Deputy at Large

by Judge Rodriguez

Logan turns to Joey and says shortly, “You may begin.”

  She takes a deep breath, taking time to gather her thoughts, stands, pours herself another glass of water and sits back down. “As you know, when the telegram came in, advising Pa was hurt, I leapt at the chance to go find out what happened to him.” Her voice is strong and clear as she goes through the whole chain of events, excluding Jake’s adoption of Andy and the capture of the last attacker.

  Judge Logan sits there, listening intently to every word. When Joey finishes with that part of the narrative, Judge Logan nods and says, “That matches mostly what you’d said in your last report.”

  She nods and says, “Things started to get interesting when we got back to Norman.” She provides details about the attack on the bank, then the hotel. She goes into detail about how Richard killed the Mallorys and Doc Lopez, then was chased off by Brigit.

  Judge Logan surprises them by stopping her after the description, standing and looking out the window for a long while.

  No one moves or says anything while the judge is staring outside. Finally, after more than fifteen minutes, the older man goes back to his desk and has a seat.

  Jake’s surprised to see that his face appears to be tear-streaked.

  The judge takes a deep breath, appearing to steel himself, then motions for Joey to continue.

  She looks at the old litigator for several moments, before continuing on about how the group waited for several days, took care of funerals and helped Brigit put things at the hotel back together. Then she covers how Sheriff Lyttle returned and released the pursuit over to Joey. She went on to cover how they decided to bring along the whole group they did.

  Logan nods. “That matches what Walters told me when he came back with the last prisoner.”

  John looks at Logan. “I didn’t think you knew the Mallorys that well. Why do you mourn them?”

  He shakes his head. “It’s not them, but Doc Lopez.” He passes his hand in front of his face, exhaustion and stress evident. “He was my brother-in-law by marriage.” He shakes his head and looks at Joey. “Please continue, if you would.”

  She takes a deep breath and continues on with the narrative. She starts over on how Lyttle came after a few days and the group ended up forming the posse. She goes on to tell Logan about the whole trip through to Fort Cobb, the attack on the bank there, then up through the reservation.

  She explains how they found David’s grandfather, dead. She tries to explain the series of events at the Cherokee camp, but is interrupted by Logan holding his hand up to stop her.

  Upon hearing of Screaming Eagle’s murder, Judge Logan asks for more details. Joey goes on to say that they found out further details later on, but that would be later in the narrative.

  Now showing impatience, he waves her on. She describes the death of Spotted Falcon and then their leaving of the camp. She conveniently omits the revelation about Liz being David’s mother. A fact that Jake is pretty sure John’s quite thankful for. Knowing his brother like he does, he knows John doesn’t like having his familial woes broadcast.

  She describes that how, after they left the encampment, they found the booby-trap and then disarmed it.

  At this point, John takes up the narrative and tells about how they were able to find the camp, while Joey gets up and gets herself another glass of water.

  John goes on to describe how he discovered what he did by eavesdropping and how they managed to set up their assault.

  At this point, Logan stops John by saying, “I’ll be back. Now’s a good time to take a break and stretch limbs, relieve bladders, etcetera.” He looks at the clock on the wall. “We’ll reconvene at half past four. That gives you forty-five minutes to make sure you come back.”

  Jake gets up grunting and groaning as joints pop and snap. By mutual agreement, all three lawmen head right for the necessities.

  At twenty after four, everyone is back in the office, agreeing to continue to the report.

  John takes back up where he left off, with the sand storm that drove them into the camp, the attack and death of the rest of Richard’s gang, then finally with the death of Richard himself.

  At hearing the details of that fiend and the circumstances surrounding it, Judge Logan jots down some notes on a piece of paper. He looks thoughtful for a moment, then motions for John to continue.

  John explains how they took the body to Ft. Supply to be buried and to warn them of the booby-trap they’d disarmed.

  Logan nods and says, “So you guys bullied your way into getting the Army to help you. Explain why you came back the slow way, rather than by train.”

  John looks at Joey and nods. She looks at Judge Logan, then takes a deep breath and says, “We had to run back to the Cherokee camp to find out if they were experiencing the same kind of attacks that the tribes down by White were. They reported they had been. We also picked up David’s mother to bring her back with us. That’s when we found out that Chief Strong Bear was killed while we were gone.”

  Logan stares at her open mouthed. “Both Screaming Eagle and Strong Bear are dead?” he demands.

  She nods. “Gray Falcon has taken his father’s place at the head of the council of elders.”

  Logan stares at the lawmen, amazed. “You guys don’t do anything by half-measures at all, do you?” He sits there another moment, shaking his head.

  John smiles. “It does sound like things got a bit out of hand. Especially when it’s told in the short version like this.”

  “You call THIS a bit out of control? I’d hate to see what you consider completely unhinged.”

  John’s smile gets wider. “You HAVE seen it. It’s called the Red River War.”

  Logan sighs in annoyance. “You three present me with several difficult decisions. I’m familiar with Sean.” He looks at each in turn. “Give me your opinion. Do you think he is worth trying to save? Or should I hang him for murder and be done with it?”

  Jake is shocked at how callously the judge is speaking. He’s the first to speak up. “I like the kid. I know he did wrong. HE knows he did wrong. He feels like he’s not worth saving, but he has a good heart.”

  Joey speaks up next. “He was infected with a kind of hatred I haven’t seen very often. His heart is that of a good man. He made a mistake, but I think given a chance, his woman will help him pull through it. He just needs being reminded that you can’t earn forgiveness. It’s a gift.”

  “He’s married?”

  She smiles. “Not yet. He and Brigit were all but engaged when Richard attacked Norman.”

  “Is he a follower of Christ?”

  She nods. “He’s having a crisis of faith, but yes. He’s a believer, but just doesn’t know how deeply his faith runs quite yet.”

  Logan turns to look at John. “You haven’t made your thoughts known, yet.”

  John sits back in his chair, strokes his jaw-line. Jake knows the thoughtful look. John is taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “Sean is basically a good man in the middle of horrible events. He doesn’t think he’s worth salvation, but he’s still a Christian to the core. He just has to see it. He believes he deserves to be punished, but I can’t recommend too strong a punishment for what any of us would have done in the same instances.”

  Logan looks thoughtful for several moments. He turns to Joey. “You’re to bring him here tomorrow morning. You, being the leader of this posse, will also have to pay for not keeping your men under control.”

  Her face gets outraged and she looks like she’s about to say something, but is stopped as Logan holds up his hand forestalling her comments. “That’s part and parcel of being a marshal. You’ll have a chance to defend your actions tomorrow, but just keep in mind, you’re still going to have to defend yourself to the court.” He lowers his hand back to the desk. “You accepted the responsibilities along with the badge.”

  She leans back into her seat. The outrage that was so evident a moment ago, is now gone. She just sits there, breathing heavily.


  Jake clears his throat meaningfully. “I think we might want to let you make your decisions on what you’re going to be doing. We’re not going anywhere until you render your judgments, so I think it can wait until morning, don’t you?”

  Judge Logan leans back into his chair for a moment, then leans forward onto his elbows. “Are you willing to submit to whatever punishment is selected, Marshal?”

  She takes a moment to think on it, then nods. “When will you let me know?”

  He folds his hands in front of his mouth for a moment. “Sean will receive his punishment in the morning. You will receive yours after. That is, if you agree to abide by the terms of it.”

  She looks away for a moment, brow furrows in thought, then looks at John who nods back at her. She looks back at the judge and nods.

  Judge Logan nods and motions the party toward the door. “Then you will learn your fate tomorrow as well.” He looks at Jake. “Stay a moment, if you will.”

  He nods, stands and watches as the other two lawmen leave, closing the door behind them.

  Logan waits for a moment, ensuring they aren’t in hearing range, then says, “I have an opportunity for you. If you’re willing, that is.”

  Jake’s mind is racing. He has no idea how to answer the offer. He looks around, seeking time to think. “What’s the offer entail?”

  Logan nods. “A fair question. You’ll be promoted to full marshal. It’ll mean you’re going to be assigned a territory to ride circuit in. You’ll have all your expenses paid by the marshal’s service. Your duties will be to transport prisoners, support town marshals, support the Army when needed and most importantly, you’ll serve as the only federal law enforcement in your designated territory as long as you serve as marshal.”

  Jake strokes his jaw. “If I bring in any deputies, I’ll be responsible for them as well, won’t I?”

  “When I said the ONLY federal law enforcement, that’s what I meant. Now, I will be riding circuit from town to town, settling the claims as they are made, but you will be the enforcer.”

  “What’s the pay?”

  “Including all your expenses being paid, you’ll be paid an additional $35 monthly. If you bring in a deputy, it’ll be $50 monthly.”

  Jake turns and looks out the window. “I take it, you’ve had several openings lately?”

  Judge Logan chuckles lightly. “Not as many as you would think. There’s talk of the president splitting the Indian Territory into two. I have been promised a full thirty marshals, and been provided with five. I need people and I need them bad. Are you willing to accept the badge, or not?”

  Jake crosses his arms. “Can I have some time to consider my choices?”

  “You may. Don’t wait too long, though. This offer may not last very long.”

  Jake nods. “Understood. I’ll have an answer for you by, tomorrow evening at the latest.”

  Logan nods and says, “Until then. Have a good evening.”

  Jake waves bye and leaves the office quickly. Just down the hall, he sees Joey and John waiting for him.

  Seeing Jake’s troubled expression, John asks, “What’d he want?”

  Jake shakes his head. “He wants to give me a promotion,” he says with a tone of wonder in his voice.

  “Full marshal? Really? Did you accept?”

  “Not yet. It means I’d have to ride circuit. I’d have a huge chunk of land to maintain law in.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” John’s voice is clearly confused.

  “Andy. Would I have her on the trail with me, or do I leave her with someone for a month or two at a time? Do I get a house somewhere, or do I live out of hotels, like I have been?”

  John holds out his hands and shrugs. “It’s your family and your job. Honestly, those are answers only you can provide.”

  Jake narrows his gaze at his brother. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  John chuckles. “In a way, yeah I am. What do you think he should do, Marshal?”

  Joey shrugs. “When he told me I would have to ride circuit, I asked if there was some way I could stay close to here. He said he would see if there were a way to make that happen.”

  John looks at her curiously and asks, “Well? What’d he say?”

  She shakes her head. “That was the day before I went to Norman to be with pa. That’s why I was in Guthrie when the telegram came in, I was talking to him about having to maintain a territory.”

  The three lawmen leave the courthouse building by the front door and go down the street silently, each lost in their own thoughts.

  Chapter 49

  When the trio gets back to the common area of the hotel, everyone appears to be in their rooms. Jake is actually a bit disappointed, as he was hoping to be able to talk to Sean, David and Rebekah, to get their opinions of what they think he should do.

  He wasn’t sure how the young Irishman would react to being called to task for his lapse in judgment, but was fairly sure the sight wouldn’t be pretty.

  After checking the wall-clock, John clears his throat and says, “I’ll see you both at supper. I’m gonna go clean up real quick.”

  Joey nods and says, “Think I may do the same.”

  Jake smiles and agrees. “It’s been a long road since the last day I could sneak a bath. I’ll enjoy a good one, myself.” He looks at the wall-clock seeing that it’s about half past five. That’s more than enough time for a good soak at the least.

  The whole party gathers out in the communal meeting area a few minutes before eight. David remarks that he’s glad everyone has made use of the bathing facilities since they last saw each other. He asked if everyone had access to the same lavender and lye soap as he and Rebekah did.

  Liz nods. “Yes. It was wonderful. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to enjoy a good thoroughly relaxing bath, myself.”

  David smiles at his mother. “Well, once we get to Denver, I expect you’ll be able to enjoy the use of the bathhouse we have set up. We got a big part of the design from the Emerald Fields.”

  Sean looks at his friend and grins. “’Twas glad I was ta be of some help wit’ ya t’here.”

  Liz’s face is one big question mark. “What’s the Emerald Fields?”

  David motions toward Sean. “It’s his hotel in Norman. We’ll probably stop by there on our way through to Denver.”

  Sean’s look darkens. “I know Brigit-girl will be happy ta hear Richard’s gone. I t’hink she’ll be more t’han glad ta hear yer news too, Rebekah.”

  She nods and takes a drink from her glass of lemonade. “I’m excited to share it with her. She’s one of very few friends I have up here.”

  Joey looks at her dispassionately and then concentrates on her own plate of food.

  Jake looks at John and Joey in turn. “I guess this will be a good time to go ahead and say this. Tomorrow, the three of us and Sean will have to go talk to Judge Logan about what happened out there.”

  Sean tosses his fork on his plate. “I dunnae care t’hat I’ll get in t’rouble. God knows I d’serve it.”

  John nods. “I’m not normally one to give legal advice, but I would recommend throwing yourself at the mercy of the court.” He shakes his head. “It’s up to you, but Judge Logan seems to be a fair and honest man.”

  Sean shakes his head. “I dunnae care if I’m hangt. So long as Brigit gets tha hotel. She d’serves ta have it all ta herself. Only t’hin I’ll r’gret if I am hangt, is nay bein able ta help her kip it runnin’.”

  John looks at the young Irishman sternly. “Now, look here, boy! I don’t want to hear such talk. Just because you’re in trouble, doesn’t mean you’re gonna hang. I don’t want you giving up just because you’re gonna get in some hot water. Hear me?”

  Sean looks at him and shakes his head. “I cannae e’en give up ‘cordin’ ta ya. Why cannae I nay jes let t’hings happen as t’will?”

  John shakes his head in aggravation and looks at Jake. “Can you help me out, here?”

  Ja
ke takes a slow, deep breath. “Sean, do you want to die?”

  “’Tis wha I d’serve.”

  “So, anything less than that is unjust, is it?” Sean nods. “What was your crime?”

  “Murder. You saw it.”

  Jake shakes his head. “Wrong. You have more crimes than I or you can count. Your price for all your crimes was paid centuries before you were born. Just like mine, or John’s or everyone’s crimes were paid for by the Perfect Man. Do you honestly think killing a person is unforgivable? Think again.”

  Sean looks horrified at what he’s being told. He looks around the table and, seeing that everyone’s attention is focused on him, he takes another frantic look around. He stands up, looks around once more, cries out unintelligibly and runs back to his room.

  Laconically, Liz drawls, “Well, that went well.”

  Joey snorts. “It went better than I expected it to.”

  Liz looks at her incredulously. “I don’t want to know.” Her look changes from incredulity to being shrewd. “Why do I get the feeling that’s not everything that happened?”

  Joey shakes her head. “Because it’s not. I don’t want to talk about it tonight.”

  Liz looks like she’s about to argue, but John motions for her to let it lie.

  Jake shakes his head. “One thing that Judge Logan DID say, was to offer me a promotion. He offered me full marshal status.”

  David smiles broadly. “Congratulations. Why does it look like that took the wind out of your sails?”

  “It comes with conditions. Conditions I don’t know I can fill.” He shakes his head. “It may mean I have to give up teaching Andy. I don’t know.”

  David nods sagely. “It’s a tough choice. Career or family? It’s also a choice only you can make. I was blessed to be able to meet that choice with grace. I pray you find your path as easily.”

  Jake shrugs. “I honestly don’t know what I’m gonna do.”

  David nods. “Sometimes it takes time and prayer to make the choice.”

  Jake grins at the young doctor. “Sometimes I wish the decision were more easily made. Maybe even, sometimes, that I didn’t have to make them at all.”