Chapter Ten

Jarrod reluctantly knocked on EJ's suite at The Palace. He had slept little, thinking about Heath and an upcoming case he couldn't settle his reasoning on.

He had resolved to not put themselves into compromising situations before the wedding again—-three times at the ranch and once since they had been back to San Francisco, they had almost become lovers. Interruptions had been their only saving grace as their willpower faded and their strong passion tempted fate.

"EJ, I don't want to tell my child why the days didn't add up with our anniversary."

"I know Jarrod—but I have read a lot about such. There are ways."

"Yes there is my love but sometimes those ways become fully-named heirs."

She sighed and accepted his reasons—-they didn't convince her as a 'modern' woman that they couldn't indulge before the wedding. "They were engaged after all."

He knocked again and no answer. He looked down at his pocket watch and he was five minutes early. He had sent a message earlier to set the time for 10:00 and she agreed.

"I hope she didn't go back to knew I was coming." He hmpfed thinking of the time he was wasting and all the work he left on his desk—just to keep his promise that he would keep her apprised of Rionach's plight.

"The matter between Heath and Sally, "That was between brothers and I will go to Stockton and sort that one out—-at least I think I know what his mood is about."

One more knock and he stormed down the hall to the elevator.

The bus boy on his stool looked over at him, "Miss Washington?"

"Yes?'

"She left out earlier. I saw Mista Harv pick her up. I think she left a note at the desk."

Jarrod should have been relieved at the news but it seemed to annoy him more.

She should be where she is supposed to be when I call. He recognized he was being churlish but it fed his irrationality, worried about Heath.

He scowled and walked to desk; the desk clerk handed him his note.

Had to run an errand. I will be back by 10, I promise, my love. EJ

He crumpled up the note and threw it in the trash. A server walked by as he sat down in the lobby, "Coffee please."

The seating area was bustling with travelers and guests busying themselves for the day. Jarrod wished he could take out his flask and add a drop or two to his coffee. He was worried about Heath and the Pinkerton report. "Why was a part time marshal bondsman investigating his brother?"

He checked his pocket watch—-again. It was 10:15. He sighed out loud. The server refilled his coffee. Jarrod patted his vest wishing for a quiet moment to take the flask out. It didn't happen.

His mind went to the new packet of exculpatory evidence that the judge had sent over yesterday afternoon for a trial he was working on—he had barely skimmed the contents for what it would mean for his client.

"If she isn't' here in fifteen more minutes, I am leaving. I have a desk full of work and I don't plan on spending the whole day in this lobby while EJ window shops or whatever the hell she is doing."

"10:30!' and he stood up, placing the coffee cup on the tray. He walked toward the door but stopped for a moment. His bladder was full of all of the three cups of coffee he downed while he was waiting.

"I better find the water closet."

One last look at the door and there she was.

EJ was getting out of the carriage, flushed and straightening her hair. Harvey was lecturing her it seemed and she shook her head vehemently.

Jarrod tried to read her lips but he was too far. They were definitely arguing by their posture. He backed up to the door frame and watched. Jarrod thought she looked like a scolded, yet defiant little girl. His curiosity was getting the best of him.

He walked from the side and caught her arm, "EJ, I was just heading out. Is something wrong?"

Guilt washed all over her face for the briefest moment and then she recovered.

"Oh my love. I apologize. Traffic and such. Let's hurry up so you can catch me up."

He deliberately walked slowly to annoy her.

"Everything alright with Harv?"

"Of course." as she wondered what Jarrod had seen.

Her beloved protector had been angry at her for taking a chance being seen at the House of LeClerc investigating.

"Are you sure?" Jarrod asked again knowing she was lying to him. He wanted to give her one more chance to come clean.

"Yes. You know he's a stickler for time. Just the hour."

"Where were you that Harv had to remind you of the time?"

She immediately realized her mistake. His tone was not that of her gentle, indulging fiancé. He was Jarrod Barkley attorney-at-law.

"Let's talk upstairs."

"Downstairs. I will get a private booth."

He knew better than to go upstairs. Even as annoyed as he was with his fiancée, he knew they could easily end up in each other's arms within minutes.

She nodded as he stopped a bellboy.

"Yes sir." and he escorted them to one of the alcoves.

"This will do." and he handed the boy a tip.

EJ was quiet as she scootched into the tufted, velvet cushion. Jarrod let her go in first and sat beside her.

"You haven't said where you were." he looked at her directly. She seemed to melt with his barely concealed angry eyes. He hated the look on her face and relented.

"It doesn't matter, EJ. I have a little time and I want to keep my promise to let you know when something comes up it has.—" and he paused, waiting with hope she would just tell him where she was. She didn't .

He let an uncomfortable silence continue as he looked in her eyes thinking he was sincere. She felt like a child witness on the stand and her prideful anger rose.

"Well?" she finally spoke up with curtness.

"I received a copy of a non-confidential report from Pinkerton. It was an informational inquiry into my family and not considered criminal or such. It was about Rionach."

Her eyes widened, "Do tell."

He told her all the details from memory.

"You remember I made up the name, Elowyn Bannister? Godey did a search into her—Pinkerton's educated guess was that I was protecting Sally. Makes sense since she is a seamstress. The only thing that didn't is that Godey got a note from 'Elowyn' declining the interview and she would see him on the east coast one day."

As soon as he said it, he knew.

"You wrote the note?"

"Yes." she said with defiance.

His posture stiffened.

"And you did not think to tell me? And I came all the way here this morning to update you? And you kept me waiting and argued with Harv on the street?"

"Spying on me?"

"Hardly! You were in plain sight."

EJ fumed and he returned her stare.

"And why did you not tell me that you forged a note?"

"The way you lied to Louis Godey about Rionach's name?"

He took a deep intake of breath and glared.

She didn't back down, "I just as you did, believed it was the right thing to do to protect Rionach. It was the day she fell and broke the foot. I would have told you but everything happened. I just replied to a note that arrived at the ranch. It was addressed to Elowyn Bannister, the name you gave her." she spat back.

"The name I told you about."

"Well, I am telling you now. I don't like your tone. It simply said she was busy. Thanked him for his offer of an interview. Audra's dress was a private commission and not for public viewing until after the wedding. And she would see him someday on the east coast."

He knew EJ had a spark of genius cunning but he wasn't ready to admit it.

"Anything else in the report?" she asked.

He thought about the second report concerning Heath but did not disclose it. That is between brothers.

"I think I told you everything. We just have to hope Godey leaves it be and doesn't try to contact Sally. I am heading home in the next day or so. I will warn her."

"Heading home? Is this new?"

"Some business has come up. Will be back in a day or so." He said petulantly.

"Oh, fine."

"I have to head back to work. I will have to work tonight the way my day is going. Where did you say you were earlier?'

"Some business came up." She narrowed her eyes at him.

He recognized his own words thrown back at him and it infuriated him.

EJ stood up, "I need to head back upstairs unless you have any more questions, Mr. Barkley."

"None, none at all." He gritted his teeth.

She flounced away in a fury and he headed out the door.

EJ held her tears until she made it upstairs; Jarrod lit up a cigar and briskly walked to the hack stand, cursing in his head.

"I can't believe she is keeping secrets from me."

"I think Jarrod is keeping something from me."