Rating: T<\/p>\n
Word Count=6537<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0<\/span>WHN for The Lawmaker. Asa Moran was riding high as acting sheriff after killing those two would-be robbers at the Express Office. When Adam investigates, Moran is determined to bring the high-and-mighty Cartwrights down. This story includes several scenes that were “missing” from the episode.<\/span><\/p>\n I do not own Bonanza or the Cartwrights. No copyright infringement is intended against the script for The Lawmaker written by John A. Johns and Dick Nelson. Portions of their dialogue are used in this story. All original plot elements are property of the author. This story is for entertainment purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Seeds of Doubt<\/strong><\/p>\n Adam had been suspicious of Asa Moran\u2019s story about the robbery at the Express Office since he first heard the tale circulating in town. Moran was too much of a coward to confront two armed men; he was more likely to shoot them in the back rather than face them down in view of witnesses. Pa may have supported Moran as sheriff in Roy\u2019s absence, but the man was now drunk with power and was far too dangerous. After Lou Palmer, one of the Ponderosa hands, had staggered to the doorstep of the ranch with a face that spoke of a severe beating, Pa began to understand how power had corrupted a man as weak as Virginia City\u2019s acting sheriff.\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n Reviewer: jojay Anonymous Adam would have made a great lawyer<\/strong><\/a>. Thanks for the story!<\/p>\n Author’s Response: <\/em><\/p>\n Thank you, jojay.\u00a0 I’m pleased to know you enjoyed this.<\/em><\/p>\n
Moran hadn\u2019t been Roy\u2019s first choice for the job and had only been suggested because Ben wouldn\u2019t accept or volunteer a son and other men suggested were earning more than they would as sheriff. Ben had had doubts about Moran because of an incident at a stock show several years ago in which Adam\u2019s bull won the blue ribbon; Adam hadn\u2019t given a second thought about that incident, but Moran apparently couldn\u2019t let his grudge drift downstream and forget about it. Roy thought Moran, even though down on his luck most of the time, would make a fine lawman for Virginia City and Ben placed that nagging seed of worry back on a high shelf out of reach.\u00a0<\/span>
Ever since the incident at the Express Office two nights ago, and his receipt of the reward for killing those two would-be robbers, Moran had let the power of his office go to his head; he began to strut the streets and intimidate those whom he didn\u2019t care for. Adam had been suspicious of Moran\u2019s story when he first heard it from the man himself at the Silver Dollar. According to the sheriff, he\u2019d had to kill those two men during a blazing gun battle; Adam thought it odd that a man hardly known for bravery had held his courage while exchanging shots in such a tight space as the alley. Even odder was that no one in town seemed to have heard the gun battle.<\/span>
Then there was Lou. The hand told them that the sheriff beat him for no good reason. Moran\u2019s story was that Palmer had threatened him and he\u2019d had to defend himself from the larger man. If Palmer had actually threatened the sheriff, why wasn\u2019t he in jail?\u00a0<\/span>
The key to finding the truth about Moran\u2019s involvement in the events of the last two days lay with Charlie Finch, the deputy. Finch, Moran\u2019s hired hand before being deputized, was a man who could be easily led and manipulated but, unlike his boss, he had a conscience. If those men at the Express Office had been unarmed and if Lou Palmer had done nothing to provoke the sheriff, Adam knew he\u2019d be able to chisel away at the lies concocted by Moran and the deputy would tell the entire story.\u00a0<\/span>
Adam sauntered into the Silver Dollar and saw Finch sitting at a table eating lunch. Moran was nowhere in sight so the deputy wouldn\u2019t be under any pressure to relate the story the way the sheriff wanted. He sat down at the table and the bartender brought over a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. A couple of drinks might loosen Finch\u2019s tongue and help the truth come out. Adam helped himself to the bread as he worked at loosening Finch\u2019s memory.<\/span>
\u201cI keep tellin\u2019 you I was nowhere near this place last night. So how could I know what happened?\u201d asked Finch when questioned about his boss pistol-whipping Palmer.<\/span>
\u201cWell Asa didn\u2019t tell you about it, huh?\u201d asked Adam.<\/span>
\u201cHe don\u2019t tell me everything he does. Mr. Moran\u2019s pretty busy. He\u2019s got a lot on his mind these days.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYeah, I bet he has. Those two dead men. You were there when they were killed, weren\u2019t you, Charlie?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSure I was.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cRight in the middle of all that shootin\u2019.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell I wasn\u2019t right in the middle of it. I was off a ways, but I could see it all good enough.\u201d<\/span>
Adam was surprised to hear that Moran was the sole shooter in that alley. \u201cWell you could see it but you let Asa do all the shootin\u2019? Why didn\u2019t you help him out? Isn\u2019t that what a deputy\u2019s for?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI didn\u2019t expect to do no shootin\u2019. It happened pretty fast.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou went to stop two men who were robbing the Express Office and you didn\u2019t think you\u2019d have to shoot.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSure I did; but Mr. Moran, he yelled in and told \u2018em to throw their guns outside and they did that and they come out.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe told \u2018em what?\u201d Adam had been half expecting to hear that Asa shot those men in the back; he hadn\u2019t anticipated hearing that the would-be robbers had exited the Express Office unarmed.<\/span>
Charlie sounded exasperated. What did Adam not understand? \u201cMr. Moran yelled and told \u2018em to throw their guns out. And to come out.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCome out with their hands up?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThey was tryin\u2019 to fight us. That\u2019s how come he shot \u2018em.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell how? Without their guns?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell when the first one come out he tripped\u2026 and it looked like he was goin\u2019 after that gun right enough\u2026and it all happened pretty fast. Oh you got me so mixed up!\u201d<\/span>
Finch admitted that those men had been unarmed instead of going for their guns but then tried to say he was confused. Adam knew he was finally hearing the truth when he heard Moran\u2019s voice behind him.<\/span>
\u201cNow what are you mixed up about, Charlie?\u201d<\/span>
Adam slowly turned to see Moran standing behind him and almost gloating. The man was overly confident that everyone in town, including Judge Jackson, believed every word of his version of last night\u2019s events.<\/span>
\u201cAbout the two men at the Express Office. About how you shot it out with two men who had no guns. Well that sounds a little different from the way you\u2019ve told it.\u201d Adam could see the fear in Moran\u2019s eyes at being caught in a lie.<\/span>
\u201cI told you, Adam, that weren\u2019t the way it was,\u201d said Charlie. Adam had turned back to the deputy, expecting to hear more of what actually happened in that alley.<\/span>
\u201cWell I bet Judge Jackson would like to hear from you two how it really was. I bet he\u2019d like to hear about Lou Palmer, too. Yeah, I\u2019m sure he\u2019d like to hear how it really was with Lou,\u201d replied Adam.<\/span>
\u201cNow wait a minute, you\u2019re not gonna go talkin\u2019\u2026\u201d Moran\u2019s fear turned to anger. How dare a Cartwright dispute a sheriff\u2019s accounting of events? Those Cartwrights, Adam especially, seemed to think that they were above the law and could twist the judge\u2019s ear to smear his reputation. Moran couldn\u2019t let Adam utter a word of what actually happened last night to the judge or anyone else. He drew his gun and laid a savage blow with the butt against Adam\u2019s head; the man immediately passed into unconsciousness.<\/span>
\u201cYou hit him pretty hard, Mr. Moran.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe asked for it. Let\u2019s cart his carcass over to the jailhouse.\u201d<\/span>
The two lawmen pulled Adam to his feet and began to drag him over to the jail. Moran realized that he\u2019d have to put his truth on the table so everyone would see that he was only doing his duty as Virginia City\u2019s protector. Passing Vicki, a saloon girl, on the way out, he told her, \u201cThese poor Cartwrights can\u2019t hold their liquor.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
He didn\u2019t see the shocked and suspicious expression on the girl\u2019s face. She knew the truth of what just happened and needed to tell someone with a reputation for honesty before the sheriff struck again. It was one thing to shoot robbers or beat a cowhand; it was another to nearly kill a Cartwright.<\/span>
*<\/span>
Hoss and Joe walked into the Silver Dollar, hoping to find Adam. They hadn\u2019t seen him since they put the horses up at the Livery. Hopefully, he\u2019d found out why Moran had beaten Lou Palmer so severely\u2014Palmer could be loud and a bit obnoxious, yet the man didn\u2019t have a mean streak. They could only figure that Palmer had teased the acting sheriff about something, setting off the man\u2019s temper. How else to explain what had happened?<\/span>
Entering the saloon, both men looked around for their brother before sidling up to the bar and ordering beers. Adam wasn\u2019t here, so maybe he was with Pa. Moran wasn\u2019t here, either, so hopefully people would feel free to talk without worry of reprisal. Hoss turned from the bar as he sipped his beer and caught Vickie\u2019s subtle nod. With a nudge to his younger brother, the two men walked over to the table and had a seat.<\/span>
\u201cHow is everything?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span>
Vickie nervously looked around and licked her lips; if word got back to Asa that she was telling the truth about recent events, she might lose more than her job. \u201cAsa\u2019s let that badge go to his head.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWe know that,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cLou Palmer staggered up to our place. He was beat something awful.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDid he tell you why?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe told us Asa did it,\u201d said Joe.<\/span>
\u201cIt was because he was having a beer with me. Asa\u2019s got this idea that I\u2019m his girl, but it\u2019s my job to be friendly with customers. Lou was a customer last night and Asa couldn\u2019t stand that.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe couldn\u2019t stand you bein\u2019 friendly with another man or bein\u2019 friendly with Lou?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>
Vickie sipped at a glass of whiskey and said, \u201cBecause I was with Lou and he couldn\u2019t keep his mouth shut when Asa came over.”<\/span>
Hoss took a swig of his beer and thought about all of Adam\u2019s suspicions about Moran. He, Pa, and even Joe thought that Adam was being overly critical of the sheriff. Now\u2026now it was obvious that Adam had been right all along. \u201cHave ya seen Adam?\u201d<\/span>
Vickie again glanced around nervously and leaned across the table towards her companions. \u201cAdam was in here earlier talking to Charlie about that holdup at the Express Office. Charlie said that Asa killed those two men in cold blood.\u201d She nervously looked around again before continuing. \u201cAdam said he was gonna go to the Judge but Asa lost his temper. He hit Adam\u2014hit him hard\u2014upside the head with his gun. When he and Charlie took Adam outta here, he looked bad off. Asa told everyone that Adam was drunk, but he\u2019s always been able to hold his liquor.\u201d She saw Hoss\u2019 and Joe\u2019s jaws clenching in anger and was afraid of what would happen if they confronted the sheriff, telling him where they heard this news. Placing a hand on Hoss\u2019 arm, Vickie begged, \u201cPromise me you won\u2019t tell Asa that I told you!\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhere\u2019s Adam now?\u201d asked Joe in a menacing tone.<\/span>
\u201cIn\u2026in jail. Asa and Charlie took him over to the jail.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHow bad\u2019s he hurt?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2026I don\u2019t know. Your brother looked bad off. Please\u2026please don\u2019t tell Asa I told you.\u201d<\/span>
Joe patted Vickie\u2019s hand and told her, \u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/span>
With a gulp, he finished his beer and said, \u201cCome on,\u201d to Hoss. She watched the two men leave the saloon, worried about what Asa might do to her for telling the truth.<\/span>
*<\/span>
Heading for the sheriff\u2019s office, Hoss and Joe stopped when they heard their father\u2019s voice.<\/span>
\u201cHey, Joe! Hoss! Where are ya off to in such a rush?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cGoin\u2019 to the jail to get Adam,\u201d said Joe.<\/span>
\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Ben in disbelief.<\/span>
\u201cYeah, Asa\u2019s got him behind bars in there,\u201d added Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cAsa hit him over the head with a gun,\u201d said Joe, his nostrils flaring with his temper.<\/span>
\u201cHe what?!?\u201d asked Ben angrily.<\/span>
\u201cWhat are we doin\u2019 standin\u2019here gabbin\u2019?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cLet\u2019s go get Adam,\u201d he said heading for the door to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/span>
\u201cWait a minute! Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Look–I\u2019ll go in there myself.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPa\u2014you against both of them?\u201d asked Hoss with a touch of worry in his voice.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m not gonna be against anybody. Now we\u2019re gonna stick to the law and that\u2019s all of us. You two wait out here.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPa, I think\u2026,\u201d started Joe.<\/span>
\u201cI said wait out here. I\u2019m just as mad about this thing as you are but you are too dadblamed hot-tempered. Both of you!\u201d Ben headed for the door and realized he should take off his gunbelt so Moran couldn\u2019t claim that he\u2019d tried to draw down on an officer of the law. Handing the gunbelt to Hoss, he said, \u201cWait outside.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
Ben went in the office intent on finding out what was going on and getting his son out of jail. \u201cI want to see Adam.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNot in my jail,\u201d answered Moran.<\/span>
There was a familiar voice wafting in the air; Adam tried to remember who it belonged to but the pain was wrestling for control of his mind. The voice became louder and then was joined by other voices. Riding a wave of pain to its crest, the picture of a dark-eyed man with silver hair formed briefly behind his eyes before fading. There was a name for that face. The name Pa formed in the spray of another wave of pain. Pa was here.<\/span>
Loud noises came from beyond the door. Adam\u2019s mind interpreted the crashes and bangs as part of the sea of pain that he was adrift in.\u00a0<\/span>
Hands grabbed at him and pulled him from the depths of the sea. One set of hands was large yet gentle. A name belonged to those hands but he couldn\u2019t pluck it from the wave.<\/span>
Hoss and Joe were both surprised at their brother\u2019s condition.<\/span>
\u201cYou all right, Adam?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cOh, yeah.\u201d<\/span>
He opened his eyes and felt that the light was piercing his head and shattering his mind like a window pane smashed to smithereens by a rock. He shut his eyes and trusted in the hands that were supporting him.<\/span>
\u201cWe better get him to the doc quick, Joe.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe\u2019s got a crack on the head.\u201d<\/span>
Joe went to help Pa while Hoss helped his older brother out of the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/span>
\u201cYou\u2019re takin\u2019 him outta here?\u201d asked Moran in disbelief.<\/span>
\u201cTakin\u2019 him to the doctor,\u201d answered Ben.<\/span>
\u201cYou take that prisoner outta here an\u2019 I\u2019m gonna be after you! I\u2019m gonna be after you with everyone in town behind me!\u201d the lawman growled in warning.<\/span>
\u201cYou come ahead, Asa. We\u2019ll be over at Doc Martin\u2019s house at the edge of town,\u201d answered Ben, his eyes and voice sparking with the flames of anger. \u201cYou\u2019ll find us there.\u201d<\/span>
Any other man would have retreated several steps backwards after seeing that look in Ben\u2019s eyes and hearing that warning tone in his voice. Moran, though, wasn\u2019t going to let someone as powerful as a Cartwright disobey his laws.<\/span>
******************************<\/span>
Hoss was supporting his brother while he managed to shuffle along just at the surface of awareness. Feeling Adam\u2019s weight shift as his knees began buckling, Hoss quickly scooped him into his arms. \u201cAdam!\u201d The unconscious man didn\u2019t respond\u2014not even a moan. There was a knot of fear in Hoss\u2019 belly as he carried his brother to Dr. Martin\u2019s office; Vickie said Moran hit him hard and the bruising on the side of his head proved that. Thank goodness Adam lived up to that Yankee granite head nickname Joe liked to toss around.<\/span>
Ben and Joe caught up to Hoss and the elder Cartwright blanched with worry. Adam had been right about Moran all along but he thought his son\u2019s suspicions were unfounded. Neither of them had witnessed the events at the Express Office yet Adam immediately had a hunch that the acting sheriff created a new truth about what had actually happened. When Lou Palmer said that Moran beat him, Adam reiterated his mistrust about the man.<\/span>
People on the sidewalk stopped to gawk and whispers were exchanged as the Cartwrights made their way across town. The sheriff and his deputy had dragged Adam over to the jail several hours earlier, saying he was drunk and disorderly. If the Cartwrights were taking one of their own out of jail, that must mean they thought they were above the law. Would Sheriff Coffee have let those Cartwrights get away with something like this?<\/span>
*<\/span>
Dr. Martin was surprised to see Adam carried into his office. \u201cOver here,\u201d he told Hoss, pointing to the couch. Hoss laid his precious burden down and retreated so the doctor would have room to work.<\/span>
\u201cWho did this?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cMoran,\u201d said Ben with a snort.<\/span>
The doctor checked over Adam\u2019s limbs and chest to make sure there were no other injuries; the head wound looked bad enough. The bruising indicated a sharp blow with a blunt instrument, no doubt the butt of a gun since Moran was involved. \u201cHow long ago did this happen?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cAt least an hour,\u201d said Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cThat Moran is a menace to this town,\u201d observed the doctor while he checked Adam\u2019s pupils. The man had a severe concussion and was lucky to still be breathing; any other man would have likely been killed by such a blow. He gently wiped away the clotted blood for a better look at the wound and was surprised that the skull wasn\u2019t exposed; there was a good dent in his patient\u2019s head, though. The doctor realized that he\u2019d have to rely on Adam\u2019s constitution to pull him through this.<\/span>
\u201cCan you do anything for him?\u201d asked Ben as he sat down on the couch by his son.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019ll be honest with you,\u201d said Paul, \u201cthere\u2019s not much that modern medicine can do in a case like this. Adam\u2019s a strong young man so he stands a good chance of pulling through this. I think it\u2019ll take more than a knock to the head to bring your eldest down.\u201d<\/span>
Ben looked at the doctor, fear evident in his eyes with a flame of anger sparking to life. The doctor realized that he needed a reason to keep Ben in the surgery and away from Moran. \u201cTry talking to him, Ben. Maybe your voice will get through to him.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShould we leave?\u201d asked Hoss. He wanted to go over to the sheriff\u2019s office and beat a pound of vengeance out of Moran, the law be damned.<\/span>
\u201cNo. I think it would help Adam if you all stayed here. If he hears your voices and realizes that he\u2019s with family, he\u2019s more likely to come back to us.\u201d<\/span>
Ben laid a hand gently on his eldest\u2019s knee and leaned forward to look at the pale, waxy face. \u201cSon? Adam? I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/span>
*<\/span>
After getting warrants from Judge Jackson, Moran went over to the saloon to garner support for arresting Ben and his sons. Everyone knew those Cartwrights believed they were above the law and thought their money and name gave them more rights than the common man.<\/span>
\u201cKeep your mouth shut, Charlie, and let me do all the talkin\u2019.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYes, Sir, Mr. Moran.\u201d<\/span>
The two lawmen entered the saloon and Moran adjusted his badge and gunbelt just in case anyone needed reminding who was in charge of Virginia City. A good-sized crowd had trickled into the saloon, so the lawman believed that a few beers would help sway opinion to his side.<\/span>
\u201cMen! Beers are on me. Bartender\u2014make sure every man gets a beer.\u201d<\/span>
A cheer went up in the saloon as the bartender placed several pitchers on the bar top. Men filled their glasses and toasted the sheriff. Moran waited until every man had had at least one free beer before speaking.<\/span>
\u201cYou men know that I was asked to fill in as lawman when Sheriff Coffee was injured during that holdup. And you men know that I killed those two no good skunks who tried to rob the Express Office.\u201d<\/span>
A loud cheer went up from the crowd. Everyone knew the story of how Moran had killed those two men and collected a substantial reward. Their sheriff proved he was a hero who wouldn\u2019t put up with lawbreakers.<\/span>
\u201cIf I let one man break the law in Virginia City, then I haven\u2019t upheld my oath to protect this town. No man is above the law here.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d shouted out a voice from the crowd.<\/span>
\u201cYou men have probably heard how I had to arrest Adam Cartwright earlier today in this very saloon.\u201d He heard several sounds of agreement from the crowd. \u201cCartwright got drunk and then tried to assault my deputy. If I hadn\u2019t stepped in, who knows what he would have done to good old Charlie.\u201d He added to his performance with a pat to his deputy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHis father and brothers came over to my jail with their guns drawn and they threatened to kill me and Charlie if I didn\u2019t let Adam out.\u201d The crowd gasped at this revelation. \u201cSure the Cartwrights are rich and powerful, but we can\u2019t let jail-breakers, no matter their name, try to run this town!\u201d A loud cheer went up and toasts were made to the sheriff.\u00a0<\/span>
Charlie glanced over the crowd nervously\u2014it was one thing for the sheriff to hold a grudge against the Cartwrights but it was another to get everyone worked up enough to want to arrest them all. He knew better than to say anything, though\u2014he could easily end up like that Lou Palmer, or even Adam, if Moran lost his temper.<\/span>
\u201cBen and his boys took Adam over to the Doc\u2019s house to hide him there. They figured that they\u2019d drag the innocent doctor into their plot to overthrow the law here. Are we gonna let those jail-breakers try to run this town?\u201d<\/span>
A shout of \u201cNo!\u201d went up from the crowd.<\/span>
Holding up some papers, Moran gestured for the crowd to quiet down. \u201cI\u2019ve got warrants signed by Judge Jackson for the arrest of Ben Cartwright and his sons. Now who\u2019s with me to bring those jail-breakers to justice?\u201d<\/span>
Another loud cheer went up as men set down their beers and crowded around the sheriff. Moran smiled in triumph as men patted his back and expressed their support for him.<\/span>
*<\/span>
Realizing that Ben, Hoss, and Joe expected him to do something\u2014anything\u2014the doctor began wrapping Adam\u2019s head in bandages. A low moan escaped Adam\u2019s lips and Ben leaned forward hoping his son was coming around. \u201cAdam? Can you hear me, Son?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cPa?\u201d he asked weakly, barely opening his eyes.<\/span>
\u201cCan you see me?\u201d<\/span>
Adam\u2019s vision was blurred but he could see silver hair. \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/span>
Ben placed a hand on his eldest\u2019s knee and tried to will Adam to open his eyes further. He wished he\u2019d talked Roy out of choosing Moran as acting sheriff and he wished he\u2019d given his son\u2019s (and his own) doubts more concern. No one would have thought the seemingly timid Asa Moran would have been capable of the violence he\u2019d done in Virginia City the past couple of days, but the man was using the badge as an excuse for his true nature to emerge from hiding; unfortunately, Ben realized it took his son nearly dying to make that evident.<\/span>
Hearing Adam\u2019s voice, Paul took a closer look at his patient. His eyes were clear, the pupils were the same size, and his coloring was much better. The doctor finished the bandaging and began to put his instruments away.<\/span>
Adam squinted at his father\u2019s worried face. \u201cWell, I should have stayed put like you told me but I had a feeling Asa didn\u2019t have to kill those two men at the Express Office.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo, Adam, I\u2019ve been a blamed fool. Just couldn\u2019t see Moran for what he really is. Some men, ya just can\u2019t trust \u2018em with authority of any kind. That was our mistake\u2014picking that kind of man.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell it\u2019s almost worth the headache to hear you admit you were wrong for once,\u201d Adam said with a wink. Hoss and Joe exchanged grins upon hearing that.<\/span>
Relieved that his son was awake and alert, Ben went over to the doctor and softly asked, \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe should be all right but only because he inherited that thick Cartwright skull. You know he came pretty close to being killed?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI hope we didn\u2019t hurt him none bringing him in from the jail,\u201d said Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cOh no, you did right. Probably saved his life, judging from the treatment those prisoners get in that jail.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss had been watching at the window and saw a crowd moving in the light. \u201cPa? Here comes Asa.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe said he\u2019d have the whole town with him,\u201d said Joe, looking out the window. \u201cHe\u2019s got a good part of it right now.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBen, you know there can\u2019t be a ruckus in here,\u201d warned Dr. Martin.<\/span>
\u201cThere isn\u2019t gonna be any ruckus\u2014in here,\u201d said Ben, putting on his gunbelt. \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 out there; you two stay here. If they get past me, stop \u2018em.\u201d<\/span>
Adam saw his father leave and wanted to get up. He tried to will himself to sit up, but his body wouldn\u2019t cooperate. A sudden spell of vertigo pulled him down into that dark sea and his eyes rolled back as he passed out.<\/span>
\u201cAdam!\u201d said Hoss.<\/span>
Joe, keeping his eye on what was going on outside, shot a quick look over to Adam. He was torn between seeing if Adam or Pa needed his help.<\/span>
The doctor was gently slapping Adam\u2019s cheeks, trying to bring him back around. \u201cGet me the smelling salts,\u201d he said to Hoss. The larger man handed him the bottle, which he waved under his patient\u2019s nose; Adam groaned but didn\u2019t open his eyes.<\/span>
\u201cIs he gonna be okay?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cHe just needs time.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss and Joe could hear the heated words that were being exchanged between Asa and Pa and they worried that the sheriff would shoot their father in cold blood. Since Adam was in good hands, both young men decided to step outside to support Pa, especially if their guns were needed.<\/span>
The crowd was beginning to turn on Asa as Ben\u2019s questions planted seeds of doubt in their minds. What if the Cartwrights hadn\u2019t taken the law into their own hands as the sheriff claimed?<\/span>
Seeing the younger men come out of the doctor\u2019s office, Asa yelled out, \u201cYou two\u2014Hoss, Joe\u2014you raise your hands! You\u2019re under arrest!\u201d<\/span>
Ben saw his chances of getting the truth from Moran slipping through his fingers. Suddenly, he realized the key to unlocking the truth was with the deputy. Charlie\u2019s conscience wouldn\u2019t let him tell Moran\u2019s lies to Adam so surely he\u2019d tell the truth here.<\/span>
\u201cCharlie! Charlie, didn\u2019t you take an oath to uphold and enforce the laws of Virginia City according to your ability and your conscience? Didn\u2019t you, Charlie? Isn\u2019t that right?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s right, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d answered the deputy.<\/span>
\u201cWell why don\u2019t you tell us what you told Adam about those two men at the Express Office the other night?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cQuiet, Charlie!\u201d warned the sheriff.<\/span>
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Asa? I think we should all hear what Charlie has to say. You afraid to let him tell us?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t have to stand for this. I\u2019m not on trial here. I\u2019m a law officer. I came here to arrest jail-breakers!\u201d growled Moran.<\/span>
Ben\u2019s voice was rising on a tide of anger. \u201cWhy did you arrest Adam? Because he was talking to your deputy or because he found out you killed two unarmed men?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d<\/span>
\u201cIs it?\u201d snapped Ben.<\/span>
Moran felt those seeds of doubt germinating in the crowd he\u2019d stirred up at the saloon. \u201cYou see what he\u2019s trying to do, don\u2019t ya? He\u2019s twisting everything around so I\u2019m in the wrong and he\u2019s in the right.\u201d Moran lunged as he said, \u201cJudge, you give me those warrants.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo,\u201d said the judge keeping the papers away from the sheriff.<\/span>
\u201cThey\u2019ve got to go to jail and you know it.\u201d<\/span>
The judge pushed Moran away and growled \u201cNow wait a minute.\u201d Addressing Charlie, the judge asked \u201cIs that the truth? Were those two men unarmed when Moran killed them?\u201d He hoped that he hadn\u2019t supported the sheriff\u2019s behavior the past few days out of a mistaken belief that the man was only doing what he thought was best for Virginia City.\u00a0<\/span>
Charlie\u2019s resolve crumbled and he blurted out, \u201cThat ain\u2019t the way it was! You tell \u2018em, Mr. Moran!\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDon\u2019t get riled, Charlie!\u201d said the sheriff, hoping that he could get his spineless deputy to shut his mouth.<\/span>
The deputy was panicking and said, \u201cI told everybody just like you told me to tell everybody!\u201d<\/span>
\u201cShut up!\u201d snarled Moran.<\/span>
Charlie blurted out, \u201cI told everybody how it looked like they were gonna fight\u2026”<\/span>
\u201cShut up!\u201d yelled Moran as he swung his fist at the deputy\u2019s face. The judge was stunned by the sheriff\u2019s sudden attack.<\/span>
\u201cWhat are you afraid of, Asa?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cAfraid for people to know that you shot down two men in cold blood after they threw their guns down? Afraid for people to know you pistol-whipped Lou Palmer?\u201d<\/span>
The sheriff reached for his gun but Ben was faster; his bullet struck home, killing Moran. After the sheriff fell, Ben plucked the badge from the man\u2019s shirt. \u201cNever shot at one of these before.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou didn\u2019t shoot at the badge, Ben. You shot at the man.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYeah,\u201d replied Ben even though there was very little comfort in that thought.<\/span>
The crowd began trickling away and one man stopped to help Charlie up. Most of the men headed back for the saloon, hoping to drink away the feeling that they\u2019d come close to arresting innocent men to cover up the actions of a weak-willed sheriff.<\/span>
Placing a hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder, the judge said, \u201cSee to your son. Make sure he\u2019s all right.\u201d Ben wearily entered the doctor\u2019s office, still holding Roy\u2019s badge.<\/span>
Hoss and Joe turned to go back inside but the judge stopped them. \u201cWould one of you boys consider acting as sheriff until Roy can return to duty?\u201d<\/span>
The two men exchanged glances and then looked at the doorway. Virginia City needed a lawman but Adam needed them more.<\/span>
\u201cI know you\u2019re worried about your brother, but someone needs to keep order here. You boys check with your father.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCain\u2019t you just send a telegram to Roy, asking him to come back?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cYou know the sheriff needs time for that leg to heal. Talk to your father and then I\u2019ll swear one of you in.” The judge then headed for home, confident that a Cartwright would soon be upholding the law in Virginia City.<\/span>
Hoss and Joe went back into the doctor\u2019s office to see their father sitting on the couch with a hand on Adam\u2019s knee. \u201cAdam okay?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span>
\u201cYes,\u201d answered Dr. Martin. \u201cHe\u2019s a strong young man and it\u2019s normal for a person to pass between consciousness and unconsciousness in cases like this. He\u2019ll just need some time for that crack in his skull to heal.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019m gonna go get us some rooms,\u201d announced Joe, heading for the door.<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019ll stay here with Adam. You two go ahead and get a room. I\u2019ll see you in the morning.\u201d<\/span>
Joe and Hoss exchanged a glance and said, \u201cGood night, Pa,\u201d as they headed for the door.<\/span>
Paul tried hard to stifle a yawn after the younger Cartwrights left but he didn\u2019t have much luck. Ben looked up and said, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to keep me company. I\u2019ll just sit here with Adam.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cDo you need anything? How about some coffee?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cNo, no I\u2019m all right. You go on to bed. I\u2019ll get you if anything changes.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cGet some rest, Ben. Adam\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d<\/span>
After the doctor retired, Ben was left alone with his thoughts. Moran had fooled them all with that story about the events at the Express Office. When Adam had raised doubts about what happened, he\u2019d reminded his son that they weren\u2019t there to see the robbery unfold. Now, of course, he wished that he\u2019d listened instead of supporting the sheriff. He snorted as he realized that it took one of his ranch hands nearly being beaten to death to see what a menace Moran actually was. The man was weak in both mind and spirit and being sheriff finally gave him power over others for the first time in his life. It was easy to see that weakness now, in hindsight, yet Adam had seen it from the outset.<\/span>
Lost in thought, Ben was startled to feel pressure on his arm. Looking down, he saw his son\u2019s eyes half-opened.<\/span>
\u201cPa? What\u2019s wrong? Joe? Hoss?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cThey\u2019re over at the hotel.”<\/span>
\u201cAsa?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2026I killed him.\u201d Ben sighed heavily with weariness. \u201cI\u2019ve never shot a lawman down, Adam.\u201d<\/span>
The younger man was surprised to hear that. If Pa had killed Moran it was only because he\u2019d been forced to do so. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/span>
With a thin smile on his lips, Ben said, \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be sorry about. Asa tried to kill you to cover up his lies. I should have suspected his version of the Express Office robbery from the beginning but I didn\u2019t want to believe that he was that type of a man.\u201d<\/span>
Adam sighed and closed his eyes. He knew Pa would torment himself for agreeing with Roy\u2019s choice of acting lawman. \u201cWeak.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI know, Son, but it\u2019s going to take a while for you to get some strength back.\u201d<\/span>
Opening his eyes, he looked at his father and said, \u201cAsa.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHe was.\u201d Ben lapsed into thought again for a few minutes and then looked into his son\u2019s eyes. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll have to wear that badge now. Roy asked me and I said no because it would look like we Cartwrights were running this town. If I\u2019d only listened.\u201d<\/span>
Knowing Pa really didn\u2019t want the responsibility, Adam said, \u201cJoe or Hoss.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I got us into this mess; your brothers shouldn\u2019t have to clean up my mistakes.\u201d<\/span>
Adam hoped he was gripping his father\u2019s arm when he said, \u201cNo one\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/span>
Feeling tired, his eyes started to close as he drifted into a natural sleep. Ben was again left with his thoughts about seconding Roy\u2019s choice of Moran as acting sheriff. All of this could have been avoided if he\u2019d just pinned on that badge when Roy asked.<\/span>
*<\/span>
Ben awoke in the morning to the smell of coffee and biscuits. He was pleased to see Adam sitting up enough to drink a cup of coffee. His coloring appeared better and his eyes seemed more alert. Moving his head around to get the kinks out of his neck, he caught a flash from the corner of his eye\u2014Joe was wearing Roy\u2019s badge.<\/span>
\u201cJoseph, why do you have that on?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou know what. Why?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cIt was Adam\u2019s idea, Pa.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/span>
\u201cMy idea,\u201d was all Adam said before focusing on his coffee.<\/span>
\u201cAdam was awake when I came in this morning and he told me you were gonna wear Roy\u2019s badge. He said I should wear it because I\u2019m younger and have more energy.\u201d Ben glared at his youngest. \u201cMaybe I said that. Anyway, you need to take care of that granite-headed brother of mine so he\u2019ll be healed up and ready to help with the roundup next month.\u201d Joe followed this up with his sweetest smile.<\/span>
Ben snorted and shook his head. Who was weak-willed now? \u201cI\u2019m going to have a talk with Judge Jackson\u2026\u201d<\/span>
Before Ben could finish his sentence, the judge walked into Dr. Martin\u2019s office and bade everyone a good morning. Pouring a cup of coffee, he said, \u201cI hope you don\u2019t mind that I swore in Little Joe as acting sheriff. He\u2019ll do a fine job for Virginia City.\u201d<\/span>
Ben didn\u2019t like having his son selected to serve as sheriff without his permission yet realized that his sons were adults who were capable of making their own decisions. Looking first at Adam and then at Joe, he said, \u201cI\u2019m sure he will.\u201d He glanced around the room again and noticed a Cartwright was missing. \u201cWhere\u2019s your brother?\u201d<\/span>
Hoss walked into the doctor\u2019s office and said, \u201cMornin\u2019, Pa. I got you an\u2019 Adam a room over at the hotel. Is it okay to move him over there, Doc?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cIf Adam feels up to going there by this afternoon, then sure,\u201d answered the doctor.<\/span>
\u201cDon\u2019t I get a say?\u201d asked Adam.<\/span>
\u201cIf I don\u2019t, you don\u2019t,\u201d grumbled Ben. Realizing that he shouldn\u2019t take his inner turmoil about the events with Moran out on his sons, he made a short apology and got a cup of coffee.<\/span>
\u201cWhat\u2019s gonna happen to Asa\u2019s spread?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span>
\u201cMaybe Charlie would like to buy it,\u201d suggested Joe.<\/span>
Ben was grateful that Moran hadn\u2019t had a wife or children on that scrubby little ranch. The land and cattle could always be sold at auction for the taxes. Maybe he\u2019d buy the place then sell it and use the money for a fund to hire an acting sheriff if Virginia City should be in need again. He shrugged at the thought.<\/span>
\u201cWhat are ya thinkin\u2019 \u2018bout, Pa?\u201d asked Joe around a mouthful of biscuit.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHmm? Oh. Nothing.\u201d At least Virginia City would have a sheriff she could trust to uphold the law until Roy got back. \u201cWill Charlie be your deputy?\u201d<\/span>
The judge replied, \u201cCharlie\u2019s in jail as an accessory to attempted murder for the attack on Adam.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you let him out? I\u2019ll sign an affidavit and he can work for me on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI don\u2019t know, Ben. Charlie covered up all of Asa\u2019s misdeeds.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cCharlie was bullied by Moran for so long that he wasn\u2019t sure what to do. The man deserves a second chance, to work for a man who\u2019ll respect him. How about it?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou\u2019ll be responsible for him. You do understand that?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cOf course I do.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cWell, Sheriff,\u201d the judge said turning to Joe, \u201clet\u2019s go fill out the paperwork.\u201d<\/span>
After their father and brother left, Hoss mumbled, \u201cThat ol\u2019 softy.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cYou and Joe wonder where I got this granite head? He just went out the door.\u201d<\/span>
The End<\/span>
October 2008<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDate: 02 Nov 2010 12:08 pm Title: Seeds of Doubt<\/p>\n