Chapter NINE Two Weeks Later

"Hey boss, I know you are good friends with Jarrod Barkley. His brother's name came up in a Request for Information report. Both from the San Francisco office. Well, it seems twice this month."

Phil Davis looked at the Pinkerton report with a frown, "Which brother?'

"Heath."

"Is this a classified report?"

"Nah—-just a general request for information."

Phil Davis reached out for it.

Louis Godey…magazine owner ... .Stockton dressmaker…Elowyn Bannister…Received note from her declining an interview with Godey… No courthouse or property records or church rolls… probably a pseudonym of Sally's Sharp Needle store …maybe a new brand name…engaged to Heath Barkley…has a child…no criminal history…widow from Arizona…Mariposa Lou…no fabric store accounts under Elowyn Bannister… no exceptional information found on inquiry…CLOSED unless new information surfaces.

"Hmmmmmmmm—-did you say two requests this month?"

"Yep. Other one came up before this one. Deputized bounty hunter, prisoner transport guy for the marshals office. Sent in one on Heath. Paid for it in gold. Didn't add it to marshals tab. That stuck Wills."

He handed it to Phil.

Heath Thomson Barkley…Strawberry…Civil War New Mexico? Thirteen?...prisoner of war…Leah Thomson…Tom Barkley…Jarrod Barkley filed full heir papers….witnessed by Victoria Barkley…stocks, bonds, ownership, banking accounts…horses, cattle, crops, mines, rentals…Frank Sawyer…Tom Wills…Mexico…Liberty Keane trial…Kyles…engaged to Sally Ann Jones…widow from Arizona…Mariposa Lou

Phil put the reports side-by-side, "I wonder what is going on? A ladies magazine editor and a marshal's employee? Do you mind if I keep these?"

"I will get you a copy, sir."

"Thank you," and he waited until the door closed, "What the hell."

He yelled for a clerk, "Get me a runner. I have a message to send."

—-&—-

Rionach walked from the rose garden to her bedroom with her cane. It was a beautiful walking stick that Nick had carved her out and put a cord on it for her wrist. She looked at the smooth wood and smiled. Her cast had ribbons on it courtesy of Posy and Aine. The cast had provided a sturdy support for her mottled foot. A deep sigh of gratitude escaped her. She could not believe how blessed she was—

She had been up and around for a week and a half. The doctor had cast the foot and stitched up the gash on her head. He diagnosed her with a concussion.

Dr. Merar had told the Barkleys that she needed to rest and recuperate from the head injury and the foot break, "I think you got too ahead of yore self. That foot has to be cast and your head has to clear up—-a month or so this time."

"But I just got to work at the shop. My own place. Sally has work for me to do."

"The store will be there in a month and it's fine if you do lap sewing for Sally."

Victoria answered for her, "We will keep an eye on our guest, Howard. With three weddings this year, we have plenty to work on."

Rionach smiled; Victoria seemed to know what to say to make her feel welcome and useful.

"Let's work on that beading." Rionach said aloud.

She sat down on the couch and began some intricate stitches to affix small seed pearls to Sally's dress bodice. She was lining the off the shoulder neckline with the tiny white gems. Victoria had found them at the Chinese market.

"Here is some tea, ma'am" Silas brought in a small pot and cup for her, "This is fresh yarrow from the Chinese tea shop. Miz Young-Si Hua sent it for you."

"Oh Silas. I can't wait to thank her. She is doing so well in the tea and herb shop. Watching Mistress Gerta and running a shop for Mister Jarrod— Thank you, Silas—-I will say it again. I can wait on myself."

"No ma'am. You's a guest in this house. I will be taking to yore help—-next month. " he winked.

She smiled knowing Silas understood her feelings. Raised in service on a manor—to sitting in a Barkley paneled room sipping tea.

"Anything else, Miss?"

"No but thank you again. I think you understand how hard this is for me—-"

"I do. But Miss Ri, the good Lord put you in some of the best hands I know for a reason. Trust. I wouldn't be alive without Mista Tom and Miz Victoria." He thought of Nick but didn't dare mention him. He already suspected the Lord's will for this couple.

She smiled at him, "I do thank the Lord for my life and Aine's. But Silas, I suspect the Barkleys would not have such a beautiful life without you. You make this house a home and I see how they depend on you—from a servant to a servant, Silas you are gold."

He stammered and swallowed—-he mouthed "thank you". And closed the door behind him.

Rionach looked back down at Sally's dress. The wedding was in a month. The Reverend, as they called him, had tried to convince Heath to wait three months. He halved it for six weeks. The family seemed to relax and delve into the plans.

The only conflict she had witnessed was that very day she had fallen—-Heath had insisted Sally and Posy move back to the ranch." A hand would take her into the shop two days a week to check on Rionach" he had said. He said he wanted her to work on their house plans and rest before the wedding. Sally and Heath argued again but she packed a bag from the rooming house and did what he asked. Rionach thought that was kind but the rest of the family questioned his motives. Then she fell in the store—-and everyone was back on the ranch. Sally took some special orders and alterations to do at the ranch.

Aine was a godsend with Posy—and now here they all were living in the mansion. Even Audra was waiting on her hand and foot. She was constantly checking on her and bringing her treats.

She tied off a thread and thought of the embraces she had glimpsed of Heath and Sally this week. They made her smile—-"They are going to be just fine." she said aloud.

And then the memory of the open window assaulted her senses again. It gave her that uncomfortable feeling in her stomach—-and to think she dreamed about it after the fall.

"Nick" she whispered his name again.

"This is like the girls in the quarters. Hammering on and on about a cute boy. Except I am here with a handsome man—and I am thinking of a uh, Mo mhuirnín dí man—and I am ruined and beneath him. That doesn't keep us from being friends. He cares for me, and he has proved himself honorable these past few months. I think as a cousin he sees me. That shall be enough and I shall hold him in my heart—and not embarrass myself. If he only knew what has been done to me—and for food. He would never understand."

Rionach shivered and wiped a tear, "Lord Jesus, help me know my place."

—&—