Tangled Betrayals (36 page)

Anna
wished her parents could sense that danger was close and come to save them, but Anna knew that was an impossible wish to have, for they were spending the night, along with Edward, at the Parker Plantation. They’d been too tired, after the auction, to travel home and then return the next day for the wedding.

If only
she and Thomas had made the time to change their name to Pierce. She hated the fact that Ball was her last name, when this creature before them wasn’t even blood related and mad to boot. She again thought about their burial, and for the first time showed a smile. She knew her parents and Edward would put Pierce on their tombstones, she had no doubt Edward would see to it.

Henry
hadn’t expected any of them to be brave and it angered him. He was going to break them before this night ended. Torture was an added bonus. Yes, this was going to be a long night, but break them he would. Then, once Chester was done with Mary, they’d enjoy burning them alive. But this time, they’d be gagged, and he and Chester would be far away from any screams made this night.

He
knew that Chester, being the depraved soul he was, would be looking forward to his time with Mary, and possibly Anna, too.

Chapter
Eighty-Nine

Revenge

Jack had worked for Thomas Ball from the beginning. When he spotted tracks of two unknown riders close to the herd, he thought it’d be best to move the fifty head of cattle closer to the ranch. He knew every shoe track made by the horses used on the Ball farm. These two rider’s tracks he’d never come across before. To Jack, this could only mean Henry Ball and his accomplice had found Thomas, the same men who ruined James Parker.

There was a ravine
between the north pasture and the homestead and that was where Jack chose to place the cattle. They’d used the ravine before to hide the cattle, so Jack felt the cattle would be safe there. Once he had the cattle settled, he planned to ride to the homestead to let Thomas know what was happening and ask for a couple extra men to keep an eye on everything.

Jack
had taken two days to complete his task of getting the cattle into the ravine. He headed out to speak with Thomas, even though it was late in the day. He felt certain no one had followed him, so it was quite a surprise when he heard a group of riders approaching. Jack slipped his horse behind some rocks and waited to see who was approaching.

It surprised him to see
Shorty and the others from the homestead. “Shorty, what the hell’s going on?”

“We came to help you catch those prowlers. Why aren’t you with the cattle?” Shorty asked
, puzzled and upset Jack wasn’t where he should be.

“How could you know about the prowlers?
I just finished moving the cattle to the ravine and was riding to tell Thomas what I’d done,” Jack stated, concerned and confused.

“
From the man you sent. We headed out to the north pasture, but saw no sign of you or the cattle. We had to backtrack and figured you may have moved them to the ravine, for better protection.”

“
Tell me McKee’s guarding the house.” Jack said, fearing the answer.

“
Hell no, he’s on his way to Washington. He was told his kid brother was shot and not expected to live. We’ve been fooled!” Shorty said.

“
Damn. I haven’t spoken to anyone in days. I haven’t even seen sign of those prowlers for four or five days now. We’d better ride hard and get back to the homestead, now!” Jack yelled out.

“
We left Hank guarding the place. He won’t be any match for the two men we’ve been looking for,” Shorty said, worried for his friend. All the men were anxious to get going.

“
I’ll ride to intercept Will, my horse is fairly fresh,” Jack stated.

Shorty nodded.
“Thomas may still be at the Parker plantation. We’ll ride straight there and try to catch him before he heads for home. We’ll then meet up with you at the abandoned barn on the Parker land, right before you get to Thomas’s place.”

“What if
Thomas has already left?” Jack inquired. “You’d better tell James we could use help. Knowing Parker, he and the men will be joining us either way, once he knows what happened. See you soon,” Jack called out, as he kicked his horse hard enough to send him into a full run. He had to get to Will and fast. He took the short cut to intercept McKee and prayed he wasn’t too late.

*****

Shorty and the men made good time getting to the Parker Plantation. Clayton and James were on the veranda smoking cigars when they saw riders coming in fast.

James hurried down the steps
when he saw Shorty and the men. “What’s happened?” James shouted.

“We came
hoping to find Thomas, but I see he’s already gone. How long ago did he leave? He’s heading for a trap.” Shorty stated.

“He left some time ago. Tell me what
you know.”

Shorty filled Clayton and James in, but not before Edward
and John Webb appeared to hear the tale. They’d obviously been awakened when they heard the riders approaching the house.

The cursing was rampant as the men hurried to saddle their horses
while John Webb and Edward went to finish getting dressed. Annabelle and Constance came out long enough to realize the possible danger at the Ball farm.

“
Please be careful.” Annabelle said, as she tried to appear calm. But everyone there knew Ball was behind this evilness. “Constance and I’ll watch over the children. Hopefully they’ll remain asleep.”

“Annabelle, you and Constance get a couple of
guns loaded and ready. I don’t believe you’re in any danger, but one never knows. We’ll leave a couple of men outside to keep watch. Stay inside and lock the doors. Be prepared for anything. Shot first and ask questions later.”

All the men
, but two, headed out of the Parker Plantation heading straight for the barn, which was far enough away from Thomas’s home, to hide them from view.

James prayed everyone was safe. “Shorty, about what time did you and the men leave to get to Jack?”

“
About four hours ago. Sorry James. We got caught up in the excitement of finally being able to capture Ball and his friend. We tore out of there never assuming we’d been told lies until we spoke with Jack. We’re all sick about it.” 

“
Ball’s a very clever and despicable man. I’m sure this is a trap. I pray we’re not too late.” James was going crazy inside with fear. He knew if anything happened to Mary, or Thomas and his family, he’d spend the rest of his life tracking down Ball and Hartley. He couldn’t lose Mary. Not now. Not like this.

Chapter
Ninety

“James, quit pacing!” Clayton snapped, knowing everyone had the same concerns for Thomas, his family, and Mary. “Jack and Will should be here anytime. We need a good plan. We now know for sure that Henry and Chester are holding the hostages in the main room of the house, thanks to Shorty’s expert snooping skills.”

Have you
or James thought of a plan?” Edward asked. He had a solid plan in mind, if Clayton and James would only agree.

“Not one I
like. What about you?” Clayton replied.

“
I’ve a plan that would only risk one life, mine,” Edward stated. He explained his plan in detail, hoping Clayton, James, and John Webb would agree.

“Anna
’s my daughter, I should be the one to enter,” John declared, not fearing for his life. “Anna is the only child I’ve left, and she and Jane mean everything to me, not to mention the child within her.”

“
Wait, you must understand, Henry would be most pleased to see me.” James interrupted. “He’d gladly kill me. That’s just one of the reasons I suggest I be the one to go, another is I’m younger and in better shape than the three of you.”

Edward
quickly jumped in, “Listen, we don’t have time to argue. But think about what I’ve got to say, if I go, Henry will be shocked to see me. For that fact alone, he may not think to look for a second gun, which I plan to have hidden in the back of my pants. It’ll easily be covered under my coat. But if any of you enter the home, he might stop to think we’ve set a trap. I’ll make it appear as if I’ve been staying with Thomas, and just mosey into the cabin.

“
As long as Thomas, Anna and Mary don’t say otherwise, Henry will not suspect anything. I’ve no one left in my family but those inside. The rest of you have other family members that still need you.

“
And I’m quite good with a gun. If there’s any hope of a rescue, it’ll only be by a surprise confrontation. But the rest of you must be ready to complete the plan, once you hear the first shot. ”

As much as James hated to admit Edward was right,
they all knew his plan was their best chance. This was a dangerous plot in which they’d only have seconds to make it work.

William and Jack
had ridden up in time to hear the plan and the decision that only Clayton, James and John would sneak up to the house, enter through the bedroom windows and wait. Once the shooting starts, Will, you’ll need to bring the rest of the men to finish up, if needed. But under no circumstances, can Henry or Chester be allowed to escape their grasp.

Edward mounted his horse and shook hands with James, Clayton and John. “If for some reason, this plan doesn’t work, I want you to know I
’ve had no better friends than those here tonight. I pray I can save them from harm. Forgive me, if this plan fails.”

“May God be with you,
” Clayton said, as they watched in silence as Edward rode straight into a nightmare.

Chapter
Ninety-One

Thomas, Anna and Mary listened with surprise and dread as a horse and rider stopped in front of their home. No one spoke but watched anxiously to see who was about to enter. As the door opened, it was little Jane who cried out.

“These bad men hurt
Papa!”

“What
’s going on?” Edward asked trying to look as surprised. He saw two guns pointed at him and immediately held his hands above his head and prayed they wouldn’t shot him. He watched as Chester came over and took the gun out of the holster on his hip.

As Edward had hoped,
Chester didn’t bother to check him for a second gun. All the while, Henry kept his gun aimed at Edward’s chest. Chester stepped beside Henry and laid Edward’s gun out of reach on the table.

“
It’ll be alright Jane, these men won’t harm you,” Edward said softly, trying to keep her calm. His heart breaking for the fear Jane was enduring, along with the others.

“
What are you doing here at this time of night, Edward?” Henry asked, concerned. He felt the timing seemed odd, yet, waited for an explanation.

“I
’ve been staying here. I don’t find that too unusual to be staying at my son’s place. What the hell are you doing here?” Edward bluffed, not looking at any member of his family for fear they might give him away.

“We
’re paying a visit to those people who betrayed me when I warned them not to. I’m going to have my revenge. I must admit, I was shocked to see Mary here tonight. I couldn’t believe my luck. But now, to have you added to the mix, I think this might be a blessing. I couldn’t have planned this better.”

“I don’t think it matters if I disagree
with your opinion or not, does it?” Edward asked, trying to figure out the best time to try for his gun. So far, they hadn’t tied his hands. But he knew it was only a matter of time until they did.

“You, my friend, are an added bonus to the cause.”
Henry said, grinning at Edward, and licking his lips.

“What cause might that be?” Edward
questioned, again stalling for time. He was hoping to get Thomas to understand all hell would be breaking loose at any moment. But Thomas hadn’t even glanced at Edward since his gun had been taken. Thomas was watching Anna and Mary as they sat rigid in their chairs. So far, it appeared to Edward, neither of the women had broken down. If they had, there was no sign of it.

“
I’ve come to seek revenge, Edward. Revenge on those who went against me.”

“
Revenge? Don’t you think you’re being a bit hypocritical? If anyone here should seek revenge, I believe it should be me. You took my wife and children. I should be the one seeking revenge on the man who ruined my life.

“Or maybe it should be Mary, who you brutally betrayed when you broke her heart by writing James a letter full of lies. You
’ve done a fine job tangling your betrayals together until they’ve now come full circle, starting off with your lies about me. Now, Thomas and Mary know everything.”

“I don’t give a damn about what Thomas
or Mary know! They owed me! They should have stayed in England to take care of my needs. After all I’ve done for them; they treated me like I was nothing.”

“Tell me, Henry, how did you get Jane to marry you?” Edward asked, wondering just how Henry deceived Jane.

“It was fairly easy; I lived not far from your residence, and found it easy to take notice of the most beautiful woman around, even with child. Soon, we were chatting almost daily, a few minutes each evening, as she walked Thomas. Then, the more we visited, the more I fell in love with her. When she told me the name of your ship and about the time it was due, I formed plan to make her mine. Once I got rid of you, it didn’t take Jane long to realize she needed someone to help her out and so I kindly made myself available. She may have never loved me, like she did you, but I married her on the condition she’d never bring your name into a conversation again, and I would adopt Thomas and the child, once the baby was born. “I loved her, Edward.”

“So did I!
I regret ever believing you, and will until the day I die!”

“Since that will be today, your regrets will soon be ended,” Henry said
, smirking and ready to begin their torture.

“Henry, I don’t like this. Don’t you find it odd
Pierce should ride up now? I think it’s time he proves what he’s said. Let’s see where he’s been sleeping.”

“
That’s and excellent idea, Chester. I doubt that he’s lying, I don’t think he has it in him, but which room have you been using, Edward?”

“I
’ve been staying in the loft. Please feel free to check, if you must. Why would I have a reason to lie? I’m not like you, Ball. I don’t spend my life deceiving people. Just what are you planning?”

“You, along with the rest of your family, shall have a tragic accident and be burned alive. It will be so sad.”

Edward drew in a quick breath. Those words shook him to the core. He knew his time had run out. He couldn’t believe what Henry was planning. Yet, he knew he meant what he’d said. Edward prayed James, Clayton and Thomas had reached the house by now and were ready for action. James had been certain they could enter into the bedrooms without being noticed, as long as Edward could keep Henry and Chester occupied with questions.

A
s Henry was telling Chester to grab some rope to tie Edward, Edward knew he had no choice but to act. Chester had picked up the rope when Edward fired his first shot and watched as the bullet hit Chester squarely in the chest. Before waiting to see if the shot was fatal, Edward turned his gun toward Henry.

But Henry had already
aimed and fired. Edward went reeling backwards unto the floor. But before Henry got off another shot, James, Clayton and John fired their guns. Henry had never heard the bedroom doors open. As he fell to the floor, with three bullets pumped in him, he turned to see the face of James Parker, grinning as he lay gasping for air. 

What Henry
had tried to mutter was anyone’s guess, but his final words were something he was desperately trying to say to James, but found no sound to his voice.

Clayton and John quickly untied Thomas and Anna. Little Jane
who’d been screaming the entire time since the first shot rang out, reached for her grandfather Webb, as Clayton checked the bodies of Henry and Chester for any sign of life.

Once James untied Mary, she ran to her father who was bleeding badly. She
reached down to try to stop the bleeding with her hands.

“Mary,
my wound isn’t as bad as it looks. I think the bullet went through me.” Edward said, through clenched teeth.

“Please don’t talk, Father. You can’t leave me
, I need you,” Mary said, through her tears, as she continued to press on the wound shaking uncontrollably.

“Mary, let me have a look,” James
stated, as he pried Mary away. “Your father’s right, the bullet’s gone through the shoulder; he’ll be fine once we stop the bleeding.”

Right then,
William, Shorty, Jack with the rest of the men, came storming into the kitchen with guns drawn. Poor Jane started screaming again and John Webb took her into the bedroom to calm her down and get her out of the sight of the dead bodies on the floor and her grandfathers bleeding shoulder.

“Everyone alright?” Will
asked, as he scanned the room. “Both dead, I see.”

“Yep, and a good thing, too. We
’ve rid the world of two evil bastards.” Clayton announced, with satisfaction.

“Looks like Henry took three bullets, from three guns I assume. Or was if four?” Will
inquired, looking over to Edward.

“Three, Henry got me
before I could get off a second shot. I shot Chester, though. Then, James, Clayton and John saved the rest of us from certain death by getting Ball.

“
Thanks for coming when you did, Will, if things hadn’t worked out as we planned, we sure as hell didn’t want these two mad jackals getting away.” Edward added. It was then he noticed he was starting to feel a little faint.

“I
’ll go for the authorities,” Shorty offered. “That’s after we take these two out of here. I think we’ve seen enough of them to last a lifetime. We found Hank tied up in the barn with a nasty head wound. But I think he’ll be fine in a few days.”

“
Thank goodness he’s alright,” James said, as he pulled Mary close. “Do you think you’ll be up to a wedding tomorrow, after all this activity?”

Mary looked to her father
, who by now had been placed in a chair and was holding a cloth over his wound. “I’m ready if father’s able to give me away.”

“Mary, I
’ll be there, don’t worry about me. I might be hurting some, but it’ll take more than a shoulder wound to keep me from your wedding.”

Clayton and John
took the next two hours trying to clean up the blood from where Henry, Chester and Edward had been shot. Thomas and James consoled Anna and Mary. Jane had finally fallen asleep in her bed.

For the first time in several months, everyone felt they could
finally rest in peace knowing they’d nothing left to fear from Henry Ball or his cohort, Chester Hartley.

The authorities
arrived and once they’d taken everyone’s statements, they took the bodies of Ball and Hartley back for burial.

Goodnights were
finally said and tomorrow promised to be a new day for all.