Chapter Twenty Two
"Counselor Barkley, Mrs. uh Taylor," still confused on why she was using her maiden name, "I am afraid the news is not good."
Jarrod and Lisette sat in the Modesto bank president's office with their local attorney and his vice presidents.
"The accounts are empty."
Lisette nodded her head, "As I unfortunately suspected."
"A lien for taxes will be filed in two months time if that situation is not rectified."
Jarrod spoke up, "We understand."
He looked towards Lisette for the next step. They had planned for this possibility.
"Is there a way to avoid a county sale?" she asked.
"Ma'am," the vice president of the bank spoke up, "Why don't you rest and let us men work out the details. It is taxing for such a beautiful young woman."
Lisette arched her eyebrow in a way that reminded Jarrod of his mother. He wanted to chuckle.
"Taxing? Is that a play on words?" she gave him a deathly stare.
"No ma'am," He stuttered and the rest of the men recognized she was a "formidable woman" as Jarrod had early in their first conversation.
"I assume the bank is always looking for properties for its many investments and clients." she said cynically.
The vice president's face looked unnerved.
Jarrod took his courtroom voice, "The sale for taxes would be four months and not two—-based on state law and I could delay it inevitably if I needed with court filings."
The men had underestimated Jarrod and Lisette's preparation for this meeting. It was more than a grieving daughter looking into probate.
"Who were Franklin and Miller negotiating with for my Father's hotel once it went south?" Lisette asked pointedly.
All of the men looked as if they had been slapped. Jarrod wanted to laugh aloud.
"Well a few names." they hemmed and hawed finally.
"Contact them. I am open to a sale. I am personally guaranteeing a month's salary to current employees and I will shut the doors. And I know what it's worth and I know I need a quick sale but I do have an agent in San Francisco I meet today after tomorrow. I will put the property up for national sale. Your choice." she said in a strong clipped voice.
"Yes ma'am. Would you be amenable to a dinner meeting with some possible investors?"
She looked at Jarrod to answer, "Prospectus in hand with funding secured. Since it seems the investors are associated with the bank, that should not be a problem. As I surely don't have to remind you, sharing private banking details with prospective buyers is highly unethical and illegal. State bank charters have been lost with such loose tongues."
They sneered at Jarrod but shook their heads in agreement. They all seemed to swallow deeply at the same time.
"Until dinner. You know the hotel, of course."
She stood up and the men followed. Jarrod tipped his hat and they headed out of the bank. The men quickly began to mumble among themselves about their plan to pick up the hotel for cents on the dollar. Obviously they would have to make a much higher bid than they planned but no one wanted a San Francisco owner.
—-&—-
Lisette and Jarrod walked proudly to the hotel for coffee. Heads turned in the street and in the lobby. By now, most of the town had heard the ruffians that were running the casino were on the run and the owner's daughter raped according to the busboys. Her handsome lover-attorney had saved her according to the chambermaids. They kept pieces of her beautiful purple dress that had been torn from her in the attack to show people.
They went to a corner booth and ordered coffee.
"Well, that went exactly as you thought, Jarrod. You prepared me well."
"Lisette, you had the acumen to carry it off."
She smiled at him, "What is your prediction?"
"Fifty cents on the dollar. I am holding out for more in San Francisco."
"I am worried more lines of credit will show up in San Francisco with all the construction."
"Very likely."
She sipped on her coffee, "Don't look now but we are being talked about by the people near the window. Just saw them pointing." and she subconsciously fiddled with the new scarf she bought before the bank to cover the bruises at her throat. She shivered and tried to put it out of her mind.
"Let them stare and appreciate you like I do," he smiled.
"Jarrod, thank you for last night and the night before. I have been doing some thinking after what happened. We need to talk."
He took a deep breath, "So have I."
He knew he cared for Davina and he still could be very happy with her—-starting a family and a good life together. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen socially. As close to perfect in looks, manners and sweet disposition—-But the attraction to Lisette has given me second thoughts. I almost asked Davina's father for permission to marry two weeks before I met Lisette. Only their family emergency changed my plans. I want to give my feelings some time when my role as Lisette's attorney is over and see where it might lead—-I need more time to think this through. Surely she had felt as I do. But society's conventions should have me marrying Lisette after sharing a room with her for two nights—-even if nothing happened. I will do the right thing if she presses.
He welled up with discomfort thinking Lisette would push him for a commitment after the weekend together.
"I will go first before I lose my courage. I could have died in that attack and those men might still come back for me."
"Over my dead body, Lisette."
She smiled and patted his hand, "You proved that to be already. My knight in shining armor."
He looked deep into her green eyes, "I am more than your attorney, I hope you know that by now."
"I do. A friend whom I can count upon. I want you to know where my will is and the safety deposit key in New York. You already have the name of my attorney in the East and my personal power of attorney. Just in case. If something is to happen, I want you to be his guardian; I have friends in San Francisco that we can visit with this week too—-to ask to raise him. I can't leave my boy unprotected. I have spent every minute since he was born giving him a chance to live. My father and husband's greed cannot destroy him too. Hopefully I can wrap all this up and head back by the fall, wiser and older. I want to raise Henry in Europe. I hope to go abroad." as she watched for his response.
She saw nothing in his face but his friendship. It disappointed her.
"Of course, Lisette. I would be honored," and he found himself keenly disappointed that she had not mentioned their time together or an inkling of a future.
She stared at him as if she were trying to read his mind. She settled on her next tact of conversation. She had hoped to draw some response from him over the significance of sharing each other's arms for two nights and what meaning he put to it.
"Now Jarrod on a lighter note, tell me about your pretty little lady at home. I hope she understands this is just a business trip for us. And I would have hated to put her in danger."
That hit Jarrod like a second punch in the stomach and he found his response.
"Yes, I offered for her to chaperone but she declined. I am glad that she did. She wouldn't have fared well at the hotel." and he looked down in his coffee.
"Thank you again for saving me and being there for me. I should sleep better tonight and not be a bother."
"And that is that, I am glad I brought her up. It was just the moment—the danger—- and my silly feminine imagination—-" Lisette told herself.
"Lisette, it was not a bother. It was—" and he was interrupted by the waiter from the night before.
"Good to see you both. Glad all the rumors aren't true. You look mighty pretty Miss Taylor. Mother told me so after breakfast but I wanted to see for myself."
She smiled at the young man, "Just so you know, you will get your back wages. I promise."
"Thank you, I knew you would take care of us."
"I think I will retire for a nap. Siesta as they say around here."
"I am going out for a cigar once I have you locked in."
"I will have someone watch the room too."
"Thank you," with relief showing in her voice.
Jarrod walked her silently up to their rooms and locked her in.
"Thank you," and she closed the door to their suite. He heard the lock. It twisted in his heart.
Tears welled up in her eyes.