Chapter 4
Jarrod went to town fairly early in the morning. Since the land records office closed at noon on Saturday, he wanted to be sure he had time to check what restrictions, if any, were in the deed to the orphanage. He knew he'd have to check the corporate records in Sacramento to see if there was anything in the orphanage's founding documents. Since he had drawn up the documents for the home in San Francisco, he knew there were no corporate restrictions there or in the home's property deed, but the Catholic church there might have some restrictions. He'd wire the head nun at the home about that, and about whether they had any room if, in fact, they would take in a negro baby.
Jarrod was still wondering who might have left Raven with them, after he finished with the land records and saw there was, in fact, a racial restriction on the deed to the Stockton orphanage. He wondered if it might be worth it to challenge that in court, but he knew the chances of losing the challenge were great. He went to the telegraph office and sent messages to the nun in San Francisco, and to an attorney in Sacramento he often worked with to look for records. He knew he'd likely get no answer from anyone before Monday, but at least he'd gotten started on getting some answers.
He was planning to start for home when he heard his name called from across the street and saw Sheriff Madden heading his way. "Morning, Fred," he said as the sheriff approached him.
The sheriff wore a frown. "I was about to head out to your place. Doc Merar told me that someone left a baby with you the night before last. I just haven't had a chance to come talk to you about it."
"Yeah, I'm sorry, I haven't had the chance to let you know about it either," Jarrod said.
"Well, it didn't become too urgent until this morning. I need you to come over to the doc's office with me."
Now Jarrod's face frowned too. "Why? What's happened?"
"The body of a young negro woman was found on the road just south of your place early this morning. Jake Betts found it and brought it in. The doc has her."
Suddenly Jarrod got the message. "You think she left us the baby."
"I'm certain she did. She had directions and a hand-written map to your house on her. I want you to come have a look at her and see if you might recognize her."
Jarrod doubted he would know her, but he said, "Sure," and followed the sheriff right away to Dr. Merar's office.
There were no patients there in the office, but Dr. Merar was doing some paperwork. He got up right away, knowing why Jarrod and Sheriff Madden were there, saying, "This way."
Dr. Merar took them to his recovery room, just off the treatment room, and there was a body, covered. He carefully lifted the blanket from the woman's face. Jarrod came closer for a look. She was very dark, very rumpled and looking almost emaciated.
"I don't know her," Jarrod said. "Was she murdered?"
"No," Dr. Merar said. "It's clear she's given birth very recently, and I'm afraid she just hemorrhaged and didn't stop."
The sheriff said, "Betts found her off in the bushes on the side of the road."
"Somebody put her body there," Jarrod said.
"Maybe," Dr. Merar said, "but she has scrapes on her legs, too. She might have just dragged herself there. I don't know."
"I'm gonna be asking around," the sheriff said. "I'll talk to the reverend at the negro church, and to some of the other black folk in town."
"Silas wanted to say something to the reverend at his church tomorrow," Jarrod said. "I have to admit, I'm a little nervous for him, especially if someone did drag this woman off into the brush. Even if she died in childbirth, somebody might have tried to cover up her death."
"If somebody had dragged her off, I think they'd have taken that map and directions off her," Sheriff Madden said.
"Can I see those things, Fred?" Jarrod asked.
"They're over in my office."
Dr. Merar said, "Sheriff, I need to be releasing the body to the undertaker."
"Do you know what you need to know from it, as coroner?" the sheriff asked.
Dr. Merar nodded. "The cause of death is clear, and the only evidence she had on her besides her clothing were the map and the directions. You have all that."
"I'd like to see her clothing too, Fred," Jarrod said. "And I think before she's prepared for burial, I ought to get Silas here to look at her too, just in case he might know her."
"Doc, can you keep her for a few hours more?" the sheriff asked. "I'd like the reverend to look at her too."
"I'll have her right here, but I need to get her to the undertaker by the end of the day," Dr. Merar said.
"I'll go get Silas and bring him here now," Jarrod said. "We can look at the things you have afterward, Fred."
"And I'll go get the reverend," Sheriff Madden said.
XXXXXX
When Jarrod got home, he found Raven in Audra's arms again, in the living room, taking the bottle. Victoria was nearby, watching.
"She's getting a little more used to me, I think," Audra said. "She fussed at first, but she settled down quickly."
Jarrod looked down at her and smiled. Raven was feeding very contentedly. "Good," he said. Then he took a deep breath. "Is Silas in the kitchen?"
"Yes," Victoria said.
"I need to get him into town right away," Jarrod said. "Jake Betts found the body of a negro woman on the road south of here this morning. Dr. Merar says the woman has just given birth. I think we found Raven's mother."
Victoria and Audra both slumped, looking at each other and then at the baby.
Jarrod said, "I don't think there's much of a chance Silas will know her, but Fred wants to be sure. The minister at Silas's church will come look at her too."
"Was she murdered?" Victoria asked.
"The doctor doesn't think so," Jarrod said. "He thinks she bled to death, after the birth, but no one is sure yet how she got into the bushes alongside the road. Someone may have dragged her there to hide the body, or she might have just crawled there before she died."
"Go fetch Silas," Victoria said. "We'll be all right with Raven until you get back from town."
Jarrod quickly went into the kitchen, finding Silas just beginning to prepare lunch. "Silas," he said quickly, "I need you to come to town with me. Mother and Audra can take care of their own lunch. Someone found the body of a woman this morning, and it appears likely she's Raven's mother."
"Oh," Silas said mournfully.
"The sheriff wants to know if you recognize her. He'll have the reverend of your church see her too. But she had directions and a map to our place on her. She had plans to leave her baby here, Silas. I don't know if it has anything to do with you or not, but we need to help the sheriff all we can."
Silas shook his head slowly. "Surely I'll come look at her, Mr. Jarrod, but I can't think of anyone it could be that I'd know."
"I can't either," Jarrod said, "but we'll have you look at her to be sure, and then we'll have a look at the map and note the sheriff has." Then Jarrod became more careful. "Silas, if you think you might know her at all, or recognize the handwriting on the note or map – you need to tell me. If you think it makes trouble for you, you can tell me and not tell the sheriff right away."
Silas shook his head again, frowning vacantly. "Mr. Jarrod, I don't know how it can make trouble for me. I really don't."
"Let's just get back to town and make sure," Jarrod said. "And if by some stretch it is trouble, we'll take care of it, you and I."
Silas eased a little, and looked so grateful he could have cried. "Thank you, Mr. Jarrod. Thank you."
XXXXX
They went to town in a buggy, Jarrod driving. Silas was nervous all the way, but the moment he saw the woman in Dr. Merar's office, he eased completely. "No, Mr. Jarrod. I never saw this woman before."
"You're sure?" Jarrod asked. "She looks a little rough and like she hasn't eaten properly in a long time."
Silas shook his head again. "I'm sure, Mr. Barkley. I'm sorry, Doctor."
"Don't be sorry," Dr. Merar said. "The sheriff had the reverend from your church over here a little while ago, and he didn't know her either. I don't think she was from around here."
"We still have to look at the note and the map," Jarrod said, "though I don't think you'll recognize them either."
"I wish I could be some help, Mr. Jarrod," Silas said.
"Well, let's go see if there's a chance," Jarrod said.
Jarrod thanked Dr. Merar, and he and Silas left.