by Connie Mason
“I don’t give a damn about the money,” Casey barked. “I’m concerned for Tommy’s welfare. I work for Allan Pinkerton. I’m a damn good detective. I’m not some con artist trying to scam the boy out of his inheritance.” He reached into this pocket and retrieved his credentials. “These ought to prove who I am.”
Judge Winters studied Casey’s credentials and raised his eyebrows. “Very impressive. But before I can act on this there is one person I need to consult with. Please wait in the outer office and send in my secretary.”
Casey rose reluctantly, feeling as if he hadn’t done enough or said enough to convince the judge. “I love the boy, judge, and I love his mother.”
“Quite an admission for a hard-boiled detective,” the judge said, stifling a smile. “Do as I say and I promise an answer before the day is out.”
“Now what?” Casey asked Crowley as he paced the judge’s outer chambers. The judge’s secretary had already conferred privately with the judge and left on some mysterious errand.
“We wait,” Crowley said. “Judge Winters is a hard man but a fair one. Whatever he has in mind will doubtlessly determine the outcome of your custody hearing.”
“God, I hate this,” Casey said, stabbing his fingers through his hair. Then he started pacing, imagining Belle’s disappointment should he fail. He’d been so confident his plan would work he hadn’t let himself consider failure. But now it hung over his head like an ugly, dark cloud.
Casey lost all track of time. He started violently when the door opened and the judge’s secretary beckoned to him. “Where in the hell did you come from?” Casey asked tersely.
“I returned through the back exit. You may go in now.” He held the door open. “Only Mr. Walker,” he added, when Crowley rose to accompany Casey.
Curious about what this was all about and anxious to learn the fate of his custody hearing, Casey strode into the room with somewhat less confidence than he had when he’d arrived an hour or so ago. Suddenly he heard a shout and a whoop and felt a small body careen into him.
“Casey! I knew you’d come. Where have you been? Take me with you, Casey, I want to see Mama.”
Casey scooped Tommy up in his arms and hugged him tightly. The boy felt less sturdy, more fragile than the last time Casey had seen him. His eyes were deeply shadowed and his mouth turned down in a pout that hadn’t been there before.
“Did you know Grandfather was dead?” the little boy asked, trembling. “That’s why I was taken to the orphanage. Sister Michael said Mama killed Grandfather but I know she didn’t. Mama wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
Judge Winter watched the exchange carefully, his expression thoughtful. “Sit down, both of you.”
Casey took the nearest chair, placing Tommy on his lap.
“So, Tommy,” Judge Winter began, “you seem to know this fellow. How do you feel about him?”
“Casey is my friend,” Tommy declared stoutly. “He helped me and Mama when we lived in Placerville. We moved to Placerville after my papa died, did you know that?”
The judge nodded solemnly. “So I’d heard. You have a new papa, Tommy.”
Tommy’s eyes widened. “I do? Who is he? Why hasn’t he come to the orphanage to see me?”
The judge nodded permission to Casey. Casey tilted Tommy’s chin so he could look into his face. “I’m your new papa, Tommy. I married your mama yesterday. I’m asking the judge to let you live with me until …” he gave the judge a meaningful glance, “your mother is released from jail.”
Tommy’s eyes glowed warmly. “Can I, Judge? Can I go with Casey? The orphanage is all right but … I miss Mama and I miss Casey. I’m glad Casey’s my papa.” He hugged Casey exuberantly, leaving little doubt of his sincerity.
“I need to speak further with Mr. Walker, son,” Judge Winter said. “Take the boy into the outer office, Mr. Walker, and give him over to my secretary’s care until we’re finished. And ask your lawyer to join us.”
A few minutes later Casey perched on the edge of his chair, waiting to hear the judge’s decision. Lawyer Crowley chose to stand.
“Obviously the boy cares for you,” Judge Winter began. “And he trusts you, any fool can see that. Nothing I’ve heard thus far suggests you’re anything but a responsible citizen. I have determined that Tommy would fare better living with his stepfather than at the orphanage.”
The breath Casey had been holding exploded from his chest. Crowley gripped his shoulder and smiled.
“Can I take Tommy with me now, Judge?” Casey wanted to know. He had won! He couldn’t wait to tell Belle.
“It’s not that simple,” Judge Winter said. “Where will you take the child? He needs a home environment, especially since he is without a mother’s influence at the present time.”
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Casey admitted sheepishly.
“I have. The McAllister house already belongs to the boy. I suggest you now make it your home. Your lawyer and I can work out the details, but in effect you will be caretaker of Tommy’s assets as well as the boy’s guardian. Mr. Engle at the bank can brief you on the financial aspects, and you’ll be free to draw monies on the estate in moderation. Then there is the very lucrative wine business—”
“Whoa,” Casey said. His head was spinning. “I didn’t expect all this. The trustees …”
“What’s wrong, Mr. Walker, aren’t you up to the challenge? Did you think you could just claim Tommy and walk out of here, leaving all the responsibility to others? I could always change my mind, you know.”
“I’m sorry, Judge,” Casey said, “I just didn’t realize the extent of McAllister’s empire. I don’t know a damn thing about the wine business.”
“I understand the business has an excellent manager. I’m sure he’ll advise you how to proceed.”
The enormity of the responsibility Casey had just accepted began to sink in. “So,” he summarized, “let me get this straight. Tommy’s assets will become my responsibility and we’re to live in the McAllister house. Am I also free to hire and fire at will? I don’t particularly want to retain those servants devoted to McAllister, given his feelings toward my wife.”
The judge nodded. “You may do as you see fit regarding employees or expenditure of money. The trustees will monitor large transactions and audit the books periodically to make sure that you’re acting in Tommy’s best interest. As I mentioned before, your lawyer can work out the details with the trustees.”
“What happens if my wife is found innocent and released from jail? I’d prefer that she be given control of Tommy’s assets.”
Judge Winter gave Casey a look that told him exactly what he thought of the remote possibility of Belle being found innocent. “As Mrs. Walker’s husband and Tommy’s guardian, you’ll still be required to handle Tommy’s affairs. Any other questions?”
It wasn’t the way Casey had planned things. He had never considered anything beyond the initial stage of getting custody of Tommy and removing him from the orphanage. He hadn’t had time yet to think about basics, like where they would live. His main concern had been to ease Belle’s mind about Tommy’s welfare. He feared that he had bitten off more than he could chew. Running a winery was no simple task, and would take precious time from his efforts to find McAllister’s killer. Somehow he had to make things work.
“No questions, your honor. Mr. Crowley can handle the legal aspects.”
“Very well, you are free to go. I am sure Tommy will be eager to hear the news.”
“You go on, Casey,” Lawyer Crowley said. “There is a ton of legal paperwork to see to. I’ll bring the papers around to the McAllister house later for your signature.”
Casey was in a daze when he left the judge’s chambers. He was a father. The prospect of fatherhood was daunting, especially when it involved a five-year-old boy. Yet at the same time he was elated. He couldn’t wait to see Belle, to watch her face light up when she saw her son. He hoped it was the beginning of a slow journey that would ultimately
earn her trust.
“Casey, what did the judge say?”
Casey’s thoughts skidded to a halt when Tommy barreled into him. He scooped Tommy up and lifted him high in the air, eliciting excited giggles from the boy. “The judge says I’m your new papa. I don’t want to take your dead papa’s place in your heart, but I hope you can find room in there for me.”
“I don’t have to return to the orphanage?”
“No, never again. You and I will be living in your grandfather’s house with Uncle Mark and Wan Yo.”
“What about Mama?” Tommy asked eagerly.
“She’ll be there, too,” Casey promised, wishing he could guarantee that vow. He’d made little headway toward finding proof that anyone besides Belle killed McAllister. “How would you like to see your mother?”
Tommy’s face lit up. “Really? Oh, yes, please, Casey. Can we go now?”
Casey gave the little boy a warm smile. “You bet, son.”
Chapter 12
Belle sat listlessly on her bunk, staring at the wedding ring Casey had placed on her finger yesterday during their brief wedding ceremony. She had married a man she barely knew and had no reason to trust. Belle realized instantly how confused and contradictory her thoughts were. On one hand she didn’t trust Casey, on the other, she obviously trusted him enough to raise her son. Even she recognized the irony of her thoughts.
Casey hadn’t visited Belle yet today and she wondered if he had succeeded in his bid for custody of Tommy. She didn’t expect miracles. Nothing had gone right in her life except for meeting Naomi and marrying Tom. She gazed at her wedding ring again, recalling the kisses Casey had tried to coax from her following the ceremony. She touched her lips, feeling them warming with the memory and wondering what really had made him marry her. She knew it wasn’t love, since he had agreed to allow her to end their marriage if she was found innocent. She gave a snort of laughter at that ridiculous notion. She was excessively naive if she thought a jury would find her innocent.
Belle glanced at her wedding ring again and couldn’t help wondering if she and Casey would have married eventually if he hadn’t betrayed her. There were so many things to admire about Casey. Her body remembered his lovemaking. His tenderness had moved her and his sincerity at the time had seemed so real. She was so torn where Casey was concerned she no longer knew what she felt for him.
Love. Absolutely not, she thought. Well, maybe she had fancied herself in love with him at one time, but no longer. She knew he was loyal to his family by the way he had fought for his brother’s freedom. His loyalty to Mark was one of the reasons she had agreed to the marriage. It was an admirable quality, one she hoped would work in Tommy’s favor.
The sound of footsteps pulled Belle from her mental musings. She rushed to the bars and felt a rush of warmth when she saw Casey striding toward her. He wasn’t alone. He carried Tommy in his arms, and Belle was nearly overcome with joy when she saw her son.
“Tommy! Oh, my God, Tommy!” Tears flowed down Belle’s pale cheeks as she reached out to touch her son.
Tommy’s arms stretched through the bars to hug his mother, and they clung to one another with almost desperate urgency. When the first tide of emotional upheaval had washed over them, Belle turned her solemn gaze to Casey.
“Does this mean the judge made you Tommy’s guardian?”
“It does. I’ve been appointed Tommy’s guardian and overseer of his estate,” Casey added wryly. “I got more than I bargained for.”
Belle stared at him. Did that mean Casey had permission to spend Tommy’s money as he saw fit? Is that what he’d been after all along?
Casey must have read her thoughts for he said softly, chillingly, “You’re wrong, Belle.” Suddenly Casey had had enough. He was so damn sick of her accusations and so tired of trying to prove his worth, that he no longer cared what she thought. He’d continue his efforts to find McAllister’s killer, and he’d care for Tommy because he truly loved the boy, but he was through trying to prove his worth to a woman who didn’t love him and never would.
Casey had made a good living as a detective before Belle came into his life. Once he’d established Belle’s innocence she could do as she pleased.
“I … I didn’t mean …” Belle knew she had hurt Casey and felt a stab of guilt.
“I know what you meant. I’ll leave you and Tommy alone for a spell and return for him later. We’re staying in your father-in-law’s home. It’s Tommy’s home now, and as good a place as any to live. You can decide what you want to do with the house after you are freed.”
Casey turned and walked away. Before Belle could call him back or offer a proper thank you, Tommy was clamoring for her attention.
Casey, Mark, and Tommy moved into the McAllister mansion after Tommy’s visit with his mother. Wan Yo joined them later, happy to be reunited with his young charge. The first person to be dismissed was Miss Grundig. The two maids were next to go. Each was given severance pay and a bonus. Kellerman had already moved into other quarters. The cook, who was Chinese and whom Wan Yo knew, was allowed to remain. Mark was placed in charge of hiring sufficient staff to run the place, and Wan Yo was given complete control of the household.
The following day Crowley came by with papers for Casey to sign, making the guardianship legal. Casey visited the bank shortly afterward and was briefed by Mr. Engle concerning Tommy’s inheritance. Casey left the bank in a daze, thinking he should have remained a simple detective with nothing to complicate his life save solving cases.
Still upset with Belle, Casey decided not to visit the jailhouse, assigning Mark the task of taking Tommy to visit his mother.
If Belle was surprised to see that Mark had brought Tommy instead of Casey, she was too happy to see her son to remark on it. Mark lounged against the wall, listening to the conversation between Belle and her son.
“I didn’t like the orphanage, Mama. I don’t ever want to go back. Casey said I didn’t have to.”
“You’re fond of Casey, aren’t you, Tommy?”
“He’s my new papa,” Tommy said proudly. “Wan Yo moved in with us. And Casey fired that old nurse. She smacked me when I told her I didn’t want to stay with Grandfather.”
Tears sprang to Belle’s eyes. “I want you to be a good boy for Casey, Tommy. It might be a long time before Mama can come home.”
Tommy searched her face. “Casey said you’d be home soon and I believe him.”
Belle could have cheerfully strangled Casey for giving Tommy false hopes. “I just want you to be prepared if Casey is wrong. Just remember that I love you.”
Mark felt moved to speak in Casey’s defense. “Casey doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean, Belle. He’s working very hard to gather the evidence to set you free. If you recall, he refused to accept my guilty verdict. I’m living proof of Casey’s determination.”
“I respect your loyalty, Mark. I’d expect no less from Casey’s brother. But we both know I’m doomed. Unlike your case, there is no witness to testify to my innocence.”
She wanted to ask where Casey was, but didn’t. She knew she had angered him yesterday and couldn’t blame him for avoiding her. She truly was grateful to Casey. She didn’t know why she continued to harbor doubts about him, after he had done so much for her and still continued to work in her behalf. She supposed it was because she wouldn’t be in this position in the first place if Casey hadn’t led McAllister’s men to her.
“Don’t give up,” Mark encouraged. “Casey will get you out of this.”
After promising to return again the next day, Mark and Tommy left the jailhouse. Belle waved them off with a misty smile.
Casey spent the following days poring over old newspapers and documents pertaining directly to T.J. McAllister’s business dealings. He found one piece of information that intrigued him. The winery wasn’t McAllister’s first venture into the business world. Years earlier McAllister bought one-third interest in a gold mine. Eventually it produced a fortune before playing out.
McAllister’s two partners in the venture were Harry Hopkins and Arnold Jones. Hopkins had sold his interest to McAllister and disappeared before the rich vein had been discovered. Jones had died in a mine accident, and McAllister had purchased Jones’s share from his widow.
Later that week Casey’s anger had cooled sufficiently for him to visit Belle without losing control.
“Have you been enjoying your visits with Tommy?” He searched her face and found his answer. “Yes, I can see you have.”
“I … didn’t thank you properly. I truly am grateful, Casey. I wouldn’t have agreed to this marriage if I didn’t believe you’d take good care of Tommy.”
“Yeah, the lesser of two evils,” Casey said with a hint of sarcasm. “I’m through trying to prove myself to you, Belle. A man can be pushed only so far and I’ve reached my limit. Once you’re free I won’t stick around where I’m not wanted. I’ve come to ask a question of you. Did you ever hear Tom mention either Harry Hopkins or Arnold Jones?”
Belle repeated the names. “Hopkins does sound familiar but I don’t think I ever heard Tom mention anyone bearing those names. Is it important?”
“It could be. I’ve run across the names a time or two in my investigation and they aroused my curiosity. I have a nose for these things. Send for me immediately if you think of something or remember the names in connection with McAllister. I’d best get on with my investigation, I have another lead or two to follow.”
“It doesn’t look good, does it? My trial is in seven days and you have found nothing to prove I didn’t kill my father-in-law.”
“You give up too easily and have too little faith. I’m not going to let you go to prison.” Turning abruptly, he stalked off.
Prison. The word brought a rush of fear and the bitter taste of bile to her mouth. She clutched her stomach, trying to keep from spewing out its meager contents. She’d heard vile things about prison, and how women prisoners were treated. Maybe Casey was right. Maybe she did give up too easily. Perhaps she should have more faith in her husband. Husband. It was difficult to think of Casey as her husband, and more reasonable to consider him as the man she had married for Tommy’s sake. The sickness building inside Belle finally erupted and she reached the slop bucket without a moment to spare.