"Aw come on Buck. I can handle Casey. She's gonna like the slingshot.""JD, ain't you ever gonna learn. Sometimes a lady likes a pretty thing instead or a practical gift."
"Buck, Casey's gonna like the slingshot I'm making her."
Buck just shook her head. "So what ya gonna do when you ask her to marry you? Give her a pocket knife?"
JD was about to respond when a man dragged his wife out of the general store yelling at her. Buck and JD watched with intensity as the man threw his wife against the railing and approached her, his face red with rage.
"I told you what would happen if you talked to anyone!"
The woman cringed as she tried to back away, only to realize she was trapped by the railing. A crowd was gathering on the street. People watching and pretending to walk by, but turning to watch. "Please Tom. Not here."
"You knew better. I told you not to talk to ANYONE!"
"But Tom, it was just hello. Please, don't. Ple . . ."
The woman's words were cut off mid-speech as her husband struck her hard across the face.
Buck stood as he watched the man strike his wife hard across the face knocking her into the railing. He started walking that way, oblivious to JD's arguments to tell him to stay out of it. He watched the man grab his wife's arm roughly and shove her down the steps into the street. The woman lost her balance and fell. The man was about to kick her when Buck got there.
"We don't treat women like that in this town mister." Buck shoved the man out of the way.
The man fell into the street, the smell of alcohol on his breath. Buck shook his head and turned to the woman. She was a small woman with long dirty blonde hair. Her dark blue eyes were red with her tears that were streaking her cheeks. She looked up and flinched at first as Buck held out his hand. "Ma'am, are you okay?" Buck asked as he pulled her up.
The man watched with rage and got to his feet. Before his wife could answer Buck, he charged Buck and tackled him to the ground from behind. The two men grappled in the dirt throwing punches each trying to get the advantage over the other.
Chris stepped out from the saloon, Vin by his side, hearing the commotion. He looked up and saw two men tangling in the dust. It took him a minute, but when he saw Josiah and Nathan running over and JD's startled look, he realized that one of the men was Buck. Chris immediately headed over with Vin to break up the fight. Josiah and Nathan started to attempt to drag the two men apart, unsuccessfully. Chris grabbed on of Buck's arms, Josiah grabbing the other. They dragged him apart, Chris yelling at him, "What the hell you thinking, Buck!?"
Nathan and Vin managed to get the other man away from the situation. Vin standing in front of the man as he and Nathan tried to calm him down.
Buck looked at Chris as he stepped in front of him. "He tackled me, Chris. He hit his wife and treated her worse than a dog so I stepped in."
"You were wrong, Buck. You know better than to interfere in that."
"She's a lady, Chris. A man's not supposed to treat a lady that way."
"It ain't for you to say Buck. She's married."
"Chris."
"Buck, I'll throw you in jail if I have to, that is if he doesn't decide to press charges."
"He attacked me."
Chris glared at Buck until Buck stepped back and nodded.
"Fine."
The man walked over to Chris. "Tell you're men to mind their own business, Larabee. I discipline my wife how I see fit."
Buck shot a look at the man over Chris's shoulder. "You touch her again and you won't touch her ever again. I'll see to that."
"Is that a threat mister? I know who you are. I catch you with my wife and I'll shoot you full of buckshot."
"I'd like to see you try, you're too drunk to hit the broadside of the barn."
Chris stepped in and fired his gun over his head. "ENOUGH! Buck get out of here. And you, don't ever cause a commotion like this in town again or I'll throw you in jail for creating a disturbance."
"Sure, I see how it is." The man staggered at Chris. "You look out for your own. Don't give a damn about the rest of the town."
Chris looked at the man and shook his head, "I'll deal with my men. You just get the hell out of here."
Buck watched as the man grabbed his wife and pushed her into the wagon. He watched as the man charged off out of town. He pulled out of Josiah's grasp and kicked a barrel of water cursing loudly. He stormed over to Chris, "How could you let him just ride out of here with her like that."
"She's his wife Buck. You're the one that was out of line."
"Hell Chris, he could have killed her and not given a damn."
"When she wants to get out, she'll ask for help, but until she does stay away from him Buck."
"Chris."
"Buck, you interfere again and I'll throw you in jail until you cool off. Understood?"
Buck shook his heads, muttering a curse and semi-nodding before storming off.
JD started to go after Buck, but Chris stopped him, grabbing his arm. "Let him go JD."
"But Chris."
"Let him go JD. He needs to cool off. He'll be okay."
JD sighed and nodded. Josiah looked at Chris and went with JD back to the sheriff's office figuring that JD would need someone to talk to. The boy was visibly bothered. Chris sighed and turned, Vin standing there waiting. "You think Buck was serious, Chris?"
"Serious how Vin?"
"The threat he made."
"Words, nothing more. Buck wouldn't do anything that stupid."
"Hope you're right Chris."
Chris sighed and nodded, "I am. I need a drink, you staying or coming?"
"Coming." Vin said as he fell into step with him.
Buck staggered out of the saloon and into the street. Inez had finally sent him home. She had managed to get him to his feet and finally convince him that the saloon was closed and that he needed to go home to sleep. Chris watched them from the back corner, but didn't help. He knew that Buck wouldn't accept help from him at this point.
Buck was trying to figure out which way was up when he heard a horse pull up short in front of him. He stopped and pushing his hat back with the bottle and his hand looked at the dark figure before him. "Whadda ya want?"
The man looked at him. "I came from the Logan ranch. I work there. Sounds like all hell is breaking loose inside. I think we might need a lawman. You're one of 'em ain't ya?"
Buck nodded, "Hell yeah. What's wrong?"
The man dismounted his horse and helped Buck over to his own horse. "I'm not sure. The mister and missus tend to fight a lot, but I think he's gone beyond yellin'."
Buck muttered low under his breath as he mounted his horse with a hefty push from the stranger. "Son of a bitch. I told him to keep his hands off her."
The man nodded. "I'll lead the way. We'll be there in a few minutes."
Buck had slightly sobered at the thought of a fight and nodded to the man. "Let's go."
Vin rolled over in his make shift bed that lay under his wagon. He was starting to drift asleep again, when he heard a woman screaming for help and a rider approaching quickly. Vin was fast to grab his mare's leg as he rolled out from under the wagon, aiming it at the rapidly approaching figure. He quickly lowered it, running to the slowing horse. "Ma'am?"
The woman started to slide off the horse, bruises and cuts covering her hands, arms and face. "Help, please. My husband . . . he killed my husband . . . oh god . . ."
Vin caught the woman as she slid into his arms and cradled her as he ran to Nathan's. Chris, Josiah and JD had started to make their way towards him. JD grabbed the horse, and Josiah took the woman from Vin, and rapidly made his way to the clinic. Chris looked at Vin. "Hell . . . What did she tell you?"
"None of it was clear. Something about her husband being killed."
"You seen Buck?"
Vin looked, "No."
"You know the ranch?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go."
Vin nodded and moved to get the horses. Chris looked over his shoulder and saw JD moving towards them and he saw that Ezra had finally made it downstairs. "JD, Ezra, stay here and help Nathan if he needs it."
JD looked, "But Chris, what about . . ."
"JD, do it."
JD couldn't hide the worry in his eyes. He recognized the woman that Vin had been carrying, and he knew that if Buck were still in town he'd have come out by now. He nodded, and stepped back as Chris and Vin ran to the livery.
Buck groaned bringing his hands up to his head. It felt like it was going to split in two. He rolled over and forced his eyes open and looked around. The last thing he remembered was riding out to a ranch on the outskirts of town. He looked around and realized he was in the sheriff's office. He didn't even attempt to figure out how he'd gotten there. Right now all he wanted was a cup of coffee. He sat up and groaned and then looked at the cell door and frowned. He walked over and pulled on it. Buck looked up as two people walked into the sheriff's office. "Hell Chris, this ain't funny. I know I was pretty out of it, but to lock me in here?"
Chris looked at Vin and then back at Buck, "Buck that man you fought with in the street last night was murdered."
"So. He deserved it. No man should be hitting his wife like he was."
"She says you killed him."
Buck looked up at him, all color draining from his face. "What the hell you talkin' about pard?"
Chris looked, "We found you there, passed out, gun in your hand. The man was shot four times."
Buck shook his head, "Hell Chris, I ain't shot anyone. I'd have remembered."
Chris walked over to the cell. "I know that Buck. I can't prove it though. All the evidence is against you and until I can straighten things out, then you've got to stay here."
Buck sat heavily on the cot in the cell. "I can't believe you're doing this."
"I don't have a choice and you know it. Something's not right. You don't get violent when you get drunk. You get mushy."
Buck shot him a look. Chris ignored him and went on, "Now Buck. Vin and I are gonna do some digging, but I need you to behave until we get this worked out."
"What about the Judge?"
"He's coming to town tomorrow. Josiah and Ezra are gonna team up to represent you in the trial."
Buck shook his head, feeling extraordinarily light-headed and sick all of a sudden. "This is a nightmare. It's gotta be. I can't . . ."
"I wish I could tell you it was, Buck. But for now, I can't. I trust you Buck, always have. We're gonna figure this out."
Buck just nodded, his eyes vacant, his hands shaking.
Vin nodded to Chris. "Come on, JD will look after him."
Chris nodded and followed Vin outside.
"Vin, I want you to keep an eye out in that area. See what you can find out about this ranch hand and the widow. I'm gonna go talk to Nathan."
Vin nodded, "Let ya know what I find out."
Chris nodded and headed towards the clinic.
JD walked into the sheriff's office and looked at Buck. He had never seen Buck this lost before. "Buck?"
Buck looked up and leaned back, "Hell JD. They're gonna hang me. I don't even know what it is I did exactly."
JD sighed and pulled up a chair close to the cell. "She keeps saying that you killed her husband."
"I know I supposedly did that, but how?"
JD sighed, "Well, she said that her husband had hit her and that they'd been fighting. She doesn't know why you were out there, except to check on her and when you heard the shouting, you stormed in. She said you didn't even give him a chance Buck. That you just shot him and kept shooting him, screaming at him and cursing him. She said you even kicked him while he lay on the ground dead or bleeding to death."
"I would never . . ."
"I know Buck. She said other things too."
Buck looked at him, "Other things?"
JD swallowed and looked down, not able to look at Buck as he started the rest of the woman's story. "She said that after you shot her husband, you started approaching her. She said you smelled of liquor and that you kept coming towards her. She claims that you kept saying you were gonna teach her the proper way that a woman should be taken care of, that you were gonna love her like a woman was supposed to be loved. Apparently she tried to back away, but you grabbed hold of her. She thought you were going to . . ."
Buck looked at JD as he paused. "To what?"
JD whispered, "Rape her. She said that was when her ranch hand came in and saw what had happened and hit you on the back of the head knocking you out. She ran to a horse to get help while he watched over you to make sure you didn't go anywhere or do anything to her while he was getting help."
Buck had gone as white as the sheets on the cot. His eyes were completely filled with pain and confusion. How could anyone believe that he could do this? Buck shook his head as he started to think of his reputation with the ladies and the threat he made in the street. JD watched him, "Buck, it'll be okay. We're gonna fix this."
"I don't think this one can be fixed, JD." Buck lay down and turned his face to the wall.
JD felt the helplessness in him as he watched his big brother and best friend lose all hope.
Nathan looked at Chris and shook his head. "Hell, Chris. The man was shot from a distance and by a right-handed shooter from the direction the bullet entered. It could have been Buck."
Chris nodded, "What about that ranch hand?"
Nathan shook his head, "I don't know. Turn around."
Chris raised an eyebrow and did as Nathan said. Nathan raised his right hand and motioned as if he were going to hit Buck. He did the same with his left.
"He was right-handed. If he'd hit Buck with his left hand, that bump on the back of Buck's head would be in a different spot."
"Well, then we have another possibility for a suspect."
"What about the widow's testimony? You think she's lying?"
"I don't know, but I do know Buck. He wouldn't just kill someone and try to rape a woman."
Nathan nodded. "Vin out looking?"
Chris nodded, "Think I'll go join him and see if he's found anything."
Nathan watched Chris leave, and then proceeded to cover up the body and left to get the undertaker.
Buck lay back on the cot in the bed and tried to remember what had happened that night. He racked his brain, trying to remember anything that could get him out of this mess, but the events were so skewered in his brain. He sat up and put his head in his hands, shaking his head in disbelief. For the first time in a long time, Buck slid to his knees and folded his hands, bowing his head and started to pray.
Vin watched the ranch from afar. He hadn't noticed any odd activity. Something didn't feel right though. He watched as the ranch hand went inside again to check on the widow. His visits to check on her seemed to get longer and longer, but Vin wasn't sure why that was. It could have been anything keeping him in there, but he seemed too happy that his boss was dead. Vin could swear he heard him whistling earlier in the barn. Vin shook his head and wished they had checked the tracks earlier. Too many people had been in and out to collaborate whether Buck's story or the widow's story was correct.
Vin could no longer tell if two people had ridden out and one come back, or if one had left town and one come back. The horses were already rested so the horses couldn't tell him one way or another either. Vin shook his head. He knew Buck was innocent, but they needed proof.
Vin heard a twig snap and he turned quickly, his mare's leg coming up. He raised a brow as Chris pulled up along side of him. " Nothing yet, Pard."
"Anything unusual?"
"The ranchhand."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Spending a lot of time, and he's whistling an awful lot."
Chris nodded, "Well, keep an eye on them. The judge is getting to town today."
"Will the trial start right away?"
"The Judge may give it a couple of days. I don't honestly know. There's so much proof against Buck, but damn it Vin. I know him too well."
"I know Chris. I know."
Chris nodded, and turned his horse around, heading back for town.
JD sat on the steps of the sheriff's office, flipping cards into his hat. Casey walked down the boardwalk and stopped, "Hey JD."
JD didn't look up, "Hi Casey."
Casey looked at JD and sat down. "How's Buck?"
"Not good. He's probably gonna hang."
"He won't hang, JD."
JD looked at Casey, "I wish that I could believe that Casey, but there's so much evidence against him. I don't know what to believe anymore."
"JD, you know Buck wouldn't do what they said he did."
"I know it here." JD touched his chest, "But here, tapping his head, It's another story."
Casey touched his chest, and smiled, "Go with what's here JD. That can't be lied to as easily."
"I hope so Casey. I really do."
Casey nodded. "I know he's innocent JD. Chris and the others will prove it. The judge won't let him hang."
"Unless they can find evidence that says he's not guilty, then the Judge has to sentence him Casey."
"They'll find something."
"I'm scared Casey. I mean, he's... he's..."
"Your big brother."
"In a way, yeah. I can't lose him. He's the closest thing to family I've had since my mom. I mean if I lost any of the guys it would be hard, but Buck...."
"JD, you're not going to lose him. They will prove him innocent. You have to keep believing for him, JD."
JD sighed and nodded, "You're right. Chris'll figure out something."
Casey nodded. "I'm gonna go see if Inez needs help with your and Buck's lunch."
"See ya later."
"Judge, you know he's innocent. Buck wouldn't do something like this."
Judge Travis sighed, "Chris, you know I can't go on just that. I need proof either way, and right now all of the evidence says that Buck is guilty."
"Judge . . ."
"Bring me proof Chris. That's all I can do. The trial is in three days."
"All right judge, I'll get you your evidence."
I'll be waiting Chris.
Three days had passed and Chris still didn't have a clue as to what he was going to do with Buck. The trial had started two days ago, and as it stood it looked as if Buck might hang for a crime that Chris wasn't too sure he'd committed. Chris's frustration was starting to take its toll and the rest of the men were starting to feel the heat under them. Ezra and Josiah had spent the past 2 nights up all night searching for anything that could disprove the testimony of the widow and her ranch hand. They had yet to find any discrepancies. JD was constantly hovering over Buck, but Buck wouldn't talk to him anymore, lost in his own despair. Chris needed to clear his head. He mounted his horse and rode out of town to see if Vin had anything yet.
Vin watched as the ranch hand hooked up the wagon to a team of horses. He smiled as the widow came out and was helped into the wagon. This was the chance he'd been waiting for. A chance to check out the inside of her house and look for clues. Vin watched as the wagon headed out towards town and when it was no longer in viewing distance he started down the hill. He slid to the bottom and turned, his mare's leg ready as he heard someone slide down behind him.
"Easy Vin, it's me."
Vin relaxed as he recognized Chris and his voice, "A man can get killed that way."
"Yeah, I know. What are you doing?"
"The widow and her ranch hand just left for town. Thought I'd see if I could find anything inside."
"Sounds good to me." Chris headed for the front door,
Vin followed.
Buck sat in the cell, thinking his life over. In another day, he might find himself at the end of the rope. JD had been hovering over him trying to get him to eat, and keep his hopes up. Buck had tried the first couple of days to humor him, but it had come down to the wire, and frankly, Buck's hopes weren't too high. Everything pointed to him and both witnesses swore that he did it, yet Buck himself couldn't remember shooting a man. Buck knew that in life, the one thing that a man could always remember clearly was killing another man.
Buck sighed, even Molly couldn't help him to feel better right now. JD had arranged for her to visit Buck in the jail last night, but Buck just wasn't in the mood for company. He sighed and lay down, his hands over his face.
Casey looked out the general store window and noticed JD come out of the saloon looking a little down. She watched him walk down the boardwalk with his shoulders slumped forward and his hat in his hands. She ran out the general store and started towards him, but stopped as she started to pass the alley.
"It's almost over darling, and then we'll be free to leave this God-forsaken place."
Casey pressed herself against the wall and listened to the couple in the alley. She looked around the corner and watched as the widow wrapped her arms around her ranch hand's neck and kissed him deeply. Casey pulled back, her eyes wide. She listened as they started their conversation again.
"The judge will rule that stupid, gullible lawman guilty and then we can take the money and move to San Francisco."
"Ain't nobody gonna find him innocent."
"As long as we keep a low profile."
"Can't I come see you tonight though darling.
No, you have to wait a few more days."
"I wish you'd have let me kill that lawman that night rather than just hit him like that. Then we wouldn't have to go through this stupid trial thing."
"You know I couldn't do that. It was too risky. You'd have had to shoot him in the back like you did Tom, may his soul burn in hell, or I'd have had to shoot him and that would have been too risky."
"Well as long as it ends soon. I can't take another day away from you."
The widow rested her hand on his cheek, "A few more days my love, and then we'll be together for an eternity."
The man pulled her to him and kissed her roughly once more. Casey barely saw it as she ran down the street to the sheriff's office.
Ezra and Josiah were trying to go over Buck's testimony with him. JD just watched shaking his head as Buck fought them.
"Hell what difference does all this make? After the last two days, I'll be damned if anyone's going to believe me."
Josiah looked at Ezra and sighed, "Brother, I know it appears as if hope is lost, but the people of this town know you're a good man."
"They also know I have a reputation with the ladies."
Ezra raised a brow, "True sir, however, I do believe that the good you have done for this town will precipitate any doubts they may have due to your infamous reputation."
Buck looked at Ezra, "Ezra stop all your fancy highbrow talk and talk normal, we ain't in the classroom here."
Ezra was about to make a comment when Casey came busting through the door.
"JD! Ezra, Josiah! I need to testify."
Ezra and Josiah looked at each other as JD went over to her. "Casey, calm down."
"JD, you don't understand. I can prove Buck is innocent."
Buck stood up and leaned against the bars. "Casey darlin', what on earth are you talking about?" For the first time in the week, Buck's heart actually eased.
"I was coming over to see JD and I passed by the alley and heard a conversation I wasn't meant to hear. I can repeat it back word for word."
"Who was the conversation between Casey?"
"The widow and her ranch hand."
The four men looked at each other and nodded. Josiah looked over at JD, "JD go find Chris and the Judge."
JD nodded and ran out the office door.
Ezra pulled a chair out. Josiah led Casey over to it, Have a seat Casey."
Vin looked over at Chris, "We better finish this up."
"Yeah, I know."
"Find anything?"
"No solid proof, but there are a few things out of place and I can't figure out why they bother me."
Vin nodded, "Like the fresh muddy boot prints in her bedroom."
Chris nodded, "And the two coach tickets to San Francisco."
"Hopefully it'll come together before the Judge has to make a verdict."
Vin nodded in agreement as they headed out of the house. The two men climbed back up the hill and started to observe again. Moments later the widow and her ranch hand came back from town. Chris was watching them closely as they unpacked their wagon, when he heard an approaching horse.
Vin and Chris both turned, their guns at the ready, lowering them quickly as the recognized JD. "JD, what are you doing out here?"
"Josiah and Ezra need you in town, Casey overheard something that might be enough to prove Buck innocent."
Chris and Vin looked at each other. Chris stood up and moved over to his horse, "Vin keep watch on those two. I'll be back later tonight to check in."
Vin nodded, "Be careful."
Chris nodded and then rode back to town with JD following him.
The Judge was sitting in the sheriff's office listening to Casey's story. Chris walked in followed by JD. "What's going on?"
Casey looked at him, "I was walking past an alley and I over heard the widow and her ranch hand talking. They were saying how they framed Buck for her husband's death and that they were going to run away to San Francisco after the Judge hung Buck."
Chris looked at the Judge who looked up at him. "It's not enough Chris. I need solid evidence to dismiss this case. Hearsay won't do it."
Chris looked over at Buck. "What if you had testimony from one of them?"
"Telling the truth, and going back on their original statements?"
"Yeah."
"That would be enough, but how?"
"Leave it to me and the boys. We'll have your evidence for you tomorrow."
The Judge nodded and stood up to leave. Chris moved over to the cell. "One more night Buck. Tomorrow you'll be in the saloon like always."
Buck looked up at him. Chris could see the lost hope in his friend's eyes and nodded, "I promise Buck."
Buck nodded, "I know Chris. I know."
Chris nodded and turned. "Ezra, Josiah, get your things together and stay here. We'll be bringing you a new witness."
Josiah and Ezra raised an eye, but nodded. Chris turned to JD, "JD, I want you to stay here with Buck, keep things looking as normal as possible, I don't want anyone getting wind of this."
"Wind of what Chris? What are you planning?"
"You'll see JD," Chris said with a smirk.
Chris nodded to Vin as he rode by. Vin raised a brow. "Where are you going?"
"To talk with the widow and her ranch hand."
"Why?"
"I have an idea."
Vin looked, "Care to share?"
"We're gonna get a confession."
"Of?"
"Casey overheard them talking about how they framed Buck. Now they're gonna tell the Judge and the town."
"They won't be so easy to break."
"I'm not going after them together. I'm going after the ranch hand. He'll be the easiest to break."
Vin nodded, "Want me to come or stay?"
"Stay here and keep an eye on the widow in case she tries something."
Vin nodded.
Chris knocked on the door and waited. He took off his hat as the door opened.
"Mr. Larabee."
"Ma'am."
"What brings you here at this time of night?"
Chris nodded, "Well, the Judge asked if I could get Hank. He had a question about something in his testimony for him. Your lawyers are waiting with the Judge. They said it would be fine."
"I suppose. I'll fetch him. Should I come with you perhaps?"
"No ma'am. No need to disturb your evening as well. It shouldn't take long."
Chris watched as she turned away from the door to get her ranch hand and he waited patiently outside. Hank came out and nodded to Chris. "Hank, Judge asked me to fetch you so he could ask some questions about testimony you already gave.
"'Kay. I'll get my horse."
Chris nodded, watching him.
The Judge sat in his chair with Ezra and Josiah. Josiah looked away from the window. "Here he comes."
Chris escorted Hank into the office and nodded, "Judge. Here he is."
Hank looked around, "Where's my lawyer?"
The Judge looked, Do you really need your lawyer? I just want to ask you a few questions."
"I . . . I guess not."
"Good." The Judge stood up. "I have reason to believe that you lied on the stand young man."
"Lied? I ain't lied to no one."
The Judge looked over his shoulder, "Casey come in here please."
Casey came in and nodded, "Judge."
"Is this the man you over heard in the alley today?"
Casey nodded, "Yes sir. He and the widow were in the alley. They kissed and then they talked about how they killed her husband and framed Buck."
Chris watched the man as he visibly blanched. "She's lying."
The Judge looked, "Oh really. Then why the two stage coach passes to San Francisco?"
"We didn't want to be here anymore."
"Well, if she goes to San Francisco, what does she need you for?"
"I . . . I protect her."
Chris looked at the Judge, "From people like her husband."
Hank shifted nervously in his seat, his hands clenching. "Her husband was cruel to her. He hit her all the time. He deserved what he got."
The Judge raised a brow. "What was that?"
"He got killed."
Chris leaned on the back of his chair. "Did you enjoy killing him?"
"I didn't kill him."
"You been enjoying his wife's bed?"
"I . . ."
"You should learn not to track mud into a lady's room. You missing a pair of boots?"
"I . . . I . . ."
Chris could see the man was about to break down. "You what? How did you kill him? Why Buck?"
"She made me do it!" The man suddenly burst out. After he said it, he looked around the room, everyone in complete silence and broke down sobbing.
Chris looked at the Judge, "Is that all you need?"
The Judge nodded, "I think you have a murderer to arrest, and an innocent man to set free."
Chris nodded and walked out, heading for the sheriff's office.
Buck looked up as Chris walked in and took the keys from JD and walked to his cell. He looked as Chris opened the door. "She framed you Buck. She killed her husband and lured you out there."
"How?"
"Casey, a couple of things from her house and her ranch hand confessed it to the Judge tonight."
"I'm free then."
Chris nodded, "Got a murderer to arrest. You coming?"
"Hell, you ever known me to pass up an even chance for revenge."
Chris grinned, seeing the light in Buck's eyes starting to come back. "Come on, the others are waiting."
Buck nodded, moving to the door.
Vin watched from the hill with his telescope as the widow paced back and forth in her house. He turned as he heard horses approaching, smiling as he saw Buck. "Hell Buck, the Judge finally come to his senses?"
Buck grinned, "Vin, seems the tables have turned on our little lady friend down there."
"So we gonna go say hi?"
Buck nodded and looked at Chris. "She's mine."
Chris nodded.
Buck knocked on the door, his gun at his side. He grinned as the door flew open.
"Hank, I was so worr . . ."
"You should have been." Buck looked at her as she stepped back, her eyes wide with shock.
"You. What are you doing here? How?"
"Hank confessed. I'm here to arrest you."
"No. It's not possible. Everything was just right."
Buck stepped inside, following her as she moved backwards. "It's over ma'am. I'm here to bring you in to face trial."
The widow shook her head, looking for some place to run and hide. She stumbled back against a desk.
Buck walked towards her slowly. "Now ma'am. Just calm down and come with me."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
Buck hadn't seen her pull the gun out of the drawer. He raised his gun, but knew he wouldn't be fast enough. He waited for the impact of a bullet as he heard a shot ring out, but he felt nothing. He looked next over at another doorway and nodded to Chris who was standing there with his gun. He looked at the woman who was holding her hand, on her knees in pain. Buck moved over to her. "It's over ma'am."
The woman curled into a ball and shrieked as Buck went to touch her. She just rocked back and forth shaking her head in disbelief that her plan had fallen apart. Nathan came over with Josiah to check her wound and take her into custody. Buck stepped back and nodded to Chris. "Thanks."
Chris walked over. "Come on, I'll buy you a drink."
Buck grinned, "Sounds good. I could use a drink, and a hot bath and some hot food, oh and a good woman."
Chris walked out the front door with Buck and chuckled. He looked over at Buck and just shook his head. Buck grinned at him, "Oh and maybe a . . ."
Chris shot him a look, "Buck..."
Buck chuckled and slapped Chris on the back. "Let's go home Pard."
Chris grinned and slapped Buck on the back before moving to his horse. The two old friends mounted and waited for the rest of their family of friends as they slowly headed back to town. Their friendships had held and their faith in one another had helped save the family they all held so dear.
THE END