Chapter Twelve
Stockton/Strawberry-1866
Fred Madden stood in the doorway of the Barkley house. Tom Barkley invited him in with his usual friendly greeting.
"What brings you here, Fred?" Tom asked as he offered Fred a seat in the chair adjacent his own.
"Nothing major. Some old timer from Strawberry said there's been trouble brewing there. Was wondering if you could spare a man or two to ride with me to Strawberry? According to this man named Jeb Lycans, there is a young man taking out vigilante justice on the town for his mother and aunt dying. That's not so unusual as you know but the man killed two already. According to Mr. Lycans, the two hadn't even been involved in this this man's mother's and aunt's death. Jeb Lycans was sent to fetch a sheriff and figured the sheriff from Pinecrest wouldn't come with having no deputies and all." Sheriff Madden smiled kindly at Victoria when she offered him a glass of lemonade. Then as her usual actions, she left the men to discuss matters without her.
"I know the territory. I heard it was a dying town." Tom took a drink of his own lemonade. At the moment, he'd preferred whiskey. After all, Strawberry was a place he'd rather forget.
"Heard the same. That's why there is no law. I don't figure on much trouble getting this man but I want to take along a man or two just in case. Jeb Lycans said the man just got back from the war to find his mother and aunt dead. He's not sure why the man killed his own aunt and uncle. But it sounds like this man may have snapped. Thought I'd better take along a couple of men to make sure I have no trouble. I have a deputy taking over here in town. But I'd rather see to this myself as it sounds like a double murder." Fred drank down the lemonade quickly. It had been a long and dry ride out to the Barkley ranch.
"Sure. I can spare a couple of men. Nick can tag along too. It is too dry for branding and driving the cattle anywhere. We already moved them to water. Give Nick something to do besides complain." Tom winked as the subject of the conversation walked into the room.
"I'd complain anyway." Nick stated loudly as he headed for the whiskey decanter.
"Not time yet, Nick. You know your mother doesn't allow that stuff until after six. Get some lemonade." Tom had to chuckle at his son's grunt.
"Mother and her rules." Nick turned to grimace at the pitcher of lemonade on the small table. "What am I going to complain about anyway?"
"Sheriff is looking to go to Strawberry to check on a man for murder. He wants to take a few men. I figure you can go along with a couple of hands. You can pick them." Tom settled deeper into his chair. "Give you something to keep you busy."
"Sure I'll go. I'll take Rakes and Combs. They're itching to get something going. Most of the things needed around here are fence mending and other maintenance. When we leaving?"Nick would be glad to get away from the ranch a few days. It seems the local pastor had been preaching on the evils of strong drink. Victoria was making the men in the family wait until a later hour to drink. This way Nick could at least get in some good whiskey without her knowing.
"I'd like to leave first light. The old timer took almost five days to get here. I'm not sure what we're in for. The old man wasn't very clear on the events. His words were and I quote. The bastard came back to town. Got real mad and killed his aunt and uncle after finding his mama and the old black woman's grave. He claimed ole Hannah as his aunt. He's crazy. Not one cared if they all died but I was sent any way to bring in a sheriff. The boy plumb shut that crazy aunt up with a bullet. Killed his uncle for looking at him wrong after." Sheriff Madden shrugged. "That's all he said and then he said he had to get going. Left without anymore information except to say if I had time to go get the killer in Strawberry, the town would appreciate it."
"We'll meet you outside your office first light." Nick poured a touch of whiskey in his lemonade. Tom held out his glass for Nick to sneak him a drink as well.
Over the next few days, the trip to Strawberry was made without incident. It took three days as it normally would. They had camped each night not being in a hurry. It didn't seem that it was a pressing matter due to Jeb Lycan's nonchalant attitude towards the killings.
After they arrived in Strawberry, all that changed.
"So you're telling me that this man, Heath Thomson, has killed four people before leaving town?" The sheriff stood staring in disbelief as the bartender informed him of the whereabouts of Heath Thomson.
"That's right. Three in cold blood. His aunt was taking a butcher knife to him or planning to. That's what one of the men told me they saw. But ole Heath killed his uncle for calling him a bastard or something. Not sure as I didn't see it." The chunky bartender wiped down the counters of the bar. "The folk in town are better off without those two. But I sure wish Red hadn't been killed by him. She was one of my best girls. Fred Garland wasn't much but he always paid his tab." The man shook his head. "Gonna miss those two."
"No one tried to stop this man from leaving town after he killed four people?" Nick was standing beside of Sheriff Madden. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Listen, Mister. WE have no law around here. That's why Jeb came for your sheriff. The boy is plain mean like. He don't mix words and he kills without blinkin'. He changed in the war or somethin'. Heard he was held prisoner at Carterson Prison. Maybe that place damaged him in the head. All I know is that he killed one of my saloon girls and my best customer, Fred Garland. If you all want to know more, go ask at the hotel. Heath owns the place and put his girl and his aunt in charge. They may know where he's headed. But they likely won't tell you. They love that boy." The bartender threw down his old dust rag. "Don't judge us here. We try to keep to ourselves. At least we sent for a sheriff this time."
Sheriff Madden thanked the bartender for his time then headed out the door. He could see the irritation written on Nick's face. He felt the same way. They expected this to be an easy trip. Find out about a man, who killed two people. Take the prisoner back to Stockton to stand trial. Simple as that. Instead, they found out the man had left town after killing four people. Three in cold blood.
Rakes spoke up after listening to the mumbles of Nick about the incompetency of the town of Strawberry. "What do you suppose the bartender meant by at least they sent for the sheriff this time? Reckon what happened last time that they didn't send for a sheriff?"
The sheriff and Nick stopped in their tracks. They never thought of the words the bartender used. Nick raised his eyebrow as he looked questioningly at the sheriff.
"I'll find out. Let's get to the hotel for now. Combs, you head towards the old telegraph office. See if it is still working. If so, let us know. We'll get a couple of rooms at the hotel as well as a meal. Looks like we're here for the night. Maybe see what information we can get from the people the bartender suggested." The sheriff sighed. "This isn't going to be as easy as I thought."
Nick and the other two men were pleasantly surprised by the looks of the hotel. It was obvious this was the only place in town that looked well kept. There was new paint on the wall as well as new curtains hanging.
The woman behind the front counter greeted them kindly as well. "Welcome to Strawberry. My name is Mrs. Rachel Caulfield. May I get you a room or ready a table for you a meal?"
"Both, Mrs. Caulfield." Fred showed his badge to the kindly looking female. She was rather nice looking although a bit on the thin side. "We're here for information about Heath Thomson."
Rachel bit her lip before she began to hum the familiar hymn. She walked away from the three men, who stood confused at her action. They started to follow her but was cut short by the voice of another female.
"Miss Rachel will be seeing to your rooms. How many were you wanting?" An older woman stepped behind the counter and opened the register book. "Sign or put your x for each room."
"Who might you be?" Nick turned the book to sign his name on one line while the sheriff signed on the other.
"My name is Mrs. Garland. I help out here now and then. Now, I can't read nor write but Miss Rachel can. She'll make sure all is good. You'll have to settle money with her too." The frail woman stated as she shut the book and placed it under the counter.
"Mrs. Garland? You wouldn't happen to be related to Fred Garland. The man who was killed by Heath Thomson?" Sheriff Madden asked as he took off his hat to wipe his brow.
"I was his wife." The woman stated as she pointed to a door, which led to the dining area. "You'll get a nice meal in there. I got to see to helping Miss Rachel with your rooms. My daughter Norah will seat you."
Before they could ask the woman anything more, she was gone as quickly as Rachel Caulfield was. Nick Barkley, Fred Madden, and Tim Rakes headed towards the diner. A young girl took them to their seats. There were others at the tables. Most looked like miners. A beautiful girl was handing out the food along with the one referred to as Norah. A young red haired girl was singing while an older man played the piano for her. Her voice was nice entertainment for the small crowd.
"Surprisingly nice place." Nick stated as the girl named Norah took his order. He waited until the girl left before turning to Fred. "I wonder what Fred Garland's widow and daughter are doing working for Heath Thomson? According to the bartender he owns this hotel."
"Beats me." Fred admitted as he settled to check out the small crowd of people around the room. "But someone must know something. No one is acting like four killings took place here only a short time ago."
Soon, Steven Combs had joined the other three seated for dinner."Telegraph office is dead as the rest of this town. This is about the only place with people around."
"Don't surprise me." Nick grunted out. He smiled up at the beautiful girl, who was placing the plates of roast beef on the table. "Thank you, Miss."
The beautiful girl smiled brightly. "My name is Johnna. Eat up. I take pride in my meal. But save yourself some room. I make the best peach cobbler around according to some."
"Sure will." Nick flirtatiously stated. Steven and Tim were also smiling at the vision of beauty.
Sheriff Madden wanted to laugh at the obvious young men. He thought to himself, it wasn't like any man concidered decent would bother with a girl of color. Yet, men were men and looking was another story. Madden held his laughing back when a thin miner leaned over to whisper after Johnna had left.
"Best not be looking her way. She's Heath Thomson's girl." The man held up his bandaged finger. "I looked once and got my finger tip plum taken off."
The miner next to him laughed. "You did more than look, Clyde. Ya done touched her. Then ya got your finger took off by him."
"Shut up." Clyde growled at his friend. "Fred Garland didn't just look and he's dead. So I was just warning them that Heath would kill for her."
"You saw Heath Thomson kill Mr. Garland?" The sheriff leaned over to question the one called Clyde.
"Didn't see it. But I was a customer…" Clyde lowered his voice to a softer whisper. "...at the back of the saloon. Heard commotion from one of the rooms. Red and Fred Garland were in there with Johnna. Seems she was sold to Fred or something. Red was her mama. But Heath didn't care to share whether she was paid for or not. Next thing I know, Heath comes walking out carrying Johnna in his arms and Red and Fred Garland are dead. He left them in pools of their own blood. Never thought Heath would shoot a woman in the back but he did that to Red. Shot her right in the back."
Norah had overheard the conversation as she neared the table. "He done right by killing them both." She said as she slammed water down on the miners' table. "My Pa was mean. Ya'll know that. Ward done tole me that Pa and Red were about to beat her to death. After what those men did to his mama, Heath wasn't about to let the same happen to Johnna. Why call in the law for Heath when they never bothered for what happened to his mama, Hannah or Miss Rachel?" She turned to Nick's table. "Ya'll ought to head back to where you belong and leave us be here."