{"id":5611,"date":"2003-07-16T01:05:55","date_gmt":"2003-07-16T05:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5611"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:07:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:07:49","slug":"only-skin-deep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5611","title":{"rendered":"Only Skin Deep (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>When a chance thief breaks into the Ponderosa, Joe finds himself at the mercy of a killer who looks only too familiar.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,170 words)<\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep Series:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep<\/a>
\nToil and Trouble<\/a>
\nWolf in the Fold<\/a>
\nA Fresh Start<\/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

Only Skin Deep<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a split second after the door opened to admit a dark-clad man, Joe Cartwright thought it was his brother Adam. But Adam had left that morning for Carson City and wasn\u2019t due back until night fall. Realizing this, Joe went for his gun, but his holster lay on the credenza behind the front door and he froze as the stranger pointed his gun at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anyone else here?\u201d growled the man, keeping his dark eyes fixed on Joe.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe admitted, \u201cNo.\u201d The resemblance to Adam was less intense now that Joe could see his face, but over all, they were very similar.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d the man said, and closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Joe threw his cup of coffee at the man. He ducked, and as Joe tackled him about the waist, he crashed his gun down onto Joe\u2019s head. Joe slumped to the floor, unconscious.<\/p>\n

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

When he revived some time later, Joe was at first only aware of his pounding headache and the nausea that threatened to overcome him. He seemed to be lying on the floor, and he rolled over slowly, trying to remember what had happened. As he did so, he realized that he was bound hand and foot, and he remembered what had happened. Opening his eyes, he glanced around, until he spotted the man crouching by the safe, trying to open it.<\/p>\n

Again the first impression was of the stranger\u2019s amazing resemblance to Adam. Joe had often heard stories of people who had doubles, but he\u2019d never been sure if they were true or not. But after seeing this fellow, he could well believe it. Joe began to struggle with his bonds, but the ropes were tied tightly and he wasn\u2019t going to be getting out of them soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re awake,\u201d commented the man, having been attracted by Joe\u2019s movements. He walked over to stand by Joe, looking down on the hapless young man.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want somewhere to stay that\u2019s warm and dry,\u201d the man replied. \u201cAs to who I am? You can call me Tom.\u201d He stirred Joe idly with his foot, not kicking, but making sure the young man knew who was boss. \u201cThis place will do fine. And now it\u2019s your turn. Who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe contemplated not telling him, but the foot was still moving him about the floor, and Joe really didn\u2019t want to be kicked. \u201cMy name\u2019s Joe Cartwright,\u201d he replied, through gritted teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, huh?\u201d Tom repeated. \u201cSo this must be the Ponderosa I\u2019ve heard so much about. Well, and very nice it is too.\u201d He stopped poking Joe and wandered over to the credenza. He lifted Joe\u2019s gun from its holster and admired it before slipping it back in. \u201cPlenty of money here,\u201d he remarked. \u201cGood, I\u2019ll be able to sell this stuff and live comfortably for a while on the proceeds.\u201d He grinned back at Joe, looking to see what the results of his statement would be.<\/p>\n

The look he surprised on Joe\u2019s face wasn\u2019t the indignant outrage he\u2019d expected. Joe looked puzzled. Raising one eyebrow, he saw the younger man pale slightly and wondered at it. Joe had not struck him as the type of man to be easily intimidated, even on their short acquaintance. \u201cYou look like you\u2019ve seen a ghost,\u201d Tom commented, his interest piqued. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d Joe muttered, sullenly. He shifted his gaze away from that penetrating stare, and tried to figure out when help might come. It would be a long wait, he thought, ruefully. Adam had gone to Carson City; Ben was in town at a Cattleman\u2019s Association Meeting and might not get back until morning. And Hoss \u2013 well, Joe wasn\u2019t exactly sure where Hoss was that day, as Hoss had been gone before Joe came down for breakfast. In fact, if Joe hadn\u2019t come home for some coffee, only to find Hop Sing, the cook, had gone into town to visit relatives, Tom would have been able to rob the Ponderosa with impunity.<\/p>\n

Joe was supposed to be looking at horses, but when his mount shed a shoe, he\u2019d had to turn back. The weather was cool and rainy as fall set in, and Joe had been chilled when he arrived home. Deciding that the horses could wait until he had warmed up a little, Joe had headed into the house to make coffee. The first cup had begun to make inroads into warming him up, and he was on his second cup when the door had opened.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Tom continued to look through the credenza. He took out a blanket and spread it open on the floor close to Joe and began to pick up some of the valuables and put them on the blanket. Joe seethed with frustrated anger.<\/p>\n

He was curious, too. Tom\u2019s accent wasn\u2019t the kind Joe usually associated with thieves. He sounded educated and there was a familiar edge to his accent, although Joe couldn\u2019t think what it was. His headache was making thinking difficult anyway, and so was his anger. He was furious that someone could so callously help themselves to his family\u2019s possessions.<\/p>\n

After emptying the few things of value from the credenza, Tom\u2019s attention wandered to the barometer on the wall beside the downstairs bedroom door. He gazed at it in admiration for some time, but decided against taking it. It was too big, for a start, but it also had Ben Cartwright\u2019s name on it, and that made it far too recognizable to safely sell.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in here?\u201d he asked, pointing to the door, but Joe refused to answer. Amusement crinkled the corners of the man\u2019s lips and he shrugged. Opening the door, he looked in, but he could see at once that the room wasn\u2019t used regularly and he backed out.<\/p>\n

Some sound made him look toward his captive and he saw that Joe was sitting up and sliding on his backside across the floor towards the credenza, where his gun was. Tom immediately realized that he\u2019d made a mistake not tying Joe to something solid. Shaking his head, he went after the other man.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t!\u201d he ordered, but Joe kept on going, gritting his teeth and hastening his movements. He knew it was futile, but he had to do something.<\/p>\n

Crossing the space between them in two quick strides, Tom grabbed Joe\u2019s jacket front and hauled him upright. \u201cDon\u2019t bother,\u201d he warned, but Joe wasn\u2019t through yet. He raised his bound hands and used them to club his unsuspecting captor in the stomach.<\/p>\n

The blow was more of a surprise than painful, and Tom dropped Joe, who crashed to the floor to land painfully on his coccyx. Gasping, but ignoring the pain, Joe resumed his attempt to get his gun.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Tom once more grabbed for Joe. Joe was expecting him and twisted to try and escape, but it was a useless effort. Tom once more hauled him upright, then raising his hand, he deliberately backhanded Joe and dropped him to the floor.<\/p>\n

The blow was all the more painful for the very deliberateness of the act. Joe landed hard and for a moment, his head swam. He fought his way up from the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him. Joe felt himself being dragged across the floor and he fought Tom as best he could. Another backhander left him too dazed to resist and when Joe at last opened his eyes again, he found his hands tightly bound to the leg of the coffee table in front of the fire.<\/p>\n

As he looked around, he saw Tom standing looking down on him. \u201cI really didn\u2019t want to do that, Joe,\u201d Tom told him, for all the world like Joe was a small boy who had just been smacked for getting in trouble. \u201cBut since you can\u2019t be trusted, I had no other choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t be trusted,\u201d Joe choked. His headache was worse than ever, and he wondered if he could possibly avoid being sick over himself. \u201cCan\u2019t be trusted not to try and free myself to protect my home from a thief?\u201d he asked, bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t blame you, Joe,\u201d Tom told him. \u201cI\u2019d probably feel the same way, if I had a home to protect. But I can\u2019t let you stop me.\u201d He sounded oddly regretful. Giving Joe a small, rueful smile, he crossed the room and began to ransack the sideboard by the dining table.<\/p>\n

Propping himself awkwardly on his elbows, Joe watched. Suddenly, Tom froze, his hand extended towards a silver framed photograph sitting on the top of the sideboard. Joe swallowed against the sudden tightness in his throat. He knew what Tom had found.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is this?\u201d Tom asked at last, lifting the picture and turning towards Joe.<\/p>\n

Looking away, Joe remained silent. He heard Tom walking over, and a moment later a hand curled into the front of his jacket once more. Tom thrust his face into Joe\u2019s. \u201cAnswer me, Joe!\u201d he demanded. \u201cWho is this man?\u201d He waved the photo in Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe looked up. \u201cHe\u2019s my brother, Adam,\u201d he replied. \u201cAnd that\u2019s my other brother Hoss.\u201d The photo had been a birthday gift to Ben earlier that year. His three sons, sitting together and smiling. Ben had been very moved, and the photo was still perambulating around the house until Ben found the place where it would live permanently. So far, it had been on his bedside table, the desk and now the sideboard by the dining table.<\/p>\n

Letting go of Joe, Tom crouched back on his heels. \u201cSo that was what was wrong with you earlier,\u201d he murmured. \u201cI look like your brother.\u201d He glanced at Joe once more. \u201cYou don\u2019t look much alike,\u201d he commented. \u201cI look more like your brother than either of you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Joe was silent. He wasn\u2019t about to blurt out their family history for this man. He sensed Tom was waiting for a reply, but avoided his eyes. What good would it do to talk about it? None of his family was going to be coming to his rescue anytime soon. By the time they did, Tom would be long gone and he, Joe, would still be a prisoner or, he shuddered, dead.<\/p>\n

Realizing that Joe wasn\u2019t going to say anything, Tom rose. He put the picture down on the table by Joe\u2019s head. \u201cWhere is your family?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOut,\u201d Joe replied, shortly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try and be clever, Joe,\u201d Tom warned, wearily. \u201cWe both know what I\u2019m willing to do. Just answer the question. I\u2019d hate for them to walk in on me \u2013 especially my twin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s in Virginia City,\u201d Joe told him, wondering quite why he was doing so. \u201cAdam\u2019s gone to Carson City. I don\u2019t know where Hoss is today.\u201d He wondered how long Hop Sing would be in town, but decided that since it was only himself and Hoss at supper \u2013 and for all he knew it might just be him at supper \u2013 Hop Sing might not be back until late. He glanced at Tom, and had the distinct impression that he was waiting for something else.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your mother?\u201d Tom asked, finally, his tone impatient.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother is dead,\u201d Joe replied, gritting his teeth against the expected pity.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t come. Tom just shrugged and looked around once more. \u201cWell, with luck, I should have time to gather a fair bit of stuff. You just rest there, Joe. You don\u2019t look too good.\u201d He laughed at his own wit and walked away towards Ben\u2019s desk. He paused and looked over his shoulder. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose I could persuade you to give me the combination of the safe?\u201d At the look on Joe\u2019s face, he laughed again. \u201cNo, I thought not.\u201d<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t stop him trying to open it, though. Joe was tied so that his back was to the office alcove and he craned his neck to look over his shoulder, watching what Tom was doing. The safe defeated him, and he straightened and began to rifle through the desk drawers. Joe was beginning to get a crick in his neck from his awkward position, but he couldn\u2019t take his eyes from Tom. Sure enough, the thing he dreaded happened; Tom spotted the pictures of their mothers.<\/p>\n

Wrenching his eyes away, Joe wasn\u2019t quite quick enough to avoid Tom\u2019s questioning gaze. He knew the other man would be over any moment, bringing the pictures with him. Joe didn\u2019t want to answer any other questions. His headache, which had died down slightly, came back with a vengeance. He closed his eyes briefly.<\/p>\n

When he opened them again, Tom was sitting on the edge of the table, looking at the pictures, then Joe. \u201cI\u2019d guess this is your mother,\u201d Tom said, brandishing the picture of Marie. \u201cYou\u2019re like her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe admitted. There was no point trying to deny it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the others?\u201d Tom asked, and Joe debated not saying anything.<\/p>\n

But when his silence provoked Tom into reaching for his jacket again, Joe muttered, \u201cAdam and Hoss\u2019 mothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising his eyebrow in that dreadfully familiar way, Tom looked at Joe speculatively. \u201cDifferent mothers, all three of you?\u201d Again, the familiar raising of the eyebrow. \u201cAll dead?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it to you?\u201d Joe flared.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh-ah,\u201d Tom warned, nudging him none too gently with his foot. \u201cNone of that now. Just answer the question.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, all dead,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cHappy now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, I don\u2019t care one way or the other, personally,\u201d Tom told him. \u201cBut it might put your mind at rest. My mother doesn\u2019t look like either of these two, so I\u2019m not a long lost brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe winced. His other brother, Clay, had come into his life briefly a few years before and had then left again. Joe missed Clay desperately, and hadn\u2019t heard a single word from him since he left. Forcing thoughts of Clay from his mind, Joe glared at Tom.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Tom added, \u201cyour father and mine might be the same. He could well have been indiscreet at some time in his youth. How come there isn\u2019t a picture of him around?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you knew my father, you\u2019d know that couldn\u2019t be true,\u201d Joe told him. \u201cDon\u2019t judge everyone by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t kid yourself,\u201d Tom told him. \u201cEveryone sews wild oats when they\u2019re young. Who\u2019s to say I couldn\u2019t be your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re no brother of mine,\u201d Joe said, with quiet venom. \u201cNo brother of mine would act the way you\u2019re acting.\u201d<\/p>\n

For an instant, Tom\u2019s nostrils tightened with anger. Then he deliberately relaxed. He couldn\u2019t blame Joe for sticking up for his family. However, he meant to get what he could from this house, by whatever means and whatever cost.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might, in like circumstances,\u201d Tom suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever!\u201d Joe declared. \u201cAdam would never steal. Nor would Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever is a long time,\u201d Tom commented. He looked around. \u201cHave you ever been hungry, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe agreed, \u201cnot the way you mean. But that\u2019s no excuse. You could get a job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rich man\u2019s son,\u201d murmured Tom, rising restlessly. \u201cYou have no idea! Get a job, says he!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOther people do it,\u201d Joe flared. \u201cThey struggle, but they don\u2019t resort to stealing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSave your moralizing for someone who\u2019s interested,\u201d Tom told him disgustedly. \u201cIf you were starving, you\u2019d steal, too, if that was the only path left to you.\u201d He gestured to the photo. \u201cSo would your precious brother, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might look like him,\u201d Joe shot back, \u201cbut the resemblance is only skin deep! Adam is nothing like you, I\u2019m glad to say.\u201d At once, Joe saw that he\u2019d succeeded in goading his captor into anger. He tried to duck away as Tom reached for him. It was hopeless. Once more, Tom backhanded Joe and let him fall to the floor.<\/p>\n

Without a word, Tom stalked angrily into the kitchen and left Joe alone. Wearily, Joe licked the blood from his lips and prayed for deliverance.<\/p>\n

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

The smell of the food emanating from the kitchen made Joe\u2019s stomach rumble. He wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d be able to eat even if he was offered something, for he was still queasy, but as Tom lingered in the kitchen, Joe realized that he wasn\u2019t going to be fed. Resting his aching head on his arm, Joe tried to doze, telling himself it didn\u2019t matter if he missed a meal or two.<\/p>\n

He failed utterly to sleep, his cramped position proving too uncomfortable. Joe tried to flex his throbbing arms, and succeeded in moving the table slightly. That made him wonder if he could get his shoulder under the edge and lift the table high enough to slide his hands free. Moving cautiously, to avoid a rush of nausea, Joe got onto all fours, and heaved.<\/p>\n

For an instant, the table lifted and Joe grunted with effort. He knew how heavy the table was, but he\u2019d never tried to lift if alone like that, and had to set it down to catch his breath. After a moment or two, Joe was ready to try again, and heaved once more. The blood roared in his ears and his panting breath obliterated all other sound.<\/p>\n

Sudden weight slammed the table to the floor again and Joe was knocked over. Unable to put out his hands to catch himself, he sprawled inelegantly onto his face, sending spasms of pain through his shoulders and grazing his cheek on the floor. Panting, he gazed up at Tom, who had one foot on the table and was leaning on that leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never give up, do you?\u201d he commented ruefully. \u201cAnd I thought you\u2019d never be able to move this monstrosity!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFaith can move mountains,\u201d Joe panted. \u201cAnd so can determination.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dare say,\u201d Tom agreed. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t solve my dilemma. I\u2019m going to have to move you, Joe, but I\u2019m sure I can trust you not to try something while I untie you, can I?\u201d Joe silence was quite eloquent. \u201cNo, I thought not.\u201d He sighed. \u201cI hate to have to hit you again, but needs must.\u201d He snatched Joe up and punched him hard in the face twice.<\/p>\n

The punches weren\u2019t enough to knock Joe out, but they set his head to ringing. He tried his best to fight Tom, and managed to get in a good swing, but his hands were numb from being tied and his aim wasn\u2019t the best. Another backhander set his senses reeling and when he was able to grasp them again, he was being dragged across the floor by his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, make this easy on yourself, Joe!\u201d Tom panted, as Joe once more managed to free one arm.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to hurt you.\u201d But Joe fought on, and Tom punched him hard in the stomach. Joe folded and Tom used the opportunity to tie him to the newel post of the stairs.\u00a0 Checking his handiwork, Tom sat back on his heels panting. \u201cYou\u2019re beginning to annoy me, Joe,\u201d he told the suffering young man. \u201cAt this rate, I might beat the combination of the safe out of you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can try!\u201d Joe told him.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Tom rose slowly to his feet. \u201cThis brother of yours,\u201d he said, looking down on Joe. \u201cIs he about my height and weight?\u201d Joe didn\u2019t reply and kept his eyes down. \u201cI thought he might be,\u201d Tom commented, taking the silence as a yes. \u201cWell, I fancy a change of clothes. I\u2019ll just go up and see what I can find.\u201d<\/p>\n

Panic flared through Joe\u2019s heart. Adam had his architects drawing tools in a special box in his room. They were precious to Adam, and therefore precious to Joe, too. He didn\u2019t want Tom to find them, nor to go looking in the other rooms. He knew that his mother\u2019s jewelry was kept in Ben\u2019s closet and he couldn\u2019t bear the thought of Tom touching it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t you got enough?\u201d he burst out. \u201cDo you want to become Adam, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive it up, Joe,\u201d Tom told him. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to talk me into becoming a model citizen, believe me. There\u2019s far too much water gone under the bridge for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe demanded. He really didn\u2019t care about the answer to his question, he simply wanted to keep Tom talking and occupied down here in the forlorn hope that someone might come home. Anything to keep him from further ransacking the house. \u201cWhat have you done?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really want to know?\u201d Tom asked, and the bleakness of his tone hit Joe like a faceful of cold water.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI want to know what made an educated man like you turn to crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a long minute, Tom sat down beside Joe. \u201cWhy do you think I\u2019m educated?\u201d he asked, curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour accent,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cThere\u2019s something about it that\u2019s familiar, but it\u2019s more than that. You sound educated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you a college man, Joe?\u201d Tom asked. \u201cIs that why you think I sound educated?\u201d He looked at Joe, who didn\u2019t answer. \u201cOr is it that brother of yours again? Is Adam a college man? That\u2019s it, isn\u2019t it? One more thing we have in common.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Joe once more refused to answer. \u201cYou sound educated,\u201d he persisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re right there,\u201d Tom admitted. \u201cI am a graduate of Harvard. I studied law.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe tried to make sense of that. Was Tom lying to him? \u201cYou steal for a living, yet you\u2019re a lawyer?\u201d Joe blurted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m wanted for murder,\u201d Tom told him, coolly, and was gratified to see the other man blanch. \u201cOn the night of our graduation party a bunch of other fellows and I were drinking and celebrating in our dormitory. I had an argument with one fellow. I don\u2019t even remember what it was about, because I was drunk. But I pushed him out of the window and he fell to his death two floors below.\u201d Tom shrugged. \u201cI ran, of course. I was drunk. A warrant was put out for my arrest, and so here you find me, Joe. A Harvard educated lawyer, wanted for murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen was this?\u201d Joe whispered. He felt sick and his headache was back, worse than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen years ago,\u201d Tom replied, calmly. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen my family since then. I don\u2019t even know if they are alive or dead. I suppose I\u2019ll never know.\u201d He smiled ruefully. \u201cI was a rich man\u2019s son, too, Joe. We have more in common than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe denied. \u201cI couldn\u2019t stay away from my family for all that time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t get all sentimental on me,\u201d Tom chided him, rising once more. \u201cI can\u2019t stand sentimentality! You\u2019ve hindered me enough. I\u2019m going to get myself some of your brother\u2019s clothes. These ones must be pretty ripe by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t!\u201d Joe pleaded. \u201cDon\u2019t touch their things!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did I just say, kid?\u201d Tom demanded. He was now regretting opening up to Joe, but he kind of liked the kid, despite himself.<\/p>\n

Despising himself, but not thinking straight, Joe could see no other way to have Tom leave his family\u2019s precious things alone. Joe muttered, \u201cMy Pa\u2019s rich; you said so yourself. Take me, and he\u2019ll pay your ransom. Just don\u2019t touch their things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exasperated, Tom wished he\u2019d never clapped eyes on Joe Cartwright. First of all, he opens up and tells Joe his life story, then the kid offers himself as a hostage, to protect his family\u2019s possessions. Tom shook his head. Didn\u2019t the kid know that most families would rather have the person, not the things? \u201cDon\u2019t you understand yet?\u201d he demanded angrily. \u201cI\u2019ve killed since then! I\u2019m a wanted man! I live alone and I kill when I need to, to escape. If I got stopped while trying to take you with me, Joe, I\u2019d kill you, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Joe assured him. \u201cBut do as I ask! Please!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you, Joe!\u201d Tom cursed and turned away, walking with long strides towards the door. For he found himself considering the idea seriously.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, footsteps sounded on the porch outside and Tom was back across the room, his hand jammed over Joe\u2019s mouth, pushing his head back against the newel post. \u201cDon\u2019t make a sound,\u201d he warned. \u201cOr I\u2019ll cut your throat.\u201d He produced a knife from his boot and pressed the blade against Joe\u2019s exposed throat.<\/p>\n

The person outside knocked on the door. \u201cJoe?\u201d a voice called.\u00a0 It was Charlie, the foreman. Joe\u2019s eyes turned to the door, terrified that Charlie would simply open it and come in. He knew that Charlie was a dead man if that happened. Again the thunderous knock on the door. \u201cYou in there, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

In the pregnant pause that followed, Joe could hear the measured tick-tock of the case clock by the door. His heart hammered erratically against his chest and he felt the knife blade nick his skin, as a reminder to be silent. Joe willed Charlie to leave.<\/p>\n

It seemed that Charlie got the message. The footsteps retreated back along the porch and a few moments later, they heard the hooves ride out of the yard. Joe relaxed fractionally, but Tom remained crouched by his side, covering his mouth and keeping the knife at his throat. Joe slid his eyes round to meet Tom\u2019s and saw the hunted look in them and suddenly comprehended what this man\u2019s life must be like.<\/p>\n

With an exhalation of air, Tom finally released his grip on Joe and the younger man breathed a sigh of relief. He could feel something warm on his neck and realized it was a trickle of blood. He was shaken by the speed that Tom had reacted to the threat, and knew that if Charlie had come in, as well he might, he would have died. Joe knew that if Tom did take him as a hostage, his life would be in even more jeopardy than it already was.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho was that?\u201d Tom demanded, gesturing towards the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie, our foreman,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he want?\u201d asked Tom. \u201cWill he come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what he wanted!\u201d Joe replied in exasperation. \u201cYou heard as much as I did, and I was hardly in a position to ask! And I don\u2019t know if he\u2019ll come back; he might. It depends on how urgent it is and if he can find anyone else.\u201dHoss,<\/em>\u00a0he thought with a pang.\u00a0If Hoss finds out Charlie couldn\u2019t find<\/em>\u00a0me\u2026<\/em>\u00a0The bleakness of that thought told Joe he couldn\u2019t go with Tom as a hostage. His family would be worried sick over him. He would have to figure out another way to protect their belongings. He couldn\u2019t think why he\u2019d thought offering himself as a hostage would work. Joe didn\u2019t realize that his thinking was fuzzy from the mild concussion he had suffered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is there for him to find?\u201d Tom asked. When Joe did answer, he shook him, but still Joe remained silent. Anger flared through Tom. \u201cDamn it, Joe, answer me!\u201d Once more, Joe kept quiet. Furious, Tom backhanded Joe again.<\/p>\n

Looking down at the helpless young man before him, Tom realized that Joe wasn\u2019t going to tell him, no matter what he did. However, he guessed that time might be running out for him to get clean away, and he decided to go upstairs, get some clothes and see what else he could find. Joe\u2019s reaction suggested that there might be more valuables upstairs. Stepping over Joe\u2019s legs, he grasped the banister.<\/p>\n

It was fortunate for Tom that he did, because Joe, as he realized his captor\u2019s intent, raised his legs and tripped him. As Tom tumbled to his knees, Joe twisted as far as his bonds would allow and kicked him, desperate to keep him from going upstairs.<\/p>\n

Breaking free, Tom kicked Joe\u2019s legs out of the way and when Joe tried once more to kick him, he kicked Joe in the face. The youth slumped unconscious at once, a thin ribbon of blood forming on his cheek. Panting, Tom stood looking at him, regret flooding his mind. He liked Joe, but his own freedom was more important to him than Joe\u2019s wellbeing. Still panting, he went on upstairs.<\/p>\n

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

The first room he looked into was clearly unused and Tom didn\u2019t linger. He tried the next door and found himself in a room lined with books. He picked up the book on the bedside table and glanced at it. It was obviously an old favorite, for it was well handled. Opening the cover, he read the inscription on the fly-leaf.\u00a0\u00a0\u2018To Adam. Happy Birthday, love Pa 1860\u2019.<\/em>\u00a0He smiled. So this was the saintly Adam\u2019s room!<\/p>\n

With interest, he looked at the titles of the books. They were many and varied. Some of them Tom had read many years before. Some of them he\u2019d never heard of. He found the books on architecture and engineering and guessed that this must be what Adam had studied.<\/p>\n

Rifling through the drawers of the desk, he found some drawings of houses. He looked at them thoughtfully before putting them back and hunting some more. He found the box of tools in the next drawer and smiled. These would be worth a penny or two.<\/p>\n

In another drawer he found letters and journals. At once, he opened them, eager to find out what kind of man his doppelganger was. The journals went back many years. Idly, Tom flicked through them, stopping whenever a name would catch his eye.<\/p>\n

Joe insisted today that he\u2019ll be able to break that big stallion. I know Pa has severe misgivings about it, but the kids won\u2019t listen, of course. I\u2019m just waiting for the day when he\u2019s brought home half dead, for I know it\u2019ll come.<\/p>\n

Underneath that was another passage.\u00a0 Well, it\u2019s happened. Pa got home and found Joe lying in the corral, severely injured. The horse was gone. Joe tells us he set it free. I wanted to track it down and shoot it, but Pa insisted that I do nothing. It\u2019s frustrating, but I guess he\u2019s right. I just hate to see Joe so down<\/p>\n

In another journal he read about Adam accidentally shooting Joe and the aftermath of the accident.\u00a0<\/em>I feel bad whenever I see Joe struggling, but he will be all right. How could I have been so stupid? I knew Joe was around there and I never thought! There are times I would cheerfully push Joe down a flight of steps, but I love the kid. When he was so ill, and the doctor wouldn\u2019t stay, I was so worried. What would I have done if Joe had died?<\/p>\n

Turning the page, Tom read on. \u00a0Joe and I had a terrible row today, which ended up coming to blows. Pa was furious and I don\u2019t blame him, but I can\u2019t bring myself to apologizes to Joe. All right, he had done the work today, but most days he wouldn\u2019t have and I feet justified in checking up on him.<\/p>\n

Pa has just told me we are to go to work alone until we\u2019ve calmed down. That suits me just fine! Joe is already sending me \u2018puppy dog\u2019 looks from under his brows, but that won\u2019t work with me today!<\/p>\n

So much has happened that I haven\u2019t had the chance to write anything. Joe was injured while we were away and it was my fault. I think I scared him so much that he\u2019ll never want to speak to me again. I think it best if I pack up and leave. Maybe then Joe can regain his perspective about me and we can be friends again in a year or two. How could I have hurt him like that? I was angry, but still\u2026 I pride myself on my self control. Where was it these last few days?<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t believe that Joe came to find me. We talked and I explained myself as best I could. I don\u2019t think what I said was enough, but Joe forgave me. I don\u2019t understand him sometimes. He irritates me so much, then turns round and is wonderful. Maybe I shouldn\u2019t try and analyze it; I should just accept his wonderful, loving nature. So here I am home again, and all because of Joe.<\/p>\n

And then the most recent entry of all, dated only the day before.\u00a0 I have to go to Carson tomorrow on business. Joe\u2019s going out looking at the horses again. Whenever he tells us that he\u2019s going to do this, I find myself getting tense. I know that Satan is the most unpredictable animal on the ranch, and I know he saved Joe\u2019s life, but I still feel uneasy when Joe is near him. What if he decides to try to ride him again? Joe promised that he wouldn\u2019t but the quickest way to get Joe to do something is to forbid him, or tell him it can\u2019t be done! I\u2019d hate to see anything happen to him.<\/p>\n

Closing the journal, Tom looked round the room thoughtfully. Adam had come to life for him. He was no longer just a person who looked like Tom. And downstairs was his beloved younger brother. Tom wondered if he ought to take Joe as a hostage. Perhaps he could meet his \u2018twin\u2019 and find out what he was really like before letting Joe go.<\/p>\n

He went to the bureau and opened a drawer, drawing out clean underwear, shirt and pants. Using the water he found in the ewer, he had a wash and shave before dressing. Adam\u2019s clothes fitted him quite well.<\/p>\n

Feeling refreshed, Tom went into the next room. This one seemed to be Joe\u2019s, from the clothes he saw in the drawers. He picked up one or two things there before continuing his search. One of the things was a likeness of an older man. Tom correctly assumed this was Joe\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

The next room he surmised belonged to Hoss, judging by the picture of Inger that he saw there. Hoss had fewer books than Adam, and less things hanging on the walls than Joe, and Tom wondered about him. Joe had said very little about Hoss, but then, the person that interested Tom most was Adam, because of his resemblance to him.<\/p>\n

Moving on, Tom opened the door to the master bedroom. Rooting about in the drawers, Tom found silver and gold cufflinks, and a silver engraved money clip. He pocketed them. In the closet, he found the jewelry box and after raking though it, decided to take it, too. He also took Ben\u2019s silver dueling pistols from their hooks on the wall.<\/p>\n

Suddenly becoming aware that time was against him, Tom made his way back downstairs, carrying his plunder. Joe was awake, he saw at once. His cheek was still bleeding sluggishly and his eye was starting to swell shut. The scorching look Joe gave him promised retribution.<\/p>\n

It was only when Tom drew close that Joe saw everything he had in his hands. But it was the jewelry box that ignited his temper. Before Tom was completely off the last step, Joe was kicking at him again for all he was worth, screaming with fury as he brought his bound feet up again and again.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d Tom cried, fearful suddenly that the noise would bring someone. Charlie\u2019s arrival had shaken Tom. He dodged past Joe and put the things he\u2019d stolen onto the blanket with the other stuff. He glanced around and saw Joe pulling furiously at the ropes that bound him. \u201cSimmer down, you\u2019ll hurt yourself!\u201d Tom told him, roughly.<\/p>\n

Ignoring him, Joe fought on. The way Tom had tied him, Joe\u2019s hands were pulled back and tied to the second rod of the banisters. He was twisting in his bonds, oblivious of the hurt he was causing himself. Tom looked away, and his eye fell on the photos he had left on the coffee table. The frames looked expensive and he walked over to the table and began to gather them up.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe yelled, struggling even harder. \u201cLeave them alone!\u201d There was a sudden twinge of pain along one shoulder, but Joe ignored it.<\/p>\n

Placing the photos on his pile, Tom threw Joe a hard look. \u201cShut up!\u201d he warned again, and crossed to the office window to look cautiously out. There was no one in sight, but Tom was becoming increasingly nervous. He walked back over to Joe and stood looking down at him, just out of reaching of Joe\u2019s thrashing legs. \u201cI\u2019m leaving,\u201d he told Joe.<\/p>\n

The words threw Joe into a panic. He swung his legs around, twisting to try and reach his tormentor. As he kicked to try and reach him, his hip slid on the floor, and Joe found himself sliding, but still tied to the banisters. There was an audible crack as his right collar bone snapped under the sudden pressure. Joe went limp.<\/p>\n

Shaken, Tom hurried to Joe\u2019s side. He found the other man conscious, gritting his teeth to try and bear the pain, and totally unable to move. \u201cDamn you!\u201d he cursed Tom. \u201cYou won\u2019t get away with this!\u201d<\/p>\n

Wishing that he\u2019d never found this ranch, or met this young man, Tom helped Joe to sit up again. Joe growled through his teeth, but he couldn\u2019t find the breath to say anything. His expressive green eyes spoke volumes, however.<\/p>\n

Leaving Joe where he was, Tom walked over to the blanket and began to bundle up the things he intended to take. He was regretting letting his guard down with Joe. He\u2019d never done that sort of thing before, but then, he\u2019d never stayed so long in a house he was robbing. He glanced around, looking to see if there was anything he\u2019d missed when an idea struck him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the safe combination, Joe,\u201d he ordered, crouching by him once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to hell,\u201d Joe panted. His face gleamed with sweat. He rested his head on the post behind him, as it was the only way he could hold it up. The pain made him feel sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can make you tell me,\u201d Tom warned. \u201cYou\u2019re a rich man\u2019s son, Joe. You haven\u2019t had to work and you won\u2019t be able to bear the pain. Life hasn\u2019t prepared you for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done more work than you\u2019ll ever do,\u201d Joe choked. \u201cYou don\u2019t know anything about me! I\u2019ll never tell you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the calluses on your hands, then?\u201d Tom demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tied me up, didn\u2019t you notice?\u201d Joe taunted him. He laughed. \u201cOr was it just that you didn\u2019t recognize them for what they are? After all, you\u2019re a rich man\u2019s son, Tom. You\u2019ve never done an honest day\u2019s work in your life! A college boy and a thief! What do you know of work?\u201d<\/p>\n

Goaded, Tom snarled, \u201cThe same could be said of your precious brother, too, couldn\u2019t it? He was a college boy too!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam has worked harder than you can imagine!\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cHe knows what it is to work hard for what you want!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows, does he?\u201d Tom growled. \u201cYour perfect big brother, huh? Well, from what I can see he frequently finds you annoying. What was it his journal said? Oh yeah, he could cheerfully push you down a flight of stairs!\u201d<\/p>\n

Appalled, Joe just looked at Tom. \u201cYou read his journals?\u201d he gasped, more concerned about that than about what Tom had repeated to him. It wasn\u2019t a secret between Adam and Joe; Adam had said it jokingly to him, and it had become one of their favorite phrases for deflecting tension between them. \u201cHow could you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were very illuminating,\u201d Tom retorted. \u201cThey show you up for the spoiled brat you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at him, Joe made an unwise move with his head and pain shot along his shoulder. He winced and gritted his teeth. He felt incredibly ill. \u201cAnd they show you what might have been,\u201d he observed hoarsely. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t run away, you could be with your family now, instead of here, being jealous of my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me the combination of the safe, Joe,\u201d Tom gritted. \u201cTell me before I do something you\u2019ll regret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied, quietly. \u201cEven wearing Adam\u2019s clothes, you aren\u2019t like him, not really. You do what you have to do, Tom, and live with the results. My family will track you down, whether or not I\u2019m with you. You\u2019ll go to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d Tom cried and backhanded Joe again and again. The young man slumped in his bonds and Tom gradually brought himself under control. Realizing that Joe was unconscious again, he rose slowly. He\u2019d been mentally taunting Adam for being less than perfect, but he was worse. He\u2019d taken a liking to Joe, and yet look what he\u2019d just done to him. \u201cAnd worse,\u201d he said aloud. \u201cWhat I\u2019m about to do to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Joe opened his eyes again, the pain was still there and Tom was still there. But Tom was calm now and his eyes were cold and distant. \u201cThis is your last chance, Joe,\u201d Tom told him. \u201cTell me the combination of the safe.\u201d He deliberately drew his knife from his boot again.<\/p>\n

This time, Joe didn\u2019t bother to answer. He let his head loll back against the wood behind him, and the pain eased marginally. Blood caked his nose and mouth and Joe felt pulped. He knew that Tom would be long gone before his family got back and found their things missing. He certainly wasn\u2019t going to tell Tom the combination of the safe, and allow this man to steal their most valuable documents.<\/p>\n

The tip of the knife pricked underneath his chin. Joe opened his eyes to look at Tom. \u201cDon\u2019t move,\u201d Tom warned him, and deliberately grabbed Joe\u2019s injured shoulder.<\/p>\n

White hot pain stabbed through him, and Joe let out an incoherent yell. His body tried instinctively to curl forwards, adding more pain as the ropes binding him prevented any movement. The knife dug into him slightly further, but Joe barely felt it. The world was dark around the edges and Joe gasped for breath.<\/p>\n

Letting go, Tom watched as Joe fought the pain. He knew that there was no way that Joe was going to tell him anything. He\u2019d tried everything he knew, and still the boy held out. Rising, he shrugged. \u201cThanks for nothing, kid,\u201d he said, not sure if his captive could hear him or not. He wasn\u2019t sure he cared. Joe had awakened his conscience, and he didn\u2019t like the feeling.<\/p>\n

He went over to the blanket, drew the four corners together and tied them securely. He picked it up, slung it over his shoulder and had a last long look around. There wasn\u2019t anything else portable enough to be worth stealing. Finally, his gaze came to rest on Joe.<\/p>\n

Glazed green eyes were watching him. Joe\u2019s face was caked in blood, swollen and bruised; his hands and feet were bound and blood tricked down his throat from the nick under his chin. Yet he had a certain dignity. \u201cYou still have time to change your mind,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn, Joe, there\u2019s only one way to shut you up!\u201d Tom complained. He didn\u2019t want Joe calling out too soon to whoever came into the house. He didn\u2019t know how much time he would have to make a clean getaway and every second might count. Putting down the blanket, he went across and gagged Joe.<\/p>\n

Retrieving the blanket, he opened the door and went out. Joe slumped down, defeated at last. There was nothing else he could do to protect their belongings. He let go and slid off into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

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

It had been a completely wasted day, Adam thought, annoyed, as he rode into the yard. He\u2019d gone all the way to Carson City, only for his business contact to not turn up and not send any word. A cold, damp ride in both directions for nothing, he grumbled.<\/p>\n

He put up Sport in the stable, noticing that Cochise was already in the stall. The horse was completely dry and it was only when Adam checked his legs that he discovered the missing shoe. There wasn\u2019t another horse missing, so Adam surmised that Joe had remained at home that day. Adam\u2019s annoyance spilled over onto Joe, and he began to silently berate his brother in his thoughts.<\/p>\n

As he left the barn, Adam saw the house door open and drew in his breath to let rip at Joe. So it was with total shock that he saw himself leaving the house. For an instant the two men looked at each other disbelievingly. Then, the one by the door said, \u201cDamn me if it isn\u2019t St. Adam! Why am I not surprised you\u2019re here?\u201d<\/p>\n

That incredible statement didn\u2019t make any sense to Adam at all, so he disregarded it. What did make sense to him was the blanket slung over the man\u2019s shoulder, and the clothes he was wearing. Without being truly aware of it, Adam drew his gun. \u201cHold it!\u201d he warned. \u201cDrop the blanket.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving slowly, the other man let the blanket down to the ground. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to drop it,\u201d he explained. \u201cJoe spent so long trying to stop me getting this stuff, I\u2019d hate for it to be broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fear flared through Adam\u2019s heart. \u201cJoe!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cWhat have you done to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still alive, and moralizing, don\u2019t worry,\u201d the other returned sarcastically. \u201cAnd thanks for the clothes, they fit real fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPut your hands up,\u201d Adam told him. \u201cWe\u2019re going inside.\u201d He gestured with his gun fractionally.<\/p>\n

At that moment, Tom drew his gun and fired at Adam. Adam sensed rather than saw the movement, and dived sideways, feeling the air ripple as the bullet missed him by inches. Even as he dived, Adam shot back, and saw his bullet strike his opponent in the upper arm. Tom\u2019s gun clattered to the ground and he dropped to his knees, scrambling for it.<\/p>\n

Further up the road, Hoss and Ben exchanged worried glances as they heard the shots and spurred their horses into a gallop. Hoss had been concerned when Charlie came to tell him he couldn\u2019t find Joe, and Hoss had gone into town to get Ben. He\u2019d met his father on the way, as the Association meeting had finished much earlier than expected, and they rode back together.<\/p>\n

As they raced into the yard, they saw what looked like two Adams lying on the ground, shooting at one another. For an instant, they froze, unable to believe their eyes, then one of the men shot at them and they hastily dismounted and took cover.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben called.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa,\u201d he shouted back and ducked as his alter ego took another pot shot at him.<\/p>\n

By now, Tom had worked his way into cover. He sent a fusillade of shots at the Cartwrights, then took his chance and fled. Adam saw the movement and leapt to his feet. Ben reacted to Adam and rose, too. \u201cGet him!\u201d Adam cried, but Ben\u2019s head was cooler.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait!\u201d he shouted. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe? We need to find him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s inside,\u201d Adam told him. He hesitated, but concern won out over anger, and he hurried inside, with Ben and Hoss following. Hoss picked up the blanket on the way.<\/p>\n

Ben bumped into Adam, who had stopped just inside the door, gazing at Joe in shock. \u201cJoe!\u201d he breathed. Hoss took one look, turned on his heel and called, \u201cI\u2019ll get the doctor,\u201d as he exited the house.<\/p>\n

They hurried across to Joe\u2019s side. Ben was scared to touch him at first terrified that he would do Joe more harm. \u201cJoe?\u201d he said, softly, removing the gag. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly Joe stirred and opened his eyes. \u201cPa?\u201d he slurred. He looked round, carefully not moving his head and saw Adam. A smile flitted briefly across his face and was gone. \u201cHi, Adam,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI just saw your double.\u201d<\/p>\n

If it hadn\u2019t been for the fact they, too, had seen him, Ben and Adam would have thought Joe had lost his mind. \u201cWe saw him, too,\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Tom?\u201d Joe asked, trying to sit up and immediately biting back a cry of pain. Adam was working on freeing his hands, horrified by the raw skin under the ropes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you mean my double,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cI shot him and he got away. Empty handed, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to stop him,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cBut he beat me. I wouldn\u2019t give him the combination of the safe, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, son,\u201d Ben replied, not caring about his safe, only caring about his son, but knowing that Joe needed reassurance. \u201cJoe, we\u2019re going to move you upstairs. Where does it hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy shoulder,\u201d Joe mumbled. \u201cI think I broke something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, you just stay still and let us do the work,\u201d Ben told him. He saw Joe brace himself for the pain, and although they were as careful as they could be, Joe couldn\u2019t take it, and passed out once more. That made it easier for Ben and Adam and by the time Joe roused again, he was in his own bed, his blood stained clothing had been removed and Ben was washing his face with infinite tenderness.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he murmured. Pain was shooting through his arms in waves and when he tried to move his head to look, he was unable to prevent the cry that escaped his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe, easy,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cHoss has gone for the doctor; he\u2019ll be here soon.\u201d He stroked the tangled curls back from Joe\u2019s face. \u201cCan you tell me what happened, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I get some water?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cAnd where\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, buddy,\u201d Adam replied, having come back into the room as Joe spoke. \u201cI was just putting some things away.\u201d He leaned over the bed and smiled at Joe. \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTerrible,\u201d Joe admitted as Ben helped him raise his head to drink. He drank his fill, then lay back with relief. \u201cFor a split second, I thought he was you, Adam,\u201d Joe began and haltingly told his tale. Finally, he was finished and he closed his eyes briefly. \u201cI don\u2019t know what I was thinking of when I offered to go with him,\u201d he admitted ruefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had a knock on the head,\u201d Ben reminded him gently. He\u2019d felt the knot on the side of Joe\u2019s skull. \u201cYour thinking was probably muddled. Did you have a headache?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still do,\u201d Joe told him and his readiness to admit to his injuries was enough to tell Ben that his son was slightly concussed. \u201cWhat time is it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout supper time, according to my stomach,\u201d Adam joked. Joe smiled briefly. \u201cWhen did Tom burst in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess it was about 10 am,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cIt was a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was indeed!\u201d Ben agreed. He hadn\u2019t realized that Joe had been a prisoner that long. \u201cYou rest, Joe. The doctor will be here soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe said, looking at his brother. \u201cHe told me \u2013 he told me he\u2019d read your journals. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anger poured through Adam for a moment at the thought of some stranger reading his journals. He forced a smile at Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, buddy,\u201d he told him. \u201cFrom what you said, you did everything you could to prevent him ransacking the house. Stop apologizing and start being proud of yourself. You kept him so busy that we managed to get home in time to stop him stealing our things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you home so early?\u201d Joe asked, and first Adam and then Ben told Joe about their day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was so afraid for Charlie,\u201d Joe muttered. \u201cAnd for Hoss, walking in on that.\u201d He yawned and winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be long now,\u201d Ben soothed, hoping he spoke the truth. Joe needed medical attention now.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s Paul now,\u201d Adam announced from the window. He opened the bedroom door and a few minutes later, Paul and Hoss appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it this time?\u201d Paul asked, cheerfully, before settling down to his job.<\/p>\n

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

After a couple of days in bed, Joe was soon up and around again. He was still stiff and sore, but his right arm was in a sling and the figure 8 bandages kept his broken collar bone in place. Ben, Adam and Hoss had replaced all the things in the blanket back in the places where they belonged. Nothing was damaged. Even the glass in the photo frames had survived.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe really did look like Adam, didn\u2019 he?\u201d Hoss asked, as they sat drinking coffee after supper that evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo begin with,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cBut not really when you saw him more closely. The resemblance was superficial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing too!\u201d Adam declared. \u201cI\u2019d hate for people to think I was a criminal!\u201d Tom was still at large and Joe had the odd feeling that he wouldn\u2019t be caught. He wondered if they would ever meet again. They had discussed Tom several times.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Joe said, quietly. \u201cThe resemblance was only skin deep.\u201d He had thought about Tom a lot in the last few days. Under the tough exterior was someone, Joe felt, who wanted to give up his hard life and go home, but could never do it. Joe pitied him, despite everything Tom had done to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt weren\u2019t even that deep on the skin,\u201d Hoss commented, totally missing what Joe was trying to say. \u201cJist at first glance. Even in Adam\u2019s duds, he weren\u2019t that alike.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cSure wish we\u2019d managed to catch that feller!\u201d Tom\u2019s tracks had led away from the house and vanished abruptly.<\/p>\n

From his seat across the room from Joe, Adam smiled. He knew what Joe meant. \u201cThank you,\u201d he replied. \u201cThat means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the truth,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cI wonder if he\u2019ll ever come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cHe\u2019ll be long gone from this territory. You\u2019ll never see him again.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

High up in the Sierra mountains, Tom fed some twigs to his fire. He glanced back in the direction of the Ponderosa. \u201cYou\u2019d better live, Joe Cartwright,\u201d he said aloud. \u201cBecause we\u2019re going to meet again one day, I promise you that!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Next Story in the Only Skin Deep Series:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toil and Trouble<\/a>
\nWolf in the Fold<\/a>
\nA Fresh Start<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 When a chance thief breaks into the Ponderosa, Joe finds himself at the mercy of a killer who looks only too familiar.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(9,170 words)<\/p>\n

Only Skin Deep Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":3865,"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,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[14,16],"class_list":["post-5611","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"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Bad_Day2.jpg?fit=555%2C468&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611","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=5611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}