her, Katherine and you. He was killed in self defence. The Sherriff concluded that. His own brother accepted that. I will fight it."

"Thanks, Pa, so will I."

"Good, I have copies of all the paperwork. I will go with you to Hiram's office tomorrow."

Adam nodded, "okay, now, how about a nightcap, Pa?"

"Good idea, Adam, pour them will you."

Adam walked over to the side table and poured two small glasses of bourbon from the decanter.

"Pa? Just one more thing, I've never asked you… and I don't know why; I guess a bit of shame, embarrassment… I …"

"Adam, ask me what you need to."

Adam handed his father the glass then took a swig of his own. "Frank Hallett attacked Katherine, he didn't have time to do anything… anything worse, but you couldn't have known that. You also didn't know that Katherine and I had made love or that she could have been pregnant with my child… yet…"

"If I'd known Adam, I would have not let Williameena travel back to Georgia; she would have been offered a home here. I did not know how serious your relationship had become, if I had I…"

"So you would not have paid them off…"

Ben stood up, "Adam Stoddard Cartwright… if you… if you…" he said frustrated.

Adam held up his hand, "Pa, I know, I know… It's just that you could not have been sure that Alexandra was even mine. It must have crossed your mind when I wired you I was coming home with mine and Katherine's child. "

"It did Adam, but it didn't matter. Just like it didn't matter those five days you were unconscious. I would have helped them, and I was going to open my arms to a child; a child whose mother had struggled to raise in God knows whatever circumstances. It was the same decision you made. You could not have been a hundred percent sure at the time either."

"I am my father's son, Pa," laughed Adam. "You're right I wasn't sure at the time that Alexandra was my child. Katherine's lawyer informed me after Katherine's trial. It wasn't until then that I knew of Alexandra. I remember wondering how… Hoss was with me. I actually think I asked that question. Hoss laughed; he said, he'd draw me a picture later. Katherine and I were so naïve; convinced that a girl couldn't conceive the first time they made love. Evidently, some of the girls at the theater had told her that. Anyway, once I saw Alexandra, it didn't matter. I felt the connection; she was a fiery little thing and I could see Katherine in her, but … I don't know there was something else. Whatever that was, I knew one thing for certain; that history was not going to repeat itself. Katherine's child, Alexandra, would have a father and a safe home to grow up in, full of love and acceptance. Katherine had been traumatised by Frank Hallett's attack and then with the shooting of Darcy. It was her only defence at the trial. It saved her from hanging, but the judge still declared her criminally insane." Adam stopped and drank the last drop of his bourbon. They remained in silence for a brief moment; both father and son staring into the warm glow of the fire. "I can't tell you, Pa, how much I've appreciated your support and acceptance of all this especially … well especially considering my…"

"Adam, especially considering you're, what? You're impropriety? Well, young man and that's just what you were; young and irresponsible and smitten. It's easy to take chances and get carried away. But, I'll tell you this; that child up there is my flesh and blood just as she is yours."

"I have no doubts, Pa, not now anyway. She is definitely a Cartwright."

"Neither do I, Adam, but I'll tell you why I know."

Ben drank the last drop of his bourbon and handed Adam the glass as he passed him on his way to his large desk. There he rummaged through the bottom drawer and then pulled out a well worn journal. He opened it and walked back to Adam. "This was my first Journal; my first voyage. I was fourteen, and indentured to your grandfather for four years as his cabin boy." Between the pages of the book he pulled out a drawing and handed it to Adam. "Your mother was such a good artist Adam, just like you. She gave me this self portrait the day before we sailed. It booked marked every one of my entries to the journal I made."

Adam took it and looked at the hand colored lithograph of a young girl, about the age of thirteen. The resemblance to Alexandra was there, subtle in some characteristics but very apparent in others such as the smile…

A cheeky grin that lite up the little girl's whole face, including her bright green eyes.

TBC. Alexandra Williameena Cartwright.

A.N. Well that's the next chapter… a little bit more of Katherine's story. I hope it makes sense… Lots and lots of hugs to Lajoci for helping me with Chapter.

I also owe another author some kudos. Many years ago I read a great story about a young Adam Cartwright. It was the stimulus for this story, a sort of ….but what if this really happened… From that notion, Alexandra's character was conceived. I contacted the author on several occasions, but got no response. Having some theatre experience, I really like her/his setting and story premise and had given Alexandra's mother a similar history. Though there is a lot I have changed, the setting remained similar, just a different town and different characters and to some extent genre. I wanted the author's blessing, I guess, or at the very least to give a public acknowledgement for the stimulus. Due to the fact that he/she hasn't responded, I can only presume that they do not want that. I hope it's because they are writing bigger and better stuff now, because that wouldn't surprise me. It was a dramatic and wonderfully written story. I just hope I haven't broken any protocols. If anyone wants to know where they can read it, please I would be more than happy to tell via a PM. Especially too, if you like HOT romantic Adam stories; there are some of them also.