Chapter Eighty One
Jarrod, Nick and Heath made their way with Victoria to the parlor. Silas had seated the guests there. He still never liked the man much at all since he held the family at gunpoint—Jarrod had explained it was to find Mr. Lincoln's killer's accomplices but he thought it could have been handled much simpler than hurting his ladies.
"Mista Macklin and Miss Patty Fleming."
Nick and Jarrod turned in surprise, "Patrice Foster?"
"One in the same. I always use the same initials. Monograms make the lady and they are pricey. Plus I often just initial my notes—-Good to see you Nick, Jarrod. I hate it didn't work out with Davina. She wrote and said she called it off. Sweet girl." she spoke with a spunk.
Jarrod and Nick's mouths were in an O.
"Shut your mouths boys. She's a looker alright. Said she had made the acquaintance of you boys in the office and offered to come along. She's Pinkerton while I am still on loan for the federal marshals office." Macklin spouted.
Victoria cleared her throat for an explanation and Heath was looking amused at his brother's reactions.
"Pleased to meet you Mrs Barkley. You have two fine sons. I assume this is the third, Heath. I read the case notes and Gene is at Berkeley."
"You have the advantage." Victoria said frostily.
"Forgive my bad manners. I was raised better—-I Promise. Alongside Davina and my friends at finishing school. I was recruited by Pinkertons for a one time job infiltrating a high society group of grifters at my ladies club. My dear friend was seduced by an unsavory type and I wanted to help. I volunteered and went undercover a few weeks until he was arrested. I was enamored at that point and I have worked for them for two years. My father believes I am a society columnist traveling the state, etiquette writing."
Macklin finished up the story, "So Patty here heard I was coming to Stockton again, she signed up. I think she will be a big help,"
Nick was uncharacteristically quiet while Jarrod spoke up.
"Well, let's have a drink after this surprise. I know I need one."
Macklin frowned as he walked by, "You smell like a brewery already."
Jarrod laughed, "Second time tonight I have heard that."
He fixed everyone a drink and Patrice went and sat by Nick. Too close for propriety.
"Sorry for the surprise but I have been looking forward to getting back here."
"Uh huh," was all he sputtered out.
Macklin began, "Let me tell you what I know and you can give me the Stockton news. Buck Turner has been missing for several weeks in Modesto. No one has seen or heard from him. Foreman running the ranch and the mines. Miller arrived in Modesto at the same time. Neither have surfaced in town or his spread. His housekeeper disappeared too. No one seems to know anyone's whereabouts. I followed the lead you sent Jarrod and I think you are onto something. It appeared to be a shell company that bought the Modesto casino. It's full of his cronies. Miller stayed there when he got to town but now his room is cleaned out. No trail of either man."
Jarrod spoke up. He told them of the attempted break ins at his office and the possible visitor to the ranch today.
Nick finally found his words still discomfited by Patrice, "Well this might now mean anything but Brahma tonight—," he looked over sadly at Macklin and Patrice, "He's touched in the head with old age. Anyhows, he mentioned the guy was riding a pinto with a Spanish saddle. Like Buck raises. I know those horses are not as common as they once were but it stuck in my craw."
"I believe in providence, Nick. I think we disregard no clue at this point." Patrice squeezed his arm possessively. Victoria bit her lip in disapproval.
Jarrod caught them up on the hotel debacle and explained the story about Grete and Brother Jehu. He left out the tawdry rumors of the night Heath left the bakery with his soon-to-be wife and Kai.
Heath nursed his whiskey just listening.
Macklin looked amused, "What in the hell? A regular old Stockton Witch Trials with a missing preacher and a pitchfork rabble ready to run her through? Damn, I can't make this stuff up."
Heath stood up and glared.
Macklin immediately realized his mistake, "No offense, Heath. Didn't mean to make light of it." and he subconsciously looked over at the plate glass window.
Victoria put her hand on her son and he downed the whiskey. He walked back to the door.
"Going upstairs to check on my wife," still glaring at Macklin like a tightly wound watch.
The door closed and everyone exhaled.
Macklin apologized again and the conversation began again.
They all talked.
"I can't help but wonder if this hotel mess and Buck aren't connected—-or maybe it's Miller. I want to go into town tomorrow and put my ear to the ground."
Jarrod and Nick agreed, "We have to go to the hotel site tomorrow and Heath will be here with the ranch. He doesn't need to be in town with all the suspicion on him. Butch and Ciego will keep the ladies safe."
"I would like to stay here with them. I can be of help." Patrice volunteered.
"She's a crack shot and underwent the Pinkerton training in Chinatown,"
Nick's eyebrow raised at that information. She was making him uncomfortable as it was with her closeness. And his mind was racing to figure out how to tell her he was engaged.
"Sounds good. Let's just call Patrice a family friend visiting. I for one don't think Lisette can have one more reason to worry. I need to get upstairs and check on her."
Victoria took Patrice by the arm, "Let me take you to your room. It's next to Nick's fiancée, Anna. The wedding is in two weeks. Hopefully this threat will be over by then—-and you and Mr. Macklin can get to the bottom of it." in a firm voice.
"Thank you Mrs Barkley," unable to hide her surprise at Nick's news.
"Goodnight everyone."
"Goodnight. I am headed back to town. Patty? I will bring your bag in." Macklin volunteered.
"Thank you," with Victoria's arm tightly on hers.
—-&—
Macklin rode back quickly in the rig he rented from the livery. He went straight to the small cottage at the edge of town. He checked his watch piece and it was 9 pm. He turned the corner smiling to see a lantern in the window.
He took the small rig back and tied it up in the woods behind the cottage. The cottage was well-kept with a white picket fence lined with rambling roses and black-eyed Susan's. He opened the gate and latched the lock. A cat came out of the darkness and meowed loudly at him.
"Hello Tabby. Is our lady home?"
About that time, Esther opened the door with a big smile. The cat darted inside while Macklin greeted her with a kiss. She blushed and invited him inside.
"Right on time."
