Chapter Thirty
Paul and Miller put their feet up in their rooms on the velvet footstools as they smoked the most expensive cigar they could find. They had been staying at the most exclusive brothel in Chicago for the past three weeks.
"My men are holed up at Buck's. Once they get the Modesto hotel bought from your wife, we can do anything we damn well please. Buck has our money stashed."
"Lisette is quite strong-willed. They shouldn't underestimate her. I do not want a hand laid on my son or wife no matter what. I owe that much to her Father for setting me up financially for the rest of our lives. When I divorce her, she won't have a pot to pee in but those Vassar friends will take care of her. The boy has the East Coast stocks. Her mother fixed that early on so I couldn't touch them. And Lisette being sole heir. Had to find a way around it by leaving nothing to inherit but debt. She will regret leaving me the rest of her natural life. Remember not one hand on them."
"Of course not Paul. Not one hand." But many. He laughed to himself.
Paul took a drag off the cigar, "Did you see the heir to Tatum Steel give me a double take? She is a decent looking woman, for an old widow. Has the lonely desperate look."
"She did look like an easy mark. Easy tickle and you will be set for life."
"What girl ya want tonight? I fancy a red head."
"I will try a blonde tonight. Change things up."
"I will send Buck a telegram to heat up the fire. I want this said and done before the end of the summer."
"Agreed!"
—&—-
Silas brought the correspondence to Jarrod and the small package. A hand delivered the larger parcel of new dresses and accessories to Lisette's room. He rifled through the papers sent by Esther then came upon the note from Davina.
He smiled as he read the sweet note from Davina. Her flowery cursive warmed him. He read it twice and put it in her pocket. A romantic dinner was in the cards soon with sweet Davina.
He would send a note and some flowers when a hand went into town this week. He had to delve into these new documents from the hotel business. And then there was Modesto to settle.
Jarrod reached for the small parcel last and opened it up. No return address—- no note. He unwrapped a five by five frayed piece of purple silk. His stomach lurched again at the implication; he recognized the material immediately by sight and touch. He dropped the fabric as if he had been burned—-he barely got the verandah door as he emptied the bile left in his stomach.
—-&—
Lisette came to the study to meet with Jarrod over the recent correspondence. He made the decision not to tell her about the threat but he would alert Heath and Nick to post a guard. Jarrod didn't plan on letting her out of his sight until Modesto was sold.
"Lissy?" he still used the term of endearment he had learned at Prudy's and Bax's home, "Want some wine?"
"Yes please. I can't imagine ever eating a full meal again."
"Me either," thinking of his stomach only an hour before.
"I have two more bids here. Both for Modesto. They are less than Buck's. One is from Reno and the other Denver. Thirty cents on the dollar."
"We can't do that. Fifty cents on the dollar would only clear half the debt we still have. The materials for the Stockton hotel are still not sold. I am so thankful Heath got the lumber contract canceled. Once again the Barkleys save me."
Jarrod turned toward the window and lit a cigar. He was trying to school his features and not alarm her about the threat to her wellbeing. He did not want to sell to Buck and his cronies either but if it kept her safe—
"Lissy, those men in Modesto. They are dangerous. I don't trust Buck and the rest of them either. But might it be prudent to unload the property while we can. A tax auction would leave you penniless and still in debt."
"Let's wait a little longer. A better offer from all the brokers you contacted may come in."
He sighed as he agreed with her strategy—-but would she change her mind if she knew about the purple silk he received. He wondered if the threat was as directed as him too. To scare him off as her attorney.
"Lissy, Buck won't take no, well. He may put pressure on you."
"I understand. He is a bully and will try to pressure me. I won't accept his offer unless I am desperate."
"But to put this all past you? To start over and take Henry to your family in France? Learn the champagne business as you wanted. I just want you to think this through."
"Jarrod? Would you sell to Buck?"
He hesitated and knew he couldn't lie to her, "No but as your lawyer, it may be the most prudent."
Lisette laughed and joked with him, "Prudent? I haven't ever been called that."
They sipped their wine and stared outside for a few minutes.
"Jarrod, let's wait for a better offer. At least a few weeks."
"I will send a telegram and also one to Bax. He can push the brokers in Frisco."
"Thank you: I trust you." and she squeezed his hand.
His stomach fell again—-not of his illness but of her safety and seeing her off to Europe at the end of the summer. And the purple silk in his pocket.
—-&—
"Grete? Brother Jehu is here to see you." Adolf yelled into the kitchen. The preacher had been by every day for a week.
"For his free baked goods," Grete mumbled as she wiped her hands on the linen towel. She had flour on her face and hands. She warmed thinking of earlier in the week when Heath surprised her in the same state.
"Here let me help you," as he dabbed her forehead and cheeks with the linen towel. "Seems I have found the secret to your fine baking. You share some Grete with the flour. Tastes real good." and he leaned over to kiss her. He pulled away quickly as Kai ran in the kitchen to announce a customer had come in. They both laughed nervously and Heath huskily whispered, "I will be back for a taste of that—- flour." She blushed and felt a desire she believed long past. And it was welcome.
"Sister Grete!" he spoke out. He handed her a bouquet of flowers and she noticed he was wearing a clean shirt. She spied Cousin Adolf grinning from the counter.
"Thank you Brother Jehu."
"Picked them just for you. There are some blue cornflowers just like your eyes. Our brother here—your cousin Adolf has consented for me to court you. I have my buggy I just purchased outside. Second hand but it's good for starting a family."
Grete blanched and stammered—-she broke into Danish nervously.
"I am sorry I can't right now." she finally retrieved some English words and headed back to the kitchen in a fluster.
Adolf answered for her, "She's just shy and hasn't courted for many years or more. We caught her by surprise. She's a modest woman. I am the head of the family and she is my responsibility. She was raised in the old country ways. Her first marriage was arranged by the families.I will talk to her. She is yours to wed."
Brother Jehu spoke with bravado, "I will wait, Adolf. Look how long Jacob waited—-Rachel and Leah and all. It's very much like Rebekah and Lord has already given me Grete. He will tell her soon. Probably in a dream I assume. Good day." and he whistled out of the bakery.
Adolf put the flowers in a jar on the counter. Kai came around the counter with clean towels.
"Kai? What do you think about a new father?"
"Don't need one. I had the best."
"Always trust your Cousin Adolf. The Lord put me and your Mother in my care."
"Yes sir. Always."