{"id":4656,"date":"2004-08-11T23:42:53","date_gmt":"2004-08-12T03:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4656"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:29","slug":"guilty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4656","title":{"rendered":"Guilty (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Joe finds himself facing the ultimate punishment while his brothers race against time to bring the witness who can clear Joe’s name.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,620 words)<\/p>\n

Guilty Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Guilty<\/a>
\nThe Sound of Silence<\/a><\/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

Guilty<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Joe Cartwright looked up anxiously as his father came into the cell area of Virginia City jail. \u201cAny sign of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, hating to crush his son\u2019s hope. He crossed to stand right at the bars, wishing that he could be in the cell with his son, wishing that it was he who was in Joe\u2019s place. \u201cBut they\u2019ll come, son. You know they will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising, Joe began to pace restlessly. \u201cI know Adam and Hoss will try to get here on time, Pa,\u201d he agreed in a low voice. \u201cBut what if they don\u2019t?\u201d He swung round to face Ben again. \u201cPa I\u2019m afraid,\u201d he confessed. \u201cWhat if they don\u2019t get here on time? I don\u2019t want to hang!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The knock on the door surprised Ben Cartwright as he sat in front of the fire, sipping a mid-afternoon cup of coffee. He put his cup on the coffee table and hurried over to answer the door, looking blankly for a moment at the tall, thin man standing on the door step. \u201cOh, Sheriff McGuire! Come in!\u201d He stood back to let the temporary sheriff of Virginia City come in. \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d he asked, cordially. \u201cCoffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a pleasure jaunt, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d McGuire replied, coldly. \u201cI\u2019m here for your son, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben frowned. \u201cHe\u2019s out on the range with my other two sons, but they should be back by dark. Why? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can tell me exactly where they are, I\u2019ll go and get Joseph myself,\u201d McGuire evaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know exactly where they are,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cSheriff, what\u2019s this about? Why do you want Joe?\u201d An uneasy feeling was growing in Ben\u2019s gut.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019ll tell you,\u201d McGuire agreed. \u201cI\u2019ve come to arrest Joseph for the rape and murder of Suzanne Webster.\u201d He looked at Ben\u2019s face with grim satisfaction. \u201cI aim to see that he hangs.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cTh-there must be some mistake,\u201d Ben stuttered. \u201cJoe? You think Joe murdered Suzanne? But \u2013 but he wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for a court of law to decide,\u201d McGuire replied, sententiously. \u201cI\u2019m here to arrest him. Joseph was the last person to see Suzanne Webster alive. He was seen leaving her house shortly before she was found dead by her neighbor, Mrs. Johnston.\u201d<\/p>\n

By now, Ben had got over the shock and was rallying his resources. \u201cWhen was this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuzanne was found dead yesterday by Mrs. Johnston. An eye witness says he saw Joe leaving Miss Webster\u2019s house at three the previous afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

A feeling of relief swept over Ben. \u201cThen it couldn\u2019t have been Joe!\u201d he declared. \u201cJoe wasn\u2019t even here the day before yesterday!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he wasn\u2019t here, he could easily have been in town raping and murdering Miss Webster,\u201d the sheriff replied, implacably.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t understand,\u201d Ben persisted. \u201cJoe wasn\u2019t on the ranch. He only got back yesterday. He was away on business for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas anyone else with him on this \u2018trip\u2019?\u201d McGuire asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben answered, reluctantly. \u201cHe went alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen it\u2019s entirely possible that he got back early. In any event, Mr. Cartwright, I am here to place your son under arrest and if you continue to hinder me, I\u2019ll have to place you under arrest too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shocked rigid, for he hadn\u2019t for a moment thought he was impeding an investigation, Ben wasn\u2019t sure what to say. In the silence that fell, he could clearly hear the grandfather clock ticking solemnly and the sound of his own heart beat. And then he realized that he could hear hoofs, too, and knew that his sons were home. McGuire realized, too, and hurried over to the door, drawing his gun as he did so. Ben hurried after him, hoping to avert a disaster.<\/p>\n

In the yard, Adam, Hoss and Joe were just dismounting, none of them aware of their visitor. McGuire took advantage of their distraction to cross to stand behind Joe, his gun in Joe\u2019s back. The youngest Cartwright froze. \u201cJoseph Cartwright, I\u2019m arresting you for the rape and murder of Suzanne Webster,\u201d McGuire rapped out. \u201cStay still and I won\u2019t be forced to shoot you.\u201d He carefully took Joe\u2019s gun from his holster and tucked it into his pants. \u201cNow put your hands behind your back and don\u2019t try anything!\u201d he was warned.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe did as he was told, his puzzled gaze meeting those of his brothers\u2019. He stiffened as he felt the cold steel of handcuffs fastening around his wrists and he felt a large twinge of anxiety. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d he asked, hoarsely, as the cuffs closed. \u201cWhat do you mean? Suzanne is dead?\u201d Joe sounded stunned. He and Suzanne had been going with each other for a couple of months.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to put on an act for me, Cartwright,\u201d McGuire sneered. \u201cI know you killed her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t!\u201d Joe cried, turning to glare at his accuser. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen Suzanne for several days. I\u2019ve been away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, McGuire pushed Joe back towards his horse. \u201cGlad to see you an\u2019 your family have got your stories straight, anyway,\u201d he commented. \u201cGet mounted, Cartwright.\u201d He practically pushed Joe into the saddle. \u201cSave the fairy stories for the judge!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait!\u201d Ben cried, running forward. He couldn\u2019t believe how fast things were spinning out of control. \u201cI\u2019ll come into town and arrange bail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no point,\u201d McGuire told him, mounting his own horse and taking Cochise\u2019s rein. \u201cThere won\u2019t be any bail. Not for a murder charge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe cried, looking frantically at his father. \u201cPa, I didn\u2019t do it, I swear!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you didn\u2019t, son,\u201d Ben replied. He took a step closer, but froze as the sheriff\u2019s gun came up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s close enough, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he warned. \u201cAny closer and I\u2019ll have to assume that you\u2019re going to try and help the prisoner break free. I\u2019m not Roy Coffee, and I\u2019m not impressed with your money. Justice will be served here, make no mistake.\u201d He put his heel to his horse and they left the yard at a canter, Joe needing all his not-inconsiderable riding skills to stay in the saddle.<\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss were left gazing after them, totally stunned.<\/p>\n

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

The end of the ride couldn\u2019t come soon enough for Joe. He had found it horribly difficult to keep his balance and he hadn\u2019t been happy at the way the sheriff kept a fast pace all the way to town and Cochise had already done a hard day\u2019s work. The pinto was lathered and panting, with his head down, when they came to a stop. Joe was hauled roughly from his horse and pushed up the steps to the jail house, the sheriff\u2019s gun in his back the whole way. Joe didn\u2019t know whether to be flattered or annoyed that the man thought him such a threat.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the first time Joe had been in jail, but each time he fervently hoped it would be the last. And this time was different \u2013 it wasn\u2019t Roy Coffee, a family friend, who was in charge. Roy was away with his deputy, Clem Foster, testifying at a trial over in Carson City. They were expected to be away for a month, hence the arrival of McGuire.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet in there,\u201d McGuire said, opening the door to a cell.<\/p>\n

Obediently, Joe took a step in and stopped. He was surprised when the door clanged shut behind him at once and he whirled around. \u201cWhat about these?\u201d he demanded holding up his cuffed hands as best he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about \u2018em?\u201d McGuire replied, sneering. Joe was immediately on his guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you going to take them off?\u201d he asked, as meekly as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, perhaps you do have a point there,\u201d McGuire mused. \u201cI might need them again. But you are a murderer; I have to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a murderer,\u201d Joe replied, evenly. He could feel his temper rising and vowed to keep it under control.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019ll take \u2018em off,\u201d McGuire agreed, after a long moment. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d He gestured to the bars. \u201cYou come and stand here with your back to the bars. If I think you\u2019re to be trusted, I\u2019ll take them off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suspicious, but having no choice, Joe did as he was told and went to stand with his back to the bars. He could feel color rising in his face as he stood there.\u00a0Calm down<\/em>, he told himself.\u00a0Pa will get Hiram and everything will be sorted out by tomorrow.\u00a0<\/em>He drew in a calming breath.<\/p>\n

Behind him, he heard McGuire coming in, and wondered what the funny clanking noises were. Next moment, something clicked heavily around his wrist above the handcuff. \u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d he began and started to turn.<\/p>\n

Reacting instantly, McGuire pulled on the cuff chain and had Joe pinned helplessly against the bars. \u201cI though you\u2019d try to resist me,\u201d he hissed malevolently in Joe\u2019s ear. I\u2019m glad I was ready.\u201d Keeping Joe close to the bars, he passed something Joe could not see through the bars and fastened it round Joe\u2019s neck. He took off the handcuffs and spun the startled young man around and fastened the other manacle around Joe\u2019s left wrist. Now, Joe\u2019s wrists were shackled to the collar around his neck, and he was unable to straighten his arms. And before he could recover from that indignity, McGuire knelt, pulling Joe over and locked leg irons around his ankles.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow let\u2019s get one thing straight,\u201d McGuire said, as he released Joe and stood. \u201cIf you behave, I\u2019ll put on ordinary shackles on your wrists later. Make trouble, and you\u2019ll be sorry. Do I make myself clear? You\u2019re a dangerous man, Cartwright. A rapist and a murderer. I can\u2019t afford to take chances with you. Your temper is well known around town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t hurt Suzanne,\u201d Joe repeated. His grief for the girl\u2019s death had been shoved to one side while he dealt with this situation. \u201cI\u2019m not a danger to you, regardless of what you think. Do you really think I could get out of this cell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d McGuire replied. \u201cBut you might attack me.\u201d He pulled out his pocket watch. \u201cIt\u2019ll be supper in about an hour,\u201d he went on. \u201cIf you behave, I\u2019ll think about changing your shackles then.\u201d He turned without a backward glance and went out, shutting and locking the door between the cells and the office.<\/p>\n

Distraught, Joe stared at the closed door for several minutes before he shuffled over to the cot and sank down. He was suddenly sure that he was in bigger trouble than he had ever been in before.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to bother you so late in the day,\u201d Ben apologized to Hiram Wood as he was admitted to his lawyer\u2019s home. \u201cBut it\u2019s urgent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in, Ben,\u201d Hiram replied. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking quickly, Ben outlined the story as far as he knew it. Hiram looked grave. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Joe\u2019s in deep trouble,\u201d Hiram replied. \u201cI know of McGuire. He\u2019s got a reputation for being a strong sheriff. That\u2019s why he was hired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else?\u201d he asked, as Hiram hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe circuit judge is due here tomorrow, Ben. And he\u2019s not the usual man, either. He\u2019s ill. This judge, Judge Whittaker, is known for a hanging judge. He has no patience for long, drawn-out trials. He sets a time limit to hear all the evidence and won\u2019t go a minute over if he can avoid it.\u201d Hiram scratched his head. \u201cYou say Joe can prove he wasn\u2019t with Suzanne when she was killed. Who is his witness?\u201d When Ben said the name, Hiram smiled. \u201cWell, short of the Lord Jesus Christ himself coming down from heaven to speak for Joe, we couldn\u2019t have a better witness. Can you wire him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps it would be best if Adam and Hoss went to get him,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cI don\u2019t know why, but I have such a bad feeling about this, Hiram.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I don\u2019t see why not,\u201d Hiram agreed. \u201cNow, let\u2019s go down to the jail. You can see Joe briefly and I\u2019ll tell the sheriff that I want to confer with Joe tomorrow morning. But I don\u2019t see there being a real problem, Ben. Not with the witness you\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising, Ben fingered his hat nervously. \u201cExcept he\u2019s not here yet,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

Ushering Ben out of the door, Hiram was disquieted to find himself being infected with Ben\u2019s misgivings. This case was straight forward. The evidence was all circumstantial, apart from the eye witness who said he had seen Joe. Hiram\u2019s first job was to discover who this witness was and question him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m not sure I can agree to letting you see the prisoner, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d McGuire murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Ben asked in disbelief. \u201cYou\u2019ve already got my gun. What do you think; that I\u2019m going to strangle him with my bare hands in the jail cell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s possible,\u201d McGuire agreed. \u201cI don\u2019t know you, Mr. Cartwright. I don\u2019t know what your relationship with your son is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grimacing angrily, Hiram decided it was time to step in before Ben found himself in the cell next to Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll vouch for Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he offered smoothly. \u201cIn fact, we could go in at the same time. Come, Sheriff, that\u2019s not unreasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d McGuire replied, grudgingly. He patted down both Ben and Hiram before allowing them into the cells.<\/p>\n

As the door opened, Joe looked up and relief sped across his face. McGuire had \u2013 after supper \u2013 put on ordinary wrist shackles and taken off the collar, but Joe was under no illusions that the change was permanent. He guessed that if he looked the wrong way at the sheriff, he would find himself back in the other irons. \u201cPa!\u201d He stood up, but his initial impulse to rush across the cell was checked by the leg irons.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben replied and relief and horror were mingled in his tones. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d he demanded of McGuire. \u201cWhy is Joe in chains?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a murder,\u201d McGuire replied, smoothly. \u201cI\u2019m on my own here, so I have to take reasonable precautions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think this is necessary,\u201d Hiram declared, disapproval heavy in his tones.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I do,\u201d McGuire answered. \u201cAnd I\u2019m the sheriff here.\u201d He folded his arms and regarded the three men levelly. \u201cYou\u2019ve got two minutes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, reaching through the bars to cup Joe\u2019s cheek in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe replied, leaning into that familiar warm touch. \u201cAnd this,\u201d he lifted the irons, \u201cis an improvement over earlier.\u201d He quickly told them about it and Ben looked as though he might pass out. \u201cBut I\u2019m fine, Pa, honest,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back tomorrow to go over things with you, Joe,\u201d Hiram advised him. \u201cIn the mean time, don\u2019t say anything, all right? You don\u2019t have to say anything without me here, and that\u2019s what I want you to do, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sending your brothers to bring back Seymour from Carson,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cSeymour will set everything straight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTime\u2019s up,\u201d McGuire announced brusquely.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, couldn\u2019t we have another few minutes?\u201d Ben pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Pa,\u201d Joe assured him although he couldn\u2019t quite keep the quiver from his voice. \u201cI\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking deep into Joe\u2019s green eyes, Ben saw the fear lurking in the emerald depths. But he could see the strength there, too. \u2018I love you\u2019<\/em>, he mouthed. Aloud, he said, \u201cBe careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Joe replied. He nodded.<\/p>\n

As McGuire again shut and locked the door between the office and the cells, he caught Joe\u2019s eye and gave the young man a satisfied smile, Joe felt a shudder run down his spine.<\/p>\n

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

In the side alley, the two men stood invisibly in the shadows. \u201cThe other two Cartwright sons are going to Carson to bring back someone called Seymour,\u201d one said. \u201cI want them stopped. I don\u2019t care how.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed the other. \u201cUsual rates?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUsual rates,\u201d confirmed the first.<\/p>\n

Money exchanged hands and then the men went their separate ways.<\/p>\n

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

The night passed \u2013 well, it passed. When dawn broke, Joe rolled over and sat up. The mattress on the cot was thin and smelly and the blanket was threadbare. Joe was chilled and tired, the chains having prevented him from sleeping for more than a few minutes at a time. Reluctantly, he used the bucket in the corner of the cell and waited for McGuire to bring his breakfast and start the day.<\/p>\n

He finally got his breakfast just a few minutes before Hiram appeared to talk to him about the case. The single hard roll and cup of cold coffee would not have been attractive when fresh first thing that morning, but Joe made no complaints, just forced it down, determined not to get on the sheriff\u2019s bad side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is your eye witness?\u201d Hiram asked McGuire.<\/p>\n

\u201cTodd Turner,\u201d McGuire replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know him,\u201d Hiram frowned. \u201cJoe, do you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cWhat does he look like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou beat him at cards last Friday night,\u201d McGuire replied. \u201cSandy-haired fella, taller than you.\u201d He looked Joe up and down with contempt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I remember him,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cFrom out of town, isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that got to do with it?\u201d McGuire demanded, menacingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just checking I had the right man,\u201d Joe snapped back. He saw the frown on the sheriff\u2019s face and wondered what piece of nastiness McGuire would think up to make him pay for that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go and talk to him,\u201d Hiram assured Joe, missing the interplay between his client and the sheriff. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Joe, everything should go smoothly at the trial.\u201d He rose. \u201cI\u2019ll see you tomorrow. I dare say your father will be in later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hiram,\u201d Joe replied, but his gaze was fixed on the sheriff.<\/p>\n

As the man left the cells area, he turned back and gave Joe a smile. Joe shuddered as the door was locked once more. He had seen warmer smiles on the faces of wolves.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI sure hope Joe\u2019s gonna be all right,\u201d Hoss commented as he and Adam set out for Carson City.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the evidence is circumstantial,\u201d Adam reminded Hoss. \u201cAnd the eye witness is mistaken. Seymour will tell them that. They\u2019ll believe him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure enough,\u201d Hoss nodded, trying to comfort himself with this thought. \u201cBut still, what Pa said about Joe last night\u2026 Adam, I sure hate ta think o\u2019 Joe in chains!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I,\u201d Adam replied, darkly. \u201cI don\u2019t know what Sheriff McGuire is playing at. There\u2019s no need to put Joe in chains. He\u2019s just a suspect. Its not as though there was an eye witness that saw him kill Suzanne.\u201d Adam wondered briefly how Joe was coping with the news of Suzanne\u2019s death. They had all liked the vivacious blonde girl.<\/p>\n

They rode in silence for a while, each pre-occupied with thoughts of Joe and what he was going through. It wasn\u2019t a long ride to Carson City \u2013 in fact, in many respects, it was nearer to the ranch than Virginia City \u2013 and they anticipated being back later that day.<\/p>\n

But the reverie was shattered by gun fire. Bullets bit into the ground beside the surprised brothers, and for a moment, they drew rein. \u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d Adam started, but Hoss realized that whoever it was, he was shooting at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on!\u201d he cried and spurred Chubb onwards. Sport took the hint and galloped after his stable mate. Hoss led them into a thicket, where he jumped down from Chubb and tethered his horse to a tree. Adam copied him and they crept to the edge of the cover, guns drawn. \u201cYa see him?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam replied, tersely. \u201cDo you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Hoss grumbled. \u201cWho\u2019d ya reckon it is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d Adam answered, his eyes still scanning the surrounding area. \u201cBut why do I get the feeling this has something to do with Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Hoss echoed. \u201cHow\u2019d ya mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to Carson to get Seymour,\u201d Adam reminded his brother. \u201cAnd why are we getting Seymour? Because his testimony will secure Joe\u2019s release. Someone is determined to make sure that doesn\u2019t happen. What I don\u2019t know is who, or why. But I\u2019ll tell you one thing, brother; we need to get Seymour as quickly as we can. I think Joe is in more danger than we originally thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

His face somber, Hoss glanced at Adam. \u201cYa think someone\u2019s set Joe up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed I do. As I said, I don\u2019t know who or why, but I know we\u2019ve got to hurry. Remember what Pa said about the judge that\u2019s coming today? That he doesn\u2019t waste time? I have the nasty feeling that if we don\u2019t get Seymour back to testify today, it\u2019ll be too late!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say that!\u201d Hoss cried and ducked as another shot tore through the foliage above his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to face facts,\u201d Adam responded, firing back at the muzzle flash. \u201cWe\u2019re the only people who can help Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how\u2019re we gonna git out a here?\u201d Hoss wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we\u2019ll have to kill whoever is shooting at us,\u201d Adam replied, bleakly.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou aren\u2019t gonna see the prisoner, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d McGuire repeated quietly. \u201cThe trial is gonna start in a few minutes, and I\u2019m not taking any chances before then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my son!\u201d Ben objected. \u201cSurely you don\u2019t grudge me five minutes with my son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t do it,\u201d McGuire replied. \u201cI\u2019ve got to get him over to the courthouse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Hiram know?\u201d Ben asked, rather shocked to find that the judge had literally just stepped off the stagecoach and was starting the trial less than half an hour later.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not my problem,\u201d McGuire replied, blandly. \u201cNow, if you\u2019ll excuse me, Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019ve got to get the prisoner.\u201d He blandly stared Ben down, making it clear he was not going anywhere near Joe while Ben was still there.<\/p>\n

Realizing that he was just going to make things worse if he stayed, Ben left to seek out Hiram. It would be a disaster for Joe if Hiram wasn\u2019t in court when the trial started. He wished fervently that he could be in two places at once, for he desperately wanted to see Joe, to make sure that his son was all right.<\/p>\n

As soon as Ben was gone, McGuire collected what he would need for moving Joe and went into the cell area. Joe was sitting despondently on the cot, resting his chin on his hands. He looked up warily as McGuire came in and blanched. In his hands, McGuire held a long piece of steel with cuffs on either end. Joe knew at once that he was going to be wearing those within the next few minutes. He felt a quiver of disquiet in his belly, but rose obediently, determined not to make things worse for himself.<\/p>\n

Smiling to himself, McGuire took off one of the cuffs Joe was wearing and locked it to the bars. Then he entered the cell, all the time acting as though Joe was in the habit of attacking him. He locked one end of the rigid cuffs to Joe\u2019s free wrist, then forced the younger man against the bars while he freed Joe\u2019s other wrist and then dragged it behind his back to lock into the other cuff. The metal bar held Joe\u2019s hands about a foot apart and McGuire knew that they were desperately uncomfortable when worn behind the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he suggested and gave Joe a push that almost floored him. Joe barely managed to catch his balance. \u201cTrial\u2019s gonna start in a minute. You wouldn\u2019t want to be late; the judge wouldn\u2019t like that.\u201d He laughed as he saw the touch of fear that crossed Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

The walk to the court house was a nightmare for Joe. The rigid cuffs on his wrists forced him to arch his back, which immediately began to ache. The leg irons hampered his stride and McGuire kept pushing him, clearly wanting to see Joe fall all his length. It was only Joe\u2019s natural athleticism and sense of balance that allowed him to keep his feet.<\/p>\n

All the way across, Joe could feel the stares of the townsfolk. He could feel his face burning, but kept his head up. He had done nothing wrong, and when Adam and Hoss got back with Seymour, he would be set free. This thought kept him going and when he spied his father and Hiram at the courthouse, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He wasn\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n

There was no chance to speak to either of them. Joe was hustled into the courtroom and Ben was forced to take a seat in the gallery. Hiram went to Joe\u2019s side and the judge came in. \u201cAll rise,\u201d intoned the bailiff.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe seated,\u201d Judge Whittaker said.<\/p>\n

Awkwardly, Joe perched on the edge of his seat. Hiram shot McGuire an angry look and rose. \u201cYou Honor, might I ask on behalf of my client if the unnecessarily cruel restraints he is wearing could be removed?\u201d<\/p>\n

At once, McGuire rose. \u201cYour Honor, this man is a suspected murderer. I deemed it safest for everyone concerned to keep him restrained. He is well known in the area for having a temper that frequently gets the better of him. That is why he is restrained.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat seems wise, Sheriff,\u201d Whittaker nodded. \u201cThe restraints stay, Mr. Wood. The sheriff has the safety of the whole town in his mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was nothing more Hiram could say and he sat down again, leaning over briefly to whisper, \u201cSorry,\u201d to Joe. Joe nodded, keeping his face neutral. With his character already on trial, he knew he had to be careful and not let any sign of his temper show. He had a really bad feeling about this.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s have opening statements and witnesses, please,\u201d Whittaker went on. \u201cI want this trial over by this afternoon. I have a busy calendar.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWe\u2019ve bin here better\u2019n two hours, Adam,\u201d Hoss commented, glancing over at his older brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to tell me,\u201d Adam snapped. \u201cI\u2019m as frustrated as you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t got many shells left,\u201d Hoss mentioned. \u201cWhat\u2019re we gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Peering out from the undergrowth, Adam didn\u2019t answer immediately, as he went over the options in his mind. Finally, he glanced at Hoss. \u201cAs I see it, we\u2019ve only got one choice,\u201d he decided. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to make a run for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink that\u2019s wise?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever this is doesn\u2019t really want to kill us,\u201d Adam reasoned. \u201cHe\u2019s not making any attempt to come closer; he\u2019s just keeping us pinned down. Every minute we\u2019re here means a minute longer that Joe is in jail. I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve got a choice, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, let\u2019s put down some covering fire, make him think we\u2019ve got to reload,\u201d Adam suggested. \u201cThen let\u2019s get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Accordingly, they fired some shots at the man who was shooting at them, then made a dive for their horses. Shots peppered the leaves around them, but none found their targets. Adam found it ironic that the person\u2019s aim was better when the brothers were moving than it had been when they had been still. \u00a0He had the distinct feeling that they were being toyed with. It wasn\u2019t going to be easy getting to or from Carson City. He put his heel to his horse and together, he and Hoss galloped out of the thicket and headed towards Carson City again.<\/p>\n

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

The court room was stuffy and Joe could feel sweat trickling down his back. He desperately wanted to turn his head and look at Ben, but he was afraid to draw attention to himself by doing so. Every movement was hampered by the chains he wore. Blinking, and drawing in a deep breath, Joe returned his attention to the proceedings.<\/p>\n

At the moment, Todd Turner was on the stand and was singing exactly the tune the prosecutor wanted. \u201cI seen Joe Cartwright comin\u2019 out o\u2019 Miss Webster\u2019s house,\u201d he confirmed. \u201cIt were about 3.30 in the afternoon. I thought he looked shifty, kind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cObjection,\u201d Hiram said, standing. \u201cThat\u2019s the witness\u2019 opinion only and has no basis in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSustained,\u201d the judge agreed. Ben wondered if the man really felt as reluctant as he had just sounded. In fact, Ben wasn\u2019t at all sure that Joe was getting an impartial trial. The judge already seemed to have made up his mind that Joe was guilty. The problem was, Ben didn\u2019t see what he could do.<\/p>\n

By now, Hiram was on his feet, questioning the witness.\u00a0 Turner couldn\u2019t be shaken. He just kept repeating that he had seen Joe coming out of Suzanne\u2019s house and no amount of questioning would change his mind. So Hiram called Joe to the stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere were you, Joe, at the time that Mr. Turner says he saw you?\u201d Hiram began.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in Carson City, on business,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you any witnesses that could prove that?\u201d Hiram asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, the person I was with at the time could confirm it,\u201d Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Honor,\u201d Hiram went on, smoothly, \u201cI would like to ask for a recess in the trial until Mr. Cartwright\u2019s eye witness can arrive here to testify on his behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how long is that likely to take?\u201d Whittaker snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not entirely sure,\u201d Hiram admitted. \u201cBut I don\u2019t expect it to be much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a pause for thought, the judge nodded. \u201cProsecution can cross-examine,\u201d he announced. \u201cThen I will wait precisely one hour before expecting the jury to reach a decision. Do I take it, Mr. Wood that your entire defense rests on this witness?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, You Honor,\u201d Hiram replied, wishing that he had another answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Whittaker responded, with a decidedly skeptical tone in his voice.<\/p>\n

The prosecution\u2019s questions were brief, but left Joe admitting that he had a temper and he had been known to have a night in the jail cooling off. They tried to imply that Joe and Suzanne\u2019s relationship had been turbulent, but Hiram soon stopped that line. However, they all knew it was already too late \u2013 the jury had heard it.<\/p>\n

But at last the prosecution rested and Joe and Hiram exchanged a wordless look. If Seymour didn\u2019t arrive on time, Joe was doomed. The prosecution had made much of their eye witness and without Seymour, Joe had nothing to prove his innocence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis court is in recess for one hour,\u201d Whittaker declared, banging his gavel. \u201cIf your witness has not appeared by then, Mr. Wood, I will tell the jury to come to a decision. Sheriff, take the defendant back to his cell.\u201d He rose and everyone rose with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Cartwright,\u201d McGuire ordered, looming over Joe. He yanked the helpless young man to his feet and began to drag him away. \u201cStep back, folks,\u201d he told the watching audience. \u201cDon\u2019t want anyone getting hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe passed him, Ben saw a flash of despair on his son\u2019s face. McGuire was doing everything he could to reinforce the notion of Joe\u2019s guilt in everyone\u2019s mind. He had taken one step in Joe\u2019s wake when Hiram put a hand on his arm. \u201cBen,\u201d he hissed urgently and drew the patriarch of the Ponderosa to one side so no one could over hear them. \u201cWhen are Adam and Hoss likely to arrive?\u201d he asked. \u201cIt\u2019s looking bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought they\u2019d be here before now,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cDo you think something\u2019s happened to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope not,\u201d Hiram replied. \u201cBen, I have to be honest. If Seymour doesn\u2019t get here within the next hour, Joe is not going to win. Already, the jury look convinced of his guilt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s not guilty!\u201d Ben cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but the evidence is against him right now, even if it is circumstantial.\u201d Hiram stroked his beard. \u201cI hope that the judge will be lenient, but Ben, I think its best to prepare yourself \u2013 its possible Joe could hang.\u201d He wished he didn\u2019t have to say that, but he felt Ben \u2013 and Joe \u2013 ought to be prepared for every outcome and right now, it looked bad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2013 I see,\u201d Ben stuttered. He backed away from his lawyer, muttering something about looking for Adam and Hoss, but he just needed to be alone. He couldn\u2019t believe that his youngest son faced such an ignominious death. How could he let Joe face this, knowing he was innocent?<\/p>\n

There was no sign of his older sons and Ben began to despair. Slowly, he walked over to the jail, where he knew he Joe needed him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWell?\u201d Joe Cartwright looked up anxiously as his father came into the cell area of Virginia City jail. \u201cAny sign of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied, hating to crush his son\u2019s hope. He crossed to stand right at the bars, wishing that he could be in the cell with his son, wishing that it was he who was in Joe\u2019s place. \u201cBut they\u2019ll come, son. You know they will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising, Joe began to pace restlessly. \u201cI know Adam and Hoss will try to get here on time, Pa,\u201d he agreed in a low voice. \u201cBut what if they don\u2019t?\u201d He swung round to face Ben again. \u201cPa I\u2019m afraid,\u201d he confessed. \u201cWhat if they don\u2019t get here on time? I don\u2019t want to hang!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t come to that!\u201d Ben lied desperately. He wanted to have Joe in his arms, soothing the young man\u2019s fears, as he had soothed them when Joe was a child. But his son was a man grown and facing his fears head on.<\/p>\n

Stopping his awkward pacing, Joe leant his head against the bars. He was still cruelly shackled and that seemed almost the worst indignity to Ben. He reached through the bars and began to rub Joe\u2019s shoulders. The muscles were tense. \u201cBut it might,\u201d he whispered, so low that Ben had to strain to hear him. \u201cI know that this judge thinks I\u2019m guilty and so do a lot of the jury.\u201d He lifted his head and Ben saw tears in Joe\u2019s eyes, but they didn\u2019t fall. \u201cSomething\u2019s happened to Adam and Hoss,\u201d he went on. \u201cThey aren\u2019t going to get here. Pa, someone is out to kill me, but I don\u2019t know who, or why! I\u2019m going to die for a crime I didn\u2019t commit, Pa, and I\u2019m scared.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the face of Joe\u2019s courage, Ben didn\u2019t feel he could lie again. \u201cI\u2019m scared, too,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut don\u2019t give up, Joe. Adam and Hoss will do everything they can to get Seymour here.\u201d<\/p>\n

There didn\u2019t seem to be anything more to say. Joe stayed leaning on the bars. Ben\u2019s hands rubbed Joe\u2019s shoulders constantly, the touch comforting them both. Time was their enemy and the big clock in the jail office seemed to be ticking with virulent loudness. Joe knew the ticking marked the last minutes of his life. Somehow, he knew that his brothers wouldn\u2019t get back in time.<\/p>\n

For the first time, Joe thought about Suzanne. Snatches of conversations they had had played back in his mind.\u00a0\u201cThank you for the posy of flowers,\u201d Suzanne said, as Joe came into the house<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat posy?\u201d Joe replied.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, this one,\u201d Suzanne replied, pointing to the little posy of flowers in a vase. \u201cI found them on the porch not an hour ago. I thought you had left them there as a surprise.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I had,\u201d Joe sighed. \u201cBut I\u2019ve just arrived in town.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Lifting his head slightly, Joe frowned. That hadn\u2019t been the only incident in the last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone followed me home,\u201d Suzanne confessed, as Joe saw her to her door. \u201cLast night. I was across visiting Lily Thompson\u2019s new baby, and someone followed me. I didn\u2019t see who it was, but I could hear their footsteps behind me\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must have a secret admirer,\u201d Joe responded, trying to take the fear out of the situation for her. \u201cI wonder who it could be.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Smiling coquettishly, Suzanne teased, \u201cThe new sheriff told me yesterday in the store that I was the most beautiful school teacher he\u2019d ever seen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI quite agree,\u201d Joe breathed, leaning in to kiss her.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe said, but at that moment, McGuire came into the cell area.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime to go,\u201d McGuire told them, bluntly. \u201cPlease step aside, Mr. Cartwright. I wouldn\u2019t want you to get hurt.\u201d He unlocked the cell and took Joe\u2019s arm in a bruising grip. \u201cLet\u2019s go, Cartwright, and no nonsense.\u201d Dragging Joe after him, they left the jail.<\/p>\n

Stumbling across the street, Joe was still trying to make sense of the snippets of memory. Someone had been following Suzanne. The sheriff had said she was beautiful. It didn\u2019t add up to anything much, but Joe was sure it meant something. But how was he going to find out?<\/p>\n

There was no sign of Adam and Hoss and Joe felt his breath shorten as he realized that he was about to discover his fate. He was frightened and he battled to keep the fear from his face. Hiram was waiting for him and the lawyer\u2019s face was grave. Joe didn\u2019t even try to smile. It was taking all his concentration not to scream and beg and cry. He wondered if everyone could see his legs shaking or if they thought he stumbled just because of the chains. He hoped he wouldn\u2019t throw up.<\/p>\n

Before Joe could even sit down, Judge Whittaker came in and sat down, banging the gavel. \u201cHas the new witness appeared?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, You Honor,\u201d Hiram replied. \u201cIf we could just have some more time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour time is up,\u201d Whitaker replied. \u201cYou\u2019ve had ample time. Gentlemen of the jury, I want a verdict within the next 15 minutes. I don\u2019t have all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

The jury shuffled out and the audience began to murmur. Ben leaned forward to rest a hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder, but his son didn\u2019t turn his head to look at Ben. Joe feared that if he did, he would lose his fragile composure. Joe desperately wanted to pee, to throw up, to climb on his father\u2019s lap and hide from the world. He could do none of those things and he tried to sit still. From across the court room, McGuire smirked at him.<\/p>\n

Within five minutes, the jury was back and as Joe rose to hear the verdict, he knew already what it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuilty,\u201d replied the foreman, although he couldn\u2019t meet Joe\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright, you have been found guilty of the rape and murder of Suzanne Webster. Have you anything to say before I pass sentence?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe replied, his voice shaking ever so slightly. He drew in a deep breath. \u201cI am innocent and if I had been allowed more time for my witness to appear, I would have proved it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were granted ample time,\u201d Whitaker snapped. \u201cJoseph Cartwright, I hereby sentence you to hang from the neck until dead. I want the sentence carried out immediately. You will be allowed five minutes to say goodbye to your family.\u201d He banged the gavel down and immediately left the room. From behind him, Joe heard Ben cry out in protest.<\/p>\n

Utterly numb, beyond frightened now, Joe was led from the courthouse back to the jail. There, McGuire forced him to lie flat so he could removed the cuffs that Joe wore, and bound Joe\u2019s hands behind him with rope. He savagely tightened the rough hemp, but Joe was almost beyond caring.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d The soft voice drew Joe from his internal vista of hell and Joe realized that his father was sitting on the cot beside him. He fell into those familiar arms and felt his father\u2019s tears falling on him. \u201cJoe, I can\u2019t let this happen,\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, don\u2019t do anything,\u201d Joe replied, urgently, shaken out of his reverie. \u201cPlease! He\u2019ll put you in jail! Pa, please!\u201d He swallowed. \u201cPa, listen.\u201d Quickly, Joe told Ben about the things he remembered Suzanne telling him. \u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s got anything to do with McGuire or not, Pa, but please, don\u2019t do anything to make him arrest you. Please!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Troubled, Ben didn\u2019t know what to say. He didn\u2019t know if could just stand back and allow his innocent son to be hanged.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime\u2019s up,\u201d McGuire declared, roughly. He came into the cell and dragged Joe to his feet. \u201cLet\u2019s go, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fear rose in Joe\u2019s throat once more. \u201cI love you, Pa,\u201d he croaked.<\/p>\n

Outside in the jail yard, McGuire forced Joe to climb the scaffold. He sniggered aloud as Joe tripped on the chains he still wore. At the top, he positioned Joe over the trapdoor and removed the leg irons, binding Joe\u2019s ankles together with another length of rope. The noose was slipped over Joe\u2019s neck and snugged tight under his right ear. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to this,\u201d he whispered to Joe as he worked. He slipped a gag between Joe\u2019s teeth and ignored Ben\u2019s outraged protests. \u201cI swore I\u2019d make you pay for having Suzanne. She refused me, you know. I raped and killed her, but you\u2019ll hang for it!\u201d He laughed as he stepped away, leaving Joe writhing helplessly in his bonds, now knowing who was behind this and why.<\/p>\n

At the bottom of the scaffold, McGuire stepped into position, his hand going to the release lever. He glanced at Ben. \u201cThere had better not be trouble from you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he warned and all the politeness of the past couple of days had gone from his voice.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, from down the street, there came the thunder of horses\u2019 hooves. The crowd murmured interestedly and turned to look.\u00a0 Joe lifted his head and saw, to his intense relief, Adam, Hoss and Seymour riding down the street at a gallop. \u201cWait!\u201d Adam cried. \u201cStop!\u201d<\/p>\n

Relief flared through both Ben and Joe. Joe dropped his gaze to look at Ben. At once, McGuire realized the significance of that shout and he pulled the lever. Ben dived towards him \u2013 but too late.<\/p>\n

For a horrid moment, Ben could see Joe hanging from the rope, but could do nothing. Then the spell broke and he dived for the steps of the scaffold, but McGuire was in his way. \u201cOh no you don\u2019t!\u201d he grated and swung at Ben.<\/p>\n

Furious, terrified, Ben punched back and decked the sheriff. At once, he sprang up the steps, fumbling for the knife he carried in his pockets. Joe was choking, horrid noises coming from behind the gag and Ben could only imagine his son\u2019s pain and fear. Desperately, he began to hack at the rope.<\/p>\n

On the ground, confusion reigned. Adam dived off his horse, and shoved through the crowd, trying to reach the sheriff, who had picked himself up and drawn his gun. Before Adam could reach him, McGuire fired, hitting Joe, just as Ben severed the last strands of the rope. Joe plummeted the last few feet to the ground, to lie in a bloody, broken heap as Adam tackled the sheriff, knocking him off his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of this?\u201d shouted a voice and Judge Whitaker stormed into the yard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve brought your eye witness,\u201d Adam replied, coldly, as Ben hurried to Joe\u2019s side. Adam gestured to Seymour and hauled McGuire to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d McGuire snarled, trying to shake Adam off, and failing.<\/p>\n

Dismounting, Seymour Dawson, Governor of the State of Nevada, walked over to the startled judge. \u201cI\u2019m Seymour Dawson,\u201d he replied. \u201cAnd Joe Cartwright was sitting in my office at the State Legislature at the time your so-called witness saw him leaving the young lady\u2019s house. Quite a number of my staff also saw Joe and are prepared to testify to that fact.\u201d He glanced over at Ben. \u201cBen? Is Joe all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need the doctor,\u201d Ben replied, not having been aware of the conversation to that point. \u201cQuickly!\u201d<\/p>\n

As Hoss raced across the street, Whitaker cleared his throat. \u201cI declare Joe Cartwright not guilty,\u201d he muttered, but Seymour snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that easy,\u201d he replied. \u201cWhitaker, you won\u2019t ever be judging anyone again. McGuire, you\u2019re under arrest. Someone find that witness and put him in the jail, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willing hands took charge of the former sheriff and judge while Adam hurried to kneel at his younger brother\u2019s side. Joe was unconscious and Adam swiftly untied him, wincing at the ugly bruises and rope burns on his wrists. Ben had already removed the noose and the gag and was cradling Joe in his arms. \u201cPlease, God, don\u2019t let me lose him now,\u201d he prayed.<\/p>\n

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

Time had ceased to have any meaning for Ben Cartwright. He sat numbly in the doctor\u2019s waiting room, his mind constantly replaying the horrific image of his youngest son dangling from that noose on the scaffold. Had Joe been hanging for too many seconds? Would he survive?<\/p>\n

At last, sometime after midnight, the door to the surgery opened and Paul Martin came out. He looked grim and tired. Ben was on his feet instantly, Adam, Hoss and Seymour only slightly after him. \u201cIs he\u2026?\u201d Ben began.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s very ill,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cBut he\u2019s holding his own right now. His throat is badly swollen and I\u2019m keeping a close eye on his breathing. I managed to take the bullet out of his shoulder without an anesthetic, but it was hard on him. If he had any voice right now, I\u2019m sure he would have screamed the house down.\u201d Paul swallowed. \u201cI don\u2019t know if he\u2019ll ever speak again; I\u2019m afraid we\u2019ll just have to wait and see. There\u2019s nothing more I can do for him. He\u2019s sleeping right now, but why don\u2019t you go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tears welled in Ben\u2019s eyes and he hurried past Paul. Hoss was right on his heels. Seymour and Adam lingered for another moment. \u201cIs there nothing else you can try?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Paul answered, wishing that there was. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t go in,\u201d Seymour told Paul. \u201cI\u2019m going over to the hotel in a minute. The US Marshal that arrived some time ago needs to know how Joe is. Do you think\u2026?\u201d Seymour stopped, swallowed and started again. \u201cPaul, I\u2019ve known you a long time. Tell me the truth. Will Joe live?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I knew, Seymour,\u201d Paul sighed, sinking into the chair Ben had so recently vacated. \u201cHis throat was badly injured and if his windpipe swells any more, I\u2019m going to be forced to do a tracheotomy, but I don\u2019t know if his throat will stand up to that operation. I really won\u2019t know more until tomorrow \u2013 or unless Joe dies.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was nothing Seymour could say and he left the office quietly. The streets of Virginia City were silent and still and Seymour was glad of the solitude. What had happened to Joe was not his fault, nor was it Adam or Hoss\u2019. They had come as quickly as possible and even then, it had been close. Adam had finally killed the man sniping at them just outside of town. How none of them had been hurt was a miracle. But still, Seymour felt guilty. He could punish the men responsible and he would, but if Joe died, it would not bring him back.<\/p>\n

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

The dark red rope burn on Joe\u2019s neck stood out starkly against his pale skin. Ben sat down wordlessly by the bed, taking Joe\u2019s limp hand in his. There were bandages around both Joe\u2019s wrists and around the wound on his shoulder. His breathing was ragged and shallow. \u201cI\u2019m here, Joe,\u201d he whispered, his voice husky with tears. \u201cWe\u2019re all here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning in from the other side, Hoss ruffled Joe\u2019s tangled curls. \u201cI\u2019m right here, Punkin,\u201d he added. \u201cYa hurry an\u2019 git better, ya hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re safe now, Joe,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

Paul came back into the room and came over to check on Joe. He felt his patient\u2019s pulse and listened to his heart, then gently felt the swollen, bruised throat. The Cartwrights watched him, riveted, but Paul\u2019s face gave nothing away. He pulled the bandages on Joe\u2019s shoulder aside slightly and Ben winced at the raw wound there. Then Paul continued to check Joe all over and as he reached to tug Joe\u2019s boots off, his face changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Joe\u2019s got a broken ankle,\u201d Paul replied. \u201cAdam, grab his leg gently below the knee for me please, while I pull this boot off.\u201d Paul was as gentle as he could be, but Joe still moaned in pain; his eyes stayed shut.<\/p>\n

There was no question that the ankle was broken. Paul carefully manipulated it back into place and set about fashioning a plaster cast, which distracted the Cartwrights slightly. Once the ankle was set, Paul checked Joe\u2019s breathing again. \u201cHe\u2019s still holding his own,\u201d Paul reported. \u201cAnd that\u2019s good. But I still don\u2019t know how it\u2019s going to go.\u201d He didn\u2019t suggest that any of them leave. Joe could take a turn for the worse and die before any of them could be summoned back and Paul didn\u2019t want that to happen. He went and sat down, and fell asleep, totally against his will.<\/p>\n

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

Somewhere outside, a little bird was singing its heart out, telling the world that dawn had broken again. Ben envied the bird\u2019s joy in life. His world had narrowed to the rasping in and out of Joe\u2019s breathing. He was vaguely aware of Adam and Hoss sleeping in chairs in the room, and of Paul Martin lost in slumber in another chair, but those were subliminal thoughts. The rest of Ben\u2019s being was centered on willing Joe to live.<\/p>\n

And at last, Ben\u2019s prayers were answered. Joe\u2019s eyes opened slightly and he groaned. Ben tightened his grip and leaned forward. \u201cJoe, can you hear me? Don\u2019t try to move; you\u2019ve been hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Green eyes dulled with pain moved round the room, then fastened back on Ben\u2019s face. His mouth moved, but no sound came out. Joe looked astonished, then panicky as he tried again, and still nothing happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, Joe,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cYour throat was hurt and you can\u2019t speak at the moment. Don\u2019t worry; everything will be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

By now, Paul had been roused by Ben\u2019s voice and was leaning over Joe. \u201cYou gave us quite a fright,\u201d he commented cheerfully to Joe. \u201cBut I think you\u2019re going to be all right, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Joe opened his mouth to speak and nothing happened. He let go of Ben\u2019s hand and pretended to write. At once, Paul nodded and brought him paper.<\/p>\n

McGuire told me he killed Suzanne<\/strong>, Joe wrote.\u00a0He wanted her and she turned him down.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTake this over to the marshal at once,\u201d Ben instructed a sleepy Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith pleasure,\u201d Adam replied, after scanning the note. He hurried out of the door.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe closed his eyes again. He was exhausted by that small effort. His throat hurt, his shoulder hurt and his foot hurt. He frowned and opened his eyes. Everyone was watching him anxiously and Joe colored slightly. He gestured to his throat, shoulder and down to his foot and opened his eyes wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou remember what happened?\u201d Paul asked. Joe nodded gingerly. \u201cYour throat is sore because of the rope. You suffered partial strangulation and your throat is very swollen and bruised. That\u2019s why you can\u2019t talk. You were shot and the fall broke your ankle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe reached for the pen again.\u00a0Will I be able to talk again?<\/strong>\u00a0he wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Paul replied, as evenly as he could. \u201cBut I don\u2019t know. I don\u2019t know how long it will take for the swelling to go down. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe closed his eyes as desolation swept over him. He was glad to be alive, but, weak as he was, he couldn\u2019t take the news that he might never talk again equably. He felt tears burning behind his lids and a few scalding drops seeped out from beneath his lashes and ran sideways down his face into his hair. A hand came to rest on his forehead and Joe didn\u2019t need to open his eyes to know it was Ben. He moved instinctively into his father’s warmth and allowed himself the luxury of a few tears. It hurt to cry, but the tears were cathartic and Joe slid back into sleep.<\/p>\n

Leaning back, Ben blinked away tears from his own eyes. For the first time, he faced the prospect that they would have a permanent reminder of Joe\u2019s ordeal and he didn\u2019t know if he was strong enough to face it.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 hand came down on his shoulder and squeezed gently. Ben put his own hand up to cover Hoss\u2019 and gained a little measure of comfort, knowing that his family was close.<\/p>\n

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

A couple of days later, Joe was allowed to go home. His breathing was much improved but his throat was still swollen and he was still unable to talk. Roy Coffee was back from Carson City, but he wasn\u2019t to have a full jailhouse for very long. The US marshal was taking McGuire, Whitaker and Turner back with him to stand trial in Carson City. The gunman who had tried so hard to stop Adam and Hoss had been identified as McGuire\u2019s deputy sheriff from his last job, a man called Tobin. Joe had given the marshal a written statement, so that he wouldn\u2019t have to face the ordeal of another trial.<\/p>\n

It was frustrating for Joe. He was unable to get around much because of his ankle and he found plenty of time to think. Initially, he was recovering his strength, but as he got better, he found himself grieving for Suzanne for the first time and many nights his sleep was broken by nightmares, where he was choking. Paul finally started giving him sleeping powders, which Ben hid in Joe\u2019s after supper coffee. Joe wasn\u2019t fooled by this, but since the drugged, dreamless, sleep was preferable to the nightmares, he didn\u2019t complain.<\/p>\n

In fact, Joe was so subdued that his family was getting worried. It was almost impossible to have a conversation, since Joe had to write anything down and the frustration made Joe withdraw. He wouldn\u2019t admit it to anyone, but Joe privately thought that he would never regain his ability to speak and he wasn\u2019t sure what his future held for him.<\/p>\n

About a month after his ordeal, Joe was slowly making his way down stairs for supper. His shoulder was much better and he was able to use a crutch to get about. He was no more than a step or two from the top when the door opened to admit Ben, Adam and Hoss. He waved and smiled at them, and continued to watch as they called a greeting to him and began to take off their gun belts. Absently, Joe moved the crutch down to the next step, without looking at what he was doing, and missed the step entirely.<\/p>\n

With his balance gone, Joe groped wildly for the banister with his other hand and missed. With a shriek, he toppled down the stairs, to land in a crumpled heap on the landing.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben leapt across the room and knelt by Joe\u2019s side. \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d he asked, seeing blood on his son\u2019s face where he had hit it on the railing of the landing.<\/p>\n

He was appalled when Joe began to laugh. Joe laughed so hard that he was soon gasping for air, mopping at the blood running from his nose, coughing and choking.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben exchanged wordless glances with his other sons, wondering if Joe had somehow hurt himself very badly.<\/p>\n

Still laughing, Joe grasped Ben\u2019s arm. Suddenly, his laughter died and changed into a hiccup, which caught on a sob. \u201cI\u2019m laughing,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI shouted when I fell. I can talk again.\u201d<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t a dry eye in the house as Joe was helped to his feet and tenderly laid on the settee. Ben repeated Joe\u2019s name over and over again, like a prayer of thankfulness. Joe seemed unable to stop talking, whispering to begin with, but as his voice regained strength, louder and louder. It was as though all the words Joe had wanted to say for the past month were coming flooding out and none of them wanted him to stop.<\/p>\n

Eventually, Joe\u2019s voice tired and his voice dropped to a whisper again. They were all tired and no one had even brought water to clean the blood from Joe\u2019s face. It wasn\u2019t until he fell asleep on the couch that it occurred to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care if they do say \u2018silence is golden\u2019,\u201d Ben told his boys. \u201cI hope I never hear that kind of silence again.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Next Story in the Guilty Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Sound of Silence<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Joe finds himself facing the ultimate punishment while his brothers race against time to bring the witness who can clear Joe’s name.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 (9,620 words)<\/p>\n

Guilty Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":14943,"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_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-4656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2824,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Noose.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":4656,"position":0},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7582,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7582","url_meta":{"origin":4656,"position":1},"title":"Doctor’s Orders (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Ben and Adam face off over the doctor\u2019s orders. Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0887","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12135,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12135","url_meta":{"origin":4656,"position":2},"title":"Prelude to Rebirth (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4460,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4460","url_meta":{"origin":4656,"position":3},"title":"The Gift (by JoeC)","author":"JoeC","date":"April 28, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe get's a special birthday present Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (553 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-chaps-21.jpg?fit=314%2C547&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7668,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7668","url_meta":{"origin":4656,"position":4},"title":"Stampede (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A cattle drive, a stampede, and one guilty Cartwright make for a simple little tale. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0 1211","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/cattle-drive.jpg?fit=357%2C267&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14008,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14008","url_meta":{"origin":4656,"position":5},"title":"Prisoner (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 13, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Accused of murder, the family appeals the conviction and sets out to prove Joe's innocence. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (52,510 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4656","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=4656"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4656\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}