Chapter Thirty-Four

The Honorable Frederick Everett Turner

Autonberry vs Autonberry

Judge Turner recuses himself from the case effective immediately.

The original order of custody reverts to the initial decree.

JD Autonberry has custody and the child must not leave a radius of 120 miles of PineCrest Academy. Monthly visitation will be given to his mother, Mrs. Maris Autonberry.

The esteemed Nathan Springer will continue full conservatorship over Maris Anna Rose Autonberry. Any changes in status or health must be reported to the courts.

Appellate state courts will take the case for decision within a calendar year, 365 days from today.

Signed, The Honorable Peter Simpkins, District Judge, San Francisco County

The message was sent by runners to the homes of Jarrod Barkley and Nathan Springer, the law offices of John Peterson, and the private rail car of JD Autonberry.

It arrived simultaneously around late afternoon.

—-&—-

Alice took the sealed message to Nate in his study. She watched him read it and curse. He handed it to her.

"Nate? What does this mean?"

"Autonberry got to the judge. It's the only explanation! He was the fairest man in town. Something happened."

Alice took Nate's hand, "Let's go tell Maris together. She is in the drawing room waiting for Grover to pick her up."

—&—-

The sight of her hosts and dear friends' faces, Maris's heart caught in her throat.

"Bad news? Did I lose James David?"

Nate and Alice went to each side of her, "No honey, sit down."

Alice lovingly told her, "Maris! You cannot ever lose your son. He loves you and sees through this farce."

"I concur, Maris. I have talked to the fine young man several times. He has a good head on his shoulders—-the judge has stepped off the case. We basically start over with a new judge. "

She looked up at them, "My father-in-law is behind this?" smoothing down the blonde wig out of nervousness.

"I assume but I have no proof?"

"How long now?"

"Up to a year. But hopefully, we can get on a docket and a new judge soon. Problem is holiday breaks are coming soon."

"And the same vexation? If I marry Nick, will this make matters possibly worse?"

Alice sighed loudly, "Surely not now—-Nate?"

He frowned and the worry creased his brow, "I can't say for sure. JD could give up the spite and retribution or escalate it. Either way, you have a home and friendship with us. For a year or whenever. We love having you in our home."

Maria chewed on her bottom lip, "I can pay. I have the Worth gowns,"

"Absolutely not. You are family to us, Maris."

"Does Nick know?"

"No. We can go with you to tell him. Jarrod will have gotten the news by now."

"Thank you but it's best I tell him. We need to talk this through,"

A servant entered a few minutes later, "The carriage is at the back door."

A desperate feeling fell over Maris the likes she had never felt before.

Her thoughts over the last few days overwhelmed her as Grover helped her into the closed carriage, careful to make sure her long blonde locks were present, "Just in case."

—&—

JD received the news from his young attorney poorly.

"I thought that mortgage would seal the deal. You said the judge would be compromised!"

"I thought so. He is a wily one. Too bad his son did not get that trait. He couldn't see past his windfall to the high interest and short term on the note. I know it wasn't what you wanted sir—but a great deal of profit can be had."

"Profit?" he screeched, "I have all the profit I can spend and more. A lifetime of money for my grandson! And James of course. I want Maris! I want her back in my home. I want her in my bed," he bellowed.

The young attorney blanched and only then did JD realize his misstep. He had never said such a perverse thing aloud.

"Don't look at me that way," and for a moment the attorney thought he would be struck, "You know what I mean. Her nice, safe bedroom—a daughter's room in my home!"

He shook his head affirmatively and unnerved, "Of course I did. Purely paternal."

"The way I see it, sir, she has no choice but to come back to you. No wealth, Barkley has left her. She relies on the largesse of Springer. She knows if she marries, she will lose her son. Just be patient. I will go to the arboretum this week and meet privately with her. Offer her visitation rights back. I have several ideas with your permission. Once I get her away from Springer's home to Denver, you can do what you will. Denver judges won't be as amenable to the Barkley name."

"YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION! And what about that pompous, patronizing, arrogant brother of his? I still can't believe that he kept on the case when his brother went back to Stockton without my daughter. I will never forgive him for what he said in court."

"From what I gather, he doesn't like to lose. Did it just for spite to bring down a great man like yourself?"

"True, I hadn't thought about it like that. How is your plan going to humble the fool?"

"Just as soon as you head back to Denver today, it happens. Man is already waiting for his cue. Can't be connected to either of us. Someone with ties to Barkley, No one will be harmed but a message will be sent."

"Good keep it that way. I am a man of standards. These blasted Barkleys have pushed me too far."

Ideas started to gel in the brain of Branch Davis.

"I am going to be a rich man."

—&—-