By morning Tod was awake and sitting up in bed, the old hotel clerk had brought he and Janet breakfast. As they ate Janet explained to Tod just exactly what happened the night before and that Buz was in jail, Tod grew worried by the situation upon hearing how unreasonable Mr. Thomas was.

"Is there a good lawyer in town?" Tod asked.

As he spoke Janet was shaking her head. "No. There is only one and I wouldn't trust him to help me cross the street much less defend me in court," she said.

"Well I have to talk to Buz and the sheriff. I just don't know what we'll do," Tod said.

"You really need to rest," Janet advised. She touched his forehead.

"Thank you for helping me, Janet. But Buz has risked it all to help me and now I need to help him," Tod said. He tossed the covers aside and slowly stood up, he went to gather some clothes to change into.

Janet smiled. "There hasn't been anyone like you and Buz around here in a long time. Helping each other because you are friends and that being the plain simple of it," she said.

Tod got a pair of pants and a shirt and headed to the bathroom to change. "Yeah, you've got yourself a real nice little town here," he said with a look. As he changed he felt a little dizzy and so tired, but resting would have to wait, maybe even when they were on their way out of town. He came out and he and Janet went to the sheriff's office, upon their appearance the sheriff stood up.

"You oughtn't be here. Neither one of you," Efrem said.

"Efrem, Tod wants to see Buz," Janet said.

"So this is the Tod all this trouble got started over? Looks kinda tired, maybe you should take him back to the hotel where you was keeping him," Efrem said.

Tod took a seat in front of the desk, feeling weary, he looked around at the small space. It was old and the floor creaked with every step, the walls were plain wood and basically unadorned save for a couple of pictures of western scenes and shotgun rack. The only seating was around the desk, one chair behind and two in front, Tod felt Janet's hand on his shoulder and he shifted his gaze to the door he assumed lead back to the cells that stood two feet from the desk.

"Efrem, please. He wants to see his friend and further Buz has a right to visitors," Janet said.

Efrem looked at her long and hard before his face softened and he sighed. "You're right, of course. Janet, honey, you know how I feel about you. I've always loved you and I always will, but you shouldn't have gotten involved in this, it could be the end of it all," he said, he reach across the desk to take her hand. Tod watched with interest.

"Then let it be. I think it would be a relief if he would just... just do something. Yell at me, hit me, anything," Janet said.

"Jan, honey, don't talk like that," Efrem said.

"If you don't mind my butting in, what are you talking about? I mean, did I miss something?" Tod asked.

"I guess you should know. I'm Mr. Thomas's daughter. I'm the reason he keeps medicine stored away on the ranch," Janet said.

"You're his daughter?" Tod asked.

"Yes that's right. The best part of that old goat brother of mine," Efrem said.

"My brother came into town those years ago to take me home when he found out I was sick. But he got sick too, but by the time we knew the doctor had already given me the last shot in town. When my brother died my father threw me out of the house and told me to never set foot on the ranch again, he blames me for the death and he will never forgive me," Janet explained, looking away, towards the door.

"That's awful. He must be a sick man to withhold medicine from everyone," Tod said.

"You'll find no one sicker in the state of Texas," Efrem said.

"I think it is good that you came Tod. It will get things settled one way or another," Janet commented.

"Well, come on and I'll take you to see your friend," Efrem said. He got the keys out of the drawer and lead them back to the cells.

Buz stood up when he saw the sheriff come through the door with Janet behind him and he smiled when he saw Tod. "Tod! What are you doing out of bed? Still, I'm happy to ya," Buz said.

Tod smiled back. "I'm happy to see you too. I had to come and thank you for what you did and try to figure out some way to help you with this mess," he said.

Before Buz could speak again they heard the door open and footsteps coming back to them, Mr. Thomas appeared, eyes flashing with anger upon seeing Janet. "You! All this is your fault!" he said. He grabbed her by the wrist and jerked her to him.

"Hey!" Tod said, taking a step forward.

Mr. Thomas hit him hard across the mouth and turned and fled, Janet in hand.