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A Time For Everything	By : cowgirl65 Category: 1 through F > The Big Valley Views: 1445 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
- 7
- 8
not every story has a happy ending

Jarrod smiled as his mother opened Brett’s gift after dinner. After introducing Brett to the bank manager, Luther Kirby, Jarrod was pulled into a dispute between two of his clients and he didn’t get a chance to talk to Brett about his offer of a partnership and what that would entail before the family sat down to dinner.
“Oh, Brett, it’s beautiful,” Victoria exclaimed and sniffed the expensive perfume. “Thank you.”
Brett smiled. “I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure.”
“Well, if she didn’t like it, I would,” Audra stated as Victoria handed her the perfume.
Jarrod watched his lover charm the ladies with a smile as he enjoyed an after dinner cigar and decided the time was right to bring up his proposal again. “By the way Brett, have you given any more thought to my offer?”
Brett leaned back in his chair. “Yes, I have, Jarrod, I’ve given it a great deal of thought.” He smiled and Jarrod’s heart leaped. “I’m not quiet sure I understand what it meant.”
“Well, I…” Jarrod was a bit surprised. Brett knew he’d have to have some experience before he could pass the bar and he needed that before he could work as a full-fledged attorney. “I guess it means you’d be coming in as my assistant. It would certainly give you the experience you need.”
Brett’s smile faded. “Searching out precedents, writing first drafts of some of your briefs, that sort of thing.”
Jarrod remembered how both of them had felt about the idea of working as not much more than a glorified clerk to gain admittance to the bar. He’d bypassed that because of his work in the War Department, but he still knew how Brett must be feeling. “Yes, I’m afraid that’s what it would mean.”
“While you worked on the more important cases,” Brett said bluntly.
Jarrod’s elation faded. “At first, yes. That’s fair enough, isn’t it?” Brett should know him better than to think Jarrod would ever take advantage of his friend, but that was just what he thought was being implied.
“Yes, that’s more than fair, Jarrod,” Brett agreed, but the smile didn’t come back.
Jarrod suddenly felt guilty again. Maybe the doubt that Monroe had started wasn’t completely gone and maybe Brett could sense it. Maybe that was what was making him so uneasy about Jarrod’s motives.
Brett looked around at the family. “Pardon us for talking business at the table,” he apologized before he got to his feet. “And excuse me, I… I have an appointment in town. Don’t bother waiting up for me.”
“Ah hah,” Jarrod said brightly, masking his distress at Brett’s reaction and the fact that he’d probably caused it. “Well, in that case, you’re excused.”
“Good night,” Brett said pleasantly, but Heath was the only one who replied, “Good night”.
Jarrod watched Brett go, his heart in his shoes.
“Well, now.” Nick eyed Jarrod deliberately. “Well, he didn’t exactly keel over with your offer now did he, Jarrod?” Jarrod couldn’t meet Nick’s eyes. “Maybe he didn’t think it was good enough.”
Or maybe I’m just not good enough, Jarrod thought, if I can’t stop believing the worst of my best friend without any real evidence.

Jarrod did end up waiting up for Brett anyway. The conversation he had with his mother after dinner helped him put things in perspective. He hadn’t confessed his love for the other man to her, only the doubts Monroe’s accusation caused, but he wouldn’t be surprised if that smart and generous lady suspected there was something more between them. Jarrod knew what Brett was capable of, knew that despite his inexperience, the law practice wouldn’t suffer for having Brett as a part of it and decided to offer Brett a full partnership as soon as he returned from his meeting in town.
Jarrod left his door ajar and the lamp lit so Brett would know he was welcome, but Jarrod suddenly awoke with light streaming across his face. He stretched out the cramp he had in his neck from sleeping in his chair and when he saw the sunrise, he realized he must have fallen asleep before Brett returned and the other man had either decided not to disturb him or didn’t come to see him at all. Jarrod was painfully disappointed, but he really couldn’t blame Brett after the mistrust he’d shown him at dinner.
Quickly shaving and dressing, Jarrod masked his disappointment that Brett wasn’t at breakfast yet when he got downstairs. He considered going back up and knocking on Brett’s door, but decided against it. He’d made his offer in front of the family last night and thought it might mean more to offer the new one to Brett in the same way.
Jarrod was just dishing up when he heard the “Good morning,” from the door. Turning, he saw Brett in the doorway as the family greeted his friend.
“Thank you,” Brett responded to the greetings, but his expression was serious. “I’ve got something to say…”
Jarrod hoped it was that Brett had reconsidered, but he didn’t want Brett working with him under the old terms, so he cut him off. “Before you do, Brett, there’s something I’d like to say.” He set his plate on the table. “That offer of mine to take you into the office, it’s withdrawn.” He saw the shock on Brett’s face and hoped it would turn into that smile he loved when he made the new proposal.
Jarrod walked across the room to stand in front of his lover. “Instead, I’m offering you a full partnership.” Brett stood speechless as Jarrod continued. “Now not that you’ll be any bargain for the first year, but knowing what you’re capable of, I’d be wrong to offer you anything less.” He looked Brett in the eyes and hoped Brett could see his sincerity and how much he loved and wanted him. “I want you in with me, Brett, on equal terms, the sooner the better.” He held his breath as he waited for Brett’s response.
Nick spoke up. “Brett, it’s not like Jarrod is giving something away. He’s spent an awful long time looking for just the right man.” Jarrod felt a surge of love for his brother’s support; he knew Nick meant more than just the law practice.
“It’s wonderful to fulfil something I know both of you have always wanted,” Victoria added with a warm smile.
Jarrod couldn’t have been happier and walked back to his place at the table before he forgot himself and kissed Brett in front of the family. “Well, now that that’s settled, what was it you wanted to say?”
Brett didn’t move. He gave a short laugh and shrugged his shoulders. “I hate to say this now… I’m leaving for Denver on the noon train.”
The bottom dropped out of Jarrod’s world. He looked at Brett, almost pleading as Brett said, “I’m sorry, it’s just something I have to do.” There was silence around the table and if looks could kill, Jarrod knew Nick would be facing charges for Brett’s murder. “And I, uh, have a business meeting at the hotel in town, so I’ll have breakfast there.”
Jarrod looked away; he didn’t want Brett to see the hurt on his face. As much as he wanted Brett to stay, he knew it was likely his fault that Brett was leaving, unlike when he’d left for the war when it was no one’s fault.
“I’m all packed, so, uh… I know it’s very sudden…”
Victoria cut him off. “Will you be coming back, Brett?”
Jarrod held his breath, but couldn’t allow himself to hope. Brett’s “I don’t know,” confirmed his fears and it was all Jarrod could do not to bury his face in his hands and cry.
“You’ll be needing the buggy,” Nick growled. Jarrod listened to the angry rattle of spurs as his brother left the room and again knew how blessed he was in his family. He’d survived twelve years without the hope he’d ever see Brett again, he’d continue to survive as long as he had his family around him.
Gathering his composure, Jarrod got up from the table and walked over to Brett. He’d always have a place if he wanted it. “Well, if you do, my offer still stands.”
Brett held his gaze for a moment. Jarrod thought he couldn’t feel any worse until Brett brushed past him without a word to say goodbye to Victoria and walked out of the room with barely a glance to his former lover. If Brett had punched him in the gut, it would have been kinder, but Jarrod couldn’t stop himself from following.
He heard Nick’s snarl of “Have a good trip,” before met his brother in the foyer. Nick grabbed the back of Jarrod’s neck in a gesture of support and Jarrod managed a smile to let Nick know how much he was appreciated. He knew he shouldn’t but Jarrod walked out the front door anyway and looked at Brett.
“I’m sorry, Jarrod.”
Jarrod didn’t know how he did it, but he managed another smile. “I’m sorry too, Brett, but it’s your decision to make.” They shook hands, a far cry from the farewell Jarrod would have given Brett if they were alone, even though farewell was the last thing he wanted. He stood on the porch and as he watched the buggy take Brett away, Jarrod decided to head into town, lock himself in his office and get stinking drunk where no one could bother him.
Jarrod turned at the sound of running footsteps and saw Silas hurry across the foyer. He looked in the direction the buggy had gone and turned to Jarrod.
“I found this on the table in Mr. Schuyler’s room.” Jarrod looked uncomprehendingly at the object in Silas’ hand. “I guess he forgot it.”
Jarrod took the half coin. “Thanks, Silas.” He looked down at the symbol of love and friendship he’d carried the other half of for over a decade and this time, he couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down his cheeks.

But as he rode into town, Jarrod started to reconsider. Brett had never been shy about voicing his feelings, yet he barely had two words to say to Jarrod that morning. If he’d found out that Jarrod had helped the Secret Service, it would be more in character for Brett to call Jarrod out at the top of his lungs, just like he had when Jarrod signed up to fight for the Union. The Brett Schuyler he knew wasn’t a spiteful or vindictive person and Jarrod couldn’t believe he’d ever hurt him deliberately just because he’d been offended by Jarrod’s offer. By the time he got to Stockton, Jarrod was convinced there was something else going on, he only had to find out what.
He didn’t want to admit it, but maybe Monroe was right. Maybe the way Brett had just brushed him off had something to do with his involvement in some criminal activity. He remembered what the agent had said, that Brett was smarter than he thought, and that he had no trouble believing. Deciding to confront his friend, Jarrod bypassed his office and went straight to the train station.
It was 11:40 and the only people on the platform were two older men and no a sign of Brett anywhere. Suspicions growing, Jarrod went to the ticket window.
“Morning, Ira,” he greeted the ticket agent as he leaned on the counter.
The man looked up from his ledger. “Jarrod.”
Jarrod got right to the point. “Say, does a Mr. Schuyler have a reservation on the noon train?”
“Did have, I believe.” Ira flipped to the proper page and ran his finger down the list. “Yeah, here it is, but he changed it. He’s booked on the midnight now.”
Jarrod suspicions were instantly heightened. “When did he change it?”
“About an hour ago, I guess.” Ira said. “Checked his bags and rode out someplace.”
Jarrod tried to think of the innocent explanation, that Brett’s meeting got postponed, but that though brought up others. Who exactly was Brett meeting? Jarrod hadn’t asked Brett what sort of business he was doing in town, but if he had, he now doubted Brett would have answered. Which brought up yet another question, what sort of business had to be conducted long enough into the evening for Brett to ask that no one wait up?
“Thanks, Ira.” Jarrod left the station with more questions than answers and decided to go to the hotel and see if he could find out who Brett had met that morning. He was just crossing the street when a familiar voice made him pause.
“Mr. Barkley.” Agent Monroe was leaning against a post with a newspaper in his hand.
“Well, Monroe, I thought you’d left town.”
Monroe smiled as he folded the paper and tucked his pencil back into his pocket. “Nothing I’d like better, only it don’t fit in with my job.”
If it had been the previous day, Jarrod would just have bid the man good day and walked on. But it wasn’t and Jarrod waited to see what else Monroe had to say.
“I hear your friend deposited quite a bit of money across the street the other day.”
Jarrod wasn’t about to let Monroe see his doubts. “That’s right.”
“All he had in his valise, I guess,” Monroe remarked.
Jarrod wondered if some of that money had actually been counterfeit, but if that was the case, why hadn’t Brett been arrested? “I imagine the bank would let you examine it.”
“Oh, I did,” Monroe confirmed. “I did and it’s good money. And that’s a puzzler.” The same puzzle that Jarrod was working on but the pieces didn’t quite fit. Yet. “Now the regular method would be for the counterfeiters to deposit some bad paper and then start making withdrawals of the bank’s good money. But I guess Mr. Schuyler’s got a smaller scheme up his sleeve.” Monroe looked across at the bank. “Course now there’s nothing much I can do about it ‘til that counterfeit starts circulating around town here. But whatever he’s up to, I got a feeling that bank’s gonna be part of it.” Monroe gave Jarrod a steady look before he walked off across the street.
Jarrod wondered if Monroe was giving him a hint, that there was something Jarrod might be able to do to find out what was going on. So instead of going to the hotel first, Jarrod went to the bank. He didn’t know what he’d find, but at this point, anything would he a help.
Jarrod walked past the tellers and straight to Luther.
“Well, Jarrod,” the bank manager greeted with a hearty handshake.
“Hello, Luther.” Jarrod got right down to business. “Has Brett Schuyler been in today?”
“Not far as I know.”
“Well, I thought he might have come in to make a withdrawal.” Jarrod hoped Luther wouldn’t ask why he wanted to know, especially in light of the Secret Service wanting to examine the money.
But Luther didn’t seem the least bit suspicious. “Let me check.” He went out to one of the tellers. Jarrod tried not to pace as he waited, but he couldn’t help it. “No, Jarrod,” the bank manager came back over and told him. “No, sir, he hasn’t been here today. His account’s just the way it was, no more deposits, no withdrawals, except for a couple hundred he withdrew the day you brought him in.” Luther smiled. “But I’m still expecting to do a lot of business with Mr. Schuyler, thanks to you.” Jarrod wondered if Luther would be thanking him in a couple of days. “He told me he was transferring more of his funds here, making his headquarters here in town.”
“Yes, well I…” Jarrod didn’t want to bring Luther down, but he had to be honest. “I wouldn’t count on that, Luther. He’s leaving town today, he might not be back.” Jarrod walked away so his emotions wouldn’t betray him.
“Well, now.” Luther followed Jarrod to the front of the bank and Jarrod had to stop as he kept talking. “That’s too bad. He impressed me as a bright young man, very intelligent about banking. He’s the first man I’ve had in here who knew exactly what kind of steel that vault door’s made of.” That set off alarm bells in Jarrod mind and Luther’s next words solidified his suspicions. It also made him feel a little sick. “He even knew about our electric alarm system.”
The puzzle pieces were fitting themselves together and Jarrod didn’t like the picture they were making. The only people outside of bankers and those in the security business who generally knew about those kinds of things were those who made a living by breaking into them.
Luther said something and broke into Jarrod thoughts. “Hmm?” Then he realized Luther must have seen that there was something wrong on his face. “No, no, Luther, nothing.” Jarrod left the bank before he gave away anything else.
The trip to the hotel brought more of the picture into focus. No one remembered seeing Brett and the hotel and restaurant staff were usually very observant. Jarrod took himself back to his office, locked the door and sat at his desk, head sinking into his hands.
Brett had lied to him and that ate away at Jarrod’s heart. How could he have been so wrong? Well, he knew how. It seemed the old proverb ‘love is blind’ was true after all and it had blinded Jarrod into ignoring obvious facts. Brett’s late night meeting, his evasiveness about what he’d been doing over the past twelve years, and most recently, the fact that he’d left with barely a word. Jarrod thought back to their nights of passionate lovemaking and couldn’t reconcile that with Brett’s behaviour this morning, unless it was to throw Jarrod off the trail.
But if that was the case, it hadn’t worked in the end, all it had succeeded in was breaking Jarrod’s heart, just like Nick had warned him. Jarrod looked at his watch. Brett and whomever he was with wouldn’t make their move on the bank until dark, which was likely why the train reservation had been changed. Jarrod settled in and tried to get some work done while he thought about exactly what it was he was going to do.

By the time the sun set, Jarrod knew what he had to do. He checked outside and saw that the streets were almost deserted before he grabbed his gunbelt and buckled it on. Jarrod had decided not to alert Monroe or the sheriff. Innocent until proven guilty was the cornerstone of the justice system and all he had to hang on to was the shred of hope that he was wrong.
He slowly checked to make sure his gun was loaded, but he didn’t know if he could bring himself to shoot Brett. If it was needed to save another, then yes, but if it was his own life, Jarrod didn’t think he could kill his friend.
Jarrod went outside and waited in the shadowed corner beside his office where he had a good view of the bank. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there until a familiar figure came into view from the alley across the street. Jarrod watched as Brett, carrying two money bags, picked the lock of the bank’s door and went inside.
At that moment, Jarrod’s heart broke irrevocably. He remembered back to St. Louis, to the fun and laughter of two carefree young men, to the sweat and tears of law school, and finally to the nights of hot sex, shared passion and the love that they had shared. But he knew now that those times were dead and buried in the past. Jarrod wondered if anything had been true since Brett arrived in Stockton or if his erstwhile friend and lover had just been using him as a means to gain access to the bank.
But friend or not, Jarrod couldn’t let Brett get away with whatever he was planning. He heard the train whistle and knew it was now or never. Stifling the pain of Brett’s betrayal, Jarrod crossed the street and went up to the bank, out of view of the windows. He couldn’t see any movement, but it was dark inside and there was no way of knowing where Brett was. Quietly, he unlatched the door, pushed it open and paused for any sort of reaction. He pulled his gun and silently slipped inside.
Everything was dark and still, with only a glimmer of light from the street lamps, but Jarrod could see that the vault door was half open and he heard movement from inside. He stood in the shadows, trying to steel himself for the confrontation to come. He watched Brett leave the vault and close and lock it behind him and finally, when Brett went to the picture where the battery for the alarm was kept, he moved.
“Hold it right there, Brett.” Jarrod stepped out of the shadows, his gun trained steadily on Brett. He walked through to the gate as Brett stared at him in disbelief. Jarrod slowly took Brett’s half of the coin out of his pocket and looked at it in a silent farewell to everything it stood for. “You forgot this.”
He tossed it to Brett, who caught it easily. Brett looked down at the symbol in his hand. “Funny. First time I’d ever been without it,” he said softly.
Jarrod could see pain etched on Brett’s face and wondered if the emotion was for what he’d thrown away or merely because he’d been caught. Not that it made any difference now. Their bridges had been burned and as much as Jarrod longed for what they’d once had and as much as Brett would always be in his heart, he could never go back. “Hand over your gun,” he ordered.
“Jarrod, let me explain…” Brett started, but Jarrod would have none of it. He hardened his heart, determined not to be hurt again.
“There’s nothing to explain,” he stated bluntly. “Hand over your gun.”
“Get up your hands, both of you.”
Jarrod turned at the unfamiliar voice and saw two men behind him with guns drawn.
“Now, get their guns, Ketchie,” the well dressed man said, “and their money.”
The other man, Ketchie, took Jarrod’s pistol and moved on to Brett.
“Well, we got here just in time.” Jarrod guessed that the man speaking was the leader of the gang Brett belonged to. “This wouldn’t be your friend Barkley, would it?”
Brett remained silent and so did Jarrod. What was there to say, after all?
“And tie them up, Ketchie,” the leader added as Ketchie brought the money bags to him.
“Get your hands behind your back,” Ketchie ordered Jarrod. Jarrod didn’t struggle; he didn’t see the point. He was outnumbered and he could only hope that Brett felt enough for him not to let him be killed without a fight.
Suddenly, the bank’s alarm went off. The two men froze for a moment and then ran out of the bank, grabbing the money on the way. Jarrod shrugged out of the half-tied rope, grabbed his gun and trained it on Brett, who had started to move towards him. He spun around when gunshots were heard from outside and Brett went for the alarm, shutting it off before Jarrod could say a word.
Jarrod followed Brett out of the bank, gun still at the ready. They walked over to the sheriff, who was holding one of the money bags and had his rifle trained on the well-dressed man. Ketchie lay face down in the dirt of the street.
“What’s going on here, Jarrod?” the sheriff demanded to know. “Who’s that?’
Jarrod slowly looked over to Brett. Only two days ago, Jarrod would have said, ‘a very good friend,’ and privately to himself, ‘the man I love’. But that had all been destroyed and Jarrod gave the only answer he could.
“The third member of the gang, sheriff.”

Jarrod didn’t really want to admit to Monroe that he was right, but he still saw it at his duty to let the Secret Service man know what happened. To his credit, Monroe didn’t gloat or say I-told-you-so, he just looked grimly pleased and said “Thank God,” before he followed Jarrod to the jail.
Jarrod took the sheriff’s offer of a cup of coffee, more as something to occupy his hands while he decided what to do. He’d already given his statement so there was no really reason for him to stick around, unless…
Jarrod sipped the bitter brew. Could he offer to be Brett’s lawyer after all that had happened? Not and be fair to his client, he decided. Brett had hurt him too badly for him to have his client’s best interests at heart. But Brett still deserved decent representation and out of respect for what they’d once meant to each other, Jarrod would make sure Brett got the best.
He looked up at the sound of the door and was surprised to see Brett and the other man, who’d been identified as Clyde, come out with Monroe and the sheriff.
“Mr. Barkley, Mr. Schuyler here has told us quite a story,” Monroe told him and the sheriff snorted in disgust. Brett remained silent and wouldn’t meet Jarrod’s eyes. “We’re off to the bank to confirm it, if you’d like to come along.”
Jarrod almost declined, but the strange look in Monroe’s eyes caught his curiosity and he shrugged. “Why not?’
Luther met them at the bank, likely alerted by one of the town’s deputies, and let everyone in to the building before following Monroe into the vault. Jarrod waited outside as they went through the vault and Monroe came back out to check over the contents of the money bags. Brett stood by the tellers’ counter with his back to Jarrod and no one said a word.
The sheriff was telling Jarrod what Brett had told them, that he’d gone into the vault to replace the good money he’d stolen the night before and take the counterfeit away. It was quite the tale and Jarrod didn’t know how much of it he could believe.
“I’ve heard some tall stories before in my time,” the sheriff finished, echoing Jarrod’s thoughts as Monroe walked back over to them, “but this one beats them all. I’ve been trying to figure out what made him think we could possibly swallow a lie as tall as that.”
“It happens to be true,” Monroe told the sheriff brusquely. Jarrod looked up. If Brett was telling the truth…
Monroe went on. “That money Mr. Barkley saw Schuyler take out of the vault was counterfeit.”
Brett hadn’t given the sheriff or Monroe a reason, but when Jarrod looked at Brett, he hoped it was that after everything, Brett still had enough feelings for him that he couldn’t go through with a scam that might affect Jarrod and his family.
“Looks like, in a way, we were both right about the man, huh?” Monroe told Jarrod before turning back to the sheriff. “Sheriff, we’ll talk about disposition in the morning.” He walked back into the vault to help Luther set everything back to rights.
Jarrod continued to look at Brett and read a jumble of emotions in his eyes. Guilt, regret, shame, fear… and pain. Pain that was akin to the sorrow Jarrod felt in his own heart. Suddenly, the anger he felt at Brett’s betrayal faded and all Jarrod was left with was pity for the choices Brett had made and an incredible sense of regret for what might have been.
“Fred, I’d… I’d like to have a word with Mr. Schuyler,” he told the sheriff slowly.
“Go ahead, Jarrod,” the lawman readily agreed. “We’ll wait outside.” He signalled to his deputy, who took charge of Clyde and they walked out of the bank, leaving Jarrod and Brett alone.
Nothing could ever be the same, there was no way they could go back and reclaim what they once had, but there was still a way he could honour what they’d meant to each other. “You’re going to need a lawyer,” Jarrod told Brett, knowing he could now defend him with a clear conscience, “would you trust me to do the job?” By bringing the money back, Brett had shown that their friendship still meant something and Jarrod knew he could do no less.
“Why should you?”
“As your friend,” Jarrod offered and was warmed by Brett’s smile.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Brett turned and walked out to where the sheriff was waiting.
Jarrod watched him go and then pulled out the chain his half of the coin was attached to. As he turned it over in his hand, he remembered something he’d once read. He didn’t know where, but the words came back with a painful clarity and, looking at the coin, Jarrod knew they spoke the truth.
You will always have a place in my heart, long after I have left yours.
- 7
- 8
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A Time For Everything