He turned to Jake.
“But you have to understand, Jake, that in this day and age, a man can no longer live just by the gun. There are laws and men who are appointed to carry out those laws, and regular citizens have to abide by those laws. Is that understood?”
Jake glanced at Randy and Little Jake. “The safety of my family is a different matter.”
“I understand that, and I don’t believe that you are any kind of danger to the general public. You even considered that when you held Mike Holt down so your bullet wouldn’t injure a bystander. That sounds strangely contradictory, I know, but it’s a fact. And overall you are well liked by most people and can be quite affable and productive most of the time. The fact remains that you should be punished.”
The judge hesitated, while everyone waited with baited breath to hear his decision.
Twenty-eight
Randy thought she might faint from terror over what the judge would say next. She held Little Jake tightly, her gaze locked on Jake, who in turn watched her lovingly, telling her with his eyes how much he loved her, how much he would miss her if he was going to jail…or worse.
Judge Carter shuffled a few papers before finally continuing. “Jake, were you aware that you were not supposed to be carrying a gun at that Cattlemen’s Ball?”
Jake sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Sir, if you were me, would you go anywhere without protection?”
The judge just shook his head. “Probably not, but that’s not what I asked you. Did you carry a hidden weapon at that ball when you knew no one was supposed to be armed?”
Jake looked at Peter, who nodded that he should reply truthfully.
“Yes,” Jake answered.
“And for that I fine you ten dollars.”
Jake looked at him in surprise as mumbles and whispers moved through the crowd. Randy sat up straighter, still clinging to a quivering Little Jake. No one could figure out if the very affordable fine was a good sign or not. Jake glanced at Peter, who just smiled.
The judge reached down and took something out from under his desk, setting a gun belt and ivory-handled guns on top of the desk. The holsters were decorated with white stitching with the letters JH. He reached underneath the desk again and took out yet another gun belt and guns. Jake recognized the mahogany handles of Lloyd’s guns, and the fancy scrolled L on the holsters.
“Now, Mr. Harkner, these, as you can see, are your guns and Lloyd’s. Right now they are not loaded.”
“Well, sir, I hope whoever unloaded them was very careful. Those guns have hair triggers. You could practically fire them with a baby’s breath.”
More whispers and a few chuckles.
The judge closed his eyes and sighed. “Yes, believe me, they were very careful.” He shoved both holsters toward the end of the desk where Jake was sitting. “I said you needed to be sentenced, Jake, so my sentence is another one hundred dollars for threats against the public and against our fine police department the night of the shooting. And for what I consider manslaughter, a year in jail.”
“No!” Randy whispered, hugging Little Jake closer when he started crying harder. Peter reached over and grasped her shoulder, pressing reassuringly. Lloyd started to rise, but Katie pulled at his arm. “No, Lloyd!”
The judge pounded his gavel again. “Quiet, everyone!” He sighed deeply. He turned back to Jake. “Mr. Harkner, since you’ve spent the last few days a virtual prisoner at the Brown Palace, I will consider that time served. As for the rest, since you are obviously needed by your son to help run your ranch while he heals, I order that the rest of your sentence be spent on the J&L.”
The crowd broke into whoops and applause, and Jake looked at Lloyd, who had a big grin on his face and tears in his eyes.
The judge again pounded his gavel, and everyone quieted. “Your sentence to stay on the J&L means I don’t want to find out that either you or your son have been seen in Denver until the sentence is completed,” he continued. “I don’t want you back here until it’s time to sign you off and release you, which will be July 31, 1897. I will allow you to go to nearby cities like Boulder and Longmont for supplies, but no loitering in saloons or”—he rolled his eyes in frustration—“brothels. The law in those cities will be notified to keep an eye on you if you go there. They will also be notified of the end date of your sentence.” He rubbed at his eyes. “And one more thing.”
Jake watched Randy, wanting to run over and grab her into his arms. He turned to the judge. “Yes, sir?”
“Mr. Harkner, I want your promise that if you do see one Brad Buckley, even if he comes up to taunt you in any way, you won’t shoot the man. Can you refrain from doing that?”