The riders stared at Ike. "What do you mean - the judge?" Cody asked dumbfounded. "What is Teaspoon doing?" Lou wanted to know. "Why is he here?" Kid asked and Ike suddenly found himself surrounded by angry and confused riders that all had different questions. Finally he just shook his head and held up his hands as if to avoid the storm of frustration that was thrown at him. "Hold it," Kid broke in. "It ain't Ike's fault that the judge arrived. The more important question here is what he intends to do. Why don't you tell us exactly what happened, Ike?" Slowly Ike nodded as he collected his breath. Slowly he begun telling them of the judge arrival with Carter in tow, the latter boasting into Teaspoon office, startling both Teaspoon and Rachel. Ike had been sitting with Buck and emerged when he had heard the ruckus in the front room. He had been witness to the very first discussion or rather argument between Teaspoon and Carter concerning Teaspoon’s argument that Carter was interfering in the marshal's job. Stunned, he and Rachel just stood by as Carter and Teaspoon found themselves in a heated argument. It had been Rachel who first reacted and with a sweet smile towards the judge, she had stepped in between the marshal and the lawyer and silently told them to calm down and offering the judge some coffee. While Rachel managed to whisk of the judge and Carter for a cup of coffee, Teaspoon managed to tell Ike to head back to the station and tell the others what had happened. And that was what Ike had done. “Why? How?” The words rushed through Kid’s mind until he shook his head and turned to Ike. He was dimly aware of the other’s agitation behind him, but right now he was more interested in the answers that only Ike could give him. “That still doesn’t answer what’s he doing here?” he asked. <Carter sent for him,> Ike replied and Kid remembered that the lawyer had sent for him in connection with the Wanted-poster. “What did he say?” <He came to see Teaspoon, said that he had already spoken with Carter. He wants to hold a trial tomorrow!> “He can’t do that!” Lou pushed past Kid and walked up to Ike. “What did Teaspoon do?” <Nothing,> Ike signed with a gesture of resignation. <He didn’t do anything.> “There was probably nothing he could do,” Kid defended the marshal as Ike made his way through them, towards the door, while the others opted for heading into town. “Hey,” Noah objected as Ike roughly pushed him aside. “Where are you going?” Ike just shook his head and continued inside the bunkhouse. Noah looked at the others. “You head on in to town,” he suggested, “and I’ll talk to Ike.” “All right,” Kid agreed as they walked over to the horses, now and then casting a glance over their shoulder. Noah waved confidentially at them and as soon as they were on their way, he turned and walked into the bunkhouse. Inside Ike was quickly going over his own things and was just about to get to Buck’s when Noah entered. “What do you think you’re doing?” Noah asked as he closed the door behind him, although he was pretty sure of the answer. When there was no answer from Ike, Noah walked up to him, grabbed a chair and, leaning on the back, seated himself next to Ike. “You’re leaving,” he stated. Ike turned and looked at him, then he shrugged and opened Buck’s trunk. “What do you hope to accomplish with this?” Ike stopped what he was doing. <I intend to get Buck out of there,> he signed firmly. <And if I manage to do that, there will be no time to head back here for our things.> “So what do you plan to do?” <Hide them – then I’ll wait until Buck’s better.> Ike turned away from Noah, who pressed his lips together. He had never seen Ike this determined before and he wondered what Ike had heard about the judge, what he wasn’t telling them. “What are you not telling me?” Noah demanded. When Ike maintained his back towards Noah, he rose and grabbed Ike by the shoulder. “Damn it, Ike, we talked about this!” <That was before.> “Before what?” <Before the judge came.> “What he’s gotta do with all this?” Ike sighed silently and looked at his friend. He knew Noah meant well and all that, but he had rather not reveal anything to anybody. <The judge ain’t gonna let him go – and a jury will sentence him to hang – you know that,> Ike signed heatedly. “You can’t be sure of that,” Noah tried to argue, only to have Ike face him with a questioning frown in his face. <You, of all people, believe that?> Noah wanted to say that he in deed believed it, but it would have been a lie. He, no more than Ike, believed that a jury of white men would let Buck go. Nor did he honestly believe that a judge would dismiss the case before it came to court – especially not with Carter standing behind him. Silently he shook his head, not knowing what to do and said. When Ike completed his packing, Noah didn’t stand in his way as he hastily left the bunkhouse.
Teaspoon stared at the two persons before him. Carter was standing to his left, a content smile on his face and with a haughty air around him. Teaspoon wouldn't mind a chance to wipe that smile off his face, but for the time being the person sitting opposite him was more important. The man sitting in the chair before him was the none less than the federal judge, which in one way was better than being forced to have a trial with one of the local judges. Teaspoon had met several of those judges in his time - few of them actually legally schooled. He could even remember one that when he was bored called a break and asked for drinks to be taken in - and the trial normally ended in drunkenness and a hanging. Teaspoon had at least the hope that a federal judge would treat the matter with the seriousness it required. He glanced at the man. What he saw was a rather thin man with a serious look around him. He looked to be a bit older than Teaspoon and his suit and hat was of good quality it was worn. His weary look also told of a man firm to his duties but someone that lost his enthusiasm for the job a long time ago. Teaspoon only hoped that his sense of duty would prevail in this case. Even so he tried to convince him that a trail, at least now, was not necessary. "I don't see your point marshal," Judge Hammer stated with a frown. "I was called over here under the assumption that a murder had been committed and a suspect was being held. Under these circumstances a trial in inevitable. Besides, I don't like being called out here for nothing." "We have not been able to prepare for a trial," Teaspoon tried when he was interrupted by Carter. "The town's council have prepared to host a trial in the saloon - the owner has already been asked," he interrupted. "The cost will be born by the town, of course - as well as your reimbursement, judge." Teaspoon frowned at him before he continued. "The man that is accused is injured, he can’t stand trial now." The judge hesitated for a second, which didn't get unnoticed by Carter. "He doesn't need to be present other than for the accusation and for his own testimony," Carter suggested. "I'm not so sure of that," judge Hammer objected hesitantly, which created a ray of in Teaspoon. That ray was quickly diminished when he continued, "However, if I could hold the interrogation with the accused outside court I could ..." Teaspoon immediately reacted to this. No matter how fair the man considered himself to be, or how non-prejudiced, the simply truth was that Teaspoon didn't want him to question Buck. Not that he thought Buck would do badly in speaking for himself, but the fact was that Buck was too honest in his feelings and his anger was easily stirred when felt treated unfair or met with less consideration than any other man. And the fact was that Buck still in many ways acted and thought like an Indian, though alienating himself from his white peers. And it wasn't Buck's loyalty to his Indian heritage that would save him from the gallows, even if Teaspoon readily would place his trust in that same loyalty. Not to mention that hint of fear that Teaspoon felt when realising that there was more to Buck than met the eye - much more. And it was that more that troubled him. He had met and lived with Indians occasionally in his life - he had even married an Indian woman. All of these encounters and meetings had just strengthened him in his belief that there differences between the two people - enough differences to make co-habitation very difficult, if not impossible. And the ones suffering most from it was those like Buck, who was caught in the middle of two worlds, he thought with a sad heart as he shook of the sombre thoughts and begun to contemplate his options. Suddenly Buck's illness seemed to play him right in hand and he voiced his alternative. "Not if he had representation at the trial," he begun and turned to the judge, "then he wouldn't have to be present would he?" Teaspoon had several reasons for this - it was one thing for the towns people and possible jury to KNOW Buck was a half blood, but without actually see him, then maybe, just maybe, they could actually see the true facts of the case. And then Buck's chances would have increased. The judge nodded. "I can accept that,” he stated. "Who will be representing him?" "I'm representing the town n this matter," Carter immediately. "There's no other lawyer in his town." "If the young man doesn't have any representation..." "I will represent him," Teaspoon interfered. "You can't," Carter objected, "you're the marshal!" "He is right," judge agreed. "As a representative of the town, you can't act on behalf of a suspect..." "What do you mean?" Teaspoon frowned. "As a member of the town's council I agree with the judge," Carter added triumphal. " The marshal can not act outside his role as marshal - that violates the agreement between the town and its protector. How do you think it will look to the people if he marshal starts protect the murderers?" Teaspoon sat in silence as he contemplated the words. Slowly a firm countenance spread in his face and he looked sternly at the lawyer sitting opposite. Slowly he turned to the judge, with a question in his eyes. The judge silently nodded. The marshal was not a suitable represent for a suspect. “That it then,” Teaspoon said calmly as a sudden noise by the door made all of them turn their heads. Without bothering to announce their arrival four dusty riders burst through the door, followed by a young agitated lady. Seeing Rachel’s frown, Lou quickly straightened herself and carefully pushed the hair out of her face as the riders gathered by the door in silence, taking in the situation. Teaspoon looked them over and nodded. “Just in time, boys,” he stated. “Jimmy, Kid, get over here will you?” Looking at each other with a surprised look, the two boys did as they were told. A few minutes later they found themselves deputized under somewhat more formal forms that they were use to. This was not Teaspoon usually ‘consider yourself deputized’, this was the real thing, with hands on the bible and everything and it left them feeling confused. “What’s going on, Teaspoon,” Jimmy whispered at one time, but Teaspoon just shook his head. “You’ll have to wait and see,” was the only reply he received. When he was finished, Teaspoon turned to the judge. “Would you say that these two correctly have been appointed deputy marshals?” he asked. Judge Hammer frowned. “I would say so, marshal, but I don’t see the point…” “And in case of me being unable to fulfil my duties, they would be sufficient to take over?” “Well, yes…” “Good,” Teaspoon stated calmly and reached for the star on his chest. Slowly he placed it ion the table. “Now I will represent that boy,” he said resolutely. The room went silent, nobody able to say anything. Finally it was Kid who first found his voice. “You’re sure about this, Teaspoon?” he asked silently. “Yes,” Teaspoon replied with conviction. “I trust that you and Jimmy can handle the job?” “We’ll take care of things,” Jimmy promised, regaining his composure as he stared at Carter. The lawyer stared at the marshal as if he hadn’t believed his eyes and at Jimmy’s words he rose. A crimson flush spread in his face as he indignantly turned to the judge. “I’ve never…” he begun. “This can’t be legal…” “I’ve approved it,” the judge replied with a frown that quickly silenced. “I think everything is settled then – I trust you’re ready for the trial to start tomorrow, Mr Hunter?” “We’ll be ready,” Teaspoon stated with a nod. “Mr. Carter?” Judge Hammer turned to the upset lawyer. “What? Why, of course, I’ll be ready – I just want to object to…” “Save it for the trial, Mr. Carter. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I will return to the hotel. It’s been a long trip and I’ll have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.” Getting back to his senses, Carter turned to the judge. “Of course, sir, I’m sorry,” he offered and stepped back. “Let me walk you back to the hotel.” With those words and a lost hostile glare at Teaspoon he left, leaving Teaspoon and the riders to contemplate the last few minutes. “Am I happy to be rid of them,” Teaspoon mumbled before he gazed up on his riders. “What are you all standing here for? Don’t you’ve a job that needs to be done? There will be a trial tomorrow and we don’t have a single evidence that will clear Buck.” “What do you want us to do, Teaspoon?” Noah asked. “I’m not sure,” Teaspoon confessed as he sank back in his chair. A frown developed in his face as he looked up again. “Where’s Ike?” “He had some things that he needed to do,” Noah replied quickly before changing the subject. “How’s Buck?” “He needs to rest, that’s all,” Rachel replied, “and he can do it better without all this commotion you’re creating.” “Rachel’s right,” Kid agreed. “We discussed this back at the station earlier Teaspoon and we think we have an idea on how to proceed.” “Good,” Teaspoon said gratefully. “Let hear it.” Without going in to detail but sticking to the point, Kid quickly recapitulated the discussion that they had at the bunkhouse. When he finished, Teaspoon thoughtfully scratched his chin. “You might have a point there, Kid,” he admitted. “It’s worth a shot anyway. You think you can do it, while upholding the law?” he asked with a reference to the badges pinned to Jimmy and Kid’s chests. “Nothing to it,” Jimmy smiled. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” Teaspoon smiled and rose. “Now get going – I need to talk to Buck.” “Can we see him?” Lou wanted to know. Teaspoon turned to Rachel for the answer. “Wait until tonight,” Rachel suggested softly. “He’ll probably feel better by then and then maybe you will have some good news with you.” Lou looked hesitantly at her for a few minutes before she nodded her acceptance. “Tell him we was here will you?” she pleaded. “I will,” Rachel promised with a smile before they group loomed out of the office, knowing that they had only 24 hours to find something that could acquit their friend at a trail.
“You did the right thing,” Rachel stated after the door had closed behind the riders. “You think so?” Teaspoon muttered. “Yes. Buck’s fate is more important right now than any badge – and you will do good by him.” “I’m not sure Rachel,” Teaspoon confessed. “Never been much for learning all those fancy legal terms that Carter throws around him – I’ll probably just make a fool of myself.” “You don’t have to be a lawyer to save Buck,” Rachel objected. “You know Buck and you are respected in town – that’s all that is needed.” She reached for her shawl. “I’m gonna get us something to eat – I think we all can use some food,” she said as she wrapped the shawl around her. “I’ll be right back.” Teaspoon simply nodded as she walked out the door. He hadn’t planned for things to end up as they had and now he wasn’t sure he had done the right thing. Buck needed a proper lawyer and a good defence – not an old cot like himself, whose legal expertise came from spending too much time on the wrong side of the law. He was afraid that he would fail the boy and he knew in his heart that he would never be able to forgive himself should anything happen to Buck because of his own shortcomings. Rachel had only tried to support him with her words, but it had only make things worse. Teaspoon closed his eyes as he repeated the words in his minds. ‘You know Buck’. The trouble was that he wasn’t sure he did – he wasn’t sure if anybody did, not even Ike. From what he had figured out, Buck must have been around thirteen years old when he had left the Kiowa, an age when in some tribes boys were on the brink of proving themselves men – and judging from the Buck’s abilities, Teaspoon couldn’t exclude that Buck hadn’t followed that path too. Teaspoon had always tried to see the best in everybody, but he was also too aware that old feelings didn't go away easily. And he had too many of those. He had seen the result of Comanche and even Kiowa raids while working as a ranger in Texas as well as he had seen the white man's atrocities towards the Indians. He suspected that it was this knowledge that wouldn't let go of the nagging feeling that Buck might have been guilty of killing Craven - and that feeling scared him. He tried to find comfort in the fact that if Buck indeed had been involved, then the boy would have been clear about it. Buck wouldn't lie about it nor could Teaspoon see Buck kill anybody in cold blood. Or rather he hoped that Buck couldn't kill anybody in cold blood. It was all hidden in the boy's upbringing and it disturbed Teaspoon that it was clouded in darkness. He had a feeling that he would feel more at ease if he knew more and if Buck had been more open about it, but the boy was as a shell when it came to his life with the Kiowa. With a heartfelt sigh he rose. He wouldn’t get any answers sitting by his desk, and the only one that could give him any answers was Buck. Feeling tired he entered the jail area, for once thankful that some of the cells was separated from the office. It was not necessary for Buck to hear all the commotion that circled in the office. To his surprise he found Buck sitting up in his cell and he frowned as he opened the door. Buck glanced over at him, and Teaspoon felt his heart sink as he saw the paleness in the Buck's face and the sadness in his eyes. "You heard all that, son?" he asked as he seated himself next to the boy. Buck simply nodded "I'm sorry," Teaspoon sighed. Buck didn't respond. When he didn't get an answer, Teaspoon continued. “How are you feeling, Buck?" he asked somewhat surprised that Buck hadn't comment on the upcoming trial. When silence once more settled between them, Teaspoon felt a hint of worry. "If you're worried about this trial, son," he begun, when Buck turned his head and looked at him with a tired look in his face. Teaspoon silenced when he saw a hint of fear reflected in the boy's dark eyes. "You shouldn't have done it," Buck mumbled. "Done what?" Teaspoon asked with consternation written all over his face. "Dropped the badge," Buck replied gravely. Teaspoon shook his head. "Don't worry about that Buck. When all this is over, I trust I will get it back - together with you back on the pay list of Russell, Major and Weddell." Buck shook his head and closed his eyes. "You shouldn't," he sighed heavily. A spark of uneasiness shivered down Teaspoon’s back. "Why not son?" he asked carefully. "Because I killed him." |
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To be continued...
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Part
28
