Seated at his desk reviewing the latest circulars, none of which seemed to be an imminent threat to the oft-times sleepy little town of Kalispell, he heard the door open and turned just as Juge Townsend walked in and said, 'Good morning.'

"Good Morning Judge Townsend. I finally do get to meet you, wish it were under better circumstances, but I was just wondering why Miss Wigfall had not made the court docket." Speed said in greeting. "Missus Lutz is back there with Miss Wiogfall now, delivering her breakfast to her, but you're welcome to go on back if you like."

There was not much else that he could do, and it was good to get some sense of what would happen with the young misguided woman. Justice would have to be served no matter what, and Speed felt that the visit was to explain what Townsend intended to do.

@JulieS @Javia @Wayfarer

"Well, Your Honor, I don't envy the task before you, and I believe that you know what you're up against with Elias Steelgrave. The man can be ruthless, that's a fact. Whether or not he ordered this attack on the Redmond farm is really beside the point, though I believe, that had the order come from him, there wouldn't be a stick left unburned, and Kalispell would be attending the funerals for all those at the farm that night." Guyer was saying, "As far as what would be fair for what would be right concerning Miss Wigfall, I have no idea. I do know what the law requires, but that would be with a competent defendant and she is just not someone who fills that bill."

It would be a tough choice concerning the fate of the young woman. A jury could well sentence her to hang, that was something Speed did not want to witness, or, along prison sentence which would probably kill her, or cause irredeemable harm to her mentally, not that he claimed to be an expert. So therein lay the quandary that thankfully was not his problem. Do nothing and face the wrath of Elias Steelgrave, or there was hanging or prison.

As the two were meeting at the jail, a lone rider with a pack animal and a body wrapped in a ground sheet made their way down the main street toward the Municipal Building. Case Steelgrave, everyone on the street recognized him. The question all of them were asking themselves or perhaps someone next to them, 'Who was over the saddle, and why was Steelgrave headed to the Marshal's office?

@JulieS @Javia

"Well, sir, as I said, I do not envy what lies ahead for you in this matter. I'm sure whatever sentence you believe to be fair, then yes, it should be acceptable. So far as Elias is concerned, that is likely to be quite another matter." That would be a mystery until the moment he reacts. And of course, there was always Cole Latham who will already have his nose implanted in the progress of this case.

"Two days, well, at least there should be a resolution at that time without the interference of Latham, Steelgraves local attorney." Speed added as he turned and looked out the window. There, dismounting was a haggard Case Steelgrave, with a body over a horse in tow.

"You'll have to excuse me, sir, seems we have Mister Steelgrave's son Case out front with a body. I'll need to see to this." Speed informed the judge and stepped out into the hall and on outside.  "Case?"

"Marshal. The man that took that shot at you." He motioned to the body, "Rifle in the scabbard ought to match up to the hole in you." He smiled.

"You went after him? How'd you find out who he was?"

"Look Guyer, I said a long time back that if anyone was to shoot you, it would be me. Well, men of his sort have a way of braggin' it up. I caught wind of it and set out, not like there were a whole lot of places a man might head out for, be my guess, Mexico." Again, the smile, "I'll take the saddle horse an' tack, his guns, 'cept the rifle, no use for that since there's no reward, more for my troubles and he about kilt me in the bargain."

"Fair enough Case." Speed agreed, "Now, he have a name?"

"Oh, yeah, Okerlind, but likely if there's paper on him, be the Osage Kid. Keep the reward money, I ain't no bounty hunter!" He paused, "I'm headed to my Pa's, I'll pick up the horse at the livery. You take care now Speed." With that, he went to his horse, mounted, and cantered out of town.

Speed watched him ride off before turning and walking back inside. "He brought in the man who took the shot at me, rifle and all." He said to the Judge.

@JulieS, @Wayfarer, @Javia

After a bit more talking between the two young women, Clara promised plenty of support for Jemima if there was an open trial. She would be there and she would definitely testify for the defense. Hopefully Jemima would get a competent lawyer though the Wigfalls were not wealthy. And then it time to go and let the prisoner eat her lunch. Sometime later in the day Clara could always come back for the plates and such.

Clara then saw the Marshal talking to another man, his face looked familiar though she could not place the name. Maybe he had once been in the diner and she had waitressed him. But she'd waitressed a whole lot of customers, didn't know them all.

"Excuse me, Marshal, but I will be getting back to the diner now. I will pick up the dishes later. Good day."

She also nodded acknowledgement to the other fellow, "And you, sir."

Clara then paused to see if either opened the jailhouse door for her, like a proper gentleman should.

"Excuse me, Judge Townsend, may I present Missus Clara Lutz, she's filling in at the Lickskillet until the Pike's return." Speed introduced, "Clara, Judge Adam Townsend."

Before moving toward the door he allowed the two a moment to speak. The idea of whatever it was that the Judge had in mind for Jemima Wigfall going forward, he was now sure that he had thoroughly reviewed what little actual information was, including the witness statements, such as they were It would not be pleasant that was for sure, but he now believed it would be fair, whether Elias Steelgrave liked it or not.

@JulieS @Wayferer

"Excuse me, Judge Townsend, may I present Missus Clara Lutz, she's filling in at the Lickskillet until the Pike's return." Speed introduced, "Clara, Judge Adam Townsend."

Clara turned to meet the man's gaze and even as she nodded acknowledgement of the gentleman, it hit her. Judge, he is a judge!

Now one thing most all locals knew about Clara, she could be a bit of prickly person at times. If she got angry, you would find out that and more. She did not hold back on her opinions and views. Her expression went instantly from pleasant to dark, grim.

"Judge Townsend, you do not happen to be the judge for Miss Wigfall's case?"

She did not wait for an answer but lit into him,"First of all this whole thing is a travesty. Mr. Steelgrave is a murderous malefactor of the highest order yet never suffers any consequences for it. My own family has suffered from his criminal trespasses. And yet now an upstanding young lady who the entire town can tell you is not a violent person is now going on trial?"

"Disgusting as it is ridiculous. No one died. Miss Wigfall may have lost her temper but it pales compared to the numerous crimes of Steelgrave and his Evergreen thugs. Which they continually get away with. Not faulting the marshal here just so you know."

Her quarrel was not with Speed, she liked him. Mostly.

"And there had better be a jury trial for this. Because I am certain as a Montana winter is cold, no jury of townsfolk will condemn poor Miss Wigfall for her zealous mistake. And rest assured, I will be at that trial. Front row and center. Seeing to it no legal tricks by Steelgrave turn this into a bigger farce than it already is."

Clara finally stopped, as much for her to catch a breath as have had her say on the matter.

He should not have been surprised at Clara Lutz's reaction, yet he was. He understood the outburst, and he knew that she was more than capable of stating her opinion in no uncertain terms, which she had. What did surprise him was Judge Townsend's explanation of the offenses, and a glance at his ideas of what he would levy as punishment, which more than likely would not satisfy either Steelgrave, or Miss Wigfall's supporters, Missus Lutz included.

He realized that punishment had to be levied, and the Judge having said there would be no jury trial in this instance left an impression on Speed, that Kalispell was likely to actually have an impartial jurist. One, not on anyone's payroll. That would be refreshing.

@Wayfarer @JulieS