Chapter Seventeen
Stockton, California
Heath sighed as he looked around the jail cell. At least he was in a cot that wasn't too uncomfortable. He had already eaten a good dinner the night before and was told breakfast would be served at 6 A.M. sharp. The sheriff seemed hospitable enough. He did his job as well as any lawman Heath had witnessed.
Heath had no idea where the information was obtained that he had killed another man when he escaped from under Warden Emerson's watch. He guessed that was more fabrication to make him into a legend of the West. Heath didn't much care for notoriety. He'd rather just get his killing of the men over and done with. Of course, Heath knew there was a possibility that he'd be the one dying at the end of the gun. Heath had no real plans for his future. His only hope was he'd live long enough to get full vengeance for his Mama, Hannah, and Rachel.
The teen girl, who bought him his breakfast, was an easy target. The girl was on the homely side and most likely got very little attention from the males in the world. Heath smiled and winked at her. Sheriff Madden stood back with his gun ready in case Heath tried something. Heath hadn't said a word to the sheriff. That seemed to not deter him from whispering something to Anna, the cook's niece. The girl blushed a deep crimson before she placed the breakfast tray down.
Heath thanked her in his usual quiet tone as his finger slightly raked the back of her hand as he moved the tray from her towards him. The girl giggled as she forgot this young man was a killer. Instead, she saw a handsome teen boy flirting with her. At lunch, Heath would use her to get some information to Hank. Hank and Heath had talked when on the trail of ways to help Heath when he needed it. Now it was up to Heath to get the information to Hank. He hoped Hank didn't give Ward any information. Heath figured Ward was headed back to Strawberry to see Nora. He figured $500 would come in handy to start a life with a girl. His thoughts fleeted momentarily to Johnna. There was no time to think of her right now. Even if he did miss her more than he had expected to.
Sheriff Madden watched Anna leave before he turned to stare at the young man eating his breakfast. "I heard tell you have a lawyer on the way this afternoon."
Heath arched his eyebrow as he took a bite of his scrambled eggs. He didn't figure he'd have too many biting at the bit to take his case. Heath knew the law and most folk wanted him hung. Problem was Heath hadn't done anything to be hung for. Knowing that and telling it were two different things. If Heath told the whole truth, he would put Cotton and Johnna in the line of fire to be hung. Heath knew that wasn't an option. He'd have to figure out a way without the truth in the murders of Red and Garland being revealed. The rest of the kills were straight out self defense. Although Ward informed him that Matt Simmons's death was supposed to be in cold blood. Heath knew that his uncle had a pistol there. He figured Ward, Hank, or Johnna were witnesses to that when he pried the pistol from his uncle's fingers. Those facts didn't help much when two lay dead in cold blood.
Sheriff Madden shook his head in confusion. The boy sure was a conundrum. Fred had witnessed the boy taunting Nick Barkley the whole ride back to Stockton. He figured the boy would be nothing but trouble. Madden figured the boy would be talking nonstop once in the cell. Instead, Heath Thomson was quieter than a church mouse on Sunday morning. The boy sure had riled up Nick though. It was as if it was the boy's personal mission to irritate Nick Barkley like a bur under a saddle bothered a horse.
The strange thing was that Sheriff Madden noticed the more the boy taunted Nick, the more Nick enjoyed the boy's ribbing. It was a strange thing to witness as Nick tried not to laugh at the boy's barbs at him. Fred had never seen Nick not want to throw a punch for less than the boy was dishing out. At first, Nick was wanting to strangle the kid. However, the longer they rode the more Nick seemed to enjoy the boy's quick wit. Fred had to admit that Nick was doing the baiting on more than one occasion. He also could see the boy seemed to know how to get Nick good while still keeping Nick from wanting to take things in his hands. It was the first time in Fred's life that he had seen someone have Nick Barkley figured out so well.
Fred slid his hand across his chin as he headed back to the front office. He already told the kid to just slide his empty tray under the cell door when finished. The glass holding milk wouldn't fit but he could get that when Anna returned with Heath's lunch.
As Heath scarfed down his breakfast, he busied himself thinking about meeting his brother. He hadn't expected to feel anything like the connection he felt. He knew he was only a half brother to a real Barkley. People like Heath weren't meant to be claimed as family. It didn't make him feel at ease with the instant feeling of brotherhood with the dark clad rancher. He had actually enjoyed himself as they headed towards Stockton. Too bad the reality was he was a prisoner captured and held by his own kin.
Heath didn't dwell on that very long. The two brothers were from different worlds and if Heath lived through this, it would stay that way. Heath thought about Ward for a few minutes. The man had something coming to him but Heath wasn't sure what. He couldn't kill even if he did have a want to try. He'd think of something if he got out of this current mess. Heath figured never to trust anyone again except Cotton. Perhaps he could trust Rachel and Johnna too. However, Rachel's ill mind may slip up on him. Johnna cared but did she care enough when it came down to her well being or his? Heath didn't care to test that situation out.
Heath glanced at the Stockton newspaper which was laid on his tray by the sheriff. Heath wished he could read the words to pass the time. Maybe there was more information about the rest of the Barkley family. He heard tell the man, who sired him, was a big deal in these parts and across California. He also heard he had another brother, who was a fancy lawyer or doctor. Heath couldn't remember which. All he knew was the man was someone to look up to with a highfalutin education. He also heard he had a younger sister or brother. He sure hoped it was a sister. It would be kind of interesting to think about having older brothers and a younger sister. If it was another brother, that would be interesting too he guessed.
Heath found himself drifting off to sleep. He wouldn't fight it. He always wondered why he never had nightmares like some of the other soldiers from the war. Heath sometimes thought maybe his heart was too cold to care about suffering of himself or others. Then he'd think of his mama and realize how she had taught him to be thankful for life given. For every day was a blessing from the good Lord and not to waste a minute being frightened by things past or fearful of things in the future. She told him to concentrate on the gifts of the present. He remembered she would say don't think about the meat not on the table but give praise to the Lord for the bread because someone out there didn't even have bread to eat.
Heath figured he'd not dwell on the fact that the law wanted him to hang. Instead, he'd think about the nice cot and good meals the law was providing for him. Tomorrow would be another day to dwell on as he'd meet the lawyer stuck with his case. Heath thought that was a gift too. He didn't expect someone to go to court with him on his side. He chuckled at that thought right before he drifted off to sleep.