{"id":3535,"date":"2005-06-15T23:15:43","date_gmt":"2005-06-16T03:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3535"},"modified":"2026-07-30T15:33:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:33:33","slug":"lets-kill-timothy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3535","title":{"rendered":"Let’s Kill Timothy (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A friend of Joe\u2019s gets them both into trouble.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (8,060 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

Inspired by a prank by Joan Sattler. Good one, girl!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Let’s Kill Timothy<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019re agreed then.\u201d John Braithwaite looked at his two companions and saw them nod. It hadn\u2019t been a question, after all. \u201cLet\u2019s kill Timothy.\u201d<\/p>\n

**********<\/p>\n

\u201cPay day, huh?\u201d Joe Cartwright queried, coming up behind his friend Tim, who was leaning against the bar in the Silver Dollar saloon. \u201cWhere\u2019s that $10 you owe me from last month?\u201d he jibed.<\/p>\n

Without turning to look at his friend, Timothy Renton smiled. \u201cProbably in the same place as the tooth fairy,\u201d he jibed back. \u201cIn the Joe Cartwright land of fairy tales.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, Joe signaled for a beer. \u201cWhy can\u2019t I have gullible friends who drink too much and forget that they don\u2019t really owe me money?\u201d he asked mournfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven your gullible friends don\u2019t fall for that one,\u201d Tim retorted. He finally turned his head and grinned at the youngest Cartwright son. \u201cHow\u2019s things, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBusy, busy,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cYou know how it is at this time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure do,\u201d Tim agreed. With round-up under way on all the local ranches, hands were at a premium and those who had already been hired were all but living in the saddle. A night off because it was payday was extra special. \u201cWhere\u2019re Adam and Hoss?\u201d he asked, glancing around.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s at home with a good book,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHe took a knock on the head evading a recalcitrant cow this morning. He\u2019s okay,\u201d Joe added, seeing the concern on Tim\u2019s face, \u201cjust tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRecalcitrant,\u201d Tim echoed. He grinned. \u201cI suppose that\u2019s Adam\u2019s way of saying it was ornery?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood guess,\u201d Joe agreed and they grinned. Tim might pretend he was just an ignorant cowhand, but he was much more than that. An educated gentleman\u2019s son from the East, he had come West to experience a bit of life before settling down to work and marriage. Arriving in Virginia City, he had met Joe and the two struck up an instant friendship. However, Tim had not allowed himself to use that friendship and had got himself a job with another, smaller, rancher. As much to his surprise as everyone else\u2019s, he had loved the rough life of a cowboy, relishing even the cold and the wet. His few months experiencing the West had turned into several years. At 22, Tim was settled and living the life he wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what about Hoss?\u201d Tim asked. \u201cDid he volunteer to keep Adam company?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHe\u2019s gone to ask Bessie Sue to the dance on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll by himself?\u201d Tim gasped in mock surprise. \u201cThat was brave of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy big brother Hoss is a brave man,\u201d Joe intoned solemnly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure am, lil brother, an\u2019 don\u2019 you forget it neither,\u201d Hoss agreed, pushing between the two to signal for a beer. \u201cHi, Tim,\u201d he continued, slapping the younger man on the back. Tim all but fell over. He was, however, quite used to that kind of greeting and didn\u2019t protest. \u201cYou buyin\u2019?\u201d Hoss asked innocently.<\/p>\n

Laughing, Tim shook his head. \u201cNot tonight, Hoss,\u201d he replied. \u201cI\u2019ve got a date.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA date?\u201d Joe asked, shooting Tim a sharp glance. \u201cNot with Mary Jones?\u201d Mary was the latest object of desire for the young men in the town.<\/p>\n

Grinning provocatively, Tim allowed Joe to start spluttering his disbelief before putting his friend out of his misery. \u201cNo, not Mary,\u201d he assured Joe. \u201cI wish.\u201d Mary had made it clear to all the ranch hands that they were not good enough for her. She had been trying to make it up to Joe ever since discovering who he was, but he had seen through her and was having none of it. However, he hadn\u2019t stopped ribbing Tim about asking her out and they had a bet riding on Tim\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a relief,\u201d Joe sighed, and wiped imaginary sweat from his brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa see, Tim,\u201d Hoss interjected, \u201cJoe ain\u2019t never got no money, so the thought o\u2019 havin\u2019 ta find it makes him a mite nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Tim grinned. \u201cNo, not Mary,\u201d he repeated. \u201cI\u2019m going out with Dinah.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a theatrical groan, Joe collapsed against the bar. \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be my friend,\u201d he complained. \u201cA real friend wouldn\u2019t steal my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patting Joe on the back, Tim started to edge away. \u201cIt\u2019s not my fault if you aren\u2019t man enough to keep your girl,\u201d he retorted and dashed out of the door laughing. Dinah was notorious for never keeping a beau more than a night or two.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe got ya there, Joe,\u201d Hoss remarked as he picked up his beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thinks he did,\u201d Joe countered. \u201cIt\u2019s not over yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

Outside, Tim stopped and put his hat on straight. He didn\u2019t mind that he would only see Dinah for a night or two; Tim wasn\u2019t looking to get married. He knew that his parents had expected him to return to New York and then marry the daughter of one of their friends \u2013 someone suitable \u2013 but he no longer wanted that life. He hadn\u2019t wanted it since he set eyes on the West. His parents couldn\u2019t understand it, but Tim knew that he had to live his life for himself, not them. Besides, his other brothers were doing what they were expected to.<\/p>\n

Walking the short distance to where Dinah lived, just past the outskirts of town, Tim silently cursed himself for not putting on shoes more suitable for walking in. Cowboy boots were all very well and good, but they weren\u2019t walking shoes and the stroll he had promised Dinah suddenly loomed in his mind as a torment.<\/p>\n

Clearing the last of the buildings, Tim glanced at the sky and saw that he was making good time. At that time of year, the sun set late and rose early. Twilight was just falling and the air was balmy — perfect for a romantic stroll.<\/p>\n

On his left, away from the road, four men reeled into sight, one leading a horse. It was obvious that they were roaring drunk and Tim smiled slightly as one of them broke into something that might be considered song.<\/p>\n

With shocking suddenness, the singer\u2019s three companions suddenly sobered up and turned on him. There was a brief scuffle and the drunken singer slumped to the ground. The other three men left at a run. The spooked horse galloped off. Stunned, Tim stood there for several long seconds, barely able to believe what he had just seen.<\/p>\n

Movement returned to his leaden limbs and Tim forced himself to run to the downed man. He turned the man over and froze, for a knife was jutting from the man\u2019s chest and he was obviously dead. Backing away, Tim fought to keep the contents of his stomach in place and then he was running for the town, running for the sheriff, his sore feet forgotten.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

It was something of a one-day wonder. Murders were, sadly, not uncommon and the \u2018singer\u2019 whose death Tim had witnessed was a drifter newly come to town. Quite what the motive was, Roy Coffee, the sheriff, wasn\u2019t too sure. Most probably just a robbery that went wrong, he speculated. After all, it was payday. Everyone was comparatively flush. A shaken Tim admitted that he wasn\u2019t able to give a definitive identification of the miscreants, as he hadn\u2019t really seen them very clearly. It looked as though this would become another unsolved murder \u2013 something that Roy Coffee hated.<\/p>\n

But a slow news day on the day the drifter was buried in Boot Hill changed all that.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

Hunt On For Murderers! declared the Territorial Enterprise that day. It went on:\u00a0Sheriff Roy Coffee is hunting for the murderers of a drifter who was seen being stabbed last Friday night. The unfortunate man, Donald Riggs, is being buried today. Witness Timothy Renton says there were three men involved. Anyone with further information is asked to speak to the sheriff immediately.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was they thinkin\u2019?!\u201d exclaimed Roy Coffee, smacking the paper with his open hand. He was furious, his moustache quivering as he fought to control his rage. \u201cNobody knowed that Tim had seen them men! How\u2019m I meant ta catch \u2018em now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe replied. He was just as angry as Roy, but for a different reason. Roy had kept the news of a witness quiet, with the hope that the murderers might do something to give themselves away and Tim could perhaps identify them. Joe was angry because Tim was his friend and his life could well be in danger. \u201cWhere did they get the story from?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno, Little Joe, but I mean ta find out,\u201d Roy assured him. \u201cI\u2019m headin\u2019 over there ta talk ta Albert now.\u201d He cast Joe a look as the younger man got to his feet. \u201cYa ain\u2019t comin\u2019 with me,\u201d he asserted. \u201cI don\u2019 want no heads bein\u2019 broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t break any heads,\u201d Joe responded sulkily.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, I known ya all yer life,\u201d Roy reminded him. \u201cI know that temper o\u2019 yourn. Ya\u2019re better at controllin\u2019 it than ya was, but ya still ain\u2019t its master. Ya ain\u2019t comin\u2019, and that\u2019s final.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Roy\u2026,\u201d Joe began, instinctively using the puppy dog eyes that his father found so difficult to resist.<\/p>\n

But the sheriff was made of sterner stuff than the father. \u201cI said no and that\u2019s what I meant!\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine!\u201d Joe snapped, valiantly trying to control his temper and prove the sheriff wrong.<\/p>\n

Relenting, Roy patted the young man on the shoulder. \u201cWhyn\u2019t ya go an\u2019 tell Timothy about this?\u201d he suggested. \u201cHe\u2019ll need to watch his back if\u2019n those murderers are still around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cI think I\u2019ll take him back to the ranch with me. He\u2019ll be safe there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo long as I know where to find him,\u201d Roy agreed and the two parted company on the jailhouse steps.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

The ride out to the Ranch K didn\u2019t cool Joe\u2019s temper noticeably. His face still felt flushed as he rode into the yard. Anxiety quickened his heart beat and shortened his breath. He just hoped he was in time to save Tim\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright!\u201d exclaimed a deep voice. The owner of Ranch K, Ken King, came down the steps from his low home and shook Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cIt ain\u2019t often we get a Cartwright out here! What can I do for ya, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tersely, Joe explained his mission. King looked grim. \u201cI haven\u2019t got my paper yet,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cCome on, I\u2019ll take ya out to where Tim\u2019s working today. What do you plan on doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI plan on taking him back to the Ponderosa with me,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cIt won\u2019t be the first place they come looking for him. Will you be all right here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure will,\u201d King assured the younger man as they mounted up. \u201cNow we know to expect trouble, we\u2019ll keep our eyes open. Who knows, we might catch these guys and Tim can come back to work quick. He\u2019s a good man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, that he is,\u201d Joe agreed. He followed his host out to the pasture where the men were sorting out cattle for the long drive ahead of them to market.<\/p>\n

It took only a few minutes to separate Tim from the other hands and explain the situation to him. Tim paled. He had hoped that the murder could be put behind him. He had had trouble sleeping since then. \u201cWhy\u2026why did they do that?\u201d Tim stuttered, referring to the paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cRoy Coffee is finding out right now. But the important thing is that you come with me now to the Ponderosa. You\u2019ll be safe there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Tim started, glancing at the cattle behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour life is more important than a few head of cows,\u201d King told him brusquely, covering his concern with roughness. He fooled neither of the young men in front of him. \u201cYou go on with Joe. Your job will always be here for you, Tim, as long as you want it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Boss,\u201d Tim sighed. \u201cWell, in that case, let\u2019s get my gear and head off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim was essentially silent as he packed his valise and they rode to the Ponderosa. Joe could understand why. It was bad enough to have witnessed a murder without having your name all over the front of the newspaper.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

Dinner that night started out as a quiet meal, but gradually Tim warmed to the conversation, even when it turned to his trials and tribulations. \u201cYou\u2019re more than welcome to stay here as long as you need to, Tim,\u201d Ben assured him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Tim replied. \u201cBut I can\u2019t stay forever. I\u2019ve got to get this cleared up one way or the other.\u201d He forcibly relaxed his shoulders. \u201cI can\u2019t live my life like this, hiding away from everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there are a few things that Sheriff Coffee will have to clear up,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut don\u2019t worry \u2013 I can use your help around here. You\u2019ll be safe with the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Tim murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I might go and see if there\u2019s anything I can help Roy to do,\u201d Joe volunteered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMighty kind o\u2019 ya, Little Joe,\u201d came the sheriff\u2019s voice. He waved a hand at Ben. \u201cI jist let maself in, Ben, since I knowed ya\u2019d be at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPull up a chair,\u201d Ben invited. \u201cYou\u2019re just in time for coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking please, Roy pulled up a chair. \u201cThanks, Ben.\u201d He looked over at Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t reckon there\u2019s anythin\u2019 ya can do ta help me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did the paper find out about me?\u201d Tim asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlbert says that the little Perkins boy who helps him set the type was hanging around outside the jail when we was talkin\u2019 about it,\u201d Roy replied, looking disgruntled. \u201cI spoke ta the Perkins boy an\u2019 he admitted it.\u201d Roy made a face. \u201cHe\u2019s a sneaky little brat an\u2019 it ain\u2019t the first time I seen him hangin\u2019 around the jail.\u201d He chomped on his moustache for a moment. \u201cHe won\u2019 be doin\u2019 it agin, though,\u201d he vowed with quiet satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Roy was very deceptive. Anyone looking at the man would see someone who appeared to be well past his prime, bumbling and a bit stupid. Roy was careful to cultivate that image \u2013 it helped him to hoodwink some of the criminal types he met. Joe had known Roy all his life and he knew that the sheriff could put the willies into a child whenever he wanted to.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about finding out more about the victim?\u201d Adam queried, seeing how crushed Joe looked. \u201cWhere he came from, why he was robbed \u2013 that kind of thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll in hand,\u201d Roy replied. He allowed a smile to cross his face. \u201cI am a sheriff,\u201d he pointed out. \u201cI do know how ta run an investigation.\u201d He exchanged a grin with Ben. \u201cBut I appreciate the offer, boys. Joe, yer best off here keepin\u2019 an eye out fer Timothy.\u201d<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

It was funny how gossip could speed around a rural area. It took no time at all before people in Virginia City knew that Tim was staying with the Cartwrights at the Ponderosa. Roy wasn\u2019t happy about it, but he wasn\u2019t surprised, either.<\/p>\n

Riding out to the ranch once more, Roy debated that his own presence at the big house had doubtless fuelled the speculation even further. But there had been a development in the case, and Roy was anxious to pass the news along.<\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, the house was deserted apart from Hop Sing, who was hanging sheets out. Chattering in disapproval, the diminutive Chinese factotum directed the sheriff out to the South Forty, where he knew the Cartwrights were working that day. Not in the least taken in by Hop Sing\u2019s demeanor, Roy just grinned and headed in that direction.<\/p>\n

Ben was at the edge of the pasture, watching as the men herded the cattle down the lush grass. \u201cMighty small herd, ain\u2019t it, Ben?\u201d Roy teased, knowing full well that the majority of the animals had already been separated for going to market and Ben was now moving his core breeding stock.<\/p>\n

\u201cDepends on your point of view, Roy,\u201d Ben replied, dead-pan, then grinned. \u201cWhat\u2019re you doing all the way out here?\u201d he continued. \u201cHave you got some news for us?\u201d Ben kept his tone as level as he could, but the tension was there, under the surface.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure have,\u201d Roy responded and grinned. \u201cAn\u2019 you fellas won\u2019t believe it!\u201d<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

They rendezvoused back at the house, the better to keep the conversation private. \u201cAll right, what\u2019s so unbelievable?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur drifter,\u201d Roy replied unhelpfully. \u201cI did some checkin\u2019 on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Adam prompted when Roy smothered another grin at birth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, seems he ain\u2019t much o\u2019 a drifter after all,\u201d Roy mused.<\/p>\n

Exchanging an impatient glance with his family, Joe took the bait this time. \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he was driftin\u2019 all right,\u201d Roy allowed, knowing full well how infuriating he was being. \u201cBut jist not in the way we usually think o\u2019 drifters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, Roy, spit it out!\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Donald Riggs was goin\u2019 from place ta place,\u201d Roy relented. \u201cHe was goin\u2019 from Boston ta San Francisco incog\u2026 incog\u2026\u201d He floundered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIncognito?\u201d Tim suggested blandly.<\/p>\n

Roy glared at the young man and nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s the word. Shoulda stuck ta disguised,\u201d he complained, not quite to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019 unnerstand,\u201d Hoss admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cRiggs were only pretendin\u2019 ta be a drifter,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cHe were actually a multi-millionaire travelin\u2019 across country ta close a business deal. He were carryin\u2019 quite a bit o\u2019 valuables, from what I unnerstand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the motive was robbery,\u201d Tim breathed. \u201cSomeone either knew or figured out who he was, and robbed and murdered him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much money was he carrying?\u201d Joe asked. He anticipated the answer would be a large sum, but when Roy told them, they all gaped.<\/p>\n

\u201cA million bucks worth o\u2019 diamonds,\u201d Roy responded coolly.<\/p>\n

There was a long silence. Roy looked from face to face, enjoying the results of his revelation. He knew how they all felt \u2013 he had felt the same way when he first heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Ben said at last. \u201cI don\u2019t believe you.\u201d His tone said otherwise.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he mad?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cCarrying all those diamonds and dressed as a drifter? Why wasn\u2019t he travelling with several armed guards?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis wife said he liked to deliver diamonds hisself,\u201d sighed Roy. \u201cI jist cain\u2019t unnerstand it maself, Adam. Seems the feller was plumb mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo where does that leave us?\u201d Tim asked.<\/p>\n

Sobering, Roy chewed his moustache for a moment. \u201cWell, son, I don\u2019 really know, ta tell the truth,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI ain\u2019t too relaxed in ma own mind that them fellars what killed Riggs is gone. There\u2019s a few business types stayin\u2019 at the International House right now, waiting fer the weekly stage connection ta Sacramento. Now we know Riggs weren\u2019t what he seemed, I wanna keep an eye on them fellars \u2018til they leave. Cain\u2019t be too careful, ya know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery wise,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

It was quite normal for Roy Coffee to check on the travelers staying at the hotels in town. It wasn\u2019t quite as normal for him to check on them a second time. Gus, the desk clerk, was feeling rather nervous. \u201cThere isn\u2019t any trouble, is there, sheriff?\u201d he asked, surreptitiously wiping his sweaty palms on his pants\u2019 leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no trouble,\u201d Roy assured him, looking at the register again. \u201cI jist reckoned I ain\u2019t never met Mr. John Braithwaite, is all. Nice fellar, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-yes,\u201d Gus stuttered. \u201cVery nice gentleman.\u201d He glanced towards the bar, where Mr. Braithwaite was currently having a pre-dinner drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Mr. Somerville an\u2019 Mr. Leighton?\u201d Roy went on blandly. \u201cAre them three the fellas what take a late afternoon constitutional up an\u2019 down the street?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI-I be-believe so,\u201d Gus nodded, the sweat popping out in beads on his forehead. \u201cIs there a problem, sheriff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no problem,\u201d Roy soothed. \u201cJist curious.\u201d He glanced up from his perusal of the register to see a look of complete horror crossing Gus\u2019s face before he once more had on his professional smile. Wondering what had got the clerk so het up, Roy turned around.<\/p>\n

Coming across the lobby from the bar were the three gentlemen in question \u2013 Mr. John Braithwaite, Mr. David Somerville and Mr. Simon Leighton. They were all smartly dressed in suits and neckties, although Roy had seen them going around in more casual clothing. He smiled. \u201cHowdy, gents,\u201d he hailed them. \u201cI ain\u2019t had the pleasure. I\u2019m Sheriff Coffee.\u201d He thrust out his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelighted to meet you, sheriff,\u201d Braithwaite responded, although Leighton looked as though he would rather shake hands with a snake. \u201cIs there some kind of problem?\u201d Braithwaite continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Roy replied, thinking he\u2019d said that rather too often in the last few minutes. \u201cI like ta make the acquaintance o\u2019 the folks stayin\u2019 in our town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very nice town,\u201d Somerville lied. \u201cWe\u2019ve enjoyed our stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShame about that bit of excitement last week,\u201d Leighton mentioned. \u201cWe were quite worried by it. Have you caught the killers yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet,\u201d Roy admitted. He forbore to take offence at the clearly intended insult. Let the man think he was an idiot. \u201cBut I expect to make an arrest at any time. See, the witness can identify the murderers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to hear it,\u201d Braithwaite declared. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse us, sheriff\u2026 Gus, is our table ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, Mr. Braithwaite,\u201d Gus breathed in an ultra-respectful tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent.\u201d Braithwaite inclined his head. \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse us, sheriff.\u201d He didn\u2019t wait for a reply and simply walked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharming,\u201d Roy mumbled, as Gus rushed after them to open the restaurant door for the trio. Roy took his own leave, wondering idly what result he would get from the idea he had planted. Probably nothing \u2013 Braithwaite didn\u2019t strike him as the murdering kind.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

In Braithwaite\u2019s suite after a leisurely dinner, the three men gathered for a brandy. Braithwaite looked at the newspaper clipping he had kept. They had known it was a risk to remain in Virginia City after killing Riggs, but it was a risk they felt was worth it. \u201cTimothy Renton,\u201d Braithwaite murmured. He crushed the paper in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019re agreed then.\u201d\u00a0 John Braithwaite looked at his two companions and saw them nod. It hadn\u2019t been a question, after all. \u201cLet\u2019s kill Timothy.\u201d<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you can\u2019t stop Tim going into town,\u201d Adam reasoned. \u201cBesides, we\u2019ll all be there with him and the extra pair of hands won\u2019t go astray collecting the supplies for the round-up. He needs to get off the ranch for a while and try to get back to normality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose so,\u201d Ben agreed reluctantly. \u201cI\u2019m just feeling a bit anxious after what Roy told us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cIt was some story. I\u2019m still not sure I believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy wouldn\u2019t have dreamed up a million dollars worth of diamonds,\u201d Ben scoffed. \u201cThat\u2019s like something out of a novel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA pretty far-fetched novel if you ask me,\u201d Adam laughed. \u201cSee you later, Pa.\u201d He picked up his gun belt as he headed out the door to join Hoss, who was driving the wagon, and Tim and Joe, who were already mounted and waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt last,\u201d Joe teased. \u201cWe thought you\u2019d decided to stay behind to avoid the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s your trick,\u201d Adam chided him, mounting Sport. \u201cLet\u2019s go, since you\u2019re so all-fired eager to get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning, Joe waved to Ben, who was standing at the door, and trotted decorously out of the yard. The moment he was out of sight of the house, Joe yelled, \u201cRace you!\u201d and put his heel to his horse. Cochise shot off across the meadow, with Tim chasing after him. Wild laughter, unique to Joe, floated back to the older brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, youth,\u201d Adam sighed.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

The supplies were always pre-ordered, which was just as well or the store would be cleaned out. With varying degrees of willingness, the Cartwrights and Tim set to and loaded the wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we really need all this stuff?\u201d Joe moaned, as he loaded yet another bag of flour into the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of it is for the house,\u201d Adam replied, although Joe\u2019s question had actually been rhetorical. Joe already knew they were picking up house supplies, too.<\/p>\n

Tim nudged Joe with his elbow. \u201cYour Pa pays pretty good wages for us to do this, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe agreed, nudging Tim back. \u201cAnd he expects his money\u2019s worth!\u201d He fought to keep his face straight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere speaks the rich man\u2019s son,\u201d Tim jibed. \u201cNever done a day\u2019s work for a day\u2019s pay in his life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cListen who\u2019s talking!\u201d Joe hooted and they broke up laughing.<\/p>\n

It was good to hear Tim laugh, Adam thought. The young man had been far too solemn for the last few days. It was understandable, but not Tim\u2019s real nature. Impulsively, he said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you two head off to the saloon and get the beers in? Hoss and I will just settle up with Mr. Hanson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking, Joe looked at Adam for a long minute. \u201cWho are you and what have you done with my brother?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t look a gift horse in the mouth,\u201d Tim advised and dragged Joe away before Adam changed his mind.<\/p>\n

Walking down the street, Tim felt himself relax for the first time since the murder and newspaper story. Joe glanced at his friend, and smiled. It was good to see Tim acting more like himself. Doing something ordinary, like going for supplies, was a step forward.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Tim blanched. He reached out and grabbed Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe asked. He was alarmed \u2013 he\u2019d seen corpses with more color.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts them,\u201d Tim whispered, through a mouth as dry as a desert.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe followed his friend\u2019s gaze and saw three men turning into an alley further down the main street. They didn\u2019t look like murderers, but Tim\u2019s pale face and abnormal stillness told Joe all he needed to know. \u201cGet Roy!\u201d he cried and took to his heels, racing down the street.<\/p>\n

Behind him, Tim stood frozen.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

If there was one thing that Ben had failed to teach Joe, it was to think before he acted. With Joe, action almost always came before thought. It was just as true on this occasion as on any other. Joe simply acted, racing off down the street, intent on catching up with the murderers.<\/p>\n

Although not crazy enough to rocket around the corner at full speed, Joe didn\u2019t slow his headlong dash that much. He was terrified of the men getting away. Drawing his gun, he sidled round the corner and immediately picked up speed again when he saw that the alley was empty.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Joe hadn\u2019t looked closely enough. As he ran, he tripped over a stick that was suddenly thrust amongst his feet. His tumble to the ground was assisted by a well-placed blow to the head. Although Joe wasn\u2019t unconscious, he wasn\u2019t able to defend himself either and his gun was plucked from his suddenly-lax fingers.<\/p>\n

Hands laced into his jacket front, hauling him up. \u201cDamn, it isn\u2019t Renton,\u201d Braithwaite cursed. \u201cWho is this guy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts Renton\u2019s friend, one of the Cartwrights,\u201d replied Somerville. \u201cRenton is staying with them on their ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he\u2019ll do,\u201d Braithwaite purred and before Joe could sort any of that out, a fist slammed into his face two or three times. He blacked out.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

Tim was moving without being conscious of it. His feet led him inexorably towards the corner where Joe had disappeared. Tim had no idea what he would find when he got there; he simply had to go.<\/p>\n

Luckily, Adam and Hoss appeared just then and immediately took notice of the odd way Tim was walking. It was as though Tim had become a marionette that had just had its strings cut. His legs looked stiff and he staggered slightly when he walked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up wi\u2019 Tim?\u201d Hoss gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d He quickened his pace and caught up to the young cowboy. \u201cTim! Tim, where\u2019s Joe? What\u2019s wrong? Tim!\u201d<\/p>\n

His exhortations finally cut through Tim\u2019s stupor and he glanced at Adam. \u201cThey have him,\u201d he whispered. \u201cThe murderers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat alley.\u201d Tim lifted a leaden arm to point. \u201cThey ran down there and Joe went after them.\u201d He blinked and seemed to come more into focus. \u201cAdam, I think Joe\u2019s in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so, too,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cHoss\u2026\u201d He didn\u2019t need to finish his sentence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll git Roy,\u201d Hoss promised and headed off, showing a surprising turn of speed for a man of his size.<\/p>\n

Drawing his gun, Adam moved quickly and quietly to the entrance of the alley. A deserted saloon lay on one side, its windows and doors roughly boarded up. On the other, a ladies\u2019 dress shop tried to pretend it was really a Paris salon. Swallowing, Adam slid to his knees and peered around the corner.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

Coming round was not pleasant for Joe. His face felt stiff, his mouth as though it was stuffed with cotton. As his awareness increased, Joe realized his mouth\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0stuffed with cotton, and something was tied around his head to effectively create a gag. His arms were bound awkwardly in front of him by a thick leather belt and a large foot was resting on his chest.<\/p>\n

Squinting upwards, Joe guessed that he had found the murderers. Anyone less like the archetypal villain Joe had never seen, but he supposed vaguely that murderers came in all shapes and sizes. These men were smartly dressed, wearing suits and ties, with gold watch chains gleaming against the expensive material of their suits. Still dazed, Joe wondered if he was hallucinating.<\/p>\n

He must have made some noise or movement, for the pressure of the foot on his chest suddenly increased. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, boy,\u201d sneered the man holding him down. \u201cYou won\u2019t be like this much longer. Just long enough for us to kill your friend Timothy and then we\u2019ll put you out of your misery.\u201d He laughed.<\/p>\n

There was no mistaking what the man meant by that comment and Joe immediately began to struggle. The foot removed itself from his chest and buried itself several times in his ribs, rolling him over and over. White-hot pain flashed through Joe\u2019s body. He fought for breath.<\/p>\n

Coming to a stop against a wall, Joe desperately wondered how he was going to get out of this predicament.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

Eyeing up the deserted saloon, Adam thought he spotted movement behind the filthy, broken windows. He wondered how on earth he was going to get Joe out of this predicament. He glanced behind him at Tim. \u201cI think they\u2019re in the old saloon,\u201d he breathed. \u201cWe\u2019ll wait for Hoss and Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning back to keep an eye on the place \u2013 or as much of an eye as he could \u2013 Adam hoped that he would be able to come up with some sort of plan before Hoss and Roy arrived. If only he knew exactly what he was up against, he mused \u2013 and was startled when Tim suddenly moved past him, out into the alley.<\/p>\n

\u201cTim!\u201d Adam hissed, but the young cowboy ignored him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s me you want!\u201d Tim shouted. \u201cLet Joe go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh damn!\u201d Adam swore, and leapt to his feet. Behind him, he was vaguely aware of Hoss and Roy running across the street towards him. But he had no time to think further. A plan was now useless, even if he had had one. Tim had changed the odds in a tactic that Adam was all too familiar with \u2013 act first and think later. He just hoped Tim would have time to think later.<\/p>\n

Flinging himself at Tim, Adam hit him around the knees, driving Tim to the ground as the first shot was fired. Adam fired back, aware that Tim was almost certainly hit. How badly didn\u2019t matter at that moment. It seemed unlikely that either of them would survive, given how exposed they were lying in the middle of the alley.<\/p>\n

Behind them, Hoss and Roy laid down some covering fire, allowing Adam to drag the injured cowboy to relative shelter against the saloon wall. He raised his own weapon and fired, and for several minutes, bullets pinged across the confined space, biting chunks out of the dress shop wall.<\/p>\n

With shocking suddenness, the window of the saloon shattered as a body fell through it. For a horrible moment, Adam thought it was Joe, but he realized his mistake instantly as he saw the suit. He didn\u2019t know who this man was, but someone had fired a lucky shot and that person, whoever it was \u2013 well, he was unmistakably dead.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

Lying face down on the floor, Joe flinched every time a bullet bit into the wall above his head. He kept his head down as splinters showered down on all the men from the wall above. Suddenly, Somerville clutched his chest and staggered into Braithwaite, who showed his loyalty to his friend by giving him a vicious shove away. Silently, Somerville fell backwards through the plate glass window into the alley.<\/p>\n

In an instant \u2013 without thinking \u2013 Joe leapt to his feet. He couldn\u2019t do much fighting with his arms bound they way they were, but he couldn\u2019t simply lie passively on the floor and wait to be killed. He kicked sharply at Braithwaite\u2019s knee and made a good solid hit. Braithwaite yelped and turned on Joe.<\/p>\n

This time, Joe was prepared and he ducked the swinging gun. He drove his bound fists into the middle of Braithwaite\u2019s stomach with all the force he could muster, a grunt of effort escaping from behind the gag. As Braithwaite doubled over, Joe decided that he had to get out of there before his luck ran out completely. He turned with a lithe movement that belied his sore ribs and dived headlong through the remains of the window.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

Taking advantage of the slight lull in the fighting, Adam glanced at Tim. The bullet had gone through his shoulder, and although it was bleeding heavily, the young man was conscious, biting his lip to keep from crying out with the pain. That was a good sign, Adam thought. With any luck, Tim\u2019s wound wasn\u2019t mortal.<\/p>\n

From the corner of his eye, Adam saw someone else coming through the window, broken glass flying from every part of his body to further coat the ground in a glittering carpet of deadly shards. It was Joe!<\/p>\n

There was no need for coordinating shouts. Hoss and Roy recognized Joe in the same instant and both stepped forward and opened fire at the remaining figures in the saloon. Adam pushed himself to his knees, exposing himself to danger as he laid down covering fire for Joe, who should have been pulling himself out of danger, but wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t necessary. The superior firepower of the Cartwrights and Roy Coffee won the day. Roy took down one man and the other threw out the weapons and gave himself up. Leighton wasn\u2019t prepared to fight on alone for the chance \u2013 the very remote chance \u2013 to kill Timothy Renton.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right?\u201d Adam asked Tim, as he scrambled to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah,\u201d Tim panted. \u201cGet Joe.\u201d He turned his head as far as he could so he could see his friend, but with both Hoss and Adam kneeling beside Joe, he couldn\u2019t see anything. With a groan, he relaxed as much as he could.<\/p>\n

It was a toss up as to which brother reached Joe\u2019s side first. Hoss instinctively reached for Joe\u2019s head, hesitating momentarily as he saw all the glass glistening in Joe\u2019s chestnut curls. Very gently, he began to brush them out. \u201cJoe? Can ya hear me, boy?<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s method was more direct. He lifted Joe\u2019s chin slightly and peered into his brother\u2019s face. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bleary green eyes opened and blinked. Relieved, Adam hastily untied the gag and when Joe made an attempt to spit out the cotton cloth in his mouth, Adam obligingly pulled it free. \u201cAre you hurt?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe rasped, but Adam wasn\u2019t convinced. He made short work of the leather belt binding Joe\u2019s arms and then he and Hoss gently turned Joe over. The gasp of pain Joe gave when they did it was enough to tell Adam his brother had been somewhat less than truthful about his injuries, whatever they were.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what hurts,\u201d Adam demanded, exchanging a worried look with Hoss. \u201cIs anything broken?\u201d<\/p>\n

A snort of unwilling laughter escaped Joe; would he ever be able to fool Adam? \u201cEverything hurts,\u201d he whispered, too tired to pretend any longer. Besides, he knew his brothers. He would find himself at the doctor\u2019s surgery before he would be allowed to go anywhere and Doc Martin would definitely find the bruises.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get Joe and Tim over to Doc Martin\u2019s,\u201d Adam told Hoss unnecessarily. \u201cWe\u2019ll need another pair of hands to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can walk,\u201d Joe insisted and started to prove his point by struggling to get up. Adam tried to restrain him, but unsure as to Joe\u2019s injuries, didn\u2019t try too hard. Joe made it to his feet with only minimal help and a smothered groan. However, once upright, he seemed quite steady, if a little pale. \u201cGet Tim,\u201d he added, breathing heavily.<\/p>\n

Rolling his eyes, Adam went to help Hoss get Tim onto his feet and then they assisted the younger men across the street to the doctor\u2019s office. Meanwhile, Roy Coffee took the men into custody, although he knew Braithwaite would need to see the doctor, too.<\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

It was drawing on to evening before Ben Cartwright arrived in Virginia City. He rode his horse directly to the doctor\u2019s office and dismounted there, patting his sweating mount before he climbed the steps into the building.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Ben,\u201d Paul Martin said, as Ben opened the door and came in. As greetings went, it was as casual a greeting as Ben had ever received entering that office for a similar purpose and Ben took heart from it.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul,\u201d he acknowledged. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoing fine, although he\u2019s going to be sore for quite some time to come,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cHe broke a couple of ribs and managed to sprain both his wrists. I think it was something to do with hitting one of the men when he was tied up. I didn\u2019t quite get that one,\u201d he mused. \u201cA possible concussion, so keep an eye on him tonight. He and Tim are both over at the hotel. I vetoed them going back to the ranch for a couple of days, but they aren\u2019t ill enough to warrant a stay here.\u201d A twinkle appeared in Paul\u2019s eye. It was seldom missing for long. \u201cJoe is complaining vociferously and Adam is probably sitting on him right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Tim?\u201d Ben moved to sit down, relieved that Paul felt able to joke, although his own heart wouldn\u2019t settle completely until he could see Joe for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cTim will be fine, but he lost quite a lot of blood.\u201d Paul patted his friend on the knee. \u201cThey\u2019ll both make a full recovery. Just don\u2019t expect them back at work any time soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Paul,\u201d Ben replied and rose.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Paul told him, \u201cI\u2019ll come over and see them both in the morning and decide if they can go home then.\u201d<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

The hotel had given the Cartwrights a suite. Joe and Tim were in one room, the fire blazing in the hearth, both propped on stacks of pillows. Adam was sitting reading in the main room of the suite while his charges both napped. An open door showed another bedroom with a couple of beds in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Adam smiled.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben made his way into Joe\u2019s room. He wanted to see for himself that his son was all right. Then he would hear Adam\u2019s side of the story. Hoss, who had brought both the news and the supplies home, had excitedly spilled out the story and Ben was sure he\u2019d missed bits here and there. Anxiety tended to block his hearing slightly.<\/p>\n

The thick drapes at the windows blocked out the sunset. The room was dim and rosy, warm after the rapid cooling outside. Joe lay on his back, sound asleep, looking about 16. His face was bruised and his nose had obviously had quite a blow, for it was slightly swollen, but there was no sign now of blood and it clearly wasn\u2019t broken. Ben drank in the sight of his youngest son and ran a gentle hand through his tangled curls. Joe stirred slightly, but didn\u2019t wake.<\/p>\n

Turning, Ben looked at Tim, who slept in the other bed. The young man was pale and his arm was in a sling. Apart from that, there was no evidence of any other injury and Ben silently gave thanks that both of them had come out of this dreadful situation.<\/p>\n

When Ben came out of the room, Adam put aside the paper. \u201cHe\u2019s fine, Pa,\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cTell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Hoss say?\u201d Adam countered.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite a lot,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut I\u2019d like to hear it from you, too.\u201d He listened carefully as Adam told him the story in sequence, as he had learned it from Joe and Tim, concluding with the trip to the doctor and then their retreat to the hotel.<\/p>\n

Darkness had fallen by the time Adam had finished talking. \u201cWhat has Roy said about these men?\u201d Ben asked, rising to light the candles.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing yet,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen him since we took Joe and Tim to see Doc Martin. There seemed to be some doubt in his mind if the ringleader would live, but I haven\u2019t heard. The other man has been locked up and the third one is at the undertaker\u2019s. I don\u2019t know anything about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we\u2019ll just have to wait for Roy, then,\u201d Ben conceded.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

It was morning before Roy Coffee showed up. By then, both Joe and Tim were up and dressed, their clothes having been given to the Chinese laundry overnight to be cleaned and mended and Doc Martin had given them permission to go back to the ranch.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Ben, boys,\u201d Roy called as he ambled into the suite. \u201cYer lookin\u2019 better than ya were yesterday, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Roy,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI feel a bit better, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d Ben questioned. \u201cWhat\u2019s the story?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell.\u201d Roy sat down and rubbed his hands together. \u201cBraithwaite an\u2019 his friends knew all \u2018bout Riggs an\u2019 his peculiar ideas. Seems that the diamond deal was common knowledge among them business folks back east an\u2019 Braithwaite musta decided ta ambush him. Weren\u2019t hard ta find out where Riggs was goin\u2019 apparently. So him an\u2019 the others got here jist in time ta ambush Riggs an\u2019 look like they was jist respectable business folks waitin\u2019 fer the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWere there actually diamonds?\u201d Tim asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure were,\u201d Roy chortled. \u201cGot a couple o\u2019 marshals sittin\u2019 in ma office guardin\u2019 them right now.\u201d He frowned slightly. \u201cWeren\u2019t as many o\u2019 them stones as I thought there would be.\u201d He seemed disappointed. \u201cAnyway, seems they thought they\u2019d got off scot-free till that newspaper story come out. From what Leighton tol\u2019 me, they had planned fer one o\u2019 them ta take ill if\u2019n they hadn\u2019t managed ta kill Timothy here afore the stage was due, so\u2019s they had an excuse ta stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiping his hand nervously on his pants leg, Tim cleared his throat. \u201cWill I have to testify against them?\u201d he asked, almost inaudibly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son,\u201d Roy replied, comfortingly. \u201cAin\u2019t no need. Braithwaite and Somerville are dead an\u2019 Leighton is blamin\u2019 the whole thing on them and sayin\u2019 he were too scared ta say anythin\u2019. Don\u2019 worry, though; he only started sayin\u2019 that after Braithwaite went and died on him, and afore that, he was singin\u2019 like a canary.\u201d Roy chuckled again. \u201cHe admitted it in front o\u2019 witnesses and the judge is comin\u2019 right on over ta sentence him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a relief,\u201d Ben sighed and smiled at the two young men. \u201cIt\u2019s over, boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cCan we go home now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go home,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

************<\/p>\n

That evening, Joe eased out of the front door. As he expected, he found Tim leaning against the corral fence. His friend had been uncharacteristically silent all day. Joe could understand. The overwhelming sense of relief that Joe felt knowing that the men had been stopped must be nothing beside what Tim was feeling. After all, Joe wasn\u2019t the one whose life had been threatened.<\/p>\n

\u201cTim?\u201d Joe walked over and glanced at Tim\u2019s face. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be,\u201d Tim replied. \u201cI was just wondering how to tell my father about this. He really didn\u2019t like the fact I\u2019d \u2018thrown my life away\u2019 to become a cowboy, but quite how he\u2019s going to feel when I tell him I witnessed a murder and was almost murdered myself, I don\u2019t know. What if Pa knew these men?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll find it pretty hard to believe, either way,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut I\u2019m sure the most important thing to him is that you are all right.\u201d Joe glanced back at the house where he knew his father was waiting. Ben was no longer as anxious about Joe, but Joe knew that his father would keep an eagle eye on him until he was better and suspected that Tim would be subjected to the same level of concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really grateful for everything your family has done for me, Joe,\u201d Tim went on. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to help me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we didn\u2019t, but what kind of a friend would I have been if I hadn\u2019t helped out?\u201d Joe objected. \u201cThat\u2019s what friends are for, Tim, and don\u2019t forget it! Your family may not be right here, but you have us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have you,\u201d Tim replied and his voice cracked for a moment. Slightly embarrassed by the near show of emotion, Tim glanced away and silence fell for a few moments. He felt suddenly better than he had since he had been shot the day before. \u201cI think I might go home for a visit,\u201d he announced. \u201cWhile I\u2019m waiting for my shoulder to heal. I can\u2019t work much like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Pa would let you do the books,\u201d Joe offered, his eyes wide open and his tone entirely innocent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right-handed,\u201d Tim replied, smoothly. \u201cBesides, he\u2019s got you for that. You won\u2019t be working much either until those ribs are healed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sprained both my wrists,\u201d Joe murmured pathetically. \u201cI can barely feed myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Struggling to keep a straight face, Tim nodded solemnly. \u201cAnd you are a rich man\u2019s son,\u201d he agreed. \u201cWork is a word you don\u2019t know all that well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The laughter felt good after all the tension of recent weeks. Joe clutched his sore ribs and Tim clung to the corral fence as they sniggered like schoolboys.<\/p>\n

The grin still on his face, Joe spoke up. \u201cSay, Tim. Are you going to stay on the Ponderosa? You might as well. The boys in the bunkhouse have got used to you and you work pretty well. For a rich man\u2019s son that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed as the front door burst open and Joe came in, laughing, trying to run, but not succeeding. Tim followed at an equally slow pace. Ben knew he should say something to them both about being careful of their injuries, but the smiles on their faces kept the words frozen in his mind.<\/p>\n

It was good to see them smiling.<\/p>\n

*****End*****<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 A friend of Joe\u2019s gets them both into trouble.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (8,060 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}