Chapter Sixty Nine
"Mr Autonberry has passed away with his wife by his side," the manservant announced separately to Branch and David.
"Mrs Autonberry will accept visitors in a few minutes in the parlor."
David, Ximena, and Branch sat on separate settees in the ornate room—glaring at each other.
Lila came downstairs an hour later in a black silk mourning dress.
"My condolences, Lila," Ximena spoke first.
She bit her swollen lip and nodded.
"Dearest Mrs. Autonberry, as your husband's closest associate and executor of his estate, please accept my sympathy and help." Branch jumped into the conversation.
Branch and Ximena stared at David; his face was a mask.
"Lila, there is no opportune time for my announcement. I had hoped to have time with uh, JD privately. It was not meant to be."
She looked at him for an explanation.
"This isn't the time for business. She is a young widow. Whatever you need, see me. JD left Lila in my care along with his young son."
"I doubt that. He did not seem to be enamored of your appearance any more than he did mine at his bedside."
"What do you mean?"
"You were sent away by his physician just as I was."
"What is your point?"
Ximena made eye contact with David. He took a deep breath.
"Lila, I am sorry for the shock of this. I am James David Autonberry, Junior. Maris's husband and the father of James David. His son came back from the dead."
She sat down from the surprise and Ximena brought her a drink of sherry. Branch looked as if he could kill him.
"Ten years ago, I was not the man I hopefully am today. My father and I argued on a gambling boat in the harbor. I went overboard, I made it to the shore, and went to Peterson's office. We made a deal for me to leave the country. Maris and James David and my father—I thought it was best for all of them. I roamed around for three years and then I met Ximena. We live a comfortable, rich, full—-happy life in Mexico. I came back to make amends to my wife and son. And ask some questions of my father. The fates have assured that is not to happen,"
Lila found her voice, "You are the son—uh he hated?"
"Yes, that is me," he said in a low voice.
Branch interjected, "Do you have any proof of this story?"
"Yes."
Branch assumed he did, thinking of the one-million-dollar trust Peterson left in his name and the lack of a death certificate. And this man seemed to leave nothing to chance, as JD did.
"So what do you want? To take away Lila's home and child?" he bluffed.
"No, I am not my Father."
Lila looked devastated, "I don't understand,"
"I am very sorry for the timing of my news."
"You should." Branch spat back," Lila, let me take you upstairs, this should be settled by a man. He takes advantage of your loss."
"No," Lila said with more firmness than she felt.
David gave Branch a fearsome glance then continued, "I do not want to disrupt your life and that—-of my brother, Uh James. This matter might be better discussed at a later time." reading the shock on her face.
"Yes, yes. We agree on that. You and your—wife or whatever needs to leave," Branch stood up by Lila.
"Yes, that is for the best. Please leave where you are staying—when the snow melts enough for a carriage, of course." Lila whispered.
David and Ximena shared a look. They got up and bowed to Lila and walked upstairs.
Branch immediately went to her side, "Trust me on this. JD warned us of him time after time. He will take everything and leave you penniless "
"I need to go upstairs and rest. Please excuse me." Thinking of her hidden marriage certificate in her robe pocket and the unanswered questions JD took to his grave.
"I hope you rot in hell." She thought as she left the room.
—&—
A fifty-five-degree day followed the next morning and they had a window of time to place JD in the family vault. They had passed in the halls and shared separate meals since the announcement of his death. Lila rarely left the nursery and refused any discussion except about the arrangements and of baby James.
Ximena split her time between David and baby James. She avoided any discussion of the announcement and hoped Lila would feel comfortable with her. They exchanged pleasantries but had no more talks about David's disclosure. Lila did not divulge any personal details but her face was drawn and stressed. The circles under her eyes exposed her lack of sleep and her discomfort at her situation.
The ceremony was quick due to the slush and mud. A simple prayer from a local minister -he was put into his family vault with his first two wives and a daughter who did not survive past her first year. His uncle and his wife too—-David lingered at the tomb as the others left.
"I never knew my mother nor my stepmother. I was so young. And my sister? Would you have softened my father or did his hardness put you three in early graves?"
He ran his fingers over the cold granite, "I will do better for you and my son. And your son—my little brother."
—-&—-
"Lila, we need to talk." Branch could take it no longer.
She sighed, "I have put this off as long as possible. I do not know what I want to do. Please give me time. I appreciate your offer and especially going into the Autonberry Assets office to take care of the business. I do. But the house and my son, I am not ready for a decision."
"Lila, you do not have to do anything or make a decision. Just sign this power-of-attorney."
"No, thank you. Not yet. The only thing I know for sure is to give Maris custody of her son."
"I can't do that Lila, go against JD's wishes. I am bound to them."
"Then give her a full visitation decree, can you do that?"
He sighed, "Yes, I can do that but not custody. His trust is worth millions. I must protect him from unscrupulous advisors and the men who prey on Maris. And your stepson. I don't trust him."
"I don't want to talk about David. He has unfinished business with Maris and his son. Then we shall talk."
"Lila, he is a scoundrel. He wants your money, your son's. I can protect you."
"Give me time, Branch."
"You may not have time, Lila."
"Don't threaten me. I am tired of being told what to do."
"You don't have that luxury, Lila. Trust me."
She looked at him, "Why can't I make decisions for James and myself? I assume JD didn't leave me anything but as the mother of his child, I am entitled to a widow's pension. "
She turned her back to walk off and he grabbed her arm. Lila lost her temper and tried to slap him. He grabbed her arm; she bit down and bloodied her lip again.
"Lila, you aren't a widow. You are a whore, a mistress, a trollop. I have the proof I need. You were never married to him. When I went to the office, his secretary opened his private safe. A falsified marriage license. Never signed. Blank. From Canada. I SAW it. I am your only option to have anything at all. Keep up the farce. And keep your son." he bluffed.
Her eyes betrayed she was worried about such a scenario. "I hope I had the only copy of that."
"We were married at home."
"No, you were pregnant and he wanted another heir—and to keep you in his bed."
Tears poured from her eyes and he pulled her toward him. She stayed stiff as a board, "There, there. We can take care of all of this. Partners, yes partners so you can keep James and I can run Autonberry Assets for him and James David. Buy all the pretty dresses you want. I will allow you to wear Maris jewels, even. There, there. We can be friends. You scratch my back and I scratch yours. I am truly your friend."
—-&—-
David and Ximena came downstairs to leave. The Autonberry carriage was called around to take them back to the hotel.
They stopped in the nursery and said goodbye to baby James.
Lila refused to see them leave.
Branch was waiting in the parlor, "She wants no more contact with you. Take your million-dollar trust and disappear."
"I already have that. It never left my name. I am concerned for my brother and son."
"No concern of yours. I will take care of them."
"I will decide what is a concern for me."
"Lila has graciously assented to give Maris visitation to your son."
"Why can't she have custody?"
"That is none of your concern. To use your word, once again."
David looked as if he was going to punch Branch again. The lawyer stepped back in fear.
He took a deep breath and took Ximena's arm. They walked out of the Denver mansion. David didn't say a word until they arrived at their hotel.
"We will leave on the morning train for San Francisco. Take advantage of this warm weather before the next snow. I will go down to the lobby and wire Timothy. We need his help. He will contact Nate Springer and Jarrod Barkley."
"Can you trust Timothy?"
"Yes, I believe him to be my brother or my first cousin. The rumors have been around for years about his mother but when I heard about the deed and pension—it's true. I am sure of it. JD Autonberry never did anything out of loyalty, just blood."
"Oh David" and she pulled him into her arms.