Jay blinked at them and gave a nod.
Dwight studied Hank’s face to try and judge his guilt. To say that Hank Robinson looked scared to death would be the understatement of the year.
“Is this the man?”
Swigert squinted his eyes and looked closely at Hank, shut them, shook his head, and refocused.
Then, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. “It’s him! That’s the face I saw! Yes, I remember now!” Flicking a look at the sheriff, he locked eyes with Hank as he continued. “I’d climbed up in the loft to fork some hay down for Bessie…saw a lump half buried in the straw…took a step…and you bolted up outta the hay like a prairie dog, looking just as surprised as I was.” He paused, sorting the images in his mind. “You…you yelled something like ‘Hey!’ at the same time as me…I took a step, dropped the pitchfork, and the next thing I knew I’d tripped and was tumbling out the loft door. I…I think I hit my head on the pulley as I went over. You…” he paused again, squinting as if it helped him visualize the actions. “You tried to grab me. I remember feeling a hand grab my pantleg as I went out, but you couldn’t hold me, I guess…”
Dwight watched the whole exchange, noticing the intense dread and then relief on Robinson’s face as Jay related what happened. Then he turned and looked their way, tears in his eyes, as he nodded before turning back to Jay. “That’s right, mister. I did try to catch you, honest I did. But I was still half asleep and it happened so darn fast. Then…” he swallowed and looked around a bit wildly at the others again. “Then, I heard him hit the ground…hard…and I heard the house door open and his wife scream and…I just panicked. All I could see was another mob coming at me, wanting to string me up, so…so I just ran.” He looked down and shook his head in disgust. “Seems like I do a lot of runnin’.” Then, he raised his head back up and looked Jay Swigert in the eye. “I should have stayed to help you…but I was just too scared. I’m sorry, mister. More sorry than I can put into words. I only intended to spend a night in your barn and be gone before sunup. I’m sure sorry for all…” he inclined his head toward Swigert’s injuries, “all the trouble I caused you.”
Jay gave a nod of understanding. Then, he looked at the sheriff. “Dave…what happens now?”
Dwight and his boss met one another’s eyes.
“Oh, when are they going to return!” Mary cried, the suspense was practically driving her over the edge. The baby seemed to be aware of her distress and had been moving quite vigorously since the moment she had first seen Hank. She kept her hand on her belly, caressing the tiny life there, trying to bring it comfort.
For what must’ve been the tenth time, she closed her eyes and prayed, Oh Father in Heaven, please be with Hank. Please let it be that he didn’t push Mr. Swigert out of the loft. I couldn’t bear it if he did it maliciously. I…I need my brother, Lord. You’ve taken everyone else away… she stopped and worried the edge of her lip, instantly ashamed as she gave her head one negative shake. No, forgive me, I didn’t mean that. I…I’ve lost everyone else…except Dwight and his family…and Doc…and my baby. But, Hank…he’s precious to me, Lord. Please help. Please…
Pearl came to stand beside her where she stood at the window. Finishing her prayer, she opened her eyes again, watching the leaves blowing down the street and craning her head to continue her vigil for Dwight’s return.
“It takes a while to get out there and back, but I’m sure they’ll be along soon. Come away from the window, honey,” she gently urged. “Come sit down and have something to eat. All of this fretting isn’t good for the baby.”
With a heavy sigh, Mary started to turn and comply, but a sudden movement down the street captured her attention and she turned back. Her heart sped up as she recognized the party that had left was now returning.
“They’re back!” she squealed, watching the horses and wagon stopping out front. Dwight climbed down off the wagon and then the party continued on. Her brother looked up at the house and she could see that his hands were now shackled in front of him.
“Oh no!” she gasped. “They’re taking Hank on to the jail!” Her heart was pounding so hard she almost felt faint as she watched her husband hurrying up the walk and taking the porch steps two at a time. Then, he was inside the house and coming to her as she turned from the window to meet him.
Pearl moved aside and Dwight took her in his arms. Oh no…he’s got bad news I just know it! She clung to him, shaking and trying to catch her breath, but hours of unrelenting anxiety pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
“What happened,” she asked, her voice sounding strangled. Her mind was a tangled mess of dread and fledgling hope—but she was desperately trying to hold fast to the latter.
Dwight just held her for another moment, swaying gently, his hand tenderly caressing her back, and then he murmured, “Everything is going to be all right, Mary. Mr. Swigert recognized him—” he stopped as she gasped in fear and jerked her head back to see his face. “No! That’s a good thing, sweetheart!” he rushed on. “As soon as Swigert saw Hank, the memories came flooding back. He said Hank merely surprised him, he tripped and fell. Hank didn’t push him. Matter of fact, Jay said Hank grabbed
