The Skeleton Key
PT.29
Kitty made several stops that afternoon. She stopped at the bank then Steven Fontaine's office to sign more papers to put in motion the plans for LaRouge Manor to be transformed into the school and home. And then her next stop was Ramone's home.
As the butler announced her, "Ah, Kathleen, you didn't need to make a trip into town. I would have gladly come to the manor."
"No, no, I was already here. Errands!"
"Ahhh. I should have known, women."
"That's enough, Ramone. Actually, I just came from Andre' Bakery. I wanted to try and see if maybe my talking to Rose and Thomas would do some good in changing their minds about Emily. Ramone, that child, she is such a smart little girl. She could do so well with just a little um…"
"I know, Kathleen. She reminds me of myself when I first lost my sight."
"Well, Rose told me she lost her sight at age two. A virus of some kind. She was real sick for a long time, so she's been this way for five years now."
"Well, Kathleen, you'll never know what it means to me, you doing what you doing for us."
"Oh, Ramone, I just see it as giving something back. And what else would I do with that big old place?" Shrugging her shoulders, "Someone needs to do something to help these children and I for one admire what you are doing in teaching them the skills to survive in their lives."
"Kathleen, how can I ever repay you?"
"That's easy," smiling with her brows raised. "Make the school and shelter a big success. Now, I have to get going."
"Again, thank you."
"You are welcome, my friend."
The two hugged, saying their goodbyes."
Later That week
Matt and Kitty rose early. Steven Fontaine had arranged a small hearing with a judge to speed up the procedure. Eduard and Patrice agreed to let a judge rule on their case. Kitty was particularly quiet.
She was sitting fixing her hair. Matt stood in the doorway, watching as he had done for many years. "Uh, huh… Hummmmmmm!"
Now peaking back at her refection in the mirror. "What? What is it?"
Shaking his head. "Kit," now walking up close, crouching down behind her. "Honey, after all these years, you are still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Slightly giggling, "Oh, Cowboy, I'm not a young girl anymore."
Now snuggling close to her neck, "But, you're my girl."
"Ummmmm, I love you, Kit."
Slightly turning her head, "Aw, I love you, Cowboy."
"Kit, honey, I am here for you, no matter what. Don't you ever forget that, ever."
Leaning her full weight into him, I know. I know you are. Matt, I don't know that I could have done this without…"
"Ssshhhhh," placing a finger on her lips, "don't, Honey. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. Now let's go get this over with."
Matt and Kitty along with Fontaine, met up with Mike at the small court house. Mike's second assistant brought Eduard and Patrice along with a young lawyer Eduard called since he no longer could count on Baldwin. He was another associate who worked for the family, Clark Barrett.
Everyone introduced themselves while they waited for the rest to arrive.
Henri' Baldwin chose to represent himself, figuring he knew he already made a deal.
Patrice sat staring at Kitty and still, after everything, turned and boldly said, "I can't believe you'd do this to me, your own flesh and blood. We're family, Kathleen. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Matt just held Kitty's hand, slightly squeezing it, hoping she wouldn't lose her temper. Kitty sat, saying nothing, her jaw continuing to tighten. Patrice rattled on and on while Barrett was trying his best to contain her.
Finally, "SILENCE! Please conduct yourself in my court room."
When they all turned, entering the room was the judge. The bailiff announced, "All rise. The Honorable Judge Byron Halstead."
"Be seated. Counselor, please get control of your client. Young lady, there will be no more of those unsightly outbursts in my court room. Is that understood?"
Patrice stood staring at him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you, young lady."
Barrett nudged her, "Answer him."
"Yes." She said in a defeated tone.
"Now, I have read this most unusual and, shall I say, shocking display of behavior in a family such as this and I have known both these families, might I say, most of my life. Mister Fontaine, Mister Barrett, I understand we have two sets of charges on today's docket. But a deal in place as well?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Fontaine answered.
Barrett nodded in agreement . "Ok, Mr. Fontaine, proceed."
"I call Henri' Baldwin to the stand."
Baldwin walked up was sworn in and sat in the chair. Keeping it simple, Fontaine asked him to tell the judge what he was hired to do.
Henri` proceeded to explain that he was hired by Eduard and Patrice to draw up papers that would give Patrice and Eduard full control of LaRue and LaRouge businesses and personal properties, making them sole heirs of both family fortunes. Then he added, "When Constance LaRouge invited her grandniece for a visit and revealed she was actually her grandmother and not grandaunt and was turning everything over to her instead, Patrice LaRouge, well…" Now looking at the judge.
"Well what?" The Judge asked. "Out with it. Your deal was for full disclosure."
"Ok, those two came up with a plan to get rid of her, leaving her," now pointing at Patrice, "as the last one left. See, Eduard had a stake in this too."
Frowning, the judge asked, "How so?"
"Well, Judge, Eduard is also Kathleen Russell's cousin."
"Huh?"
"See, Constance LaRouge is Miss Russell's grandmother, not her aunt like they thought. Miss Russell's grandfather is none other than Benjamin LaRue, the grandfather of Eduard LaRue, so that makes them cousins and he also left everything to Miss Russell, his granddaughter. These two, being angry, plotted to get rid of her to gain back their inheritance. So, they paid me to help and paid me well. But I never intended to kill anyone. She was just supposed to stay hidden till they signed the papers. Honest Judge." Then he looked to Kitty. "I wouldn't have killed you."
"YOU LITTLE WEASLE! This was just as much your idea. You helped come up with this plan!" Patrice was now standing, screaming and pounding her fist on the table in front of her. Then she looked at Kitty. "WHY? Why did you have to come back here? Why couldn't you just stay away like father and grandfather wanted? Stay in that… that dirt town you choose to call home."
"Young Lady, that is enough!" The Judge yelled, banging his gavel.
Barrett quickly grabbed her arm. "Miss LaRouge, please, control yourself."
She completely ignored Barrett. "Kathleen, you and your friends…"
Judge Halstead stood. "Young Lady, Order in My Court! I won't have this kind of behavior."
"Judge, do you know who I am? I am the granddaughter of Jacque LaRouge. We are one of the wealthiest families in all New Orleans and this is just appalling that I be treated this way."
"Young Lady, I've just begun." He now was staring at her with a cold hard glare.
Patrice wasn't remembering Constance's words to her at the jail nor did she know that Constance attached a letter to the judge.
"SIT DOWN, Mrs. LaRue, or I will have you removed and continue this proceeding without you."
Barrett and Eduard both grabbed an arm forcing her to sit.
"Mister Baldwin, you are dismissed. Your next witness, Mister Fontaine."
Looking around, "Your Honor, I would like to call Miss Kathleen Russell."
Kitty stood, Inhaled deeply and squeezed Matt's hand.
He whispered, softly, "You can do this, Kitty. You can do this."
TBC
