CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The days entered into a kind of routine. Michaela would visit Sully, usually in the morning, check his condition, treat his wounds and they would talk quietly or just hold each other. There was no point in discussing the past - what was done was done and if it could have been done differently, it was too late. They tried to concentrate on the present and hope for the future.

After her visits she opened the clinic and continued to work. The people who came to her were sympathetic, for the most part, and refrained from asking questions, mostly just offering a quiet, 'Hope everything turns out all right, Dr. Mike'. There were a few who stayed away, who blamed Sully and her for the troubles in town, but not nearly as many as she'd thought at first.

It had been about a week since they'd brought Sully back to Colorado Springs. Michaela and Brian had planned to meet at Grace's for an early supper. They were enjoying their stew when Brian said, "There's Miss Bobby!"

"Miss ... oh, Roberta!" Michaela looked at Brian. "'Miss Bobby'?"

"I was talkin' to her" Brian said comfortably. "She's like you, Ma. Everyone called her Bobby when she was growin' up. Only she had brothers instead of sisters. Now her husband is about the only one who still calls her that, but she said I could, too!"

"I see" Michaela smiled. She waved to Roberta who had entered the cafe with her husband and a strange man and two children.

Roberta waved back and approached the table, beckoning for those with her to follow. "Dr. Michaela Quinn, Brian Cooper, I'd like you to meet my father, Phillip Ross, and my children, Samuel and Bonnie."

"How do you do?" Michaela smiled and shook hands with everyone.

"Hi!" Brian shook hands with Roberta's father and grinned at her children.

Catching a look from Roberta, Michaela said, "Brian, why don't you show Samuel and Bonnie around town a bit." She fished in her bag and produced a few coins. "And be sure to stop at Mr. Bray's to see if he has any new candy."

Brian hesitated, wanting to hear what the adults might have to say about his Pa, then he sighed and took the coins. "Thanks, Ma" he said, then to Samuel and Bonnie. "C'mon. I'll show you Robert E.'s new horses!" and the three children ran off together.

Roberta, Peter and Phillip Ross sat down with Michaela. "Father stopped in Washington on his way here" Roberta explained. "He's been an advisor to President Grant in the past; our family knew him long before he became president. We children all called him 'Uncle Hiram'. When Dorothy told me about your adventures in Washington, I thought Father might be able to ask him to intervene on Sully's behalf. He just arrived here awhile ago and was about to let us know what he accomplished."

Roberta's father looked solemn as he removed a pair of spectacles and a letter from his pocket. He put the spectacles on and unfolded the letter which he quickly scanned and then handed over to Peter. "President Grant's hands are somewhat tied, due to politics, you understand. He is not entirely happy with the way the Indians are being treated, but it seems to be one of those things he is willing to compromise to keep the status quo, so to speak. He was very sorry that Mr. Sully was fired as the Indian agent, but that was out of his hands. In fact, he had very much hoped that he would accept the appointment to Yellowstone. The President made that appointment to try to get Mr. Sully out of the potentially explosive situation here in Colorado." He looked at Michaela over the tops of his spectacles.

"I'm afraid that's mostly my fault" Michaela admitted. "I told Sully I was willing to make the move but he knew how much I loved our life here and decided to turn that job down in order to work toward preserving some of the natural wonders around here. You don't know how many times recently I've wished I'd insisted he take the job." Her voice broke as tears slipped unbidden from her eyes.

Phillip Ross cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Well, it may not all be as hopeless as it seems. He sent with me a letter, which I have just turned over to Peter. It is to be presented to the judge and in it he is very strong in his support of Mr. Sully, citing how he saved the President's life at great risk to his own. He wants to be sure a full trial will be held during which all sides will be heard. If nothing else, this should help where sentencing is concerned. Mr. Grant was very taken with your little family, Dr. Quinn, and he asked me to convey his warmest regards."

Michaela nodded her thanks, still unable to speak. They rose from the table and left the cafe, Peter to help Roberta's father find accommodations and Roberta and Michaela to find their children.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Two weeks had passed quickly and Sully's condition had improved considerably. Michaela was afraid Matthew would stop letting her see him but after the first day he had simply let her in the cell with Sully without comment, stepping outside for 15 minutes or so while she treated him.

There came a day, however, when Matthew said, as he let her into Sully's cell, "Judge'll be comin' this evening, Dr. Mike. Trial will start at 10:00 tomorrow morning" and slapping his hat on his head, he abruptly walked out. Michaela felt the blood drain from her face. She had been treasuring these moments together with Sully -each word, each embrace, each kiss - knowing it might soon be over. Hearing that the judge was coming, however, made her heart sink because it meant that the end, whatever it was, was near.

Sully saw her face and held out his arms to her. They held each other wordlessly for a moment, then drawing back, Sully took her hands and said, "Michaela, we gotta talk." She nodded, unable to speak, as he went on, "Michaela, I loved Abigail. I suppose there's a part of me that always will. I treasure the time we had together and I appreciate the past. But it was a past I almost held too tightly. I know there were times you felt I was comparing you to Abigail, but that wasn't the case." He paused, thinking carefully before going on. "You and Abigail are so different and my love for you is different. I told you, I have feelings for you I never had for her. Since my feelings for you were so different and since you were so different from her it was easy to lie to myself and tell myself what I felt for you wasn't love, wasn't any more than friendship. But I had grown and changed since she died and I wasn't the same person who married her. When I finally understood that, when I could allow myself to admit my love for you and to let yours for me in, it was almost too late."

Michaela leaned up against Sully and he put his arm around her. "I had come to think you would never care for me the way I wished you would, the way I thought I felt about you" she said.

"When you went to Boston" Sully went on "I dreamed about you every night. I never knew I would miss you so much."

"Then you followed me there" Michaela smiled.

"And I thought I was too late. I thought I had lost you. Michaela, that's what I wanted to say to you. Chances are I'm going to be executed ... "

"Sully!"

"That's just the way it is." He put his hand on her cheek. "You're so beautiful and so caring and you have so much love to give. Don't make the mistake I did. If you have another chance for love ... Michaela, I know you don't wanna think about it ..." He saw tears in her eyes and he kissed them away. "I just want you to promise me you'll go on ... "

"Sully, I can't even imagine going on without you ..."

"I know. I'm just tellin' you that you gotta go on growing and loving and not hold yourself to promises that no longer have meaning. We promised to be together until parted by death and if that happens ... "

"Sully" Michaela sat up, suddenly intense and speaking very swiftly and quietly, "that's exactly what must happen!"

"What?"

"You have to die. Remember Sgt. Carver, the Negro soldier you took out to the Reservation who refused to keep killing Indians? I gave him tincture of opium to simulate death. I've been treating you, I could say one of your wounds is infected and I need to operate. You could 'die' on the operating table and then we could go off and live somewhere where nobody knows us, where ..."

Sully silenced her with a kiss. "Sweet Michaela," he said, "it would never work. In the first place, Matthew would remember and he'd never let us get away with it. Besides, there are things that need to be said that'll get heard if I go to trial. If just one person hears 'em, it'll be worthwhile. Michaela, I have to stand trial. I've talked with Peter and he's going to try to get in as much as he can about the government's treatment of the Cheyenne ... "

"I know. He's talked to me, too and is going to try to allow me to testify about the many times the Indians helped us and the debt we owe them. He also said he had a few other 'tricks up his sleeve' but he wouldn't say what."

They looked into each other's eyes, now, the need for words gone. The communication that had developed between them since their courtship went beyond mere words. As Matthew came back in with his customary 'time's up' Michaela whispered, "I'll be there for you, Sully, right to the end, whatever it is"

"I know" he replied. "You always have been." They managed one more swift embrace before Matthew opened the cell to let her out.

. **********************************

That evening after supper, Brian and Katie were in bed and Michaela, Dorothy and Colleen sat around the table with tea Michaela had made.

"Ma, you've got to get some sleep" Colleen urged.

"She's right" Dorothy chimed in. "It won't do you any good to be all worn out."

"I know," Michaela said. "I'm hoping the tea will help. I'm just so jumpy. The judge arrived in town this evening. He's talking tonight with the soldiers who are presenting the case and also with Peter, I think."

"Do you think the letter from President Grant will help?" Colleen asked.

"Mr. Ross seemed to think it would. Oh, by the way, Preston paid me a visit today."

"Preston? What on earth did he want?" Dorothy asked.

Michaela smiled grimly. "He wanted to know if I was interested in selling the homestead."

"Ma!?!"

"The homestead!" exclaimed Dorothy.

"He seems to feel that I won't be up to staying here once things are over - that I'll want to move back to Boston once I've ... um ... become a widow."

"He said that?" Dorothy exclaimed, shocked.

"Actually what he said was 'I'm sure you won't wish to stay here once the execution has taken place. It will be good for you to join your family back East and I can ensure that you go with a nice reserve of cash if you agree to sell now.'"

Colleen and Dorothy listened in shocked silence. This was too much even for Preston.

"What did you do?" Dorothy asked at last.

"I told him that such decisions were made by my husband and me together and that in any event, I would never sell to him." Michaela suddenly began laughing, but the laughter held a note of hysteria and tears began coursing down her cheeks.

Dorothy and Colleen looked helplessly at each other. "I could happily murder that man" Dorothy muttered. "Here, Michaela, take a little more tea." At last Michaela was calm enough to finish her tea after which they all retired to bed. Tomorrow would be a long day.

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

The trial went quickly, much too quickly. Michaela couldn't even remember what had been said, couldn't remember the sentencing. She racked her brains trying to recall the details but they eluded her. All she knew was that here they stood before a newly-erected gallows waiting for Sully to be brought out. Colleen held one of her arms and Dorothy the other and as Sully was brought out from the jail they tightened their grips. She tried to run to him but they held her back. He turned and looked at her and in that look was all his love and caring. "You must go on" he mouthed and she struggled again trying to get near him.

"I need to be with him" she cried as he was led up the steps of the gallows. "I have to get to him!"

"Now Michaela, it's better you stay here with us. Afterwards I'll make us all some tea" Dorothy said soothingly.

There was quite a crowd there and they were roaring, whether in approval or anger Michaela could not tell. It seemed to take an eternity for Sully to climb each step with a soldier on either side but finally they reached the top. The Reverend was there and he said something but Michaela could not hear because of the roaring -- was it the crowd or just a roaring in her own ears? Then the charges were read and the sentence and Michaela found herself thinking how crowded it looked up there on top. What if they hanged the wrong person in the confusion? But there, the hangman, who looked strikingly like Preston, was putting the hood and the rope over Sully's head and the Reverend was reciting a prayer. At least she assumed it was a prayer; from here it sounded like 'Humpty Dumpty'. Then the Reverend turned and looked right at her with his sightless eyes. "Humpty Dumpty had a great fall" he said quite clearly and the Reverend himself pulled back on the lever as Michaela screamed "Noooo!". A great howl went up from the crowd and Michaela felt herself dropping and landing with a thump...

...She opened her eyes and looked around the dark room. Through the open window she heard the howling of coyotes and from nearby she could hear Katie rustling in her crib. Her heart was beating rapidly and her breath was coming in gasps. There were tears in her eyes. After a few moments she realised she had been dreaming. She breathed deeply, reaching out and touching the covers, smoothing the feather tick on which she lay, touching the pillow beside her. Sully's pillow.

When her breathing returned to normal she got up, put on her robe and tiptoed downstairs. Except for the coyotes' howling, all was silent. She got the milk pitcher from the icebox, poured some into a pan and put it on the stove to warm.

She shivered. The dream had been so real, it was difficult to shake it off. She'd had nightmares before but always Sully had been there to hold her and kiss them away. How would it be if things really happened the way they had in the dream, if Sully were really executed? Would she be able to stand it, to be strong for her children?

She poured the milk into a cup and sat in one of the easy chairs sipping it slowly. She held the warmth of the mug close and began to pray. She prayed for Sully alone in his cell, she prayed for her children, for Brian, Katie, Colleen and Matthew. She prayed for Peter and she prayed for the judge. She thanked God for all the wonderful times she'd had with Sully and begged Him to set Sully free to come back to his family. She remembered their times together, good and bad. Her fingers relaxed as she became lost in her memories and the cup dropped to the floor. Her breathing became deep and even and at last she slept.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The next day dawned clear and bright. High summer in Colorado Springs could be a beautiful time, if you were in the mood to enjoy it. Michaela, who was still trying to shake off the effects of her dream, was in no mood to appreciate the weather. She and Brian entered the church, where the trial was to be held, ignoring the whispers and stares of those standing around waiting to go in. As they found seats, she felt a hand on her arm and there was Dorothy, smiling encouragingly. Michaela gave her hand a squeeze but was unable to smile back. Roberta was at the front of the room whispering with Peter who looked a trifle pale today. When she saw Michaela she kissed Peter quickly on the cheek, whispered "Good luck" then walked over. She indicated the seat beside Michaela. "May I sit here?" Michaela nodded. Colleen had opted to stay home with Katie today. She was so nervous her stomach was hurting and she felt watching the baby would be more help to her ma, anyway.

People began trickling in and soon the room was packed. Then Matthew walked in, leading Sully and Michaela felt her spirits drop another notch. She knew it was just regulation but it broke her heart to see Sully in chains. As he was led over to sit beside Peter he turned and looked into her eyes. She managed a smile for him as unspoken messages of love and encouragement flashed between them.

The judge arrived and everyone stood. It was a judge Michaela had not seen before. She'd thought it might be the regular circuit judge for their area, who'd presided at both Cloud Dancing's and Sully's trials before. She wasn't sure whether she should be relieved. She knew nothing about this man, Judge Winthrop.

Roberta hadn't heard of him, either and Peter had never defended a case before him. They had talked the evening before after the judge had met with him and the soldiers presenting the case. Peter seemed to think this judge would be fair and impartial. Roberta prayed that this was so.

Brian watched from his mother's side as the room filled with people. He wondered if they'd come to support Sully or just to gawk. He angrily wiped away a stray tear when a shackled Sully was brought in. Miss Dorothy, who was sitting next to him squeezed his hand briefly. He saw Sully looking at his Ma the way he always did. When Sully saw Brian, though, he winked. Brian mouthed "I love you, Pa" as Sully was led up front. He didn't understand why they had to chain him up like an animal. It just wasn't fair.

Hank had closed the saloon for the morning in honor of the occasion but was wishing he could sell drinks right here. Oh well, he'd open up right after things were over for the day. The thirsty crowd would be glad of some refreshment. Loren was with him and shaking his head at the sight of Brian sitting there right up at the front. What could Dr. Mike be thinking allowing the boy to witness this? Jake found his seat at the front of the room, glancing at Michaela and then quickly averting his gaze. The trial was about to begin.

"Be seated" Judge Winthrop said, fiddling with the papers in front of him. "I understand that those presenting the case" here he glanced at the soldiers, "would like me to declare this a clear case of treason and to proceed directly with sentencing."

"Yes, your Honor." A soldier with a sandy mustache stood and addressed the judge. "The prisoner has turned himself in, indicating an admission of guilt. We do not wish to waste this court's or anyone else's time. We all, with the exception of Sgt. McKay, here, would like to ask you to impose the death penalty, typical in cases of treason. Sgt. McKay for his own good reasons" here he gave the Sgt. a baleful look, "is asking for life in prison."

The judge nodded as he listened then replied. "Normally I would go along with your request but this case is not as typical as it may seem." He shuffled more paper. "I have here a very strongly-worded letter from President Grant testifying as to Mr. Sully's character and hinting at extenuating circumstances. He makes it clear that he will be very displeased if this man is not given a complete and fair trial during which all sides may be heard."

There was an audible sigh from the courtroom as if all the people had been collectively holding their breaths and now relaxed. Dorothy, Brian, Michaela and Roberta squeezed each other's hands as they listened.

"I am going to honor this request" Judge Winthrop went on. "I see this trial as lasting two, at the most three days Today the army will present its case against Mr. Sully and tomorrow Mr." he consulted his notes again, "Mr. Taylor will be allowed to present his defense."

Dorothy rolled her eyes heavenward. "Oh, thank God!" she murmured.

Judge Winthrop continued, "At the end of tomorrow or on Wednesday morning at the latest I will give my verdict and administer the sentence." He looked around the courtroom. "This will be an orderly proceeding. I will tolerate no interruptions -no crying out, no yelling no display of emotions. I may ask anyone to leave at any time and they will do so immediately. There are a lot of people here and you may be interested in this trial but this is not a circus and I am not a ringmaster. I am, however, judge of this courtroom and what I say goes. Whatever you feel this man has done, he deserves a fair trial and he is going to get it! Now, let's begin. Captain Fogarty, will you call your first witness, please."

The sandy-haired soldier rose and called Sgt. McKay to testify. Jake swore him in. "Sgt. will you please tell us what happened last May 15 at the Palmer Creek Reservation?"

"Things were startin' to settle down for the evenin' ... Dr. Quinn had just left after treatin' the injured Indian. Suddenly there was this loud explosion out of nowhere and all the Injuns were goin' crazy - they had horses and guns and they began shootin' and settin' the huts and tents on fire, yellin' and whoopin' all over the place."

"And was the accused there?"

"He certainly was. He was right in the middle of it!"

There were some murmurs throughout the room but a few quick taps of the judge's gavel silenced them.

"Thank you, Sgt." Captain Fogarty said.

"Mr. Taylor, do you have any questions for this witness?" the judge asked.

"Yes, your Honor." Peter rose. "Sgt. McKay, you just said that Mr. Sully was 'right in the middle of it' during the Indian riot. Was he holding a gun - shooting?"

Sgt. McKay looked uncomfortable. "Well, no."

"Did you see him setting fire to the buildings there?"

"No" he replied with a quick glance at Captain Fogarty.

"Did you see him setting off explosives? Giving horses to the Indians?" The reply to each question was in the negative.

"I see." Peter looked at the Sgt. "Well, exactly what did you see?"

McKay heaved a sigh. "I saw him leadin' that Injun -- the one that was hurt -- away from the village. But he was involved in the rest of it, I can guarantee it! He's a known trouble ... "

"Thank you, Sgt. McKay" Peter said loudly. "That will be all." The Sgt. looked as if he wanted to say something else but with a glance at the judge he returned to his place.

"Call your next witness" Judge Winthrop said.

Captain Fogarty rose. "We call Byron Sully to testify," he said dramatically.

Sully, whose chains had been removed came forward, was sworn and sat in the chair. The room grew very still. He sat up straight and looked into the room with steady eyes. "Now, Mr. Sully" there was a slight mocking emphasis on the 'Mr.', "will you tell us please, your own version of what went on last May 15?"

Sully took in a deep breath and then spoke. "A couple weeks before that ... "

"Excuse me, Mr. Sully. Perhaps I did not make myself clear." Captain Fogarty looked around the room before turning back to Sully. "I'm asking what happened on May 15. Not two weeks before or last year or ... "

"We get your point" Judge Winthrop said drily. "Allow the witness to continue."

Sully's mouth was set and his eyes steely as he looked over at his lawyer. Peter nodded encouragingly and mouthed "It's all right" and Sully knew he'd have a chance to tell his whole story later. For now Peter had advised him to be as honest as possible. He breathed deeply again and continued. "On May 15 I brought horses to the woods outside the Palmer Creek Reservation. I then set off explosives there in the woods to provide a diversion so I could help the Indians escape into the woods. I was then gonna get my friend Cloud Dancing out of there and we were all gonna ride North along the Powder River to the Indian land in Montana. Only things ... " his voice broke and he said in a quieter voice "things got outta hand."

"They certainly did" Captain Fogarty smirked. "Shooting, burning, killing. And you expect us to believe, after you've admitted setting off explosives, that you took no part in the shooting and burning that took place afterwards?"

"That's what I said" Sully replied in a tight voice.

"Didn't you provide guns for the Indians?"

"No."

"All you did, while all this shooting and burning went on, was walk in and help your Injun friend get away from the Reservation?" Fogarty's tone was openly sarcastic now.

"I wasn't shootin' and I wasn't burnin'. Fact is, I tried to stop it but it was too late" Sully replied evenly.

"Mr. Sully" Fogarty said with exaggerated patience, "May I remind you that you are under oath?"

"I ain't lyin'. I don't lie."

"Thank you, Mr. Sully. That will be all for now. I'd like to call Mr. Loren Bray to testify."

Loren gave a 'Who, me?' gesture and then shuffled to the front of the room, was sworn and sat in the witness chair.

"What is your occupation, Mr. Bray?" Fogarty began.

This was familiar ground. "Why, I'm the storekeeper in town. 'Bray's Mercantile' - finest merchandise for all your n ... "

"That's fine, Mr. Bray. Did Byron Sully make a purchase from you last May 15?"

"Well now, you gotta understand, I get dozens of people in my store every day! You're talkin' about more than a month ago. I can't be expected to remember everything and everyone who ... "

"Isn't there anything he bought that stands out in your memory, though?"

Loren looked uncomfortable, as if he were sitting in a pile of cold oatmeal. "Well," he admitted, "there was one thing ... "

"And what was that?"

Loren looked at the judge who said, "Answer the question, Mr. Bray."

Loren sighed. "Explosives" he said at last. "He bought a barrel of blasting powder."

"And did he tell you why he was buying such a large amount of explosives?"

"Ah, he was buildin' that homestead for Preston and he said he needed to get rid of an old stump that was too tough for him to dig up! But ... "

"Thank you, Mr. Bray. You may step down." Preston was the next to be called. After the usual preliminaries, Fogarty asked "Was Byron Sully building you a homestead, Mr. Lodge?"

"I guess you could say that" Preston smirked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he was incredibly slow given his purported talent at building things and he kept having to change the plans. He was making very little, if any, progress and then he just up and quit on me!"

"He quit building the homestead?"

"That's right. He told me he would no longer be able to work on it, leaving me in quite a bind, I might add."

"And when did he quit, Mr. Lodge?"

"It was the 13th of May" Preston said firmly.

"The thirteenth?"

"That is correct."

"And did Mr. Sully work on the house at all after that?"

"No, he didn't. In fact, he hadn't touched it for several days prior to that. It was when I spoke to him about his lack of initiative that he quit."

"So he had stopped working your land before he bought the blasting powder from Mr. Bray?"

"If Mr. Bray is correct in his dates, that is true."

"Thank you, Mr. Lodge."

Robert E. was next on the stand, testifying that Sully had asked him to procure as many horses for him as he could.

"And did Mr. Sully wish to borrow these horses from you?" questioned Captain Fogarty.

"No sir, he bought them outright" Robert E. replied reluctantly.

"Did he tell you why he needed so many horses?"

Robert E. hesitated.

"You must answer the question" the judge told him.

"He told me it was to get Cloud Dancing and somma the other Indians away from the awful conditions on the reservation."

Robert E. was dismissed and Fogarty said, "I now call Dr. Michaela Quinn for questioning."

Looking apprehensive Michaela stood up and went forward. "Dr. Quinn, did your husband inform you that he had stopped working on Mr. Lodge's homestead, that he had, in fact, quit the job?"

"No," Michaela said in a low voice.

"How did you find out?"

"Mr. Lodge told me."

"And did you know that your husband had purchased a number of horses from the blacksmith?"

"N ... no."

"You did not know that he had obtained these horses?"

"I ... there were horses in our pasture that were not ours. Sully told us that he was just pasturing them for Robert E." Michaela felt as if she were driving nails into Sully's coffin with each admission.

"Did your husband give you any idea as to what he was up to?"

"No."

"So you had no idea what he meant to do?"

"No."

"Thank you, Dr. Quinn."

Michaela went back to her seat, trying to hold back the tears in her eyes, not daring to look at Sully. Brian, Dorothy and Roberta all reached out to her as she sat and when she finally did look up, Sully gave her a small smile and a nod. It's all right his look said, You did what you had to do and she had to lower her head again to fight the tears.

"So, your Honor," Captain Fogarty was saying, "the man who says he does not lie is here shown to have lied and deceived even his own wife numerous times. I believe this calls into question whether or not he was involved with the shooting and burning at the Reservation. But actually, this is beside the point because his helping the Indians escape, to which he freely admits, is, in itself, a treasonous act, punishable by death. And this is no first-time offense. This man has a long history of siding with the enemy." He consulted a paper he held in his hand. "Some of the prior offenses he is suspected of taking part in: helping this same Indian, Cloud Dancing, escape from General Custer on more than one occasion; helping the renegade Indians blow up the railroad when it was being constructed, helping a Pueblo Indian prisoner escape the reservation. He often claims to be 'helping' or trying to stop trouble, but my question is, why is he always around where trouble is? This Cloud Dancing was accused of murdering a soldier, he admitted it and Mr. Sully came to his defense claiming it wasn't murder but killing under a 'state of war' and the Injun got off scot free. Mr. Sully received a court martial for deserting during the war and though he was later pardoned, I believe this says something about his character. He was fired as Indian agent for insubordination. Mr. Sully is also a convicted felon and spent time in jail for attempting to hijack a shipment of dynamite. This was another time he was claiming to be trying to 'prevent trouble'. As far as I'm concerned, this man is trouble and we'll all be better off without him. He should be executed or at the very least put away for life."

"Thank you, Captain Fogarty," said Judge Winthrop. "Mr. Taylor, do you have anything further at this time?"

"I only wish to say, your Honor, that Mr. Sully is not on trial for any of those other charges that Captain Fogarty brought up, most of which have never been proved and some of which have been dismissed. With all due respect they are not why he is on trial here and I believe they should have no bearing on this case."

"Thank you, Mr. Taylor. I will take your comments into consideration. If that is all, then I will adjourn for today. We will reconvene at 10:00 tomorrow." Everyone rose as the judge exited. Matthew put the manacles back on Sully and people began leaving the building to head to their homes, the saloon, or Grace's.

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