Chapter Sixty

Ximena dressed in a pinstripe skirt, white high-necked blouse with a black bow tie and black velvet cut jacket. She accentuated it with pearls and fine black leather boots. A black hat with a small khaki plume finished off the chic ensemble. She could have walked off the pages of La Mode Illustrée from Paris.

David dressed very much like the aristocratic gentleman in gray, black, and white. The new suit from a top-drawer San Francisco tailor was a gift from Ximena.

"You always feel better when you look your best. And this tailor according to our concierge is from Paris and only the finest circles use him. It's my present to you, my amore."

"Ximena, you know me better than anyone."

"And Davos, each year you are a better man."

His eyes widened at her compliment. She was a very honest woman and never just frivolously shared flattery.

He kissed her, "Thank you, mon Cherie."

"Amore."

—-&—

They arrived at Peterson's firm by fine carriage. David asked the driver to wait.

He took his beautiful lover's arm and they walked up to the third floor.

The door was cracked and boxes were around the room.

A young clerk looked up from a stack of papers, "May I help you?"

"Yes, please. David and Ximena Santiago for Mr. Branch Davis."

"Your business? Calling card? Do you have an appointment?"

"No sir but he will want to see us. We have business to discuss with JD Autonberry."

"Let me check."

The senior clerk peeked out from his office. He was fuming about his earlier confrontation with Branch.

"Mr. Peterson always consulted Mr. Autonberry on trust changes. He would initial them in triplicate so that he could reference them."

"Well, Peterson is rotting in the grave. I have full authority to do what I need to do for Autonberry Assets."

"I want to hear that from his own mouth. I worked for fifteen years with Mr Peterson. Nothing happened in this office that I was not privy to—"

"Well, that is to end soon. I have a signed document from JD to close this office. You will get six month's severance and since you have a mother and a wife that depend on you—-several children too and live in a Peterson rental, I assume you understand your predicament."

"I do."

Timothy wrote a detailed account to Mr Autonberry about Branch's practices. He hoped it would merit him a job if he fired the young upstart Branch. Or seal his coffin.

He heard the couple in the antechamber and put the letter in his jacket pocket—and walked out to investigate.

"Mr and Mrs Santiago, please wait. Let me check to see if he is available." the young clerk nodded.

The clerk knew the name by heart. He snuck a look at the man. A full beard of salt and pepper but it was him. He recognized the voice too.

He allowed the Santiago's to see him in the wings. David gave him a nod of acknowledgment.

The clerk put one finger to his mouth and moved back into the shadow. He motioned toward the entry door.

David and Ximena couldn't help but hear Branch's slurred speech, "JD doesn't make deals with greasers. Peterson warned me that people show up all the time wanting a piece of the Autonberry pie."

"Sir, they look very wealthy and affluent."

"Probably grifters then. Get rid of them."

The red-faced clerk looked mortified knowing the couple probably heard him. He had been drinking Peterson's bourbon again—- on an empty stomach. He would call out for some food after the couple left.

"Mr Davis is busy. You may make an appointment in two weeks. He isn't taking any new clients."

"I have dealings with Mr Autonberry," he said with anger.

"Yes sir. Please make an appointment."

Ximena whispered something to David and he calmed a bit. She rolled her eyes at the young clerk and flounced out.

"We don't want to do business with Gringos either." she spat.

The senior clerk met them in the same alcove as David had met Peterson ten years before, sopping wet and made the deal that sent him to Mexico.

"David?"

"Yes. Timothy wasn't it?"

"Yes. My father worked for yours; he got me the job with Peterson. I sent you the letter about Peterson's death."

"I remember. This new attorney is a jackass."

"Yes, he is. Got his hooks into your Father taking the case against Maris."

David and Ximena's faces showed surprise, "I think you need to fill us in."

"Be glad to. Do you have a carriage?"

"Yes, waiting."

"Pull to the back. I will meet you there in a few minutes."

The rumors about Timothy were revived in David's head about this clerk. He never gave them much thought at the time and no one took them seriously.

"And yet Peterson always kept him under his wing,"

—-&—-

Ximena carefully watched David as they walked into their suite at The Palace. He had been strangely quiet, almost remorseful since they had their lengthy meeting with the law clerk. Timothy had spilled the story of Maris and Nick Barkley and James David—-to the new brother, James and Lila, and the villain in his story, Branch Davis.

He held tightly to her arm, his jaw was clenched, and he took numerous deep breaths without exhaling. She had never seen this side of David in the eight years they had been together.

"I would like to change Ximena, then we need to talk."

"I would like that, amore."

They changed wordlessly in the vanities. Ximena finished first. She came out and fixed them both brandy. He joined her in a few minutes.

"Ximena, I must do my part to fix this travesty my Father wrought. I never thought about the girl, I guess I should say my wife would suffer at his hands. I thought they would all be better off in society without me—and selfishly me without them. I only wanted the money and to leave."

She continued to listen.

"And a new wife? And he gave his new son MY name? That is unheard of. I am glad I am done with the name. I pity the child for wearing it."

She waited for him to continue.

He finished his brandy and Ximena refilled it.

"Thank you," he sighed, "In my wildest dreams did I think such."

"She was a child bride. Father adored her. Of course, she should have her own life."

"Tell me about her, Davos."

"Red, dark red hair, curly. Big eyes, pale. Slight. No opinions or strong thoughts as far as I knew. Just did what we all said." He said sadly, "Flat as a board and a tiny girl. Not five feet or so."

She shook her head at him, "Davos, she was fifteen. What did you expect? I assume she is a beautiful woman now as Timothy said."

"Father tried to put her in an asylum for disobeying him. Who in the hell does he think he is?"

"My love, he did the same to you. Money was your sanitarium. He trapped you, too."

"Ximena, I wasn't a good man. At all."

"I know that. But I have always seen the good, each year it grows. I am no saint myself. You know that."

"Ximena, you saved me. We were meant to be together. I see that clearly."

"I do too, Davos." and she kissed him on the lips. He pulled her close and held her.

"A Barkley wanted to marry her? They are a good family; I recognize the name. And Father ran him off. Damn him. At least she's not a bigamist. I can divorce her quietly and give her our son. I don't want the old man raising him."

"Davos? Do you want to meet your son?"

"No. I can't imagine what he has heard of me. All of it is true."

"Davos, do you want to see him?"

He cocked his head at her, "Yes but—"

"Let's go to this, PineCrest Academy, take a tour. Prospective parents? I am sure we could figure out a way to at least see him from afar?"

"You would do that for me?"

"Of course."

"Ximena, I have to go to Denver and face the old man. End this once and for all. Timothy thinks that he didn't have anything to do with Maris' kidnapping attempt; he blames Branch for that. I am not so sure. He may be dangerous."

"Davos, did he push you over the side?"

"I assumed I was drunk. Now I do not know. I wanted him to think he killed me. Hurt him like he did me. I didn't think of the consequences. Not until I met you did my actions prick my soul. "

She nodded; the same thought had crossed her mind as Timothy told them the sordid story of the past six months.

He held her and gently kissed her head, "Ximena, It's very cold in Denver. Likely snow and I know you hate to be cold."

"You shall keep me warm. And there is a furrier downtown. A full fur coat is in my future."

"You got it. And an engagement ring?"

She arched her eyebrow, "Let's go down for a late supper and dancing. Will think about the ring. But the fur coat is a deal."

"As you wish, milady."