McCormick, Take Two -- Part I

by owlcroft

A long story from long ago, by Rowena Warner.

Mc

"McCor-mick!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Prune the hedges, mow the lawn, wash the truck, take the garbage out, work my fingers to the bone," McCormick grumbled, clipping away at the hedge in a haphazard manner. "I wish Lincoln was still alive. He'd have you up before the Supreme Court on charges of keeping a slave."

"Aw, you poor kid," Hardcastle sympathized. "Here I am, the wicked stepfather making you sit on your ashes and do all this work while I just laze around and watch."

"Yeah, aren't you ashamed of yourself?11 "Not at all," the Judge grinned.

"Well, you oughtta be," McCormick shot back. is a fairy godmother."

"What I need

"You already got a fairy godfather," Hardcastle retorted. "What the hell else you want?"

McCormick threw him a mischievous smile. don't look like a fairy, Judge."

"Somehow, you

11Considering what that word means nowadays, thank God!" Hardcastle replied fervently.

McCormick continued pruning the hedge with a definite lack of enthusiasm. "If you were really my fairy godfather, you wouldn't be starving me to death," he complained.

11Starving you? McCormick, you just ate two hours agoy" Hardcastle reminded him. "Kid, you got a bottomless stomach."

"What can I say? I'm a growing boy." Suddenly dropping the shears, McCormick staggered backwards, grabbing his head. "Judge, my eyes! Something's wrong with my eyes!"

Jumping up, Hardcastle grabbed him, trying to pull his hands down. "What is it, kid?" he demanded in concern. "What's wrong?"

"I1m seeing double!"

11What!II

"Double pizzas, sausage and pepperoni, heavy on the cheese, and two glasses of beer, overflowing all over the table." McCormick opened his eyes and grinned. "How 'bout it, Judge?"

"McCormick! You pull something like that again, and I'll chain you to this railing at two in the morning and make you prune these hedges till your fingers fall off!" Hardcastle threatened in a rough voice.

"Hey, Judge, I-I'm sorry," McCormick apologized, realizing his innocent little joke had really frightened Hardcastle. "Does that mean I don't get my pizza, 0 generous and kind fairy godfather?"

"Now, don't go pulling that cocker spaniel look on me," Hardcastle growled.

Turning back to the hedge, McCormick picked up his shears and began pruning again, his head lowered so the Judge couldn't see his face.

"All right, all right," Hardcastle agreed gruffly and pulling a couple of bills from his pocket, he handed them over. "There. Go get the damned pizzas." He had planned to give in from the verv start, but wasn't about to inform McCormick of that. It's not good to give the kid everything he wants the minute he wants it, Hardcastle reasoned. It'll spoil him.

McCormick grabbed the money and started towards the Coyote, yelling over his shoulder, "Thanks,. Judge. I' 11beback in a ·j·if."

"You make sure they don't put any of those damned little fish on mine!" Hardcastle yelled after him. "And when I say extra cheese, r mean extra cheese!"

"Gotcha!"

Hardcastle waited until the Coyote was out of sight, then picking up the shears, he began trimming the hedge. An hour later, he was still at it, nervously clipping away while his eyes kept flicking to his watch. "Damn it, McCormick should've been back here almost a half an hour ago," he muttered. "I bet the kid's gotten himself into some kind of trouble. Let him out of

my sight for five minutes, and he gets his tai:1-caught in a wringer every time." He clipped away in a worried manner for another ten minutes, keeping·one eye on the long drive. The·Coyote failed

to make an appearance and finally losing his patience and his battle with a gnawing fear that had been increa-s-ing for the past thirty minutes, Hardcastle dropped the " towards the truck.

The sound of squealing tires caught his attention, and stopping inthe drive, he allowed himself· a sigh of relief as McCormick slammed to a stop in front of the house, leaving a dual path of rubber in his wak .

"Where the hell you been?" Hardcastle demanded immediately. "You've been gone long enough to get a dozeri pizzas."

The angry look on McCormick's face faded somewhat.

Judge, you weren't worried about me, were you?"

"Hey,

"'Course not," Hardcastle denied gruffly.

pizza."

"I wanted my

McCormick hid a smile. "It would make me feel better if you'd admit you were worried," he complained.

"Why? What happened?"

McCormick's face hardened. "While I was in Dominic's some creep opened the hood of my car and clipped two of my spark plug wires."

"What the hell'd they do that for?" Hardcastled asked, following him into the kitchen.

McCormick shrugged. "How should I know?"

"Well, why the hell didn't you call?" Hardcastle demanded. "A lousy quarter, my quarter. You could've called at a and told me what happened."

McCormick threw him a grin. "Why? You said you weren't worried." He popped the pizzas in the microwave and turned. "Look, Judge, I'm ;:yeah, I should 've . But I had to splice and tape those wires·so I could drive.·the car home, and all the time I was doing that, I was getting madder'n hell. Some bum out there probably won't work ·for his money, but he gets jealous of anyone else who owns something nice. ·l tell yqu,

Judge, if I could get my hands on the guy; I'd wring his;neck.11

"Okay, just cool it, kid," Hardcastle advised. "You're wasting your energy. A creep like that's not gonna hang around so you can beat him up."

"But that made me so damned mad! 11 objected, and brought his fist down hard on the counter.

Taking the pizzas from the microwave, :tle set them on the table. "Feel now?"

"No," McCormick groaned.. "I think h:and.."

Picking up.a slice of pizza with one hand, HarMark's wrist with the·other. ."Move your fingers. 11

He did.

"Nah.11Hardcastle dropped his hand. " break it."

"Aw gee, thanks. I love all the sympathy I get outta you," McCormick complained. "Damn it, Judge! Somebody hurt my Coyote!"

Stuffing his mouth with the Italian cuisine, Hardcastle chewed thoughtfully. "Look, I'm sorry about that, but you know, you've developed an unnatural affection for that car."

"Unnatural?" McCormick car the same way anyone would tuned machine!" he protested. thing I can call mine."

jumped to his feet. "I_ l9ve that love_ a sle_ek , _t.i u ., inely

"And- gg_ be • a s, it's the or1ly

"What about this house?" Hardcastl point d _ .

" 's yours_ _.Judg ."

"You sho11ld l._now by now that it's both of our12, l p"

and you wou_ldn '-t. :1; .,- -·-•-·····-····-·-·-·-·-·- - - -

9

''Tha_t s wh§n_you_tho_ught you were d_ and God, I don't. wanna talk about tha_-t. right:tiqw_,,; McCor_ j..ck add 9-tei;v n_! _y. *

Hardc;:astle leaned in his chair and sighed. His "impending death" had,frightened .r-:lqCo:i;-mick nd!:h Jucfqe 1-!lderstood

why. The young man had thought he was going to be left alone

again, and Ha·rdcastle had learned by experience that a million _Anci a half rio ;suost"itute fu-loneJ,.ADeS .-··•

"Hey look, I take back what I said about your stupid car," he apologized. "Now, sit down and eat your pizza before it gets cold-again. It already tastes like cardboard."

McCormick started to drop into his chair, but the sound of the doorbell caused him to straighten.

Hardcastle waved him down. "I'll get it. Kids in Africa are starving, so don't waste that stuff."

McCormick grinned at his back and i:-eaching over, proceeded to grab a slice of pizza with each hand. He had polished,off his share and slightly more by the time Hardcastle returned to the kitchen, a grim look on his face.

Glancing up, McCormick quipped, "What happened, Judge?

S?meone ·stomp on your roses?"

Hardcastle shook his head. "Worse." Leaning against the refrigerator, he a sigh. "That was . Somebody just computer store over on Clayton at gunpoint.

Got away ith about two thousand dollars in cash."

McCormick stuffed another slice of pizza in his mouth.

"So, what's the deal?" he mumbled. "Why'd the cops come tell you?11

"The owner of the store said the man had on a ski mask," Hardcastle explained gruffly, "but he a glimpse of the getaway car- the Coyote. "

McCormick froze, then his hand slowly lowered, the slice of pizza falling from his grasp and hitting the table ith a dull thud. ".Judge, what're you saying?" he demanded.

1e "Do Not Go Gently..."

"I'msaying someone driving the Coyote robbed that computer store about forty-five minutes ago," Hardcastle replied calmly.

McCormick's eyes widened. because..."

"And the cops came here

Hardcastle nodded. "It was Harry and Dan. They know you own that car and when they pulled up, they saw it out front and wanted to know if you had been out in the last hour or so. I had to tell 'em you went for a coupla pizzas."

"And we all know that computer store is just a block from Dominic's," McCormick added in a grim tone, rising slowly' to his feet. "Good God, Judge! You think I robbed that place! Once a con, always a con-is that it?"

"Now, don't go jumping to conclusions," Hardcastle threw back quickly. "But you gotta admit, there's not too many red Coyotes around here."

11 There's not any around anywhe're, and you know it!11 McCormick yelled. "So that's makes me automatically guilty, huh?''

Hardcastle Btarted towards him. "Now look, kid, take it easy."

"No!11McCormick backed away, 'glancing towards thedoor • cleading_._in:to the hallway. "Are the cops· still in , J,udg,e?

Are;they waiting for you to bring me outso they can hai:'ldcuff. _rn ?"

"No, the cops aren't there," Hardcastle retorted.

McCormick's voice dropped to a choked whisper. "·Ididn't rob that place, Judge-I swear! I can show you where I had to tape those wires. someone really did cut 'ern.11He reached for Hardcastle' s arm. "C 'man, I' 11 show you!"

Hardcastle shook his head. stand up in court, anyway."

"No need. That alibi wouldn't

McCormick's hand fell to his side and he stgr:ed..a.t:'.-.:H,a:r;d

c'astle in·-i-m·rror. "You-You really do- think I robbed that store! II

"Aw, come off it, id'! fensive,11 Ilardcastle:snapped.

wouldn't have told tfie-porice to get those pizzas. II' -

Will ya quit be'ing so damned·d:e,.. 11 IfI thought you were··gu,iJ:ty,· I that-I' was with yo_u l/Jhen y0uwent

last,

For once McCormick was struck speeci: ss, s;tammering_._c}t ''You-You di-that ·rcY:t-me?"-

"Yeah,11 Hardcastle returned gruffly. _ "They got a word fnr

tha_!, kid-it's called 'perjury·'. And believe me,rdon't go around perjuriifg-my-self or- j·u-st anyone. 11He sat down and reached for the last slice of pizza. "Now,' here's what I think happened.

While you were in Dominic's, someone stole the Coyote, committed that robbery and brought the car back, then cut those wires. That's what I told the police and that's what they're going to check into."

"I-I don't know what to say, Judge." McCqrrnic_k'_s_fa.9e suddenly beamed. "Gee," he repeated, "you:r_eally-you really did that for me, huh?"

"No, I did it for me," Harqcastle changed hi_s mind. "The hedges still have to be finished, the lciwn's :g 59 high you're gonna have to use_ a machete to cut_ it.; and_I won't even mention the-"

"You don't have to. I'll have it all done by tonight," McCormick promised excitedly, trying to show his gratitude. "You just watch! The hedges, the lawn, the pool, the truck, and any thing else I can think of, all done before it gets dark."

"Hey now, don't go overdoing it, kid," Hardcastle protested: "I'll help ya."

"No, no!" . Grabbing his arm, McCormick steered him towards the living room. "Now, you just relax in your favorite chair, Judge, prop_your feet up, and lose yourself in a good book. And be sure you stay outta my way because Hurricane Mar _is gain' through! "

Hardcastle settled in the chair as ordered, and watched the young :!- h out of the .house. "Good kid," he mumbled with a grin. "A little hyperactive, though. Maybe I 01. changef

his ·His thoug_hts ; to the robbery and the craggy features twisted:in a troubled frown. There were three disturbing facts here that he couldn't ignore-the Coyote was placed at the site of a crime, Mark W?LS getting a pizza-· a block_away right at the time the robbery was being committed_and he had been more than a half an hour late in return:lng, having a lame story about his car being tampered with.

Hardcastle's frown deepened. If the DA got his hands on that "evidence", McCormick would be back in prison in no time. "Exactly where he doesn't belong," Hardcastle growled softly. He didn't believe for a minute that his young friend had committed the rob bery, but the coincidences here would've been too much for the police to overlook, if they had gained knowledge of hose coincidences. As it was, Hardcastle knew his own reputation was the only thing that had prevented McCormick's arrest, and h planned to continue using that reputation to the fullest until the real culprit was apprehended.

Picking up the book Mark had left laying Ol)the table next to him , he settled back in his chair. McCormic_k was always com plaining about him sticking his nose into trouble; nd this time ijardcastle decided he was right. The farther away they stayed from this particular crime, off they'd both be.

RT W 0

McCormick finished up the jobs as promised, even skipping dinner so he could get the lawn mowed before darkness set in.

At last deciding McCormick was carrying the gratitude bit too far, Hardcastle went in search of him, finding Mark in the garage where he was putting the finishing touches on a polish job on the truck.

Running a hand along the hood of the vehicle, Hardcastle grinned. "She looks good, McCormick. 01' Betsy hasn't had a spit and shine like that in years."

"Hey, don't touch the merchandise!" McCormick yelled and applied his chamois vigorously to the shiny surface, rubbing away· 's invisible fingerprints.

!

i•Look, kid, aJ:"en•t you overd5)ing this just a little?" H?-rdci:istle asked. "The pruning, mowing, d poo_l cie_anfng_ ere enough, but then you painted the ornamental·iron, weeded the

roses, and polished· the truck. • Don't you thin]{ itIS' time':to call

it a day? I'm getting tired1 just wat hin' you."

McCormick straightened slowly, holding hi-s back. "I think you •re right, Judge ," hegroaned. "I • bet·! 'm gonna have to crawl outta bed in the morning."

Hardcastle motioned with his head towards the house. "I got some soup on. Come on and eat a bowl of it, arid then you're going to bed."

" e is it?" "Almost eight."

brok·e into a grin. "Judge; the last t·irtre I went

to be'd that early ·was before I could walk "

"You haven I 1; worked this hard since before you·could walk, II

Hardcastle retorted.

McCormik needed no further persuasion. His eyelids we-re drooping befor he •as halfwaf through hi s6rip and finally giving up, he stumbled to his feet, mumbling, "'Night, Judge."

Hardcastle smiled sympathetically. "'Night, kid. And don't forget to take a shower before you fall in bed. You're filthy."

"Uh-yeah, right," McCormick nodded and stumbled out the door.

Hardcastle stayed up to watch the late news, frowning again at the report of the robbery. Remaining up awhile longer to catch Carson's monologue, he switched off the television and went to bed.

His sleep was disturbed sometime during the night by a noise from outside and lying there a moment, Hardcastle tried to place the sound in his memory. It finally clicked in his con sciousness and jumping out of bed, he reached the window in time to see the truck disappearing down the drive.

Glancing at his watch, he growled, "Arnost two-fifty. Now, where the hell's McCormick gain' this time of night?" Pulling a chair close to the window, he sat down to wait, knowing he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep until McCormick returned. He had never required Mark to report before leaving the house, but he had always done so just to let him know where he was going. The fact that he hadn't done s'o this time worried Hardcastle. Gnawing

at his insides was the old fear he had had when McCormick first came to live there-that one morning he'd wake up and find the gatehouse empty.

He paced the floor, stretched out on the bed and tried to go back to sleep, got up and paced some more, and had resumed his position by·the window when he heard a familiar sound. Its head lights off, Hardcastl;e could barely make out the silhouette of in the darkness. There was the sound of the garage door opening and closing, then silence.

) Glancing at his watch, Hardcastle muttered, "After three- thirty. The kid was·gone-·almost forty-five minutes. I •wonder where the hell he went?"

He started towards the bedroom door, then decided grilling McCormick could wait until morning. The important thing,was, he had returned.

R E

McCormick was awakened as usual by the sound of a basket ball being dribbled outside his window. Unwrapping the pillow from around his head, he listened carefully for a few minutes and groaned. Hardcastle was making his shots hard, hitting the backboard with a jarring force that one of two things- either the Judge was in a really good mood or he was madder

than hell.

McCormick didn't think he could handle either Hardcastle· that morning as he started to rise, -then fell back with a moan.

Every bone in his body felt as if someone had stomped on it. "I 1m so young,11• he groaned to the ceiling. "How could I be so out of shape? 11Forcing to·a sitting position, he rose slowly, clutching his back as a pain shot through it.

11McCor-mick!11

"Yeah, yeah,11 he muttered, waving•,his· hand behind him at no one• in particular. 11I'm coming, ,Judge! 11 he·yelled back, :then

mumb·l'ed,. "Soon as I figured out how. I'm going to make it to the: bathroom."

Fifteen minutes later,. he was lowering himself carefully into ·a chair beside the pool."Morning, Judge,." he muttered, and reached for several of the pastries on the small table between them.

Hardcastle grunted a reply and continued reading his newspaper.

Glancing at him, McCormick hid a grin. A hot shower had taken away much of his stiffness, but he figured if he played

on Hardcastle's sympathies, he might get the day off. Of course, part of it would have to be spent in replacing those clipped spark plug wires on the Coyote.

Planning his strategy, he stretched his legs out before him and halfway suppressed a low groan.

Hardcastle remained buried in his newspaper.

Twisting around to pour himself a cup or coffee, McCormick's reaction was real this time as he inhaled sharply at the sudden stab of pain in his back.

Hardcastle dropped the newspaper and glared at him. "Is that all you're gonna do today is bellyache? 11

McCormick threw him a startled look, surprised at the harsh ness in his voice. 11 Sorry, Judge,11 he mumbled low. •

"Yeah, well, I told you you were over o_ing it_ye§te:;:day," Hardcastle grumbled, "and if you'd gotten your sleep last night like you were supposed to, you'd feel a helluva lot better this ITiorning. "

"Believe me, I did sleep last night, Judge," McCormick assured him. "Iconked out like a light, _and didn't hear a thing til1 you started shooting that dqmned.J2.9-sketball."

Hardcastle threw him a trange look. last night?" he asked quietly.

"Where'd you go

"Go?" McCormick echoed. - -' told you-I went to bed."

Hardcastle folded the paper with deliberate slowness and - laid it on the table-between-them. u-:r never -say anything -when you

go out at night on a date do I?" he asked.in a gruff voice. "I nevers t a curfew,_and I ·never_ ell when ou don•t-ret:1..3:rn until the wee hours... IDl:f when you go out at al_mo t three o·'cl9ck in

the morning in my truckand. don '.t come back for forty-five minutes, then I- think-'i- sbou_ld h?-ve an explanation. "

McCormick nodded slowly. going to give me one?"

"I agree, Judge. So when're iou

Hardcastle's hand came down hard on the table, causin.,g_Mark to jump. "I 'rn·aski'iig- you, damn it!" he roared.

"And I don't know what the hell you're talking about!" McCormick fired back.

"I'm talking about you goin' out of here early this morning in the pickup." •

McCormick stared at him. "You're crazy, Hardcase!· I told you a long time ago those peanuts were gonna do that to you! I never went anywhere last night. At three o'clock this morning, I was dead to the world."

"Then who the hell was driving my truck?" Hardcastle demanded.

"How should I know?" McCormick yelled. "But i. t wa:s.n. '..t.

me!"

Hardcastle studied him a moment, then spoke in a strangely calm voice. "There was a robb ry early this morning. I ;._

heard about it on the radio. A jewelry store on Jefferson a9 bu rglariz and the guard knocked unconscious. The guy got away with about twenty thousand dollars worih of diamonds, b t the guard

- naged to get a glimpse of his transporatioh-a black rid silver GMC pickup. "

McCormick's eyes widened at this news, then with his face set in determined lines, he jumped to his feet and started towards

)the garage.

Hardcastle chased after him. think you're going?"

"And just where the hell do you

"I'm going to prove that you're wrong in what you're thinking right now!" McCormick shot back over his shoulder.

"You don't know what I'm thinking!" Hardcastle protested.

"The hell I don't!" MCormick retorted angrily. "And I'm going to show you that you're about as far off base as you're ever gonna get!"Lifting the garage door, he started around the side of the truck. "When I was polishing this thing yester- day, I noticed the odometer reading and I remember thinking that this has been a good truck considering all the miles you've put on it-87,248.3 to be exact."

"Now look, kid-" Hardcastle began.

McCormick whirled around. "No, you look, Hardcase! You're laying an unfair accusationmy shoulders, and I don't like it! I'm gonna prove to you that I didn't take this damned truck any wheri--last night, and then I'm gonna pack up my things,-arid me and the-Coyote are making tracks'out of here. First, that robbery- -

, yesterday, and now this. I don't know what the hell_'._s·_going on, bJ,1,t _L -m-no_t go_ing to-hang arou,nd "and let you hand me over to the cops for so ething I didn't do!"

Hardcastle froze. "Mark, I never accused you_o,f commi those robberies;" he denied oftly.

.:XQ'IJ. didn't have._to! I can see it in you:r f_ace!.''_ McCormick yel1 d back. Climbing into the clri r Iseat_he h ssed angrily.,-

,.It's easy to trust me as long as things are going smoothly, isn't it? But as soon as weird happens, barn! 01' Judge Milton C. Hardcastle is right there with the gavel ready to-" He stopped and leaning close to the dashboard, stared at the odometer reading. "I don't believe it," he breathed low. "The-The odometer r ading is different."

"How much 1·11

11S x point one iles."

"That jewelry store is jµst about three miles from here," Hardcastle pointed out.

McCormick Is head rose' slowl,y, his eyes-locking with the_ Judge's. "'I didn't do it," he whispered hoarsely._ "I !3wear I.. never left my ped all night-_;at-at leapt, I don't think • did', i,

Hardcastle patted his . arm. . "Your word Is good' enough f r. me, kid. Besides, I didn' see yOu last night, anyway', I saw the truck leave and come back, and I just assumed you were

driving it."

"Maybe-maybe I was." McCor ick climbed slowly from the truck. "Judge, you-you ever come across a case where a guy was s-stealing things and didn't know he was doing it?"

Hardcastle chuckled. gone off the deep end?"

"What's the matter? You think you've

McCormick frowned. "I'm seriousr Judge. I go out yester day and someone in a red Coyote robs a place. You saw the truck go out last night, and someone robs another place in a pickup just like this one." His eyes widened in horror. "'Could it be

me, Judge? Could I have robbed those places and don't remember it?"

"No, you couldn't have done it," Hardcastle assured him, "and I'll tell you why. One, if you need any money, you know all you gotta do is ask. Two, I don't see you slipping up on anyone and knocking him unconscious. That's just not something you'd do. And three, you don't have a damned gun."

McCormick was still doubtful. "Then what the hell's going on? Who did commit those robberies and why would anyone steal your truck and then turn around and bring it back?"

"I don't know, but I intend to find out," Hardcastle pro mised firmly. "And you're not going anywhere until I do. You're gonna stay right here on this place until we can get this thing straightened out."

"But I've got to go get new spark plug wires for the Coyote," McCormick objected"That jury-rigging I did won't last very long."

"McCormick, what's more important to you?" Hardcastle shot

back. "Getting that damned car fixed, or staying 04t of prison?"

McCormick threw him a wry look. "I gE;=t your point, Judge.

Okay, I promise, I won't stir from thts spot."

"That's what you think," Hardcastle broke into a grin. "Since you're gonna have a lot of time on your hands, you•

might as put. it to gpod use. Those evergreen bushes need to be shaped,- could use a good clean, , and you Ive,been_ promising me for two months that you 'cl t,he trim around the windows,."•••

"Aw Judge, didn't I do enough yesterday?" McCormick groaned. "I was kinda hoping you' me have the day off

"Sure," Hardcastle·agreed amicably. double the chores to do tomorrow."

"But you'll have

."Okay, okay, Hardcase, you get your damned windows painted," McCormick retorted, then smiled. "Thanks, Judg ."

·-

"For what?" Hardcastle grqwled.

)"For believing in me."

"Forget it, kid," Hardcastle growled. "I'm doin' it for me as much as for you. Labor, even your kind, doesn't come cheap anymore, so I guess I gotta keep you around."

RF O U R

Even a place as beautiful as Gulls Way can turn into a prison if one is forced to remain there very long. It took McCormick only three days to become stir-crazy, yet all his de mands, threats, and pleas to rejoin the real world continued to fall on deaf ears.

"You're whining again," Hardcastle growled over lunch.

"I can't help it! Judg , I gotta get out of here!" McCormick pleaded. "Let me go to the supermarket with you. Oh please, Judge, let me go-please, please, please."

"Stop begging," Hardcastle demanded. "Every time you do that, your voice gets high like a little kid's."

"And you can't say no to a kid, ri'ght?" McCormiek threw back hopefully.

Hardcastle leaned across the table. "No. "

"Aw, come on, Judge. Have a heart."

..If' I have a heart, you're liable to end up in prison," Hardcastle retorted.

McCormick leaned back,in his chair, his,appetite gone. "Damn it, Judge, I can't stay here forever,'' he complained. "When're the police gonna get that creep? Can't you find out something?"

Hardcastle shook his head. "I've got to e caeful 6n this one. If I ask any auestions about those robberies, the· police'11get suspicious: •• Right now, they don' ·.·any- rea·son the pickup to that second robbery ana·t•want,it kept· that way. So we just lay low and let them work this one out.''

"Okay, okay," McCormick agreed reluctantl:y. "Hut that doesn't mean I can't go to the supermarket with you. C'mon, Judge," he pleaded, "I promise I'll do everything you say anq.

I won't leave your sight for a second: ·You can even·put·a leash on me."

Hardcastle sighed. "That is tempting, kid,-'but t a.6n't want you seen in a public place." He wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood. "I'll tell you what, though. If you behave yourself and nothing else happens, then we'll go for a drive up the coast tomorrow. How's that sound. i,•

McCormick's face lit up. • "You promise?"

"I promise."

McCormick grinned. "You got it, Kemosabe. I,11be quiet as a mouse the rest of the day."

Hardcastle slapped his arm. nGood. Now, write out the in formation on those spark plugs wires you need and give me a list of things you want at the supermarket."

"Okay, the food first. We need some vanilla ice cream and Double-Stu£ Oreos,11 McCormick began thoughtfully. "a coupla six-packs of beer, and ..oh yeah, we're down to our last jar of peanut butter, and pick up a dozen or so doughnuts, too."

Hardcastle started for the door, yelling back over his shoulder, "It's a good thing ,I don't let you do all the shopping; we'd both weight three hundrec:1 pounds." -

McCormick watched the pickup disappear down the drive, then trying to fight his restlessness, he began cleaning the leaves out of the fountain. His·eyes, however, kept straying to the Coyote sitting in the open arage, and fin lly giving in to the urge to feel himself behind the wheel again, he wiped his hands on his jeans and climbing into the car, he started the engine.

The automobile hadrt It been driven since·tha't ill-fated

trip to tcmiriic' s·, arid'he planned to just let it run a few minutes

to warm up. His hand, however, went. to·the gearshift and he grinned. The judge had aid he couldn't leave the grounds, but that didn't mean he couldn't run up and down the driveway.

Maneuvering the car out of the garage, he took off with a squeal of tires·At the entrance to the drive, he slammed on

the brakes, swinging into a U-turn that iaid down a trail 6£ rubber. Twice more he approached t·he entrance,in the same manner, but the third time-he pulled·'between the stone pillars and stopped, gazing long,ingli at the·1 highway beyonc;l. If he went up the road just a short distance... What Hardcase didn't·know, wouldn't hurt him.

McCormick sat there a moment longer, then sighing, he slipped the car into reverse. The Judge had set up that rule in an effort to protect: him, and McCormick knew he was trusting him to obey it.

If he didn't,he would knbw in his own mind that he,had betrayed that tr st, and McCormick decided he 6ould live ithout that kind of guilt.

Makirig i slo turn at the entrance, he started back towards the house, flicking on the radio and pretending th t he was cruising the highway.

The song came to an end and the local news blared across

the airwaves, the lead story concernlng a-robbery which l).a.9 occurred

just minutes before. McCormick slammed on his brakes and listened in growiqg - horror to the description of the young man who had walked into a savings and loan, unmasked, and in broad open dav light, shot and critically wounded a guard, then walked out ag in, jumping into his red sports car-license number "COYOTE X".

"Oh Lord," McCormick breathed low. "The Judge is never gonna believe me this time, and I can't blame him if he doesn't."

His instincts told him to run, to get the hell out of there up the coast• somewhere or maybe even' in another state. It was no longer just a simple case of robb ry- somebody was trying to frame him, and with no one on·his team, he wouldn't stand a chance of proving his innocence.

Every nerve in his body was screaming at him to get out

of there, but McCormick's heart was telling him something erfEirely different. He couldn't do that to Hardcastle. He couldn't uj: the Judge in a position of trying to explain to reporters how_t_he young man he had ta .n in_to his custody and treated like a son_ had committed those robberies almost nos !- _ And McCormick knew h couldn't run away and let h he was it.

'ae had to sta_y ,and try,·to con_v:i, !,rdcastie that taking·in"an.!.

ex-eon hadn't beenE' !:take the Judge had ever ma,de:

''

His decision made, McCormick slammed his foot down hard

on the accelerator and swung the car around the back of the house. It was debatable who would get here first,-Hardcastle police-but until he found out, he arid the Coyote were staying out of sight. Sending up a prayer ..ofthanks "\:.Q the the gods of . , McCoJ:"mick pul,led the Cqr .in ait1ong the evergreen bushes which he had never quite gotten .aroµnd to trimming. •••• •

Jurnpin,g out, he made a dash for the house and, running up the stairs to·· Hardcastle's bedroom, he moved alongs_ide the window where he could get a good view of the drive. I-t .was airnost,.a t:i.e. In a matt r of minutes, a black and white pulleq thrqu9J:1'; lie._g?,: e .

.Bef()re 1;., reac ed the house, a familia:;- appea:ire?- a d.. _

McCormick watched as it came to a s:top som!;! !.istana:e down the ..•. Hewas ce;rtain the Judge w s star. ·at the ope-I:l· gira.g.i;

now empty, and at the thou9ht of what must be going •

-·- - - - . , ...•. ·.'.._ ·-, -···- .

Glancing around the room quickli, McCormick tried to think of some way to let Hardcastle know he hadn It. taken off, but there was nq. way he could give him a sign with the black and white sitting right below the window.

The pickup started moving again and McCormick left the bedroom,· f lattenirig himself against. the.· wall at the top of the stairs. The front door opened in middle 6f a conversation

and McCormick leaned forward not quite believing what he was hearing

"-won't be back for another four days," Hardcastle was saying. "He wanted to go up in the mountains with Christy, that

cute little brunette he's been know how McCormick

canplead, and he's been doing a lotof chores around here lately, so I thought, what thehell-give the kid a vacation."

"And youswear he's not around here anywhere?" Lieutenant Harper pressed.

"Look, Frank, you can search the place ifyou want to," Hardcastle suggested."I won1teven make you geta warrant."

Harper shook hishead."I'll take your word forit,Milt, but ifhe calls in, you1d better talk himinto giving himself

up.I1vealways thought Mark isa good kid, and I don't want to believe he's these robberies any more than you do, but the evidence issure stacked against him."

"Yeah, I know," Hardcastle nodded,"which iswhy I'msure someone's try in'toframe him."

"Who?Why?" Harper demanded.

"IfI knew that,. I wouldn't be standing here talkin' to you now, would I?"Hardcastle snapped.

"All right, all right," Harper held up hishands_.IIT'·ll se.e ifIcan.;getany other leads,-butI can tell c;m t is,.,Milt- the DA knows that Coyote isone ofa kind."

"Itwas one of a kind," Hardca,stle corrected. "Hell, Frank, anyone with money could have a car built that looks like the Coyote. A coupla years ago, pictures of, itwere plastered allmrer those auto racing magazines "

"Yeah, yeah, ,I know," Harpe:r\ nodde9,"but the DA's notgoing to go forthat unless you can prove there·' s another Cqyote out

there somewhere. 11He. start_ed forthe· door."Until th n, if Mark calls, talk to him, 's in real trouble."

Movi g

,I

"Yeah, you can bet_I.'11. do that," Hardcast.l.e,-assured him. t_o_the_w:indow , yat._ched until the_ police car was Ollt of

sight , then_ .in_g_slarnrned-hi.s._hand do n. on the desl':.;1?,op."Damn! Where'd McCormick go?" hex, ..

"He didn Itgo an h- -McCormick stepped through the,door "into' theliving ''Judge -L--.f fth ie w}}.f1e yo1iw _re

go e I. swear."•'

H_a:tdcastle whirled around and moving quickly to McCor:i:nick' s side, he grabbed his-sh6-uTder_s..•"Kid, are· you a srght _sore

eyes!'" ·h -beamed· -•,i Ihou9ht you had taken offfor plac_es 1_.1_nkI1Q\jn."

11 , " McCormick_ admitted ..low.-"Ihe ..abou t_th robbery 'on-theradi.o;-and when I heard tha:t, descr ipti0n, th£i:r:st thouglfi:1:hat-came-to :inf mind was tojust hell ..her_e. II

He and ;trapped hishead.""Icouldn't do that to you,

Judgel -.-. fie-whrsper·ea. '

Hardcastle watched him closely as he asked, "Kid, I got one question for you, and if you've never lied to me before, believe •

me,now's not the time to start. Did you commit that robbery?"

McCormick raised his head, his eyes meeting Hardcastle'§ squarely. "No. Iswear to God Inever went past that gate _htJ_e you were gone."

Hardcastle broke into a grin and slapped his shoulder. "Well, that's good enough for me."

McCormick stared at him in disbelief. "How can you be so sure, Judge? That was my car_with my license plate, and the- description of the robber fits me perfectly ·- Howyou beli

Ill_ _gve..rthat; kind_.of_§y_;i._qeric;e? You've put guys in prison for a

helluva l-o-t less-t- han·t- hat."

"True, but I didn't know those guys," Hardcastle smi'led and per_chea _on-the- edge -of-his desk, looking up at_J'1cCormj,.ck.

"That bank official was shot arid ciritic lly ounded. Now, I'm a pretty damned good judge of character and the way I see it, that kid who sat beside my bed that time in the 'hospital and shook like a leaf because he'd been fo-rced to shoot and kill a creep like Weed Randall* isn't cqpable of shooting dq n one

of the •; McCormickIyou I re a··iot of thingsIbut or e of I em

isnot an actor. • Besides, like I told Fr;anlc / any·one·iwith money could have a car built -t-hatlooks like the ·coyote·-And- that •• description-a curly-headed, young man. Hell, kid, that descrip- tion fits·a hundred guys·right around here." •

McCormick drbpped into ·a chair -with a long sigh: -of·re'liie:L "After this last robbery, I was sure you wouldn't believe nie, •

and I couldn't really blame you.11He paused and his eyes rose to meet Hardcastle' s"Judge,·why is someone doing this tome?11

he whi'.spered. "What have I done toanyone to 'make them wanna

frame me like this? God,· who hates me ·that much?'"

Hardcastle dropped his head. 11It's probably not you.

••I think sdmeorief sout'to get back at me. II

- -!;-

McCormick ·straightened·. "What do you mean? II- '.

"Somebody's to discredit e;_II Hardcastle decided. "You know damnea well how it'd ·100:k·if the police arrested

ari ·ex..;,;con ·in my charge for ·committing robberies arid'..sh6otirig down innocent people. We've both made some enemies, and t··al'ready'"ha:d

more'n my share _before you even qame along. 11

. ...;...-·'-

"So-So what do we do now?" Mccormick stammered·.

"We get you outta here." Reaching down, Hardcastle grasped McCormick Is arm and'·pulled him to his Judge Renfro, an old friend of mine, has a cabin up in the mountains not far from here. We used to go hunting there a lot. I've got a·key·to·the p'lace, and Clyde's in Hawaii right·now, so the police·or no orie else will know you're up there." •

"The Birthday Present"

"How long do I have to stay?" McCormick asked.

"Till I get this whole damned mess cleared up," Hardcastle shot back.

McCormick's eyes rose to meet his.

I'm rear·scared. II

"Judge, I'm scared.

"Yeah, I know, kid, "Hardcastle patted his arm, "but don't worry. I'll get it straightened out."

Turning away from hirn, McCormic.k_.wande-1:ea -to-the .wi-nciow and stared out with unseeing eyes. "Judge, I-I want to te l you something that I've never told livig soul."

Hardcastle's eyes narrowed. "Kid, if you confess to those robberies how, I'll stuff you through that basketball hoop out there."

McCormick laughed shakily. "No, it's not that,11 he a·s-sured

without turning. "Judge, I-Iknow you :to believe I.'nL.-inn.o:

cent., butdeep down ·inside, you'r,e still·not sure."

"Hey now, tha- t's not-" Hardcastle began.

"Yeah, it: _i_s t:i;_ye,.11.M.c:Coxm:i..-ck interrupted. softly,·"aha,. it-'s okay. Bu.t there_'.s another .on _why I _wouldn' thave com-· mitted tho e t0bberies, a reason that I was too cocky, I guess, to ·1eyou know·-ab_Q_U"'E oack hen-r--: rtfr e tfi. COycit - * _. I'dnever

betray·your trust in me, Judge, but this reason is even strdnge:t than that.;,•

Hardcastle stepped clqse peJ1ind him. 11What is it, kid?"

McCormick turned slowiy_tq meet h,is gaze.· "I can't go back to prison, Judge. Just·the thcmght of it terrifies the hell outta:11

Hardcastle could tell McCormick was telling the truth by the 100)5. of fear in his eyes, but he tried to· shrug it .off. "Yeah,

ell, nobody likes prison. You're not supposed to."

McCormick shook his head. "You don't understand, Judge.

Those two·ye-ars·were ·like a hell on earth for me. I-uh:..r. rtried

t9-: be•theprison comedian, you know, laughing and j eking around and all, but...half the time I was scared to death I-:):.'d_ge:t , and the other half- was terr1rfedof-6eing- ,-f-oeing .kille_d.

You've never been in there, Judge; you can't in your worst night mares imagine what it•·s like to have your freedom ripped, Wc!-Y,

to be locked up with perverted, sadistic killers, to-to have-to listen to 'em brag about who they wasted before they g '!:._!._n there, and who they were going to hit when they g_ot 01.1tYou know I haven't lived a pure life, but to be forced to sit there two years and listen to those-those dregs of humanity talk, and-and watch them get in fights and cut each other up..." He

"Rolling Thunder"

tothewindow."That's why Igot-I got so upset when I hadto kill Weed Randall.I felt like it ... lowered me tothesame level with them .•·1 was no better than those guys who sat around aljd - bragged about blowing somebody away."A shudder rari thrqugh_him,

·causing-· his body -to visibly - tremble: "I can-'·t· go back; Judg . tr·t:hey try to put me in prison again, I-I swear I' 11 do·some fnng·-drastic. I won't go back in there! I wo.n 't ! "

Hisvoice hag. µ_i;i:-ed aslightly hys:teric::1.l tone,. and

Hardcast;le laid- a hapd on hisshoulder, try_ing tocalm him.

"-Mark, you' re not going back, you got my word on that.I' 11 find out what's gainonfiere- -a:na-r •-11 getyoucleared ...-

"What ifyou can't?" McCormick whispered.

Hardcastle drew back ..If-and that's a biif- I can't get this worl out, then you and me, kid, are gonna gc,-ori extended vacation.I've always wanted totour Europe,. .and I haven't been back to theBahamas since Nancy died·.!' ·

McCormick's eyes were round with wonder. that for me, Judge?"

''.Yoµ-You '.d do

11 I'mnotmaking a sacrifice here," Hardcastle i;;,no:t back gruffly. "You' reup to your· e_arsintrouble bec 11s . _and I'm notlettin:g you· fake a dive beca'l;lse some creep out ,there_. wants my a s_. 11Starting· around , he slappE;:d •

-the--chest.i'Now c'mon, mov._e it, your PJs and. a 1:oath

brush. I' 11 load up some food an.d we cangetthehell . herend up to that cabin." •

McCormick broke into. a grin.."Right, Kemosabe·.- •

He started towards the door and -afterhim. ''By theway, McCprmick, would you tnind telLLn' me where the he,ll you put ?"

RF I V E

The trip to the cabin was made in both vehicles, Hard castle deciding he wanted to hide out not only McCormick, but

the Coyote as well, just in case the police showed up on his door step with a search warrant. If they found the sportscar on the premises, it would blow a hole in his tale about Mark going on a vacation with his girlfriend.

The cabin was empty as Hardcastle had promised and glancing around the sparse two-room structure and the thick forest beyond, McCormick asked hesitantly, "Uh-Judge, how far away is the rest of humanity?"

"Far enough," Hardcastle assured him. "There's a fire

station about six miles down the mountain. neighbor."

That's your closest

"Aw man, I can see how much fun gonna be," McCormick groaned. "No telephone,.no electricity,·nobody ..to talk to ..."

He hugged himself and shivered. "Judge•, it's freezing U:p here. What am I gonna do for heat?"

Hardcastle pointed to the far wall. '' , McCormick, is what is commonly known as a fireplace. And outside if you look real hard, you'll find some big, tall things called trees which, with a little effort, can be magically transformed into firewood."

McCormick groaned again. "I'm a city kid, Judge. I don't know anything about building fires."

"Well, you better learn fast," Hardcastle suggested. nights up here get pretty damned frigid·."'

"The

"Oh great." McCormick dropped into an old leather chair and hung his head dejectedly. "I got two choides-I can freeze to d ath or die of loneliness.

"Aw now,·c•mon, kid, it's not that bad," Hardcastle grinned, trying to cheer him up. "What's the matter w:tth you·, anyway?"

McCormicJ. rc,1ised his head slowly, a·troubled the youthful face. "I don.'t like it, Judge. •• Whoever's ·committing these crimes, he's already slugged one guy and shot another. That

puts him in the top ten on the list ofbaddies, and now you're

hiding me away up here and yoti're going b ck after him. I donJt like it; I should be with you."

"It's too dangerous," Hardcastle explaine patiently.

"That's what I'm trying to tell you, Judge!" McCormick jumped

to his feet. "No, I've decided-I'm going back with you and we're gonna find this guy."

"You're gonna play hell!" Hardcastle retorted, pushing McCormick back into the chair. "You're gonna stay here and do like I tell you, or you can pretend like you're Santa Claus when I stuff you up that chimney!"

"But, Judge-"

11It's gonna be your butt if I catch you following me back," Hardcastle warned. "Now, I want your word that you won't leave this place until I come get you."

Mark stared at the far wall, a stubborn look on his face. "McCormick!"

"Yeah, yeah," he finally gave in. looked up, his eyes meeting Hardcastle's. will ya? For my sake?11

"You got my word." He "Milt, be careful,

Hardcastle slapped his shoulder. "Don't worry, kiddo. I'm just gonna find out who he is and why he•·s doing this. As soon as I find that out, I'll come back up here·and·get you, and we!:11 nail him together-I promise."

That assurance made McCormick feel a little better. "Okay," he agreed still somewhat reluctantly. "When you come back, if

I 'rri laying here frozen stiff·; just take me home and p·op me inc the microwave. "

Hardcastle broke into a wide grin. "For you, kid-anything."

McCormick recalled ;those wor,ds fouro,ays later and tl;ley did nothing to ease his state of mind. afterflard

:t:le had left, he had fii;-ewood o get him through th.e night, then a supper of burnt beans, learning t_he.. hard way that cooking over an open fire was a far cry fron('_a.n• electric stove.••••••

Thenext two days i,n replacing the..spark plug. wires with the new ones the Judge had picked up , and chopping enough firewood to last someone a month or more. That unaccustomed exercise left him groaning in pain and unw1lling to

leave his bed the next morning. Getting:up ju,st:long en9l,lgh,·to replenish the fire, he crawled under_tne covers again out the window at the inches of snow. which .had fallen· during the night.

McCormick's heart swelled at the somber beauty of the late morning, and he realized with some surprise that if there hadn't been a cloud hanging over his head, he would have enjoyed

this return to his pioneer ancestors. The sight of the Coyote covered with snow, however, brought him rudely back to reality, and throwing the covers back, he sat on the edge of the bed, dropping his head in his hands.

"Judge, where are you?" he muttered low. "If there was only a telephone in this damned place." He was tempted to drive down the mountain to the fire station and use the phone there, but with his kind of luck, Hardcastle would come before he got back, and then there'd be hell to pay.

Foregoing a bath of any sort, since he had to go outside and pump water, McCormick dressed quickly by the fire, and began pacing the cabin. The lack of chores and recreation was leaving him with too much time on liis ands, and with- n-Othing to keep

}i1s-mind- : nd··ooa:y-·-acfJy_e-,-he was egi-to imagine all kinds

•

6:( terrible-·thlngs···which could've happened to the judge.

"If _§.ny_on_ _hurts him..." McCormick growled, half in anger and half in tear. Wnae-if•-Ha:rdcase broke his promise and went after th g y alonei Wha.t ifthere wa_;:;_more than one of them?

What if tbt=y reall_y-did i?-nt the Judge and tried to frame him

so Ha dcastle would h de him away, thereby leaving the field open

·for them to do anything they wanted to the J dge

McCormick slammed his hand down on the back of the chair. "That's gotta be it!" he muttered. "And Hardcase just played right into their hands!" He knew it was honest to admit that

he couldn't really offer that much protection, but he and the Judge together had to be better than Hardcastle alorie, especially since the Judge had the h;; of not stopping to worry about anything, but just charged into a situation and damn the conse quences.

"That's what's ," Mark addressed the hunter in the picture above -the J.i,.replace."He's gonna get himself killed and they'11 hav·e a funeral and all his friends'11 be

there except me, because no one'll know where I'm at. I'll be 1·ike ··tJ1at-TittTe· toy soldier in that poem where the little kid stood himacnair or·-something and told him not to move until

he came-back for him, and then the kid died during the night. I'11 -_§e • us riReat-I'11 stay here in this stupid cabin till I'm old and gray;-doTn' exactly what I was told to do, and the

.'.!,udge-is 1l_ever gonna come • ba_ck ana··get me! "

He had managed to work himself into a frenzy and an un offending··-Eas·socR·got the brunt of his anxiety. Giving it a hard

-kick across the room, he grabbed his coat. "God, I gotta get outta here!-i•·rn-gOihg huts! II •Grabbing up the ax;· his fiaria • closed ti:ghtly around it·and he muttered, "You got till this time tomorrow, Judge. If I don't see your ugly mug by then, -be, I'm jumping on Scout and coming to the rescue!"

It was early afternoon before McCormick paused in his chopping and stared at the fresh stack of firewood before him.

"You'd better hurry up, Judge, or I'm gonna end up turning this whole forest into kindling," he threatened. As if in answer to his plea, the low roar of an engine reached his ears, and glancing up, he grinned in relief at the sight of a familiar pickup charging up the mountain road at a speed which would have been dangerous even in the summertime.

The grin faded and McCormick sucked in his breath sharply. "Oh Lord! Either Hardcase has got some good news, or there's gonna be hell to pay for somebody."

..

RS IX

Hardcastle was starting to get orried. For three days he had been trying to get a lead on the robberies, but his sources couldn't tell him a word; either they were too scared to talk, or they simply didn't know anything. Incredible as it seemed, he suspected the latter was true. Someone, no doubt from out of town, obviously wanted revenge against him for some reason, but had put a silencer on the whole operation. No one was talking because no one had any information.

He finished getting dressed and went down to the kitchen, fixing a strong pot of coffee. His breakfast usually consisted of considerably! more than that, but the thought of food this morning turned his stomach.

Someone was trying to get to him by putting McCormick back

·in prison. Haracastle was so sure of that, he had -gorie through

his files the day before, pulling those of men who had a father or everi a.11_oJger brother, operating on the possitility that some

young man he had sent away had died or was killed in prison, and a relative was determined to make him pay by taking McCormick away from him.

He knew ithad become a well-known fact that McCormick had grown to be more than just an ex-con in his custody, so any type of attack on the yo\:lng man would also be an attack on him. Fol lowing that-lead, he had searched his file-s thoroughly but·nothing had panned out. No young man he had sent up had died in recent months, and there was simply nothing that could be tied into what was going on now.

Growling low in his throat; Hardcastle started toward the

living roan with his cup of coffee. He had _awakeneq_that_rnornin_g with an almost overwhelming urge to go-see McCormick. It still wasn't afe to let him return home, but Hardcastle found himself sorely

missing the yo_ung man's, company. The moment McCormick_had. walked

,intoliehousJ over two years ago, it was as if someone • had opened the blinds antj let the·outside world in. that·

since Nancy had died, he had been rn rely existing, going through the motions arid pretending he was living a normal life when in reality i had_s dde y lost all its meaning.

Then McCormick came along, a brash ex-con who was so young for his age, so increc1ibly,full 0f life, stubborn, smart..,.rnouthed, and uncomplimenj;.ary, yet so sensitive to the needs of others and always·anxious to please. And now someone was trying to take McCormick from him, trying to lock the kid away in that hellhole

again, and-attempting-to force him back to those years of loneliness.

"Like hell he will!" Hardcastle growled, slamming his fist down on the desk Picking up a picture of McCormick he had found

the day before at the gatehouse, he promised gruffly, "Don't

w6iry, kid, I won't let 'em send you··oack to prison-you got my word on that. I'll find out what's going on, but just in case I don't have enough time..." Pulling open a drawer, he che...eked

the two small notebooks lying within. One was his passport, and the other was McCormick's which he had finally found the day be fore in a s arch of th gatehouse, positive that the young_ n would've had a passport when he was traveling on the Can Ain_ circuit.

Deciding_tocheck the airlines, Hardcastle reached

the telephone, but a familiar sound outside claimed his attention. Jumping up, he .shoved the chair back and turnedquickly tq the window.

"What the hell's he doing here?I' he muttered and ran to wards the door,.flinging"-"It open at the young, c:uJ:"ly headed:man standing on the small porch. IIMcCormick , what·the hell do you think you're doing?" he yelled.

With a hand his chest, -McCormick pushed him aside.

"Get out of- my way;...he demanded.

"What!"

"L -said, get out of my way!" He stalked into-the study and Hardcastle charged after him.

·"McCormick, have·you gon crazyc?" he shouted. to stay upat that·cabin."

"I told you

"I got tired of waiting," McCormick shot back without turning.

"Well, that's tough, kid, but stayin' up there is a helluva

·lot better than comin' down here and letting the police or some-

one else see ,that stupid car of yours!,"-Hardcastle retorted anarilv.

"Ii-m-·knocking myself-out Eryiri.' to here you a_·re running'.around in"that damned car that .likea sore tliuriio Kid'·,I ougl!:tta- II

"S-hut up!" McCorrnic]s: wl)i_ _ed around. "Nobody asked for your lousy help and I 1m_gettin·g ,sick··and tired of -you- always

pushing me arou11cl. gl!.i:ng·."

,-

Hardc9-§tle_ shock at the Magnum now pointing at

his q_hest. "Good God, Mc;:orrn:ickl_ _vl!ia._t_the hell's happened to you?"

McCer.JTijc.:lc._.lips cm:;:led in a sneer.: "I've had it with ou, Harg.c;:ase.ein,g the good kia-··c:ffi -ch-e·151ock was handy for- awhile,

butit's outlived itsusefi1lness.·,r 'vefound" a quick and

way to make money-, and:no two-bit judge like you is gonna stop me."

Hardcastle's eyes widened. beries;-,.-he argued firmly. ••-

"You didn't commit those roQ.-:.

"That's what_ you v-?Ent tobelieve, Hardcase."McCormick broke tntoil _grin. _ "You dicfn't really think you had converted me, didy9u?"

Hardcastle couldn't believe his ears nor his had to be some explanation for allthis, andhe seardied his mind, tr·-Qto find one.McCormick--must 'vefound out something and was att mptin_g t.0:-t:urn liim_-agains_t him. He wasprobably planning to go out on hisown andcapture the real crook.

Hardcastle held out hishand. kid. Now,-hand-over--the-gun -arta-'iie·•11 this -r x ow-yqprQR? -want me off andfcan appreciate your-concern, but out there on your own."

"I'm not falling for it, sitdown andtalk about

this case forsome reason, I'm not letting yougo

"My conc r:rf?''._J1c ormick echoed with a harsh laugh."Ha:td case, tlie-Im concerned about you isthe day I become- solid citizen. - "Trying topretend your' e- my father .."He i-aughed again.

"You're just a stupid 'old man who hasnothing to offerme,-nothing that is except the money you keep in_y9ursafe."

-· - '-...-

flinclled, but _wc;1.s. determined notto believe

w- was a ei);- nt'.Cy-·happening."All - right, McC6ririi"cK; y-ou'vehad yo11:r:-say. "He took a st_ep f_q,r_Tilard ;. J1_is hand extended."Now,.-. hand over tha. _ i're notgo n shoot 'me andwe both know it.''

"You're right," McCormick agreed."I wouldn't bother

wasting a buTTe£ on a decrepit old- man.I don't need t6: ", _o Stepping to'!.. d ardcasj:.le, he backha.:t:1:c;ed 1t m, the barrel of·the_·gun con=-

neeting withis jaw.- -. - - ·-

Hardcastle hitthe floor hard, dazed by the vicious bl w. i3linkingrapiffly in an attempt to clear his vision, he stared up at·McCofmickatlast forced to-believe his worc;ls. With that realization came a sudden rush of emotions-anger mixed with hurt, and an overwhelming sense Of loneliness. He haduncon sciously molded what was left of his future around M9Cc;,rrq..t"ck_but now those hopes- layshattered, as broken as his spirit. ·oropping hisrhe-ad•;-c-·Hardc-astle-a-ppeared: mori:F-hurtthan he actually_ was,in order to hide the tears stinging his eyes. McCormick had; c·alled him an oldman, and he had riever felt it more so than now

"C'mon, getup!" McCormick yelled, and hooking a hand under hisshoulder; hci jerked Ha dcastle to his feet then pushed htm roughly into a chair. Grabbing a length of rope from hisjacket

pocket·,he tied the Judge 's hands be:hind hisback, then. .

"There.· You-'·re·-notgoin' anywhere toget -that_money."

'

"Iwon't tell youthe combination!" Hardcastle yelled_aj:t f

him.

McCormick turned with a grin."You forget, Judge-I

already know it."

Hardcastle felt a wave ofanger consume him."You're gonna

payforthis, McCormick!You could've had

I've got6uld1ve onedaybeen yours .• Righf..-now ·you could 1ve

hadanything you wanted. given ittoyou."

Allyou had to do was ask, and I would've

"You mean, crawl! 11 McCormick sneered."Not forthelikes of you' you judicial bastard! II he yeifectTn Hardcastle Is face. "I 'rrr sick of you and your patnetic attempts to buy affection!"

Hardcastl_ _struggled _againsthis bondtl}.is face pale with h ;r_t and_anger. et_g_u0f m _Ji_ouse ! ! 11 he

you better g_e_tQffthis plan t., becau.s_e_L TIL...Comi_ngfter you, _and_ byGod,I'mnot bringing the cops with me!"

McCormick laughed."Oh, I'll getoutofyour house, Hard case.11He moved tothewall safe and began spinning the dial.

11 And don Itwaste your time looking for me,- especially at. tha t

cabin.It.wqs place tgy:i_s;i.t, but I wouldn' live tliere. I Stuffing his pockets with the money Hardcastle kept on

Qalltlor "el'ror.expense.. cCormick slamm..e.d th..e. sa. fe_shut. "It's not much, butit 111 ti mover till JAY next_job. 11 He touched hisfingers to his .. head in salute."Bye,

's been fun btrt .:r .can'tsay I'm sorry to leave. 11

Hardcastle heard thedoor slam, then thefamiliar roar of

an engineaded-lnro-tlie dis_tance.H-e satlike a statue, :tears

filling his eyes and flowing_ freely down thecraggy cheeks-,.Why?" he whispered hoarsely."Why didhe dothis to me, DidI treat

hi-mtliaE .a.1y?" •-

Something had totake the place of that terrible ache within him, and as he began struggling to free his hands, a

white-hotfury started to grow inHardcastle."All this ,t_i_me _ _you were playing me for. a sucker," he muttered .''Handing me that kid act, trying to win my affections. • Well, kid, you:just made thebiggest'mistakein ,because no one makes a fool outta Judge Milton.c. Hardcastle. No one!"

Freeing his hands at la§t, he :jumped tohis:t:eet for t:qe door, stoppi:ng only 1o g enough tograb hi;, qoat. Ffe· washeaded forthe had tallght him·-·_ ifsonre"Qne

said not. to-waste youi-time doing someth:Lng, theoo,ds were vou'd be wasting- your time ifyou d'idn 't. -

Thedrive up to thmounta.:Lns usually took an hour and a half, but Fiardcastle made it ..injust under an 1:; .In .the d.:i,. tance, he could see the bright red Coyote, and smiled gJ;iml, Mark McC9r1t1ick was going to _x:ue. the-day he-walked into- g_udge Hardcastl.e 's courtroom.

C H A P T E R S E V E N

McCormick watched the approaching vehicle a few seconds longer, then went inside to set a pot of coffee on the-sto §_§in the -rireplace. He didn't care. what kind of mood the·JudgEi was

in; he was just glad he was safe. His mind had been playing tricks on himthe entire day, imagining all kinds of horrible things

that might 've happened to Hardcastle while he was s_hui:-._ p here aloriearid helpless. - -

The truck came to a screeching halt outside the cabin, and breaking into a grin, McCormick grabbed up .an auto raeing magazine the Judge had thoughtfully packed, aBd plopping down .in a chair, he became totally engrossed in one of the articles.

He'.d play it cool, he decided, and not let Hardcastle know he'd been on pins and needles for the past twe, days.

He heard footsteps on the wooden porch, then jumped as the door-was-suaaenly kicked open, hitting_the wall with a .re sounding 'bang that caused it to sag. askew, its .upper. hinge Silappin .

McCormick rose slowly to his feet. "Judge! What's wr_q_ng? Andwher¢-the heil you been? I've been.worried sick ab:out y_oµ! ,,

. . .

Growliri_gi_n reply, Hardcastle s:1:alkeg -across the room, his last step 1.n front of McCormick followed· by-··a:- blow _:!;_hat sent the young man_flylng backward over the chair.• • • •- - ·-

McCormick laid there a mom ll:i:, _staring up a -Ha _qcastle in shock ·· - ••

Except for the red welt aloflg an, jaw, the craggy faqe was white as a-sheet, the blue eyes burning as if caught in a f ye-r:::· IIGet ·up!" he roar_ed. "Damn it,. g.et on your feet! 11

McCormick's eves widened at th - tone ,of fury, .. 11W-What

is it, • Judge?• :.R:LiL I-i_o something wrong? For Goa Is sake, tell .. me,andI'll-and I'll apologize or-or whatever you want."

11 I said, g.et up! ! 11 Hardcastle yelled. "Let' seenow much guts ··you-g-ot when my_hands aren't tied! ·wher - -the. hell's your·gun?·-·· Maybe yo:u 'd like to 'waste' a bullet on a decrepit old man now! "

U _ing the overturned chair as a support, McCormick stag gered slowly to his feet. . ''Judge, have you gone off your rocker?" he asked_in a shocked tone. 11I don't.know what you're talking. about!"

"Like hell you don't!" Hardcastle roared, and kicking at

the chair between them, he grabbed McCormick's collar with one hand and drove a fist into his stomach with the other. McCormick doubled ov :i::.in_pain and Hardcastle followed the blow with an uppercut which sent him reeling into the wall.

Hugging the rough wood, McCormick gasped for breath. "Judge, dainil ·Tt:·-, what' re youdoing? What's gotten into you?"

"C'mon, fight like a man, if there's anymanhood left in you, yousnivelirig--cowardf"-·Hardcastle growled. "I told you d find you! No one·•-caTis me a bastard, especially a punk lik yo_u ! "

He start_ d_towards McCormick, and Mark backed away quiokly, still using-E:fiewall-·as_ a_s.upport. "Don't you hit me again," b.e-

w r11 q_,p_ o.iriting-a trembling finger at Hardcastle. _"Now, I didn't do anything to cause you to- come storrri-ing in here like •Giinc:fai: Din. I don't know \'That. the hell happened, but..,;;-"

"You know danmed well what happened! 11 Hardcastle· shouted. "I gave yo·u·-·-everything, McCormick-a chance·at a new life, a_roof over your head and food·in your belly, and something I hadn!

given anyone in a long time-my love! And what'd·you dG? You

threw it back in my face! Made a mockery of it! You my house and robbed me, slugged me with a gun, and showed me··_w j:. an old fool I'd been! When you said you hadn't commi ttea·-those robberies, I believed you. No, I thought, not the kid I'd .gr.own

to 1bve llke my own son. But you've been lying to me from: the

day you walk d ipto my house! 11 Grabbing McCormick by .. the-G0·

with both hands, Hardcastle slammed him hard against the wall. "C'mon, damn you! Fight me like a man!"

McCormick was staring at hirrt in horror, his head mov-ing back and forth slowly. "Judge, I didn't do it!" hedenied, panic replacing the anger in -his voice. '-' I swear I didn't do any of that! I haven't left this cabin. I wanted to because I was scared to death something had happened to you, but I didn't. I stayed here just like youtold me to ...-I; swear to God! 11••

With a roar, Hardcast1e·fiting him across the back of the sofa. "It won't work this time, snarled. • "That innocent kid 'routine went sotir ! feet and fight me!"

the room and • i11t9 McCormick!" he Now g.et ·on your

"No!" McCormick used the back of the sofa to pull himself up, his: eyes n·ever leaving Hardcastle Is angry face. "I won' t-=-.J:; won't fiJh1: y9 1gudge."

"Tll,en I'll beat the hell outta ya!"

"Go ahead!" McCormick screamed back·hoarsely, tears be ginning to- -swelT-up·in his eyes as· he watched his whole world falling aiart in front of·him. "I don't give a damn what yoy_do

J:o me! Judge! Somebody's already try in' to put me back in pr_i

.son ! It doesn't make any difference anymore! I'd rather you_.kill me with your bare hands than have to go back to that hellhole!' -

Hardcastle delivered another blow that sent him flying into the side of the fireplace. This time it took McCormick longer to stagger to his feet, a cut over one eye causing blood to ming re with his tears. "Judge! Please! I didn't do it!" he ple-ad'ed

in a choked voice. "What can I say to make you believe me?"

"Nothtng! _ Hardcastle yelled. "I may be a damned ol' fool, but I'm not blind, McCormick! You robbed me this·morning and slugged me with a _gun! What the hell, youthink I don-' t kriow

you when I see you! You were the one who laughed in my f§!9 nd

c_ l_ed fil- st!:}pid old man!"

"No! Oh God, Judge! I'd never call you that! '_McCo_ mick groaned. II It wasn·'T tne, I swear! II The tears were flowing freely

now and he swiped at them with the sleeve of his shirt. • judg.e ,· you're all I've got," he whispered hoarsely. "You met my real father;. you know how he is. But since· I-since I came to live

w-wi th you, I 've been really happy. I was beginning to :thi_nk,

with your help, I could make some-something of myself. •The last

two~ years-:-I-'ve ·had _:-eyerything I 've - ever- I 've ever wan-te -. my

life, andI_ wouldn't screw that up. I'd never steal from.you,

Judge,- and I wouldn't:··steal from anyone else-I swear to God!"

Hardcastle glared at him, hi fury gradually bein re placed by-·a - coia-anger-; ''I believed you before, McCormick . When semE: Il a you;:"d_9l[lned car at the site of that robbery, and. when I·saw the pickup leave that night, you. told me it had to be some body else, and I believed you. I even lied for youto the police!

I was: doing everything_ to protect you because· I thought., 'Naw-,

the kid wouldn't do something like that. He has too much affec tion for me'!"

"I-I do," Mccormick stammered. "Judge, you've changed my whole lif·e. • You gave·.me an authority figure,··someone I could

- look up to, _someone I cou.ld respect and-and- love. God, I wouldn't hurt you for anything in the;world!" •

It was obvious Hardcastle was hurting now, his face twisted with pain·a:s-he roared; -"Damn you, youI re doing.it again! II

G abbing McCormick, he slammed hi:m agains.t_the wall, one· hand

c),:qslng around hi.s -throat. "You're lyinq to- me, McCormick! It

a

was your _face I saw this morni-ng and it was your voice thcit called me bastard!"

McCormick tried to. shake his head. "If you're-if ygu're gonna Ril-r-me-, get it over with,l'-he-.-gasped '.'I won'·t f·ight

you-;Judge. I- can it-I can't hurt you, not .even to save •my_own life. "

·Hardcastle's hand tightened around his throat and McCormick

cl ped isi:eYes: shut, the tears forcing their waybetween his - eyelids.- - - -

Suddenlv Hardcastle's grip loosened, then fell away alto gether and jerking McCormick away from the wall, he flung him across the room, causing him to go crashing over a low table.

Staggering to 1!_i§ feet-_,_J1c:qrmick went down on one knee, then pulling i i lt- up,he stumbled towards the open aoor .

..-God -r gotta get outta here!" he cried out in anguish.

"Get back here?, you damned punk!" Hardcastle started after him, certain he was-heading for the Coyote, but McCormick ran wildly around the side of the cabin and into the woods,

form-ing an erratic pa-th in the virgin snow.

Hardcastle chased after him, his thoughts racing ch oti cally. Something was very wrong here-McCormick wasn' -i:--- good an actor. He was not at all like he hadbeen that morninq -Wnere were the lines of cruelty that had twisted his mouth when- he-spoke those damning words? Where was that hard,· cynical look that was in his eyes when he had obviously taken so much pleasure· in showing

an old man what a fool he had been? McCormick had a smart attT=

tude sometimes, but Hardca·stle had figured out long ago that he used it as a shi.eld in an effort to keep anyone from seeincf-h1s true feelings. TheMcCormick who had robbed him that --was so different, from the McCormick he had known for the past two_:-

years and the one who he had just wanted to kill in the cabin.

as

He hadn't those crimes-Hardcastle was suddenly as sure of that he- was of his own innocence. But,::- . _for,g. him, he had driven McCormick to the edge, and now· the kid thqugl!_t

he•··was alone. Unfortunately, Hardcastle knew the feeling all· too well, and cursed himseLf for having caused it in. another - -

Glancing down a.t the blood on his .·knuckles , he groaned.

What had he done? Nancy had always warned him to keep hii5_.t.§mper under control, but this time he had ignored her advice .. He-had given his fury full rein, taking out his anger and hurt on McCormick while turning a deaf ear to his pl:eas of innocence. And now_the kid was the one out of control i trying to escape to Gode knew-s

whe.re-.-e-lnid- dis·appeared almost immediately in the evergreH - •$ ,

but Hardcastle continued to follow the erratic-stumbling path he.left behind, glancing fearfully at the sun touching a distant mountain peak.

He had to find him before darkness set in on and·· no-way~·-tc5- build a fire, McCormick wouldn't nhalirig sharply,··Hardcastle stepped up his pac.e. happened to the kid because of him...

With no .co:a t last the night. If anythi-n-g'. :

That was the last thing·on McCormick's mind ,right then as he s u ·led and fell, then· pushing-himself up, began running

again. There was only one thought·screaming in-his brain==ilardcastJ.e thought he was guilty! No matter whowas trying to frame h_1._m_,_ _a.s long as the Judge- believed in him;·-he had had faith that it would

all work out TheLone Ranger would never have let Tonto g.9-'-t.o jail, and.Hardcastle wouldn't let him. He'd slap him on the- shoulder and growl, "Don't worry, kid. I'll take care of it."

McCormick fell again and lay there a moment, his, hands closing around fistfuls of .snow as hot·tears stung his eyes. _The illusion of safety had been ripped away and he was alone again, more so than he had ever been in his life because he had now had a taste of what it was like to be part of a family; that it was

-11-

a family _g only t_w() had made the ties even stronger...It had

ror

-·faken- him awhile, but.he had finally accepted the fact that he wasTovea. himself and not for what someone·could get from him. He-had known some time ago that the employer-emp qyee bit was no longer applicable, if it had ever been, but he had

not :;fed - just how strong each of their feelings had grown until that aay the Judge had told him he was going to die.

McCormick remembered the fear that had seized his heart, much likethe fear which claimed-him now. -There·was more-t,}iiil} one kirid of death_;_ and death of Hardcastle' s love and trust hurt just as much-as the death of his body.

Using an evergreen to help pull himself to his feet, McCormick leaned against the tree, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "What's the use?" he mumbled hoarsely. "There's nowhere to go.".

"McCormick! ! "

Whirling around, he saw Hardcastle charging towards him through the_snow.. "No, stay away from me!" he sc_r amed, stuTl]bl.i.!lg bacR:ward.-"YouI re not• taking me back .Judge! I Im not going-back

to prison for something.I dic!n't do!"

-"-McCor.m-ic-k,-d-on't run!" Hardcastle yelled.

"Keep awa from me!" McCormick started backing 9-way, quickly work-ing himself into an hysterical frenzy. • "I'm not g6inij- ith you] I don't-I don't care if I die out here! I wanna die!- JU:-sE- go away!- Go away and leave me alori!"

- -·- - - -

"Mark! Watch the log behind-"

Losing his footing, McCormick fell backward over an old tree layi 9a_cr9_p_ :-the-path behind him.

Hardcastle ran towards him an doubling gp iP a.fetal position, McCormick covered his head with his arms. "Don't hit rne-;-11-ne :i-eaaed:-1.n-pitiful tone. "Please don't hit me anYJI\ore."

-hrs

r

"Aw God, kid, what've I done to you?" Hardcastle groaned. Kneeling beside McCormick, he gently pulled -arms dow:n. "I'm not going to·hit ·yoii again, promise. 11 With an arm arounff_his

boulders , he hel ed him sit up. "C'mon, just_take t asy,

-kid.II - - -

McCormick's body began to shake th ragged sobs. ma]:{e me=:go-:b.ack:,-Judge! Oh please, don't make me!"

"Don't

Removing his coat quickly, Hardcastle wrapped it around the lean shogl er , then pressed the ·curly head against his chest. ":It's okay, Mark. You're gonna be all right," he mumbled.

"I-I didn't do it," McCormick sobbed, a hand coming up and clutching the pock t qf Hardcastle Is shirt. II I ain It no robber' J-u-dge."

"I know, kid, I know." Hardcastle rubbed his back vigorously.

II And I 'm damnef sorry th1.s wh9l§ thj_ng ever happep. d. 11 Deciding

further apologies could wait, he coaxed McCormick to his feet. "C'mon, we've gotta get back to the cabin before it gets dark. Now.here, take a deep breath." McCormick did so, and he urged again, "Okay, another one. Now, can you walk?"

His sobs ceasing, McCormick nodded slowly. "Here, let's get this coat on ya."

11·But you haven't-"

Hardcastle cut short his protest. "Don't argue with me, kid. ptick your arm in there." McCormick did as he was told, and Hardcastle zipped the coat up to his neck.

"It's a little big," McCormick commented shakily.

"You'11 grow into it,." Hardcastle smiled, and hooking an arm under McCormick.'s shoulder, he ordered, "Let.' s get back to the cabin before we freeie our tails off."

C H A P T E R E I G H T

Putting another log on the fire, Hardcastle returned to the chair facing McCormick's and began dabbing at the cut over his eye with a wet cloth. "You warmed up yet?" he asked gruffly, pulling the blanket tighter around McCormick. "You want some more cover?"

"No, I'm fine." McCormick had ceased his shivering several minutes ago.

"Then how about-"

Reaching from under the blanket, McCormick grasped his wrist. _ "Juacfe,_s-fop jJ:-;-"-:-ne ·ordered softli. •11nori •-t. ao-·'this to yourself_. None of this was your fault."

"Then who the hell's was it?" Hardcai;tle demanded. "I didn't see anyone else here when I was beating the hell out.ta you-;;"-He frowned "You sure your nose isn't broken?"

McCormick wrinkled it and smiled despite the pain in his

jaw.

11'fE"1 skai,--·I really. II - •

"What about your r.:!-_!?s?"

"They'refine, too," McCormick assured him.

"Your teeth! Damn it, I bet I broke some of your teeth!

Open your mouth ..and let me see·,'' ·Hardcastle ordered.

"Judge!" McCormick pulled away gently from his grasp. "I Im okc:Y. o'fl'iinr s broken, .I promise you ,,

. "Well, maybe not, but yo·u're a helluva mess. And I can't even take- acharrce-on - takin' you to the doctor; somebody might rec9g-niz·e you." Hardcastl'e's eyes unexpe9tedly filled with te rs. "God, kid, I'nc-·sori:y I did this to you·.11

McCormick l'eaned forward quickly, gripping his shoulder. "You don't need to- apologize, Judge. It wasn't your fault," he repeated earnestly.

"McCormick, don't try :to .pac'ify.me!11 Hardcastle shot ba k, angry at himself. "I came chargin' in here like a raging bull. I wouldn't-listen when you were·trying to tell me you were inno cent; instead, I started knockin' you all over the room. God,

·kid, I might've killed you! 11 Turning abruptly in his chair, Hardcastle stared into the fire, the flames causing his eyes_J:o glearn brightly. "How do I apologize for something like that? ,i he demanded in a choked voice.

McCormick had never seen the Judge hurting as much as he was now, and desperate to help him, he dropped the blanket from his shoulders and sliding off the sofa to his knees besi-de castle 's -chair,-he laid-a hand on his arm. "Judge, don't crucify

yourself like this," he pleaded in a hoarse whisper. "If anyone ever had a reason for doing something like this, you did. I would've acted the same way if I had thought that guywas_you.

God, from what you told me, I don't see how you can believe me even now. You said he looked and sounded exactly like me, and I can believe every word of that because it's h·ard to fool you. Damn, Judge, he drives a red Coyote with my license plate and even knew about the wall safe and he had the combi-nation..." His voice faded away and he inhaled sharply. "Judge, you know what I'm doin'? I'm putting my head in a noose here. Nobody. else could've known that combination. You and me are the only two who had it, and I didn't tell anyone, and you sure as hell didn't."

Hardcastle sniffed loudly. could've gotten it, kid."

"There's another ¥ay someone

"How?" McCormick demanded. "You don't even have it written down anywhere, and I couldn't have told anyone if I.wanted to, because I never can re;member the damned thing."

"Yeah, I know." Hardcastle looked down at McCormick, still on his knees, and reaching over, he picked up the blanket and draped it around his shoulders again. "Remember last week

when I told you to get some money outta there to buy those begonias, and you were complaining because you forgot the combination again?"

McCormick nodded sl·owly. "I said, why couldn't you use your birthdate or part of our telephone number al:3 the combination, but no, you had to come up with that stupid formula-the number

of years you were a judge-left; the number of yeais you were a cop subtracted from the number of years you were married to Nancy-right; and Christmas.pay less April divided by the number of years I was on the Can-Am circuit-left. That last one's the o?lY one I can remember," McCormick complai:ned.

..

Hardcastle sigheq.,. ."Kid, I keep tellin' you·to orget the forrnula-just·memorize·the numbers.,"

"Well, why'd you tell me the damned formula then!" McCormick yelled. "You just confused me!"

Hardcastle held up a hand. "Forg t it. The p6int is I had to tell you that combination again last week."

"So?" McCormick lrowned in puzzlement.

"Kid, you're not too wift in the br_ains department some times., are ya?" McCormick stared at him with a blank look, arid Hardcastle feigned anger. • IIHaven 't I been tellin' ya to spray around the house for insects?"

McCormick rose slowly to his feet, the blanket falling from his shoulders. "A bug?" he whispered. "You mean somebody bugged the place?"

Hardcastle grinned. "Now yer cookin'."

"Aw c'rnon, Kemosabe, you're grasping at some pretty short straws," McCormick argued.

Hardcastle shook his head stubbornly. "It makes serise.

Somebody hired a guy who probably already looked a lot like you, and then he had some cosmetic surgery done to complete the job. A damned good one, too, let me tell ya. That part was pretty easy, but the trick was to sound and act like you, and to learn as much as he could about both of us. So he bugged the place,

probably the'living roan and the kitchen and rnavbe even the gatehouse and out by the pool. • A little present for him was when he over-

heard me give you that combination. That really put the finishing touc6es on convincing me."

McCormick stared at him, the doubt obvious on his face. "Judge, that's gotta be the craziest idea I've ever heard. You just visited Wacko Land on the highway gain' through the Twilight Zone. II

Hardcastle jumped to his feet. "What the hell's wrong with you, McCormick? You tryin' to make me believe you're guilty?"

"No wav, Josl," McCormick returned immediatelv, "but all that stuff you just handed me is never gonna stand up in a court of law."

"Don1t try to tell me the law!" Hardcastle shot back angrily. "I know the damned law! What we need is proof!"

"The bugging devices!" McCormick exclaimed. "If we really can find those, at least we'll have a leg to stand on." He grabbed Hardcastle's arm. "C'mon, let's get back to the house!"

"Forget it, kid." Harica.castle pushed him gent::ly into the chair. "I'm not abOut to drive that mountain road tonight.·-And besideB, you're not going anywhere."

"Like hell ! 'm not!" McCormick fired back·. "You hid tne away and what happened? The Lone Ranger got robbed by a Tonto look-alike. So unh-uh, Kemosabe, you don't take Silver anywhere unl ss m and scout go, too."

Hardcastle sighed. dangerous ."

"McCormick, I told you it's too

"Too dangerous!" McCormick yelled back, his voice rising in pitch as it always did wh n he got excited. "Judge, we got a guy out there with my face who likes to start little wars and

doesn't take prisoners! The only reason he didn't shoot you was because he wanted you to turn on me. Now, I don't know about you, but Tonto here is gonna pack up his bow and arrows and go after that creep."

"Tonto didn't use bow and arrows," Hardcastle corrected automatically, "and you're in no shape to go anywhere. That cut's bleedin' again." McCormick started to make a swipe at it,

but Hardcastle grabbed his hand and used the piece of cloth instead. "Just look_at you," he grumbled, his voice growing hoarse. "Yq_u let:an old man beat you up. What makes you think you'd have a chance against someone your own_age?"

nJl..!c:!g _, Y.?!:J:lcnow damned well why_ I did,n I _t 1-!it you back, II -

McCormick retorted. "And besides, I can think of a•,

1:c,i:.t?_,_"things

to call you, but none of them would be 'old man'. I haven't met' an old man yet who's got a puncl'!:),ike_you've got. • Hell; I ,

haven It met a young-man who has a punch like that. II • Tlie looJs.o:n.. Hardcastle' s face caused him to inhale sharply.··,i·God, Judge, I didn'·t mean to say that." -

"Why not? It's true,11 Hardcastle shot back. "I've_.always kept mvself in shapeI and for what? So I could knock your-rtg.hts out? If you had hit your head on that fireplace, it·could've·- killed you, or I could'ye b:linded you in.th.at eye."_

"Then you would've looked only half as ugly," McCormick q_t1ipped.

11 Stop it, damn it!" Hardcast-le growled.

"No, you stop it , Judge!11 McCormick fired back. "Y6u got angry becaµs.e you love me and you thought I had betraye¢l.you:! II

He smiled softly. "Believe me, Judge, the beatin9,was worthit., because as angry as you were, there must be a lo of lcive there."

n_; _(i:r;_c:,pp d his h a,i;l - "A lot more than I ever d_id- ny:t:J1_ing deserve."

_!::_o

Reaching down, Hardca.stle picked up the blanket and.di ped

.it.arourid -the.ean··shoulders again. "Shut up, you're talki_gg_

nonsens'(;!. •_ Now, come on,.let's·_9et you to bed."

"Unh-uh," McCormick shook his head stubbornly "I'm not movin, Judge., till you.promise..ine you won't try to sneak outta here :i,;n the mor:riing. Your word of honor, Your Honor "

Although McCormick looked as if he was prepared to stanc:i there all niqht, Hardcastle doubted he would·last.more than an· hour. The beating, exposure to t;.he elements, and the.emotional upheavals had all taken their toll on the young man.·

"Look, kid, you're tired. Let's go to bed," he coaxed.

McCormick swayed slightly. until you give me your word."

"I'm not goin' , Judge, not

Slinging an arm around his shoulders, Hardcastle urged, "C'rnon, we'll sit down and talk about this, and I'll explain it so even you can understand."

"You mean, you'll try to pull a con on me," McCormick retorted, but having little choice, he let Hardcastle lead him to the sofa, and dropped on the cushions with a sigh.

"Now," Hardcastle sat down next to him, "I told you before that you can't-be seen in public. The police'll pick you up before you can bat an eye. I didn't report that robbery against me, but there's two others that we know of and..." He rambled on, watching McCormick closely.

His eyes gradually closed and his chin soon fell to his chest as he began to snore softly.

Rising carefully, Hardcastle turned him around so McCormick was-stretched out on the sofa, and leaving the blanket wrapped around his shoulders, he got another one and spread it over him up to his chin.

McCormick groaned softly and Hardcastle gazed down at him, wincing-at the cut over his eye which was already causing_it to become discolored. There would.also be a bruTse-0-i:1 his ja a d one close to is lip, too, by morning -

"Damn, I'm sorry, kid," Hardcastle apologized in ahg_grse

voice. "I-dori' t kriow why you'd want me for a father :I c;::_an sy_re

as hell make a mess outta thirigs. I know'.I've,yelled at Y-QU_and made life miserable for ya a few times, like that time when_I dragged you off to O:riegon, but what I did today was the wor_st.

If I had killed you..." He raised his head, once again "seeing" McCormick's body by the fireplac only this time it lay in.-a • crumpled, motionless heap. Tears filled his eyes. "God , L-

don't think I could've lived with that," he whispered.

C H A P T E R N I N E

McCormick stirred and with a groan, opened an eye. The other one was supposed to be in that position, too, but he could see only a mere slit of sunlight through it, and raising his hanq, he touched the bruise gingerly and winced.

The effort to sit up was almost too great, but ignoring the stiffness and various aches, he managed to swing his legs to the floor, then pausing only a moment, stumbled to his feet.

The mirror on the back wall cast a reflection whi h caused another groan. 11Hardcastle's gonna flip out when he sees me." Something clicked in his mind, and whirling around, he yelled, "Judge! Judge!" Moving to the window as as his stiff body would allow, he glanced out and slapped the wall angrily.

The Coyote was still parked out front, but the pickup was nowhere in sight.·

"Dam11._!_ _He did it to me again. He wentoff andleftme!" Furious;-McCormick.·-began stoking tfie-fire, en g:r:abbing_h1.s 'lastpair df-c-i-ean-j·eans, -he·changed clothes, his hands shaking when he-noticied the spots of blood on his shirt. it on the-floor -ire- slipped-on a new one, muttering softly, ''The

Jiiage is gonna get himself killed; that Is exactly what_he Is gonna u-.-The- i-nd- of mood he's in right .now, he's gon a, go a.fter• that cr-eep-impersOnating··me, and this time tl:lat piece of scum will de-

c::ide-the Ju:d-ge-±-s-expendab-le.-11 Dropping td tbe sofa, McCormick

-?hoved his feet into a pair of combat boots and_-laced them up angrily. • ""Hara·cas ;-if you think I I rn just .gonna sit here while you ge-t-yourself blown away, then you'd bet_ter think·again.

I 've:g_Qt_a car arid-" He stopped and jumped to his feet. "Damn!

I be he did something to my car so I can't follow him! Probably tole the distributor cap! That's the only thing on _!".hc;

that he knows!"

He ran for the door, vaguely noticing that the upper hinge had been repa-ired. Flinging the door open, he froze,:then a big srnit sp ead across his face. "Judge!"

Hardcastle raised his head and winced as his eves took in the bruises. "Well, kid, you're finally up," _].:l.E= spq]{ grl!. "y.

McCormick enveloped him in a bear hug that caused_ .dca!:t,le to stagger backwards. "Boy, am I glad to see you, _Judge! I thought you had gone off and left me, and I was so worried because I was afraid you'd get yourself killed!"

"H_ y_, hey, kid, settle down. 11 Harqcastle tried to rid himself of the ache in his throat which threatened to be too much for him. God, it feels good to have someone loverne-i"h"fs-much, he

ths:mg_ht_-. Remembering that he had tried his best 1=q_ _kill that love the night before, instead of pushing }1cCorm1ck away ,-his own arms :r-ose slowly, and he :n: .:t. _the_hug.·• •••

His response surprised McCormick, and sniffing loudly, lie wiped his •on Hardcastle Is:shouider.•-·- ·- -

"Hey, c'mon, kid, don't get the_shirt all wet," Hardcastle grumbled. "And when're you gonna let me in? We gonna just stand out here all day and freez ?"

McCormick drew back with c:l shaJ y!13:ugh. "Sorry, .Judge. "

His eyes rising reluctantly to meet McCormiqk's _g_aze, Hardcastle swallowed · . "No, Mark; I'm +.he one who's §9p:-y, ... he • spoke low. "Damned sorry."

"Aw now, c'mon, Judge, let's not go through that.. aga.i:p," McCormick- protested·softly_. Slinging an arm aroµnd Hardcastle's shoulders-, he walked with him into the cabin. "Listen, yest :i::-9ay

Wci-X

_ terday and·today's a whole.new.-day." •

"McCormick philosophy, huh?" Hardcastle snorted. "Well,

let me tell you something, kid. You ever heard of people ca:i::-rying their past with 'em? That's what you're doin' right now." He winced again at the bruises covering McCormick's face. "And the past sure as hell isn't pretty."

) "Aw, don'.two.r:+·Y about it, Judge," McCormick grinned. "In a few days, I'll be back to my handsome, macho, debonair: self again, and you won't be able to st nd me "

"Probably not," Hardcastle g-rowled, finally e;?CJ:iibiting some of his old spirit. "Sit down and I'11 fix breakfast," he·ordered..

"Hey no, Judge, let me cio it," McCormick offered.

"Ki¢!, I said, sit down," Hardcastle commanded qµietly. l'Now,. I'm doing·tllis, and that's that. The way you._coolc, you probably haven't had a decent meal in the last four- day , -anyway."

Unable.to a;rgue with that, McCormick sat down - t the small tabli: and watched in silence as Hardcl3stle set a skillet fu l of bacon sl·ices on a stone close to the fi:re, then broke several eggs in another skillet and began scrambling them. A pot of

cof ee McCormick had failed to.· notice before was

on another stone, and operdng a square, cast iron container, Hardcastle began removing golden brown biscuits and stacked them on a plate.

"What's that?" McCormick asked curiously.

) that?"

Hardcastle glanced up. "It's an oven. Didn't you know

McCormick shook his head. knack for this kind of stuff."

"Boy, Judge, you really got the

Hardcastle threw him a grin. "I've had a little bit of experience, kid. When Nancy was alive, we used to come up here a coupla times a year, just to get away from things. A great place to think."

"Yeah, and a great place to worry yourself to death, too," McCormick added fervently. Leaning back in his chair, he watched Hardcastle bent over his work. "Judge?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you leave this morning without me?"

Hardcastle straightened slowly. "I couldn't," he finally answered in a low voice. "You asked me not to, and I. .we11; r· felt like I owed you that much. Besides, I..." He cleared his

throat noisily. "I had to wait until you woke up to make sure you were all right."

"You're gonna take me home- with you now, arem 't you?" McCormick asked in a pleading tone.

Hardcastle stiffened. "McCormick..•" His shoulders re laxed and lie-sighed,- 1'Y:e·ah, kid, I'm gonna take you home 11-··-

"Good." McCormick grinned and rubbed his hands ,together. "But not on an empty stomach. When's breakfa1st? I'm starving!"

"Corning right -up,11 Hardcastle ·promised and filling a plate-with half the scramhled eggs, several slices of bacon, and two biscuits, he carried it and a cup o.f coffee to the table and set them in front of McCormick. "Listen, you can go home with

me on one ·condition," he announced, the tone of his voice allowing no argument.

"What?" McCormick asked suspiciously.

"Yau gotta leave the Coyote here,"· Hardcastle·decided. "If you're at Gulls Way and your car's up here, they can't blame any mo e robberies on you."

McCormick started •to·protest, but knowing the Judge was right, he sighed, "Okay, the car stays he:re.·•·By the way,·" he added, "what'd you do with the truck? 11

"I moved it behind· the cabin so the' wind co"uldn't hit it," Hardcastle explained. ''I've been having ·some trouble with that battery lately, ahd I was afraid it-'d freeze·up. Then neither one of us could get outta here." He pointed to McCormick's plate. "Now, eat up before your food gets cold."

"Yes, Kemosabe," McCormick grinned, but his enthusiasm vanished almost immediately. Biting into a biscuit :tie.failed to qontro1 a grunt: of pain, and even chewfi1g:-thescrarnbled eg_gs caused his jaws to ache_. It was also difficult to·swallow, hi_!? throat still swollen from the pressure-of Hardcastle's hand wh n

_ =_had come close to choking him to dea _!1_. _ i _ st_omach was_ empty, though, and ignoring the pain, he contihued to eat, albeit slowly.

Hardcastle couldn't ignore the expression of pain on McCormick's face, however-, and hiis own food almost untouched, he jump§d t:o his feet at last =!-nd ordered, "Stand up, McCormick!"

He glanced up. "Why?" "Just stand up."

McCormick did so hesitantly. "And?" "Hit me."

"I said, hit me," Hardcastle repeated. "You owe me one."

Mc;:_C_q_J;:It\_i9_ _shook his head. "Judge, I didn't hit yquyes terday, ang. _::f 'm- ?t going to do it now."

"Hit me, damn it!" Hardcastle yelled.

II - -

better?McCormick studied him9, moment.

"Y ah_! A helluva lot better!"

McCormick doubled up his fist. the Judge.

"Will it make you feel

"Okay," he agreed and hit

It must've stung slightly, but the blow was not even one

that wot1],g_ ause a red mark on 'lhe- craggy jaw, let alone a bruise.

"What the hell you call that?" Hardcastle demanded. couldn ' t even-down-a wimp with that punch. II

"You

McCormick smiled. "You sa,id hit you, but you didn't: ·_ ay how hard I had to do it." He sat down again and resumed eating. "Lone Ranger's code of honor is now satisfied," he mumbled with

a mouthful of food. "That's it, Judge. I got my 'revenge' that

you seemed to think I wanted. Now, sit down and eat. Children Africa are starving."

Hardcastle at down slowly and glaring across the table, he growled, "You' re determined not to make this easy for me ,. 9-re you, wi E:_ guy?" -

LoweriQg his fork, McCormick 'sighed, "Judge, I'm not trying to make it easy or hard. I 'm• trying• to make you f.9:i;:g_et_ thewhole thing. Youhad your reasons for doing what you·aid, andL_dQn_'._t

-blame·you for it. Now c'mon, Judge, let go_of the uilt, he

begged. ''You' re only making things miserable for_ both of us.

Let's-finish-eating and get the hell outta here. I wanna _gohQrne.• II

In less than an hour they had finished breakfast, packed their belongings, and were ready to leave the cabin. Climbing into the truck, McCormick waited patiently as Hardcastle made one last trip into the cabin.

Returning with a blanket, he tucked it around McCormick. "You comfortable?"

"Yeah, Judge. I'm comfortable." "You sure?"

"I'm sure."

Trotting around the front of the truck, Hardcastle climbed in behind the wheel and switching on the ignitibn, he let the eng,ine run a few minutes, then nodded toward the radio. "Pick yotir music, kid "

McCormick stared at him in disbelief. !'Do my ears deceive me? Is the great Judge Milton c. Hardcastle giving me the choi·ce

of Benny Goodman or for Fears?"

"Quit being a smart-aleck and pick the damn station," Hardcastle retorted:

The radio remained silent as McCormick leaned back with a frown. "Hardcase, am I going to have to put up with this all the way home?"

"Put up with what?" Hardcastle asked innocently. McCormick sighed. "Forget it, Judge."

C H A P T E R T E N

The trip wasmuch too long as far as McCormick was con cerned. Hardcastle was driving him nuts with his solicitous inquiries, his-insistence upon him remaining bundled u- even when they were down from the mountains, and the Judge's constant worrying about the state of his health. McCormick had-made the mistake_of sneezino twice and now -Hardcastle was convinced he

was coming d; with pneumonia. - ·- ·-

"Judge, I'm fine," he protested, pushing Hardcastle's hand away from his forehead for the fourth time. -

"You feel like you' re getting a feve·r," Hardcastle in

sisted. andpulling. between the' pillars of Guiis- Wahy ean

-n:ounced, "Well, at least we're home now, kid. We'll get you in

6ed.. and fix up som -chicken·soup, and you' 11 pe rig.ht as rain in notime-.-n- - .,. -

"Judge, I'm not going to bed.because there's nothing wrong with me."

"There is, too!" Hardcastl.e yelled back. a cold!"

"I am not!"

"You are, too!"

"You're catching

The truck came to a stop and McCormick jumped out. "I hate to. disappoint you, Ha":i::'dcase, but I '.m feeling great! II

"Well, you look lik hell! H rdcastle fired back. "Judge, stop it! Just s1:_op_it!II

Ha_rdc§.s:t_J,e ...f_ol).owed him up_to the doo+., ".Stop what?" he shouted. "All I'm tryin'-to _q.Q il:i_i: J_e care of you!I'

"No, youtre not! You're trying to smother me with kind ness!" McCormick ·retorted. ••

"Well, what the hell youwant from me?11·Hardcastle roared.

"I want that!" McCormick pointed at him. "I want you tb get mad and yeil-at·-me·-Ttke :you always do! • I want my Judge p-ack!" n:er-:t:Headed

"Okay, kiddo, you got him," Hardcastle decided. "Now,

get the hell irt·the-house,. get your butt upstairs and in my bed, and stay there till I bring up some 1:µ_rich:!" - ••- -

McCormick sighed. "That's not exactly what I had in mind-"

"You wanted me to yell-I'm yelling! Now, move it!" Hardcastle roared.

Deciding obedience was the better part of valor, McCormick started up the stairs. Despite his protests, he had to admit Hardcastle's solicitous attitude was rather enjoyable, even if most of it was caused by a guilty conscience.

There was a third reason for obeying the Judge. He hadn't wanted to admit it to Hardcastl , but the d ive back from the cabin had drained him of energy. Placing his hand aqain t his forehead, McCormick grinned wryly. "Hardcase is giving me a com plex. Ther •s notbing wrorig with me that a16oupla hdurs' sleep won't cure." He stretched out on Hardcastle!:, bed, enjoying the feel of a real mattress against his back for the first time in several days. 11After I eat, maybe I'll just catch forty winks," he mumbled with a yawn. "If it'll make the Judge happy..."

It didn't quite work ·out as McCormick had planned. When Hardcastle entered the bedroom a few minutes later with a tray of food, he found the young man curled up in a fetal position, snoring peacefully.

Grinning broadly, Hardcastle sat the tray on the night i::;ta,nd, and getting-a blank t from ·the·closet, he spread•it over McCormick, then tiptoeing from the room, pulled the door closed quietly behind him.

It was late afternoon when McCormick finally awakened. Stretching, he pulled the cover up to his neck and decided to roll over and go back to sleep, but his growling stomach re minded him he had already mi s lunch.

Sitting tip,

0

he swung his feet to·the floor and groaned,.

"Aw man, the Judge1ll kill me if he,finds out I was in his bed with my.boots on." Not1cing the tray of food still sitfing on the nightstand and the blagket w,c3,dded up on top 9f the bedspread, he broke into a grin. "Guess he already knows." •

Picking up the tray, he.started dowh the stairir. Judge!"

"Hey,

"In the,kitchen!"

He reached the foot of the stajrs just as the doorbell rang.. Holding the.tray in one hand, he yelled; "I '11 get it!11 and reached for the door.

"McCormick! No!" Hardcastle's panicked cry came, too late.

McCormick stared at the plainclothed police lieutenant standing on the porch and swallowed hard. "Uh-:hi, Frank."

Lieutenant Harper nodded slightly. "Hello, Mark. May I come in?"

McCormick stepped back slowly, throwing a frightened look at Hardcastle who came charging in from the kitchen.

"McCormick, I told you not to open that door!" he yelled. "Where the hell's your brains?"

"I-I just didn't think," McCormick stammered.

"That's obvious," Hardcastle returned sarcastically.

Glaring at Harper, he demanded, "What're you doing here?"

There was a look of pain on the lieutenant's face as he answered softly, "I think you know, Milt."

Hardcastle didn't bother trying to skirt the issue. "The kid didn't commit those two robberies," he stated firmly.

"Three," Harper corrected in a low voice. 11 Another jewelry store was hit yesterday and the guard shot."

s

"Well, that proves it," Hardcastle retorted Smugly. "McCormic'k and I were up at Judge Renfro' cabin yesterday; we just got back a coupla hours ago. As a m tter of fact, his car• still up there.11

Harper eyed him suspiciously. "Milt, can you s' 'ear in a

court of law that you up there -a-ll d.a·•y y: esterday?"

Lying didn't come easy to Hardcastle ,and his slight hesi tation in,answering the question caused Harper to hold up a..

hand. "Don't bother, Milt. I can't believe what you say,· anyway.

If you're convinced Mark's innocent, you'll do anything to protect him, but I'm afraid it won't worlc this time." .He turned to McCormick. "Damn it, I hate to do this, but I've got no choice. Mark, you're under·arrest for robbery and attempted·murder. You have the right

to remain ·silent..." He rambled on, McCormick staring at him with a look of fear in his eyes.

Hardcastle waited until the lieutenant had finished, then exploded1; "Frank, you know damned well the kid's'innoCent!"

Harper sigh d heavily. "Milt, ':t really want to believe that, but a'clerk at tli.e jewelry store made a positive ID,·from the mugbooks. It was Mark. II

"It wasn't him, damn it! It was som creep who.'s been made up to look like him!" Harddastle shouted. "Somebody,:s tryin' to get back at _m by framing McCo ick!''.

Harper . tared at him. two Mark McC9rmicks?"

"What makes you think there are

"Because -the other one was here ! 1' Hardcastle roared. "He robbed me!" No soon r were the words out of his mouth, he regretted having uttered them.

Frank's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "If there was a rob bery here yesterday, why didn't you report it?" He whirled around to McCormick. "And who beat the hell outta you?"

"I was mugged," McCormick returned quickly.

"Yeah, sure," Harper agreed, but it was obvious he didn't believe McCormick's lame excuse.

"Frank, listen, we got this all figured out," Hardcastle tried to explain. "Some ex-con is tryin' to get back at me by framing McCormick and sending him back to prison. He hi es a guyabout McCormick's size, pays to have cosmetic surgery done, has a car made that looks like Mark's, then the imposter commits all these robberies."

Frank turned a doubtful look .on him.. " d what. about the guy who robbed you?" he asked. "Did you know he wasn't Mark?"

It was obvious Har.dcastle was going to lie, but McCormick interrupted with a.shake of his head.. "No, he didh 't. Th.is guy not oriiy 16oks lik m ,butalso talks like · e: and he n ws some things that only the Judge and me··coula know. "

Harper's eyes widened. "I-i w do you explain that?"

II I can't'·., 'McCormick an'swered softly.

"Well, I sure as hell· can." Reaching in his pocket, Hardcastle pulled out a: handful of sma.1,1 devices with short wires attached to ' them.

"You found the bugs!" McCormick exclaimed

"Yeah; while :you were asleep," Hardcastle nodded. "One. was in the kitchen, one here in the living room, and even one in the gatehouse." He handed them to Harper. ''Now, what do, you think

of that, Frank?"·

. ' .

to· say. •

11It's.al-l the evidence I n ed,rt Harper.agreed,, "but I can.

tell youright now what the DA"'""is going Yo'iJ. have no pro;qf the9e bugs were nstc;1lled, in the 19-s,1;. t ,99,ys ...They could've been here for weeks . or . even, month.s ... An,dyou've got no

suspects iri this case, and ri·omotive, ei.ther. 0 • • • • •

;. ;.. '

; .. ·,.· .. .. • ,' ·. . .. ...- ,: .:

"I told you the motive!." Hardcastle :yell d. out .to. get·m.e: .through the kid he e !" ' •

"•So:mi ebod-·v's

"Milt, cosmetic surgery and. a ·car made up to look like the Cqyote doesn't come cheap," Harper 9-rgued. "There's got to

be more to it than that,.· Anudntil you, find :tt ·out .. II He turned to McCormick. "Mark,. I'm sorry, but· i 1ve·got to take

you in," he spoke softly. "There an APB out on you and sooner or later a black and white •·s gonna spOt you.:: "This :isn,it easy on any of us, but I thought you might feel better ,about me doing

it instead of some stranger .•11 •

McCormick nodded silently.

P tting a hand on his back, Harper gently urged McCormick towards the door. "If you'11 give me your word ·yo1:1·wor'it _!jy _to escape, I can dispense with the handcuffs."

McCormick glanced quickly at Hardcastle who nodded once. "Yeah, yeah, give him your.word."

McCormick sighed. "You got it, Frank."

Hardcastle followed them outside, his heart beating pain fully against his ribs when McCormick turned to-him.

IIJu4ge.·"

It was only one word, but Hardcastle had never heard it spoken in such a pleading t:one. - ·Reaching out quickly, he squeezed, McCormick's shoulder. "Listen, don't worry, kid. They''ll set bail -in the morning and as soon as they do, I' 11 have yo_u outta there faster'n you can bat an eye." -

McCormick gazed at him a moment, fear clouding his eyes. "They're gonna keep me there, Judge," he whispered hoarsely. "Once they get me'back in jail, I'm never gonna get out. They're

Th y_'re going t.6 send me back to prison. 11

Harper moved away from quickly, taking a sudden in terest in the water fountain.

Putting an arm.around McCormick's shoulders, Hardcastle

cleared his throat.-· "Look, kid, it Is·been you ano·me for over

two y:ears now, and it_'s g,oing to ontinue to be that way. I'll bail-you out of jail in the morning and we'll find.out what's going_9n." His voice became rough. "But I swear on Nancy's grave,

:;i: won't let you go p ck to prison. You, hear me?"

McCormick nodded and his eyes rose to meet Hardcastle's. "I wish your son had lived," he whispered.

Hardcastle stared at him in shock.

g:r:u:ff ly.

"Why?fl_hE: demanded

"Sq h _\T 0),110 've really gotten the ch_c!- 9e to know what a hell of a father he had,11 McCormick replied sofEly -

For once _Hardcastle was at a loss for wor_d1?. Swallowing hard, he pulled McCormick into a quickhug- .his back once. "T?ke ccir of yourself tonight,, Mark. 11

McCormick.stepp_1=d back and smiled slightly. "I will, Judge.• - _lie g_lanced at Harper who stiil Jiad his oack ••turned, and called out, nf.::i-•m ready, Frarik ...

Turning quickly, Harper started to climb into the car, but paused, looking over the roof at the two men. "I really am sorry

about this," he apologized.

"It's okay, Frank," McCormick assured him. doing your job."

"You're just

"Yeah, but this is one of those times when I wish I had followed in my dad's footsteps and become an engineer," Harper complained.

McCormick eyed him curiously. "Frank, how come you're so sure I'm innocent?" he asked quietly.

"Two reasons," Harper answered with a smile. "I like you, Mark, and I don't think you'd do anything like this. Second, Milt is more than just a judge in a court of law-he's a damned good judge of character, and I've never known him to•be wrong yet." He threw Hardcastle a quick smile. "Don't worry, Milt.

Mark'll be fine until you bail him out tomorrow."

Hardcastl·e nodded. "Then get the hell outta her,e before I kidnap you and make you stay for supper," he demanded gruffly.

Harper threw µirn a look of understanding and climbed i to the car. McCormick followed-suit, and glancing-up, he mumbled softly, "Bye, Judge."

Reaching through the,window, Ha-rdci;istl.e_slapped..him lightly on the shoulder. "Just till tomorrow, k,tcL Now, you' behave yourself and don It do anything to ernba·rra'ss me. Ii

McCormick· broke into the first genuine grin he' had shown since ·Harper had arrived. "At least I won't have ·to get: up in

the morning and trim the·. hedges,·cut the lawn; a:nd plant those damned petuniai," he teased.

"Just wait till you get back," Hardcastle retorted. "When I get through with you, jail'll seem like heaven." He stepped back and Harper started the engine. As they S'tarted·dowri the driveway, Hardcastle could see Mark turr:i.'ing arbund •in hi.s ·seat.

He waved to the young man, then waved again, watching the car ntil it d{sappeared.

Returning to the house, he vented his frustrations on the hapless door, and the tray of food still sitting on the table in the hall.- Then he really got angry.,