{"id":5300,"date":"2003-05-14T23:51:38","date_gmt":"2003-05-15T03:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5300"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:58","slug":"protective-custody","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5300","title":{"rendered":"Protective Custody (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Joe witnesses a bank robbery, but he is treated more like a suspect than a witness. Can Adam and Hoss get to the bottom of what is going on before it costs Joe his life?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,455 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

 <\/p>\n

Protective Custody<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re all right?\u201d Adam asked, concerned. \u201cIt\u2019s not like you to want to go to bed early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe answered impatiently. \u201cBut I\u2019m tired, Adam, and I would like to get some sleep. You and Hoss stay here, and I\u2019ll see you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re sure,\u201d Adam said, doubtfully. It wasn\u2019t like Joe to admit he was tired, especially when they were at the end of a cattle drive, in a strange town with some money to spend. Adam couldn\u2019t help wondering if Joe was sickening for something.<\/p>\n

However, as the younger man left, Adam glanced around. It was a deadly dull saloon, he had to admit, and the town, Cooperstown, wasn\u2019t much more interesting. Adam and his two brothers, Hoss and Joe, had delivered a small herd to a client who had visited the Ponderosa, the boys\u2019 home, the previous month. It hadn\u2019t been an arduous drive by any means, but still, a week sleeping on the ground took it out of you. They had originally jumped at the chance of a night in a town, but now that they were here, there really wasn\u2019t much to do.<\/p>\n

Moving down the bar to where the middle brother leaned, Adam said, \u201cI\u2019m ready to call it a night, too. How about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Adam,\u201d Hoss said, agreeably. \u201cI\u2019m plumb tuckered out. Hey, where\u2019d Joe go? He ain\u2019t tired, surely?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what he said,\u201d Adam confirmed as they crossed to the swing doors.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sickenin\u2019 for somethin\u2019?\u201d Hoss asked, as they went into the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure seems like it to me,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cJoe\u2019s never tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Exceptin\u2019 when you\u2019re a-tryin\u2019 to git him up in the morning\u2019,\u201d Hoss jested, heavily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got that in one,\u201d Adam said, smiling. The next moment, he stiffened as several shots were fired.<\/p>\n

Both brothers drew their guns, and ran towards where the shots had come from. They saw three figures on horses galloping out of town. Another person lay in the middle of the road, and then they saw Joe running over to him.<\/p>\n

Following quickly, Adam laid his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Glancing up, Joe said, \u201cI\u2019m fine, Adam. But this fellow ain\u2019t. We need a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Help was coming, and Adam and Hoss stayed with Joe as a man clutching a doctor\u2019s bag pushed Joe aside. A crowd was growing and at last the sheriff appeared, pushing his way through. He bent over to talk briefly to the doctor, then glanced around. \u201cWhat happened here?\u201d he asked, loudly.<\/p>\n

Stepping forward, Joe said, \u201cThree men robbed the bank, and shot this man as they left and he tried to stop them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff\u2019s gaze sharpened on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cAnd who are you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright,\u201d Joe answered and the man gave him an appraising look.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you recognize these men?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,” Joe responded readily. I got a good look at them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you doing here?\u201d the sheriff went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was on the way back to my hotel,\u201d Joe answered, stiffening slightly. Adam put a warning, calming hand on his shoulder and Joe subsided. \u201cI heard the shots and turned round to look, and saw them shoot down this man and ride off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan anyone vouch for this?\u201d the sheriff asked, looking round.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can,\u201d Adam said. \u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright, Joe\u2019s brother, and this is our other brother, Hoss. Joe left the saloon a few moments before us, to go back to the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you in Cooperstown?\u201d the sheriff asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just passing through on our way home to our ranch near Virginia City,\u201d Adam went on. There was something about this sheriff\u2019s manner that Adam didn\u2019t like, but he kept his voice calm.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cDo you think the bank robbers know you saw them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Joe said, \u201cI don\u2019t know. Perhaps. I wasn\u2019t trying to hide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, I must take you into protective custody,\u201d the sheriff said. He took hold of Joe\u2019s arm and tugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Joe protested, at almost the same moment as Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cStandard procedure in this town,\u201d the sheriff went on. \u201cEye witnesses must be held in protective custody until the trial, for their own safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrial?\u201d Joe said, still baulking. \u201cYou haven\u2019t caught anybody!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, our home is near Virginia City. I\u2019m sure Joe would be safe there until the trial,\u201d Adam interjected. He could sense how panicky Joe was becoming, and couldn\u2019t altogether blame the boy. However, he just hoped that Joe\u2019s notoriously hot temper could be kept under control until this situation was sorted out.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t do that, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cNot without the judge\u2019s say-so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, get it,\u201d Adam said, impatiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t do that till morning,\u201d the sheriff went on. \u201cCome along, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d He pulled on Joe\u2019s arm, and Joe yanked his arm free.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going, and you can\u2019t make me,\u201d he said, dangerously.<\/p>\n

Before either Adam or Hoss could say anything, the sheriff grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and twisted, and the next instant, Joe\u2019s arm was twisted up his back, and the sheriff was handcuffing him. \u201cWhat was that you said, boy?\u201d he purred in Joe\u2019s ear. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna have fun, you and I.\u201d He turned to shoot a look at Adam and Hoss. \u201cNow, this is the law in this town. Your brother, here, will be in protective custody until the judge says otherwise. If you try and get him out, I\u2019ll be forced to arrest you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, help me,\u201d Joe said, as he was dragged away, but as Adam stepped forward, a deputy came out of the crowd and drew his gun. Adam froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Joe, we\u2019ll get you out come morning.\u201d He was forced to watch helplessly as Joe was dragged off to jail \u2013 for being an eyewitness.<\/p>\n

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

The jail was on the outskirts of town, a much more substantial looking building than its equivalent in Virginia City. The sheriff, whose name Joe still didn\u2019t know, pushed him roughly inside and locked the door behind him. Joe bit his lip, trying to fight down the panic he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver here,\u201d the man said, dragging Joe over to the cells. He opened one door and gave Joe another push. Joe stumbled into the cell and was horrified when the door was immediately locked behind him. \u201cAren\u2019t you going to take these off?\u201d he demanded, his temper momentarily coming to the fore.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d the sheriff replied. \u201cOr not until my deputy gets back. You\u2019ve got a temper, boy, and I ain\u2019t takin\u2019 any chances with it.\u201d He laughed at the look on Joe\u2019s face, and left. He shut the door between the cells and the office and Joe was left alone.<\/p>\n

One jail cell is much like another, and Joe sat down on the edge of the hard cot and wondered how long it would be until the deputy got back. His hands were knotted into the small of his back, and it was desperately uncomfortable. Joe still wasn\u2019t sure how he came to be in this predicament; it seemed crazy to him that he was being locked up for his own safety when nobody had made any effort to catch the bank robbers. He leant back on the wall and tried to relax. He was dog-tired, and wanted nothing more than to sleep, but the discomfort of his position and the thoughts swirling through his head made sleep impossible.<\/p>\n

At last, the door opened, and the sheriff and deputy came in. They entered the cell together, and Joe felt a pang of unease. He was being treated as though he was dangerous, and he didn\u2019t understand why. He stayed where he was, sitting on the edge of the cot, trying to look as unthreatening as he knew how.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow d\u2019you want to handle this, Sheriff Brown?\u201d the deputy asked. He gave Joe a hard look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cover him and I\u2019ll take the cuffs off,\u201d Brown replied. He glared at Joe. \u201cGet down on the floor, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the floor,\u201d Brown repeated, his tone dangerous now. He yanked Joe off the cot and forced him to lie face down on the floor. Seething, Joe made no move that could be interpreted as threatening, although he wanted to hit the man.<\/p>\n

Exchanging grins with his deputy over the young man\u2019s head, Brown knelt on Joe\u2019s calves, causing him to yelp in pain. \u201cKeep still!\u201d he said, sternly, and slowly removed the handcuffs. Keeping hold of Joe\u2019s hands, he said, \u201cYou behave, or these go back on again. Don\u2019t move until we\u2019re out of the cell. My job is to keep you safe, and I\u2019ll do that, boy. But if you think you can threaten me, you\u2019re wrong! I won\u2019t stand for it! Clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Fuming, but helpless, Joe nodded. \u201cClear,\u201d he muttered, sulkily. He lay still until he heard the cell door close, then painfully drew his arms from behind his back and levered to his feet. Gently massaging his wrists, Joe glared at the now closed door to the office. He vowed to be careful what he said and did until Adam was able to get him out of there.<\/p>\n

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

As the Cartwrights arrived at the jail that morning, the sheriff was just arriving back.\u00a0 His clothes were dusty and he looked tired and unshaven. The rest of the posse were heading off for their individual homes. Glancing uninterestedly at the Cartwrights, Brown hitched his sweaty horse to the rail and went to rap on the jail door. \u201cIt\u2019s me,\u201d he said, and they could clearly hear the bolt being drawn back.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, there\u2019s a reply from the circuit judge,\u201d the deputy said, before either Adam or Hoss could say anything. He handed the sheriff a piece of paper, which he read silently.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean Joe gets out of here today?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Brown replied. \u201cIt means your brother stays here for now. I\u2019ve been told to keep him here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Hoss protested. \u201cYou ain\u2019t caught them robbers, and they don\u2019t know Joe from Adam.\u201d In his distress, he didn\u2019t even see the funny side of what he had just said. \u201cHe\u2019d be safe at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t do it,\u201d the sheriff responded, not sounding in the least regretful. \u201cThe judge says he\u2019s gotta be here, so that\u2019s an end to it.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cNothin\u2019 to do with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we at least see him?\u201d Adam demanded, angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly one at a time,\u201d Brown answered. He put his hand out. \u201cAnd give me your weapon. Can\u2019t take a risk like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s my brother,\u201d Adam responded stiffly. \u201cWhat do you think I\u2019m going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t take a chance,\u201d the man replied. \u201cI\u2019ve known other fellas shoot their brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flushing, for Adam had accidentally shot Joe once, he handed over his gun without another word. \u201cYou stay here,\u201d he said to Hoss. The big man nodded, but he still looked unhappy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Joe,\u201d Adam said, as soon as he was let into the jail. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from being tired and hungry, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe responded. He crossed to the bars and produced a smile for Adam. He was more than glad to see his brother, but could sense that Adam wasn\u2019t going to bring him any news that he wanted to hear. \u201cTell me I\u2019m getting out of here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe, but the judge has said you\u2019ve got to stay here.\u201d Usually shy of demonstrative behavior out with the family home, Adam nevertheless reached through the bars and squeezed his youngest brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe cried. \u201cWhat have I done wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, you haven\u2019t done anything wrong,\u201d Adam assured him, but the words would have had more weight if Joe hadn\u2019t been locked behind bars. \u201cThis is just the way they do things here, Joe. I\u2019ll wire Pa and let him know what\u2019s happening, and see if he can help us out.\u201d He frowned. \u201cDid you say you\u2019re hungry? Didn\u2019t you eat your breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat breakfast?\u201d Joe returned, petulantly. \u201cI haven\u2019t even got any water, Adam.\u201d He looked at Adam, concern in his eyes. \u201cThey treat me like I\u2019m dangerous.\u201d He thrust his hands at his brother. \u201cI wore those handcuffs for hours last night. They made me lie on the floor while they took them off. Adam, I saw the bank being robbed! Do they think I was part of the gang?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sure enough, Joe\u2019s wrists had a faint shadow of bruising on them. Adam was disturbed by Joe\u2019s story. He didn\u2019t doubt it for a single second. Joe wasn\u2019t a good enough liar to make up something like that. Why was the sheriff treating Joe like this?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get to the bottom of this, buddy,\u201d he promised Joe. \u201cAnd first off, I\u2019ll make sure you get some food!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Adam,\u201d Joe said, gratefully. \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d He was trying desperately not to think of how long he might be kept in jail.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s out there,\u201d Adam said, gesturing to the door. \u201cThey wouldn\u2019t let us both in.\u201d His voice was grim. This situation was making him very uncomfortable. The sooner he wired Pa the better he would feel. \u201cKeep calm, Joe. We\u2019ll get to the bottom of this, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Joe nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d he promised. \u201cJust hurry, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d Adam responded. At that moment, Joe looked very young and vulnerable and Adam\u2019s heart went out to him.<\/p>\n

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

It was a long and frustrating day. Adam sent a wire off to Ben and hoped fervently that his father would receive it quickly and somehow manage to help. He and Hoss spent as much time as they could at the jail, but Sheriff Brown wasn\u2019t at all willing to have them hang around all the time.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t seem as though he was doing very much to find the bank robbers. Joe had been shown the recent wanted posters, but none of the men on them had been involved the previous night. He had given descriptions, and Brown had written them down, but said they fitted half the population of America. Joe was frustrated. He knew that, but hoped perhaps the descriptions might just fit someone known locally.<\/p>\n

The only plus was that he was now getting food and water regularly. Adam had complained to Brown, who had just nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll feed him when I get the chance,\u201d he muttered. Dissatisfied, Adam had asked if Brown minded if Adam got food sent in. When the sheriff had shaken his head, Adam had sent off at once to the caf\u00e9 where he and Hoss had eaten that morning, and paid them to deliver three decent meals a day for Joe.<\/p>\n

Come nightfall, they had had no word from Ben, and Brown banned them from spending the evening with Joe. Joe was going stir crazy in the jail, and was finding his resolve to be careful of what he said and did to be severely tried. Brown seemed to delight in winding him up and Joe was edgy enough to react most times. He finally lay down on the thin, smelly mattress and tried to sleep.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThere\u2019s an eye witness,\u201d the leader of the bank robbers reported to his comrades.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d demanded a fair-haired man, known as Jack Dixon. He sat up and looked at the leader. \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome kid from out o\u2019 town,\u201d the other returned. He went by the name of Victor. \u201cHe\u2019s locked up in the jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJail?\u201d said the third gang member, Peter Elliot. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Victor gave a wolfish grin. \u201cWell, the sheriff banged him up so\u2019s he could keep an eye on him. Told the kid\u2019s brothers that all eyewitnesses were locked up in protective custody for their own safety.\u201d He laughed. \u201cNow, Jim Johnston just died of his injuries, so the only person who can identify us is the kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what are we gonna do, Victor?\u201d Dixon asked. He glanced at Elliot.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re gonna take a shot at the kid in the jail,\u201d Victor replied. \u201cIt\u2019s all set up. The kid\u2019s alone, the deputy is out lookin\u2019 for us, and we all know the sheriff is gonna look the other way.\u201d He laughed. \u201cAn\u2019 if this don\u2019t work, we\u2019ll get another chance later on.\u201d He picked up his gun belt and began to strap it on. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

No matter how hard he tried, Joe just couldn\u2019t drop off to sleep. The thin mattress on the cot was stained and smelly, and the blanket was moth-eaten. The temperature outside had dropped; a reminder that although the days were still warm, fall was on its way. Shivering, Joe shrugged his jacket back on. During the day, the cord jacket had been too warm, but now, it wasn\u2019t warm enough.<\/p>\n

After another fruitless attempt to sleep, Joe threw the blanket off and rose to his feet to pace the small cell once more. Joe was always this way when cooped up. He couldn\u2019t sit still.\u00a0 Back and forth he paced, until the movement warmed him slightly, and he stopped to lean against the wall.<\/p>\n

The light on the opposite wall still burned brightly, and Joe suspected it would burn all night, as it had done the previous night. The brightness didn\u2019t help him sleep, either. Joe glared at the light, as though this were all its fault. He knew it was childish, but he had to have a safety valve for his feelings, even if it was just glaring at the light!<\/p>\n

Straightening, Joe stretched, flexing his arms back, resting his hands on his shoulders. From outside his cell, there was a shot, and a bullet slammed into the back of Joe\u2019s left shoulder. Joe was knocked off his feet, hitting his head against the wall, and falling into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cLet me past!\u201d Adam demanded, and people moved out of his way, allowing him and Hoss to make their way into the jail. They hurried through to the cells, where the doctor and deputy were hovering over Joe, who lay on the cot. \u201cJoe?\u201d Adam said, alarm thumping through his gut.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d the doctor said, glaring at them as Joe tried to sit up. The movement caused the youngest Cartwright to catch his breath in a manner that was all too familiar to his siblings.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis family,\u201d Hoss said bluntly. He pushed past the deputy and bent over Joe, one large hand going to touch his brother\u2019s tousled curls. However, the gesture froze, and as Adam crowded in closer, he saw why. Blood was drying on Joe\u2019s head and Hoss didn\u2019t want to inadvertently hurt his brother. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Punkin; we\u2019re here now.\u201d He looked at the doctor. \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

At the deputy\u2019s nod, the doctor said, \u201cHe\u2019s been shot in the back of the shoulder. Then there\u2019s the knock on the head. He\u2019s not quite coherent yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to have to operate to get the bullet out?\u201d Adam asked. He gently took his brother\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the doctor replied, reluctantly. \u201cI was just about to start when you came in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re staying,\u201d Adam stated, and nobody thought to argue with him.<\/p>\n

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

It was over and Joe was resting comfortably, his left arm bound up across his chest, his hand resting on his opposite shoulder. A sling supported his elbow and there was a bandage around the injury on his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right, as long as infection doesn\u2019t set in,\u201d the doctor said, packing away the last of his instruments. \u201cBetter keep an eye on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will,\u201d Hoss said. He knelt on the cold stone floor by Joe\u2019s head, while Adam now perched on the edge of the cot, a spot only recently vacated by the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Adam added, softly, his eyes scanning the beloved face before him. Joe\u2019s eyes were still closed, and Adam knew it would be some time before Joe came out of the anesthetic the doctor had given him. But he couldn\u2019t take his eyes from Joe\u2019s face. He felt he had failed. When Pa wasn\u2019t there, Adam took on the role of Joe\u2019s chief protector, and this time, he hadn\u2019t been able to keep Joe safe.\u00a0So<\/em>\u00a0much for protective custody<\/em>, he thought, cynically.<\/p>\n

A short time later, Joe stirred and opened bleary eyes. He winced as the light struck him, suddenly aware of his throbbing headache. As he tried to move to a more comfortable position, his shoulder set up a new song of pain, and the injured youth couldn\u2019t contain a groan. At once, familiar, warm hands were holding him, steadying him as he sought for his equilibrium. Yet Joe knew that the person he wanted above all others wasn\u2019t there, and he didn\u2019t ask for \u2018Pa\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d he whispered. \u201cHoss?\u201d He slit his eyes open once more, and saw both his brothers\u2019 faces swim into focus. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomebody shot at you, Joe,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeels like they hit me, too,\u201d Joe joked, then saw by the look on Hoss\u2019 face that they had hit him. \u201cWho was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam admitted, as Hoss helped Joe to drink. \u201cPossibly the bank robbers. We don\u2019t know.\u201d Adam wondered if Joe knew that the only other possible eyewitness had died that day. It wasn\u2019t the time to tell him, though.<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes to bear the thumping headache better, Joe muttered, \u201cSo much for protective custody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I thought,\u201d commented Adam, a hint of laughter in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d agreed Hoss, and the brothers shared a moment of amusement.<\/p>\n

It was only a moment, though. Sheriff Brown appeared in the doorway and looked at the three brothers in the cell. \u201cI hear there\u2019s been an attempt on your life, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he said. He looked at Adam and Hoss. \u201cWhat are you two doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTaking care of our injured brother,\u201d Adam replied, coolly. \u201cSurely you don\u2019t have a problem with that? The doctor said he should be kept an eye on, and that\u2019s exactly what we intend to do. You and the deputy should be out looking for whoever did the shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis wouldn\u2019t a happened if\u2019n you\u2019d let us take Joe home,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cWe\u2019d a kept him safe.\u201d He gently ruffled the curls on the top of Joe\u2019s head, making sure he kept well clear of the bump and gash.<\/p>\n

Recognizing both an irresistible force\u00a0and<\/strong>\u00a0an immovable object when he met them, Brown made no further protest at the brothers spending the night with Joe. However, he did annoy them both by insisting on locking them into the cell, in case they took it into their heads to take Joe to more comfortable quarters. It might not have annoyed them quite so much if they hadn\u2019t been planning that very thing, Adam thought. Then he dismissed that; he would\u2019ve been annoyed anyway. Joe was being treated like a criminal.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou missed,\u201d Brown said, going into the room. He glanced at the three men lounging around. \u201cCartwright is still alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I missed,\u201d Victor said, dangerously, \u201chow come you needed the doc?\u201d He glared at Brown.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou only winged him,\u201d Brown replied, ignoring the other\u2019s glare. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to do better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had an agreement,\u201d Victor said, standing. He was several inches the taller of the two. \u201cIf we didn\u2019t succeed, you\u2019d bring him to us. Are you gonna back out on that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but it might be more difficult that I thought. His two brothers are there all the time.\u201d He looked disgusted and made a frustrated movement. \u201cThey\u2019re all three locked in the jail right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t suspect anythin\u2019, do they?\u201d Dixon asked, anxiously. \u201cThey believe the story about protective custody?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCourse they believe it,\u201d Brown said, impatiently. \u201cAin\u2019t nobody in the town gonna tell them any different. Not after I spread the word that the youngest one might be involved in the robbery. The clerk at the hotel is keepin\u2019 an eye on the other two for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 what about the wire they sent?\u201d Elliot asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Brown replied and pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. \u201cMr. Ben Cartwright of the Ponderosa Ranch, near Virginia City, won\u2019t find out about all this until too late.\u201d He laughed.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Victor clapped Brown approvingly on the shoulder. \u201cWell done, little brother,\u201d he commended. \u201cWell done indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow\u2019re you doing?\u201d Adam asked, quietly. Hoss was stretched out on the floor asleep, the steady rhythm of his snoring robbing Adam of sleep. He offered Joe some more water.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m cold,\u201d Joe replied, shivering slightly and catching his breath at the pain the movement set off. \u201cIt hurts, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, buddy,\u201d Adam soothed, slipping out of his custard-colored coat and laying it over the top of Joe. \u201cPerhaps this will help warm you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your coat,\u201d Joe protested, weakly. \u201cYou need it. It\u2019s cold in here.\u201d He could feel the warmth of the coat penetrating the thin blanket that covered him and the faint smell of Adam\u2019s bay rum comforted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Adam said, sliding his knuckles down\u2019s Joe\u2019s cheek. \u201cBut we need to keep you warm, Joe. You\u2019re cold because of the blood loss.\u201d He could see that\u2019s Joe\u2019s shivering had subsided already. \u201cYou try and get some sleep, you need that, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen will Pa get here?\u201d Joe asked, snuggling deeper under the coat. He hadn\u2019t meant to ask that, and regretted the words the instant they were out of his mouth. He didn\u2019t want Adam to think he was doing a bad job of looking after him. He looked up at Adam. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you meant, buddy,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cI want Pa around when I\u2019m ill, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you?\u201d Joe asked, sounding very young. He blinked, the warmth of the coat already making him sleepy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cHoss does, too.\u201d He glanced up at the barred window and saw that there was a faint light in the sky. Dawn was approaching. \u201cMy friends tell me they want their mothers when they aren\u2019t well. Since none of us has ever had a mother for any length of time, I suppose it\u2019s natural that we want Pa.\u201d He smiled. \u201cGo to sleep, Joe. We\u2019ll still be here when you wake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise?\u201d Joe asked, his eyes drifting shut.<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise,\u201d Adam repeated, noting Joe\u2019s smile when he heard the word. A few minutes later, his even breathing told Adam he slept. Shivering, for the cell was indeed very cold, Adam tucked his hands under his armpits to try and keep them warm, and hoped dawn would come soon, and bring Pa along with it, although Adam thought it might be yet another day before Ben appeared.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cLook, I don\u2019t understand why you\u2019re making such a drama out of this,\u201d Adam said, heatedly. \u201cEven the doctor says that Joe needs somewhere warm to rest. What\u2019s wrong with the hotel?\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning back on his desk, arms folded across his chest, Brown eyed Adam with dislike. \u201cI can\u2019t guarantee his safety there,\u201d he repeated, enjoying the look of frustration that crept across Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cain\u2019t guarantee his safety here, neither, it seems to me,\u201d Hoss said, stingingly. Adam glanced at him, for it was rare for his middle brother to be so sharp to anyone. \u201cWe\u2019ll look after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you would,\u201d Brown said, his own tone quite cutting. \u201cLook after him right out of town, I\u2019d bet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s not well enough to endure the journey home,\u201d Adam said, \u201ceven if we did think that.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cDo you still think he had something to do with the robbery?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say, not till I catch them robbers,\u201d Brown returned. \u201cHe might, he might not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s get one thing straight,\u201d Adam said, taking a hold on his temper. \u201cI\u2019m not going to leave Joe here for one minute longer, so if you have a better idea of a safe, warm place for him, you\u2019d better tell me now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t threaten me, Cartwright!\u201d Brown said, straightening. The deputy put his hand onto his gun. \u201cThere\u2019s more than one cell through there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not threatening you,\u201d Adam said, through gritted teeth. \u201cBut I need to know where you\u2019re going to take Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrotherly love,\u201d scoffed Brown. He nodded. \u201cAll right, Cartwright, I\u2019ll tell you. Your brother is going to my house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s that?\u201d Hoss wanted to know. He glanced through the open door to where Joe lay restlessly on the cot in his cell. Joe was running a slight temperature and was shivering uncontrollably again, despite now having Hoss\u2019 coat, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot too far away, on the outskirts of town,\u201d brown told him. \u201cHe\u2019ll be safe there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cReasonably sure,\u201d Brown said. \u201cI\u2019ll be there to keep an eye on him, and it\u2019s got stout walls. I gotta sometimes have protection, too, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are we going to get him there unseen?\u201d Adam asked. He wasn\u2019t too sure he was happy about this arrangement.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two are going to go back to the hotel, and tell everyone that your brother isn\u2019t doin\u2019 too good,\u201d brown said. \u201cTell them the doc said you had to rest, as you might be needed later. The news will spread like wildfire. While you have something to eat, I reckon most of the town will want to gawp at you while you\u2019re eatin\u2019. While that\u2019s happenin\u2019, I\u2019ll move your brother to my house.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the best plan Adam had ever heard, but he hadn\u2019t had enough time \u2013 or enough sleep \u2013 to think of a more suitable one. He nodded, frowning slightly.<\/p>\n

Anticipating Adam\u2019s next question, Brown said, \u201cClyde here will stay with him.\u201d Adam saw the deputy nod, and realized that was the first time he had heard the man\u2019s name, and he wasn\u2019t sure if it was his first or last name. However, that didn\u2019t matter. Adam glanced at Clyde, who nodded again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Adam allowed. \u201cWe\u2019ll do it your way. I\u2019ll just go and tell Joe.\u201d He went back into the cell and sat down beside Joe. \u201cJoe?\u201d His brother opened weary eyes. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be moved to the sheriff\u2019s house. We\u2019ll be back later, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe replied, but he felt so miserable he really didn\u2019t care where he was going to go. \u201cWhen will Pa get here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll probably be tomorrow,\u201d Adam said, and saw Joe wince. \u201cWe\u2019ll be back as soon as we can. Perhaps there\u2019ll be a telegraph from Pa telling us when he thinks he\u2019ll be here.\u201d He ruffled Joe\u2019s hair. \u201cBe good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo promises,\u201d Joe responded, and Adam took heart from that. Joe might be feeling desperately ill, but he wasn\u2019t anywhere near dying if he could crack jokes, even feeble ones.<\/p>\n

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

Shuffling wearily, Joe leaned on the supporting arm of Clyde and made it out to the waiting buggy under his own steam. The warm sun felt good on his face, and Joe lifted his head to enjoy it more. \u201cI\u2019ll be along when I can, Clyde,\u201d Brown said, and stood watching as the buggy began its slow journey towards the outskirts of town. After a moment, he mounted up, and rode off in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

It seemed to Joe that Cooperstown had the stoniest, bumpiest roads in the West. Clyde didn\u2019t try very hard to avoid the ruts, but when Joe took a closer look, he realized that the roads were in a poor condition, and it would be impossible to avoid the ruts. He resigned himself to being painfully jolted about until they arrived at their destination.<\/p>\n

As they cleared the last of the town buildings, there was a thunder of hooves and Clyde suddenly looked up, and shook up the buggy horse. He was too late, though. Moments later, a masked man had grabbed the reins and pulled the horse to a stop. He and the other two masked men all had their guns drawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you wanna live, do jist as you\u2019re told,\u201d one of the men said. He pointed his gun at Clyde. \u201cGet out of the buggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Clyde did as he was told. The other man dismounted and callously pistol-whipped him. Clyde crumpled to the ground soundlessly. Joe could do nothing to help him, and hoped the other man wasn\u2019t too badly injured. He swallowed and tried to concentrate his thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of the buggy, boy,\u201d the man ordered Joe, and concentrating like mad, Joe managed to get himself onto the ground without falling. He stood there, swaying slightly. His legs felt shaky and he wondered what they intended to do to him.<\/p>\n

He soon found out. The man on the ground took a length of rope from his saddlebags, and, despite Joe\u2019s left arm being in a sling, tied his hands together. He led Joe over to his horse and forced the injured youth to mount. He jumped up behind Joe and blindfolded him. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he said, and they rode off, leaving Clyde lying unconscious on the ground.<\/p>\n

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

They didn\u2019t ride far, but it was more than far enough for Joe. He was reeling in the saddle by the time they reached their destination, and had to be pulled down. Sheer pig-headed stubbornness kept him on his feet until he was inside the building they had arrived at. He was taken into a room, made to sit down on what felt like a bed and his hands were untied.<\/p>\n

Immediately, Joe made a grab for the blindfold, but his captor anticipated the move and cuffed Joe heavily around the head. \u201cOh, no, boy, you\u2019re not doing that!\u201d He gave Joe a shove, and Joe fell onto the bed. Next moment, he felt something metallic fasten round his right wrist, then his arm was dragged over his head, and the other half of the handcuffs was attached to the head of the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe struggled furiously, and earned himself another thump, this time in the stomach. He half-curled over, trying not to groan out loud. He failed. He heard laughter as his captor moved away, and then a door shut and he heard a lock click.<\/p>\n

He was a prisoner.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cMr. Cartwright! Mr. Cartwright!\u201d The voice cut through the noise in the saloon part of the hotel. Adam raised his head, frowning, wondering who would be calling for either he or Hoss. The next moment, he saw Clyde stumbling towards him, his head bloody where he had been struck. \u201cMr. Cartwright, we were ambushed! They\u2019ve got your brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s got Joe?\u201d Hoss demanded, and Adam wondered vaguely when either of them had risen to their feet. He had no memory of doing so.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bank robbers,\u201d Clyde panted, sinking into a seat. \u201cThey held us up and knocked me out. When I came round, the buggy was empty and your brother was gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShow me!\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, easy,\u201d Hoss protested. \u201cHe\u2019s bin hurt, Adam. Take it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did this happen?\u201d Adam said, recognizing the wisdom in Hoss\u2019 words.<\/p>\n

Haltingly, Clyde gave them directions. Hoss sent an on-looker for the doctor, organized the bartender to keep an eye on the unfortunate deputy, and then he and Adam left.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we do?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet the horses, and see if we can pick up a trail,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cI\u2019ll go and see if there\u2019s a reply from Pa. We\u2019ll have to stop and see if the sheriff is back, too.\u201d He grimaced. \u201cThere\u2019s something about that man I just don\u2019t like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, either,\u201d Hoss agreed, and hurried off to saddle their horses while Adam went to the telegraph office.<\/p>\n

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

The only thing in the favor of his new prison was that it was warm, Joe thought. He had slept deeply, his body craving the rest it needed to heal itself, and when he wakened, he found that he had squirmed around enough to get partly under the covers of the bed he was lying on. The other plus was that his blindfold had come adrift while he slept and with a little more wriggling, he managed to get it off altogether. He also managed to remove the bandage around his head at the same time, and felt a bit better for it.<\/p>\n

Looking round, Joe was perplexed. He was in a bedroom in someone\u2019s home, that much was clear. The room was filled with huge pieces of furniture \u2013 large wardrobes and chests \u2013 far too much stuff for the size of the room. A sulky fire burned low in the hearth, and the heavy velvet drapes were pulled across the window. Joe had no idea if it was day or night. The only light came from the fire.<\/p>\n

Awkwardly, he elbowed himself up into a sitting position. He had a raging thirst, and a glass with water sitting on a table by the bed was tantalizingly out of reach. Joe even tried to use his injured arm to get it, but the pain when he moved his shoulder was enough to make his head swim uncomfortably, and so he gave up on the idea. Of course, he thought, frustrated, it was on the opposite side to where he was handcuffed, so he couldn\u2019t even slide off the bed and drink doggy-fashion!<\/p>\n

He thought he must have slept again, for a sound roused him. He had slipped down the bed once more and craned his neck to see what was going on. Any residual light from the fire had gone, and the room was virtually pitch black.<\/p>\n

The door swung open and Joe winced as the light from a lamp struck his eyes. He shut them for a moment, and next moment a hand clamped itself down on his eyes; despite his struggles, he found himself blindfolded again in a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought you might be hungry, kid,\u201d said a voice, a different one to the man who had brought him here, Joe thought. \u201cOpen up.\u201d<\/p>\n

It went against the grain to be fed, but Joe had no choice. He sat up a bit again, and allowed the man to spoon watery soup into his mouth. It was thin and tasteless, but it was wet. Joe ate everything he was given. He didn\u2019t know why he was still alive, as he guessed these men were the bank robbers. They fitted the general size and shape of the men he remembered. He didn\u2019t understand at all.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, there was a thunderous knocking on a door outside the room. \u201cSheriff!\u201d a familiar voice shouted. \u201cSheriff! Are you there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Joe bellowed, but his cry never got past his lips. A cloth was shoved into his mouth, and a hand clamped down on top of it.<\/p>\n

Choking, Joe struggled to get free, terrified that the cloth would go down his throat. He kicked frantically at the man holding him, but most of his blows missed. He twisted his head, and tried once more to use his injured arm, but by then the knocking had stopped, and Joe guessed that Adam had gone away.<\/p>\n

For many minutes, the man stayed where he was, his hand clamped over Joe\u2019s mouth. Joe lay still, suddenly weary, discouraged by the fact Adam had gone away. Then, the man holding him relaxed and removed his hand. Joe tried to spit the gag out and was relieved when it was pulled from his mouth. He dragged in a deep draught of air.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was close,\u201d said a voice near by and Joe flinched, for he hadn\u2019t heard anyone approaching. \u201cQuick thinking there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my skin, too,\u201d said the first man. Joe wished intensely that he could see them. He started to rub his head on the pillow, to remove the blindfold, but one of them realized what he was up to and grabbed a handful of hair. \u201cThink we ought to gag him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t hurt,\u201d answered the other. \u201cCartwright\u2019ll likely be back. When he realizes the sheriff ain\u2019t around, he\u2019ll be back, I guarantee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe gasped, before he could stop himself. He had taken all the restriction he could cope with, and the thought of a gag was too much for him. Worn out, injured, a prisoner, helpless, Joe had understandably less self-control than usual. He began to fight his bonds, too distraught to stop himself.<\/p>\n

The men found it funny. They stood and laughed as Joe twisted and writhed on the bed. Dixon eyed Victor, wondering what he meant to do. Victor was crazy; he\u2019d always known that. He had grown up in Coopersville with the Brown brothers, and knew them very well.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Victor said, his laughter finally stilled. \u201cLet\u2019s gag the brat, and then we can relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

Desperately, Joe kicked out once more, and this time hit a target. His heel crunched into Victor\u2019s groin, and the big man crumpled, groaning in agony.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat does it!\u201d he swore, as he regained his breath. He cradled his injured member in his hands, panting to control the pain. \u201cI\u2019m through bein\u2019 nice to you, boy!\u201d He pulled Joe up by the front of his shirt, and backhanded him viciously across the mouth. Joe subsided, dazed.<\/p>\n

As he came back to reality, he realized that someone was stripping off his boots. The next instant, a rope was looped round his ankles and pulled tight. His feet were tied to the end of the bed, and Joe discovered that he couldn\u2019t pull himself upright any more. But Victor wasn\u2019t through yet. He forced a gag into Joe\u2019s mouth, knotting it tightly at the back of the youth\u2019s head. Then to Joe\u2019s total horror, he slipped a rope round Joe\u2019s neck and tied it to the top of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow listen to me, sonny,\u201d he said, breathing heavily in Joe\u2019s ear. \u201cIf you move to try and get that gag or blindfold off, you\u2019ll choke to death. Understand?\u201d He squeezed Joe\u2019s injured shoulder, and Joe couldn\u2019t hold back a whimper of pain. \u201cDoesn\u2019t bother me none, sonny. I\u2019m gonna kill you anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

With another squeeze to the injured shoulder, Victor left. Dixon stood for a moment, looking down on the helpless youth and then followed.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWell, if Brown is in his house, he\u2019s either a prisoner or dead,\u201d Adam said. He leant against Sport, taking comfort from his horse\u2019s nearness. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing from Pa, so I would guess that our wire never got sent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you reckon it all means, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know for sure,\u201d Adam responded, sighing, \u201cbut I think there\u2019s something else going on here. When have you ever heard of a witness being locked up until a trial, when the perpetrators haven\u2019t been caught?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard o\u2019 protective custody,\u201d Hoss said, unsure what \u2018perpetrators\u2019 meant. \u201cBut it does sound funny the way you put it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could be wrong,\u201d Adam admitted. \u201cEvery time we\u2019ve tried to get near Joe, Brown has stopped us. Last night, seeing that we were there and weren\u2019t going anywhere, he locked us all up. He\u2019s been treating Joe like a criminal, and perhaps has planted doubts about us, too.\u201d Adam pinched the bridge of his nose, a favorite pose when he was thinking hard. \u201cBrown\u2019s attitude has been wrong all along. Let\u2019s go and do a little questioning of Clyde, and see what we find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Little Joe?\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know where to look,\u201d Adam said, although it galled him to admit it. \u201cUntil we find out what\u2019s going on, we have no chance of finding Joe.\u201d He clapped Hoss on the shoulder. \u201cCome on, little brother, let\u2019s get busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhy are we keeping the kid alive?\u201d Elliot demanded. \u201cHe saw us that night! Let\u2019s just kill him and be done with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve bin doin\u2019 some findin\u2019 out about our boy in there,\u201d Brown said. \u201cHis Pa owns about the biggest spread in Nevada. He\u2019s rich, and would pay us well to get his boy back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe already got the money form the bank,\u201d Dixon said, weakly. \u201cIt\u2019s too risky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kid ain\u2019t goin\u2019 anywheres,\u201d Victor said, laughing. He pictured again the helpless youth in the other room. Victor had quite a sadistic streak in him and enjoyed seeing his prisoner squirm. \u201cWe can have a bit o\u2019 fun with him and then kill him, if that\u2019s what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should divvy up the money and split, jist like we intended,\u201d Elliot stated, firmly. \u201cWe lifted $40,000 from the bank, thanks to our sheriff here tipping us off about the bullion being stored there for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t intendin\u2019 to hang around,\u201d Brown said. \u201cThem other Cartwrights is still out there, and\u2019 I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll be leavin\u2019 any time soon. What happens when they get Clyde to talk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClyde won\u2019t talk,\u201d Victor said, with heavy assurance. \u201cHe\u2019s not that dumb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good lawman,\u201d Brown said, reluctantly, for he quite liked Clyde. \u201cHe might put this all together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m takin\u2019 my share and leavin\u2019,\u201d Elliot said. \u201cWhat do you mean to do with the kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna kill him, slowly an; surely,\u201d Victor replied. \u201cIf\u2019n you\u2019re too lily-livered to watch, then go and be damned. But I mean to enjoy makin\u2019 him squirm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eyeing victor with distaste, Elliot nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll wait a short while,\u201d he said, too wary of Victor\u2019s temper to make an out-right stand. \u201cBut I won\u2019t wait forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

In the bedroom, Joe lay frozen, too scared to move. The rope round his neck seemed to grow to mammoth proportions in his mind. Each time he swallowed, it dragged over his Adam\u2019s apple, and his mouth was becoming increasingly dry from the cloth stuffed into it. His shoulder burned mercilessly, and Joe simply wanted this all to end. He didn\u2019t care at that moment if the end was death. He just wanted an end.<\/p>\n

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

Shame-faced, Clyde ducked his head. \u201cYeah, Sheriff Brown ordered that Jimmy sent no wires for you, in case you were part of the gang, too. I was surprised that the wire from the circuit judge came so soon, but I reckon it were a fake too.\u201d He finally raised his head and made eye contact. \u201cI\u2019m real sorry,\u201d he said. \u201cI know that\u2019s not enough, but I never really guessed what was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you guess now?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Clyde said. \u201cI jist saw those men for a few moments, but I think I know who they are. I have to look at your brother\u2019s descriptions again, and then I\u2019ll know for sure.\u201d He rose, and went over to rummage through the drawer in Brown\u2019s desk. He finally found the paper he was looking for, closely covered with Joe\u2019s distinctive handwriting. He read it through twice, and then nodded decisively. \u201cI don know them,\u201d he said. \u201c Jack Dixon, Peter Elliot and\u201d he paused. \u201cVictor Brown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrown?\u201d Hoss repeated. \u201cLike Brown the sheriff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis brother,\u201d Clyde said. He rummaged through the desk some more, and finally found the object he sought \u2013 Brown\u2019s sheriff\u2019s badge. \u201cLooks like our sheriff had more to do with this than I thought,\u201d he concluded, miserably.<\/p>\n

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

There were many things to be done, and done quickly. New wires were sent; one to the federal marshal for the area, and another to Ben Cartwright, appraising him of the situation. The townspeople were called together and questioned thoroughly. What the Cartwrights and Clyde discovered was very disturbing. Brown had done his job well. He had made enough veiled suggestions to implicate the Cartwright brothers in the bank robbery, and most of the town thought they were hardened criminals.<\/p>\n

It took some hard talking to convince them otherwise, but Clyde succeeded. Then he began to ask about Brown\u2019s movements, and they soon discovered that he had been seen riding off towards his big house on the outskirts of town sometime after Clyde had been attacked.<\/p>\n

With nowhere else to look, that was where they started. Clyde deputized a couple of other men, and they went quietly out of town.<\/p>\n

A good distance from the house, they dismounted and crept stealthily through the bushes and undergrowth until they were close to the house. Clyde, who had once been in the house, led the way, and soon they were pressed close against the side of the building, listening to Victor making plans to kill Joe.<\/p>\n

It took all their self-control for Adam and Hoss not to break in there and smash Victor to the ground, but they knew that they had to find Joe first. Knowing this, Clyde led them round to where the entrance to the cellar was. \u201cIf you go in there, you come up in the kitchen,\u201d he whispered. \u201cWe\u2019ll distract them, after you\u2019ve had a chance to get into the house. Find your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took several minutes for Adam and Hoss to pick their way across the dark cellar, and up the stairs to the kitchen. There only sounds in the house came from the room where the outlaws were gathered. Adam indicated to Hoss they ought to split up, and so they did, each moving slowly and carefully across the floor, testing each board to make sure it didn\u2019t squeak.<\/p>\n

The strain on their nerves was appalling. Hoss wiped his sweaty palms on his pants legs, hoping he would find Joe before the outlaws realized they were there. And this distraction caused Hoss to miss his step, and he bumped bruisingly into the wall.<\/p>\n

For an instant, the entire house seemed to hold its breath, then there was a shout, and Hoss knew they were discovered. The door flew open, and Hoss dived sideways as Victor stormed out, gun in his hand. His shot went wide, and missed Hoss cleanly. However, he didn\u2019t hang around to make a follow-up shot. He dived across the hallway into the room where Joe lay.<\/p>\n

The sound of the door opening caused Joe to start, and he lay there, his breath catching in his throat as he awaited his fate. Were they going to kill him now? Was this another sadistic game? He heard the click of a gun cocking and knew then what was going to happen. He suddenly, fiercely, didn\u2019t want to die.<\/p>\n

The gun fired, and Joe froze, waiting for the pain to start, and surprised when it didn\u2019t. He sagged down in relief and the rope round his neck tightened slightly. Every instinct told Joe to struggle, but he fought himself to remain still. He had no idea what was going on outside the room, but there were shots being fired all around. But Joe\u2019s survival depended on him concentrating solely on himself, so that\u2019s what he did.<\/p>\n

Then the cacophony stopped and Joe was aware of the sound of rushing footsteps coming into the room. He tensed, waiting for whatever was going to happen, and hoping his courage didn\u2019t desert him at the last.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d The voice was most welcome, if not the one Joe most longed to hear. It was Adam. A moment later, and the rope around his neck was cut through, then the gag and blindfold were removed, and by then, Joe was almost crying with relief.<\/p>\n

Other hands were working on the rest of his bonds, and Joe recognized them as Hoss\u2019 from their gentleness. He blinked furiously to clear his vision, and was never so glad to see anyone, as he was to see his brothers. He tried to speak, but his mouth felt like a desert. Adam swiftly realized what was wrong, and helped Joe to drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked, urgently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe assured him, but reaction was setting in and Joe began to shiver. Adam swiftly wrapped him in a blanket. \u201cI\u2019m sure glad to see you, though,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot as glad as we are to see you, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss said, moved almost to tears by his brother\u2019s emotion. He unlocked the handcuff from around Joe\u2019s wrist, and gently began to rub the circulation back into his brother\u2019s hand and arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get you out of here,\u201d Adam said, and Hoss knelt to help Joe slip his boots back on. As he did so, Joe realized his feet were cold, and he was glad of the added warmth from his boots. He nodded to Adam, and the older brother helped the younger one to rise, supporting him as he found his feet once more.<\/p>\n

They left without a backward glance.<\/p>\n

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

It was the scandal of the territory. Before Ben even arrived in Cooperstown, the story was all over Nevada territory, and soon even mentioned in papers further a field. Joe was hailed as a hero, the innocent eyewitness who had almost died to tell his story. Joe himself was indifferent to the newspaper stories, as he was still unwell and running an intermittent temperature. He had caught a slight cold, so felt really miserable, and slept as much as he could.<\/p>\n

On his arrival, Ben went straight to the hotel, where he found his two oldest boys sitting on the veranda watching the world go by. \u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Adam offered, laconically, knowing it would infuriate his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Ben demanded. He was tired and dirty, and in no mood for Adam\u2019s little games.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s asleep,\u201d Hoss offered. \u201cHe\u2019s all right, Pa, honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShow me!\u201d Ben demanded, and handed his reins to Adam. Buck was as tired and dirty as his rider, and Adam grimaced. Well, that served him right, he thought, ruefully, as he led Buck to the livery stable for a feed and a rubdown.<\/p>\n

Cracking open the door, Ben saw that Joe was awake. Green eyes turned to the noise, and Ben saw the wariness in them replaced by joy as he recognized Ben. \u201cPa!\u201d he said, and pushed himself to a sitting position. \u201cI\u2019m so glad to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty glad to see you, too, son,\u201d Ben returned, sitting down on the edge of the bed to return Joe\u2019s hug. He was pleased to notice that there was no fever present, and that Joe looked quite well, considering. \u201cHow are you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe responded, and laughed at the look on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cNo, honestly, Pa, I am.\u201d He shrugged as Ben continued to eye him closely. \u201cWell, I will be soon,\u201d he hedged. \u201cAs soon as they allow me to get out of this bed! I can\u2019t sleep 24 hours a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be the first time,\u201d Ben answered, and they laughed together.<\/p>\n

When Adam came back, Ben caught up on the story. Brown had been using his position as sheriff to help his brother and friends in their outlawry. Most of the things they had done had been minor, compared to the bank robbery, and Brown was the only person the banker had told about the shipment of bullion that was being stored overnight in his safe. That was when the plans had been hatched, and Joe\u2019s presence had been just what they needed; an eyewitness, upon whom they could cast suspicion.<\/p>\n

Of the gang, only Brown and Dixon were alive to face trial. Victor and Elliot had been killed in the shoot-out with Clyde and his new deputies. The bullion had been recovered intact.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have to stay here?\u201d Ben asked, stroking Joe\u2019s arm tenderly. Joe was leaning ever so slightly into that warm touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cJoe\u2019s free to go whenever the doctor says he can travel.\u00a0 The marshal took his testimony, but they won\u2019t need it. Half the town can testify to what Brown was doing. It all makes sense to them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to go home,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doc says he can travel at the end o\u2019 the week,\u201d Hoss said, helpfully. \u201cMeantime, he\u2019s to rest up good.\u201d<\/p>\n

At that, Joe sighed and rolled his eyes. \u201cI thought Brown\u2019s protective custody was onerous,\u201d he joked. \u201cBut Pa, these two beat him all hollow!\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Ben knew at that moment that whatever had befallen him, Joe was going to be all right.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Joe witnesses a bank robbery, but he is treated more like a suspect than a witness. Can Adam and Hoss get to the bottom of what is going on before it costs Joe his life?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,455 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":5289,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[14,16],"class_list":["post-5300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2107,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":5300,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","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\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6742,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6742","url_meta":{"origin":5300,"position":1},"title":"Grazed (by Jayne)","author":"Jayne","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0When Adam finds a slightly injured Joe, they share a strangely special moment. \u00a0A Young Cartwright short story. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0767","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7582,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7582","url_meta":{"origin":5300,"position":2},"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":7603,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7603","url_meta":{"origin":5300,"position":3},"title":"Wanting Whiskers (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0While trapped by a snowstorm, the Cartwright brothers learn a little something about each other. Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a01696","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/brothers.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3685,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3685","url_meta":{"origin":5300,"position":4},"title":"My Hero (by Meg)","author":"Meg","date":"September 15, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Little Joe is given an assignment to write about who his hero is. And surprises everyone when he reveals who he wrote about \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (2,355 words) Amelia Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13179,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13179","url_meta":{"origin":5300,"position":5},"title":"Half Brothers (by No1ButJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"July 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe asks Adam the meaning of the words \u201chalf brother\u201d. Can Adam explain it correctly so a ten-year old Joe can understand? Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count: 1250","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\/5300","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=5300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5300\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}