Chapter Thirty-Three FOUR DAYS LATER
Jarrod woke up next to Elisabeth at dawn. She was wearing little after their night of passion. Little Benjamin padded down the hall. Jarrod grabbed his robe and caught him at the door.
"Let's let Mother sleep." and he picked his son up on his hip. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of his beautiful wife and their love—and their son.
They walked down the three flights of stairs of the brownstone. He looked in on the three girls, William's open door after Benjamin left and made his way down with his son. Fatherhood was one of the greatest joys of his life.
He kissed his dark brown locks with his matching blue eyes.
"Pappy needs some Benjamin time. The world is looking pretty dark out there right now. You are a moon. Reflecting the sun. Even when I can't see it."
Benjamin frowned and pointed at the window, "I see the sun, Pappy."
Jarrod laughed, "Me too now."
Coffee was started by their houseman and Jarrod grabbed a cup as they went to the sunroom to watch the morning begin together.
He worried what the day would bring. He squeezed his son a bit harder to fight off the foreboding feeling for Nick and Maris.
—&—
"Did you sleep at all?" as Alice ran into Maris in the hall.
"Not really. I just hate this waiting."
"Me too. Nate says we should have heard something two days ago."
"What time did you come home?"
"About nine. Nick and I were both so out of sorts. Ate at the cafe by Grover's stand. It really was quite good and out of the way. "
"Soon you will be able to go out to all the fine establishments with Nick. It has to end soon."
"This blonde wig still makes me laugh. I feel as if I am in a novel. But I have loved the world outside of society. People are so genuine—-and the food is delicious."
"I bet. Let's go get some tea downstairs. Nate finally came to bed a few hours ago."
—-&—-
Nick rolled over with a powerful headache. He looked at the whiskey bottle by his bed. And an open Bible.
He shook his head and walked to the basin. He splashed cool water on his face and walked to the water closet. He staggered a bit from the effects of the night before—he closed his eyes and said a silent prayer, "Lord I ain't good at waiting. Please let today be the day."
—&—
JD was up at the crack of dawn. His personal sleeping car doubled as an office. He had checked in on his sleeping son and wife.
He sighed, "She is a beautiful woman and so pliable. The boy is worth all the headache. If it were only Maris raising him—-" and he tamped down the improper thoughts that arose about his daughter-in-law. He blamed her for his body's reaction. He squirmed uncomfortably and looked at Lila.
"Might as well resume her wifely duties." and he went over to awaken her.
She stirred and rubbed her eyes, "JD? I just got to sleep with James. He didn't sleep well." as she pointed to the cradle.
"Then be quiet and let the boy sleep. I need you to be a wife again."
"The doctor said to wait a little longer. He was such a big boy."
"Pah—-you women are built for this." as he undid his robe.
A look of sheer terror crossed her face.
"Then figure it out. "
—-&—-
Peterson walked downstairs alone. His wife was still sleeping too.
"This has to work. JD will never trust me again. I can't believe Barkley betrayed my conversation just to the court."
He thought back to the events of the past few days; JD had called him every name in the book, fired him, and rehired him. He knew too much to be relieved—-just put out to pasture on retainer.
"Here is a complete list of Barkley holdings. All the family members and the mother. JD poured over them. "Damn, they are invincible. It would take a year or more— and millions to destroy them. They are very wise men. No speculations! Damn rent houses and leases—hotels? Rice ships? Diversified completely. Insulated from drops in commodities, freight—the market. Land, bonds, stocks, timber—they have it all. Gemstones, gold, silver, tungsten—allied with Carnegie Steel, Standard Oil, and Morgan banks. I can't destroy their wealth without alienating my biggest clients—-if I didn't hate them, I would admire them."
The young lawyer took a deep breath, "We have seen what is important to them. Family. "
"And?"
"I don't think you will want knowledge but I know a man. For a price? Just to scare them. Know you mean business."
"No one dies or gets hurt, you understand. I won't succumb to hiring a killer. I want Maris back and she won't forgive shedding blood. She is not to be touched."
"And I have your approval for the land deal? The one the judge's son wants? We may lose some money but the appearance of impropriety will work for us."
"Yes. Peterson, take notes. This is the future."
Peterson did not hide his look at Branch Davis as he walked out of the room.
—-&—-
Judge Turner was drinking coffee in his study. He had been up all night trying to find a solution. He should have already ruled on the guardianship.
"Shared and the boy must remain in California." was simple and fair. It had been his plan since the first.
He already had a good read on the case from Jarrod's interrogation of the man. He respected Barkley and Springer. It pained him now to have to choose between justice and his own son.
"Just as I am asking Maris Autonberry to do."
His son had bounded into his office several days before, "It cost me father but I got the last parcel of land for the expansion. I took out a hefty mortgage but I will be a millionaire in a year!'
"Where did the last parcel come from? I thought it was impossible to afford or acquire."
"That is the amazing part. A young attorney from Denver came to me! Offered up the land and secured the mortgage for me. I signed on the spot. Said you did him a good turn once and to let you know. So here I am."
His father immediately suspected the deal was a bribe.
"Tell me everything. Bring the papers immediately to me."
It was just as he thought—-a setup.
"Now he had to decide what to do—-protect his son, his reputation, or give James David to the highest bidder."
"I know what I have to do—" and he walked down the block to his old friend's home. A California Supreme Court Judge.
