Chapter Ten
Roni was sworn in and ready to testify. At first she had expected Luther's questions to be about the extent of Walker's and Jim's injuries from the beating, but after listening to Chet's testimony, she knew he would go after more than that from her.
"Dr. Reynolds, when Walker and Jim were at your office, how seriously were they injured?"
She told him of Walker's cracked ribs, and how Jim had been unconscious for some time before finally coming around.
"And what did Walker have to say about what had happened that night?"
"I don't understand," Roni looked at him.
"It's a very clear question," Luther Evans pointed out coldly. "Please tell the jury what Walker said about Ben Thompson during the time he was there in the office with you. Chet has already told us what he overheard that night. Now, I'm asking you what threats, if any, did Walker make while he was in your company?"
Roni was decidedly uneasy as she faced the prosecutor. "Walker was angry with Ben for ambushing him, and he had every right to be."
"I didn't ask you if he was angry. I asked you what he said regarding Ben Thompson."
Roni looked across the courtroom to where Walker was sitting at the defense table watching her. She wanted to tell the prosecutor that she couldn't remember anything Walker had said.
"Dr. Reynolds, may I remind you, as I reminded Chet, you are under oath?"
"Yes," she answered reluctantly.
"You've said that Walker was angry with Ben Thompson, and rightfully so. What exactly did he say to you? Did he threaten to kill Ben? Did he plan to ambush him and get even? Did he want to see him dead for what he'd done to him and his friend?" the prosecutor demanded, pushing her.
Roni met the man's gaze straight on as she answered him, "Before we knew the extent of Jim's injuries, he said that Ben was going to pay for what he'd done."
Again, a loud murmur went through the courtroom.
"Pay how?"
"I don't know. That's all he said: 'Ben Thompson's going to pay for what he's done.'"
"And just how angry was Walker?"
"How angry would you be if someone had been lying in wait for you and attacked you that way? If Chet hadn't come along when he did, both Walker and Jim might have ended up dead!"
"All the more reason to want revenge on Ben Thompson, don't you think?" he pointed out. "Why didn't Walker go straight to the sheriff and tell him what happened? Why didn't he want to get the law?"
"I don't know."
"Did he even talk about going for the sheriff that night? Did you?"
"Walker said what had happened between him and Ben was personal," Roni admitted miserably, knowing how condemning her testimony sounded.
Walker knew everything Roni was saying was true, but as he glanced over at the jury and saw how serious their expressions were as they listened to her, he knew her testimony just meant more trouble for him.
"Didn't you think it was strange that he didn't want to see Ben arrested and locked up?"
"I figured it was a situation he would handle by himself."
"And he certainly did 'handle it' himself, didn't he, Dr. Reynolds?" Evans finished with a flourish, not allowing her to say another word. He smiled coldly at her. "That'll be all."
"But—"
Ralph stepped up to question her next.
"Dr. Reynolds, how well do you know the defendant?"
Roni looked over at Walker. He was sitting so stoically at the defense table, and her heart ached. "We've been friends for many years."
"On the night of the murder, how angry was he?"
Roni looked up at the lawyer. "He was very angry because Jim's injuries were so severe. Jim was fortunate that he wasn't hurt more seriously."
"How long did Walker stay at your office?"
"It was late when he left. I'm not certain of the exact time, but it was probably close to midnight."
"Thank you, Dr. Reynolds."
Jim was called upon next. He emphasized his belief in Walker's innocence, but there was little he could add with his testimony.
Mick and the rest of Ben Thompson's men were sitting in the courthouse, looking pleased about the way the Luther Evans was handling the prosecution.
When Luther called Mick to the stand to testify, he eagerly went forward to be sworn in, then sat glaring at Walker from the witness stand.
"I understand you were there when both fights between Walker and Ben occurred. Is that correct, Mr. Jones?"
"Yes."
"Why did Ben Thompson decide to pick the second fight with Walker?"
"He wanted to get even with Walker for humiliating him at the dance, and we were doing a real good job of it until Chet showed up and pulled a gun on us."
"Do you think Mr. Thompson had any intention of killing either Walker or Jim?"
"No," Mick answered.
"How can you be so sure?"
"If the boss had wanted them dead, they'd be dead. He hated the half-breed," Mick said, looking at Walker, "but he just wanted to teach him a lesson that night."
"I have nothing more for this witness. Thank you," Luther said in a satisfied tone.
It was Ralph's turn, and he approached Mick slowly. "Why did your boss like to cause so much trouble in Two Guns?"
"I don't know what you mean," Mick answered arrogantly.
"Well, let me explain it to you. He came into town, got drunk and deliberately started a fight at the big dance. Why would he do that?"
"He didn't start any fight. He just wanted to dance with Stacy," Mick said staunchly.
"There were other available women at the dance. Why did he pick Stacy? She was already dancing with her fiancé."
"'Cause she's real pretty," Mick said, grinning salaciously at her. "That's why."
"You don't suppose it was because Walker is her brother and Ben knew if he got rough with her, Walker would step in, and he'd have the fight he was after?"
"I don't know," Mick said with a shrug. "We'd been drinking, and we were ready to have some fun."
"And Ben's idea of 'fun' was fighting, wasn't it?" Ralph challenged sharply. "I can call any number of witnesses who've known him over the years who will testify to the fact that Ben Thompson liked nothing better than to cause trouble. It is also a known fact that he hated the Stevenson family, Walker in particular. Isn't that true?"
Mick didn't answer him.
"Isn't that true?" he repeated heatedly.
"Ben had no use for them—any of them. The old man was a greedy son of a bitch who'd do whatever he had to do to make the Dollar the biggest ranch in the area. And Walker—why he's nothing but Stevenson's half-breed bastard!" Mick sneered.
Loud murmuring went through the room.
"If Ben felt that way," Ralph continued, wanting to draw out the complete truth, "then asking Stacy to dance was a deliberate provocation on his part. He wanted that fight, didn't he?"
Mick looked straight at the lawyer. "Yeah."
"What happened after the second fight?" Ralph pressed.
"Me and the boys stayed in town to drink some more. Ben decided to ride on out to the ranch. When we got back the next day and he wasn't there, we went looking for him. That's when we found him—dead at his campsite."
"Were there any clues at the scene to identify the killer?"
"No. There was nothing."
"So, in reality, anyone could have come upon Ben where he was camped out that night and committed this murder, isn't that correct?"
Mick glared at him, his rage showing in his expression. "Walker killed him! Everybody at the dance heard him threaten Ben!"
"Threats are one thing. Murder is another. No further questions."
Mick was cocky as he stepped down. He stared at Walker as he passed by the defense's table to return to his seat.
Ralph had tried to discourage Walker from testifying, but he insisted on taking the stand in his own defense.
Walker went forward and was sworn in.
Luther approached him. "What time did you go to your room that night?"
"I'm not sure. It was late."
"Did anyone see you enter the hotel?"
"No."
"Did you speak with anyone on your way to the hotel?"
"No."
"Was there a clerk working at the desk?"
"No. There was no one at the desk when I got there."
"So, you have no witnesses who can place you in the hotel at the time of Ben Thompson's murder, is that correct?"
Walker glared at him.
"Is that correct?" Luther repeated for emphasis, wanting to force Walker to answer, zeroing in on what he believed would be the decisive point in obtaining the conviction he wanted.
"Answer the question," the judge directed.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. What did you say?" Luther asked arrogantly.
"Yes," Walker repeated, louder this time, shifting in the chair.
"So there would have been plenty of time for you to go after Ben Thompson, shoot him and get back to the hotel without anyone knowing about it? Is that correct?"
"I didn't kill Ben Thompson," Walker denied.
"And I say you did. No further questions, Your Honor," the prosecutor said, smiling in satisfaction as he went to sit back down.
Ralph realized they were in trouble. He got up to question Walker, hoping to repair some of the damage that had been done.
Walker watched his attorney walking toward him and hoped his questions could convince the jury of his innocence.
Ralph asked him simple questions to start, beginning with the uneasy relations between the Stevenson family and Thompson, then focusing in on the murder.
"Did you kill Ben Thompson?" Ralph asked Walker pointedly, wanting his answer on the record.
"No, I did not."
"Where did you go after you left Dr. Reynolds's office on the night of the murder?"
"I went straight to the hotel."
"Did you leave the hotel that night for any reason?"
"No. As I told the prosecutor, I was in my room all night. I didn't come out until the following morning."
"Thank you."
It was early afternoon when all the testimony had been given, and the judge turned the case over to the jury. The twelve men went into the small, window-less room to deliberate.
Sheriff Protzel and Deputy Davis took Walker out the back door.
"How long do you think the jury will be out?" Walker asked as they made their way to the jail.
"There's no way of knowing," Sheriff Protzel answered honestly. "I've seen verdicts come in in less than an hour, and I've seen the deliberations go on for several days."
When they came around the side of the courthouse, the lawmen saw Mick and two of Thompson's other ranch hands lingering out front.
"Let's cross the street," the sheriff directed.
They had just started to cross when Mick caught sight of them and moved to confront them.
"You'd better keep a good eye on him, Sheriff!" Mick taunted. "I'd hate to have to shoot him for trying to escape!"
"Go on about your business," the lawman ordered.
The troublemakers moved away, but not before giving Walker one last threatening look.
Roni was devastated as she watched the sheriff and his deputy take Walker from the building. The thought that her testimony might ultimately be responsible for convicting him of a crime he hadn't committed tortured her, and knowing there was nothing she could do to change the outcome of the trial only made her feel worse.
"Let's get out of here," Jim said to Roni, taking her arm to usher her through the crowd that was lingering in the courthouse.
Chet and Stacy followed them, glad to be gone from the scene. The trial hadn't been easy on her—Stacy had to struggle to control her emotions. So had Chet, but for completely different reasons. He was delighted with how things had gone, and he believed it wouldn't take the jury long at all to come up with a guilty verdict.
"What do we do now?" Stacy asked nervously.
"It's in the hands of the jury," Jim told her sympathetically. "There's nothing we can do, but wait—and pray." He added the last in a solemn tone.
Stacy looked up at Jim, seeing his inner strength. She realized then what a strong man he really was, and deep in her heart she was grateful for his support.
"There's no proof Walker had anything to do with the shooting. He's innocent," Chet remarked, wanting to try to encourage her. "There's no way they can convict him."
"We know that, but will the jury believe it? The way Luther emphasized Walker's Comanche heritage . . ." Roni worried. "Did you hear the comments some of the people in the courtroom made?"
"I heard them," Stacy said in disgust, "and if the jury feels the way those people do . . ."
They all shared a worried look.
"I need to go down to the bank," Jim told them. "If you hear that the jury's coming back in, send word."
"I will," Stacy promised. She and Chet accompanied Roni back to her office.
They were going to pass the long, empty hours there, waiting for news of the verdict.