Chapter Seven
A/N I want to apologize-as I should have made it clear that Jeremiah/Jarrod only recently learned the truth. So, during the Civil War, he had no clue he was helping his brother.
Nick was seated behind the desk that sat in the corner of the Billiard room. He'd been more than relieved to find out that Audra had left for Colorado a few days before, to spend the summer with their Aunt Clara. He'd also been thrilled to learn that Gene had sent a telegram saying he had been given an opportunity to study in Boston, under a doctor whom he had met. He would be in Boston for at least six months. It lessened the people in 'this matter'-as Adam Pierce had put it. Victoria sat on the sofa while Heath was leaning against the Billiard table. Silas, McColl and Ciego were in the room as well. 'They've worked for us the longest and proven themselves extremely honest and faithful. I don't want them clueless' had been his response when Adam Pierce had started to object. The man had backed off only because Jeremiah had spoken up and told the man that Nick had a valid point.
"What's going on, Nick?" Victoria, who was growing uneasy with Nick's continued silence, pressed him to tell everyone why he'd asked for the meeting-especially since he'd insisted for three of their employees to attend as well.
"I met a man in Modesto, Jeremiah Shaw, only he's going by the last name of Stone. Actually talked to him during the war…but never face to face." He went onto tell them everything from the moment he first saw Jeremiah in the saloon to the moment they rode into the way station and met up with Adam Pierce. He wasn't shocked by the looks of surprise and disbelief that leapt onto all their faces.
"Are they serious?" Victoria found her voice and asked the question that was all in all their eyes.
"Very," Nick leaned slightly forward and looked at Heath. "If they're right about Barrett, Jeremiah won't have a chance if…" he paused as an apologetic look appeared in his eyes. He needn't have worried as Heath spoke up.
"If he makes friends with me," He kept a steady gaze on Nick, who let out a frustrated sigh.
"I don't want to think that Barrett knows just how bad General Alderson is supposed to be, and that he simply thinks they were both-secretly-on the side of the South during the war. Only, yes, if Jeremiah doesn't at least treat you the way Barrett is now, there's not much chance of Barrett warming up to him and telling him whatever he knows." Nick leaned back in his chair.
"When will this Jeremiah arrive?" Victoria, who appreciated that the fact that the gentleman had told Nick everything-and that Nick had, in turn, told them, stood up.
"After he gets some business done in Stockton," Nick leaned forward and then addressed the last issue he had on his mind. "While I can't see this being a problem for any of us, you should still be aware 'Mr. Stone'," Nick said as he flicked his fingers in the air as he said Jeremiah's alias, "is married. Her name is La'akea. And, no," he quickly added due to the curiosity that popped into all their eyes. "She's not Caucasian. She's from one of the Polynesian Islands. I never asked which one and; no, don't even suggest Jeremiah bought her." He grinned and told them what the gentleman's reaction had been when Adam Pierce had chosen to ask about that thing; it brought chuckles from all of them. "So, are there any objections? Do I hire 'Jeremiah Stone' or does he find another way to 'meet Barrett for the very first time'?"
"You said their paths crossed once during the war." Victoria spoke up. "Is there a chance Barrett will recognize him anyway?"
"Yes they met, but only once…and Barrett doesn't have a photographic memory. Even if he did," Nick moved his thumb up and down, "Jeremiah was clean shaven, and his hair was short, during the war. He has a full beard, mustache and long hair now, though he had the beard trimmed and the hair cut in Modesto; his hair hangs just below his shoulders. "
"Sounds more like a mountain man," McColl grinned.
Nick smiled and agreed, but assured the foreman Jeremiah had told him he'd only traveled through mountainous areas, but never lived in them. "So," he quit laughing and looked around. "what's the verdict? Do I hire the gentleman or does he stay in Stockton and find another way to meet Barrett?"
Victoria was torn. If General Alderson was guilty and Barrett knew where he was, she wanted this Jeremiah Shaw/Stone to get the information. On the other hand, she hated the idea that Heath would have another ranch hand that merely tolerated having him as a boss. However, Heath solved that dilemma when he voted to have Nick hire the man on. "At least his treatment of me will only be an act, and they need to find the general. When it comes to his wife, I'd say who he married is his business. I'll not bad mouth her simply because of where she's from." He went on to tell Nick hoped that; maybe, the federal government would be proven wrong about Alderson.
"Thanks," Nick threw Heath a thankful smile, but told his brother not to hold his breath. "Any man willing to give orders to someone other than the man they should have given them to, is probably willing to be part of the plot Alderson is accused of being involved in." He then looked at Victoria.
"If Heath has no problem with how 'Mr. Stone' will treat him, I say hire him. His wife is more than welcome as well." The Barkley matriarch answered.
Nick looked at McColl who simply shrugged his shoulders. "If he's willing to pull his weight while he's here-and warns us if he finds out there will be trouble -I'm fine with it." He then said he had no problem in being polite to the man's wife. "I may not agree with marrying outside one's race, only I sure don't like the way many people treat those that choose to do so."
Ciego and Silas both said pretty much the same as the others had.
"Fine," Nick pushed his chair back, stood up and looked at McColl, saying that they needed to get back to work. After they left the room, Silas and the others followed. After all, they all had things to do. Waiting around wasn't going to hasten, or delay, Jeremiah Shaw/Stone's arrival.