Chapter 19

Sunday came and went, Monday dragging by just as slowly as time had been moving all week as Jarrod continued pouring over his notes. After his mother had prompted him to get some rest he'd reluctantly retired to bed, not waking until mid Sunday morning. It had done him good to get some sleep. Victoria had been right, he'd needed the rest and after having taken some time out to look after himself, his energy had been renewed so that he might continue to try helping Millie.

There had to be something here.

He was just missing it.

Placing down the notes from Audra he let out a sigh. Despite how many times he read and reread everything he'd been able to glean from his family members it still hadn't brought him any closer to finding the young woman. There were no clues here. He was just deluding himself.

Resting his elbows on his desk, he wearily rubbed his face before resting his chin atop his folded hands. Something was still missing but he still couldn't determine what he might be overlooking. After a moment, it dawned on him that maybe he was coming at this from the wrong angle and reaching for his pencil and paper, he went straight back to the beginning.

Straight back to the first time he'd met Millie.

He'd met her during that blizzard in November of the previous year, the girl having taken shelter in their line cabin. Thinking about how she'd threatened him with the frying pan, a little sad smile came to his lips. She'd been a feisty little thing, a little spitfire if he'd ever met one. She'd been frightened and now, as he sobered, he could understand why.

Forcing himself to return to focusing on the memory and not allowing his emotions to get the better of him, he tried to remember their conversation. It was foggy to say the least, given the circumstances of how he'd come to be there. He'd been almost frozen through with cold and his memories of that time were hazy.

Think Jarrod, think!

Chastising himself, he closed his eyes, trying to visualize the scene that had played out. He'd stepped into the cabin, someone had helped him to close the door and that's when he'd seen her. She'd picked up a frying pan, warning him not to approach her. He'd stopped to catch his breath then worked on defusing the situation. Millie had been terrified. He'd calmed her enough for her to settle down a little and she'd asked his name. He'd replied and she'd relaxed a little before asking him another question.

What had she asked him?

All this thinking was beginning to give him a headache but he wasn't about to stop yet. He was close, he could feel it. She asked if I was working for someone. He realized after playing the scenario over again. She said his name. What was it? If he could just remember, maybe that was the piece that had been missing all along.

"You aren't working for Cade Alton, are you?"

Cade Alton.

It had finally come back to him.

He had a name.

He had a clue.

Almost knocking his chair over in his hurry, Jarrod fairly ran from the study.

They finally had a lead.

As luck would have it, there was something that Jeanie could do.

Tuesday morning, while working in the kitchen cleaning up after the night before in preparation for serving the day's meals, Jeanie came across an old newspaper that had been left in the cupboard for wrapping sandwiches in. The photograph of a horse warranted a second look since she'd always loved horses and looking at the picture, she frowned as she took a closer look at the rider. She'd seen that girl before.

It was Millie!

Scanning the page with her eyes, she quickly read the article as fast as she could, hoping that maybe there'd be some clue as to the family Millie had spoken of. There was nothing that stood out to her, it was just an article reporting on the outcome of the running of the annual Stockton Sweepstakes but it did give her two very big clues to start with; one, that Millie must have come from Stockton and two; her last name was Anders.

It wasn't much to go on, but it was something.

Maybe there was a way of helping Millie after all.

"What are you doin' girl? Get back to work."

At Berta's harsh bark, Jeanie quickly hid the newspaper. "Yes Miss, sorry Miss." She apologized, quickly returning to her work. Picking up the dishcloth again she continued working at wiping up the dishes she'd just washed. "Anything else I need to do?"

"Charles down at the jail has a couple of drunks soberin' up, he's asked that we send breakfast around for them. Get on it."

"Right away Miss."

Berta left and Jeanie let out the breath she had been holding in, hesitating for a moment to return to the cupboard. Glancing over at the door to confirm she was alone she quickly tore the front page off the newspaper and hid it within her apron pocket. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she finished up with the dishes, setting then to the preparation of the meals for the prisoners. Now that she had found that information, what was she supposed to do with it?

With the breakfast she'd prepared set out on the tray, Jeanie left the saloon and headed down the street to the jail. It was mid-morning, the town mostly vacant with the majority of the population having already been at work in the mines for a couple hours. The paper in her pocket felt like it was going to burn a hole clean through the material. What now though?

Still thinking about the paper, she opened the door to the jail and walked in. "I've brought breakfast for the prisoners Sheriff."

The Sheriff nodded, putting his hat on as he prepared to head out and undertake his rounds. "Head out back and feed 'em, they're harmless enough. If you're lookin' to make a couple extra cents, once you've done that, if ya tidy the office and toss out the trash, there'll be a nickel in it for ya. I ain't got the time to be housekeepin'."

At the prospect of earning herself some money that Cade didn't have control over, she nodded in agreement. "Thank you Sheriff."

Tipping his hat at her, he left and she walked through into the other room where the cells were. Hearing her coming in, the two men currently cooling their heels sat up. "Boots, you in here again?"

The kindly old drunk grinned at her as he stood, being handed the tray through the space in the door. "Ya know me Jeanie gal, can't rightly keep myself outta here."

Jeanie shook her head, chuckling. "You're lucky they haven't run you out of town yet."

"Ah they tried, they tried but they ain't managed to yet." Placing the tray down on the bed behind him he turned back to her and pulled a coin from his pocket. "Won myself a little last night 'fore I got chucked in here. Buy yourself somethin' pretty."

Smiling, she took the quarter he held out to her. "I will."

With breakfast delivered she left the men to eat and began tidying up the Sheriff's office. The previous sheriff had kept his office in order, this new sheriff seemed to not care how his looked. Papers littered his desk and with a sigh she started tidying it up, trying to bring some resemblance of order to the chaos he'd left her to clean.

The desk was soon tidied and about to leave, she picked up the trash can. It was filled with old papers and other rubbish but as she started to the door, part of what appeared to be a telegram caught her eye. Placing the can down on the desk she pulled the telegram from the trash and after uncrumpling it, began to read.

Missing. Stop. Presumed kidnapped. Stop. Millie Anders. Stop. Fifteen year old girl. Stop. Five foot five. Stop. Fair appearance. Stop. Brown hair. Stop. Amber brown eyes. Stop. Potentially in the company of a dangerous man. Stop. Any information regarding her whereabouts to be sent to Sheriff Madden. Stop. Stockton. Stop.

As she finished reading the telegram she quickly slipped it into her own pocket and after picking up the trash basket to empty it, headed back out. She needed to get a telegram sent to this Sheriff Madden. She needed to get it sent now.

"Psssst! Psssst!"

Hearing someone trying to get his attention, Tommy stopped and looked around, Jeanie motioning with her finger for him to come join her in the alley. After looking around to make certain that it was safe, no one seemed to be looking in his direction, he quickly changed his path and followed the older girl up to the end of the alley, the two of them crouching down behind a couple of old crates. "Make it quick, Ma'll have my hide if she sees me talkin' to you again."

"I need you to send a telegram for me."

"A telegram?"

She nodded, drawing a piece of paper from her pocket. "There's a girl who's been kidnapped." She began to explain to the eleven year old boy. "I'm trying to get her help and get her back to her family."

"Gee, I don't know Jeanie-"

"I know it's a big ask and I wouldn't be asking you if it wasn't really necessary but this is." Jeanie begged. Tommy was her only hope to get the telegram sent to the Stockton sheriff. She couldn't risk trying to send the telegram through his father, if she did he was sure to have to report it to Cade. "This is a matter of life and death."

Tommy bit his lip nervously. "You got it written up?"

Jeanine nodded. "It's all here. Get it sent when you can, don't let your father know you've sent it. Okay?"

Opening the piece of paper, Tommy swallowed as he read the message. "You sure about this?"

"I'm sure. It's her only chance. Can you help me?"

He nodded and after folding it up, slipped it into his jacket. "Don't know when I can get it sent but I'll try my best."

Jeanie grinned and handed him a piece of candy for his trouble along with the quarter Boots had given her. "Thanks Tommy. Let me know how you get along."

Nodding again, the boy scampered off again and after making sure that the coast was clear, Jeanie made her way back to the hotel. So far, so good. She was confident that Tommy would find a way to get the telegram sent. Once it had been sent off then all there was left to do till someone turned up in response to it was to wait.

Wait, hope and pray that it wouldn't be too late to help Millie.

With the name that they he'd finally remembered, they'd found a lead. Victoria had questioned Jarrod as to what was going on when he'd hurried through the foyer, heading for the front door and he'd stopped only long enough to tell her he'd found the missing piece of the puzzle. He had finally found something for them to go on and while it wasn't much, it was more than he'd had the whole time Millie had been missing so far.

Again he'd ridden to town in a hurry, stopping first at the telegraph office. A message was sent to his contact at the Pinkertons, requesting they find all information possible on this Cade Alton and he just hoped they could find something. It was a long shot, who knew how many Cade Alton's lived in the state, but he hoped that something would come of their inquiries.

His next stop had been the Sheriff's Office to let Fred know of this latest development. Fred was glad that they finally had something to work with and he assured him he'd do what he could with this new information. While his reach was limited, Jarrod knew if there was anything he'd be able to find, he'd do so.

The rest of Monday had slipped by, Tuesday coming and it was mid afternoon when Jarrod heard the sound of a horse riding up to the house. Rising from his desk, he went over to the window and seeing who was pulling up to the hitching post, his heart skipped a beat. Judging from the condition of his horse, he'd ridden here hard.

"We've got something!" Fred exclaimed, holding a paper in his hand as Jarrod appeared in the front doorway. Taking the steps two at a time, he laid the telegram in the lawyer's hand. "It's more than we've had all week."

His mother and sister coming to join him upon hearing the commotion, Jarrod read the telegram allowed. "I can tell you where Millie is. Stop. Come to Gold Springs. Stop. Discretion of utmost importance. Stop. No reply. Stop. Come in person. Stop. Jeanie. Stop."

"Oh Jarrod, is it true?" Audra questioned hopefully. "Do you think this person really knows where to find Millie?"

"I don't know Audra." Jarrod continued looking at the telegram in his hands. "What do you think Fred? Do you think this could be legitimate?"

The Sheriff shrugged. "There's only one way to find out. What I don't get is if she's really there or has been through there, why didn't the sheriff send word through? I was thinking of telegraphing him but I thought I'd ask you first what you wanted to be done about this."

"I think that was the best move Fred. Do you mind if I keep this for now?"

"Not at all. I wrote down a copy for the files before coming out here."

"May I see it please Jarrod?" Victoria requested and her son handed the paper to her, Audra reading it over her shoulder. I can tell you where Millie is. Stop. Come to Gold Springs. Stop. Discretion of utmost importance. Stop. No reply. Stop. Come in person. Stop. Jeanie. Stop. Reading in-between the lines of the telegram, she looked back up at Jarrod and Fred. "I think this is real. She hasn't said Millie is in Gold Springs but whoever this is, they seem to think they know where she is." She handed the telegram back to him. "It's more than we've had to go on."

"Where is Gold Springs?" Audra wondered out loud. "I've never heard of it before."

"It's North-East of here, a mining town up in the Sierras. A few months back we bought shares in a couple mines there. There was a new gold discovery recently, it's become a boom town." He looked back at the Sheriff. "I wouldn't reply Fred, given she's expressed the need to see someone in person. Knowing what kind of man Alton is, she obviously feels she could be in danger by sending this, hence the emphasized need for discretion."

"You going to check it out?"

Jarrod nodded. "I don't see how we can't. It's been our only lead so far. I'll ride back to town with you Fred, I'll need to make arrangements for traveling."

Stockton to Gold Springs was a distance of almost a hundred miles, usually a ride of around four to five days depending on how fast the pace was set. As luck would have it, a train ran daily between Stockton and Senora, the town set in the foothills of the Sierras and when the train pulled out Wednesday just after mid-day, Jarrod, Nick and Heath were on board. Being able to take the train, the distance they would have to ride was reduced by just over half, the Barkelys able to travel the distance of a couple days of riding within a few hours.

"Can't this train travel any faster…" Nick grumbled with impatience, resuming his pacing around the family's private car. They'd only been traveling for an hour but already it felt like an eternity for him. "Seems like it's takin' forever."

Jarrod took another puff on his cigar, glancing up at his brother as again he walked the length of the larger compartment of the car. "Sit down Nick, you're making me dizzy with all that moving about."

"Come on! Jarrod-" He exclaimed with frustration. "how can you just sit there so calm? Millie's been with this madman for over a week now! Aren't you the least bit concerned about her?"

"I am worried about her, Nick." He replied, his voice serious. "I'm worried sick about her but worrying won't do either of us any good. It won't make this train move any faster or get us there any sooner so I suggest you sit down and save your energy for riding."

Grumbling, Nick resigned himself to sit at the table between his two brothers. "I just… I hope this Jeanie, whoever she is, isn't wasting our time."

"I hope so too." Heath agreed, looking at his older brother. "When we get to Gold Springs, how do we go about finding her?"

"Nick, you've been to Gold Springs. What's your opinion?"

Folding his arms, he lent back in the chair. "Gold Springs, bein' your average minin' town, there's only one kinda woman there. I never met a 'Jeanie' while I was there but there's a half dozen or so saloons, she could work at any one of 'em. I'd say we split up, keep it on the low down and see if we can find her."

"And that plan hinges on you not drawing attention to yourself, Nick." Heath pointed out. "We don't know what we're walking in on, we don't want to give Alton any notice we're onto him."

"Agreed." Jarrod declared. "Now I know you want to find Alton and give it to him, I'd like to take a piece out of him myself, but you're going to have to keep a lid on that temper of yours a bit longer. We can't risk him doing something to Millie."

"I'll do my best." He gruffly agreed. "I reckon I can manage to keep a handle on it for my Millie gal."

Silence fell apart from the noise of the train, Heath finally speaking up after a time. "If we find her Jarrod, what are we going to do? If he's her custodian like Millie said he is, we don't have any right to her, do we?"

Jarrod sighed heavily. "I've been asking that myself and honestly, I don't know."

"Jarrod, we know he beats her. Hell, the poor kid's been whipped by him!" Nick exploded angrily. "Goodness only knows what the poor girl's been through this past week and you're sayin' that this trip might be all for nothin'? That we're just gonna turn around and go home empty handed? What will we tell Mother and Audra? Eugene? Oh, sorry, yes, we found her but there's nothin' we can do. Jarrod, have you lost your ever lovin' mind?"

Knowing that Nick didn't mean anything by his words, Jarrod didn't take them to heart. "I can't know beforehand what we'll be able to do until we've been able to assess the situation. Anymore than that, I don't know. We're just going to have to wait and see what we find."

"What about her brother?" Heath asked. "If we were able to find him, that would void whatever Alton's got, wouldn't it?"

"Again, it would depend upon the circumstances. Given we don't even know what her real name is, the chance of being able to find her brother…" He shook his head. "I wouldn't count on it Heath."

"You know, what really gets me-" Nick started. "is that all this coulda been avoided if only she'd just told us! Why didn't she tell us? Doesn't she know we would have stood by her?"

"Which is exactly why she didn't. Millie feels she has to protect us."

"Can't say I blame her." Heath said softly. "Considering everything she's been through, it's no wonder she hasn't wanted us involved." He paused for a moment. "I just hope we're not too late."


Arriving in Senora later that afternoon, Nick and Heath collected their horses from the livestock car while Jarrod went to make arrangements for their private care to be held in the rail yard until they returned. By the time their older brother had returned they were ready to leave, the horses saddled and their gear loaded up in the time it had taken for him to look after business. With still a couple hours of daylight left at their disposal, they rode out in the direction of Gold Springs.

Time was against them as the sun began to slip down the horizon, the Barkley men riding their horses hard in order to get as much distance covered as possible before they had to stop and make camp for the night. There was no way they'd make it to Gold Springs tonight but every mile they covered today was one less for tomorrow. If they rode until nightfall and hit the road as soon as dawn came, they could be in Gold Springs before midday.

And then what?

All the telegram said was that the sender knew where Millie was. If she wasn't in Gold Springs, how much further would they have to ride? How much longer would they need to search? And when they did find her, what next?

As the last rays of sun were beginning to disappear below the mountains, the riders slowed their horses down and Nick led the way to a little clearing where they would set up camp for the night. Dismounting, the three brothers set about completing their assigned tasks in short order, the moon beginning its accent above them. Jarrod gathered their gear and laid out the bedrolls while Nick took care of bedding down the horses for the night. Heath collected firewood in short order and before long, the clearing was illuminated with the soft glow of the campfire.

Coffee was drunk, supper was eaten and after a time, the three of them settled down to sleep.

What would tomorrow bring?

The Barkley brothers were on the road again as the sun just peeked over the mountain ranges, making tracks to the town of Gold Springs. Riding hard, they soon had traveled the remaining miles and making better time than they had anticipated, arriving in town just after ten. Dismounting, the three of them looked around as their thirsty horses drank from the filled water trough in front of them, surveying the town.

"Well Jarrod." Nick spoke softly, something that was a rare occurrence for the usually boisterous and loud rancher. "What's the play here?"

Jarrod had already looked the town up and down, patting Jingo as his gelding drank his fill. "We split up, meet back here in a couple hours and hopefully, we find her."

Parting ways, the three of them began their search.

Time slipped on by.

Walking through the bat wings of The Golden Nugget, Jarrod took a look around. This saloon seemed to be a little more sophisticated than the other drinking holes in the town, himself having already been through two of the others without much luck. Going over to the bar he brought himself a shot of whiskey, leaning against the bar as he toyed with the glass in his hand. Perhaps he'd have better luck here.

As luck would have it, he'd come to the right place.

"Don't think I've seen you around here before."

He looked down as he felt a small, feminine hand rest softly on his arm. Beside him stood a girl around Audra's age with the prettiest green eyes and darkest raven black hair he'd ever seen. "Just passing through, Miss." He told her, drinking his whiskey in one swallow.

"Name's Jeanie." She introduced. "Care to buy a girl a drink?"

"I guess I could do that. Bartender-" Jarrod called him over, producing a couple more coins from his pocket. "a drink for the little lady here." The bartender returned as the saloon girl rubbed his arm, Jarrod buying his time to speak to her until he'd gone out of earshot. "The name's Jarrod Barkley." He said loud enough for her to hear. "I'm here for Millie."

Jeanie smiled. "We could go upstairs, get to know each other better." She said enticingly, tracing his forearm with a finger. Knowing he was here in reply to her telegram, her actions were only to make a good show for Cade's henchman who sat on the other side of the room to keep an eye on things. "I could show you a real good time."

He'd come prepared to pay and pulled his wallet out, motioning for the barkeep again. "What's it cost for time with this one?"

"She doesn't come cheap. Twenty-five dollars."

Without hesitation he withdrew a twenty and a five dollar note, placing them down on the bar.

"You got yourself half an hour mister." He informed him as he picked up the money.

Taking him by the hand, Jeanie led him upstairs to her room, closing the door securely behind her.

"Have you seen Millie?" Jarrod questioned her with urgency. "Is she alright?"

"Before I tell you anything Mister, I want you to repeat what was in the telegram." She replied as she looked him up and down. She had no way of knowing who he was and she wasn't about to give information into the wrong hands. "You don't look like no Sheriff to me."

"You're right, I'm no sheriff. I'm a lawyer. The telegram said I can tell you where Millie is. Come to Gold Springs. Discretion of utmost importance. No reply. Come in person. Jeanie." He paused for a moment. "Satisfied?"

"You got the telegram right. What's a lawyer like yourself doing in this town? What's your interest in Millie?"

"I'm her temporary custodian." He'd expected that perhaps he'd have to show proof and he'd brought along his certificate of custody with him. Withdrawing the envelope from within his vest pocket, he drew the paper out and let her lead it. "You know I'm who I say I am. Now have you got any proof of your claim?"

Satisfied, Jeanie went over to her bedside table and drawing out the locket Millie had given her from its hiding place, she returned to him. "I've got this." She placed the silver locket into his hand. "She gave it to me."

Jarrod swallowed upon fingering the piece of jewelry in his hold. It was Millie's necklace. "It's Millie's." He looked back up at her. "Is she alright? Where is she?"

"I don't know." Jeanie replied truthfully, sitting down on her bed and after a moment, the lawyer sat down beside her. "She was brought in Friday night by a man called Cade Alton. She seemed alright at the time, a bit frightened but alright."

"Where is she? Do you know where she is?"

"Not exactly but I'll tell you what I know. Cade owns a ranch outside of a town called Alder, about fifteen or so miles from here. I'd guess that's where he's taken her. More than that, I don't know. I'm sorry. I can't give you directions, I've never been there but that's just what I've heard."

Jarrod nodded. "Is there anything else that might be helpful you could tell me?"

"Cade Alton owns this town and many of the others around here." She softly began to explain. "That is why I had to send the telegram in the way I did. I couldn't go to the telegraph office and send it normally, word would have gotten back to Cade and he'd come for me. His son sent it for me. If Cade found out about this, he'd kill me and I mean that."

"And the Sheriff?"

"He's on his payroll. Cade has this town eating out of his hand, everyone's too afraid to stand up to him."

Jarrod took a deep breath. "And Millie? How'd you end up with this?" He motioned down to the locket in his hand.

"Friday night, Cade was playing poker with a cowboy, Reg Evans. He was losing, badly. He ended up betting Millie to him, if you understand my meaning, and lost."

Hearing that, his heart sank for her

"You needn't worry about Millie, Mr. Barkley." Jeanie continued. "I had no choice in my becoming what I am now but I wasn't about to let him ruin another girl's life. We swapped, I took her place. Afterwards, Millie gave me her locket."

"Jeanie… I don't know what to say."

She smiled a little. "Like I said, I had no choice. My father owed Cade money, he murdered him when he couldn't pay and forced me into this work to pay back the debt. The way I see it, I got one up on him for what he did to me and he's none the wiser."

"And with the law being in his pocket…"

"I see you're slowly beginning to get the picture."

Jarrod nodded. "How did you find out Millie was kidnapped? Did she get you to send the telegram?"

"No, Millie never said a word to me. Tuesday morning, I happened across a picture of her in the newspaper and when I was down at the Sheriff's office, I saw the telegram Sheriff Madden had sent out about Millie. Put two and two together and well, here you are."

"Jeanie, believe me when I tell you that I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you've done for Millie. If there's anyway I can repay you-"

"Put your wallet away, Mister Barkley. I didn't do this for money." She replied. "The best thing you can do to thank me is to take down Cade Alton. You're a lawyer, there has to be something you can do. I watched him murder my father." Anger filled her eyes. "I want to see him hang for his crimes."