Chapter Seven
Eugene was waiting for the family anxiously as they returned from the inquest. He had replayed every scenario in his head and measured his response to each. If any of his family was threatened or arose as a greater suspect than the others, he would come forth and confess what he knew.
Jarrod was quite willing to talk it out in the study with him. He told him every minutia of the day's proceedings.
"What was the line of thought on the ammunition?"
"I assume a certain caliber, sniper requisition was taken from the body. I loaded the guns with all three during the hunt. They confirmed that with the search here and what was still in the gun. All the boxes were missing shells."
"Makes sense and pretty circumstantial."
"Yes, and I assume that ammunition is sold all over the county and state. Veterans especially like it."
"And Nick and Heath told him they were in the area."
"Yes. Honestly, they were with plenty of hands to confirm it."
"But no more lines of questioning on that."
"No but Sally's was interesting," and he proceeded to tell of her experience in the dress shop, "I assume the gossips were thrilled to run with that story to the sheriff."
"So every Barkley including Mother admitted to wanting him dead?"
"Yes. It was the damnedest thing. Admitting it honestly in open court seemed to clear us. It's like the panel was expecting us to minimize that."
"Any surprises besides Sally?"
"My own bride. Told Doolin to 'Go to Hell' when he threatened her about Rosemary's father a few weeks ago. I had no idea or I would be in jail now—-In front of witnesses and quite loudly if I am correct."
"To Tessa!" as he poured him and Jarrod another drink.
"To Tessa!"
"You gave a statement, right Gene?"
"Yes where I was and my findings in the Kyles death—-and along with Nick's in the alley. They accepted it as far as I know."
"Yes, or you would have been subpoenaed. Might still if they get more information."
Eugene laughed, "Well I am the Barkley most forgotten about."
Jarrod laughed with him and handed him a whiskey, "That might be a good thing. You may be the best of us all."
"I could never be that, big brother. My Barkley blood is my greatest possession. I would honor it above all." quite soberly.
Jarrod nodded and toasted him, "To the Barkleys. We aren't always right but we try to do the right thing."
"Agreed," Eugene said as he pondered his decisions.
"Good night little brother. I have a wife and children to set to bed. And hopefully, a newborn that might give us some rest. But I am not counting on it."
Jarrod walked out to see Tessa kissing Rory on the cheek, "It's ok. Go home and get some rest. This will get easier. Maggie is just a wee newborn and learning to eat is hard. Her tummy aches. Come for breakfast and give her a morning bottle. I have her tonight."
Jarrod sighed in frustration. He knew the newborn needed Tessa but the crying of the child grated on his nerves; it had been different with JT and he willingly shared in the nighttime routine. His feelings about Eugenie and what she had done were always at the surface. He had not shared Eugenie's writings with Tessa or anyone. Plus selfishly, he wanted her in his bed and their special time.
She swaddled Maggie and smiled at him, "Let's go home. Mina should have ours readied for their nighttime prayers and kisses."
He gave her a weak smile back but she assumed the hearing was weighing on him.
She kissed him on the cheek, "It will be over soon."
"I hope so," with more conviction than he felt eying the newborn.
—-&—
When they finally were alone, walking over to their house from the mansion—-Maggie slept in Tessa's arms.
"Jarrod, am I confused about the bullets?"
He sighed knowing this conversation would be had.
"We used all three on the trip."
"But Jarrod, did you reload the rifle?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Tessa, you did not kill Doolin. I know that. I did not kill him despite wanting to. Nature has a way of taking care of evil."
She frowned at him, "Jarrod?"
"Tessa, do you remember when you asked for a promise from me? To let it be? I am asking this of you. I know you did not kill the man. If I can call him a man at all—" and he swallowed the emotions welling up.
She frowned at him, almost angry but little Maggie shifted and cried out.
She shooed her and bounced; Jarrod turned his head. He felt guilty about the helpless child but he couldn't shake the feeling of not wanting the child in his home. He had only shared brief condolences with Rory, leaving real sympathy to Nick and his mother.
"Yes Jarrod, I will not ask again. I well remember the feeling. But to confirm? I did not kill Doolin when I shot the bear?"
"No. You have my word. You did not kill him."
—-&—
McColl was waiting up for Rory; he stood by the bunkhouse to wait for the young man. His memories of losing his wife and young daughter came to his memory.
"He's gonna need some soul. I pray them ladies keep the wee mite alive. Don't know how he will raise her but keeping her alive is enough for now."
"Hey, boy. Want some company?"
"Headed back to the line shack. Gonna be hard without her there," with unmasked emotion.
"Wouldn't ya rather stay in the bunkhouse?"
"Nah. I spent a couple of nights up at the big house. I don't belong there. The bed's too soft." he made a weak joke.
McColl saddled up and accompanied Rory. They rode silently down to the line shack.
"I am going to move my things back to my bunk house. Miz Tessa is teaching me to feed Maggie. Wants me to every morning and night so she will know I am her Pa."
"I thinks that is a good idea."
"No good memories here. Eugenie hated it. Now down by the creek, they was good days."
McColl nodded, sensing the boy needed to talk.
"How old are ya?"
"Turned seventeen last month. Eugenie was eighteen and a half."
He was glad it was dark so Rory couldn't see his face. "Too young."
They struck a match to the porch lantern and walked in. Rory put his meager clothing into a saddle bag.
"I told Miz Victoria that it was fine to give her clothes to the mission aid. I just wanted the fancy lap desk, shawl, and valise. For Maggie. Those were her finest things, 'course given to her by Miz Tessa. Buried her in her best dress."
It only took a few minutes as Victoria and Sally cleaned the place. All of the kitchen items, linens, and furnishings were part of the line shack.
He looked back one more time. Dried wildflowers he had brought her were in the center of the wood plank table. The lump in his throat welled up and McColl hugged him. The boy broke down and sobbed. Duke just held him remembering the pain of his own losses,
"Don't tell no one I did that, please sir." as he wiped his face finally with his bandana, pulling away from the older man.
"Done it myself. Lost my wife and baby and little girl to the diphtheria. Came west to forget. Met Tom Barkley. This ranch is a good place to work it all out. Mista Nick is a fair one."
"Yep, he is. Not gonna disappoint him."
They strapped down the personal items and headed back to the bunkhouse.
—-&—
Jarrod put a pillow over his head and grumbled. Not only had he not been able to hold his wife and work through the emotions of the day, baby Maggie had fussed all night. Tessa had gone to the nursery and slept in there with the child.
"Might as well get up," as he padded down to his study. He went into the kitchen and fixed a pot of coffee.
"Today, I am representing Jacob Kyles. Hope it goes better than last time I got mixed up with them."