Chapter 2

“Heap O’ Trouble”

Jacob and Jane passed through the swinging doors that were jointed to the hotel. They saw four new people in the saloon as the hands on the large oak grandfather clock pointed half past two. One of them was Gabe who was standing by the end of the bar with a pint size mug in his hand. Gabe turned to them, smiled and raised his mug in the air.

“Hey what took ya?” he said as Jacob smiled at his kid brother and shook his head.

They walked over him. Jacob saw the two other new men that were at the bar. One had a beige cowboy hat, a tanned vest and he noticed a copper star-like medal on it. He then realized that it was the sheriff. The man he was taking to, dressed in a white cotton dress shirt, was a middle-aged man seemed about fifty or so. His dark brown hair neatly groomed with matching mus-tache gave the impression that he was man of importance in this town.

Jacob turned to his brother and said, “Starting the festivities without us bro?”

Gabe laughed as Carl, the barkeep, strolled over. He asked Jacob and Jane what they would be having. Jacob told him he will have some bourbon and Jane said that she would love some white wine.

Once Carl returned with their drinks, Gabe rose his glass again and said, “To the best brother a kid could ever have.”

Jacob smiled and replied, “And to the birthday boy. Happy birthday bro.” They clanked their glasses together and took a sip. “You know somethin’ Gabe,” Jacob started, “This trip wasn’t just a vacation.” Gabe looked at this brother in curiosity, “I got a surprise for you when we get to our last stop.”

“Surprise?” Gabe wondered. “What kind of surprise?”

“Well, I don’t want to spoil it,” Jacob said as Gabe sighed, “You’ll just have to wait till our last stop.”

“Which will be?” Gabe asked.

“Well, that too is a surprise,” Jacob replied, “All I can say is one of our relatives live there. And that’s all I’m gonna say.”

“What a minute,” Gabe started, “The only relative I know that live in this part of the country is Uncle John, and he lives out in Fresno. So what’s the surprise there? We’re going to visit him or somethin’?”

“Yes and no, but you have to wait until we get there to find out,” Jacob said as he sipped his bourbon.

“I hate when you do this,” Gabe said as Jacob chuckled.

The sheriff turned his head to the trio after the long conversation he had with his friend. The mustache friend thanked Carl and trotted off to the exit.

“You three are not from ‘round here are ya?” the sheriff said as the three turned to him.

“No sir,” Jacob said, “We’re from St. Louis.”

“St. Louis huh? What bring you all what way out here in New Mexico?” He asked.

“Were on vacation, headed to Fresno California,” Jacob replied, “My brother just turned seven-teen yesterday and as gift he wanted to see the west.”

The sheriff looked to Gabe and said, “Really? Well, happy belated birthday. The names Barns,” he extended his hand to Jacob, “Thomas Barns. I’m sheriff ‘round these parts.”

Jacob shook it, and said, “Nice to meet you sheriff, I’m Jacob Jones. This is my brother Gabriel, and my future fiancée Jane Pager.”

“Nice ta meet ya,” Barns said as he shook Gabe’s and Jane’s hand.

“Sheriff, who was that man you were talking to,” Jane asked.

Barns replied, “That was the Judge. Judge William Marshal. I wouldn’t be botherin’ him for awhile. He’s been a bit down lately. Had to hang a young lady today.”

Jane frowned at that and said sadly, “Oh no, that’s terrible. Why? What did she do?”

Barns looked at Jane and replied, “She was charged for attempted murder.”

“Who did she try to kill?” Gabe asked as he took a sip of his beer.

“Me,” the sheriff replied as the trio was a bit confused, “She was a thief. Couple of nights ago I caught her breaking into the courthouse. I guess I caught her off guard and shot at me. Luckily she was horrible shot.”

“What did she try to steal?” Jacob said.

“We’re not sure. She didn’t tell us.”

Gabe was a bit skeptic and wondered, “So, you hung her, just for breaking in the courthouse?”

“We hung her because she tried to kill me,” the sheriff replied. They said nothing for a minute then he said, “I think I said enough. I don’t wanna ruin your celebration with this horrible news. Any-ways, I gotta get back to the jail house. I gotta lot paper work to fill out. Now, we’re not a strict as you may think it, we just like to not to have people breaking our laws and ruin it for eve-rybody. Ya’ll have a good time in our town. Well, it was nice meetin’ ya’ll.”

He smiled to them, tipped his hat, turned, and left the saloon. The three looked at each other wondering what the sheriff meant. Was there something going at the courthouse that the sheriff did not want them to know? Jacob did not want Jane and Gabe to get concerned, so he decided to continue the celebration.

“Barkeep,” Jacob said as Carl turned to him, “Next round is on me.”

The big hand on the grandfather struck nine as the charms rang, but no one heard it as the saloon was at full swing. A western ragtime tune was playing from the upright piano and around fifty people were having a good time. A few were dancing, but mostly was sitting drinking their al-cohol. There were also a couple of poker games going on in the corners.

Jane and Jacob were dancing together as the music followed their steps. At a nearby table, Gabe sat watching them. He was happy that Jacob found a beautiful woman like Jane, but he started to sulk a bit in self-pity. Maybe it was a bit of jealousy he had for his brother. Gabe was not as shy as people may think. He did have his share of girlfriends in the past, but neither of them really stuck to him as Jane did to Jacob. He wondered if he would really find true love one day.

As the music ended, the couple laughed in enjoyment as Jane thanked her lover for the dance and returned to the table where Gabe was clapping for them.

“Wooo! That was the best footwork I ever seen Jake,” Gabe said surly, “You too should enter the national dance competition or something.”

Jane chucked at that remark and replied, “Why thank you Gabe.”

Jacob smiled at his brother and asked, “How many drinks did you have tonight brother?”

“Not enough,” Gabe replied downing the rest of his beer.

“Well I think you just capped the limit little bro,” Jacob said.

“Capped the limit?!” Gabe exclaimed, “You gotta be kiddin’ me!”

“Sorry bro. We got a budget that’s limited,” Jacob explained, “And the last thing we need is you draining it with beers.”

Gabe frowned and said, “You know what? You, are no fun at all.”

Jacob chuckled and said, “Hey, do you want to stay here broke or do you want to see your surprise?”

Gabe thought for a moment, sighed knowing that his big brother was right and replied, “You’re right. I guess I was just having a bit more fun than allowed.”

“That’s right,” Jacob said, “Why doing you head on up stairs and lay down a bit. You look a bit tipsy.”

“But it’s only,” Gabe paused as he looked at the clock and said, “Nine o’clock. You know I don’t get to bed until, at least twelve. Let’s party!”

Jane and Jacob laughed as Jacob said, “All right I’ll give you one more hour, but no more drinks, deal?”

“Deal,” Gabe said feeling a bit defeated.

Time strolled to a quarter till ten. The trio was talking up a storm as they were reminiscing past birthdays that they had and embarrassing scenes that happened, when a beautiful local brunet in a red dress stopped by their table.

“Hi ya’ll,” she said smiling. She looked to Gabe and said to him, “You know, I was wondering, are ya lawman? Cause I love lawmen.” She cooed.

Jacob smiled to his brother a Gabe looked at the young woman’s blue eyes and grinned.

“Sorry miss…” Jacob started.

The brunet turned to Jacob and said, “Miss Betsy.”

“Well, sorry Miss Betsy, Gabe is not lawman.”

Gabe turned to him and retorted, “How do you know? I could be a lawman.” He turned to Betsy and said to her, “Actually I work with the government with a top secret defense program. Very hush, hush.”

“Militant man huh?” Betsy wondered as she grinned slyly.

“No,” Jacob interrupted, “He does work for the government though, in the patent office as a matter of fact.”

“Really?” Betsy said looking a bit disappointed.

Gabe looked down disappointedly, nodded and said, “Yeah, I suppose I am.”

Betsy frowned then looked about and said, “Jordon! How are ya!” She waved to a young man in the corner of the bar and moved over to him.

Gabe then glanced to his brother, slapped him on the shoulder, and said angrily, “Thanks a lot bro!”

“Hey, I was only trying to protect you,” Jacob retorted.

“From what, a beautiful girl who likes me?” Gabe said defensively, “I am not ten anymore Jake. You don’t have to protect me. I’m a grown man and I can take care of myself.”

He then got up and started to swag away from them when Jacob asked, “Where you goin?”

Gabe turned to his brother and said, “I’m gonna go up to my room, grab my coat and take a stroll outside. Can I do that? Do I have your permission?”

Jacob frowned not liking this as he saw his little brother walking towards the swinging doors. He did not like him going out, especially at night in a town he barely knew. However, Gabe was right, he was not a kid anymore. He could not protect him twenty-four hours a day. He looked to Jane as she shared his thoughts.

“He’s a full grown adult now Jacob,” she said, “I think it time for him to leave your nest.”

“You think I’m over protective of him?” Jacob asked her as she nodded, “Well, you don’t know him well enough Jane. Gabe gets in more trouble that I can count and I have to dig him out of some of them. He’s my brother and I love him like one. You understand right?”

She nodded and said, “But if you love him, then you must let him leave his own life. I mean, I know you lead him ever since he started to walk, but it’s time to let go of his hand Jacob.”

“You’re right Jane,” said Jacob, “I guess I have been protecting him for too long.”

Gabe climbed the steps to the third floor and sluggishly strolled down the corridor to his room. Gabe saw his door open and he knew that he locked his door. He wondered if someone was trying to steal something from his room. He then heard some sobbing and knew it was not a thief. He crept slowly, opened the door and peeked inside. He saw the source of the sobbing as it was a young woman. Her jet-black hair was unraveled as she was sitting on Gabe’s bed looking at his knife that she gripped in her right hand. Gabe knew that she was not Caucasian. Her skin bared a light reddish shade. He then knew she had some Indian heritage. Her hazel eyes were overwhelmed with tears rolling down her face. Gabe noticed her outfit and knew that she works at the hotel, perhaps she was the house cleaner.

She was speaking in tongues he did not understand.

“Um, Miss? You ok?” Gabe said as he was trying not to alarm her, but it did not work.

The house cleaner jerked her head up. She saw Gabe in the doorway, and replied sobbingly, “Stay away! Leave me alone!”

“Look Ma’am, I’m not gonna hurt you,” Gabe said, “Just put down my knife and we can talk.”

She cried some more and said, “No…I will do it.”

She pointed the knife towards her abdominal section, preparing to commit suicide something that Gabe did not like or want to see.

“N-n-now hold on there Miss,” Gabe said gesturing his hands to stop her. “There’s no need doin’ that.”

“You have no idea what happened to my life,” she said trembling, “What this town did to me. What they took from me. This town’s evil!” Gabe took one-step closer. “I said stay away! I’ll will do it! I will!”

Gabe did not know why this poor young woman was going to commit suicide, but he had to get his knife out of her hands before she stabs herself. Drunk as he was, Gabe did not want to alarm her or make any sudden movements, but did not want her to do the same. Gabe had to do this as quickly as lightning he thought. In one swift move, Gabe sprinted towards her. He tried to grab the knife, but instead grabbed her hands, but it was already too late. Gabe felt a warm liquid substance on his hands, then a fearful scream, from behind.

Gabe looked down fearfully and saw blood spewing on his fingers, then turned around and saw Betsy in the doorway screaming. She dashed off screaming for the sheriff. This was not good, he thought as he saw the young house cleaner falling back on his bed, dead. Gabe finally took control of his knife as other people gathered around the doorway.

The first thing he wanted to do is to run away. Yes, run away and find his brother. However, that proved to fail as the Sheriff Barns arrived and blocked his way. He surveyed the scene. He looked at the body on Gabe’s bed, the knife and blood on his hands. He knew what happened and frowned at Gabe.

Gabe gulped and the first thing he said that came to his mind was, “It’s not what you think. I-I didn’t kill her.”

“Boy,” Barns started, “You are in a heap o’ trouble and I gotta ‘rrest ya.”