Miles found Amos Martin lying on the floor in his hardware store. Things weren’t adding up in Mile’s mind regarding the recent attacks, and now the main antagonist was on the floor, maybe dead. Miles was to take Ben Hendricks to the penitentiary later in the morning, but now, now there was a body in front of him. There was still an unknown assailant on the run. Could he have been the man to do this to Martin? If so, for what reason? Miles had reason to believe that it was Martin that hired Frank Moser, Ben Henricks and the unknown man. Join with me now in another thrilling episode from yesteryear.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amos Martin’s head was lying in a small pool of blood. I didn’t want to move him in case his skull was cracked open or his neck broken, but I thought he was alive. Quickly I jumped up running to the front door. Unlocking it, I flung it open hoping to find someone close by. Providence was with me for Herb McKnutt was passing by. I hailed him, then sent him scurrying for Doc Jones. Shutting the door I went back inside. I checked my watch and saw that I still had two hours before I had to board the train.
It took about ten minutes for Doc to arrive at the store. Immediately upon entering the store I waved him over to where Martin was laying. Upon seeing the blood, he exclaimed a quiet, “Oh my! Move aside, Miles.”
I watched as he carefully touched the side of his neck, then put his head down close to Martin. “Well, he’s alive. You did right by not moving him; his neck might be broken and I can’t tell about his skull until I can move him.” He rubbed his chin a couple of times, while looking around the room. “Miles, you go get four men while I scrounge around for something on which to carry him.”
He got up and started going through the store. I hastened on out the door and into the street looking for volunteers. McKnutt was still there, so I volunteered him, then saw some men standing on the boardwalk sort of looking on. One I recognized, Ben Romero. “Ben!” I hollered, bring those two men with you and get on down here. Doc Jones needs your help!” Most people in the city hurried when Doc needed help for many of them had been on the other end of Doc’s ministrations.
They followed me into the store and went over to where Doc had found a door that would be used as a stretcher. Looking down I saw that he had secured Martin’s head with a couple of bolts of cloth. Ben stopped short when he saw that it was Amos Martin.
“Why should I help with the likes of him?” snapped Ben. “Isn’t he the one who tried to stop the marriage between Javier and Agatha?”
“Why should you help?” I repeated his question with sharpness. “Because it’s the right thing to do!”
Doc was shaking his head. There wasn’t room for four men to get behind the counter. He was rubbing his chin again. “It can’t be helped,” he said to no one in particular. “I just pray that it doesn’t kill him. Miles, you get by his head. Ben, you’re the skinniest, see if you can slide down near his shoulders. One of you other men go to his legs and the other two be ready to step in and help.”
“We need to keep him as straight as possible, especially from his shoulders up. Ben you lift from under his shoulders and Miles you hold those bolts of cloth tight against his head. When he’s up we’ll place him on the door and secure him. Ready? At the same time now,” he commanded, and I could see him muttering what I knew was a prayer.
It went well, and we placed Martin on the door. I told Doc I had to leave and he asked that I send up either Charlie or Mateo to help, then off I took to get my prisoner. It so happened that Charlie was in the jail with Lucas when I entered. He rushed immediately out while I took Hendricks from his cell.
“Your boss, Martin, is near dead from bein’ beaten,” I told him as I walked him out of the jail and on towards the station. There was a slight facial movement but he quickly regained his stolid composure.
Upon entering the train car, I was surprised to see Betty Chapman sitting next to a young girl. It was Agatha. I hurriedly placed the handcuffs of Henricks to the seat and went down to her. As I approached I saw Javier and the Parson walking down the aisle.
Javier sat down across from his bride, and after the Parson took his seat, I asked, “This is a little above and beyond the call of duty, isn’t it?”
He looked up and gave me a smile. “Why, Miles, isn’t that what Christians are supposed to do?” He paused for a moment, then continued. “In fact, isn’t that why you’re involved with Hendricks back there?” he nodded toward him with his head. “Seems that was out of your jurisdiction.”
“My badge doesn’t have jurisdiction restrictions,” I hastily replied.
“Exactly,” he came back at me, and touching his Bible, “neither does my ‘badge.'”