Marsha Colyer

Marshacolyer@hotmail.com

Rating: PG13

Summary:    Wilhelm Rontgen was the German scientist who invented the x ray machine.  While it was a major breakthrough for the medical profession, it ultimately lead to his demise.  He died of radiation poisoning. The inspiration for this story came while listening to the song Ghost Riders on Youtube.

Main Characters: Adam and Hoss Cartwright, Roy Coffee, Paul Martin

 

GHOST RIDERS

 

PRELUDE

JOE

 

            Joe Cartwright sat quietly atop his trusted mount, Cochise, staring out over the veritable ocean of sleeping cattle before him.  It had been a very profitable year for the Cartwright’s, beef wise, as the herd seemed to have almost tripled in size with spring births of almost two hundred calves.

 

            ‘It’s going to be one very long branding season!’ He thought as he turned Cochise to move around the perimeter of the sleeping herd, keeping watch.  Normally, he hated night watch but tonight, he didn’t care one way or the other.  It gave him time to just sit and think; something he‘d been doing a lot of as of late. Even Cochise, who hated night watch almost as much as her master was in a quiet, almost pensive mood.  His thoughts drifted once again to the one who had been on his mind even more than the fairer sex as of late…his big brother, Adam.  Sure they bickered and fought like children sometimes, and he yelled to the heavens that he was glad he was gone, but his family (and he) knew better.  Hoss never said a word when he went looking for Joe on a few occasions and found him sitting quietly in Adam’s room, just holding one of his books.  The big galoot would just give him a slight smile and leave the room, softly shutting the door behind him.

 

            It had been almost six years to the day since Adam’s disappearance without a trace.  There had been one cryptic letter from him from Boston, (when he was supposed to be in San Francisco on a business trip), confirming he was alright and would explain everything once he was home again but, that had been almost two years ago.  Since then…not a word.  ‘Anything could have happened to him since then!’  he thought aloud.  Cochise’s ears angled backwards as if she were listening to the one sided conversation.  Joe reached forward and patted the pinto on the neck as he continued on his route.

 

            “Adam where are you?”  he said quietly to no one in particular.  Cochise gently nickered.  “What Cooch?“  Joe said ”You think big brother got married and had four kids since he left?“  He gave the horse a small smile and walked on into the darkness. “I hope so.”

 

 

HOSS

 

            Hoss Cartwright lay quietly in his bed roll, staring into the darkness.  It was a moonless night, and with the slight cloud cover, he didn’t even have stars to look at.  He knew he should be at least trying to get some sleep because he would be on guard duty, relieving Joe in a few hours, but he just couldn’t.  His big brother and most trusted companion was out there and he had no idea where he was or what could have happened to him.  The anniversary of his disappearance was rapidly approaching, and it was weighing heavy on his mind as he knew it was on his father and brother.  Seeing his father’s face as he wondered around the house, absentmindedly picking up things that belonged to Adam and putting them back down again was tearing him apart, and there wasn’t a blasted thing he could do about it!

           

            Adam had left on a short business trip that was supposed to last only a few days and  no longer than a week.  That was six years ago.  Now all he could do was wonder and watch as the remainder of his family just went through the motions of everyday life and routine ranch business.  He knew things would go back to normal once the day had passed, but for now…

 

            With a sigh Hoss pulled his hat back down over his eyes and tried to go back to sleep.

 

            “Dad burn it Adam, where are you?”  he mumbled quietly to the inside of his hat.

 

 

BEN

 

            Ben lay on his side in his bedroll next to his middle son.  He knew Hoss was awake because his rather distinctive snoring had stopped almost two hours before!  He was on the verge of pretending waking up and joining him when Hoss decided to go back to bed.

 

            ‘Oh well’ mouthed Ben silently.  His mind wondered once again to the missing one, his eldest.  When Adam became overdue home by almost a week, Joe and Hoss had made their way over the mountain pass using the same route Adam would have had to take in order to look for him.  They were hoping he‘d had trouble with Sport and was walking. They laughed thinking of meeting up with him, limping and probably madder than a wet hen…but there and reasonable ok.  Upon reaching Sacramento they wired their father, informing him that there was no sign of Adam on the trail.  The boys had even checked with the shipping lines, thinking maybe he’d decided to ship out for Australia as he‘d so often talked of in the past.  They knew it was a long shot, that he would never have left without telling anyone but, for their own piece of mind they had to check it out.  They made a pact not to tell their father, but they also checked the police stations and the morgue just to be sure.  Upon returning to the Ponderosa life had sort of returned to a semblance of normal.  For the first few months, Ben hired detectives to search for Adam but, after a while, they had pretty much given up hope as well.  Since then they’d had only one cryptic letter promising an explanation once he was home but, that had been almost two years ago.  The letter had come by way of Boston from Adam’s grandfather, Abel.

 

            A quick telegram to Abel confirmed that he had no idea where his grandson was, just that an attorney friend had hand delivered  the letter and asked that he address another envelope  and make sure to send it to the Ponderosa.  He also asked that once Ben found out what was going on, to please let him know.

 

            “Where are you son?”  Remembering the stories he told to his small son on the way west with the wagon train, “Are you looking at the same sky I am tonight?”

 

CHAPTER 1

 

            “Got ya this time you thorn in my rear end!”  Sneered the yellow toothed, scruffy miner quietly as he took aim at the lone figure crouched behind the bolder.

 

            “You’re mine now!!!”

 

            As he raised slowly and silently from his hiding place to get a better shot, a voice sounded just to his left.

 

            “Hey Adam over here!”

 

            On instinct, Adam turned and fired, striking the gunman in the heart, a clean shot.  The man was dead before he hit the ground.  Knowing the gun shot was heard in the camp by the men he was spying on, Adam decided to make a “tactical” retreat from the area and regroup later.

 

            He slipped through the underbrush to the area where he had ground tied Sport and made as hasty an exit as possible through the rocks, covering his trail as he went.  From behind him he heard the sounds of the men scurrying up the hill to where the dead miner lay, the only indicator that he had even been there.  He knew they would soon locate his trail but, lucky for him, the group as a whole sorely lacked tracking ability.

 

            That night, as he sat beside the small fire he had made in the rocky alcove, Sport tethered almost directly in front of him he prepared his report to his superiors, going into more detail than they really needed but, that was just his style!  He was nothing if not thorough.

 

            As he stared into the fire, he replayed the short lived gunfight over again in his head and wondered (again) where that other voice came from?  It sounded like Hoss!

 

            “I must have been hallucinating.”  He thought aloud.  ‘I really do miss the big guy’  With that thought in mind he tossed the remains of his coffee into the fire and bedded down for the night.  “Goodnight Sport!”  Sport nickered, almost as if answering and bedded down himself for the night.

           

            Adam awoke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and bacon frying on the fire.  He opened his eyes cautiously to find the sun shinning brightly overhead and Hoss stirring the fire as he watched his big brother sleep? 

 

            “Bout time you opened them big purty eyes big brother!”  He exclaimed as he tossed the stick he was using to stir the embers into the fire.

 

            “Hoss?”  Adam asked sleepily as he sat up from his bedroll.  “What are you doing here and how did you find me?”  He asked. A thought occurred to him, and he was instantly awake “Is something wrong at home?  Pa?  Joe?”

 

            “They’re right as rain but I’m here to talk about you.”  He said as he picked up Adam’s cup and handed it to him.  “You look like you need this.”

 

            Adam watched as his big “little” brother seemed to be hedging around answering him.  “Want to tell me what’s going on and how you found me in the first place?”  He thought back to the altercation the day before.  “That was you I heard outside the mining camp yesterday wasn’t it?” 

 

            Hoss chuckled.  “If you say so.”  He sobered.  “I’m here to talk about you.”  He said as he stood and began pacing around the fire.  “Adam me, pa, and Joe accepted that you had your reasons for disappearing on us like that even if we never figured out why.  Even if you did send us a letter…sort of…from your grandpa in Boston, it just didn’t make no sense!”

 

            Adam averted his eyes as he tried to collect his thoughts.  “It’s a long story Hoss, and I promise to tell it when I come home…someday.”

 

            Hoss sat on the log beside his brother, placing his hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly.  “Don’t you think it’s about time you went home?’  He asked quietly.  “Pa misses you more than he’ll admit and Joe…well you know Joe.  He yells that he’s glad you’re gone but I caught him more times than one just sittin’ in your room huggin‘ one of your books.  That boy misses you something fierce.”

 

            The more he thought about Hoss’ words, the more ashamed he felt.  When he had first been practically dragged into this job, he’d taken it because he felt it was worth it.  He felt it was the right thing to do under the circumstances.  He thought it was the right thing  keeping his family in the dark about his activities; it seemed like the best way to keep them out of danger.  Now he realized he was beginning to think it was time to just quit and head for Nevada.

 

            Having made his decision, he felt a hundred times better.  Turning to Hoss he said, “You’re right Hoss, it’s time I quit and go home!” Hoss smiled as he stood and faced his brother. 

 

            “That’s the spirit you ‘Yankee Granite Head’!”  He grinned, tossing the remains of his coffee into the fire, he turned to Adam again.  “Now, get some sleep big brother, you got a long ride ahead of you.”

 

            Another thought occurred to Adam as he sobered.  “You never told me how you found me or how you got here.”

 

            A small chuckle escaped Hoss’ lips as he looked Adam in the eye and laid his hand on his shoulder.  “As much as I would like to please your constantly thinking’ mind…you ain’t doin’ nothing’ but dreamin’.” 

 

            With that, Adam’s eyes popped open to darkness.  The only light was from the small fire burning beside him.

 

            “HOSS!”  He called quietly, thinking he had to be somewhere in the vicinity.  As he slowly came to realize he was alone, he lay back on his upturned saddle and just thought.  ‘Guess it really was a dream.’  The more he thought, the more homesick he became.  “He’s right…it’s time I go home.”  He said aloud to no one in particular.  Sport raised his head as if to protest all the noise waking him up.

 

            His mind made up, he lay back on his saddle, more relaxed and contented than he’d been in a very long time.  He lowered his hat over his eyes and was soon drifting back to sleep, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth, and thoughts of tall pines, a hugh blue lake, and his family dancing through his head. 

           

            Sunrise the next morning found Adam already erasing all traces of his small camp and preparing to move out.  He made a mental note to stop in the nearest town to pick up some fresh supplies and deliver his weekly report along with his letter of resignation to his superiors.  He normally would have posted everything, but this was too important, he wanted to make sure they knew he was finished.  With a spring in his step and a song in his heart, he and Sport moved out; the thoughts of tall pines, Lake Tahoe, and more importantly, his family pushing him forward.

 

CHAPTER 2

 

            One week later, as he sat in rather seedy saloon in Laramie, his exuberance at the thought of going home had cooled somewhat, but not his determination.  The meeting with his bosses at the district office of the Pinkerton Agency had been tense to say the least but, he was fairly certain that they got the message…he was finished.  He had fulfilled his promise and delivered most of the sadistic, murdering, crime lords to the authorities…heck he had even delivered more than he promised.

 

            They weren’t happy with him because he was such a good agent but, had to respect his decision and wished him well.  They also issued a warning that there were still members out there who knew who he was and were looking to make a name for themselves by taking him down.

 

            “Don’t worry.” he laughed.  “I apparently have a very large ‘guardian angel’ on my shoulder!”  With no further explanation, he walked out the door. 

 

            Now, he had all the time in the world to sat and just “people watching”.  No one appeared to be watching him, so his thoughts once again turned to family.  He replayed the dreams about Hoss in his mind yet again because something he said was really beginning to nag at him.  ‘He said it was time I went home, not time I came home.’ he mused.  ‘Going to have to talk to pa about that one…something isn’t right here.’

 

            Adam downed the last of his warm beer and rose to leave, placing his trail dust covered Stetson on his head.  He tipped his hat to the bar tender as he walked through the batwing doors and out into the blazing Arizona sunlight.  His mind still on home and family, he took no notice of the old timer sitting on the barrel just outside the mercantile, apparently whittling, or the children playing hoops just beside the mercantile just across the street.  He began whistling a tune as he untied Sport and headed down the street at a pace that would have driven Joe bonkers! 

 

            The old man waited until Adam was out of sight before he darted down the alley where his horse waited for him.  He followed the same route as Adam out of town, knowing he didn’t have time to get far at the pace he was keeping.  As he approached the crossroads at the end of town, he stopped as he tried to pick Adam out in the distance.  

 

            “Looking for someone?”  He heard over his left shoulder.  As he turned, he spotted Adam leaning against the backside of the building, his arms crossed and waiting for him. 

 

            The old man’s left hand moved slowly downward. 

 

            “Don’t think so.” snapped Adam as he relieved the man of his gun.

 

            “How’d you figure it out ya polecat?”  The old man queried.  He thought his disguise was perfect.

 

            A small chuckle erupted from Adam.  “If you want to blend in with the scenery around here, you need to at least leave a few shavings when you whittle!”

 

            “Next time ya varmint…next time.”  The old man mumbled as they entered the Agency office.

 

            “Trust me.”  Stated Adam as he leaned closer to his prisoner, “there won’t be a next time for you!  By the time you get out of the state prison, you really will be an old man!” 

 

            “Well Adam,” started the officer in charge as he turned his prisoner over to the deputy beside him, “only four more and you’ll have the entire upper level of the gang.  Sure you won’t stick around and get the rest of them?  You’d be a legend.” 

 

            Adam just chuckled.  “They’re all yours!  I’m not interested in being a legend.”

 

            “Where are you going from here?”

 

            Adam appeared pensive for a moment as if he was considering which direction to go in.  “That way I think.”  He said, pointing east.  Even if the officer was a duly authorized law enforcement officer, he didn’t have any real reason to trust him.  No point in pointing in the direction of Nevada.

 

            “Well, best of luck to you Adam.  I hope you get to where you’re going in one piece.”  With that, the officer more or less dismissed him.

 

            As Adam meandered down the street in the direction of the livery, his thoughts once again turned toward home and family.  It would be so good to see them again that he was actually homesick!

 

            He was even looking forward to a good old fashion fight with Joe over whatever it was they could find to argue about!

 

            ‘Face it.’  He thought to himself as he entered the livery.   ‘You’re just ready to go home!’

 

CHAPTER 3

 

            Dr. Paul Martin stepped out of the stage, stretching as he waited for his bag to be tossed down by the driver.  He was on his way to what promised to be an interesting demonstration of the latest breakthrough in medical history.  A German physicist named Wilhelm Rontgen* had developed a machine that could actually allow a doctor to see the inside of the human body without cutting it open!  He called it an x-ray machine and promised it would revolutionize the medical profession!

 

           Personally, Dr. Martin thought the man was most likely a “crack pot” but…you never know he could be on to something.

 

            “Besides” he thought, “I could use a short vacation.”

 

            The following afternoon found Paul at a reception in the Wellmont Hotel for the esteemed professor Rontgen.  After being introduced to the man, the two of them struck up a conversation over his invention.  Dr. Martin was intrigued to say the least, and convinced the man to let him see it right then, so the two of them left the party and made their way to the staging area on the next floor.

 

            When they arrived, he was totally confused.  The area was under armed guard, two at every door.  Inside, the center stage was surrounded by a standard hospital curtain but…at each corner stood an armed guard as well?  Dr. Rotgen tried to explain. 

 

            “I wish it was all for the protection of my invention but, it is for the patient on the other side of the screen.”  He said moving to the entrance of the enclosure.  “I’m not sure exactly why, but I believe he may be one of their agents, they won’t say for sure.”

 

            Paul and the Dr. Rotgen moved to the table where another dr. was listening to the patient’s heartbeat.  

 

            As they approached the head of the table, Dr. Martin was perplexed.

           

            “You say he’s one of their agents?  Do you at least know his name?”

 

            Mr. Rotgen shrugged slightly.  “All they will tell me is that he is of great importance to them and that he is in great danger.  They’ve even gone so far as to bandage the upper portion of his face to conceal his identity.” 

 

            The commander paused as he circled the desk to sit in the chair on the other side.  “I’ve been informed that their only concern is getting him taken care of.  The bullet entered his back at a rather difficult angle and since they can find no exit point it means it is still in there.  If they can get him stabilized in the next 24...” he checked his watch “12 hours, my machine will take a picture of his chest and show the exact location of the bullet.  From there he can go straight into surgery where there is a team of surgeons standing by.”

 

            Dr Martin was noticeable impressed.  “I look forward to seeing your demonstration tomorrow.”  He walked toward the head of the table.  “It should be quiet inter….”  He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the patient’s face, or rather the lower half of his whiskered face.

 

            He’d know that face anywhere.  He knew the shape, the jaw line…even knew the outline of his beard!  When he regained his composure, Paul pulled his watch from his pocket.  “If you’ll excuse me sir, I have another engagement I’m afraid I have to attend.”

 

            With that he left Mr. Rotgen standing as he took one last look at the man on the table and exited the area.  It was him…he just knew it!

 

            Paul stood outside in the hallway, leaning against the wall trying to decide what to do next.  He wasn’t exactly sure what to do but, he knew he had to get word to Ben.  His first step, he decided was to talk to the head of the security detail and find out what was going on.

 

            “Excuse me.”  Paul said as he approached on of the armed guards.  “I need to speak to your supervisor; can you tell me where to find him?”

 

            The guard looked at him in disdain.  “Move along sir.”

 

            Dr. Martin wasn’t to be deterred.  “I need to speak to him now!  Can you tell me where to find him or do I have to tear this hotel apart until I find him myself?!?”  By now Paul’s voice was several decimals higher.

 

            The guard drew his weapon and was taking aim when an elderly black porter rounded the corner.

 

            “Excuse me gentlemen can I be of any assistance?”

 

            “Yea old timer.”  Said the guard as he had second thoughts and re holstered his gun.  “you can escort this one to the front door,” directly to Paul, “and see that he DOESN”T return!”

 

            The porter tipped his hat to the guard.  “As you wish sir.”  With that he gripped Paul’s arm and steered him down the hallway…   As they rounded the corner a door way opened to his left and Paul was basically pushed through it and the door closed behind him before he could turn to protest.

 

            The room he found himself in had only one way in and one way out and it was now locked from the outside!  As he stood there staring at the door, trying to think of a way out, he heard movement behind him.  When he turned, the full length mirror on the left wall began to slowly swing out and the porter emerged.

 

            “Excuse the deception Dr. Martin but I had to get you out of the hallway.”

 

            “How did you know my name?  Who are you?”

 

            The porter laughed.  “I know you name because I saw you at the reception earlier.  You didn’t see me because no one notices the help.”  He paused to take a breath.  “As to who I am…I’m the commander you demanded to see.”  His expression changed.  “Now would you be so kind as to explain why you were making a scene to the extent that my lieutenant pulled a gun on you?!?”

 

            Dr. Martin was all business once again.  “I need to speak to you because of the patient on that table in there!” he emphasized, pointing in the direction they’d just been.

 

            Commander Ellis’ whole demeanor changed.  “That man is of no concern of yours, or anyone else in the building.  He’s one of my top operatives and that is all I will explain to you.”

 

            Paul studied the man for a moment.  “You don’t even know his name do you?”

 

            “His first name, yes” explained Elis.  “He was witness to a gangland style execution in Abilene six years ago.  He joined the posse to bring in the gang, but once the gang was cornered, a shootout occurred and all but one of the gang was killed.  He agreed to help track the killer down as long as his privacy was respected and no one asked any questions because he didn’t want his family in harm’s way.”  Elis gave a small chuckle.  “He won’t even tell me where he’s from.  The only thing he’s ever said was he used to live in Boston.”

 

            Dr. Martin was confused.  “Then why is he laying on that table in there?  What happened to him?”

 

            Commander Elis’ face hardened.  “Yea know dr. I’ve done all the talking so far.  Don’t you think it’s time you explained yourself?  If not, then I do believe it’s time for you to leave.”

 

            “As soon as you tell me what happened to him.”  He persisted.  “I have my reasons, now please; what happened to him?”

 

            Elis stared at the man for a moment.  He seemed genuinely concerned for the agent.  “After he caught up with the last of the gang, it turned out he was a member of a much larger organization than anyone thought.  To make a long story short, over the past six years he has been responsible for the apprehension of at least forty-nine of the most notorious criminals this territory has ever seen.

            He‘d turned in his resignation, and I believe in the process of heading home when he was ambushed by what we can only assume are the last of the gang he was after.  I want to help him get there…especially if he isn‘t going to survive but, I have no idea who he was or where home is!”

 

            Paul was speechless.  How was he going to explain all this to Ben? 

 

            “Now, Dr.  Your turn…start talking.”

 

            Paul cleared his throat.  “Well, you know his name is Adam, right?”  Elis nodded.  “I’ve been his dr. since he was nine years old!  He didn’t lie to you he did live in Boston…as a matter of fact, he was born there.  However, after the death of his mother, he and his father packed up and moved west…when he was a month old!!”

 

            Elis wilted.  “Wait a minute!”  He said “how do I know you are telling me the truth and aren’t just another hit man trying to kill him?”

 

            “I know every scar, have set every broken bone, have removed bullets, arrows, and if you remove the hair from his upper lip, you’ll find a small scar on the left side where I removed a fish hook from the time he tried to teach his little brother to fish!”

 

            Elis already knew about the fishhook scar.  “OK dr., I believe you.  Now…what’s his name?  And where does he live?”

 

            “His name is Adam Stoddard Cartwright and he lives…”

 

            “On the Ponderosa in Nevada…” Elis finished for him.  “No wonder he was so animate about protecting his family!”

 

            “And he only lives about fifty miles from here.”  Dr. Martin said, getting excited.  “I can have his family here before morning!”

 

            Elis held up his hand.  “Wait Dr. Martin.  If the entire Cartwright family comes barreling into town, you know they’re going to attract the wrong attention!  All the time and effort we’ve put into protecting Adam will be one big waste of time!”

 

            Paul was deflated because he couldn’t just send for the family when they’d been looking for Adam for so long, but he understood.

 

            “Good point.” He sat for a moment thinking.  “What if we could sneak just one member of the family in to ride with him and make sure he gets home safely?  After he gets back to the ranch, it would take the entire seventh cavalry to get to him!”

 

            “That would be acceptable, but how do you propose we do that?”

           

            Paul grabbed a piece of stationary off the man’s desk and began composing a telegram.

 

            TO:  Roy Coffee, Sheriff

                   Virginia City, Nevada

 

                  IMPARATIVE THAT YOU MEET ME AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE                                      

                 MOMENT FOR MEDICALLY UNSTABLE PRISONER

                 TRANSPORT (STOP)

                 PAUL MARTIN RECOMMENDS BRINGING DEPUTY ERIK FOR

                 ASSISTANCE (STOP)

                WILL MEET YOU AT WELLMONT HOTEL FRONT DESK              

                (STOP)

                WILL BE AWAITING RESPONSE (STOP)

                 

                  COMMANDER, FIELD OPERATIONS

                  BENTON ELIS

                  PINKERTON AGENCY (ALL STOP)

 

 

            Paul handed the letter to Elis for approval.  “That should do it.”  He said, handing it back.  “But who’s this deputy Erik?  Can he be trusted?”

 

            Paul laughed, “Erik is Adam’s little brother Hoss’ real name.  He’s the gentlest giant of a man you’ve ever met!  Mess with his family though…especially his missing big brother, and the picture won’t be pretty!”

 

            Elis rose and pushed open the mirror doorway.  “Follow this short passageway to the end.  It leads to a doorway to the street in the building two doors down.  Once you receive a response bring it back to the front desk of this hotel and tell the front desk you have something for Wilbur the porter.”

 

            “Who’s Wilbur?”

 

            Elis morphed back into the old, stooped porter he had been earlier.  “That sir would be me.”  Still in character “Now, get goin’ you young whipper snapper!”  Out of character, “and be careful.”  Dr. Martin smiled as he slipped through the doorway.

 

 

CHAPTER 3

 

            The new telegraph operator stared curiously at the message he’d just received.  He’d been in Virginia City long enough to know most of the population, but he didn’t know of anyone in the vicinity named Erik.

           

            As he glanced out the front window, he noticed Sheriff Coffee on the other side of the street talking with Mr. Cass, the owner of the mercantile.  Not wanting to leave the office unattended, he stepped out the door and motioned for the sheriff.  When Roy arrived, he handed him the message.

 

            “Sheriff this just came over the wire for you, thought it might be important.”

 

            “Thank you son.”  He smiled as he glanced at the message.  “Let’s see what we have here.”  He smiled as he pulled his reading glasses from his vest pocket and positioned them on his nose.  His smile faded as he read.

 

            “Pardon me for asking sheriff, but who’s Erik?”

 

            “I know him.”  Was the only response he got?  “Excuse me.”  He said as he headed out the door.

 

            “They’re waiting for a response!”  The operator yelled “What should I tell them?” 

 

            “Tell them I’ll be there tomorrow before noon!”  He said as he headed in the direction of the livery.

 

            Roy’s mind was racing.  He had to get to the Ponderosa and find Ben.  If Paul was involved and he wanted “Erik”, then something was definitely up.

 

            It didn’t take long to find Ben.  It was approaching the end of the month so he could be found at his usual location…behind his desk trying to get the ledgers to balance and working out scheduling for the next month.  The job usually fell to Adam but, since his disappearance, it was his alone.

 

            Hop Sing let the sheriff in and asked if he would like some coffee since he was also bringing one to Mr. Cartwright.

 

            “Roy!” exclaimed Ben as he lay the books aside.  “What brings you out this way in the middle of the day?  Not that I mind the distraction!”

 

            “Well, Ben” started Roy as he took the telegram out of his vest pocket.  “I want you to read the message I got off the telegraph earlier.  I think it concerns you…indirectly.”

 

            Ben glanced at the paper and immediately jumped to his feet.  “He’s got Adam doesn’t he?”

 

            “We can’t be sure but, I think so.”

 

            Ben grabbed his gun belt and was reaching for his hat.  “I’ll have the boys saddled up and ready to leave in ten minutes!”

 

            “Ben wait!” yelled Roy trying to stop him from heading out the door.

 

            “That’s my son Roy and I’m going after him!  Don’t even think about trying to stop me!!!”

 

            Hop Sing rounded the corner from the kitchen with a dish towel in his hand.  “Hop Sing think Mr. Ben should listen to Sheriff Roy…sounds important.”

 

            Ben stopped in his tracks.  Hop Sing had never in his memory ever stopped him from doing something when it concerned on of his sons.

 

            “OK Roy, if Hop Sing thinks I should listen, I will.  Make it good!”

 

            Roy shot Hop Sing a grateful look as he bowed slightly and returned to his domain.

 

            “First off Ben I think Paul wrote this, not this Elis guy.”  He pointed to the top line.  “Medically unstably…he’s seriously injured.  Paul suggests bring ‘Deputy Erik’…he wants one of you there, but in disguise so no one knows you’re a Cartwright.  He suggested Erik because very few people know Hoss’ real name and Adam needs a body guard.  Can you think of a better one than Hoss?  I know all of you want to go but, Hoss is stronger than all of you put together!”

 

            Ben sat quietly thinking.  He didn’t like the idea of staying behind now that he was sure Adam was this close, but could see the reasoning behind it, even if he  didn‘t like it.

 

            “I’ll send one of the hands after Joe and Hoss.  You two need to be on your way if you’re going to get there before morning.”

 

            Roy relaxed a bit.  At least Ben was calm enough to listen to reason for a change, plus he was the only one besides Adam who could keep a tight rein on Little Joe.  He knew once the youngest Cartwright found out where Hoss was going, he’d want to be in the thick of things, especially if he knew Adam was involved.

 

********

 

            Less than two hours later, Roy and Hoss galloped out of the yard headed in the direction of Sacramento.  Hoss was wearing old, mismatched clothes, one of Ben’s older, worn hats, and a badge.  He was also riding a draft horse borrowed from a trusted neighbor.  (The pine tree brand was as recognizable as the family.)

 

            “Please hurry.”  Thought Ben as he watched his son and his friend leave the yard.

 

            Ben and Roy were right about Joe.  He was in no way happy about being left behind.  When he heard they were going after Adam, he was almost out the door and gone before Hoss caught him!  To burn off some of his pent up anger, Ben put him to work chopping fire wood.  By the time he was finished, and had calmed considerable, Hop Sing, the house, AND the bunk house had enough fire wood and kindling to last for some time to come!

 

CHAPTER 4

 

            The streets were still relatively dark and empty as the two rode down the street, side by side.

 

            “I can’t believe you didn’t check to make sure that no good pole cat, Adam wasn’t dead before you lit out of there!”

 

            The big man looked mad.  “I heard riders coming!  What was I supposed to do? Ride through the middle of them and shoot him again?!?”

 

            The men sat on the side of the street watching as the worker made his way down the street putting out the street lights.

 

            “Look Red,” said the first as the worker made his way to the other side of the street to extinguish those lights as well.  “The boss wants him dead; period.  He’s caused too much trouble for the organization and got too many of the boss’ top men either arrested or dead!  Now” he said pointing down the street “Keep your eyes open!  If he makes it out of this town we may as well just keep on riding cause we’ll be next on the list!”

 

            They made their way down the street, watching as more and more people made their way out and onto the sidewalks to begin their day.

 

            The man extinguishing the street lights made his way down the alley, and walked into a side door that was almost totally unnoticeable from the street.  When he arrived in the office where Dr. Martin waited, he slipped the old hat off his head.

 

            “Well Paul, the bad news is I just saw McGruder and Harris, two of Tso’s top assassins out in the street.  They’re looking for Adam.”

 

            Paul pinched the bridge of his nose, much the same way as Adam when he’s frustrated.  “And the good news?”  He asked with a sigh.

 

            “I just heard McGruder confess to shooting him in the first place.”

 

            “And this helps us…how?”

 

            Elis laughed, “Relax!  All we have to do is get Adam through the surgery alive, sneak him out of town and all the way back to the Ponderosa, arrest McGruder and Harris, and put Tso out of business…piece of cake!”

 

            “Yea, it’s a great big slice of---we’re dead!”

 

            “Don’t worry doc. We do this sort of thing all the time remember?”

 

            “True.  I’ll just feel better once Hoss and Roy get here.”

 

            Elis was gazing out the window watching Tso’s men as they observed the now crowded street.  “What did you say Hoss looked like?”

 

            “His father once described him as ‘6’4” no matter which direction you measured him!’”  Paul laughed.  “Why?”

 

            “Because an older gentleman who looks like he could be a law man and a wall that looks like a saddle tramp are coming down the street.”

 

            Paul darted to the window to see for himself.  With a sigh of relief he said, “Yep.  That’s Adam’s “little” brother, Hoss!”

 

            “Defiantly doesn’t look like a Cartwright!”

 

            “Wasn’t that the idea?”

 

            “Yes.  Tso’s men noticed Roy.  They haven’t even looked at Hoss!”   Elis changed from his street sweeper uniform to his hotel porter’s uniform and instantly became the old porter once again.

 

            “Guess I’d better get goin’ doc.  They are supposed to meet up with Wilbur in just a few minutes.”  As he opened the door.  “We’ll be back in a few minutes youngin.”  Paul smiled at the reference as the door slid shut.

 

CHAPTER 5

 

            Ten very long minutes later the door leading to the hallway opened to admit two a very confused Roy and Hoss and a smiling old porter named Wilbur.

 

            “Gentlemen!” exclaimed Paul “Glad you could make it!”

 

            “Paul what the heck’s goin’ on?” asked Hoss  “Roy here thinks you have Adam.”

 

            “First off, let me introduce to you Mr. Benton Elis, Commander, Pinkerton Agency.”

 

            Wilbur walked over to stand beside Paul and pull off his disguise.  “Gentlemen.”

 

            As the two men stared open mouthed at the man before them, Paul continued his explanation.  “Yes Hoss, Adam’s here but…”  He started but had to stop Hoss from bolting out the door to find him.

 

            “But what???”  Demanded Hoss “Come on doc.  Where is he?!?”

 

            “Hoss, settle down and I’ll explain.”  He said gently as he laid a hand on Hoss’ arm.  Hoss visibly calmed down, but he still wasn’t happy about the wait.

 

            “OK doc I’ll listen, but this better be real good.”

 

            Benton could see smoke coming out of the big man’s ears.  ‘Don’t think I want him mad at me any time soon!’

           

            “Perhaps you should let me take over from here Paul.” interrupted Benton, stepping forward.  A minute amount of fire faded from Hoss’ eyes as the new man leaned on the desk Paul sat on.

 

            “It’s a rather long and involved story, so I’ll give you the condensed version.”

 

Everyone stood, more or less, patiently waiting for him to continue.  Paul hadn’t even heard this part of the story yet.

 

            “Six years ago, Adam happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” he began.  “He rode into an execution style murder ordered by General Tso not too far outside of San Francisco.  Tso runs an extortion racket as well as prostitution, drugs, white slavery, in other words, if it’s illegal, he’s running it.

 

            Any way, back on track…Tso ordered a shopkeeper and his entire family eliminated to make an example for the others in the area who were trying to revolt against him.  The father was already dead, and he arrived on the scene just in time to see the mother fall to the floor, a knife sticking out of her back.  She collapsed and died in front of her six year old son who was holding his new baby brother.  Adam dove between the kids and the hit men and took out two of them.   Unfortunately one escaped and made it back to Tso.  My agents weren’t far away, and found him with two very distraught kids. 

 

            We dealt with the legalities because he didn’t want to leave the kids behind long enough to do it himself-or rather the kids wouldn’t leave him.  He said his first priority was the kids and it took him a few weeks, but he got them placed with a young childless couple in New Mexico that was more than happy to take both of them…

 

            Concerning the murders, he was a little hesitant at first, wanted to go after the man himself, kept muttering ‘it’s not happening again.’  But he wouldn’t explain.  I brought up working with us but he said no; at least at first.  I think when he cooled down and thought about it, he agreed.”

 

            Hoss interrupted.  “Excuse me Mr. Elis, but I think I can answer the one about the kids.”  Elis sat down behind his desk.

 

            “Twenty-five years ago, the six year old with the baby in his arms was Adam…the baby was me, and the woman dying in front of him was my ma.  She died in an Indian attack with an arrow in her back right in front of him.  Took him a lot of years to get over it, and I ain’t really sure he ever got over it to be honest.”

 

            “That would explain his determination.”

           

            “That’s my single minded big brother!”  Laughed Hoss.

 

            “Any way” continued Benton, “he said he would work with us until we caught the last hit man, then he was going home.”  Elis chuckled, “I asked his last name and he told me I didn’t need to know that because he didn’t expect it to take that long.

            He was right, it didn’t take long to find and convict the last one but, one led to another and another.  He’d made quiet a name for himself in certain circles.  When it became obvious to him that he was in way too deep, and he wasn’t going home any time soon, he decided to try to at least get word to his family that he was ok.”

 

            “We got one letter from him and that was from Boston!”

 

            “I told him I would get word to you if he would tell me who you were, but his exact words were ‘No offense sir but their safety comes first.  I’ll take care of it.’  He routed a message through almost every fort and field office between here and Boston.  From Boston, it was sent to an attorney in New York who in turn forwarded it to his grandfather in Boston who sent it straight back to his father!

            It’s taken Tso’s men almost three years to figure out his whereabouts!”

 

            Hoss chuckled.  “Not that sounds like my sneaky big brother!  He could confuse a whole herd of geniuses if he wanted!”  He sobered rapidly.  “But you still haven’t answered my question-where the heck is he and what happened to him?!?”

 

            “I was coming to that.  Over the past six years he has been responsible for the apprehension and conviction of over forty-nine of Tso’s men.  In other words, Tso wants him dead.  Adam decided after the last one that he’d had enough and was going home.” 

 

            Hoss brightened.  “He was coming home?”

 

            “When asked about an officer to ride with him he said not to worry, he apparently had a very large guardian angel on his shoulder?

            About thirty miles outside of town, he was caught in an ambush.  The bullet hit at a bad angel and the surgeons can’t cut him open to look for it.”

 

            “Well what do you plan to do about it?”  Demanded Hoss.  He was getting rather impatient with the man.

 

            “I’m glad you asked.”  Said Elis.  “A man named Wilhelm Rotgen is here demonstrating a new device he calls an x ray machine.  It’s a new device that can show you the inside of a human body.  We’ve asked him to use the device on Adam to show us where to find the bullet.  After we know for sure, a team of surgeons is standing by to take him straight into surgery.”

 

            “No offense Mr. Elis.” said Hoss.  “I want him to do it.”  He said pointing to Dr. Martin.

 

            “Hoss, I’m flattered by your confidence in me but they already have a team of highly skilled surgeons on stand by.”

 

            Hoss looked Benton squarely in the eye.  “It’s like this Elis; I don’t care how many dr.’s and sawbones you got in this place-I don’t know ‘em, I don’t trust ‘em, and unless Dr. Martin’s in the room looking over their shoulder, they ain’t touching him!”

 

            Elis pondered on it for a moment then said, “That seems reasonable.  I’ll clear it with McIntire, the chief surgeon.”  Elis stepped before Hoss.  “Now, would you like to see him?”

 

            Hoss brightened “Would I?”  He jumped to his feet.  “Let’s go!”

 

            Benton held a hand up to stop him.  “Hold on a minute Hoss.  We can’t just go busting in there!  We’ve gone to great lengths to hide his identity.  Despite our best efforts, Tso knows he’s here…somewhere. Two of Tso’s top hit men rode into town not ten minutes before you did, I saw them myself.

            If you go barreling in there acting like his brother, you could tip them off!  I know Tso has spy’s everywhere!”  Elis backed off a step.  “Now take a deep breath and plaster on your best fake deputy’s face.”

 

            Hoss took a deep breath and his face transformed from the jovial, albeit worried person his was into a totally efficient lawman that would stop even the most harden criminal.

 

            “Good.  Now I have to warn you, he looks bad so try not to let it effect you when we get there.”

 

            “Fine!  I’m ready!  Now for the last, and I do mean LAST time--where’s my brother!?!”

 

            “He’s in a conference room upstairs surrounded by six armed security guards.”  Hoss was out the door before the other men could take a step.

 

 

CHAPTER 6

 

            When the party finally reached the conference room, the guards by the east door were not at their assigned posts.  Benton and his associate, instantly on alert, pulled revolvers from beneath their jackets and crept silently into the room ahead of the others.  Roy and Hoss, who by now had positioned themselves in front of Paul, followed close behind, guns drawn as well.

 

            Just inside the doors, Benton found his two guards unconscious and dumped unceremoniously in a corner, behind a large planter, their side arms missing.  The curtain was still in place, but movement could be detected, indicating more than the one nurse that was supposed to be there.  Hoss bolted between the two officers, knocking them to the side in the process and around the curtain before either could even think about making a move in intercede.

 

            The assembled officers could hear the fight more than see it.  One body flew through the curtain, smashing through several tables until it skidded to a halt not far from the other men.  The next flew out the other side, connecting with the wall and making a hugh dent in the plaster before he slammed to the ground, unconscious.

 

            Almost all movement behind the curtain ceased.  Benton holstered his gun and turned to his associate.  “Shackle these two and, if they wake up-gag ‘em.  I don’t want them moving just yet.”  He, Paul, and Roy ran to the curtain, afraid of what they might find.  All they could see at first was Hoss’ back as he leaned protectively over his brother.

 

            “Those bastards were trying to kill him!”  He said in a voice loaded with venom.   “And if it weren’t for all this hair on his face, they might have succeeded!”  He said as he pressed his handkerchief gently to a small cut on the side of Adam’s throat.

 

            Adam’s massively thick beard had deflected the knife, moving the blade just past the main artery in his neck, and only made a small cut just to the left.

 

            Benton stood by just watching.  “Looks like we’re going to have to step up the demonstration Dr. Martin.  Make sure he’s ok, and up to the surgery while I go after Rotgen and McIntire.”

 

            “What about the two Hoss almost killed?” asked Roy.

 

            “Paul, remember the two I said all we had to do was arrest them because I already had a confession?”  Paul nodded.

 

            Elis pointed to the unconscious man on the left “That’s McGruder” to the one on the right “and that’s Harris.  That’s number fifty-one and fifty-two for Adam…and he slept through it!”

 

CHAPTER 7

 

            It only took a few moments to locate Dr. McIntire and Mr. Rotgen.  Both were receptive to the change in plans.  Word was spread to all who had come to the city to see the demonstration, as most of the invited were staying in the same hotel.  The demonstration would go on as planned, but Hoss would be stationed behind the curtain where he could see all sides.  Roy would be in the audience with the assembled medical professionals and Benton (or rather Wilbur) would be bussing tables in the background.

 

            Once the demonstration was over, all except Dr. McIntire and Paul would be ushered out and the room cleared.  Hoss would remain where he was hidden from view to everyone except Paul.  He would have remained even without a plan in place!  With the failed attempt on Adam’s life, he wasn’t about to let him out of his sight again!

 

            The presentation went off without a hitch.  All assembled were so fascinated by the screen as it passed over Adam’s body, showing bone, organs, etc. that an army battalion could have held maneuvers in the room and no one would have noticed!

 

            The machine showed the trajectory of the bullet as it entered the body, plus the subsequent damage caused along the way.  The machine showed the entry point at the base of Adam’s spine, upward until it was lodged in a muscle just below his left lung.  With out the machine, the dr.’s would have never suspected it had traveled that far!

 

            Once the floor was cleared Dr.’s McIntire and Martin began the surgery.  With the new information, the bullet was out and the muscle it rested in was repaired in under an hour, and the repairs done to the rest of his body took even less time!  It truly was a medical miracle!

 

            “By golly John, I think he’s gonna make it!” exclaimed Dr. Martin as he listened to Adam’s steady heartbeat that seemed to be getting stronger with every beat.

 

            “I’m really sorry to hear that Paul.” said John sadly as he removed his gloves.  “Tso has my entire family.  If this man lives, my family dies!  Now I’m going to have to kill him!”

 

            From the curtain just behind him.  “Mister take one step toward that table and there won’t be enough of you left to bury.”

 

            “Where did you come from?”  John asked nervously, wiping his hands as the giant appeared out of nowhere.

 

            “Missouri.  Now back away from your patient slowly.”

 

            “You don’t understand!”  Pleaded McIntire.

 

            “I understood just fine.  I understand I just heard with my own ears that you was about to kill my brother.”

 

            John paled even further, “Y..your bbbrother?”

 

            “Yup.  My brother,” pointing to Dr. Martin, “his friend,” to Roy, who had quietly entered the scene, “and his prisoner…sort of.”

 

            Hoss moved menacingly closer to Dr. MacIntire, trying mightily to control his temper.  The man had just admitted to wanting to kill Adam.  He’d just gotten him back and nobody and he meant NOBODY was getting near his big brother again!

 

            “Hold on a minute Hoss.” said Roy, placing a hand on Hoss’ arm to stop him.  “I think I know a way we can use this to our advantage and get John off the hook at the same time!”

 

            Hoss paused, never taking his eyes off John.  “I’m listenin’.”

 

            “All we have to do is make it look like he’s dead and transport the body out of here and back home.”

 

            “Go on.”

 

            “If these two put out a press release that he died from…something, we take the ‘body’ and head out of town with it.  John’s family is released and we’re out of here.”

 

            Hoss was warming up to the idea.

 

            “Remember that coffin you built when Joe was a kid and that McQuarter guy tried to kill Adam to get back at Ben?”

 

            “But we buried that thing!” 

 

            “I know, but do you think you can remember how to build it?”

 

            Hoss nodded.

 

            “Good, get started on it, only this time put a glass window in it from about the shoulders up so Paul can keep an eye on him.”

 

            Hoss was really beginning to “get on board” with the plan so he started to make a few plans of his own.

 

            “You think we’ll need a hearse or a buckboard?”

 

            Roy thought for a moment.  “A buckboard would be faster, but a hearse would be more realistic.  Plus, if you drive, and Paul rides shotgun, he can see straight down into the coffin.”

 

            Both John and Paul were leaning against a table, just listening.  John smiled at the exchange.

 

            “Is the whole family this sneaky, or is he,” pointing at Hoss, “the worst?”

 

            “Nah, he is.”  He said absently, pointing to Adam.  Paul thought for a moment before asking.  Finally he turned to Roy.  “As much as he’s helped and the fact that he’s been drug into this whole mess, do you think it’d be ok to level with John about who he,” pointing at Adam, “really is?”

 

            “You mean the fact that he’s Adam Cartwright?”  John laughed at the stunned faces before him.  “I would have had to have lived in a cave for the last decade not to know who he is!”

 

            Everyone looked confused and just a bit frightened.  They had worked long and hard to keep his identity hidden. 

 

            “Let me explain.  There have been five names tossed around all morning.  Roy, Paul, Hoss, Ben, and Joe.”  Pointing to Roy, “You’re Roy Coffee, highly respected sheriff of Virginia City.”  To Paul, “You’re Paul Martin; we’ve been working together for a few days now, even if I didn’t make the connection until now.”  To Hoss, “You’re Hoss Cartwright.  We met several years ago even if you don’t remember.  Everyone knows the patriarch of the Cartwright clan’s name is Benjamin and the youngest of the bunch is Joe.  Since they aren’t here, I’m guessing Ben and Joe are still on the Ponderosa wondering about the fate of this one.  So that only leaves” waving a hand at Adam, “the first born, Adam.” 

 

            John had to laugh at the stunned faces and open mouths staring at him.  “What can I say…I’m observant.  The only one I haven’t figured out is Erik.”

 

            Hoss finally found his voice.  “Hoss is just a nickname Adam gave me when I was a baby. My given name is Erik Borgrestrum Cartwright.”

 

            John stared for a moment.  “That name is almost as long as you are!  No wonder they shortened it!”

 

            Hoss smiled a bit in spite of the situation at that.  “It was actually my Uncle Gunnar’s idea.  It’s Swedish for ’Big Friendly Man’.”

 

            “Anyway,” interrupted Roy, “back to the subject at hand.”  All eyes turned to him.  “Hoss how long do you think it’ll take to make the new coffin?”

 

            “Give me about four hours.”  he said, making the calculations in his head.  “I can pick up a coffin from the undertaker and some glass from the hardware store-I think.  Have to go anyhow to pick up some hinges.  Anyway, give me about four hours.”

 

            “Think you two can come up with a convincing lie of a press release by then?”

 

            “Oh ye of little faith!”  quoted Dr. Martin.  At the surprised faces around him, “What?  I’ve been with Little Joe way too long!”  Hoss chuckled, Roy smiled, John and Benton just looked confused.

 

            Roy sobered as he sat, thinking.  “What’s wrong Roy?”  Asked Hoss as he made a list of things he would need to pick up while the Drs. were dealing with their press release.  

 

            “Your father is going to see this.  Wish there was some way to tell him and Joe that it’s a fake.”

 

            “Yea. Until we pull Adam from the back of that hearse, Him and Joe are goin a think he’s dead.  We can’t tell him any different, cause we don’t know who we can trust at this point.”  Hoss sobered at the thought of the pain they were about to inflict on his unsuspecting father and brother.

 

            “Oh Hoss” started Paul, changing the subject.  “when you get done with modifying the coffin, I have another shopping list for you.”

 

            “Sure doc.  What’s up?”

 

            Paul just smiled, “You’ll see.”

 

CHAPTER 8

 

            Several hours later Paul, John, Benton, and Roy returned to the conference room.  Hoss was completing all his modifications there because he refused to let Adam out of his sight again.  He had every intention of sleeping on a table next to Adam when bedtime came!  As the four entered the door, he was attaching the final hinge to the inside of the coffin.

 

            “Hey fellers!” he smiled as he tested the panel on the side to see if it opened properly.

 

            “Excellent work as usual.” said Paul as he checked out the coffin himself.  “Did you make sure the glass panel was easy to open?  Otherwise this thing is going to be airtight and turn into a real coffin.”

 

            “Yep, works great.  I also added the extra insulation to the inside you wanted but I ain’t figured out why you wanted it?  It’s almost 100 degrees out there!”

 

            Paul just flashed him a small grin.  “Here’s the extra shopping list I wanted you to get.”  He said, handing it to Hoss.

 

            After reading it, Hoss just looked confused.  “OK half this stuff I can’t pronounce, and the other half I  can’t figure what the heck you want it for?!?”

 

            “Simple” laughed Paul.  “Just go to the apothecary and give them the top half of the list.  We have to make it look like Adam means nothing to any of us, so we’re turning this into a sort of supply run for me.  That and it’s stuff I’ll need to take care of him on the way home. 

 

            The chloroform is just in case he regains consciousness.  The bandages and the rest are to cover any other instance that could come up.  If we don’t need it, then I’ll have my supplies for a few months.

 

            The wash tubs and the crushed ice are just a ruse in case we get ambushed on the way out of town, which Benton thinks is entirely possible.”  Benton just nodded his head.  “The ice is to keep ‘the body from decomposing in the 100 degree heat.”

 

            “The food, the canteens, and the five bottles of whisky?”

 

            “A plausible explanation for opening the upper door so often on the way home.”

 

            Hoss just sat for a moment, his arms crossed over his chest, staring at Paul.  “Doc, that’s plumb sneaky!  You done spent way too much time with older brother over there in the past!”

 

            “Are you sure I wasn’t the one teaching him?”  With that Paul smiled, winked and walked over to check on Adam.

 

CHAPTER 9

 

            The following afternoon’s paper held the following press release:

 

MEDICAL DEMONSTRATION A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

 

            The Wellmont Hotel yesterday hosted a demonstration conducted by Professor Wilhelm Rotgen of his new invention tentatively named an x-ray machine.

            The machine is designed for the purpose of allowing medical professionals the opportunity to see the skeletal makeup as well as all major organs inside the human body without the invasive need of surgery.

            The machine itself proved to be a valuable asset in allowing the surgeons on duty to locate and remove a bullet from their hapless and unwilling test subject,(patient X) in just under an hour and to repair the damage done by the bullet’s trajectory.

            However, due to an unforeseen infection, and complications due to the surgery, Patient X has since succumbed to his injuries.  The body will be released to legal officials as soon as possible and will be taken for a private burial in an undisclosed location.

            May God have mercy on the soul of this poor unfortunate individual.

 

CHAPTER 9

 

            Daybreak the next morning found the conference room a beehive of activity.  Hoss, having slept on the table next to Adam, was busy working to clean up the area and ready his bedroll.  Truth be known, he was basically just keeping busy so he didn’t have to watch Dr.’s Martin and MacIntire transfer Adam to the coffin.  He knew he was alive and, if he could help it, would remain that way but…he still couldn’t watch them lower his beloved big brother into the blasted thing!

 

            “Hoss we’re done.” said Dr. Martin gently.  He knew having to watch was almost killing Hoss, but it had to be done.  “Hoss!”  he said just a bit more forcefully.

 

            “Ah-yeah.”  said Hoss, snapping out of his rather distressing thoughts.  Now the four of them were going to have to carry the coffin, (and his brother) to the waiting hearse.

 

            As he, Roy, Paul, and John took their positions on each side of the coffin, the conference room doors swing open to admit Wilbur.

 

            “The manager don’t want you carrying that thing out the front door, past the paying customers, so we had the hearse moved around back, next to the kitchen.  I’ll show you a way out through the service entrance that won’t attract too much attention.”

 

            As Benton, “Besides, it was much easier to station several men along the hallway and by the back entrance  just to be on the safe side.”

 

            The group made it down the service entrance and out into the alley way with out incident, passing the occasional security guard, but that was it.

 

            “This is almost too easy.”  Thought Roy idly

 

            No one spoke as the coffin was loaded into the hearse.  Wilbur stood by the door with his hat respectively over his heart.

 

            As the door was closed, he placed his hat back on his head and said “Y’all have a safe trip back to wherever you’re goin’.”

 

            The hearse made it’s way slowly down the deserted alley, with Roy constantly surveying the area for  anything suspicious.  He still had the gut filling that they were being watched, but he couldn’t pinpoint anything out of the ordinary.  As they made their way out into the street, and headed in the direction of the livery stable to pick up their horses, a lone figure on a fifth floor balcony made it’s way back into the safety of the building‘s interior.

 

CHAPTER10

 

            As the observer made his way back into his hotel room, he thought to himself, ‘This is almost too easy!’  Once inside, he addressed his partner, seated next to the door, waiting semi patiently.

 

            “They’re gone.  Alert the general they are on their way and heading east.”

 

            The partner made his way out the door and down the hall and headed for the lobby, walking just past the receptionist desk, and down a short hallway to the office he was looking for.  Upon entering he spoke to the man standing like a statue, staring out the window.

 

            “Excuse me general, the group you asked us to watch for has left the city heading east.  If Monolito and I leave know, we should be able to catch up to the hearse before they get too far ahead and we loose them.”

 

            “Do not worry Sebastian.  We have all the time in the world now.”  Tso never turned from the window.

 

            “Sir?”

 

            “Just savoring the moment.  The time is fast approaching when that major thorn in my side will be removed permanently!”  Tso continued to gaze out the window.  “It’s a sad day when one man can bring my entire operation to it’s knees in just a few short years!  All I have left are the two of you!” he practically spit with disdain.  “Catch them and bring him back to me!  I will have his head on a silver platter by the end of the week!”

 

            “Sir if he’s dead then what difference does it make?  He can’t hurt us now.  You can begin rebuilding next month and maybe be back in total operation by the new year.”

 

            The general turned from the window, slamming his fist into the desk in front of him.

 

            “HE’S STILL ALIVE!  Bring him back to me and I don’t care how!  Just keep him alive so I can take care of him myself!”

 

            Sebastian stalled for a moment, hating to ask but; “Sir he has been here for several days, why did you not kill him yourself?”

 

            The general stood silently for a moment.  “Because I had to maintain my cover.  If he had died while here, too much suspicion would have been cast in this direction.  This way, he is in open land, and I remain in the shadows.”

 

            “What about the MacIntire’s?”

 

            “At this point, they are inconsequential.  We don’t have the manpower to eliminate them in the usual fashion and, I can’t believe I’m forced to say this but, just walk away and leave them where they are.  If they escape, we will find them at a later date.  Once he’s out of the way, we’ll go back and finish the job properly.”

 

            “Sir, I really hate to interrupt, but if we’re going to catch them, Monolito and I really need to leave now.”

 

            Tso sighed heavily.  “His real name is Adam Cartwright and he lives near Lake Tahoe in Nevada.  The sheriff is Roy Coffee, of Virginia City, and deputy Erik is really Adam’s little brother.”  Sebastian physically cringed.  He didn’t realize they were going to have to go up against  the Ponderosa!

 

            “Now, carry out my orders!  My break is almost over and I have to get back to work.”  With that, he donned his cap and Wilbur made his way out of the porter’s office.

 

***********

 

            The hearse lumbered it’s way along the road outside the city, making it’s way east toward Nevada and the Ponderosa “and pa“ thought Hoss privately.  As rides go, with the added suspension, and other adjustments, it was actually a fairly smooth ride.  Hoss was actually impressed with it, even if it was a hearse

 

            Hoss was in the driver’s seat, Paul riding “shotgun”, and Roy rode his horse alongside, constantly surveying the countryside.  They had at least a half hour to go before it would be time to stop and give the horses, and the people involved, a chance to rest.

 

            As Hoss rode along, his mind wondered to some strange directions!  When Paul slid the glass on top of the coffin closed after checking on Adam and returning to his seat, he heard Hoss chuckling to himself.

 

            “What’s so funny?”

 

            “Well” started Hoss.  “I was just thinking.  We had to buy this here hearse, we couldn’t rent it.”

 

            “And?”

 

            “Wonder if pa would let me work on it a bit and let me turn it into the family buggy instead of donating it to the undertaker?”

 

            Roy laughed “Yea I can just see the whole family coming to church on Sunday morning  and parking that thing outside of the church!”

 

            Paul joined in “It could be fun just watching people’s faces when Little Joe came into town in this thing just to get supplies!”

 

            “Or to pick up a date!”  The three laughed heartily at the thought. 

 

            Hoss sobered a bit.  “How’s Adam doin’?”

 

            “Seems to be doing fine.  He was showing signs of rousing a few minutes ago, but has since stopped.  I’ll check on him again as soon as we camp for the night.”

 

            “Sounds good.”  said Hoss looking toward the sun.  “From the sun’s angle that should be in about an hour tops.”

 

            Roy slipped his watch back into his pocket without saying a word.  Hoss’ intuition, and grasp on most things never ceased to amaze him!”

 

            “Remember Hoss, he’s supposed to be dead, so once we make camp he’s going to have to stay in there.”  Roy stated, indicating the hearse.

 

            Hoss continued to stare straight ahead as he drove.  “I’m aware of that Roy, but I hate to think of him being in that thing for the next three days.  What if he wakes up?”

 

            “That’s where I come in.”  interjected Paul.  “He needs to remain perfectly still for the next few days anyway.  The only way to do that is to keep him sedated.  He’s going to sleep until we get back to the Ponderosa.”

 

            Hoss was somewhat appeased.

 

            Paul continued.  “Once we make camp, I’ll go in through the top door and make sure he’s sedated.  Now, considering the woods probably have eyes, I’ll pull out some food from the ice pans so it looks like I have a reason to be back there.”

 

            Hoss brightened at the mention of food.  “Good thinking!  I’m ‘bout to starve anyhow!”

 

            Both Paul and Roy laughed  “Son when ain’t you about to starve?”  Chuckled Roy.

 

            The trio continued on until they found a clearing that would serve their purpose.  As Hoss and Roy gathered wood for a fire, Paul slipped through the sliding glass door on the top of the hearse, pulling the curtains closed on either side.  He then slid the glass on the top of the coffin open to check on his patient.  After administering enough chloroform to keep him out for several hours, he grabbed what food they would need and made his way back topside.  Roy and Hoss were just beginning to build up the fire.

 

            “How is he?”  asked Hoss quietly, nodding his head in the direction of the hearse.

 

            “All thing considered, not bad.  He should be fine until morning.”

 

**************

 

            Later that night, after the trio had eaten and were just sitting around the camp fire, Hoss seemed to be in another world.

 

            “Hoss is something wrong?”  Asked Paul gently, trying to get the big guy’s attention.  Hoss continued to break little bits off the stick he was playing with and tossing it into the fire.

 

            “I was just thinking.  I know Adam’s dead and all but, I’d feel a whole heap better if I could be close to him when I go to sleep.”

 

            “What do you have in mind?”

 

            “I know the top of this thing is glass, but it’s been reinforced.  I’m thinking about throwing my bedroll up there.  I know I won’t be able to touch him, but at least I’ll be able to see him.”

 

            “Sounds like a plan Hoss.”  said Roy as he placed a comforting hand on the big man’s shoulder.  He knew the whole trip was just about killing the soft hearted, gentle giant of a man.

 

CHAPTER11

 

            The horses had been tethered far enough back into the brush as not to alert the horses from the hearse.  Monolito and Sebastian crept soundlessly into the camp of the sleeping men.  The general may have thought of them as idiots but, truth be known, they were very good at what they did.

 

            Each man pointed a gun at the two sleeping by the fire. When they were sure the two men were covered and their guns removed, Mono kicked Roy in the foot to wake him.  Roy awoke with a start, reaching for his side arm; that wasn’t there.

 

            “Looking for this?”  he said, holding Roy’s gun by the barrel.

 

            By now both men were fully awake, and sitting with their hands raised above their heads.

 

            “There were three of you when you left town, where’s your friend?”  Neither answered.

 

            “Right here.”  The pair heard a gun cock behind them and over their heads.  “Drop ‘em now!”

 

            “I do not think so my friend.” said Sebastian, placing the barrel of his gun directly against Paul’s temple.  “Even if you shoot me, my finger twitches and the good dr. will die.  Do you think you can afford that?”

 

            Hoss could tell they meant business so he dropped his gun and jumped to the ground beside the hearse.

 

            “What do you yahoo’s want anyhow?  We ain’t got enough money between us to buy a cheap bottle of whiskey!”

 

            Monolitolito chuckled.   “It is not money we want.”  he said before indicating the hearse.  “We want him.  Or rather a certain general paid us very well to bring him back to him.”

 

            Hoss took a threatening step toward Monolito.  Sebastian cocked the gun pressed against Paul’s head.  “I would think very carefully before I did that.”

 

            Monolito tossed a rope to Roy.  “Now, what say you tie your big friend to that tree right over there.  Do it tightly, because I will be checking.”

 

            Roy led Hoss to a tree just past the edge of the clearing.  “I’m sorry Hoss.”  he said as he wound the rope around the tree, tying him to it backwards.

 

            “It’s ok Roy.  We’ll get out of this.”

 

            Once he was secure, Monolito checked the bindings, and found them to his liking.  The pair then proceeded to tie up both Roy and Paul, hitch the horses back to the hearse, and head back in the direction they had been traveling. “I’ll get you back Adam.”  Hoss said under his breath to the retreating hearse.

 

            Hoss watched, helplessly as his big brother was once again taken from him as he redoubled his efforts to try to break the rope, the tree, anything that would help him to get loose. 

 

            “Ya all having any better luck?” panted Hoss as he paused to take a breath.

 

            “No” came from both sides.

 

            “Just hold on Adam!” said Hoss quietly to the trail the hearse had taken over an hour ago.  “I’ll find you big brother.”

 

CHAPTER12

 

            Roy and Paul had all but given up as they sat, breath coming in gasps,  against their respective trees.  Hoss, on the other hand  would pause briefly to take a short breath, then begin again trying to break his bindings.  Hoss continued to struggle as he felt his ropes getting wet from the blood running down his wrists and onto his hands.

 

********

 

            Daylight found Hoss still struggling with his ropes.  He’d made a small amount of headway during the night, but didn’t continue for fear of waking Paul and Roy.  Both had succumbed to exhaustion during the night and had fallen asleep.  After a few more minutes, the rope finally began to snap, almost freeing him.  He gave it one more solid yank, belying his exhaustion, before the rope finally gave way.

 

            “Hoss?” asked Roy the sleep still evident in his voice.

 

            “Yeah Roy, just a minute.” as he unwound the ropes around Roy’s feet.

 

            “Hoss wait!” exclaimed Paul, grabbing the man by his arm before he finished untying Paul‘s feet.

 

            “Doc I ain’t got time for this, I’m going after Adam!”

 

            “Not trying to stop you, but would you at least let me bandage you up before you bleed out?!?  I don’t want to have to explain to Ben why I had to bring you home in as hearse as well!  Just let me bind your wrists and you can take off on foot.  Not that you’ll get very far, but have at it!”

 

            Hoss cooled as he thought about what Dr. Martin had just said.  He looked down at his shredded wrists then down the trail before them.  He hadn’t even noticed all the blood on his hands and shirtsleeves until now.  He let out a sigh before turning a resigned eye toward the dr.

 

            As he was removing the last of the bindings from around Paul’s feet, a horse and rider entered the clearing.  Hoss starred at the man who made no move to dismount or draw on him.

 

            “Seems I’m a little late for a rescue.”  he laughed, pulling a knife from his belt.  He tossed it at Hoss.  The knife embedded itself in the ground between Hoss’ feet.  “Finish cutting your friend loose, we have work to do.”  Hoss held his ground.  “If you want to get your brother back, I suggest you cut your friends loose and let’s ride!”

 

            At the mention of Adam, Hoss sprang into action.  “OK, start talkin’!”  he demanded as he flipped the knife and returned it to it’s owner.

 

            “Let’s just say I’m here to help and I’ll explain later.”  he turned his horse.  “Now come on, your horses are tied just outside the clearing.”  No further words were exchanged as the group mounted and rode out.

 

********

 

            The men had ridden less than five miles when their companion slowed to a walk and finally called for a halt.

 

            “Unless they’ve slept it off, the hearse and the other two are just over this rise.”

 

            Hoss looked skeptically at the man.  Paul chuckled.  “Let me guess; they found the five bottles of whiskey we left for them?”

 

            “And drank four of them!”

 

            “Wondered why you of all people wanted me to pick up whiskey.”  laughed Hoss.

 

            “Insurance” was the only answer he got.

 

            Hoss crept soundlessly up the hill to get a peak.  As they suspected, the two were lying on the ground with four empty bottles on the ground between them.  When he reported back what he saw, the man took charge.

 

            “First off,” interrupted Hoss, “Why don’t you tell me who the heck you are and why I should trust you when they still have Adam?  Why shouldn’t I just take him right not and be done with it?”

 

            He laughed.  “Guess I should explain.  My name is David Henry.  I’ve worked with Adam on  occasion at the agency with one case or another.  This case with Tso was to be his last  then he was going home.  It has taken several years, but we got it whittled down to the last four and Tso himself.  Two of them you took out the first day here when they tried to kill Adam in the conference room.  Those two” pointing over the hill, “and Tso are all that’s left.  Now you can either take those two in and let Tso escape to rebuild and come after him again, and believe me he will because Adam has cost him millions, or let tem get back to Tso and we take out all three of them and put and end to it.  He‘s your brother, so it‘s up to you, take them out, or watch his back for the rest of your, or his life?”

 

            Hoss seemed hesitant for a moment.  “What would Adam want you to do?”  David asked gently.

 

            “He’d say nail em.”  Hoss said quietly  “Do you have a plan?”

 

            David sighed in relief.  This took less arguing than he expected.  “We don’t know Tso’s true identity, so we follow those two until they stop to make their delivery.  Once Tso appears…you can figure that part out.”  Hoss and Roy just smiled at that one. 

 

            “Are you telling me you don’t even know who Tso really is?!?” asked Paul incredulously.

 

            David shook his head.  “The only way he could have disappeared so fast when things went sour for him was to blend into the woodwork.  Adam had his list of suspects narrowed down, but he hadn’t been able to make a positive identification yet.”

 

            “Did he tell you his chief person of interest?”  asked Roy, the law enforcer coming out in him.

 

            “Yes, but I’ll wait till we have Tso in custody before I tell you if he was right.  One way or the other, it’s going to get ugly.”

 

            Paul just shook his head.  Before this is over he figured he was going to need ALL the medical supplies stashed in the hearse and then some!

 

CHAPTER13

 

            The bumbling duo awoke with the mother of all hangovers.

 

            “Monolito why did you let me drink so much?” asked Sebastian, holding his head in his hands, moaning.

 

            “Not so loud compadre!” Complained Monolito.  “The birds are making enough noise without you helping them!”  he capped his hands over his ears.

 

            “Let’s hurry and deliver this thing to the general so we can go someplace quiet until the hammering in my head dies down!”  he looked through his fingers toward the hearse.  “I know the general says he is still alive but…” he left the thought unfinished.

 

            “Yes I know.” Monolito picked up on his thought train.  “I’m not willing to open the coffin and look either.”

 

            Monolito made his way rather unsteadily to his feet.  “You have to admit thought; the gringo’s have some good taste in whiskey!”

 

            “No argument from me there.”  said Sebastian as he finally made his way to his feet.  He was almost as steady as Monolito.

 

            “Let’s get moving.” said Monolito, grabbing his head again.  “the hammers are beginning again.”

 

            “For me too?” Sebastian made a connection.  “the hammering is coming from…” pointing toward the hearse, “in there.”

 

            Monolito realized he was right.  “Climb up on the seat and look down, you should be able to see the coffin.”

 

            “Not me!  You go!”

 

            Monolito thought for a moment.  “We go together.”  As the hearse rocked with the combined weight of the two climbing aboard, the pounding stopped.  They peered through the glass, the coffin glass, and saw…a dead body.

 

            “I think our imagination is taking over.”

 

            “Let’s just get out of here.”

 

            Ever complaining of a hangover, they made quick work of hooking up the horses and made no effort to clean up the campsite or cover their tracks.  As they left the area, Hoss and company followed behind, far enough back in the trees not to be noticed.

 

********

 

            The pair hadn’t been traveling for more than a few minutes before Sebastian spoke up.

 

            “Do you hear that?”

 

            “I don’t hear a heartbeat coming from in there do you?”  asked Monolito from the driver’s seat.

 

            Sebastian looked through the glass and noted nothing out of the ordinary.  The rhythmic thumping stopped.

 

            “Think you can drive any faster?”

 

            With that, Monolito snapped the reins and the horses shot forward.

 

********

 

            From his vantage point, David chuckled.  He looked to Hoss.  “From the way those two keep looking inside, I have a feeling your brother is up to something!”

 

            Hoss joined in the laughter.  “As sneaky as he is, probably.”

 

            Paul frowned.  “If he’s up to something, that means he’s awake and that’s not necessarily a good thing.”

 

            “Relax Paul” piped in Roy.  “With all the extra insulation you had Hoss put in, he wouldn’t be able to move more than an inch or two anyway.”

 

            “True” conceded Paul, “But think about it.  He remembers being shot.  He wakes up in a hearse; in a coffin; and all he can move are his eyes and his right hand.  Even for him it must be terrifying.”

 

            “They better get there soon.”  was all Hoss would say, the determination written all over his face.

 

            With the speed the hearse was traveling they were back within the city limits within the hour.  Dr. Martin was a bit surprised when they stopped two doors down from the hotel they had been staying in.

 

            “What’s wrong Paul?” asked Roy.

 

            “My first day here, when I first found Adam, and was making a scene in the hallway, Benton snuck me out of the hotel through a hidden passage way that led to…” a small door way just to the right of the steps opened to admit Sebastian.  “there.”

 

            David sat stone faced, looking at the unnoticeable doorway.  “Adam may have been right all along.”

 

            “About what?”

 

            “He said he had a suspicion of who Tso was, but he couldn’t prove it.”

 

            “Who?!?”

 

            “Later.  Sebastian’s back.”

 

            The four faded back into the crown as the man returned to his perch on the hearse.

 

            “He said he’d meet us at the livery stable on the edge of town in an hour.”  said Sebastian as he rejoined his companion.

 

            “Good. I’m ready for this job to be over!”  exclaimed Monolito as he flicked the reins.

 

            “I know a short cut.”  Said David, heading down the alley they were hiding in.  “Come on.”

 

            By the time the hearse arrived, the four were already there and in position.  Once it stopped, Monolito and Sebastian jumped down and Mono tied off the horses.

 

            “He should be here soon.”

 

            David pointed to Hoss and to the top of the hearse, indicating for him to climb up while the men were distracted.  The curtains were still closed, so they couldn’t see him from the ground.

 

            He laid down flat, with his gun drawn, and stole a quick glance inside.  He was overjoyed to see his bleary eyed brother looking back at him.  Hoss gave him a big gap toothed grin, then placed his finger to his lips to keep him quiet.

 

            “Here he comes.” said Monolito pulling Hoss’ attention back to the ground.  He was beyond shocked when Benton walked into the area.

 

            “Well I see you idiots managed to get him back here in one piece!”

 

            “Si general.  We knew you wanted to take care of this one yourself, so we brought him back to you.”

 

            “And he’s already in a coffin, so all we have to do is dig a hole somewhere and he drops off the face of the earth with no one the wiser!  Not even Ben Cartwright of the mighty Ponderosa will be able to find him!”

 

            David stepped out of the doorway just to the left of the pair.  “Well hello boss.  Or should I say General Tso?”

 

            Benton stiffened.  “David what are doing here?  Aren’t you supposed to be working a case in Tuson?”

 

            “Nope.  Thought I’d help Adam finish up his last case so he could go home.  He told me what he was working on and who he suspected Tso was.  Couldn’t miss out on that capture now could I?”  David had worked his way around to stand in front of the three, gun drawn.

 

            “Now David, your misguided loyalty to Adam is admirable, but there is only one of you and three of us.  How do you figure to get away?”  Benton asked smugly, his self assurance at an all time high.

 

            Roy stepped around the end of the hearse, gun in hand.  “Make that two.”

 

            Paul stepped from the other side, totally out of character for him, with a shotgun in hand.  “Three.”

 

            Hoss stood up from the roof of the hearse, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.  “Four”.

 

            David glanced upward to Hoss, taking in the thunderous, almost lethal expression on his face.  “And it’s his brother you’re trying to kill?  Do you really want to piss him off?”

 

            Mono kicked the gate at the corral, letting the horses loose while Benton fired off a quick shot at the rear end of one of the horses still attached to the hearse, causing it to start and the horses to take off down over the field behind the stable,  and the hearse to take off with them.  Hoss fell sideways and tumbled through the glass roof, landing on the ice bins inside…and Adam.  Luckily the glass in the coffin was still closed.

 

            “Sorry big brother.”  He apologized, as he climbed back up to the seat and made a desperate grab for the reins before they fell to the road.  He snagged the reins just as they slipped from the break, and began to slow the hearse to a stop.  Since the roof was now gone, he turned in the seat and removed the glass from the coffin.

 

            “There ya go Adam.  That better?”

 

            “Hoss?” came the strained voice from inside.

 

            “Yeah it’s me.”

 

            Adam smiled weakly as his eyes began to slid shut once again.  “Told David I had a giant guardian angel watching over me.”  with that he was out once again.

 

            Hoss laughed as he turned the hearse back toward the city.  “Wait till Joe hears I’m an angel!”

 

CHAPTER14

 

            Hoss returned to the livery to find only a very anxious Paul waiting for him.  Before the hearse stopped moving, he had the door open and was climbing inside, trying to avoid all the glass.  Paul seemed satisfied after a quick examination.  Hoss breathed a sigh of relief.

 

            “Roy and David took the other three to the Pinkerton field office for processing so David could arrange to get them out of here just in case Tso had more followers than they had accounted for.” He explained when he saw Hoss scanning the area.

           

            “He woke up for a minute.”  Hoss told him as he turned in the seat, chuckling.  “Said he knew he had a giant guardian angel then he was out again.”

           

            “Let’s go pick up Roy.”  suggested Paul, “We have some things we need to discuss.”

 

            “You’re the doc…doc.” quipped Hoss as he headed the hearse down the middle of the street to David’s office.

 

            Once they retrieved Roy and said their goodbyes to David, the three stood in the street talking.

 

            “Hoss, here’s the way I see it.” began Paul.  “Adam needs at least another two weeks complete bed rest.  A month or more would be preferable but he’s a Cartwright and we all know that ain’t going to happen.”  Hoss chuckled at that.

 

            “We either wire your family to meet us here for the duration, or we head for the Ponderosa today.”  Hoss and Roy both looked confused.  “This thing,” he slapped the side of the hearse “is equipped with an extra strong suspension system so it would be an incredibly smooth ride.”  He sobered a bit.  “The only thing is he’ll have to stay in that supper padded coffin for the entire trip.  Seeing as he’s unconscious and going to stay that way, you’re his next of kin Hoss, the final decision is yours.”

 

            Hoss thought for the better part of two seconds.  “Find the telegraph office; we’re going home.”  That decided, the trio found the office, laid in a few extra supplies, then left the area amid some rather curious onlookers!

 

********

 

            Hoss hadn’t been able to give his family much information in the telegram, just that he was bringing Adam home.  They’d only been on the trail for a little over a day when Roy saw riders in the distance.

 

            “Hoss do those horses look familiar to you?”  Roy asked, squinting in the distance.

 

            “Yea it’s pa and Joe!  Guess they couldn’t wait for us to get there.”

 

            Ben and Joe saw the hearse in the distance, and slowed to a walk, afraid of what they were seeing, and secretly praying it was just a mirage.  When they saw who was driving, both just stopped in their tracks and waited for the hearse to reach them, each of them now knowing why Hoss had said so little in his telegram. 

 

            “He couldn’t bring himself to tell me my son’s dead” Ben thought, a tear making tracks down his cheek.  By the time Hoss reached them, both had tears streaming down their faces, all eyes fixed on the hearse.

 

            “Hey pa.” said Hoss as he applied the break to bring the hearse to a stop.

 

            Neither seemed to even notice him as they dismounted and walked stiffly toward the back door.  The curtains were still closed against the noonday sun, but they could still see the coffin inside.

 

            “Pa it’s not what you think.” said Hoss as he jumped from the driver’s seat, trying to forestall his father.  Ben still took no notice of him as his hand froze on the door handle.  He knew what was inside, he just wasn’t sure he was ready to see it.  Still, the desire to see his first born son’s face, even in death, finally won out and he opened the door.

 

            Inside he found Paul, reclining against the back wall, a coffin with no lid, and his very much alive, albeit extremely weak son grinning at him!

 

            “He woke up a few minutes ago.”  explained Paul.  “He seems to be doing ok so far.”  he may as well have been talking to the horses for all the attention he was getting!

 

            “Hey pa!” Adam said weakly, raising his right hand in a wave.  “Hey Joe.”  Ben hadn’t noticed Joe crawling in beside him.  Both stared, open mouthed at Adam.

 

            Adam laughed “You two better close your mouths.  This thing doesn’t have a roof on it and you may start catching flies!”  Both men wiped the tears from theirs eyes as Ben moved closer to his son.  He wanted to hug him, but Paul wouldn’t allow it.  He wasn’t ready to be moved just yet, so Ben just laid a hand on his arm and squeezed.

 

            Roy piped in from the driver’s seat.  “It’s a long story Ben, so you may as well tie off your horses and get comfortable.  Adam can tell you all about it on the way home.  And what he slept through, Hoss can fill all three of you in on!”

 

            “Yea pa. “ laughed Hoss.  “Adam caught the last three of a major crime syndicate, and he wasn’t even awake for most of it!”

 

            And so it went as the lone hearse made it’s way across the countryside with three horses tied to the back, and sporadic laughter emanating from the inside.  It was most defiantly a strange sight to behold!

 

********

 

            To keep from raising more questions then they cared to answer, they made their way straight back to the Ponderosa.  Paul and Roy helped carry the coffin inside and up to Adam’s room before they transferred him to his own bed.  Luckily the hands were all out on the range.

 

            Hoss drove the hearse into the barn to be dealt  with at a later date, and cared for the horses with help from Joe.  Neither could stop smiling.  It was the sixth anniversary of the day Adam disappeared and now…he was back.  He was weak, but he would make a full recovery  and he was back!!!

 

 

EPILOGUE

 

            Several weeks later, as Adam sat on the front porch rocking, he randomly picked a few cords on his guitar.  Ben joined his son, a cup of coffee in each hand.

 

            “Thanks” he said accepting the coffee.

 

            “What has your mind so far away?” asked Ben as he sat at the table beside Adam.

 

            “Benton.  He had almost the perfect crime ring going!  He is…or was…a black man running one of the most prestigious and highly respected detective agencies in the country, AND the largest crime syndicate.  All while going by the name of a Chinese general!”

 

            Ben took a small sip of his coffee before he asked.  “What made you suspicious in the first place?”

 

            Adam chuckled.  “I knew the general had to be a fake because of the name. General Tso is the name of a spicy Chinese chicken dish!  The fact that it was Benton; just a nagging feeling I couldn‘t prove.”

 

            Ben couldn’t help but laugh at that one.  “What are you playing anyway?”

 

            “Well.  I was thinking about a recurring dream I had while all this was going on, or rather the part I slept through.  I can’t actually describe it so I tried putting it to music.  It’s not exactly how it happened, but it gets the jest of it.”

 

            As he picked up his guitar, Hoss and Joe returned.  Instead of immediately taking care of the animals as they had been taught to do, they came over to listen.  It had been far too long since they’d heard Adam sing.

 

            His deep, rich baritone soon filled the air, the horses even walked to the corral fence to listen!

 

An  old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day

Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way

When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw

A - plowing through the ragged sky and up a cloudy draw.

 

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel

Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel

A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky

He saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry

 

Yipie I ay Yipie I oh

Ghost Riders in the sky

 

Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat

They’re ridin’ hard to catch that herd but they ain’t caught ‘em yet

‘cause they’ve got to ride forever in the range up in the sky

On horses snorting fire as they ride hard hear their cry

 

Yipie I ay Yipie I oh

Ghost Riders in the sky

 

The riders leaned on by him he heard one call his name

If you want to save your soul from hell a riding on our range

Then Adam change your ways today or with us you will ride

Tryin’ to catch this devil herd across these endless skies

 

Yipie I ay Yipie I oh

Ghost Riders in the sky

 

            “Wow.”  said his family as they sat quietly, just listening as the guitar finished.

 

            Joe finally broke the silence.  “Adam I have to ask…which was scarier, the horses flying past you or seeing Hoss flying through the clouds over your head?”

 

            “Neither.” he said, sitting his guitar aside.  “The scariest part was when Hoss fell out of the sky and landed on me!”

 

            Joe started giggling.  “Yeah, you wouldn’t be dead, you’d be a pancake!!!”

 

            “Oh Adam I almost forgot.”  started Ben, changing the subject.  “I promised your grandfather you would send him a very long letter of explanation once you were well enough to do it…”

 

            Adam looked pained.  “You do realize he’s probably going to make a special trip here just to kill me personally for dragging him into this don’t you?” 

 

            “I wouldn’t worry about it.” said Ben as he stood to head back into the house, gathering up the cups as he went.  He paused, laying a hand on Adam’s shoulder as he passed, and leaned closer.  “He’ll be here on the 15^th!”

 

            “Oh crap.” to Hoss and Joe.  “Anyone up for a hunting trip? fishing trip?. Timbuctoo???”

 

            Both laughed heartily as they left to care for the horses.  “Nope”

 

            “Now Adam,” teased Ben.  “you know Dr. Martin said you’re restricted to the house for at least another month.  You‘re not even allowed to WALK beyond the edge of the barn, much less ride a horse until then.  How do you plan to get off the ranch?”

 

            “I’ll think of something…Hoss?”

           

            “Not a chance big brother.  I don’t get it…you can face down a major crime lord and most of his men…but you’re afraid of your grandfather?!?”  laughed Hoss.

 

            “Yup”

 

            “Us too.”  laughed Joe as he and Hoss gathered up the reins and led their horses to the corral.