Chapter Seventy Four
"Lisette, what is going on?" Anna asked when they were safely locked in Jarrod's office.
Her eyes were wide as Lisette pulled down the iron bar as secured the oak door.
"Heath is wanted for questioning—-that despicable preacher, Brother Jehu is missing. It seems Heath was at the scene at his house the morning he left for Merced. The preacher never showed up for the deacon ordination he organized."
"But Heath wouldn't hurt him—well he punched him but even the sheriff said it was justified."
"The thing is lots of folks saw how mad Heath was at the town square—-when he had to tell Kai about the witch accusation."
"I admit the look on his face was frightening."
"It was."
"I don't believe he did it, not one bit."
"Me either."
And both the ladies grew quiet thinking of the implications.
—-&—
"Are you sure they arrested Barkley?"
"Yep. Watched him turn himself in. His brothers went with him."
"Maybe just for questioning?"
"Nope. I left that body where it would implicate him. I bet they are keeping it under wraps to trap him somehow."
"You sure?"
"Yes sir."
"Enough to stake your life on it?"
"Yes sir," he swallowed, less confident.
"Then let's go see them ladies we have been wanting a go at? If the brothers are at the sheriff's office. Then we can leave town after our fill and no one will be wiser."
"Yes sir,"
—&—-
Jarrod and Nick sat on each side of Heath. Fred shook his head at them.
"Simmer down boys, just doing my job."
No one answered him back.
"Well, let's get started. Heath, where have you been?"
"Merced. In my saddle bag are receipts if you need proof."
"Will see about that. Just relax and tell me what happened Monday morning."
"I got up before dawn, went to the hotel work site, paid some wages and decided I wanted to talk to Jehu."—and he proceeded to tell of what happened at the courthouse square.
"And you know what happened before that—-when I punched him for yelling, "Repent" and "Witch" at Grete."
"Yep. I was there for that. Tell me about Jehu's house and the people you saw on the way."
Heath described it in detail walking through each room, the cold stove and fireplace, the tin cups, the empty lamp—-the two men he talked to on the way there.
"And it's your testimony that you never saw Brother Jehu after Saturday afternoon's announcement in the city square?"
"Yes sir," with narrowed eyes at Fred.
Jarrod shot him a look to relax.
"Ok Heath, letting ya go. Stay in town or the ranch where I can find ya in case I need more answers," with a sigh.
"Is that all?" Jarrod asked.
"For now. Gotta keep looking for the preacher. His congregants are in here every hour. Asking and pushing and praying over me."
Nick asked, "Doesn't he get visions or something and strike out alone in the mountains?"
"Yep he does. Still possible but for him to miss the big meeting he called. The man loves an audience. Will see."
Jarrod and Nick nodded at Fred; Heath quietly walked out.
Nick couldn't help himself, "He didn't do anything, Fred."
"I want to believe that too but I got a job to do."
"Heath, let's go to Harry's and talk. Blow off that steam before you head home to Grete. The ladies are at the office safe and sound. We have time.."
He reluctantly went with his brothers.
—-&—
"Lisette, is that the wind?"
"No," she replied. A minute before she had heard the rattle of the front door.
A thud resounded on the heavy oak door in the back.
"Anna. Get in the bedroom." as she pulled the derringer out.
"Lissy? What's going on?"
"Hopefully a precaution."
"Why does Jarrod have iron bar latches on his doors?"
"Precaution. Shhhhhh. Go to the bedroom."
"No, I am staying with you."
Two more loud thuds were heard from the back of the office porch.
Lisette moved quietly to the small dining area by the kitchen. She could see two men on the porch.
"Well, they got them locked in like a jail." he sputtered taking a drink from his flask.
"I would bust the door down but too many people still on the street. Shoot that lock straight through."
"Act like a delivery."
The hand knocked on the door, "Delivery for Mista Barkley."
Lisette shook her head at Anna not to respond. He pounded again.
The men walked to the kitchen window to look in.
"Are you shore they's in here?"
"Yep watched a man walk them over from the Cattleman's. Waited until they were inside."
"Let's see."
He took the butt of his gun and broke a pane of the kitchen window. Anna screamed and Lisette aimed the gun.
"Yep, they's in there." he laughed.
Lisette's heart pounded in her chest.
"I have heard that voice before. I just know it." Lisette muttered.
The men threw a lizard through the pane and walked off in the shadows.
The lizard scurried across the floor over Anna's foot. She smashed it with her boot in anger.
Lisette and Anna hunkered down in the bedroom waiting, just waiting. The derringer stayed in her hands.
An hour later, their help came. Jarrod unlocked the door and called in," Lissy it's me. Pull up the bar."
She dropped the derringer and ran for the door. She lifted the heavy latch and fell into Jarrod's arms.
"He's back. The men from the hotel."
"Honey, they are dead."
"No, I heard them. They tried to get in and broke the window."
Nick glared at the window and looked around. Jarrod held Lissy tight in his arms as Anna walked toward Nick.
"Honey, you Ok? Probably some drunks?"
"No Nick. They wanted us. We heard them." she tried to fight her tears and sound brave.
Jarrod's eyes flashed in a rage and they all went inside.
"I think you better let me know what's going on and now—" Nick spoke low and quietly.
"Now."
"Later, Nick." Jarrod stared at him..
Anna put her hand on Nick's arm, "Let's go back to the ranch."