Chapter Eleven
Previously:
"And you're going to Wyoming in hopes of finding Miss Beecher alive?"
"We've had reports she's been seen up there as early as last week; I'm hoping they rumors are true." Macklin admitted.
"They're not" Jarrod thought as he leaned back and, once again, asked tersely, "And just why are you bothering me?"
~oOo~
Nick and Hannah, who were standing near the staircase leading up to the second floor of the Barkley home talking to Victoria, turned around when they heard the front door open. Victoria looked as well. All of them frowned slightly, and jerked slightly, as one very unsettled, and obviously, upset Jarrod did something totally out of character…he slammed the door as hard, if not harder, than Nick ever thought of doing.
"Macklin?" Nick growled out the question, as Hannah instinctively took a step closer to her husband. It told everyone she was thinking the federal agent was behind Jarrod's actions and was worried about what was coming.
"Macklin," Jarrod shot back as he headed for the living room. "Where's Heath and Audra?"
"Heath's with McColl." Nick told his brother as the women sat down on the sofa. "Audra took Chad with her out to Will's. What did Macklin want?"
"Won't you reconsider?" Macklin stood in Jarrod's office talking in a rather condescending tone. "Crown just might go free if you don't agree to do as I asked. It could get ugly."
It didn't pass Jarrod by that Macklin was using words such as 'might' and 'could'; the man was trying to make him act out fear and worry. Jarrod did not appreciate it in the least and it made more of Hannah's words ring in his ears. "The man is so over focused on getting what he wants that he'll do, or say, anything. He's also very arrogant, thinks he's so important that everyone will listen to him. On top of all that, he's to the point of using people if he thinks it will help him reach his goal. In this case, it's bringing down Crown." As much as Jarrod would love to watch Crown fall, he wasn't going to travel to Wyoming and do what Macklin had asked.
"I will be more than happy to attend Crown's trial, even testify of all the dealings I know about-some of which I suspect are illegal." Jarrod leaned back in his chair and glared at Macklin. "And I'll do what I can from Stockton or Sacramento, but leave me out of your games. I had my fill with Alderson. Now, please, leave this office."
Macklin could see Jarrod wasn't budging. He shook his head and headed for the door. Just before leaving, he turned and said, "I'll be at the Cattleman's hotel until tomorrow afternoon; in case you change your mind."
It was all Jarrod could do not to throw the glass in his hand against the wall; he was that angry at Macklin. "He wanted me to go to Wyoming with him." Jarrod turned and looked at Hannah. "Apparently, you're supposed to be up there at this very moment. He wanted me to go with him and, how did he put it, oh yes," He lifted his glass and said, "use my skills as a lawyer and a man to persuade you to rejoin the team'." Jarrod swallowed down the liquid in his glass.
It didn't take a split second for Nick to grasp what Macklin had suggested, and he exploded as he wrapped a protective arm around his wife and held her close. "He wanted you to seduce her in order to get her to travel back here with you?" It made him, Hannah and Victoria sick to their stomachs, as it did Jarrod.
"You're hot tempered, dear brother, but you're not stupid." Jarrod leaned against the table and stunned them beyond measure when he added, "And he didn't want me to tell Eva about it as well," Jarrod face filled with even more fury, "he said 'secretaries do their job fine, but you have to be careful what you tell them. You never know when they'll share what they know with others around them."
Victoria shook her head as she too felt her anger rising. "For someone who is supposed to know all about those around him, Macklin didn't do his homework very good on that one, did he?" She said, referring to the fact that Macklin would tell Jarrod that Eva wasn't really trustworthy.
"Not this time around he didn't, though," Jarrod took a deep breath and looked at his brother and sister-in-law, "I am concerned that, once in Wyoming, he might come across someone who saw Nick with Hannah-or Lillian-and her cousin. If he does, he just might put two and two together and come back charging as it were." He paused and asked, "Did anyone see you together?"
Nick looked at his wife and then back at Jarrod. "If they did, it would have been after I got off the train, but before I went to the auction yard." He explained how the three had been seemed to click right off the bat as they found themselves talking away like old friends. "However," he continued looking at Jarrod. "No one but Hannah, Chad and I were was around when Crown's man attacked Hannah's cousin."
"What about when you dyed your hair?" Jarrod looked at Hannah. "Did you do that in town?"
Hannah shook her head. "After Nick and I talked my cousin's last request over and decided that it was the best option we had at that time, I and my nephew stayed hidden in one of the auction buildings while Nick went into town and got the items I needed. We didn't leave the auction yard until one in the morning too. Everyone was in bed. At least, I hope they were."
"What are you suggesting, Jarrod?" Nick, who had had a few ideas when it came to what his brother wanted, asked.
Jarrod looked at the family and then answered slowly, "I hate to admit it only I think Nick had the right idea." He wasn't surprised when confused looks appeared on everyone's family. Jarrod started explaining. "Things are pretty slow around the ranch right now. I don't think it would hurt if you took Hannah to the lodge for awhile. We can send Audra and Chad to Texas to visit our very dear friends, Anthony and his wife, Carolyn Peterson. If Macklin does get any ideas in his head, we'll say you took your wife and went on a second honeymoon. If he asks about Chad, we'll simply stress the fact that your son is being taken care of by a family friend." He then stressed the fact that, until he learned exactly why Macklin was going to Wyoming and realized Nick might be right when he said trouble could be coming, he had hoped sending anyone anywhere wouldn't be necessary. "However, I think we should all reconsider it for the sake of keeping Hannah and Chad safe." He then added that, after everything was over, they'd have to correct the papers at the courthouse. "Right now you're both listed as his natural parents. Under the circumstances, I'd agree it needs to stay that way for now. However, unless the two of you have already made this a real marriage, don't consummate your relationship. I won't be able to get it annulled later if you do. " He finished saying that he, Heath or McColl would make sure to check in on the couple every few days, just to play it safe.
Heath (who had entered the house while Jarrod was talking) and Victoria both agreed and said as much.
Nick looked at Hannah. He could see the torn look in her eyes. He couldn't say he blamed her for being nervous. He wished he knew what to say, but the idea was to keep Hannah safe so she could testify against Crown, and he had the strongest impression that Chadwould be fine with Audra in Texas. Also, if they weren't around, the danger to his family was lowered. "I think we need to listen to Jarrod and do as he says." Nick sighed as he did his best to smile at Hannah. "Chad will be fine, and Jarrod, Heath and mother are more than capable of dealing with Macklin, or anyone else, that might come looking if they do get any suspicions."
Hannah didn't like the idea of being separated from Chad, but she knew her husband was right. "I'll do whatever you say is best." She replied as she held onto Nick tightly.