The Disappearance

When I took Miriam to our room that night, I found the key on the mantle and locked the door.

"Why are you locking it?" She asked as she began to disrobe.

"I kissed you and now Asher's not speaking to me. If he walks in on what I'm going to do to you now, he'll shoot me!"

I waited, wondering how she'd react, whether her face would close against me but then Miriam smiled, she even gave a light laugh and I went to her. I was beginning to care for her more and more and I flattered myself that she was falling in love with me. That evening we took our time with each other, almost languorous in our goal of mutual pleasure. And she used her warm mouth on me and I repaid her efforts with equal exuberance. It seemed that we had passed through a barrier of some type and I felt closer to her than any time before.

Afterwards, I held her next to me and told her about the Horseshoe Mine, how it would take a great deal of work and man hours to clear the rocks and debris and even then, I'd have to hire another engineer to examine the strata for accessible traces of silver. And then I told her about my 'social' call on the Harry Baxter.

"He told me if I wanted to reopen the mine again, I'd have to do it on my own. I reminded him we were partners—or had he forgotten that when he bought Reese Murray's shares. So I asked him if he wanted to sell me his shares. Then I'd own the mine practically outright so it'd be worth my time and money.

"He said he'd have to discuss it with the other shareholders. So I questioned him about them, who they were because I wanted to contact them; I wanted to call a share-holder meeting."

What I didn't tell Miriam was that Baxter was sweating so badly he mopped his brow with his napkin instead of his handkerchief. And Lorelei sat silently in the background, listening and watching. As I looked at them both, I tried to imagine the two of them, Lorelei and Harry Baxter in their bed, him on top of her and grunting away. Her mouth was hard, so firmly set in a perpetual frown, that to kiss it would be like kissing cold stone. And then the "pillow talk" afterwards. I couldn't imagine that happening and it seemed too grotesque to picture. I couldn't fathom anyone wanting Lorelei Murray, even it was just to release any pent-up urges. But it takes all kinds in this world.

"And?" Miriam sat up in bed and looked down at me. The lamp light was behind her and her face was still in shadows, her hair partially down from our tussle in the sheets. I reached up and pushed a few strands away from her face.

"And what?"

"What are you going to do?"

"Push Baxter some more. Maybe then he'll have to act, get to the bank or something, anything that might be worthy of opening an investigation—or the other shareholders will have to come forward. Baxter's been sitting pretty for the past few years and now I've lit a fire. Someone'll want to put it out."

She was quiet and I couldn't quite read her expression. When she spoke, her voice was harsh—as if the words gave from with difficulty. "Leave it alone. Just count the mine as a loss and leave the whole thing alone."

"Now you sound like my father. He's said it before and when I stopped by Hoss', he was there and said the same thing. Hoss agreed."

"Then listen to them. Forget about the mine."

"I can't. I have a few thousand invested and also, I think they're taking me for a fool."

"So it's your pride. You know what the Bible says about pride."

"No, it's not just my pride. I think there's something illegal going on and I have to do something about it."

"Why? Why do you have to do something about it. Leave things be. If there's something illegal going on then you're dealing with-think of the type of men who would using the mine for criminal purposes. Think about that."

Now I sat up. "I sent a wire to Wellman at the bank in Sacramento; he had written me that letter about Baxter possibly being a strawman in a previous transaction at his bank. By this Saturday, I should have the answer I need. And maybe then Roy'll start to investigate—make some people nervous. I also sent out some wires asking about the Forest Investment Group; they bought the 15% shares. When I asked Baxter about them, he said that he knew very little about the group, had just a passing acquaintance with Tom Jeffries who managed the group. But when I asked how I could contact Jeffries, I thought he'd piss himself. After that, the whole tenor of the room changed and Lorelei rushed me out. Baxter's up to no good."

"Leave it alone, Husband." Her voice rose. "Let Reese Murray stay dead in the mine and have nothing else to do with the Baxters. You may think you're untouchable because your family is prominent and because you're clever, but you can be hurt—even killed. People do things when they're desperate—things they never thought they'd do."

There was something about Miriam's face and her words that brought a chill. But the night shadows kept me from seeing her clearly and it could have just been a trick of the light and my imagination. But her voice-I didn't imagine the fear. I didn't imagine the terror below the surface.

~ 0 ~

The next morning, I left early-even before Miriam was awake. I had coffee and two cold biscuits with gooseberry jam and then headed for the Ponderosa. My father said he'd go to the mine with me and give his opinion on the cost of clearing it out. I'd told him that the shoring that could be seen was still upright and strong. I had incorporated the honeycomb structure created by The Dutchman, Philip Diedeshiemer, who had revolutionized the Ophir mine and many others. And Hoss was coming over to help set up new fencing and repair the porch steps at the house so I'd have the time to recruit workers.

I knew Asher would be happy to have his "Unca Hoss" around and hopefully, Hoss could make him forget his anger with me and help my son regain his good-natured equanimity. And I had told Miriam to prepare a big noon meal as Hoss would be hungry—I suggested her bean soup and bread as Hoss would want to sop up every drop.

My father and I examined the mine. "Looks like the whole mountain came down," my father said as we stood in the tunnel holding lanterns. "I don't know, Adam. You're looking at quite a bit of money and if you want to hire Ponderosa hands to clear it, you'll have to wait until after round-out and branding. And even then…I say leave it as an abandoned mine. You said Baxter's not interested and seems like the minor shareholders aren't interested either."

"You know, Pa. Reese Murray's supposed to be buried under all that rock but we don't really know it. Don't you think his widow would want to recover it or would at least want his death finalized? And what if he's not even there? Maybe he took off with the money from the bank?"

My father sighed and looked at me. "Adam, I know that when you've made up your mind you don't listen to anyone else but I'm going to say it again-leave the mine be. Chalk it up to lesson learned and walk away."

"Maybe you're right. Miriam says the same thing but…there's something not right…how does Harry Baxter make a living? He doesn't work. Lorelei wasn't a wealthy widow and now we have a shadow company that no one seems to have any information about, and they've slipped into the background. I'm intrigued by the whole thing and it's rotten to the core—I know it."

My father put a hand on my shoulder. "Adam, listen to your wife even if you won't listen to me. Forget about it, go home and get busy giving Miriam a child. Enjoy your life and forget about all this. Turn your back on it and walk away." He glanced about the mine again. "I don't think I ever want to enter here again." He turned to leave and then stopped. "Well, come on, Adam. Lets' get some fresh air."

~ 0 ~

Asher had never eaten the gumdrops I'd given him and despite his day spent "helping" Hoss around the place, he still glowered at me and lowered his head at the dining table. I decided to behave as if nothing was wrong, as if all was well but Miriam put her hands on my chest as I slipped my arm about her waist to pull her to me. It was subtle but I received the message; no obvious affection in front of Asher.

The next day was Saturday and I had to smile at Miriam who seemed excited at going into Virginia City to buy a new hat—as many hats as she desired—and to be fitted for a few new dresses. The color was high on her cheeks and she had her hands full with Asher; he didn't want to go for some reason or the other.

Finally, I stepped in. I knew Miriam was watching and I wanted her to approve of me; I didn't want to upset the delicate relationship we were developing. If she turned her back on me, if she became angry and cold, well, I didn't even want to consider it.

"Asher, put your boots on and get your hat. We're going to town and I don't want to hear any more about it. Now, either you do what Miss Miriam told you to do or I'll have my say with you over my knee. Now you decide what you want."

I waited, standing his bedroom door. Miriam was downstairs, pacing as she waited. I could imagine her listening carefully for a raised voice or wails from Asher as he was spanked. But Asher decided to comply and sat on the rug, pulling on his small boots. Then he took his little flat-brimmed hat from the low peg on the wall and put it on his head.

"Good," I said. "Now let's go." I stood aside and Asher walked past me, looked up at me and then went down the stairs. I was close behind him and saw Miriam's relieved look. A battle of the wills had been avoided—for a time, at least.

All the way to town, Asher sat between us, avoiding me as much as possible, talking to Miriam about all that Hoss had taught him. "And Unca Hoss said that you have to be careful not to hammer your thumb." Asher giggled and Miriam laughed as well. "He told me one time he hit his thumb stead of the nail and it swole up real big and then his thumbnail turned black and fell off and for a long time he didn't have a nail at all! He said that's why they call them thumbnails and fingernails—'cause people hit them so much 'stead of the real nails."

By the time we arrived in town, the place was buzzing. There were more men, more horses and more noise than just a few days ago. I had forgotten that ranches were now hiring cowhands. Drifters looking for a few weeks of work were arriving and discovering that Virginia City had four bars and even more whorehouses—all of which opened for business soon after sunrise.

The bars served bowls of boiled eggs and soon the floors would be littered with eggshells that would be pulverized under boot heels. And the balconies of the brothels were full of women calling to customers as they sidled and turned and leaned over to reveal their creamy breasts to the appreciative cowboys. The whole town crackled with energy.

I found a place to leave the buckboard and asked Miriam to take Asher with her. He was standing in front of her anyway, leaning back against her full skirts and she placed her gloved hands on his shoulders.

"I have to go to the telegraph office, the bank and maybe even the Baxters' again. So if you'd take him to the milliner's and the dress shop with you, I'll meet you there in about…what? Two hours?"

She agreed but I knew she was disappointed I wasn't letting the whole matter go. I watched as she and Asher went off, her holding his hand. I decided I'd buy Asher another bag of gumdrops—maybe even molasses candies and a few butterscotch. It might serve as a peace offering. But I had to get to the telegraph office. I wanted to know what Wellman had to say about Baxter, alias Haddon B. Atherton and if he had heard of the Forest Investment Group.

I was sitting in Roy's office, drinking his bad coffee and discussing the telegram I'd received; Wellman had died of a fever last summer and no one else at the bank could be of service at that time. "Nevertheless, if we can be of service to you on any other matter, please feel free to contact us again."

"I guess that kinda finishes it," Roy said, leaning back in his chair. He seemed a little smug.

"The hell it does." The door opened and Miriam came in. She was pale—her lips almost bloodless.

"What is it?' I stood up and grabbed her shoulders; she looked as if she was going to faint. I put her in the chair and Roy bustled around feeling as helpless as I did. I thought she was going to faint.

Miriam grabbed my arm as I leaned over her—clutching it. "I can't find Asher."

"What do you mean? You took him with you."

"He was bored. I was trying on hats and he asked me for candy. I told him that I'd buy him some as soon as I was finished but…I know how easily children are bored and there was nothing for him to do and he kept asking…" Here she began to cry, the tears coursing down her face. "I gave him a dime. The store is right across the street. It's only a few yards. I told him to watch crossing because of all the people and he never came back. I asked the store clerk and he said he's been so busy—all the drovers in town and such, that he didn't even notice." Here she dropped her face in her hands and sobbed. "I looked all over for him. I went up and down the street—I looked in other stores, asked people and no one's seen him! No one! Oh, where is he? Oh, Adam! We have to find him!"

I dropped to one knee beside the chair. "Miriam, listen to me—listen." I spoke as calmly as I could manage. "I'll go look for him. Sheriff Coffee…" I looked up at Roy and he broke in.

"I'll start lookin' for your boy right now and spread the word. I'll get my deputy out lookin' too. Why he's probably just met up with some other boys and is out playin' on some side street. Why he probably hasn't given the time any thought. Now you just stay calm. Help yourself to coffee." Roy glanced at me and left his office. Miriam and I were alone.

"Do you think he's right?" She clung to my jacket front, wanted me to assure her.

"I'm sure. Either Asher's found some other boys or he's still mad at me and is off pouting somewhere. Now, sit out front on that bench. You'll be able to see if Asher goes back to the hat shop to find you or see him if he comes out of any of the nearby stores."

"Yes, yes, I'll do that." She had pulled a handkerchief out of her reticule and wiped her eyes and face. "I suppose I overreacted. It's just that it's so busy today—so many people."

"Yes." I helped her from the chair and then led her out front to the bench. "I'll go back to the hat shop and then go on from there. You stay here and wait. Promise me. I don't want to lose you in this crowd as well."

She weakly smiled. But I left her to join in the search for Asher. But we never found him that day nor the next and I felt as if my heart had been ripped from my chest and left an open hole. And Miriam turned to stone.

TBC