“I damn sure have been concussed,” Will said. “My uncle concussed the hell out of me when he smashed that case into the side of my head. What the hell happened to him?”
“All right, I need to make certain you haven’t suffered a concussion,” Wilson said. “As far as what happened after you were knocked out, that can all wait until after I’ve completed my tests. They’ll only take a moment or two.” He held up two fingers.
“How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Two,” Will answered.
“Good. Do you have any double vision, any blurred vision, or blind spots?”
“No, none.”
“Wonderful. Try to follow my finger with your eyes, but don’t move your head.”
Wilson moved his finger up and down, then left to right and back. Will easily tracked the movements with his gaze.
“Excellent,” Wilson said. “What about vertigo—that’s dizziness, light-headedness, or nausea?”
“None at all, Doc. How long have I been out, anyway?”
“Just about forty-eight hours,” Wilson answered. He listened to Will’s heart and lungs with his stethoscope, took his pulse, and checked his temperature.
“All in all, you’re healing quite nicely, Will,” he said. “Apparently, you just suffered a severe blow to your head. Amazingly, considering where the blow struck, you didn’t receive a fatal skull fracture. A week or so’s rest and you should be almost as good as new.”
“That’s good news, Doc. Now, it’s high time you told me what happened.”
“I’ll let your partner explain that to you,” Wilson said. “He’s waiting downstairs. If you don’t think it will tax you too much, I’ll allow your family to visit at the same time. I know they still have many questions about this entire affair.”
“That’ll be just fine, Doc,” Will agreed.
“All right. I’ll go get them. However, if you feel faint, or your headache gets worse, have someone summon me immediately.”
“You can stay too, Doc. I’ve got nothin’ to say you can’t hear.”
“I appreciate that, Will. I’ll be right back.”
Will dozed off while waiting, but was immediately awake when he heard the door open. First in the room was his father, followed by his mother, brothers, and Aunt Louise. Behind them were Jonas, Marshal Spurr, and finally, Peggy and Delia. Will’s father came to his side.
“Son, I don’t know what to say…” he began. “Can we talk alone for a few minutes?”
“Of course,” Will said. “As soon as I find out what happened. I’ve got some explaining to do to all of you, too. And Jonas, what happened to you?”
Jonas’s left arm was in a sling.
“Your uncle tried to make a run for it. When I ordered him to stop, he put a bullet through my arm, that’s what happened,” he said. “I had to plug him. He’s dead. I’m sorry, Will.”
“There’s no need to be,” Will answered. “He got what was comin’ to him. He would’ve hung, anyway. I am sorry for you, though, Aunt Louise.”
“There’s no need for that, either,” Louise answered. “I’ve already told your partner that.”
“Will, I don’t want this visit to take too long,” Wilson said. “Why don’t you just tell your family what you need to for now, then you can fill in the details once you’ve had more rest?”
“I’ve already given them part of the story, Will,” Jonas said.
“Sure, Doc,” Will agreed. “And thanks, pard. Father, as I’m sure Jonas has told you, Uncle Martin arranged the robbery of your bank, then tried to pin the blame on you.”
“I know that,” Silas said. “But how did you figure out it was my brother-in-law? And no, I don’t feel one bit of sorrow at his loss. The man was always a scoundrel. I’m not speaking out of turn in front of my sister, either. Louise has known for a long time what a rotten individual Martin was.”
“Two things. The first, which started me on the right track, was when we were ambushed by the gang that pulled the robbery. The man Jonas killed was Michael, Uncle Martin and Aunt Louise’s son.”
“They already know that, too,” Jonas said. “I told them that after everything was over.”
“I felt the same about my son as I did my husband,” Louise said. “Continue, William.”
“Okay. Before he died, Newt Haines told Art Mason that Mr. Kirkpatrick had arranged the robbery of his own bank. Art naturally assumed it was you, Father. Newt was delirious when he gave Art his statement. He must've forgotten Uncle Martin was your brother-in-law, not your brother, so he wasn't truly a Kirkpatrick.
“However, when you said over fifty thousand dollars had been stolen, but Art said only ten thousand was found in the root cellar, and we found only five thousand in the robbers’ saddlebags, that confirmed what I’d already suspected when I realized Michael was one of the gang.
“I made some quick inquiries and found out Haines and Uncle Martin had been in touch several times, shortly after Susan’s wedding date was announced. They’d planned this scheme very well. If Haines hadn’t lived to talk, or if me’n Jonas hadn’t caught up with the gang, they might very well have gotten away with it—well, except Uncle Martin decided Haines was a liability, and had him gunned down during the holdup, so Haines never would have had a chance to spend any of the stolen money.
“Once I knew who was behind the plot, I realized Uncle Martin must have had most of the stolen money hidden in plain sight, right here in town. He’s the one who cached some of it in the root cellar, then hid the rest in his hotel room. That was another mistake he made—tellin’ Haines where he was gonna hide the money. Of course, he figured Haines would never live to talk. If he’d been plugged in the chest, instead of his belly, he most likely wouldn’t have, and I’d never have been able to connect Uncle Martin to the robbery, even after me’n Jonas tracked down Michael and the others. And of course he didn’t dare identify Michael’s body, since that would’ve connected him to the gang. I couldn’t say I knew him, either, since that would have tipped my hand.”
“Will, that’s enough for now,” Wilson said. “One more question, then you need to get some more rest. I know, that sounds like the last thing you need after being unconscious for nearly two days, but you can’t afford to overtax your system.”
“All right, Doc. Mother, where’s the rest of the family? Of course, I know where Susan and Harve are, but—”
“Everyone else is on their way home,” his mother answered. “Louise has decided to remain here with us for the foreseeable future. I’m hoping she decides to remain here permanently.”
“I probably will,” Louise said. “William, this may sound harsh, but there has been nothing but trouble in my home for years. Your uncle was a despicable man. He threw most of his money away on gambling, alcohol, and loose women. I’m certain that’s why he wanted the money from your father’s bank. I tried to leave him several times, but he threatened my life, so I didn’t dare. And Michael was just like him. I lost my husband and son years ago. I feel free for the first time in ages.”
“All right, everyone out,” Wilson said. “Doctor’s orders. Will, you should know that I wanted to keep you at my office for at least a week, but your mother refused. She said there were three women at this house who were more than capable of caring for you.”
He looked at Peggy and Delia, and smiled.
“More than capable of bossing me around, and watching me like a mother hen over her chicks,” Will said.
“You’re right,” Wilson conceded. “Now, I mean it. Everyone out.”
“Everyone except my father and Jonas, Doc,” Will said. “I need to speak with them for a couple of minutes. Then I promise I’ll get more rest. I am still feelin’ a bit tired.”
“All right, but only five minutes,” Wilson warned.
“That’s all we’ll need, Doc.”
Will’s mother kissed him gently on the cheek, then she and the others, except for Jonas and Silas, left the room. Will’s father stoo
d at his bedside, looking uncomfortable and shifting from one foot to the other.
“Will, this isn’t easy for me to say,” he began. “I understand now why you joined the Texas Rangers. You saved this entire family, son, not just me. We’ll all be forever grateful, and we’ll be proud to know that you’ll be helping others, as you helped us. Your mother and brothers will tell you that once you’ve rested a bit longer.”
“Thanks, Father,” Will answered. “I never thought I’d see the day when you said those words.”
“I don’t mean I approve of your choice, William, just that I understand. That, and if the day ever does come when you decide to leave the Rangers and settle down, there will always be a home, and a job at the bank, for you here.”
“I never expected you to approve, Father, just to understand. That’s all I’ve ever asked.”
“You have that understanding now, son. I’d better leave before Doctor Wilson throws me out. Besides, I have to get back to the bank. I’m interviewing replacements for Newt Haines. You take it easy, and I’ll see you tonight.”
Silas left, closing the door behind him.
“You wanted to talk to me, Will?” Jonas asked.
“I sure did. I just wanted to tell you what a fine job you did on this, your first case for the Rangers. You’re gonna be a man to ride the river with. Which is a good thing, since I’ll be stuck with you for at least a year.”
“I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Jonas said. “And I am sorry I had to kill your uncle. I’m still a bit shaken up about that.”
“You’ll never get used to havin’ to kill a man,” Will said. “The day you do is the day you should resign.”
“I don’t think I ever will,” Jonas said. “But I did learn one thing already.”
“What’s that?”
“Gettin’ shot does hurt worse’n Delia’s medicine.”
Will threw a pillow at him.
“Get outta here, before I find my gun and plug you myself,” he said, chuckling. “I am gonna take the doc’s advice and get some more shut-eye.”
“So’m I,” Jonas said. “I’m headin’ downstairs to my favorite cool spot for a nap, in the shade of that big cottonwood out back. Y’know, it’s kinda funny how things turned out.”
“What do you mean?”
“You had to kill my cousin, and I ended up killin’ yours. Kinda strange, it seems to me.”
“Just one of those odd coincidences,” Will said. “Call it a twist of fate, or whatever. Things just happen.”
“Mebbe I’ll contemplate that while I’m nappin’ under that tree,” Jonas said.
“Enjoy it while you can,” Will said. “Soon as I’m mended up, we’ll be on our way back to Austin.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Jonas said. “Appears we’re both fiddle-footed. You get that rest, Will. I’ll see you later.”
“Later, Jonas.”
Once Jonas left, Will laid back on his pillow, with a sigh. It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing he had reconciled with his family at the cost of his uncle and cousin. Still, all in all, things had worked out just fine. He fell asleep with that thought in his head, as a satisfied smile played across his face.
About the Author
Jim Griffin became enamored of the Texas Rangers from watching the TV series, Tales of the Texas Rangers, as a youngster. He grew to be an avid student and collector of Rangers' artifacts, memorabilia and other items. His collection is now housed in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco.
His quest for authenticity in his writing has taken him to the famous Old West towns of Pecos, Deadwood, Cheyenne, Tombstone and numerous others. While Jim's books are fiction, he strives to keep them as accurate as possible within the realm of fiction.
A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, Jim now lives in Keene, New Hampshire when he isn't travelling around the west.
A devoted and enthusiastic horseman, Jim bought his first horse when he was a junior in college. He has owned several American Paint horses. He is a member of the Connecticut Horse Council Volunteer Horse Patrol, an organization which assists the state park Rangers with patrolling parks and forests.
Jim's books are traditional Westerns in the best sense of the term, portraying strong heroes with good character and moral values. Highly reminiscent of the pulp westerns of yesteryear, the heroes and villains are clearly separated.
Jim was initially inspired to write at the urging of friend and author James Reasoner. After the successful publication of his first book, Trouble Rides the Texas Pacific, published in 2005, Jim was encouraged to continue his writing.
Website: www.jamesjgriffin.net
LONE STAR RANGER SERIES by James J. Griffin
Nathaniel Stewart’s life changes in the blink of an eye when his family is murdered by a band of marauding raiders. They’ve made one terrible mistake…they didn’t finish the job. Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel is very much alive and ready to exact the justice his mother, father, and older brother deserve.
Taken in by a company of Texas Rangers, he begins to learn what it means to survive in the rugged wilds of Texas. Each of the Rangers has something to teach Nate, as they come to call him, and he’s a fast learner. Nate proves his mettle many times as a Texas Ranger.
Blood Ties: A Texas Ranger Will Kirkpatrick Novel Page 17
