James Sanderson now had something important to think about other than the odd petty crime, shenanigans in the saloon, drunken conflicts and lost pets. Corrupt cattle barons and a silent witness that needed the protection of the most famous law enforcement officer in Arizona. He admitted to himself that he missed being involved in the big cases he had as a Pinkerton detective. He actually became excited by the idea that he'd be in on this case. "Bill I want you to do some digging. Looking for a stranger that may have passed thru here in the past few days using the initials of TJ. Could be the character you mentioned in the paper. If it is him he will be looking for a place to lie low. So you look here in town while I will ride out to the Emig ranch. First I'll contact Marshall Earp" "On it Sheriff."
I have received a letter from our Mama’s sister, Aunt Bertha, who lives in Baltimore. She has come to visit us on the ranch a few times. While she was here, she became quite find of Jesse; probably because Jesse looks a lot like Aunt Bertha. Mama and Aunt Bertha could have passed for twins. She has no children and is extremely wealthy. She has asked Jesse to come live with her. She has a huge house and many servants but she is lonely. She said she is making Jesse her only heir. Of course, Jesse was delighted with the invitation. She has always longed to go to the east. She deserves something better than a life on this sometimes harsh land. She quickly forgot Tom and his flashing blue eyes. She has packed enough clothes to last until she gets to Baltimore. Then Aunt Bertha is going to take her shopping for a whole new wardrobe. I’m sure it will be the latest designs straight from Paris. She leaves first thing tomorrow morning. Rick will be heartbroken for a while but I’m going to introduce him to the lovely Ewing girls after I teach him to be charming. I hear they have seen him from a distance and are quite smitten.
Sanderson made good time over the 15 miles from Sandy Gulch to the Emig ranch. He spoke with the owner Victoria Emig concerning the mysterious TJ. At first she denied having known any TJ then when the sheriff mentioned that he was under the protection of Tombstone Marshall Wyatt Earp, she relented and told him that a TJ or Tom Jones was her new ranch hand..
Then came riding back in was Rick on the trade wagon with Tom all dirty and dusty on his mare after fixing up some fencing on the Ranch. Tom had two big bunches of flowers but his eyes were fixed on Sheriff Sanderson. "Howdy there Sir, umn Sheriff" "Got some flowers for you Mrs Emig and for, for Jesse. I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to say farewell." Then Tom blurted out to Victoria: "Rick and I fixed up a bit of fencing down near the SW corner near the creek there, which looked deliberate. Wire cut clean and hoove prints of cattle and some of horses. Rick said it was abutting the Putin Ranch there,.... just saying... ", Rick nodded to Mrs Victoria, and shussed Tom to back away and shut up, which Tom did with a sad gaze turned to the flowers he'd collected. Shrugging his shoulders Rick was looking at the Sheriff for askance?
"Are you Tom Jones fellar," Sanderson said addressing the dust covered stranger that just dismounted his chestnut stallion and approached him. "Marshall Earp wants to talk to you in Tombstone as soon as possible. I think you know what about." Sanderson added that they were to ride into Fullerton and catch the train to Tombstone early the following morning.....
But first....... Victoria smiled at Tom and said, “For me? How lovely. Thank you, Tom.” She took the flowers and placed them on a chair until she could put them in a vase. Then she looked at Rick and asked, “What’s this about a fence bring cut? Could it be rustlers? I have heard of some cattle being rustled over near Dodge City but not anywhere around here.” “Sheriff Sanderson, have you heard of any rustling lately?”
Yes Sir, I'm Tom Jones for now. Marshall Earp suggested a change of name and that I keep my head down until the trial I'm to testify at, but that's not til next month. Has Judge Roy Bean brought the trial forward? Wyatt Earp Judge Roy Bean
The train ride to Tombstone took 10 hours.. all fairly uncomfortable hours on lumpy seats in stuffy carriages. Marshall Earp met the train and escorted the three men the two miles to Tombstone City in his private carriage. "The fact of the the matter Mr Jones, Earp said twisting the ends of his mustache, "is the person we suspect of this cattle rustling has gotten wind of you and the trial and aims to have you eliminated before it convenes. So we will put you in protective custody, change your appearance and your name again. Rather than an open trial we will only ask of you to identify our subject and we will do the rest. Judge Roy Bean is in total accord with our plan".....
"That's all fine by me Sheriff Sanderson and Marshall Earp, but I'm worried about Victoria alone on her Ranch now with signs of recent cattle rustling. Could that be tied to me somehow? The Murphy gang aren't stupid."
Tom was not happy about the journey to Justice and slipped out of his Hotel room that night with loaded pistols and caught the midnight train back to Sandy Gulch. Sure enough, next morning, the Murphy gang had been there asking questions and were off to Victoria's Ranch. Tom had stabled his horse near the Railway Station, with his saddle and rifle, and rode like the clappers back to Victoria's place following the fresh tracks of four horses. He was just in time to see the 'Murphy good old boys' scoping out Victoria's place from the back ridge. Tom, using his binoculars, from his high vantage atop Dante's peak, saw Rick far below going about his chores. Tom also saw Paddy Murphy taking a bead on Rick with his long rifle. With no time to lose he took a shot at Paddy with his own rifle. He missed but did hit one of the other Murphy's. That was enough to panic them and even Rick below heard the shot and ran for cover. Not yet realising where the shot came from, Tom took aim again at a crouching Paddy who was looking in his direction. This time his shot was true killing Paddy with a head shot. The last two Murphy boys bolted at that running towards their horses. Tom saw Rick coming out with a shotgun and brave Victoria out on her porch with another shotgun. Tom knew these Murphys were the evil men who had killed her husband and let his breath out gently as he fired one last distant shot into the back of the 3rd Murphy boy who tumbled off his horse breaking his neck. The last one fled, no doubt taking the grim news to the old patriarch Liam Murphy whose trial Tom truly had doubts about it amounting to anything substantial. Too many bought witnesses. Three more dead sons would balance that ledger more than a hanging though Tom. Soon Tom could hear the cries of pain from tne first Murphy he'd winged. Calling out loud Tom got Rick and Victoria's attention explaining the situation. Soon Tom came down with one half dead Murphy lad and explained to Victoria and Rick all the shenanigans that had occurred. Despite tight bandages our wounded Murphy bled out having my bullet hitting an artery in his thigh. Bad luck. Later "I'm glad you liked those flowers I picked for you Victoria. You and Rick were brave back awhile, I'd like to stay? And there's more of those Murphys in Tombstone and if any come looking, I'd like to be here to meet them.
Victoria held out her hand to thank Tom for coming to their rescue….. and fainted. Tom quickly caught her before she hit the ground. He carried her onto the porch and laid her on the swing. “Get some cold water and a cloth!” he told Rick. Rick was soon back with the water and cloth. Tom wet the cloth and gently wiped Victoria’s face with it. He loosened her shirt so that she could breathe better. In a few minutes, Victoria revived. “Oh, Tom,” she said, “you saved our lives.” Then she looked down and saw her shirt unbuttoned and her cleavage showing. Tom saw her blush and said, “Here, I’ll button it for you.” Then he buttoned all the buttons gently with hands that trembled so that they brushed her skin. “I was afraid that I would lose you,” he said in a voice husky with emotion.
Tom had found a home and whilst being respectful towards Victoria they drew ever closer. He always brought her back flowers whilst riding the boundaries of Victoria's Ranch with Rick who he deferred to on most occasions. Rick and Tom developed a strong friendship exchanging skills and know-how. Even Victoria joined in on Tom's lessons on guns and shooting. He would hold her shoulders to help her balance and hug her with a kiss on the cheek when she hit the bottle target. Tom was also friendly and social to Victoria's neighbours whom he promised to help if Rustlers came by again, or heavies like the Murphys. Neighbour Bill Bell asked to have a shot or twelve with Tom's Ivory handled hand guns, and was also awed by the telescope on Tom's rifle. "Those are cross hairs" said Tom "put there with Spiders' web by a craftsman from Boston. They can be tuned like a piano with those screws there. Want one? By the way, any news of Strangers new in Sandy Gulch, and how's the Sheriff?" The day Sheriff Sanderson rode in with his Deputy Bill, was when Tom and Rick were doing repairs to the Stable's roof. They ducked down on the hidden side of the roof where their guns were. Tom watched Sheriff Sanderson dismount to greet Victoria and noticed he walked with a limp.
Victoria heard the dogs barking and went to the door. Sheriff Sanderson took off his hat and said, “Howdy, Miss Victoria. This here is my deputy Bill Wilton. Deputy Wilton tipped his hat and said, “Howdy, Miss Victoria. I’m right pleased to meet you.” “Hello, Sheriff and Bill. What brings y’all out this way?” Victoria said. “Come on to the porch and have a glass of tea.” Sheriff Sanderson replied, “Thankee, Ma’am. I believe we will.” A couple of days ago, a gunman rode into town. He must have been looking for trouble. He was in the bar and started a fight. Someone sent for me. When me and Bill walked through the barroom door, he drew down on us. We both got off shots and dropped him but he shot me first. Hit me in my leg. It will heal but it will take a while. Turns out he was one of the Murphy gang. Word is that y’all had a bit of trouble with them a while back. I thought we’d ride out here and tell you that that one won’t be bothering you again.” Tom and Rick came around the corner just in time to hear all that.
Tom and Rick were armed when Tom stepped up and said 'Howdy Sheriff Sanderson and Deputy Bill' tipping his hat. I heard about your own troubles and I think between us we've shown those Murphys they ain't welcome around here no more.
Will you boys stay for dinner? I have a couple of chickens cut up and ready to fry. Sheriff Sanderson replied, "Sounds mighty good, ma'am, but we better be moseying on along. The rustlers run off a few head of cattle from the Circle K ranch. We have to go see if we can track them down and haul them off to the hoosegow." Well, Tom and Rick, how about y'all. Hungry?