Chapter Twenty Four
Lisette gave the address to the Vanderpool mansion on Russian Hill to the driver. She had toyed with their original plan on staying at The Palace but she was anxious to see some of her oldest and dearest friends from back East.
The morning had started as the others had in Modesto. Waking up in each other's arms at dawn—awkwardness in the morning light—-dressing for the day with uncomfortable feelings and not acknowledging them the rest of the day.
The sun was setting across the bay as they drove in.
"Jarrod, the ocean just calms me. Look at all the colors of the sunset."
"Beautiful," but he didn't take his eyes off her.
They arrived at a palatial mansion. Each room was lit and glittering in the dusk. The carriage took them through the intricate iron gates to the double oaken doors and marble steps. Lisette fished out an elegant calling card and handed it to the butler.
"We are expecting you and your guest."
Prudence Vanderpool ran out into the foyer, "Oh my Lissy, I have missed you so much. Our letters come and go but you live in my heart."
"And you in mine, Prudy. May I introduce you to my attorney, Jarrod Barkley of Stockton."
"Pleased to meet you by introduction. I have seen your name in the newspapers and heard of the upstanding reputation of your fine family. I believe my husband Baxter and you are members of the same club."
"Yes we are. Very pleased to make your acquaintance. Please call me Jarrod."
"Prudy"
He kissed her hand.
The livery men carried their trunks up to their room.
"Jarrod, would you like a drink? as she escorted them into the opulent parlor. Velvet, gold gilt, oil paintings, Venetian glass—-the finest of the gilded age.
"Scotch," as he appreciated the art.
"I should have known my Lissy would find a man with an appreciation for the arts. She should be a master herself. She has an art history degree."
Lisette blushed at the compliment, "Then I would not have had my Henry."
"How is he?" and they chatted about the little boy. Lisette's pride in her son's accomplishments was buoyant.
"Sarah and Samantha?"
"They just turned six as you know. I can't bear to think of finishing school in a few years but society demands it. I hope they find friends like we found each loved the journals and books you sent them. And the sea shells. They are with their Nanny at dance. They adore their godmother and have been counting the days until you got here. I am sorry about your Father, I know it was uh difficult, "
"Yes. It was and is—" she whispered as Jarrod was looking at another painting.
Jarrod was pleasantly surprised that Lisette was an artist, "I had no idea."
Prudy looked over at Jarrod, "I have several of her paintings upstairs. They are my favorites. I look at them every day and miss my best friend and college companion."
"I would love to see them."
Lisette got embarrassed, "They were from a long time ago. Another time."
"Bax!" Lisette changed the subject. She ran over and gave him a brotherly hug. Prudy smiled broadly.
"We are all back together, at least for our few days. Our Lissy is home." joining in the hug. Jarrod was incredulous to see this side of his client,so carefree and happy.
"And you Mr Barkley, we are thankful for you bringing our Lissy to San Francisco. I know we have met at the club and about town—-But I want to hear all about your trip and the business you wired about. I have a broker on call for the day after tomorrow," Baxter refilled his drink.
"And call me Bax."
"And, Jarrod."
Lisette and Prudy went upstairs to show the servant where to put their items and visit.
Bax and Jarrod sat down in the study.
"I don't want to ruin supper with business but Lisette assures me you have her complete trust. I have done some investigating in town. It's as bad as she wrote. Any luck in Modesto?"
"Some unsavory types I would rather her not sell to—-but we see what the broker here thinks."
"Prudy and I begged her not to marry Paul Franklin. She would not defy her Father. We all saw what he was. After the Fourneaux champagne fortune. Ha! Her father had already spent most of that inheritance. He compromised Lissy. And she married him. She found her backbone after Henry was born but it was too late. He already had his hooks into her father and the hotels."
That filled in more pieces to who Lisette was to him, "Tell me about her parents."
"Margot Taylor, they called her Sissi like the empress—- was one of the most beautiful women I ever met. She was unconventional and Lissy takes after her except with the Taylor hair. She and John met in Europe and married and came back to the states. He invested her money into the east coast hotels. They are still very solvent since John finally gave up controlling interest and sold stocks. Margot convinced him to put those shares in little Henry's name. She didn't trust her husband's judgment either. He often got grandiose ideas and relied on unsound advice especially in the west, Paul Franklin being the culprit. He was a womanizer, never faithful even in the beginning to Lissy. Gambler, coward, if there is a flaw, he had it in my mind."
Jarrod sipped on his scotch, "Paul and his associate may be responsible for a death and an assault in Stockton—hired the men who did it." He couldn't decide if he should tell him the same men were in Modesto and attacked Lisette and him at the hotel. He decided that was something she should disclose.
"Lisette wrote that all four western hotels and casinos are in danger of loss. It is her plan to sell three of them and pay off all the lines of credit her father and Paul signed. And consolidate to one hotel."
"I think we have a buyer for Denver. It has a huge liability coming up. Stockton is a total loss at this point and here we are in San Francisco."
"The best thing about the San Francisco hotel is the land. Prime for the city. I think she can sell easily."
"So that leaves Modesto and Stockton to contend with."
Twin girls with long brown curls bounded into the room, "Papa! Is Aunt Lissy here?"
"She is, my darlings. I would like to introduce you to her friend, Mr. Jarrod Barkley."
Both girls curtseyed identically with twinkling green eyes, "Pleased to meet you sir. Thank you for bringing our Aunt Lissy to see us."
"It is my pleasure. And I am honored to meet her godchildren. She is quite proud of you."
The girls turned and ran up the stairs to see their mother and Lisette.
"Those girls are the light of this home. I can't understand how Paul ignored Henry and in turn, Lissy the way he did. My girls were tiny and frail the first year, too. You couldn't have torn me from Prudy's side. I disliked the man before that. It turned to hate."
"I agree." and Jarrod studied his scotch.
—&—
Lissy and Prudy lay across the fine mahogany bed.
"I have missed you so."
"So have I, my dearest friend."
"Lissy, I have news. I am with child. Only Bax and the doctor know. I want to make it past four months since—-"
"I am thrilled, my love. I will keep you in my heart and prayers for this child," knowing how much disappointment her best friend had after the twins' birth."
They visited about the loss of her father and Paul absconding with all of the cash reserves. Lisette began to tell of "how providence brought the Barkleys to her on the train and Jarrod's legal services."
"The stars aligned for that. Bax says he is one of the most respected honest attorneys in the state. But more importantly my friend, he is so handsome. Is there something else brewing? Do I need to move his room next door? You know I am quite the free thinker. Quite a libertine." and said with a smile and knowing look.
Lisette laughed, "He has quite the ingenue back home. Judge Franklin's daughter. Beautiful blonde, blue eyes, perfectly coiffed. Quite virginal." she giggled trying to hide the feelings she was having. She sensed Prudy could sense the attraction but she didn't plan on divulging it.
The girls burst in before they could continue. They jumped on the bed and hugged Lisette. They showered each other with kisses and hugs.
Jarrod and Bax passed by the happy reunion. They couldn't help but smile at the sheer joy and giggles that came from the room. They watched the ladies from the open door.
"See you at dinner." and Bax shooed the girls down the hall.
"Lisette, I will be back down with some dresses that will work for you."
Jarrod walked over to Lisette and sat on the bed beside her.
He whispered, "I didn't share any of Modesto. That is up to you."
"Thank you," and she squeezed his hand.
"Jarrod, will you help me get this jacket off? The girls didn't realize the uh injuries."
"Of course, my dear." and he gingerly helped her remove the short, tight bolero jacket. She undid the lace jabot from her neck. It had covered the fingerprints on her throat. He had worried about broken ribs by the way she moved.
The bruises were darker and uglier as the blood pooled from the initial marks.
She closed her eyes and sighed. He sat beside her holding her hand.
A small gasp at the partially open door got their attention, "Lissy, what happened to you?" Prudy hissed.
She nodded for Jarrod to go and he closed the door behind the best friends.
Lissy told her best friend everything,
—-&—-
The two hired men sat in a hired rig across from the address in Russian Hill.
"We need to get out of here. We stick out as strangers with these rich people. Let's send a message to Buck and find out our next steps. I don't want some guard taking us to the police station."
"Good idea."