The Masquerade ch. 34
That afternoon the trial came to an end. The lawyers from both sides presented their final arguments in front of the jury. The case of The United States vs Jake Driscoll was now in the hands of the twelve men selected to decide his fate. The charges were destruction of private property, criminal mischief, endangerment of a child, kidnapping, attempted murder and possession of unlawful substance, for the use of nitroglycerin. If he was found guilty on any two of the charges, Jake would be sent to a Federal Prison for a sentence of twenty years. If he was found guilty on more than two of the charges the sentence would be prison for life.
Glad to have the trial over, Ethan returns to the hotel hoping to be in time to join the children for lunch. Walking up the stairs with Mitch beside him, Ethan says "I plan on staying in Denver just one more day. Then I'm heading home to Paradise. Claire wants all of us to go out to the boarding school before we leave town. I also need to wire the Andersons and let them know when to meet us at the train station. I'll do that right after lunch. Would you like to join us for lunch today?"
"Thank you but no. I am worn out from listening to all those men for days on end. Who knew lawyers were so gifted in speaking. I think I'm just going to take a long hot bath and relax in my nice quiet child free room. Those children of yours are always up to something! They tire me out." Mitch replies, teasing Ethan. He's aware Ethan knows he loves the children no matter what mischief they might get into. He feels as if he's a second uncle to them.
"Enjoy your evening then and we'll get with you for breakfast. Claire wants you to come out to the school also. Will you come?"
"Yes, I'll come. I wouldn't want to disappoint her. I'd like to see this fancy school also. I'll meet you all for breakfast at eight in the morning." Mitch answers as they reach the top of the stairs.
Walking the opposite way from Mitch, Ethan comes to the hotel room door. When he knocks on the door he hears Ben call out "Who is there?"
"It's your Pa, Ben. Please open the door."
"No, I can't open it." Ben answers.
"Benjamin Cord! Open this door immediately!" Ethan says sternly, shocked that the boy refuses to obey. Ethan is about to call out to Ben again when he finds Joseph next to him.
"It's Joseph. Open up Ben. It's alright. It's Joseph and Uncle Ethan really is out here too." Joseph calls through the door.
Guessing there is a story behind all of this, Ethan waits to ask Joseph until they are in the room. When the door is finally opened he sees Ben cautiously peek out into the hall as if to check on who really might be knocking. Seeing his Pa and brother, Ben opens the door wide.
After closing the door and locking it Ethan turns to look at the three boys who look just a bit worried.
"All right boys, I need to hear what is going on here. Joseph, why were you out in the hallway in the first place? Ben, what is it that has you afraid to open the door to me?" Then noticing Rob seems to be missing from the group he asks "Where is Rob? He's supposed to be right here with the rest of you."
Sighing under his breath, Joseph hopes his explanation will keep them out of trouble. From the look in his Uncle's eyes he can see the explanation better come quickly.
"Rob isn't here right now and I can't tell you where he is." Joseph begins only to have Ethan's eyes get darker and his mouth turn down. Realizing his Uncle took what he said in a different way, he quickly explains "I meant I don't know where he is not that I won't tell you."
"How long has he been gone?"
"He left before we got up I guess. We haven't seen him since last night. I really don't know where he is Uncle Ethan. I'm not trying to cover up for him at all. I'm mad with him for going off and leaving me all alone with the boys. That brings me to the part about the door."
"Also tell me why you were not in the room when you are housebound." Ethan tells him firmly.
"Yessir, I had to go out to the necessary. I told the boys to lock the door and not open it for anyone until they heard me say 'It's Joseph'. You told them they had to obey me so that's what Ben was doing. Please don't be mad at us. We've stayed in all morning except for three trips to the necessary."
"I'm sorry I disobeyed you Pa. I was only doing what you told us last night and obeying Joseph. He said if he came back and found I had opened the door before he told me too, he would spank me with my pants down. I didn't want a bare bottomed spanking so I didn't open it for you." Ben explains.
Ethan shakes his head at the irony of all of this. His rules have been followed only to backfire on him!
Not quite knowing what his Pa is thinking Ben asks "Are you mad at me? Am I in trouble, Pa?"
Sitting down on the sofa, Ethan holds his arms out saying "Come here boys, you too Joseph."
When all three are cuddled in his lap or sitting beside him, he continues "No, I am not mad at anyone here in the room. You all did exactly as I've told you to do. I'm proud of all of you for following the rules and keeping yourself safe. Having a code word before opening the door is very good Joseph. I'm proud of you for thinking of using that here as we do at home. Now would you like some lunch?"
When all three answer "yes sir" he says "Go back down to the washroom and wash your hands and faces. If I'm escorting boys to lunch they have to be clean and neat."
"I thought we were housebound to the room all day Papa." George speaks up earning glares from Joseph and Ben.
"What did I say wrong? We are housebound." George points out to his brothers.
"I think they are angry at you for reminding me of it, George." Ethan explains to the confused boy. "I'm lifting your punishment for the time it takes to go have a great lunch. This afternoon you can finish out your punishment. Now, all three of you young imps, let's go wash! I'm hungry!"
Later that afternoon Ethan has just sent Ben and George to take a rest when there's a knock on the hotel room door. Opening it, Ethan finds an angry hotel manager holding Rob by the arm.
"Are you the parent of this young man?"
"Not exactly, I'm his legal guardian. What is the problem sir?" Ethan answers noticing Rob will not meet his eyes. He continues to look at the floor.
"This boy has been in the Card Room most of the day. I've run him out of there twice since this morning but he manages to sneak back in. When I asked him his Father's name he told me "Will Jordan" but there is not anyone registered here by that name. It's taken most of the afternoon to get much out of him. The front desk clerk helped me find out which room he is staying in so I brought him to you. I assume he lied about his father then if you are not him."
"He told you the truth about his father. His father's name is Will Jordan but unfortunately he died a year ago. I am the boy's guardian so if you will tell me what he has done, I will take care of it. You said he was in the Card Room. Was he participating in the card games or drinking?"
"No, not that I saw anyway. The manager of the room sent word about an underage boy hanging around. He told me he's been having a problem with boys staying in the room although they've been told to leave. He himself told your boy to scram but the boy wouldn't leave. This happened last Tuesday also. I believe you are aware of that incident. I took him out twice myself but as I said before he snuck back in. We have rules in this hotel and one is the Card Room is strictly off limits to anyone under the age of twenty one!"
"I certainly understand Sir. I would like to apologize on Rob's behalf. I am aware that he was around the room earlier and I thought we had that settled." Ethan adds with a stern glare at Rob. "He has been taught better. You will not see him around that room again. Thank you for bringing him to the room. Good afternoon." Ethan says walking the man to the door.
Closing the door he says "Robert! Go To Your Room NOW! You and I need to have a long discussion. You knew you were not allowed anywhere near that room!"
Then watching Rob walk to his room, he turns to Joseph who has been listening quietly.
"Joseph, please go stay with Ben and George until I tell you differently."
"Yes Sir." Joseph answers, immediately walking to the boy's room. When Ethan has that look in his eyes Joseph moves to obey instantly. Closing the door of the boy's room he hears Ben whisper "Pa's really mad isn't he?"
"Ben, hush, you're supposed to be asleep and you will wake up George." Joseph whispers back.
Ben sighs quietly and then uses his connection with Joseph to send him a message silently. Let's go out there and listen at your bedroom door. We can find out what's going on and see if Rob is in trouble.
All right I'll go out there with you but if we get caught eavesdropping, we'll be the ones dropping something, our pants! Uncle Ethan will really get us if he finds out we listened. You do know that right?
I'm going to risk it. I want to know what he's doing to Rob. Ben answers back in his mind.
Both boys quietly sneak up to Joseph's bedroom door.
Ben?
What?
If I say GO you'd better run as fast as you can back to your room. Got it?
Yes.
Ben?
What?!
Do NOT make any noise out here!
Yes I know, now stop talking to me so we can listen!
With their ears pressed up against the door, the boys can hear Ethan talking.
"Robert, were you drinking today? What about playing cards or gambling? I want the truth. If I believe you are lying to me, I'll go talk to the manager of the Card Room and get the truth. One way or the other I will know what went on. You may as well make it easier on yourself and tell the truth to start with."
"I wasn't gambling or playing cards, Uncle Ethan. That is the absolute truth. I just sat and watched the men play. I swear to you I didn't participate in any games. I just wanted to watch them play."
"What about drinking? Have you had any beer or whiskey today?" Ethan asks already knowing the answer. He could tell the boy had been drinking when he first saw him.
"Uncle Ethan I did have some beer today. I know you are angry at me and are probably going to punish me but I do have a reason for drinking today."
"What might that reason be, Robert? You are well aware how I feel about drinking!" Ethan says angrily.
"Yes sir, I know how you feel about it but I needed it to forget for just a little while today." Rob says brushing the tears that have started to fall, off his face.
"You needed to forget what, Rob?" Ethan asks surprised to see the boy so upset.
"It was four months ago today that Uncle Vernon was killed. If it hadn't been for me, he'd still be here! It's all my fault!" Rob collapses on the bed sobbing into the pillow.
Outside the room Joseph tells Ben to go back to his room.
Let's go. We've heard enough and this is private anyway. I think it's time to go back to your room before we get caught.
Come on, Joseph! I want to hear the rest.
NO. Now come on before I pick you up and carry you back into that room like a baby.
Glaring at his older brother, Ben walks back to his bedroom with Joseph following behind him.
In Rob's room, Ethan is trying to get the boy to calm down enough to continue their discussion.
"Rob, you need to calm yourself. Sit up here and talk to me. What did you mean by 'it's all my fault'. What do you think was your fault?"
"That he got killed!" Rob nearly shouted. "If it weren't for me he'd still be alive. I made him get killed!"
"DO NOT raise your voice to me, young man! Speak to me respectfully please. Now explain to me how you think you are responsible for Vernon being killed."
Calmer now, Rob answers "That morning I insisted we go down to the bank to get some cash out of my account. Uncle Vernon had told me I didn't need to get any more money and that I had spent enough already. I'd been buying new clothes, books, sweets, toys and just about anything I thought of that I wanted. He wasn't happy with me wasting money as he called it. We argued and I insisted he go with me to the bank or I would just go demand they give me money. I knew he had to sign for me to get the money but I also knew the bank tellers would give it to me if I told them my name."
At Ethan's stern reproachful look, he hangs his head. "I know, I behaved badly and Uncle Vernon should have punished me. He didn't though. He hadn't punished me since I inherited all the money. At the time I was just happy he let me have my way. Now, I guess he should have stopped me. You would have punished me for acting like that."
"Yes, I certainly would have. You know better than to behave so rudely. Go on with the story. You and Vern went to the bank and then what happened?" Ethan asks.
"We got there and I was in line at the teller's station while Uncle Vernon waited by the picture window. He had signed the ticket for me to get my money. Just as I got to the window, these men came running in waving guns and yelling for people to lie down. Uncle Vern started to come to where I was and one of the men shot him! He hit him in the chest. Uncle Vern never got up again."
Ethan moves over to the bed and sits beside the now sobbing boy. Putting his arm around Rob's shoulders he says "Rob, this was NOT your fault. You did not send the men to hold up the bank that day. Besides that, Vern knew what he was doing. If he chose to move after being told to stay still, he would know what the men might do. He chose to risk his life in order to go protect you. Son, that is what any parent would do. This was in no way your doing and I want you to stop thinking it was. Will you believe me on this? Vern would want you to stop feeling this way and get on with your life. He wouldn't want to see you blaming yourself for something you had nothing to do with."
"Thank you, Uncle Ethan. I do see what you are saying. If Uncle Vernon knew I 'd been blaming myself, he'd be taking a switch to me!" Rob says. Then as if realizing what he'd just said he gasps and looks over at Ethan. "Uncle Ethan? You aren't planning on doing that are you?"
"What makes you think I might?"
"I was drinking beer and you told me never touch liquor. I apologize for disobeying your rule, it's just I need something to make me forget."
"Did the beer help you to forget, Rob? Did it make the pain of what happened go away?" Ethan asks watching for Rob's reaction.
Shaking his head sorrowfully Rob answers "No sir, it didn't change my feelings at all. I really thought it would. Instead it's making me feel funny. I feel strange and my stomach does too."
"Then you have learned a very good lesson today. Drinking will not help you solve a problem. It might make you feel good for just a little while but the problem does not go away. I want you to always remember this lesson. When you are of age and want to drink, then that will be fine. Just remember to do it because you want to not because you are trying to get away from something."
"Yes Sir. Are you going to punish me for how I've acted today? Pleassee don't whip me, I feel sick and my legs are getting to where I can't feel them. Did they fall off you think?
"You left the room without permission after being told you were housebound, you did not tell anyone where you were, disobeyed the managers here in the hotel, went into a room you were forbidden to enter and drank beer while under legal age. Do you think you should be punished?"
"Yes sir. I deliberately disobeyed you. I guess I'm going to get a whipping aren't I? Pa, please. I'm sorry! Oh, my head and stomach are moving around by themselves! Did I say I was sorry? I polgizzzee for ... UMM for ... well what I'm 'posed to 'polgize for. You gonna whip me with a swith? "
"Not this time, Rob. I see you were having a lot of problems today. I'm not going to whip you. You will be confined to the ranch for one week when we get home. This is all the punishment this time. Do not think I will go as easy on you if you are caught drinking again. I mean it young man!" Ethan says seeing the grin on Rob's face.
"Yes Sir, I know." Rob manages to say clearly while closing his eyes and holding tightly to his stomach.
" Rob ? Have you eaten anything today?" Ethan asks beginning to be concerned by the look of Rob's face.
"Just some crackers down in the … that room I was in. I don't know if I can eat anything. I feel a little sick" Rob answers suddenly pale in the face.
"Robert!" Ethan's voice is stern now. "Just exactly how much beer did you have?"
"Only five glasses. The man quit giving it to me after that. The old meanie!"
Robert William Jordan! You drank FIVE glasses of BEER? Young Man you are going to regret that! I think you already are." Ethan tells him as the boy starts to sway on the bed.
OHH, my stomach hurts and I need to find a chamber pot. I feel kinda funny in my head too, my face feels fuzzy. Do I have fur on my face? Fur like a yog I mean a dog? It would be funny goo yook yike a yog. Hee, I cand say id wight!"
"I hear that and no you don't have fur on your face. I can't believe you drank FIVE glasses! No wonder you feel strange! Rob, I think you'd better come with me. Stand up and let me hold on to you. I'll help you walk."
"We goin to the barn now? Ya goin' to whip me 'gain? I sorry Pa! I be a dood boy." Rob says his voice sounding like a much younger child.
"If we were at home the answer to that would be yes. I already told you what your punishment is and I'm not changing my mind. We're going to the water closet and then the washroom. After that you need to go to bed and sleep until you feel better."
"I sorry Pa. Wobby be good now. I not want a whipping 'gain. Belt whippin hurts!"
"You're forgiven. We won't talk of this behavior anymore today. Just remember to keep away from liquor from now on." Ethan says walking the boy down to the water closet before taking him to the washroom for a bath.
Later, hearing a knock on the door, he opens it to find Mitch in the hall. "Come in but keep your voice down, the children are already in bed. Rob decided to try his luck at drowning his sorrows today and is feeling the outcome. What brings you here at this time of night?"
"I wanted to tell Claire, I won't be able to go to the school tomorrow. I just received a word from the telephone saying one of us needed to go back to the courthouse to sign some papers first thing in the morning. I told them I would come as you already had plans made with the children. I'll see the school another time."
"I'll tell her and I know she'll understand. Thank you Mitch, for taking so much of the work on this trip. Without you, I couldn't have spent any time with the children. We're going to be back here tomorrow by five o'clock. I plan to get them an early supper and send them to bed. Our train leaves Denver at eight Sunday morning. We'll have to be at the station by seven thirty!"
"That's fine. I'll be ready to get home. I miss the quiet of Paradise don't you?" asks Mitch.
"Very much so, I don't enjoy the city life at all. Besides that, there are just to many temptations for the children to find trouble here. It's easier in Paradise. No automobiles, boats, or card rooms to tempt them into trouble! I'm with you. I can not wait to get to the ranch and find peace. The city is too busy for my taste!"
"So, I won't need to worry about you deciding to get an automobile for the Sheriff's office any time soon?"
"I will never be involved with one of those noisy, crazy contraptions, Mitch! You can rest easy on that!" Ethan answers smiling at his friend's teasing.