Deputy at Large

by Judge Rodriguez

  Josiah looks at him a moment, not understanding the request. He blinks and reaches under the bar to produce an ornate bottle of the dark liquid.

  John nods, smiles and says, “Try not to kill him. Remember, you were a teenager once, too.”

  Josiah rolls his eyes and chuckles. “It wouldn’t be so bad were he not just like me at his age.”

  John smiles in appreciation of the comment. He waves the bottle in a half-salute and leaves the saloon with the sounds of father and son arguing once again.

  As he finishes dropping off the brandy, he hears the slow, steady clopping of a horse’s hooves. He goes outside just as Jake rides up at a sedate pace.

  John reenters David’s office and says, “He’s here.”

  David comes out of one of the examination rooms, his wife a step behind.

  THE TRIP BACK TO DENVER trying to keep from jostling Cherokee has got to be one of the most aggravating and longest events ever in Jake’s life. He has to fight his desire to pick up the pace. He knows all it’s gonna take is nudging Ranger in the ribs. He also knows that it means certain death for his friend.

  Jake is frustrated enough he wants to scream. It takes more than an hour for him to go the distance it only took him a few minutes before.

  Jake dismounts in front of David’s office. He’s greeted by the sight of John and David out front. John waves to the deputy, the young doctor immediately starts examining the patient.

  Jake smiles at the young man’s precocious actions. While he is looking over Cherokee, a beautiful young woman steps out of the building, drying her hands on the bottom of her apron.

  Her blonde hair is bound in a loose, single braid that goes down to the middle of her back. Her expression is tender, loving and gentle as she gazes at David.

  David motions John over and together, both men unbind the marshal’s litter and carry him to the door. The young woman opens the door so the two men can enter. After they enter, she turns to Jake and offers her hand. “Sorry about my husband. He’s like that. My name is Rebekah Bakker. I didn’t catch yours earlier?”

  Jake takes her hand and is surprised at how firm a handshake she has. “Deputy Marshal Jake Isaacson. I’m glad he’s like that. That means my friend will be getting the best care possible.”

  She looks at him a moment and smiles beautifully, one that touches her eyes as she says, “I get the feeling Cherokee will be fine. His Indian heritage means he’s from hearty enough stock.” She invites him in with a gesture. “My husband does wonders medically.”

  “Oh, you’re familiar with Marshal Brouwer? How do you know him?”

  “I think John would be the best one to answer that question.”

  Jake sighs. He’s not sure how he feels about that. His blood-brother hasn’t forgiven him of the crime of being dead these last fifteen or so years. He nods in acceptance of his fate. He follows the two men into the exam room, while Rebekah goes into the kitchen for coffee. He helps with undoing the knots in the rope as fast as he can, but feels as useless as is possible in the process.

  After about five minutes of taking the knots out of the contraption, the pieces of wood clatter to the floor. Cherokee groans as David helps to straighten him out on the table.

  David looks at John with a serious expression and silent communication passes between them. A moment later, John nods, walks across the room, grabs Jake by the arm, and leads him out. He closes the door behind them and says in a quiet tone, “Let’s give him some room to work.” He motions toward the kitchen and both men walk down the hall.

  The first thing Jake notices in the kitchen is the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee. The second is how well-lit the room is. With only one lamp in the center of the room, the kitchen is almost noon-day bright. He looks around and sees several polished pieces of steel, reflecting the light throughout.

  John notices his blood-brother’s expression and smiles mirthlessly. “We had the help of a brilliant Irishman, that showed us a few tricks to make things easier around here.” He points toward the back of the hotel. “Since you’re gonna be staying around here for a little while, you’re gonna need to try out the bathhouse. It’s a feat of engineering, unlike any you’re likely to ever have seen.”

  Rebekah grins tightly. “I’m sure you will get the chance to try it out. You boys hungry?”

  John nods and pours himself a cup of coffee then looks at Jake. “So, now that we have a minute or two, how did all this happen?”

  Rebekah grabs a loaf of bread from the breadbox and listens closely to the conversation.

  Jake’s mind is racing. So much has gone on today. He begins slowly describing his encounter with the militiamen in Cherokee, and notes that Rebekah appears to be understanding what he is saying. He finishes off the narrative with a simple, “That’s when I left the saloon to find you.”

  John strokes his short beard thoughtfully. “I can see why you got help. We’re gonna have a time explaining things to Sheriff Lyttle, though.” He crosses his arms and sighs. “Why is it when you’re around, things get complicated?”

  Jake’s smile is malicious as he says, “You and Liz got into enough trouble on your own, you may remember. Plus, a lot of the trouble you guys have been having around here has been without me to nudge things along.”

  John’s face darkens at the mention of his long-lost love. “Yeah. Then again, you’ve been getting into trouble on your own since you died.”

  Jake snorts. He’s having a hard time not bursting out in laughter.

  The look Rebekah directs toward John is surprised confusion.

  John holds up his hand to her, forestalling her question. “That is a story for another time, I’m afraid. I’ll be right back. I need to see how things are going in there.”

  He leaves for several moments, returning with David and Red-Feather close behind.

  The one-armed town deputy blanches and reaches for his gun when he sees Jake.

  Jake is surprised to see his old protégé. He looks at the Apache and says, “Hello, Red-Feather. It’s been awhile since we shared a campfire. You’ve obviously got quite the story.” He points toward the deputy’s missing left arm. “Other than that, how have you been? How is Silver Moon?”

  Red-Feather looks at John, questioning if this real. This the most expressive Jake recalls ever seeing his face.

  John nods and says, “I was as surprised as you. His story matches up. It’s him, alright.”

  David looks at John and says, “I want an explanation of what you mean. But, first things first. Cherokee’s stable enough. It’s in God’s hands now. He’s a fighter, so I expect he’ll pull through, but it’s gonna take some time.”

  John nods and asks, “Can I see him?”

  David nods and says, “He’s resting, I think. But hearing your voice may help him wake up after all.”

  John shrugs. “I just wanted to pray over him like he did me all those months ago.”

  Jake is stunned. Did he just hear that correctly? Impossible! John, his blood-brother, the lifelong atheist, just said he was going to pray over someone? All the pieces fall into place. It explains most of the changes he’s been seeing in his oldest friend. Before he was always impetuous, now his actions seem to be more considered. To see Red-Feather as well? Jake’s just not sure if he can take any more surprises today. As John leaves the room, Jake sighs and pours himself a cup of coffee, offering to pour one for David as well.

  David nods and says simply, “Oh, yes, please. Today has been long and busy.”

  Rebekah looks at Jake, questions written all over her face. Jake grins. “Before I explain, I have to ask something first. Did John just say he was gonna PRAY over the marshal?”

  David nods. “Yeah, he accepted the Gift of Grace in as spectacular a fashion as only John could. That was back in what, November? Right, Love?”

  Rebekah nods. Her eyes still haven’t left Jake, a fact that is not lost on the deputy. He drains his cup of coffee, allowing the strong flavor to bolster his fortitu
de. He steels himself. “Okay, so I think you all deserve an answer.” He looks around the room, seeing everyone watch him expectantly. He nods to Red-Feather. “Sorry, Red-Feather, but I won’t be saying much that is new to you for a little while.”

  Red-Feather nods, his mask of impassivity back in place. Jake holds up a hand, forestalling the inevitable. “Excuse me, just a moment. These old bones tire easily.” He seats himself at one of the several chairs around the kitchen table. “So, I am Deputy Marshal Jacob Judah Isaacson, deputized by Marshal Roger Walters.” He takes a deep breath. “The name I was born with, however, was Joshua Falcon-Feather Jacobs.”

  Chapter 6

  David’s jaw drops. Rebekah still looks confused.

  Jake smiles. “I was kidnapped by a catholic priest from my tribe, from my clan, the Clan of the Night Owl, to be raised by the nuns at St. Gregory’s Orphanage, just outside of Springfield, Missouri. I was raised alongside my blood-brother, John Cardwell.” He smiles as he sees the effects his words have on the young doctor’s beautiful wife. He goes on to describe most of what happened just before, during, and after the War Between the States.

  He continues his narrative, explaining how he and John rescued Red-Feather and Silver-Moon. Then, how he fell at the battle of the monastery at Crecilla and escaped, somewhat intact.

  As he finishes his narrative, John, who silently entered earlier, clears his throat. He crosses his arms and leans against the wall. “Well, it looks like he’s not gonna wake anytime soon. I think story time may need to wait. We need to figure out what to do with the prisoners. I don’t want to hold them here. My jail only handles at the best, four people.”

  Red-Feather quietly asks, “Norman?” When John shakes his head in response, he asks, “Guthrie?”

  John nods. “Remember, we can’t impose on the army too much, now that Richards isn’t there anymore. I’ve heard they have a place in Guthrie that should be able to handle them. Plus, there’s other things to be considered.”

  David smiles. “Yeah, there’s other things to be considered. Think you might be able to impose on the Major one final time, then?”

  John shakes his head. “I don’t know. Since Maj. Arbuckle ate his revolver, Maj. Richards has been more busy than not.”

  Jake had heard about the suicide of Maj. Arbuckle three months ago in Guthrie, but didn’t think it would affect anyone out this far. “Doesn’t Norman have its own jail?”

  “Yeah. Might be a bit full, though. I don’t know. We’re gonna have to transport them ourselves.” John looks at Red-Feather. “Think everything will be okay for a few days, while we’re gone?”

  Red-Feather nods. “Long as the missing two soldiers don’t show back up. If they do, you’re gonna have a couple more bodies to deal with.”

  It’s not what he says that makes Jake choke on his coffee, it’s the tone he says it in.

  David’s yawn is exaggerated and wide. “I don’t want to say, ‘Get out, I want to go to bed,’ but I think I may have to.”

  Rebekah puts her hand lovingly on her husband’s shoulder as she addresses Jake. “If you tell Ben at the desk you’re with the marshals, your room will be free.”

  Jake’s expression must be betraying his shock as Rebekah smirks and says, “That’s something we do for all those who are lawmen. Plus, the county pays a per diem for you, so it isn’t completely free.”

  He’s impressed. He doesn’t know how to react, so he just sits there.

  John steps forward and says, “Up. You’re keeping them from being able to go to bed.”

  Realizing how rude he’s being, Jake grunts and groans as he rises from the chair. “Thank you, for your hospitality. I guess I will see you all in the morning.”

  John ushers him and Red-Feather out the door, allowing the young doctor and his wife to enjoy their home for the night.

  JAKE STARES AT HEART-of-Falcon disbelievingly. He remembers the beautiful young Apache from his time at Camp Wichita. He can’t believe she actually married Red-Feather. The girl had more than half the camp chasing after her, and she chose Red-Feather?

  Truth be told, Jake is more than a little envious of his old friend. His wife is a fine woman, mother, and companion. Jake shakes his head, clearing it of such thoughts.

  He recalls how, when he came down to breakfast this morning, he was shocked to see Red-Feather and his wife already down here, helping out and sharing breakfast with each other.

  When Jake sat down at a table at five a.m., he was expecting to be one of, if not the first up. Boy, was he wrong. Several families were seated about the dining room, with Ben, Heart-of-Falcon and Rebekah serving everyone breakfast.

  Not five minutes after he sat down at the most tactically sound table, he was joined by John. As John was sitting down, he said “This is my preferred table. You know why.”

  That was just over an hour ago. Since then, Jake has had a filling breakfast and discussed the day’s plans with John. It was a few minutes ago, that Heart-of-Falcon sat down and started catching up with Jake.

  Apparently, her husband told her what Jake explained last night. Red-Feather and Jake spent most of the night catching up at the saloon across the street. He didn’t believe his Apache friend when he was told about being married to the beautiful woman, but now sees he was indeed telling the truth.

  If she was surprised to see Jake, she hid it well. Once she sat down at the table, the last fifteen years just melted away and the two old friends chatted amicably, as if they hadn’t spent close to half their lives away from each other.

  During their discussion, John stayed quiet. For that courtesy, Jake is truly grateful. He never knew his blood-brother to be that courteous before. It must be one of the results of having accepted the Gift of Grace.

  Finally, after more than half an hour of allowing Jake and Heart-of-Falcon the opportunity to catch up on each other’s lives, John asks, “So, how do you know Marshal Brouwer?”

  Jake straightens in his seat. “I told you before that I was stationed out at Ft. Reno. How much of Cherokee’s history do you know?”

  “Just that he used to be an outlaw I was sent out to capture a few times. He finally got caught, got converted and then got deputized.”

  Wow. Talk about a quick summary of his life. “I guess that means you know him fairly well.” Jake nods more to himself than anyone else. “When he was captured, he was imprisoned at Ft. Reno. That was during my tenure there. Long story short, he and I both accepted the Gift of Grace around the same time. How do you know him so well?”

  John sighs and sits straight in his chair. “Before I answer that question, I have one more for you. Why live a lie, if you’re a Christian? Why not take on your birth name?”

  “Joshua Falcon-Feather Jacobs died years ago. He needs to remain dead and gone. I am still your blood-brother, no matter what name I live under.”

  John shakes his head. “I guess I have no room to judge. I’ve kept the secret lives of others, so why not yours?” He sighs. “Cherokee helped lead me to Christ last November.”

  Jake is stunned. Not that he doubted John’s conversion, but being led to Christ by Cherokee? That is incredible. Now that he knows what he’s looking for, Jake can see the signs about John’s persona indicating he’s given his life to Christ.

  Heart-of-Falcon’s voice breaks Jake out of his reverie, saying, “So, you’re a believer as well? That’s wonderful news. Red-Feather and I converted almost fifteen years ago.”

  Jake smiles at the beautiful woman’s admission. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. To know my oldest friends are followers gives me true joy.”

  JOHN LOOKS AT HIS CHILDHOOD friend, trying to decide if he is being honest or not. For a man who has lived these last fifteen plus years as another man, Josh is being very open and presumably honest about that lie. John is still having trouble deciding if Josh is being honest or not about his Christianity. He knows sometimes the only way to stay alive is by lying, but as it was explained to him, having the Gift
of Grace is no excuse for continuing to sin like that.

  After having seen him in action, John knows this is indeed his friend he thought dead for so long. He looks at Heart-of-Falcon and sees the beautiful Apache woman speaking to Josh with a gay, lighthearted manner. He remembers Josh was always enamored with the young woman despite her being ten to fifteen years his junior.

  John smiles ruefully at the sight. It’s obvious Josh has rekindled his flame for his friend’s wife, but is apparently hiding it well.

  John gets an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach when he sees Heart-of-Falcon put her hand on Josh’s. He sighs. He knows her husband isn’t normally the jealous sort, but this will most likely make him wonder about his wife and old friend.

  John clears his throat meaningfully and asks, “How long do you think it should take us to get the prisoners to Norman?”

  Josh looks at him. “I don’t know. The road is probably still wet, so that will make it take all the longer, don’t you think?”

  Heart-of-Falcon stands and says quietly, “I’ll get Red-Feather. He’ll need to cover things while you’re gone.”

  John nods. “We’ll need to talk to Junior as well. I think we’ll need a way to keep them from being able to escape.”

  As Heart-of-Falcon leaves the dining room to talk to her husband, John rises and looks at Josh. “Coming? Or are you planning on putting down roots permanently?”

  Josh sighs and grunts as he stands. “I was hoping to be able to enjoy relaxing a little more. I think I’ll go check on Cherokee while you’re doing whatever it is you will be.”

  That’s what John expected to hear. He gets the feeling his distrust of his oldest friend is evident enough to make him uncomfortable. John gives him a short wave bye and heads across the street to the livery, to check and see what Junior recommends for binding the prisoners.