Chapter Forty
Jarrod and Fred came upon a Morton wagon hastily coming up the road.
"Jarrod, we got Nick. It's bad, real bad. Sent a man for Doc Merar."
They followed them back to the house; Jarrod jumped off the horse and helped them get Nick out. If not for the slight breath, he would think his brother was dead. He was pale and clothes were soaked with blood.
Victoria and Audra ran out on the porch as the men carried him inside.
"Is he?" Henry asked with a muffled sob.
"Alive," Jarrod ruffled his hair, "Thanks to you we knew he had been shot and to look for him. If you didn't tell us and walk all that way on the track, we would think he was out with the cattle. You are a hero, Henry."
The solemn little boy nodded his head with wide teary eyes.
The men carried Nick upstairs and Victoria followed. Audra and Henry walked up last.
"We will wait in your room to find out how he is." Audra said looking back at Nick's room sadly.
—&—-
Jarrod helped his mother take Nick's clothes off. They were soaked with blood. He had been bleeding for four hours, he estimated.
Victoria inspected the chest wound, "Jarrod, there is an exit wound in the back. Broke some ribs. Had to miss a lung because he is still alive—look at the back of his head—he needs quite a few stitches."
"Head wounds bleed worst." Jarrod remarked.
Doctor Merar arrived an hour later. He examined Nick.
"He has lost a lot of blood. Going to need a transfusion. His pulse is weak. You were right, missed a lung Vic or he wouldn't be here."
Jarrod immediately volunteered.
"No not with that stomach malady maybe still in your blood."
"Take mine," Victoria started to roll up her sleeve.
"No, mine." Audra volunteered from the door.
She brokered with no opposition and Doctor Merar agreed she was the best choice.
"Lay down little lady and let's get this started."
Jarrod waited with his Mother until it was finished.
Howard looked at them both, "Now we wait. We have stitched up the wound and the head. He's not out of the woods by far."
"Mother—-" Jarrod stood up.
"Go son. Find them and bring them home. And—-kill the men who did this to Nick. Left him to die alone in the woods and took helpless women and children. Animals."
Jarrod's eyes narrowed, "I will."
—-&—
Macklin met up with Jarrod two days later in Modesto. The Morton men continued to search San Joaquin county as Jarrod and the Barkley men made their way into Stanislaus county to confront Buck. They checked every possible hiding place along the rail route for two days and little sleep.
"Getting three women and a child off a freight car with four men and horses would have been impossible in a populated area. Look at abandoned houses and buildings along the rail. I had a hand check the stops on the manifest but haven't heard back."
The sheriff met them at the outskirts, "We don't want any trouble Barkley. I am sorry 'bout the kidnapping and I will give you men to look—already talked to Buck and he has a good alibi. Whole town saw him and his ranch crew in town for pay day. Everyone's abilbi clears out. He volunteers his hands to join the search."
Jarrod rolled his eyes, "No thank you."
Fred took the Modesto sheriff aside, "Any sightings of the men that killed the widow in Stockton? I understand they attacked Mrs Taylor a few weeks ago at the hotel."
"Yep and I think they roughed a saloon girl before her. Real bad. She's still mute."
"I think they are likely involved in this kidnapping."
"Wouldn't be surprised," and he spat his tobacco on the ground.
Fred couldn't decide if he would reveal the contents of the note.
"Well do you think it has anything to do with the hotel sale?"
"Nah. The mayor and half the bigwigs are in on that. I know them. Good folk. "
"Buck?"
"He is a king of his ranch. Doesn't come in town much."
"And yet he and his men were in town the day of the kidnapping."
The Modesto sheriff grew quiet and thought. He didn't say a word. He had his own suspicions that were dangerous to voice. He would keep gathering information for the federals.
—-&—
The waiter heard the news that "that nice lady" at the hotel was kidnapped. Jarrod Barkley and a whole passel of men were camped outside of town. He had no doubt in his mind that they were the same men who took the lady and the others.
He got his confirmation when ten food orders were taken to the back door.
"Be back tomorrow same time, '' the bellhop told him. He looked out the window of the man loading meals into a buckboard. He had no doubt it was one of the regulars—one of Miller's men—one of the attackers of Mrs Taylor and Mr Barkley.
"I need to tell the sheriff."
He took off his apron and headed down the alley. He came upon the sheriff talking to no other but Jarrod Barkley and another man.
"I will follow behind the trees until he comes by. I would rather tell him anyway."
—&—-
"Mr Barkley?"
Jarrod swung his head around in the dusky light. He was unshaven and his hat pushed back on his head. His hand was on the trigger.
"It's me. From the hotel."
He walked out so Jarrod could get a good look at him.
"Glad to see you. Give my regards to your mother."
"Yes sir. I think I have some information that may help you find your lady friend and the others."
Jarrod didn't correct him and leaned in closer.
"I recognized one of the men from before. Picked up ten box lunches. Will be back tomorrow at the same time."
"Any idea where he went?"
"No sir. Just came to find the sheriff and saw you. Decided that I would rather just tell you. I don't trust some of his deputies. I got a wife and children and a mother to look after. Your lady paid our wages this month. I figure I owe her most."
"Thank you. Don't tell anyone we talked. Anyone."
"Yes sir."
Jarrod handed him a twenty dollar bill from his vest, "From Lisette."
"Tell her thank you when you see her."
"I will."