Chapter Eighty
The deputies called the work for the day done at sundown. They shoooed Brother Jehu's supporters away as well as the Barkleys.
"The constable will guard the site overnight. Will be back at dawn. There's about a foot and half of water in there still after the level backed it up again at the river."
The engineer, quite full of his beer, smarted off, "Told you so. It's also alluvial soil, looooomy silt from the river. High porosity—a body would have already floated up—-if you had asked an expert instead of a few old ladies at the road. But nobody asks the engineer until there is a problem." he slurred his speech.
Jarrod and Nick shared a smile at their soft-spoken friend, "Let's get him back to the hotel to sleep it off."
Fred shook his head, "Even drunk, he makes a lot of sense. See you in the morning."
"Night." Jarrod said as he and Nick got on each side of their friend. They undressed him and got him into bed at the hotel.
"See you tomorrow."
—&—
Jarrod and Nick arrived home about the same time as Heath was coming in from strays with his men. He could tell by their expressions that something had happened.
"Ok spill it. What's happened now?"
Jarrod and Nick took turns telling the story of their long day and tomorrow's events.
"I am so sorry. I swear—-you know."
Jarrod put his hand on his shoulder, "We know and we will get through this together."
The three brothers walked silently in step to the mansion. It was brightly lit and they assumed supper was in progress.
—&—
Nick caught a movement in the shadows and Butch stepped out. Nick took his hand off his sidearm.
"Mister Nick. Ciego and I have been guarding the house until you all got back."
"What happened?"
"Maybe nothing but my gut told me it was something." and he went on to describe the man who came to Brahma.
"Thanks. I trust your gut. Let me go talk to him."
"It's sundown; Ya know 'his mind wanders especially at this time of night."
"Let me try. I have known him my whole life."
Nick walked to the room off the tack room where Brahma lived.
He knocked and no answer. He pushed the door open and the old man was rocking by the fireplace.
"Brahma? It's me Nick?"
He looked at him without recognition, "Oh Tom, stop fooling me."
"It's me, Nick."
"Tom,"
Nick tried to question him about the visitor to no avail. Brahma kept talking about the railroad and the horses that the army bought.
"Ok Brahma. Good night." and he walked over and put ash on the fire, "Get some sleep. This is a working ranch you know."
The old man smiled and stared into the smoldering fire. The room was terribly warm and stuffy. Nick stared at him with unshed grief.
"Tom?"
"Yes Brahma," with his hand on the door,
"Pinto— a pinto like that foul Buck raises. Yep Tom, a pinto with a Spanish saddle."
Nick stood there aghast trying to decide if the old man was truly remembering or lost in the years with his father.
"Good night."
—&—-
The family had just finished supper and Silas was cleaning up the table as Heath and Jarrod walked in.
Immediately Grete and Silas went back into the kitchen to fix plates.
"Where's Nick?"
"Checking with the bunkhouse. On his way in a second."
Victoria looked expectantly at her sons. They didn't say anything about their day but unrolled napkins and silverware.
Jarrod sat down next to Lisette instead of the head, allowing Heath to sit next to Grete's place.
He clasped her hand under the table. His shirt was sweat stained and smelled of old beer. She looked at him funny with a wrinkled nose.
He winked at her, "Long story for when the boys head up." he whispered. She poured him a glass of wine. He nodded in gratitude.
Victoria looked at them out of the corner of her eye. Please Lord, let her become free. Please—-
Grete and Silas served the plates just as Nick walked in. His face was etched with worry.
The boys caught up Heath on their day.
"Mista Butch and Mista Ciego was with us all day. Didn't get to check the quail. We all played pins in the rose garden. Mista Butch is good. Then we stayed inside and read a long time. Didn't get to the corrals or the barns." Henry reported.
Kai added, "They were serious all afternoon but we obeyed. Can we check on the quail tomorrow?"
It dawned on Heath that the men had obviously kept the boys close for a reason. And looking at his brother, it was a good reason.
"Yep. Will take you both myself." Heath answered, looking at Grete. She seemed overwhelmed herself.
Anna made sure Nick had everything he needed for supper and scooted the boys off to baths.
"Rosa or I will be up soon," looking over at Grete whose strained face as Anna took over plans for the boys.
The boys kissed their mothers and raced up the staircase. Silas came through and picked up the plates and closed the doors.
"Should we retire to the study?"
Everyone silently filed out to get the news written all over the brothers faces.
—&—
Jarrod took the lead and explained the hotel site melee. Lisette took it better than he thought.
"So that's why you smell like a brewery?" she giggled.
Jarrod's eyes crinkled with laughter at her comment.
"You should smell the engineer or maybe not—-." he chuckled,
Large teardrops fell from Grete but the banter between Jarrod and Lisette brought a soft smile to her face. Heath sat beside her stoically.
"And Nick, what news did Butch Jones bring to the table?" Victoria asked, "He hasn't shared anything today with his charges. I have seen more of Ciego than usual today too."
"It's all conjecture at this time. A young poke came to the ranch while we were all gone. Talked to Brahma about a job. Butch came around the corner just in time to see him leave. Trailed him to the road to town. Brahma can't remember much in the evenings. I will talk to him again in the morning. Butch and Ciego didn't feel good about the man—so they stuck close. They will tomorrow too. And I will leave a few more men around too. Stay at the house or garden."
The ladies shared looks seemingly reassured by Nick's words. They sighed in relief.
The room broke out in small talk between the couples and Victoria observed Nick closely. His mother recognized that Nick knew more than he just said to calm the ladies.
The ladies dispersed upstairs. Jarrod whispered to Lisette, "I will be up in a second."
Anna took Grete upstairs. She looked over at Nick and he mouthed "Give me a minute,"
She closed the door behind them.
Nick took a shot of whiskey.
"Brahma said one more thing."
His mother interjected, "You know he can't think clearly any more."
Nick shook his head, "Yep but this stuck in my craw. Kept calling me Tom."
Everyone shares a look of sympathy.
"Mentioned pintos—-Buck Turner's horse ranch."
Heath asked, "He knows horseflesh. Think he is confused or he saw a Turner horse today?"
"I just don't know but my gut trusts Butch and Ciego—-And I don't believe in coincidences."
Jarrod's face grew solemn, "What if Buck is behind the attack in Modesto? And what if he bought the casino? And he was partnered with Paul Franklin and Miller?"
His uncomfortable conclusions were interrupted by Silas's knock on the door.
"Mista Jarrod. We have guests."