Chapter Four
The body was released for burial and a Coroner's Inquest was set for one week from the funeral.
The funeral was a large affair. Aside from Melanie and Sammy, and the workers from the newspaper—-the crowd was filled with onlookers wanting to see a conflict. They were disappointed since no Barkley showed up.
Melanie played the dutiful wife with a black mourning dress and heavy veil. Sammy was dressed in a new black suit with a striped vest. The gray and black stripes with his starched white shirt made his gray hair look distinguished and bright. He stood several steps respectfully behind Melanie at the gravesite and took her arm to drop a handful of dirt and a single white rose into the open grave.
"White because you destroyed my innocence. I only thought that happened in Washington."
The funeral was over and he walked her past the newspaper staff. She shook each hand and thanked them for coming.
She had told them the day before, a new editor would be hired and she would keep the paper. She pressed an envelope in each of their hands with a bonus, "for your service and loyalty to me."
They shook their heads in agreement.
—-&—
The subpoenas were issued by the federal marshal to give depositions to the investigation. They decided to send one with anyone with a motive or financial gain in the death of Peter Doolin along with those who interacted in various crime scenes. The list was long.
Mrs. Melanie DeLand
Sammy R Lincoln
Jarrod and Contessa Barkley
Mrs. Victoria Barkley
Nicholas Barkley (Nelle Anne Barkley indisposed)
Heath and Sally Ann Barkley
Jacob Kyles
Jack and Gisella Darby
Rory and Eugenie Smith
Anson Gregory junior
Douglas 'Duke' McColl
Dr. Howard Merar
Eugene Barkley
Maid at Doolin home
They also had a list of couriers and suspicious men with no names. Newspaper clerks upon questioning revealed Mexican couriers, a San Francisco unnamed benefactor, numerous household servants of several Stockton, Lodi, Modesto, and Sacramento families, and a host of other after-hour visits they were not privy to—-
The Pinkerton report was rife with intrigue and no conclusions.
Jarrod looked at the deposition list. It was similar to the one he would have composed if this were his trial.
"Eugene? Was Rory up at the ridge when the Kyles were found?"
"Not sure. Maybe?"
"Me either but I admit my mind was elsewhere."
"Probably rode in with McColl."
"Probably," as Jarrod focused back on the names and their connections to Doolin.
Nick laughed, "Since he got that honey on his stinger, he ain't thinking straight."
Jarrod frowned still angry at Eugenie.
"Come on Jarrod, they are kids. He's a good worker. And got a kid coming."
Jarrod cut his eyes at his brother and looked down at the list.
—-&—-
Eugenie was in a panic when Rory got the subpoena.
"We are ruined. They know."
"Know what?"
"That I sent messages to Doolin."
"No one ever saw me."
"The butler did."
"He wouldn't tell."
"Yes, he would."
She wailed and screamed and cried," We gotta get out of here."
"No. I owe it to the Barkley's to stay. We got a kid to think about. Nick done hired me back once. Won't use up all the goodwill I stored up with him."
"I have money, Rory. Let's go."
"No honey I won't. Stay calm. I will make up a reason. A good one for taking messages those couple of times. Like the library thing."
"No!"
"Lay down honey. Think of the baby."
"I am. I can't have a baby in jail."
He looked horrified.
"What have you done, Eugenie?"
She lurched in pain and her waters broke in a flood and puddles at her feet. She screamed and Rory picked her up.
"I will go get a lady at the house. They'll know what to do."
Eugenie was screaming and shrieking as Rory ran out of the house.
—-&—
"Mis Tessa, the waters broke on the floor?"
"What Rory?" As he came upon her in the rose garden riding his horse hard.
"Baby!" he breathlessly spat out.
"Oh my. I am coming."
"It's too soon." with fear in his eyes,
"Pray, Rory—-and go get some help at the big house."
He ran ahead and she took the buggy to the line shack.
Sally and Victoria came with Rory and left the children with Rosa and the twins.
—
"Miz Barkley, it hurts."
"Babies do, Eugenie but it's all worth it. I promise."
"That but under my ribs, up here." And she pointed to her right side.
Tessa froze in fear. Memories of the night of Rosemary's birth came crashing back.
"And the room is real fuzzy."
She couldn't move to help the girl.
"Miz Barkley? Am I going to die?"
"Not if I can help it" as the young girl's words jarred her from her fear.
Eugenie threw up in the basin Tessa held as she bathed her forehead.
The contractions were coming as she yelled out just as Sally and Victoria came in the line shack. They made Rory stay outside.
The labor was progressing quickly and the baby was close to coming.
"Miz Tessa, I am sorry bout what I did."
"I know honey, let's concentrate on the baby."
Tessa recognized the shallowness of the girl's breathing. She steeled herself for what was to come. Sally took her place as Eugenie's face as Tessa walked to the basin.
Victoria looked at her daughter-in-law with concern, "You know she—-"
"Yes, but I am going to try my best. I failed once."
Victoria cocked her head in confusion.
"Eugenie, the baby is going to be early and I am going to need you calm. Do you understand?
"Yes, Miz Heath. Save me and my baby. I won't lie again. I promise I won't tell secrets."
The three ladies looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.
"She's always been a bit melodramatic," Vic whispered.
The baby came easily, blue and tiny. Tessa cleaned up the baby and rubbed her hard to start her breathing. She even breathed into the baby's mouth several times. It did the trick and the small newborn began a mewling cry. The ladies looked at Tessa in relief. Tessa kept rubbing and massaging the life into the baby.
Eugenie's breathing was labored and she had an ashen pallor.
"Rory needs to say goodbye." Victoria motioned to Sally. She opened the door to him and shook her head at him.
He understood and went to her side.
"We got a little girl, Eugenie." with tears pouring down his face.
She tried to open her eyes and squeezed his hand.
"I am sorry. Take care of her. You will be a good father. I wouldn't have been a good mother, I know it.
"Eugenie! You woulda took to it ."
"No, but I love you, Rory,"
"I love you, Eugenie. Don't leave me"
"Mama? You there? My mama here." and she closed her eyes in death.
Rory broke down and held her lifeless body. The ladies walked outside to give them privacy.
Tessa held tightly to the baby in her arms. Sally and Victoria inspected the child and pronounced her hale but early.
"We gotta make sure she feeds. Jon's goats are still up there producing. We can get another if need be."
Rory walked out on the porch and looked at them.
"How am I gonna raise her?"
"Rory, just hold your daughter and we will all do right by her," Tessa told him.
"Thank ya, Miz Barkley."
"I gotta pick a name. Eugenie hated her name so won't be that. I like Margaret like my momma and sister, Maggie for short."
"That's beautiful, Rory. I like it, Maggie Smith." Tessa rubbed the baby's head.
"Margaret Tess Smith, cuz you saved her life. Brought her into the world-/thank ya for saving my bitty, little girl. She's a little bit."
"Yes, she is, Rory. But she's a fighter like you and her mama," Victoria put her arm around the young man. He leaned into her diminutive form for support.
"Thank ya," as his tears fell on the apron his daughter was swaddled in.
Tessa closed her eyes in a flashback seeing Rosemary covered in blood over her lifeless mother—and her deathbed promise to raise the little girl and never, never reveal the secret. She was thankful Jarrod still married her and supported her promise.
"Let's all go up to the house with the baby and get some blankets. We will come back and clean up Eugenie."
"Don't want to leave her in there," Rory resisted, sitting on the stoop.
Nick rode up about that time and he caught his mother's look.
"Rory, let's go up to the house. The baby needs warm blankets." He spoke up.
The young father stared down at the baby with tears still flowing.
Nick came over and sat beside him, "Boy, can I see her? "
He handed his daughter to Nick with a sad smile, "Eugenie died."
"I am sorry, Rory. She left you a pretty little girl."
Nick cuddled the baby, "What's her name?"
"Maggie—Margaret. Tess. Afta Miz Barkley saving her. Wasn't breathing."
"Let's go up to the house. We got Jon's goats up there. She's going to get hungry soon."
"Ok," and he let Nick walk him to the buggy.
"We will stay and clean up," Sally and Vic spoke up.
Tessa was still frozen in space staring.
Nick placed the baby in Rory's arms, "Hold her tight. Few bumps in the road ahead."
"Yes sir, Mista Nick."