Chapter 45

Sully sank to his knees behind Michaela and wrapped his arms around her, concerned by her trembling and stricken expression. "Shh .. its alright," he whispered against her ear. He turned to look up at Hank. "What time did you come out here?" he asked.

"Berta found him an hour or so back ... came out for wood for the stove ... then she called me," he replied. "Nobody else knows yet ... I told her ta keep it quiet till you seen him .. She's pretty shook up ... so I sent her back to her room ..." He stepped closer and picked up a blood-stained wood splitter lying close to the body. "Aint hard ta work out what killed him huh ..."

As Michaela's trembling gradually calmed, Sully sat back on his heels. "How long you reckon he's bin dead Michaela," he asked quietly.

She took a deep calming breath then reached out and hesitantly touched his pallid skin and dishevelled clothes. "A few hours ... perhaps as many as six or seven," she replied, a distinct quaver to her voice. "He's damp and there hasn't been any rain since the middle of the night ..."

Sully nodded. "Better git Jake an' Matthew I guess," he mused.

"Why them?" asked Hank.

"Well ... seein' we aint got a sheriff right now ... I figure gittin' the mayor an' the fella who used ta be sheriff is probably the best thing ta do," rejoined Sully. "Tilson's bin murdered, an' much as we don' want no fuss ... somethin' has ta be done about it ..." He edged back and stood, drawing Michaela up with him. "You want his body taken over to the clinic?" he asked her.

She shuddered. "I ... I ... don't think that'll be necessary ... there's really no need for an autopsy ... its obvious how he died ...," she rejoined, her tone subdued. She suddenly turned apprehensive eyes on her husband. "What's going to happen now Sully?" she asked fearfully.

"Well ... someone's gonna have ta try an' find out who did it," he replied matter-of-factly.

She grasped his arm. "You know people might think it was you," she muttered, panic-stricken.

He clasped her hand to his chest. "But we know it weren't ... couldn'a bin ...," he asserted.

"That won't stop the gossiping and rumours ..."

"I know it ... By now there's probably a lot o' people knew how we felt about Tilson," he agreed. "But we didn' do it ..." He eyed the barkeep who was standing by. "Could just've easily bin Hank ..."

Hank's eyes opened wide. "Hey ... anyone who knows me knows an axe aint the way I'd go about it," he protested, brandishing the odious weapon in one hand, while patting the gun slung on his hip with the other.

"I aint sayin' ya did it Hank," returned Sully quickly. "But people are gonna want a guilty party ... an' you're gonna be as good as any ..."

"Yeah well ... I didn' do it," he asserted again. "Fact is ... I couldn' care less *who* did it ... did us all a favour I reckon ..." He took a couple of agitated paces and then turned back. "You go git Matthew an' Jake then ... I might even help 'em in the investigation ... always figured I'd make a good sheriff ... an' we'll stay here ... make sure no-one touches him ..."

Sully frowned. "That alright with you Michaela?" he asked anxiously.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I ... I ... want to have a closer look at him ... I might have to testify in court at some stage ... and I have to issue a death certificate ...," she replied, biting her lip to quell her nerves. "Then after he's been moved I better check on Berta ... she's probably upset ... and may need something to calm her down .."

Sully nodded and turned to Hank. "Don't let anyone near him Hank, til Matthew an' Jake git here," he instructed.

"Aint that what I just said Sully?" rejoined the barkeep sardonically. "Done alright so far aint I?"

With a barely perceptible nod Sully acknowledged the truth in the barkeep's words, and then took off at a run back the way they'd come.

For several moments Michaela stood staring down at the lifeless form at her feet. "I hated him Hank," she murmured softly. "I .. I .. don't think I've felt that way about anyone before ... but I didn't want this to happen to him ..." She dropped to her knees again beside Adrian.

"He had it comin' ta him Michaela," justified Hank quietly. As she began to examine the head wound in more detail, he squatted down opposite her.

"Cracked his skull," reported Michaela. "Only one or two blows ..." She leant closer. "Help me tilt his head a little Hank, so I can see the full extent of the wound ...," she asked.

Distastefully, the barkeep reached out and positioned his hands above Michaela's, and together they rolled the man slightly and tilted his head to the side. What was disclosed on the ground beneath his shoulder made Michaela gasp and raise her eyes in trepidation to meet Hank's. He too was breathing heavily. He reached out and picked up the small, shiny object, weighing it in the palm of his hand. The silver earring lay there, glittering in the sunlight, a positive indictment on its owner. Again their eyes met, and without saying a word, the barkeep consigned the bauble to the inner pocket of his vest. Michaela considered his action for a moment and then went back to her examination of the lifeless body of Mr Adrian Tilson.

********************
Michaela quietly let herself out of Berta's room at the Nugget and headed down the corridor. The poor girl certainly had been 'shook up' as Hank had put it. In fact, she'd been in shock when Michaela found her, curled up on her unmade bed, trembling and tearful. Having administered a small dose of laudanum to calm her down, Michaela stayed with her until the girl fell into a fitful sleep. Now she needed to ensure that Hank kept an eye on her and checked her when she woke.

Walking thoughtfully down the landing, Michaela's progress was arrested by the sound of weeping coming from Myrna's room as she passed by. She pondered what to do. She was really in no fit state herself to cope with what Myrna might have to say, and yet she just couldn't leave the young woman on her own. She took a deep breath, tapped lightly on the door and entered.

Myrna gasped when she saw her visitor and scrambled up from her bed, her eyes and cheeks red from weeping.

When Michaela saw the young woman and the state she was in, it was her turn to gasp. Myrna's left eye was swollen shut, its purple bruise extending horrendously down her cheek. Her top lip was split and puffy and there were several deep scratch marks down her neck to just above her breasts. Her bare arms were bruised and she carried one awkwardly as if it pained her to move it.

"Dr Mike!" the young girl exclaimed, grabbing up a flimsy robe and wrapping it around her shoulders, grimacing when her arm twisted and sharp pain shot through it. She swiped at her tears with the sleeve of her robe and then moaned when it came into contact with her black eye.

"Oh sweetheart," sympathised Michaela, walking quietly across to the young woman.

At the kind words, Myrna began to weep anew and slumped down on the side of the bed.

"Sshh ... sshh ... its alright," soothed Michaela, passing Myrna a clean handkerchief, and then reaching into her medical bag for the various instruments, medications and bandages she might need.

Some twenty minutes later, Myrna's crying had all but abated, her wounds had been tended and she now wore a soft, white, muslin sling supporting her badly strained wrist. Michaela packed away her medical supplies and then sat back on her heels and peered up into the young woman's injured face. "You want to talk about it?" she asked with compassion.

Myrna immediately looked away and tears welled in her eyes again.

"I know who did this to you," Michaela informed her quietly. "And he had no right ..."

"You do?" asked Myrna incredulously.

"Mmm ... but he's not going to hurt you again ... someone made sure of that," rejoined Michaela, watching the young woman's face closely.

Myrna bit her lip. "He's dead?" she asked with dread.

"Uh huh ..."

The young woman's face crumpled and she grappled for the handkerchief Michaela had given her earlier.

Michaela reached out and grasped her hand reassuringly. "Want to tell me what happened?" she asked again.

"I .. I ... don't want to go to jail Dr Mike," Myrna sobbed. "I didn' mean ... I mean ... I ... please don' let 'em put me in jail ..."

"Why did you see him last night?... I thought he wasn't allowed up here anymore?

"He ... he ... asked Berta ta tell me he had somethin' for me ... I went down after the bar closed an' met him out back ..." She gulped and her hands balled into fists. "I .. I could tell he was real angry soon as I saw him ... I ... I ... tried ta turn back inside ... but he grabbed me ..." She sobbed again, but now she'd begun to tell her story she was unable to stop. "He tried to kiss me ... an' when I pulled back he hit me ... in the face ... It hurt Dr Mike ... I'd never seen him this bad ... I thought he was gonna kill me ..." Michaela gently rubbed the back of the young woman's hand as she continued distressfully, "He grabbed me agin ... I let him kiss me ... I thought he might calm down if I did ... but he got real rough ... he twisted my arm back behind me an' grabbed my shoulder ... then he pushed me down on the wet ground ... I felt the axe against my hip an' before I knew what I was doin' I grabbed it an' hit him ... hard ... He ... he went all limp an' I pushed him away an' then ran inside ..." Michaela knelt up and took the miserable young woman into her arms, while she moaned, "I don' wanna go to jail Dr Mike ... I can't ..."

Michaela was breathing deeply, disturbed by the woman's vivid tale and torn between what she should do and what she wanted to do. At last she said placatingly, "I'll ... I'll talk to Hank ... we'll see what we can do ..."

Myrna sat back a little. "You won' let 'em put me in jail?" she asked wonderingly.

"I ... I'm not sure ... but I'll do my best," Michaela replied with misgiving. "Now why don't you lay down and rest ... I'll give you something to make you sleep ... alright?"

Myrna swallowed and nodded, then slowly lay back down on the bed, curling up, reminiscent of a small, frightened child. Michaela sighed and prepared another small dose of laudanum.

*********************
"Jake's lookin' after the burial ... an' him an' Matthew are askin' folks around town if they saw anythin' ... I guess there wouldn'a bin too many people in town that time o' night ... Oh ... an' we better send a wire ta Miriam," detailed Sully, concerned by Michaela's subdued demeanour since discovering Adrian's body. He walked across to where she sat at her desk, her head in her hands, and rested his hands comfortingly on her shoulders.

She abruptly turned and looked up at him, her eyes wide and panicked. "Miriam!" she exclaimed. "What are we going to tell her?"

"The truth," replied Sully instantly.

"But how? We can't just send her a telegram telling her her brother's been killed ..."

"Well that's the truth aint it?" he rejoined. "I know its gonna pain her Michaela ... but I can't think o' any other way ..."

"I ... I suppose," she conceded uncertainly. "But ... I feel so bad for her ... She might want to come here ..."

"An' if she does we'll be here ... ta be with her ... support her ...," Sully returned.

Michaela nodded and then her brow furrowed with worry. "Did Matthew and Jake question you?" she asked.

"Uh huh ... they gotta speak ta everyone I guess," he responded. "I told 'em the truth ... that I was home with you an' the family ... Matthew told me Bess offered ta back me up ... an' o' course he knew I hadn' bin anywhere ... If I'd got my horse outta the barn last night he'd o' heard me ... seein' as how's he's sleepin' there while Kathleen's livin' in the house ..."

She nodded in relief. "What about Hank? Do you think they'll believe him ... that he didn't do it either?"

"He had a good point about the way Tilson was killed," Sully replied. "It aint his style ... but the fact it happened at the Nugget means a lotta people are gonna be wonderin' ..."

"*You* don't think he did it Sully?" she asked worriedly.

"Nah ... course I don' ... me an' him don' always see eye ta eye ... but he aint a killer ... Fact is .. he's spreadin' some story 'bout some drifters bein' in the Nugget last night ..."

"He is?"

"Uh huh ... you know anythin' about that?"

Michaela bit her lip and looked away.

"Michaela?"

She peered up into her husband's eyes, knowing she couldn't ever keep anything from him. "Hank didn't do it Sully," she said softly.

"What makes ya so sure?" he asked, almost certain he knew what she was going to say.

"Because I know who did ... she told me," she replied in a small voice.

"It were Myrna weren't it?" he asked quietly and astutely. "He hurt her agin?"

Michaela nodded and then stood and moved into his loving arms. "He was so angry Sully ... she thought he was going to kill her ..."

"Probably would've," remarked Sully, hugging her close and stroking her back comfortingly. "'cept she got in first ..."

"The axe was there ... he was hurting her ... I don't think she even realised what she was doing ...," explained Michaela fearfully. "She's so frightened of going to jail ..."

"She shouldn' have ta ... it was self-defense."

Michaela pulled back a little to peer up into his eyes and posed genuinely, "You know I've always believed that everyone should live within the law of the land?" He nodded, and so she continued, "But who's going to believe the word of an unknown prostitute over an apparently respectable hotel manager?"

"Ya got a point ... So this drifter story ... you an' Hank worked it out between ya huh?"

Michaela lowered her eyes sheepishly. "I hate having to lie ... but in this case ..."

"Maybe its for the best ... Do ya think people'll go for it?"

"I'd wager that most of the men in the saloon last night couldn't say who else was there ... besides .. Adrian has only been here a short while ... most people don't know anything much about him ... he mostly kept to himself ... There'll probably be some speculation ... some gossip ... then things will quieten down ..."

"What if some o' that gossip's about us huh?"

She again looked up into his eyes. "I can stand it if you can ..." Then her brow furrowed. "What about the children? They shouldn't have to put up with something like that ..."

"We'll talk to 'em ... the older one's'll understand ... an' Katie an' William are too young for it ta bother 'em I reckon ..."

"It's a lot to ask ..."

He gently kissed the top of her head. "They're good kids Michaela ... an' they trust us ... that's all that's needed ...," he said quietly.

She nodded and leant in against his chest, her arms around his waist. After a long silence, she said softly, "Sully?"

"Uh huh ..."

"I ... I ... feel so guilty ..."

"Why's that?" he asked, caressing her back once more.

"I ... I ... hated him Sully ... I've never felt like that before ... but I didn't want him to be killed ..."

"It weren't your fault ..."

"Perhaps if I'd done something sooner, said something sooner ... or insisted that Hank do something about him beating Myrna ...," she speculated, her lip trembling.

"Ya can't look at it like that ... those things didn' happen ... an' ya wouldn'a stood a chance o' gittin' Hank ta do somethin' he didn' wanna do ..."

"But .."

"There're no buts Michaela ... this is the way it is now ... an' we gotta accept it ..."

She looked up into his eyes. "Don't you feel even a little guilty? ...," she asked timorously.

His brow furrowed. "Sure I do ... but maybe not the way you think ... I don' feel guilty about him bein' killed ... he brought that on himself ... weren't nobody else's fault ..."

"Well what then?"

"I feel guilty that maybe me talkin' to him like I did sent him over the edge ... an' put Myrna in the position she's in right now," he replied in a subdued tone. "It aint him I'm worried about ... its Myrna ..."

"Oh Sully," sighed Michaela. "Its all such a mess ... and its because of me ..."

"It aint because of you .. its because o' him ... pure an' simple ...," Sully assured her, lightly kissing the top of her head.

She pulled back slightly and then stood on her tiptoes to give him a light kiss. "Do you think we could go home now? ... I need to be amongst my family ...," she asked hopefully.

He nodded. "We'll stop at the telegraph office and wire Miriam ... then head home .."

At the mention of her friend's name her eyes filled with tears. "She's going to be so upset Sully," she said in a small voice. "And I can't help wondering if she'll blame me ..."

"Miriam's a reasonable woman Michaela ... an' she knew Adrian was bein' a pest ..."

"But that didn't warrant him being killed," interjected Michaela. "And she certainly didn't know he was inclined to be violent ..."

He shrugged his shoulders. "She might know more 'an we give her credit for ... Come on ... collect your things an' we'll head home ..."

She sighed, stepped away from him and picked up her medical bag from beside her desk. He grasped her hand and they headed to the door, only to be halted by a loud knocking. Sully took a deep breath and pulled the door open. Jake and Mathew stood on the doorstep.

"Sorry ta bother ya Dr Mike ... Sully ... but we gotta ask ya some questions about this fella Tilson and' his killin'," said Jake sombrely. "Seems you know a lot more about him than I first thought ... Can we come in?"

Michaela and Sully exchanged concerned glances and then stood back to allow the two men to enter.

Chapter 46

"We've bin talkin' to a lotta folks about this Tilson character," began Jake, as the four of them found seats and settled to talk. "An somehow ... it always seems ta come down to you two ..." He directed his gaze and question to Michaela. "Seems you knew this fella a long ways back Dr Mike ... before ya ever came here?"

She nodded. "That's right," she replied quietly. "He's my friend's brother ... I met him when I was in medical college ... Several people around town know that ..."

"Big coincidence him turnin' up here then aint it?" the mayor remarked.

Michaela swallowed. "It ... it wasn't a coincidence Jake," she admitted quietly.

This time he nodded. "Thought as much," he noted. "Maybe ya better explain ..."

"That's not easy," she said unsurely. "I don't fully understand it myself."

"Tilson was well ... sorta obsessed with Michaela," interjected Sully. "Seems for a lot o' years he didn' know where she was ... then his sister Miriam wrote him about her visit here ..."

"That doctor lady," nodded Jake. "I remember her ... So this fella was so 'obsessed' that he leaves his job in the city an' moves all the way out here huh?" He raised his eyebrows speculatively.

"Yep," verified Sully.

"He know you were married Dr Mike?" Jake asked.

"Yes ... well ... I think so," she replied. "I didn't want anything to do with him," she added quickly.

Jake frowned. "I don' git it ... what'd he hope ta achieve by comin' here?"

Michaela and Sully again exchanged glances, uncertain as to what to reply.

"Maybe he was hopin' ta find Dr Mike unhappy livin' here Jake .. that way he could persuade her ta leave with him," commented Matthew.

Jake's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You figure that's what he was about Dr Mike?" he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders self-consciously. "Perhaps," she said softly.

Jake frowned wonderingly and then shook himself, returning to his notes. "Ah .. seems you two both had ... ah ... words with the man in the last few days," he suggested.

"We both figured it was time he was told ta pull his head in," explained Sully with a little vehemence.

"These ... ah ... discussions ... git violent?"

Michaela, gradually regaining her equilibrium, raised her eyebrows. "Are you actually suggesting I'd use physical violence against Adrian Jake ... if that were possible ...," she asked, a touch haughtily.

He reddened and muttered, "No ... course not Dr Mike .." He paused and then eyed Sully. "Not so certain 'bout your husband though," he speculated.

In his turn, Sully eyed the mayor. "His body's in your care right now aint it Jake?" he asked unexpectedly.

Jake started in surprise and answered, "Uh huh ..."

"Well check out his lip ... there's maybe a tiny cut on it ... that's the only violence I inflicted on him ... though I gotta admit I wanted ta do more at the time ...," explained Sully bitterly.

Jake's eyes narrowed in thought and at last he ventured, "You didn' decide ta take matters inta ya own hands? You've bin known ta do it before ..."

"No ... I didn' take matters inta my own hands Jake ... my family an' Bess Maloney've already told ya I never left the house last night ... I gotta admit I aint sorry he's dead ... but *I* didn' do it ..."

Deciding to take another tack, Jake asked, "You know anythin' about Tilson maybe bein' violent?"

Michaela's breath caught and her eyes met Sully's in consternation.

"What made ya ask that Jake?" queried Sully.

"Guest out at the Chateau mentioned Tilson grabbin' Dr Mike a few days back ... said she looked real uncomfortable ... so I asked Hank about it cos we was told he was there ... He agreed an' said he stopped Tilson goin' any further ... He ever do that before Dr Mike?"

She bit her lip nervously and replied quietly, "Yes .. back when I was at college ... Now you know why I didn't want anything to do with him ..." She lowered her eyes as if ashamed.

Jake nodded and then turned to Matthew. "That bears out what Dorothy said huh?"

Matthew nodded in reply.

Michaela raised her eyes in surprise. "What did Dorothy say?" she asked in puzzlement.

"Now ma ... don' git upset with Miss Dorothy ... but she noticed a while back how nervous you were whenever Mr Tilson was around ... so she sent some wires back east ... askin' for information ...," explained Matthew.

"And?" questioned Sully with interest.

"She got some strange sorta replies ... Seems Tilson was never charged ... but he was suspected of hurtin' a couple o' women he worked with ... in one o' the hotels in New York ... They couldn' ever git enough evidence against him though ... the women were always too scared ta testify ..." He paused and then went on, "Seems the authorities took his word against what some chambermaid or waitress was sayin' ..."

Michaela shook her head in disbelief. Until now she'd believed that this trouble was all to do with her. Now she wasn't so sure.

Sully snorted in disgust. "Startin' ta seem like he got what he deserved."

"Nobody deserves to die Sully!" exclaimed Michaela. "Especially not in that way ... so violently!"

"Maybe not ... but at least he aint gonna hurt no-one no more ..."

"Well ... I guess seein' as how you two couldn'a killed him, you're in the clear ... but if ya think o' anythin'?" concluded Jake.

"We'll be sure to mention it ... to you or Matthew," Michaela assured him.

Jake rose and started for the door, then turned back. "Oh ... either o' you notice these coupla drifters Hank mentioned were in the saloon last night?"

"Ah .. no," replied Michaela quietly.

"We were home Hank ... didn' see who was here in town," Sully confirmed.

Jake nodded, "Figured," he muttered. "Come on Matthew ... got some more questions ta ask ... though I got a feelin' we're headin' for a dead end ... seems nobody knew much about Tilson ... he certainly didn' have any friends ..."

Matthew rose from his chair, gave his mother's shoulder a reassuring squeeze and followed the mayor out the door.

*******************
Brian quietly pushed the door to his parents' bedroom open and peeked inside. Michaela was sitting on the bed, leaning back against the headboard, William cradled in her arms. "Hey ma," he said quietly.

She immediately turned and smiled at him. "Come in Brian ... Where's Katie?"

"Kathleen's got her ... they're playin' outside ... an' pa's choppin' wood," he replied, walking quietly across and perching himself on the edge of the bed.

Michaela shook her head ruefully. "Sully often does that when he needs to think ... or release some pent up anger," she said softly.

Brian nodded and then reached out to gently stroke his tiny brother's stomach. "He's growin' quick aint he ma?" he said quietly.

"Mmm ... it seems even more quickly than Katie," she replied pensively. Sensing that Brian might want to talk, she patted the bedclothes beside her. "Come sit up here with us," she invited.

"You finished nursin'?" he asked, not wanting to interrupt.

"Mmm ... some time ago ... he stays awake a lot longer now." She sat William up and then to his delight bounced him on her knee. His excited giggles brought wide smiles to both their faces.

Brian circled the bed and climbed up to sit shoulder to shoulder with his ma. "Aint hard ta amuse one so little huh?" he ruminated, reaching across to tickle William's side.

"No ... they're very easy to please ... as long as their hunger is appeased and they feel warm and safe and loved," she replied, leaning forward to kiss her tiny son's forehead.

"Guess we all want that hey ma?" Brian posed thoughtfully.

"Every one of us Brian," she agreed.

He momentarily rested his head on his ma's shoulder and then asked quietly, "You alright?"

She bit her lip and replied, "Yes .. yes ... of course ..."

He nodded. "Figured you might be upset by what happened to Mr Tilson ...," he ventured.

"I suppose I am a little," she admitted. "No-one deserves to die like that ..."

"He weren't a nice man though ma ..."

"Perhaps not ... but to have been killed like that ..."

Brian reached across and lay his hand over his mother's. "It weren't your fault," he said quietly.

She swallowed. "I know that," she returned. "But I'm the reason he came here ..."

"But you aint the reason he got himself killed ... I don' know a lot about him ... but if he *were* the fella who broke the window an' started the fire at Mr Beauchamp's house ... who knows what he's bin doin' here in town ... So from what I can see, ya can't blame yourself ...," Brian assured her.

She turned her hand so she could clasp his. "You've grown very wise Brian," she said quietly. "My brain says it wasn't my fault ... but my heart still has doubts ..."

"Well this time listen to your brain ma ... you weren't anywhere near him when he got killed ..."

"I wish it were that easy ..."

"Remember what ya told me when Little Blackbird died? When I was wonderin' whether I did the right thing takin' him back to his people instead here to town an' you?" When she looked puzzled, he said, "You told me I'd done all I could ... that he died for a reason only God knew ... an' that it weren't my fault ..."

"This is hardly the same thing ..."

"You talked to Mr Tilson didn' ya? ... an' pa did too ... ya tried to git him ta see what was right ..."

"How did you know about that?" she asked in astonishment.

"I heard you ... an' other folks talkin' ... You couldn' do no more ma ... he got himself into trouble ...," he asserted. "Maybe its even harder when ya don' like someone an' somethin' happens to 'em ... maybe ya feel even more guilty ... like not likin' 'em somehow gits 'em inta trouble ...," he mused, his eyes fixed on his baby brother who was sleepily leaning back against Michaela.

Michaela shook her head. "You're going to make a wonderful writer Brian," she said softly. "You think about things so deeply ... you think them through and arrive at a logical conclusion ..."

He turned and gave her a wry smile. "I bin thinkin' about it ever since we heard he'd bin killed," he said quietly. There was a long silence and then he said unexpectedly, "I bin thinkin' about my writin' lately too .. a lot ..."

"You have?"

"Uh huh ... um ... I know ya expect me ta go to college ... but I'm thinkin' I don' wanna go ..." Michaela's eyebrows rose and she straightened her shoulders. She opened her mouth to speak, but he forestalled her, "That didn' come out right ma ... I don' mean I don' wanna go ... ever ... I just mean I don' wanna go right now ..."

"You don't?" Michaela asked with concern.

He shook his head. "There aint no hurry ... is there? Fact is, I'd maybe like ta stay around here for another year or so ... I already talked to Miss Dorothy an' she'd be glad o' the help with the Gazette ... an' I can do odd jobs around town ... I told ya once I didn' wanna leave all my friends an' family behind ... an' Stephen an' Sarah finish next year ... I could go to college then ..."

"They may not go to college Brian ... and so you'd still be leaving them behind ..."

"I know it ... Stephen probably won't go ... but Sarah might ... I figure if I put it off for a year ... an' then go ... I'll still graduate before I'm twenty ..."

"You've given this a lot of thought ..."

"Uh huh ... ever since our trip to San Francisco ..."

"I don't want you missing out on opportunities Brian ...."

"I won't be missin' out ma ... I'm just puttin' 'em off for a while ..." He turned to face her. "Alright?"

She reached out to cup his cheek tenderly. "The decision is yours ...," she said quietly. "I'd like you to go to college ... but if you feel you're not ready ..."

"I'd like some time ta just be me ... an' while I'm at it I'll find out about all the best colleges for writin' courses ..."

"I know Dorothy will be pleased about your decision ... she was telling me only a short while back that she was worried about coping without your help ..."

"She was?" queried Brian with delight. When Michaela nodded, he smiled and leaned back against the headboard. "We got a lot ta look forward to hey ma?" he said softly.

"I suppose we have Brian," she rejoined pensively.

"Will you tell pa about my decision? ... I don' think he'll be upset about it ... but can you explain for me?...," he asked.

"I know exactly what Sully will say," returned Michaela with assurance. "He'll say its your life and you have to decide how best to live it ..."

Brian shook his head and edged forward on the bed preparatory to leaving. "Pity Mr Tilson didn' think enough about that ...," he muttered obscurely. He slid from the bed and picked up his now sleeping baby brother. "I'll put him in his crib ma ... you stay there an' rest a little longer ..."

Michaela watched as the young man carefully laid his baby brother down, adjusting the bedclothes so he would be comfortable, and then strode back across the room and out the door. She was once again reminded that he was growing up and even though they were not related by blood, he seemed to have inherited Sully's insight and wisdom. She smiled with satisfaction. Despite everything happening at the moment, she was indeed a very lucky woman.

*****************
"Wook mama!" called Katie excitedly, sitting up in front of Brian on his horse Taffy. "I widin'!"

Unlike the previous evening, the air was warm and clear and the entire family had adjourned to the homestead steps and yard after supper to enjoy the summer sunshine. With great effort Michaela quelled the urge to call out to Brian to be careful. She knew he'd always try to keep Katie and William safe, but she couldn't help but worry when, as their little girl grew older, she insisted on trying more adventurous things. She turned to Sully, who was sitting beside her on the porch steps, to find his eyes on her, a distinct sparkle of amusement in them. "What's so funny?" she asked indignantly, though her eyes too sparkled.

"You're tryin' so hard ta be relaxed ... but ya aint succeeding," he replied, taking her hand in his.

"She's so little Sully," Michaela worried.

"She's growin' Michaela ... Soon she's gonna be wantin' ta do lots o' things she sees other kids doin'," he counselled her. "An' I got a feelin' she's gonna be fearless ... like her ma ..."

"And her pa," added Michaela with a smile. She tensed as Brian quickened Taffy's pace to a slow canter, yet couldn't help but smile at the look of sheer delight on their tiny daughter's face.

Above the noise of Taffy's hooves and Katie's squeals, came the sound of riders approaching, and as they rounded the bend the family recognised their callers as Dorothy and Cloud Dancing. Sully immediately stood and moved forward to fervently grasp the arm of his brother in greeting. Dorothy somewhat less eagerly approached her friend. "Hey Michaela," she said quietly, taking Sully's former position on the step.

"Dorothy," rejoined Michaela, a touch coolly.

Not to be deterred, Dorothy turned to face her friend. "I though you might be upset about this Tilson business," she offered. "Thought ya might like ta talk ..."

"Of course I'm upset ... most people would be ... a murder in our town is most unsettling .."

Dorothy smiled ruefully. "That aint exactly what I was meanin' Michaela ... an' you know it ..."

Michaela stared off into the distance. At last she said, "Certainly I'm upset ... I may not have liked him ... but I would never wish him to die as he did ..."

"Matthew an' Jake are lookin' into it aint they?" mused the editor of the Gazette. "They say if they've got any clues yet about who done it?"

Michaela shook her head and then said quietly, "They mentioned something about drifters ..."

"Oh," responded Dorothy. She frowned and then reluctantly asked, "They talked to you two huh?"

Michaela nodded.

"Talked to me too ... seein' as how the Gazette office is so close to the Nugget ..."

"You didn't see anything?" asked Michaela with a touch of anxiety.

"Wasn't there," Dorothy replied. "I was out at Palmer Creek ... the one time somethin' big happens an' I aint in town ..."

"He wasn't discovered until this morning," Michaela informed her a little curtly.

Dorothy lowered her eyes. "Guess you're right ... didn' really miss anythin' ... seein' I was back in town just after dawn ..." Again there was a lengthy silence, until Dorothy finally asked the question she'd come out to the homestead to put. "You aint mad at me are ya ... for checkin' up on Mr Tilson back east?" Michaela's jaw set, prompting Dorothy to add, "I was worried about ya ... I aint ever seen you scared o' anyone before ... but you were scared o' him ..."

Michaela swallowed. "I .. I suppose I was ... but I resent you going behind my back ..."

Dorothy's eyebrows rose. "Actually ... I didn' go behind your back ... I went behind his ... I watched you the day o' Katie's birthday ... you were worried he was gonna give her somethin' that could hurt her ... but ya never said anythin' to anyone ... ya tried ta hide it like ya always do ... I decided that day ta try and find out about him ... see if there was somethin' in his past ya weren't lettin' on ... Then when ya went to San Francisco an' didn' want him knowin' that's where you were headed, I knew it was serious ..."

"Why didn't you talk to me about it?"

Dorothy swivelled to face her fully. "What would you have told me huh?"

Michaela reddened.

"Exactly!" Dorothy crowed. "You wouldn'a told me anythin' ... I'll wager you hadn't even told Sully all o' it hmmm?"

Michaela shook her head ruefully. "No," she replied in a small voice. "I was so confused ... I was wondering whether my memories of Adrian and what he did all those years back had been coloured by youth and time ... I couldn't believe he'd actually set out here ... knowing I was married ... to win me over ..." She clenched her hands in her lap. "But that was his aim ... he didn't care about anyone or anything except that ..."

Dorothy reached across and lay her hand over her friend's. "Seems ta me ya shoulda talked about it long ago ... I bet there are still things ya aint told Jake an' Matthew huh?"

"They don't have to know everything," replied Michaela in a low tone.

"Maybe not ... but if it might help 'em find out who killed him ..."

"It won't ... it would only colour people's perceptions of everything that's gone on ... and give rise to unnecessary gossip ...," rejoined Michaela.

"Alright .... if that's the way ya want it," agreed Dorothy. "But don' bottle it up inside Michaela ... talk ta Sully ... an' you've always got me an' Cloud Dancin' ..."

"I have talked to Sully," replied Michaela quietly. "He knows everything now ... and thank-you for worrying about me ..."

Dorothy patted Michaela's hand. "That's what friends are for Michaela," she said sincerely.

Sully and Cloud Dancing wandered across the yard and then turned to lean against the corral railing. "Dorothy tells me that this man from the Chateau ... the one who was worrying Michaela ... has been killed," ventured the medicine man.

Sully nodded. "Uh huh ... someone split his head open with an axe ..."

"A sad way to die," expounded Cloud Dancing.

"Yeah ... I guess ... but ... well ... I don' have a lot o' sympathy for him ... He weren't sane Cloud Dancin'."

"Why do you say this?"

"Both me an' Michaela tried ta git through ta him that he should leave us alone ... maybe even leave Colorado Springs ... but he wouldn' listen ... It was like he was so obsessed about one thing, he didn' hear anythin' anyone was sayin'."

"And the one thing?"

"He wanted ta take Michaela away from here ... an' he'd o' done anythin' ta make it happen ... didn't matter ta him if he hurt lots o' people along the way ..."

Cloud Dancing shook his head. "We have come across such men before," he said quietly. Sully turned puzzled eyes on him, occasioning him to explain, "It seems to me that Custer is just such a man ..." Sully still looked puzzled. The medicine man went on, "He is obsessed with removing the tribes from their lands ... and he cares little that he hurts many people .. indian and white ... along the way. He leads his soldiers into battles he knows they cannot win ... and does not weep over them when they are killed ... He ambushes innocent women and children ... and walks away without looking back .... Such men do not believe that everyone else's law is made for them ... Yet to many people Custer is a hero .."

"He's a fool ..."

"I think people would say he is single-minded ...," suggested Cloud Dancing.

"Or insane ..."

Cloud Dancing nodded. "Yes ... or insane ..." He indicated Michaela talking earnestly to Dorothy. "The dark cloud over her that was this man is gone ... but she is not happy about it ..."

"Nah .. she feels guilty ... reckons she should o' bin able ta do somethin' before he got himself killed ..."

Cloud Dancing shook his head. "When a man has no need or regard for the rules of his own people ... his fate is in his own hands ... no-one else's ..."

"That's what I tried ta tell her," rejoined Sully pensively.

"She will come to understand ... but it is hard for her to reach such a place."

"I know it ... you know how Michaela is ... reckons anyone's worth savin' ... an' that she can help 'em ..."

"Her heart is big and full of love for her family and friends ... she wants everyone to know such love ...," posed Cloud Dancing.

"You're right ... She will come ta understand ... I'll help her," acknowledged Sully.

Cloud Dancing nodded and then his eyes narrowed as another rider appeared from the direction of town.

Matthew rode into the yard and quickly dismounted, tethering his horse at the corral railing. Both Sully and Cloud Dancing nodded a greeting and then followed him across to where the two women sat on the porch steps. Michaela stood and offered with concern, "Have you had supper Matthew? Its late ..."

He nodded. "I'm fine ... I ate at Grace's Dr Mike," he rejoined.

"You finished your investigatin' Matthew?" asked Sully.

"Got a few more people ta speak to tomorra ... but it seems ta me Hank might be right about them drifters ...," he replied, taking off his hat and running his fingers through his untidy, light brown hair. "Actually Dr Mike ... Sully ... Jake wanted me ta ask ya to come out to the Chateau in the mornin' ... he'll meet ya there ... We ah ... found somethin' ya might wanna see ..."

"What?" asked Michaela anxiously.

"Better if ya check it out for yourself ma," he said quietly. He took a step upwards. "Think I might git a cup o' coffee after all ... anyone else want one?"

"You're not gonna tell us anythin' more hey Matthew?" asked Sully quietly.