Chapter Forty-Six

Heath sent a man to the Stockton train station to meet the morning trains from San Francisco. He waited through the 7 a.m., the 9:30, and the noon trains. No Barkley rail cars or passengers got off. The hand walked over the telegraph office hourly between trains. The clerk checked every hour with San Francisco to see if the private car was coming. No messages came into the office for the Barkleys. Another hand in town rode back with the news for Heath.

"Petey, I got it. Head back to the ranch. Don't worry the ladies, ya hear me. Gonna send some telegrams myself." He thought quite a bit about what to send, so as to not put the boy in any danger.

To Jarrod Barkley, Nate Springer: Colt arrived at stables. Requesting arrival date of mare and silver spurs. Please advise.

He reread it several times before sending it.

"I will stay in town for a couple of hours to see if I get a response or another train comes in at 2:00 p.m. James David and my bunch went fishing early with McColl. They won't be back until late afternoon.

—&—

Lila played with James on the bearskin rug in the parlor chamber. It was off JD's personal study.

JD had not come home from his downtown Denver office but a telegram had to come to his study telegraph machine. It was already open.

Peterson died of natural causes. James David missing, Maris critical after attempted kidnapping. Assailant dead. Headmaster loyal to your cause. Will update soon. BD

"What is going on?" She had seen the telegram earlier that Peterson was dead from the Milton ranch and now this one. JD kept her in the dark about many details of their life but she knew he was suing to get his grandson back in Denver and away from his mother.

He kept her room as a shrine and she was not allowed to visit the ornate European Room. Lila had only glanced at it from the second-floor landing. JD had personally acquired the antiques from France for her. He had smashed her greenhouse into a hundred pieces but its rebuilding was in full force. She was told it was none of her business. A full-body portrait of her was commissioned for the landing alcove. He used the sketches from the original one that he slashed in anger.

She read the telegram, "BD?" She had heard the name Branch several times but never his last name.

JD had forbidden her into his study. She decided to leave his telegrams on the desk.

She tiptoed up the stairs with her baby on her hip. She got to the second-floor landing and almost turned. She looked up at the third-floor landing; it was off-limits to her.

"Hmmm, just a peek."

She took the skeleton key off her chatelaine and opened the door to Maris's palatial suite. It took up half or more of the third floor.

Lila looked around and made sure no servants were around; she quietly entered and shut the door behind her. She walked around and ran her hand across the finest wood turnings and details she had ever seen.

The room was well cleaned and dusted as was typical with their household staff.

She touched the fine velvet duvet and noticed a slight imprint on the bed. Someone had been resting on the bed. James gurgled from her hip and she kissed him on the top of his head. A shiny object caught her eye under a pillow.

"JD's missing cigarette case. He's been looking for that!"

The implication chilled her that he had been lying on Maris's bed. The nightstand was filled with his favorite brandy and bourbon and a humidor of his cigars. She shivered.

She opened the nightstand drawer. The sight sickened her. There were photographs of Maris mixed in with original art sketches. Of nudes and erotica. She quickly slammed the door; James bellowed and screamed at the sudden noise.

"I am sorry baby boy. Mother is sorry. Let's go back to the nursery and not come to this accursed room again."

She held him tightly to the second floor and shut the nursery door. She allowed the tears to fall.

"What have I gotten myself—-and you into."

—&—

Nick went up and checked on Maris. She was still sleeping soundly. He checked her pulse and her breathing. It seemed fine to him. He lay down beside her and gently ran his fingers through her auburn ringlets.

"I love ya Maris. We gonna get through this."

She slurred her speech in her sleep, "Swans."

"Yep, swans." and allowed himself to fall asleep next to Maris again.

They were both awakened by a rap on the door several hours later, "Nick? Nick?"

They both stirred and Nick sat up on the side of the bed. Maris tried to sit up too but fell back disorientated in his arms.

"Come in," Nick spoke up still holding her up.

Jarrod walked in with a big grin on his face, "Sorry to ruin your nap, brother Nick."

"What's up Pappy? Maybe the first good news we have had in a while."

Maris tried to open her eyes fully, "Hi—deeeeee, Jarrrrrrroddddd."

"Good afternoon Maris. I shall join your sleep soon. But this can't wait." with a big grin.

He handed Heath's telegram to Nick. His grin spread across his face, "Yeehaw."

She cocked her head in confusion, "What? Mahaws? I like berries."

They both grinned.

"James David is with Heath at the ranch."

"Good, he likes dogs."

Jarrod and Nick chuckled, "Doc said it would take a few days,"

"Any details?"

"No. I am so curious, myself. When Maris is well enough to get to the rail car, we can get home for Thanksgiving."

Nick frowned for a second, " What about the case? JD?"

Jarrod explained about the request to the Pinkertons, "Off the record of course."

He nodded so as to make sure he understood, "I have ten days without JD breathing down our neck? No one following her or me?"

"Yes, you do. And when we get back to the ranch, we have plenty of time to figure it out."

"Best news all day, Pappy."

They turned to look at Maris who was softly snoring.

"We all need that kind of sleep."

—-&—

Phil Davies sent a message on Pinkerton stationary.

Preliminary approval to Branch's address.

The term wasn't used at the office and it meant nothing to management; it wasn't even signed. He hoped it would give himself time to tie JD Autonberry and his arrogant young attorney to the kidnapping and the fire at Jarrod's house. He had enough clout in the office for this deception to be overlooked.

"And if I am lucky, no one will ever know."

—-&—

Branch sent a man to Denver. He would arrive by the next day.

"Tell him JD is fine. Staying in a safe house—uh hiding him from Barkley let's say. Maris recovering at Springer's for several weeks from a fall. She's fine. Barkley is neutralized by the fire. Took his family back to Stockton. Nick is still out of the picture. Let's say seeing a widow at home. Condolences on Peterson. Sent regards to wife. Hired a nurse for her from you. The house reverts back to you at some point. Left it to Maris but you have her assets. Will check home and safety deposit boxes and his office for confidential documents. Headmaster had an additional deposit in the account for his trouble. Will send information when I have it. Pinkertons began on case, uh last week, uh two weeks ago."

"Damn, I gotta find the kid. JD will have my head on a platter. Pinkertons better come through. At least I haven't lost Maris. She ain't going nowhere for a while.