by Bobbi Smith
"Yes, please. I have to change his bandages today." She indicated the bag she was carrying.
"All right. Let's go on back." The lawman got the keys and started over to open the connecting door to the cell area.
"You've got company, Walker," the deputy told him.
As the office door opened, Walker got to his feet.
"Stay back," Davis ordered as he unlocked the cell door to let Roni in.
Walker did as he was told. Roni moved easily into the jail cell and the deputy quickly locked the door behind her.
"Do you want me to stay here with you?"
"We'll be fine," Roni assured him.
"I'll be at the desk if you need anything."
He returned to the outer office, leaving them alone.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Roni asked as she set her bag on the cot and turned to look him over. She could see the weariness in his expression and knew he'd passed a rough night.
"I've been better," he answered honestly.
"Can you take your shirt off so I can get a look at you?"
Walker unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged out of it as Roni removed a small knife from her bag. She carefully cut away the bandages to examine his injured ribs. Her touch was gentle as she went over his chest and side to check the healing. She looked up at him and noticed that his jaw was tense as she continued to explore his injuries.
"I'm sorry if I'm hurting you," she told him.
"It's all right," he answered tightly.
Although his ribs were hurting him, it was her very nearness that was causing the tension within him. He knew this was not the time to be having these thoughts, but the almost-caressing touch of her hands was testing his considerable self-control.
"We're going to need to keep your chest bandaged for at least another week or so."
She moved over to her bag to take out the wrapping and tape she would need to bind him up again.
"Turn your back to me, please," she directed, "and lift your arms."
When he did, her gaze went over the darkly tanned, broad, powerful width of his shoulders in a visual caress. Her attraction to him caused her whole body to grow warm, and Roni scolded herself for her wayward thoughts.
She was there as his doctor, nothing more.
Roni told herself Walker was her patient.
She was determined to be professional.
She reached around him to begin wrapping the bandage tightly about his chest, trying to keep her thoughts on his injuries, not his lean, muscular body. The moment became intimate, though, for she had to move closer to him to adjust the bandage and ended up with her arms around him.
Walker had been controlling his desire for Roni with great effort. Her nearness alone was enough to tempt him, but when she moved against him as she worked with the bandage, he knew he couldn't resist the need to kiss her again. He told himself this wasn't the time or place, but as he glanced toward the outer office and saw no sign of the deputy, his good intentions vanished. Knowing he might not get another chance to kiss Roni for some time, he gave in to his desire for her.
In one easy move, Walker turned in her arms and claimed her in a passionate kiss.
Roni was surprised by his embrace, and delighted. She forgot about the bandage and linked her arms around his neck to return his kiss in full measure. She realized it was dangerous for them to behave this way, but she couldn't resist the temptation. She realized she was taking a desperate chance, but at that moment, all that mattered was glorying in the thrill of their stolen moment together.
A faint, distant sound jarred them apart. They stood there for an instant, staring at each other in wonder, breathlessly caught up in the power of their desire.
Walker made himself turn his back on her again, knowing if he stood there looking down at her any longer, he'd take her back in his arms.
Roni forced her thoughts back to doctoring and quickly set about wrapping the bandage around him.
"There," she said as she made sure it was tight enough to help him heal. "That should hold for another day or two."
He stepped away from her and picked up his shirt to put it back on, knowing putting some distance between them was the safest—and wisest—thing to do.
"Thank you," he told her.
"Stacy's going to speak with the lawyer this morning, so I'm sure you'll be hearing from her soon."
"It can't be soon enough," Walker said, wishing he could walk out of the jail with Roni a free man.
"How's it going back here?" Deputy Davis asked as he appeared in the doorway to check on them.
"I'm finished," Roni told him. She packed up her supplies and the old bandage and stepped over to the door.
Deputy Davis let her out and locked the cell door again behind her.
"Sheriff Protzel said to tell you we appreciate your coming over this way."
"I'm glad to help. If anything changes, let me know."
"We will."
Roni looked back to find Walker's dark-eyed gaze upon her. "I'll speak with you soon."
He didn't respond as the deputy ushered her from the jail.
Alone again, Walker stared around the confines of the cell for a moment and then sat back down on the cot. He could only hope that Stacy would show up soon with good news.
Chapter Eight
Stacy and Jim were just getting ready to leave the house to go speak with the attorney when Chet rode up. The moment Stacy saw him, she rushed from the house and ran straight into his arms.
Jim stood back in the doorway, watching them together. He tried to ignore the jealousy that gnawed at him.
"Oh, Chet, I'm so glad you're finally here!" Stacy began to cry as she hugged her fiancé tightly.
Chet held her close and gave her a quick, reassuring kiss. "I came as soon as I got word."
"Please, come in, Chet," Jim said.
Chet walked into the house past Jim, keeping his arm possessively around Stacy. Jim ushered them into the parlor.
"You're looking a sight better today than you were the last time I saw you," Chet said.
"I'm feeling some better, too. Have a seat," Jim invited, and then he went on to explain all that had happened.
Chet sat close beside Stacy and held her hand tightly to reassure her as he listened.
"What proof do they have that Walker did this?" he asked.
"Nothing—absolutely nothing!" Stacy said in outrage. "They arrested him just because of the fight last night!"
"That's ridiculous. A lot of people had grievances with Ben Thompson," Chet said.
"I know. We were just on our way to speak with Ralph Newsome when you rode up," Jim finished.
"Do you think he'll take the case?" Chet had heard he was a good lawyer.
"He has to! We need the best lawyer we can find," Stacy said fervently.
"Let's go, then. The sooner we get Walker out of jail, the better," Chet agreed, wanting to sound as supportive as he could.
Chet was impressing himself with his own acting ability. He was delighted events were falling into place just the way he'd hoped. Getting through the trial would be tricky, but since there were no other suspects in the murder, he was reasonably certain Walker would be quickly convicted. Then once Walker was out of the way, the Dollar would be all his. Chet silently congratulated himself on his brilliance as he prepared to act the part of the concerned fiancé, eager to take care of Stacy and try to prove his future brother-in-law's innocence.
He hoped his performance was a good one.
Walker was relieved and hopeful when he heard Stacy and an unknown man talking in the outer office. He went to stand at the cell door, hoping that very shortly Deputy Davis would be releasing him.
"Your sister has hired Mr. Newsome to be your lawyer," the lawman told him as Stacy and the attorney followed him in.
"So am I free to go now?"
"No," Ralph Newsome spoke up. "The sheriff has refused to release you."
"What?" Walker grabbed the cell bars in a rage.
Stacy was standing back in the doorway with Chet, looking every bit as angry as Walker.
"From what I've been able to find out," Newsome explained, "Sheriff Protzel is convinced that Ben Thompson's men are out to get to you, and, honestly, I believe him. There's no way to guarantee your safety if you're released, so he's decided to keep you here until the trial."
"How soon will that be?" Walker demanded, looking at Deputy Davis.
"I don't know," the deputy answered.
Walker's frustration grew. "Look, I didn't kill Ben. Whoever did it is still on the loose! Why isn't someone out there looking for him?"
"Your guilt or innocence is up to the jury to decide." Deputy Davis turned to Ralph Newsome. "I'll be out here in the front office if you need me."
He walked past Stacy and Chet, and closed the door behind him to give them privacy.
Ralph was an elderly, white-haired, stocky man who'd been in the field of law for many years. He was well-respected in town. He went forward to shake hands with Walker through the bars of the jail cell.
"Jim and Stacy have filled me in on what happened. From the sound of things, it looks like we have a lot of work to do."
"Where is Jim?" Walker asked, struggling to bring his anger under control as he looked at his sister.
"He went back home to rest for a while, then he's going to try to work at the bank a little later today. He's better than he was, but like Roni said, it'll be a few more days before he's anywhere near back to normal."
"I'm glad to know he's at least up and about." Walker turned his attention to the lawyer.
Some time later, after going over all the details of the dance and the two fights, Ralph knew where he had to start.
"Our best and most competent witness is the desk clerk at the hotel. I'll go over there right now and speak with him. He's our main witness as to your whereabouts after you left Dr. Reynolds's office late that night. With his testimony that you spent the night in your room at the hotel, they have no case against you."
"I don't remember speaking to anyone in the hotel lobby at all when I came in, but hopefully the clerk saw me."
Stacy gave Walker an encouraging look as she and Chet left the jail with the lawyer to speak with the desk clerk.
They returned less than an hour later to let him know what they'd found out, and the news wasn't good.
"The clerk says there was no one working the desk late that night, so we have no witness to testify that you went up to your room or that you spent the night there. According to the clerk, you could have come and gone any number of times all night long, and no one would have known. He says he talked to Stacy Sunday morning, and even she didn't know you were in your room."
"But I was—"
"True, you were there then, on Sunday morning, but we have no witness as to where you were during the night."
Walker's anger was growing. He'd accompanied the sheriff peacefully when Protzel had come to the ranch to arrest him because he'd believed the truth would come out and the confusion about his guilt would be easily cleared up. Now, suddenly, things weren't as simple as they'd seemed.
"What are we going to do?" Walker demanded. His feeling of helplessness fed his fury.
"I'll get one of the deputies to ride with me out to where Ben's men found his body," Chet said. "Maybe if we search the site, we'll be able to come up with something that will prove your innocence and get you out of here."
"Thanks, Chet. Right now, from the looks of things, I need all the help I can get," Walker replied.
Playing the part of the concerned future brother-in-law, Chet went out to speak to Deputy Davis and make arrangements for one of the other deputies to go with him. A short time later, Chet and Deputy Warren were riding out of Two Guns.
Ralph stayed on with Stacy to work with Walker and plan his defense. Before they finished, Deputy Davis came in to speak with them.
"I've just gotten word your trial is set for next Wednesday," he informed them.
The lawyer looked more worried than ever. "Thanks, Deputy."
Walker and Stacy looked at Ralph after the lawman had left them alone again.
"Is that good or bad?" Stacy asked.
"It just means we have to work all the harder to get our defense ready," Ralph answered, trying to sound optimistic.
Chet and Deputy Warren covered the long miles toward the location where Ben's men had told Sheriff Protzel they'd found the body.
"It should be up here, not too far ahead," the deputy told Chet.
"Good. The sooner we get there and find something, the sooner I can help get Walker released from jail," Chet said.
"Are you that certain he's innocent?" Deputy Warren asked.
"Yes," he insisted. "If Walker's got trouble with someone, he's not going to ambush them while they're sleeping or jump them from a dark alley, like Ben did the other night."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I know the man."
"But he's a half-breed."
"He may have Comanche blood in his veins, but he's still Paul Stevenson's son." Chet pretended anger at the deputy's remark.
"Yeah, you're right about that." Deputy Warren knew what a fine, honest man Paul Stevenson had been.
They fell silent for the time being as they continued on.
When they reached the general area of the murder, Chet was hard-pressed not to ride straight to the actual location of the campsite. He controlled himself with an effort, taking no risk of giving the deputy any reason to question his actions.
"Keep a lookout for the remains of Ben's campfire. Once we find that, we can spread out on foot and look around," Deputy Warren told him.
It took a while, but the deputy finally found the campsite. They both dismounted and tied up their horses to begin the search.
Chet was concerned for a moment when Deputy Warren found his tracks from the night before. He hadn't realized what a good tracker the lawman was, and he was very relieved when the trail proved impossible to follow over the harsh, rocky terrain.
Though they weren't able to follow the killer's trail, they kept up their search, scouring the area for over half an hour before realizing they weren't going to turn up anything that would affect the case.
"I guess we might as well head on back and tell Sheriff Protzel we didn't have any luck," the lawman said, taking one last look around.
Chet pretended frustration as he stared off in the distance. "I can't believe we didn't find anything. Whoever killed Ben sure knew what they were doing."
"Yes, it looks like Walker did a real good job."
Chet glared at him. "Walker is innocent."
"Good luck trying to convince a jury of that. We didn't find a single thing up here to help prove his innocence."
"We didn't find anything to convict him, either," Chet countered.
"You sure are sticking up for him," Deputy Warren said in a disgusted tone.
"What about a man being 'innocent until proven guilty'?" Chet pretended anger, but, in truth, he was silently celebrating. His plan was working perfectly. All he had to do was get through the trial. Once that was over and Walker was out of the way, he'd be living on easy street.
Deputy Warren said nothing more as he started over to where he'd left his horse. "You ready to ride?"
Chet said nothing, but mounted up and followed him back to Two Guns.
It was late afternoon when they reached the sheriff's office. Sheriff Protzel was there along with Deputy Davis. Both men looked up expectantly when Chet and Deputy Warren came through the door.
"Did you have any luck?" Sheriff Protzel asked. He'd been hoping for some clue to help Walker's defense.
"No, there was nothing," his deputy told him. "Just a trail that I lost on the rocks, and there's no telling if that had anything to do with Ben's murder or not."
"All right. I'll let Walker know."
"Sheriff—" Chet spoke up.
"What?"
"Do you mind if I tell him?"
>
"Go on."
He let Chet in to the back area to speak to Walker.
Walker got up and went to stand by the cell door when he saw Chet come in. He was hoping to be freed, but was disappointed again. After Chet told him they'd had no success at the scene of Ben's murder, Walker felt more discouraged than ever.
"I don't know what else we can do," Chet said earnestly. He was more than satisfied to do absolutely nothing from now on except play the role of supportive fiancé to Stacy.
"Talk to Ralph—maybe he'll have some ideas," Walker said.
"I'll do that," Chet promised as he left the jail, hiding his pleasure at the hopelessness of Walker's case.
Chapter Nine
No new leads developed during the days that followed, and as the morning of the trial dawned, Walker found himself even more deeply worried than before. His lawyer had explained to him how quickly a jury could reach a verdict once they'd heard all the testimony, and Walker realized by the end of that day his fate might be known.
Going to stand near the small cell window, he stared out at the sunrise. Memories of his vision quest returned, and he recalled how the spirit had told him of the betrayal and hardship he would face in his life. He understood now what the warning had meant, and he searched his soul for the strength he needed to get through this day and the days to come.
Sheriff Protzel came to the cell with his breakfast a short while later and brought him the set of clean clothes Stacy had dropped off for him the previous day.
"We have to be at the courthouse before nine," he told Walker. "Is there anything else you need?"
Walker looked at the lawman, his expression serious. "Just for the truth to come out."
Protzel nodded in understanding and left him alone to get dressed.
When the time came to leave for the courthouse, Sheriff Protzel warned Walker that all the Thompson ranch hands were in town for the trial. The lawman had expected as much and had arranged for Deputy Davis to accompany them in case of trouble. They took extra care on their way across town and were glad to find that the rowdy men were not waiting for them on the streets.
Nearing the courthouse, they could see a lot of the folks from town milling around outside, waiting for the trial to start, and as they drew near, everyone stopped to watch the accused man pass by. Once they were inside, they started down the narrow aisle in the crowded courthouse. It was then that Walker heard someone call him a murdering savage.
