Chapter Sixty Two
Chip, JT, and James David got off the morning train. They had missed the first three days of term for the wedding. No one questioned their excuse for a family event and they made it back to San Francisco County.
Nick and Maris had seen them off in Stockton with just a few Mother's tears.
"They will be fine Mare, back before we know it. When we go to San Francisco we will meet up with them."
"Hey fellas, we are already late to our morning classes. Let's go to the cafe first. I am starving."
They all agreed and headed back to Nick's favorite pie restaurant where all of the clandestine meetings were held. It was a local favorite for the neighborhood but rarely anyone of affluence or the school visited. They ate in the school cafeterias or the finer restaurants on Maple and Vine streets.
The boys ordered full-course meals of course, "The Special, please."
"Where's your friends?"
"Working back at the ranch and in San Francisco. It's just us for today."
They quickly ate their meals and the waitress brought out the board with pie for their order.
"Cherry, chess, or pumpkin?"
"All three in slivers. We like them all."
They tipped her well and took a livery to the academy. JT and Chip dropped off James David first, "Just in case somebody's watching."
The cousins unloaded their valises and took them to their room. JT looked down and saw James David's gloves in his bag."
He went out the back and a long way but entered the Coulter dormitory while the desk was empty.
He went to his first-floor room and pushed the door open.
James David was sitting on the bed looking at the fishing picture. JT thought for a moment he had a tear in his eyes. He cleared his throat to not embarrass his friend.
"Sorry, musta picked up your gloves ."
"Thanks, JT," as he stood up and placed the picture on the bureau.
"Someone was in here a little while ago. I smelled perfume, wormwood actually. And my mother's picture was moved."
"Cleaning lady?"
"No. She cleaned while we were on break. Someone said they toured a new family around right before I got back."
"That makes sense. I can smell the perfume too. Nice but definitely wormwood."
"Good smelling as long as you don't be drinking absinthe."
They laughed thinking of the poor choice some of their friends made at the Underground.
"You ok, James David," as JT turned to leave.
"Yes. Don't get me wrong. Mother and Nick getting married. You know he asked my permission to even court her. He takes his responsibilities with her seriously. He wouldn't ever shame her. That's a man I can look up to—"
"And he will do his best by your Mother. Anything else?"
"This blazing custody. Why can't I say what I want? I am almost sixteen in February. Men on your ranch are already riding herd my age."
JT laughed, "Well I do it every year too and you aren't missing out on anything. I bet Nick will have you on a spring drive. It takes all of us including my father. Did you know Grandmother went when she was young? Aunt Audra too."
James David laughed then became serious again, "It's just that I am being treated like a child by my Grandfather. One of his blamed assets. I go to the ranch and see everyone having a voice, being listened to—. You know Audra has dower lands in case she is ever widowed. Nick and Jarrod actually talk to Mother, not like a child or an imbecile."
JT just sat by his friend not knowing what to say.
"You know my grandfather gave my father's name to his new baby? That bothers me."
"I agree."
"And if he wins this custody case, I may have to leave here if he wants me to. And not see you or Chip or your family—-for two years until I am eighteen."
"Is that legal?"
He shook his head, "Yes—- at least your father treated me like a man and Nick did. It's why they didn't marry sooner."
"Did they say what changed?"
"Nope. And don't get me wrong I am glad Mother is safe on the ranch; not a better man than Nick Barkley. But they changed their minds in a week or less. It worries me. Are they keeping something from me? Maybe another kidnapping or mental asylum? Something bad I am thinking."
"James David, I just don't know. But I think they are keeping something from us. Several conversations stopped immediately when we came by. And I overheard my parents arguing over the wedding. Wasn't it weird that Pappy planned most of it? Him and Aunt Audra."
"Anyhows, I just want this custody to end and not sneak around. It was funny at first, like pretending. Now it feels lonely."
"I agree. Let's go down to the Underground tonight and sample the old groundskeeper's new wares from the holidays. He said he was going to stock up."
"Sounds good. Be there at about 9."
—&—
Timothy waited until Branch left for the day. He knew he was heading to the Gentlemen's Club and his favorite escort these days. The secretary cleared out right behind him and he was left to the whole office to himself.
He unlocked the fake drawer under his own desk. He reviewed the copies of important documents he kept over the years. All the Autonberry Assets important bank account numbers, safety deposit boxes, signed stock proxies—copy of JD's will. That one always bothered him.
"Why did JD leave me and my mother money? He didn't leave anything to Peterson, but me?"
"Why did JD and Peterson have my birth certificate? I have read it over and over. It all seems to be in order."
"No death certificate for David? I knew the reason for that, Peterson would never lie knowingly lie under oath. He struggled with what JD or Branch did with Maris' will. It must still be with the court filings. And I never saw a marriage license for Lila and JD. Wouldn't have had any need to—"
He sighed. He went to Branch's office and opened the locked door. Carefully, he went through every file once again.
"I don't want Maris or David blindsided again. I won't make the same mistake."
He found the cable detailing his severance package, title to his home, and a large pension for a life.
"That's good news but why? Why me?"
He wrote the cable identification numbers, copied them word for word, and documented the time stamp.
Two hours later, he walked out of the office with a parcel of papers.
"Jarrod Barkley is going to get a treasure trove if Branch reneges or David needs help. He and his lady friend should be in Denver soon."