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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3923594" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-thirty-seven, “Janet Fly Departs“ , Monday, June 19th, 9:00 A.M. The two men from the Von Zeppelin ballooning factory, Meuller and Bricker, have arrived as has Mary Wong. The two men are questioned and found to be acceptable jurors. Mary Wong is asked questions by the Judge and when questioned she indicates her strong loyalty to Arcade's Gang and to Mrs. Young. Attorney Upton calls for her to be excused. The Judge reluctantly agrees. He turns to Kevin Tomlinson and says "Shall we try a forth time?" Tomlinson draws another slip of paper and hands it to the Judge who reads "Jeff Mills". John Behan finds Mills unacceptable as Mills had a personal grudge against Deputy Sheriff Colin Hunter due to Mills past association with Hunter's Uncle. As Hunter is one of the men Earp is accused of killing he is therefore potentially biased. Judge Isby sighs and says, "Agreed, Let's try again Kevin." Tomlinson draws another name. The Judge reads "Henry Weller". Both attorneys find the town's blacksmith acceptable. “Finally“ Kate mutters. Although it shouldn't have been surprising that is was hard to find an unbiased jury in Promise City. The Earps had touched the town too deeply for too long, and too many members of the Cowboy gang had been here for many people not to have some kind of connection. As the blacksmith shop is just diagonally across the street it takes no time to get Weller. He satisfies the Judge after a few questions and is taken off to the Territorial Office building to join the other ten jurors. They are still waiting for Temple Morand to make it in from the Rocking-H Ranch, ten miles southwest of town, so the Judge calls for a half-hour recess. Kate was out of her seat almost instantaneously when Judge Isby called the break. She dodged her way through the crowd to where Conrad and his brother were sitting and said "Thank you," to Edwin even as she unabashedly reached for Conrad's hand. Edwin says, "There is no need to thank me Kate, I just said what needed to be said." She says, "No, it was more important than you know." She sat down in the newly empty seat next to Conrad. "Are you alright, my dear?" "Yes, never better," is his brief reply. She tried to catch his eye. "I don't think you're quite here with us. I have to go back to the school, can I... is there anything you need of me?" Her fingers rubbed along the back of his hand, the only betrayal of everything swirling around inside. "I will walk with you," he states. Once outside Conrad says, "That was one of the nicest things anybody has ever done for me. I....I don't know how to repay him." She says, "I don't think he wants anything of you than to be a brother. He's the only one would could have exposed Watson's lies for what they were, no one else would have been believed. So much is changed for you all the sudden, my dear. I'm so thrilled for you, you deserve so much more than Promise City has given you." He replies, "Promise City has given me you, what more could I ever ask for?" "A great deal more," she said, although obviously pleased by the comment. "It could give you a fair chance to prove your character, rather than letting the town decide on the basis of a cruel lie. And a family, but it seems you've found that. With all those reporters there it won't be long before most of the nation knows what family you belong to." "I heard a rumor last night that your brother had come here to convince you to move back east with him," Kate added, teasing. He smiles and says, "It would take somebody far prettier than him to have to convince me to do that. Besides, you know that I never listen to rumors." Kate laughed, probably more heartily than Conrad had heard from her before. "Oh, you listen. But you know better than to believe everything you hear. It's amazing, I never dreamed I was such a topic of conversation in this town, it's going to inflate my ego something terrible." Conrad tells Kate, "You think that you're a topic of conversation now, just wait another few months, the town will be buzzing with wild speculation." She answers, "I'm not so sure. Diana started the word with Beth Eaton. I'd lay down money that either someone will tell the truth of things defending me, or Mrs. Eaton's change of heart toward me even in such a scandalous condition will be a more popular topic." She rubbed his arm and finished, "It doesn't matter anyway. I have my family here; including you. Everyone who matters knows the truth. For now, you'll be the big topic. Unless Wyatt Earp's trial actually finishes today." She says, "Sounds like a recipe for a long struggle, since they'll have to be unanimous. It can't be good for the town for this to drag on and on."  Conrad replies, "Indeed.  Of the twelve, I anticipate five who will see him as guilty, four who will see him as innocent, and another three who will just go along with the majority."She sighed. "Who do you think will just go along?" Conrad says, "Justin Boyer, Abel Weir and Maxwell Brown, but each for different reasons. Boyer will go along to get the trail over with and get back to his job, Weir will go along because he avoids conflict and Brown will go along because he wants everybody to be his friend." She states, "That's the risk when you have to choose people randomly, but what better way is there? I'll just be glad when this is all over and there are no more Earps in my life. Nate Caudell will be coming to the school today to talk to the children about the elections. I'm going to focus on those. And you. We should celebrate tonight." Conrad says, "Well tonight may be my brother's final night in Promise City so we should probably do something with him." She says, "Has he healed enough to travel? Considering his oratory today I'd say the answer is yes, but Doctor Eaton had intimated that he may need to stay here for a little while he healed up." He says, "He doesn't strike me as the type of person who always does what he is told." She replies, "Indeed not. I had to stop him from applauding so hard at the play when we saw it finished, he could have done some serious damage. You'll miss him, won't you? Maybe you should consider a trip to New York to visit. Surely you could survive without me for a week or two." He says, "Or we could both go, although we may want to wait until Deadeye Douglas decides to leave that state." "What would Deadeye Douglas care about me? He's left witnesses alive all over, his specialty is in avoiding getting to trial in the first place. I could go with you, depending on when you went. Don't forget we had planned to go to San Francisco, and I can only be away for so long... And I may need to make another trip, as a favor to someone, to act as a chaperone." Conrad asks, "Really? And where would that trip be to?" She says, "Oxford University, in London. I would not really consider it but I can also improve my own education while there and perhaps get some things for the school I wouldn't otherwise have access to. But that trip is really, quite unlikely." He says, "From what I hear summer is the best time to make a trip to London, why wouldn't you consider it? Your teacher would be able to substantially cut down on the travel time." She says, "Even so, as a chaperone I'd have to stay there for a month or more, and I already leave Sonoma and Flint most of the work on the ranch. Never mind how often I leave Mrs. Caudell and Mrs. O'Hara in charge of the school while I'm off doing something else. Sometimes I can't believe how busy I get. I would like to go overseas though," she said wistfully. "I have never been." Conrad says, "Don't rule it out, we might be able to work something out with your business partners to free you up." "We? Are you offering to shovel manure and give botany lessons to twelve-year-olds?" she asked with a laugh. Conrad answers, "Well Katherine, it would be rather difficult to do that wearing a three-piece suit, and to change into anything else would tarnish my image. And if you are traveling by conventional means I would want to accompany you as far as New York City and maybe then spend a short while with my brother there. You would just then have to let us know when you would be returning to the United States, I am certain that Mr. Gonzales and I could arrange to meet your ship as it arrives." She says, "That sounds like a reasonable idea, and it gets you to the city to see your brother. And your niece. Someday I will see you wear something else," she declared with a twinkle in her eye. "Or nothing else." He states, "Don't tempt me young lady, at least not at a time when you have a classroom filled with children waiting for you." She smile and replies, "I'm rather enjoying tempting you." They had been extending the walk by going slowly, but they were almost at the school now. "I don't know what's gotten into me today, except just being happy for you. Whatever else happens, it's a good day. Janet Fly is leaving today, so it will just be Ginnie and I in the house again." Speaking of Mrs. Fly, Kate and Conrad now see her and Coolie Fagan exiting out the kitchen door, him carrying her bags as she sets off for the 9:00 AM stagecoach. Kate says, "I should go see her off, and you should get back to your brother. Shall I meet you for dinner at the El Parador tonight?" He answers, "Yes, I can't think of a better place to bring Edwin to for a good time, I'll let Dorita know it will probably be his last night in town, she can arrange a proper send off like she did for your family." Kate replies, "There's nothing Dorita likes better than a party, and I haven't spent nearly as much time at home lately as I'd like, so the El Parador it is. I'll see you then, my dear. I love you." She squeezed his hand quickly, then hurried off after Janet Fly and Coolie Fagan, catching up without much trouble. "I'm so glad I got back before you were gone," she said a little breathlessly. "I hated to think of you leaving without having the chance to say goodbye." Janet answers, "Thank you Kate, Collie already brought over the wheel and larger trunk. I have already said goodbye to Ginnie, she is such a good girl." Janet reaches over and gives Kate a warm embraces. "Thank you so much for everything, these last few days to just think and relax were exactly what I needed. Roger and I are both now ready to start anew." "I was glad to do it. I'm going to miss you and Roger very much, Janet. I hope you'll write now and then and let me know how you're getting on." Kate let go and stepped back. "Have a safe journey, and enjoy the big city." Janet replies, "I shall, and I will look up your friend Mrs. Whipple while I am there." She boards the stagecoach. Mr. Hardin and Mr. Smith are already both on board, as are former Governor Safford and his wife plus a few people who Kate does not know. Kate smiled. Even a week ago Janet would not have considered speaking to Maggie. "Give her my love. Good-bye, Janet." She nodded at the others in the stage that she had met and stepped back as it lurched forward and got underway. Janet would be alright, and hopefully she would learn that playing piano in a saloon now and then wasn't such a terrible sin. Except for Sheriff Behan stating in public his suspicion of their ranch having assisted Wyatt Earp, it had been a good morning. It would be naive to think all the aspersions cast against Conrad would disappear now, but they would hold much less water. Along with his participation in the play the facts that came out in court should make life a lot friendlier for him in Promise City. Kate headed back for her school with a light heart and a bright smile. As usual when she had to come in during classes, Kate entered the house through the kitchen door. She took a few minutes for a snack of bread, cheese, and fruit and shed her jacket before slipping into the schoolroom. Banker Stevens daughters were sitting in a quiet corner working on the entrance exams that Ginnie had designed. The rest of the students were split into two groups. Little Gina Nevers slipped away from the group where Meghan was instructing the younger students and ran up to Kate saying, "Mama said you got hurt." Kate bent down so she wasn't so far above the little girl. "Only a little, and the doctor made it better. In a few more days I won't even remember my arm ever hurt at all. Go on back to your lesson now, Gina." The little girl firmly planted a kiss on her cheek before she ran back to her seat. Kate smiled and stood back up. She went over to the Stevens girls. They were not really much older than Gina and most of the exam would be beyond them. She kept herself busy with them, not sure when Mr. Caudell was coming. Back at the Town Hall, Temple Morand has arrived in town. He answers Judge Isby’s questions and neither attorney objects to him sitting on the Jury. The Judge instructs Kevin Tomlinson to escort Mr. Morand over to the Territorial Office Building and wait for fifteen minutes until after the defendant has been brought in before returning with the Jury. Marshal Berg heads off to get the defendant. There are no more prisoners to guard but Berg still locks the door to the Marshal’s Office and Jail and leaves a pair of soldiers in town to guard the building. When Berg brings Wyatt to the trial Chester walks with them. He meets his eyes for a moment. Chester asks, "Was it worth it? All that vengeance?" Wyatt replies, "Ask me after this is over. I'm still hoping for an acquittal, but that will depend to a large extent upon the testimony of the chief defense witness." Chester replies, "I will ask you then Marshall. You and your clan have caused me and my friends a lot of grief. But I've seen the road you're on and I don't want to follow it. Good luck." As they reach the door he says, "Thank you Deputy. And in case you haven't figured it out yet, the chief defense witness who I am counting on is you. All I ask is that you tell the truth." Chester gets a surprised look on his face. "I am?" After a moment, he continues, "Don't worry. I'll tell the truth as I saw it." They reach the Town Hall and Earp is escorted to the front of the room. Only after he is seated does Berg unlock and remove the handcuffs. Seated alongside Wyatt Earp are Attorney Elihu Upton, San Francisco Attorney Hiram Brock and Wyatt’s brother Virgil Earp. Judge Isby announces that the trail will start is ten minutes and that he will allow photographers to take pictures for the next five minutes. A dozen photographers set up and take various photographs of the courtroom as the prosecuter, defendant and judge. The Judge asks the attorneys and the County Sheriff to stand. He says, “Gentlemen, I want this to be a trial, not a circus. I expect proper decorum from a courtroom. I also advise all parties to not attempt to prejudice the jury by referencing the defendant by either the title of Marshall Earp or Former Marshall, you are to refer to him as Mister Earp or Wyatt Earp. You may reference his previous employment in Promise City as Town Marshall in your presentation but that must be kept in proper context as a job that ceased several months ago.” Kevin Tomlinson soon returns with the twelve jurors from the Territorial Office building. They are seated in two rows of six chairs on the right side of the stage. The court is brought to order.</blockquote>

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