Chapter Fifty
Branch and JD sat drinking their morning coffee in the study of his Denver mansion.
"The Pinkertons assure me that they are on the case and promise results. Maris is without income and means. She can't live on the Springers charity for another year. Barkley left her high and dry. She will be home to you, her father, before you know it. You already have custody of your grandson. Just need to get a judge to drop the visitation and holiday order—-along with keeping him in California. She will make a mistake soon. I guarantee it."
"Are you looking for a better judge this time?"
"Yes sir." knowing full well that the Springer and Barkley names were well-respected and no judge worth his salt would throw a case against them. "I will have to win this case fair and square."
"Well, it sounds like you made the best of that old fool Peterson's plan. James David is safe with friends. You checked the family out?"
"Yes sir. Pinkertons too."
"Good. Maris is recuperating at the Springer mansion along with that pompous Nate. And his hoyden wife. She needs to be knocked down off her high horse if I say so myself,"
Branch took a long drag from his cigar, "Yes she does. I blame her too for corrupting your daughter along with Barkley."
"Attorney Barkley took his family back to the backwater Stockton wharves with his tail between his legs. And the yellow dog and the hired man are dead. No ties to me? Or you?"
"No sir."
"And I don't want to know details, right?"
"Right, sir. It's better if you have no knowledge."
"What about the Headmaster? He's a weak link in this chain."
"Even if he folds, he only dealt with Peterson. Not me nor you. Can say the old man went rogue. I was with my lady friend and you were in Denver. Rock solid alibis."
"Branch, it was a good day when you came into my office. For both of us."
"Yes sir. It was."
JD picked up the morning edition and began to read. Branch walked across the room and looked out the windows at the snow-capped mountains.
Branch closed his eyes and clenched his teeth in anxiety, "If I only knew where the kid is—-surely Pinkertons will find him soon. That JD is the grist of this mill,"
—-&—
Nick and Vincent were cleaning up on the back porch from the fishing trip. Fish were stacked to the brim of the basket they brought. The low clouds had burned away into a bright and sunny fall, warm afternoon.
"Nick? Want to cook these up for supper? Can have a late meal on the verandah; It's still warm enough. Seems our ladies have gotten on well."
"They have. Glad for Maris to meet new lady friends. Like I told ya. Bird in a gilded cage."
Ruthie sheepishly rounded the corner, "Well before you make any more plans or count a new friendship. I need to confess. I am sorry Nick. Vincent, I did it again. Blurted out something before I thought."
Nick frowned and Vincent stopped to listen in resignation.
"Ruthie, what could you say to Maris to upset her? You have never met before."
"No Vincent, we haven't. But we found we knew the same person."
Nick looked relieved, "Of course, Jarrod. I would have told her myself. She won't tell Elisabeth I promise. I will talk to her."
Ruthie looked downcast, "No not Jarrod. Her husband. Her late one,"
Nick and Vincent looked shocked.
Her husband walked over to her and hugged her, "Let's talk this out. Ruthie, you don't have a mean-spirited bone in your body. I know you, my love."
Ruthie sat down on the bench between Nick and her husband, "I knew David Autonberry,"
A sharp intake of air made a whistling sound by Nick.
"I worked the boats when I was young. Frisco Rose was my first friend in the city. And she was his girl. He kept her well and she fancied herself marrying him someday if it weren't for his young wife. He would tell disgusting stories about how unpleasant it was to bed an innocent. They would all laugh. It was sad looking back on it now and meeting that precious lady upstairs."
Nick seethed.
Vincent instinctively knew there was more to the story, "And Ruthie? There's more?"
"David hated his father for making him marry Maris to keep his trust fund. I didn't tell her any of that, I promise. But he wasn't one to want to work either so he lived off the old man. Wanted nothing to do with the business. Anyway, the old man showed up on the boat, arguing about a newspaper article in the gossip column about David and an heiress. The lady's father had business dealings with JD and he lost the contract. He was furious. The argument was loud and most of the boat heard it. We all tried to get as fast as we could away. 'Cept Frisco Rose. She stood right beside David. They fought and David was so drunk. He fell overboard. Pushed or an accident or lost his balance. His father howled in pain as they tried to skim the water for him, send out buoys and rings, a dinghy—to no avail. He was gone, never found a body."
"Did you tell her the whole story?"
"Nah, I caught myself. She just knows he went overboard drunk—-arguing with his father-didn't want to say anymore once I thought about it. I am sorry Nick."
"Ruthie, I forgive you, I am hoping the information helps her case. I will get it to Jarrod and Nate soon."
"Oh, I did tell her Frisco Rose was paid off to leave. Almost all of us were given money not to tell what happened on the ship. Frisco was the only one close enough to see people still. Marshals came and shut the boat down. Said no crime. Opened back up two days later."
They all three looked up as Maris came to the door, "I am fine, just a surprise. Thank you Ruthie for being honest with me. Until this summer, no one ever treated me like an adult. And adults need to know the truth. Even if it hurts." she said with a soft voice full of pain.
Ruthie skidded over to her and hugged her, "Maris, you are a fine lady."
Nick came to her other side and kissed her on the cheek, "Proud of ya, honey."
"I hope you will join us for dinner tonight and eat the bounty we reaped today."
"Of course," said Maris with an unexpected yawn of exhaustion.
"But you, little lady, need a nap."
"I agree with you on that, Nicholas."
Vincent and Ruthie both hugged her goodbye. She tripped slightly in Ruthie's dress.
"Seems like every time I borrow a dress, I end up with this cowboy." she laughed.
Nick flashed his wide grin and helped her into the buggy.
"See ya at 7."
As soon as they got into the buggy, she shivered violently, "Oh Nick."
"I know honey. I know."
