Agnes says: Thanks for all comments. I'm so satisfied that my story touches you a lot.
"I followed you and when I knew that you were a Barkley, that your family was very rich, I wanted to take advantage of you, once
again. It is the reason that I asked you to go into the barn. I wanted to blackmail you: The money against our secret."
"It's not possible!" said Nick.
"I don't understand," said Heath.
An Old Friend
Part Five
"You are going to understand, my boy. When you came into the barn, I was not there, was I?"
The blond nodded to say, no.
"A man in the bunkhouse gave me a telegram which came from my sister. She needed me and I left immediately. I was not here for our appointment. When I came back, the men told me that somebody had beaten you. I came to see you, to tell you that it was not me, my boy. I don't want that you think that it was me, no, no, my boy."
"Ciego told us that he had seen you go towards the barn," said Jarrod.
"No, Mister Barkley, it was not me. this morning, when I left you, I went directly to the bunkhouse. A man gave me the telegram from my sister and I left."
"My boy, I am here to tell you another thing, a thing which is heavy on my conscience. Here my boy: You didn't kill anybody! I fabricated this sordid story."
Heath tried to raise his head, but his body was too much bruised, his head fell again on his pillow.
"But, you told me, that . . . that he was dead! I believed in you. Why?"
"I know, but it was wrong. I just wanted that you stay with me, that's all! It was a dirty trick., I know, I realized it. I had never met a kid like you. You deserve to be happy and to have a free spirit."
"I didn't kill anybody, you are sure?" asked Heath, crying, his tears convulsing his body.
"I'm sure, boy!"
"Thanks, Sam."
Victoria approached Heath and gave him a kiss on his forehead, before whispering these words in his ear.
"I love you and shall always love you, my sweetheart. You survived many painful moments. You were a child and nobody, you hear me, nobody, can judge you. We are there for you now, you have got a family."
"If it's not Sam who wounded Heath, who did?" said Nick, looking at the rest of his family.
"Heath, do you remember something? asked Jarrod.
"No, nothing, I'm sorry." the blond looked at his brothers.
Jarrod put his hand on Heath's forehead.
"It's not your fault, little brother."
"Wait! I thought of something. I saw Jack. This fella would do anything for some money. He spoke to one of your ranch-hands," said Sam, suddenly.
"Jack, who is he?" asked Nick who was ready to jump on the man named Jack.
"Jack and me, we worked together, we did the same thing."
"I see! With whom did your friend speak?" asked Jarrod.
"I don't know. I don't know all the names."
"Can you show us this man?" The lawyer had approached Sam.
"Of course!" Sam looked at Heath.
"I'm coming with you," said Nick, who got up immediately.
Heath had no time to hold his brother by the hand, he had already left.
"No, stop, please! Nick."
"Don't worry, Heath. I'll be there," said Jarrod.
Both men came down to join Nick, who was already in the yard. They headed right towards the bunkhouse. The men were there. Sam looked at them all, one by one.
"Jack, come and see me!" shouted Sam.
The man was the same age as Sam. He went towards him and looked at him with an inquisitive eye.
"What's happening, Sam?"
Sam made the introductions, then, entered the thick of things. He explained to his friend that the Brothers' Barkley were looking for the man with whom, he had recently discussed something.
"How should I remember that?" said the man, surprised by the question.
"You seemed to be plotting something with him, near enough, some days ago, a brown-haired man, he is always with two other fellas."
The man knew something and he seemed annoyed by Sam's insistence.
"Ah, that fella!"
"What's your name? What did you plan?" asked Jarrod.
The lawyer had been able to hold Nick, until there, but his nerves had been tested severely and the cowboy boiled in himself.
"I don't know what you want me to say." The man was defensive.
Nick jumped on the man, pinned him against the wall of the bunkhouse. He had put his arm on Jack's throat, just allowing him to breathe a little.
"You are going to tell me! Who is the man and what did you plot?"
Nick was beside himself, his eyes black with anger. Jarrod, seeing that the man could no longer breathe, put his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Let him go, Nick!" Jarrod tried to break Nick's grip.
!I want that he says it to me, Pappy!" The cowboy had tears in his eyes.
"I advise you to speak. I can't stop him indefinitely," said Jarrod, his fingers wrinkled on Nick's black leather jacket.
Once the grip loosened, Jack put his shirt back in place and began to speak. He explained that the man had asked him for a service against some money, but he had not accepted the deal, too dangerous for his taste. He also explained, that the man knew that there were some troubles between Sam and the Barkley bastard. That the man asked him to belt this young bastard, that he had a score to settle with him for a long time. And that the man who would have been suspected, would have been Sam.
"Who is he? I'm asking you again!" asked Nick, raising his fist.
"His name is Barrett," said Jack.
Jarrod and Nick looked at each other.
"Damn! I should have fired him the first time that he took an interest in this kid," said Nick, wiping away his tears.
During this time, Barrett, who suspected nothing, entered the bunkhouse and a murmur started up. The men moved away from him. Barrett was alone, in the middle of room, face to face with the Brothers' Barkley. But, when he saw Jack's face, he knew immediately and he took a chair and threw it on Nick. Nick had just the time to raise his arm to avoid it. Barrett wanted to go out, but the men of the bunkhouse had settled in front of the door, leaving him to his fate. Barrett rushed on Nick, rage curling his lips and a terrible fight began between both men. Jarrod knew that he could not stop his brother, so, he took another chair and broke it on Barrett's head. The battle finished.
"Pappy, why?" said Nick, full of hot blood.
"Think of Heath, little brother, think of him," said Jarrod, his hand on his brother's head.
"You are right. Take him away. The kid needs me. He would not have wanted this. I'm going to see him, now."
All the men of the bunkhouse applauded Nick's decision.
The End
