Chapter Fifty-Six

Maris made it to the hotel in Sacramento. She had been sick on the train. The smell of the smoke and steam had always disrelished her but today it had nauseated her. She had eaten some fish that didn't agree with her two weeks ago and her system was still revolting. She checked her watch pin and was relieved to find she had plenty of time for a nap. The porter took her bags up to her room.

She was excited that Nate and Alice were coming to get her.

"I pray Nate's injuries have healed. He saved my life from that vile man. I cannot ever repay him and Alice for all the goodness they have brought into my life."

"Oh my, I need to find a water closet again."

—-&—-

Nate and Alice were on the rail to Sacramento in first class. They were due to arrive any minute.

"Nate, I hate you have to tell Maris that it's going to be March before she has a court date again. Does it seem that judges are avoiding this case?"

"Yes. Whatever Autonberry did to the judge seems to have gotten around. No one will outright say it but it's my only explanation. Calendars are filled up miraculously; we will get one even if I have to file a complaint with the state. But right now, it's preposterous."

She looked over at his scarred hands. He noticed, "They healed up well and I can use them like before except my little finger—-it's still stiff. I would do it again to save our lovely Maris."

Alice kissed him on the cheek, "Nate, you are a good man."

"With an even better wife."

—-&—

Branch was at Peterson's desk similarly lamenting the lack of a court date. He had pushed his clerk hard to get one. His pressure and the subsequent recusal had left many wary of this case.

"JD is going to be on my backside when he returns. Surely I can get some door to finally open. Greased palms are not working. Barkley and Springer are too respected."

He went back to reviewing all of Peterson's Autonberry files and accounts. They were meticulously detailed and referenced. The rest of his client cases had been boxed for return to their new representatives.

"I only have three documents that I cannot find in reference to the trust. A death certificate for David Autonberry, a marriage license for JD and Lila, and David's last will and testament, Maris's part. Peterson used it at the trial but it's not in the files or the safe. Wonder where the old fool put it? I will have that pompous clerk look, old know-it-all too. Never seemed to be filed here in San Francisco as he said at the trial. Will check Denver. That clerk will be out on his backside too once I get my legs under me."

—&—

JD and Lila were en route in their personal suite of private cars from the East Coast. Baby James was crawling much to JD's delight and was quite an affable baby. He was the spitting image of his beautiful Mother. If he didn't know better, he would assume he had nothing to do with the conception.

"My darling Lila, here is a little something to thank you for the wonderful companionship you provided me on this trip. You captivated every eye in that room with your gown and beauty. I apologize it couldn't be a Worth gown on such short notice but I will make it up to you I promise. I still can't imagine what happened to the Worth gowns we had. There is no way that Maris would have been able to take them from the cedar closets without a servant and they wouldn't dare deceive me"

She beamed until he brought up Maris again, "He always finds a way to compare me to his beloved daughter as he calls her."

The unbidden memory of her bedroom nightstand came to her mind and she shivered in revulsion.

"Are you cold my lovely? This should take the chill off the air."

He produced a large box and she opened it with her faux smile. She had mastered the look since they married. Any mood aside from his idea of happiness was met with unpleasantness. She adapted.

"Oh JD, it is beautiful and lush," she smiled.

"It is from London, my Lila."

She tried it on, "Thank you so much JD."

He grinned lewdly, "You can show your appreciation later my dear."

She turned her head and allowed him to paw her. "I know that too well."

James cried out and Lila pulled away from his embrace, glad for the diversion. He immediately paid attention to "his boy."

"We will be in Denver soon. Then San Francisco. I need to check on Branch and my case."

David and Ximena arrived at dawn from San Diego. Their first class accommodations had been luxurious but they were exhausted from days on the train.

He found a porter and made arrangements for their trunks to be taken to The Palace.

Ximena looked around in awe. The Spanish beauty was adorned in a chinchilla stole and matching hat; her dark hair and honey-colored skin were accentuated by the red traveling dress she wore underneath.

"I cannot wait to see the city, Davo. I have been to Mexico City and Bogata and San Paulo—-but this!"

"Only the best for you my amante." as he took her arm.

"I am emocionado."

"Wait until you see The Palace. One of the grandest hotels in the whole world."

"Anywhere with you Davo."

"Food and a soft bed, first. Then some fun in the city and tomorrow—-or the next day or two, I will open up some old wounds so the poison will be removed. It's time."

She squeezed his hand. "I have never seen him this way. He has always been a good man. I think he is becoming a warrior. And I love him even more."

—-&—-

Nick and Jarrod boarded the train with Chip and JT; they made reservations at The Palace. Jarrod's home was still being renovated from the fireworks damage. The paneling had to be removed, sanded, and buffed before it could be reused.

They decided not to use the Occidental again in case Carl Wheeler needed to resurface and rent his rooms for Nick.

The boys got more excited the closer they got to San Francisco. Nick was feeling sad again to leave the boys but the maturity and responsibility he had witnessed made leaving them easier this time. And he was worried about Maris.

The lawsuit, the visitation, the very real possibility she would not be able to see James David for several years—and the desire to make JD Autonberry pay filled his mind.

The whistle blew and the Barkley car pulled into the station. They gathered their possessions and waited for the train to stop. Jarrod saw a porter waiting at their car.

"Got one already boys. Make sure you get your trunks to them. Nick and I will check the car for any more of your stuff."

"Yes sir."

The porter opened the door," Mista Barkley? Got a message for ya. Two of them."

Jarrod reached out and opened the first one, "James David is in his new dormitory room. Coulter? Isn't that closer to LongLeaf?"

The boys grinned, "Yes sir. Lots closer."

Nick added, "I am glad the boy stepped up and wrote to the head of the school board—-skipped the Headmaster completely—that he didn't want to stay in the building where his mother was attacked."

"Seems like the man listened to him."

Jarrod went to open the other envelope but realized it was for Nick.

Nick recognized the hand-drawn stationery that Audra had gifted Maris for Christmas.

He quickly opened the note and scanned it.

"Maris asked that I come straight to the Springers and not wait two days as we planned. She should have just gotten there today herself"

Jarrod frowned, making the same assumption that Nick had—Something was wrong.

"Y'all go on to The Palace. I will meet you there later."

He opened his bag and took out his overcoat. He put his trademark black cowboy hat with the luggage for the hotel. He grabbed an inexpensive bowler in the train station and took a rig to Russian Hill and the Springer mansion.

He had the driver drop him off at the servants' alley behind the mansion and quickly walked to the Springer's back door.

"Come on in, Mista Barkley. They said you'd be coming."