James looked at the name on the paper and handed it to Garnett. Garnett handed the paper back to Meeks. “What is this woman’s connection to your brother in law?”
“Well Garnett, I could probably guess but she seems a little too innocent for him.” Meeks lit his cigar.
“Do you want to set up a meeting?”
“It’s set for 10:00 tomorrow morning in Garnett’s office.”
The waiter came over to refill the coffee cups and Garnett asked if they had any pie. “We have blueberry. Of course, it would be nice if Miz Mirisa would come back to Texas because we have had many complaints that we don’t serve her pies. Would she be returning anytime soon?”
Dominic looked at him as James laughed. “She will be back in the fall just in time for apple season.”
“We are looking forward to seeing the new babies. Tell her that we will be more than happy to send a wagon out to pick up the pies when we get the fresh vegetables. Sr. Gomez has done a great job with the gardens this year and she has instructed us to deposit the purchases in his account but I just can’t find anyone who can bake as well as Ms. Mirisa. I wrote to her and asked if she would share her recipes but she hasn’t written back.”
Meeks looked at him. “Babies?”
James turned to him. “The doctor believes she’s carrying twins.”
Garnett ordered the pie even though he would have to agree with the server but it was better than anything that James attempted. “How many need to go on this assignment and how much is she paying?”
“She will transfer two thousand dollars to the bank and I think it will take all four of us. If nothing else, it will be a change from the boredom of ranching.”
They talked for a few hours before heading home where they broke out the cards. James turned his chair around and shuffled the cards. “It’s too quiet without Mirisa and Matthew underfoot.” No one really acknowledged the statement but they all had thought it. “Dominic, don’t you think she should be writing?”
“She does.”
“Really and you don’t say anything? In fact, you said she doesn’t so which is it?”
“James, shuffle the cards.”
“What does the doctor say?”
Dominic slid his chair out and walked over to the bar and picked up a stack of mail putting it down in front of James. “Now can we play?”
JAMES stayed behind to read Mirisa’s letters as Meeks and Garnett headed to the adobe. James rebundled the letters and finished his shot before heading home. James took off his slicker leaving it hanging on the porch then sat down to take off his boots. The Texas mud had soaked through the leather but he’d deal with them in the morning.
“How’s she doing?”
James looked up as Garnett sat down. “Most of her letters are about Matthew with very little personal information about her other than the doctor is happy with her health. The last letter said she will definitely deliver them sometime in September and probably early since multiple births come earlier.”
“When is Dominic heading back?”
Meeks sat down putting his feet on the railing. The full moon made the rain falling on the river almost magical. James stood knocking as much of the mud off his boots as he could then put them on the steps. “He’s going back the first of September.”
“Then we have four weeks to find this brother.”
“Garnett are you going back with Dominic?”
“Well, it has been a long damn time since I have had a great piece of pie but it has also been a long time since we have been to San Antonio where bad women are always on the menu.”
James nodded. “It has been a long time.”
Meeks seemed to be in his own thoughts and Garnett realized that James wanted to badly ask them which one had crossed the line. If James thought about it, he would have had the answer or maybe he has the answer but didn’t want to know.
Garnett lit his cigar. “James, why don’t you just ask?”
James looked at him as Meeks turned his head. “Ask what?”
“The question that has been hanging in the air since you returned.”
“Garnett, I believe I asked when I came back and both of you quite skillfully avoided answering me.”
Meeks smiled. “The answer to your question is that I might be the father.”
James sat back and pondered before he responded. “That might complicate things.”
Garnett laughed. “It already has and from Dominic’s behavior I have been wondering how much he knows.”
“While we were in Washington?”
“James, when else?”
“How’d she handle it? Never mind.” James sat back. “I really didn’t think you would. I mean…”
Meeks asked for the bottle. “The answer to the second question is that I will accept whatever she decides to do.”
“You haven’t heard from her?”
“No.”
Garnett stood and stretched. “Well, if we have a meeting in the morning then I think I’ll turn in.” They locked up the house as the rain started tapering off. James turned down the lanterns and put the whisky on the bar.
“Meeks?”
Meeks turned around knowing James wouldn’t be able to sleep until he had the answers he needed. “Pour me a shot.”
James poured two shots and sat down at the bar. “What happened?”
“He left me with Garnett who, unlike you, believes that Mirisa’s happiness is far more important than Dominic’s neglect of the only woman Garnett loves.”
“Why didn’t he do something if he loves her that much?”
“Probably because he knows he would never be able to commit to her which would make him no better than Dominic or maybe in some ways worse.”
“And you’re willing to give up other women?”
“Without hesitation.”
“Well, it explains a lot. Are you going to head back to the Plantation with me?”
“I haven’t decided and it’s probably the first time I have ever been afraid of something.”
The sound of her knock on the door was barely audible. Meeks opened it and let her in as he checked the hall then closed and locked the door. She removed her gloves slowly folding them and placing them in her lap with her purse and looked from Meeks to Garnett waiting.
“Ms. Tyler, this is Garnett Alexander.”
“Do I need an attorney?”
“No.”
She nodded as Garnett sat forward. “Please tell me your story.”
“My brother, Samuel, actually he’s my half brother. We have the same father. Anyway, our father passed away two years ago leaving his family estate in trust for my brother and me. We each get a quarterly stipend from the trust. It is a large amount of money. He disappeared about three months ago without a word. He contacted our banker a few weeks later from New Orleans asking for money to be wired to him. A few weeks later, he wired for money from Houston and finally from San Antonio using up the last of his quarterly allowance. The requests suddenly stopped and then I received this letter.”
Garnett had been taking notes and put his pen back in the holder. He opened the letter which was written on stationary from the Menger Hotel. It was from Samuel stating that he had been abducted following a card game and they were demanding a large amount of cash but he had used his allotment and they were not willing to wait. He asked her to wire five hundred to the bank in San Antonio in the name of Juliette Monty.
“Do you by chance have a photograph of your brother?”
She reached back into her purse and pulled out a photograph of Samuel and then took out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “I am so worried that something awful has befallen him.”
Garnett looked at Meeks then back at her. “Did you send the money?”
“Yes. Unlike my brother, my expenses are reasonable. Unfortunately, I have had no word from him since I sent the money.”
“Is this letter in his handwriting?”
“It is but I have no ide
a who the woman is or her involvement.”
“Miss Tyler?”
Catherine looked back up at Garnett. “You realize there is a chance that he may not be alive.”
“I do.”
“In the event that he has been killed, what happens to his portion of the trust?”
“Our attorney has put a hold on his account so no one can withdraw any money including him. He has also contacted the sheriff but they have not been helpful.” She took out a telegram from the bank to her attorney describing the woman as slim, blonde and it is believed she works in a brothel in town but she’s not a resident of the city.
Meeks was leaning up against the window sill taking in her nuances and responses knowing that each question was a double edge sword. Garnett closed the file and leaned back slightly.
“I meant if your brother dies does he have any children or family who will then inherit his share of the trust?”
“Yes. He married shortly after our father died.” Miss Tyler looked down for a moment. “I do not like to speak badly of her but let’s just say she was not exactly from our social circle if you know what I mean.”
“Where is she and why is she not looking for him?”
“She is living in his flat in New York which was paid for by the trust and she receives a monthly allowance for living expenses. The attorney had her execute a pre-nuptial agreement which is one of the requirements of the original trust so if one of us dies the other inherits everything.”
“So she gets a set amount no matter whether he is alive, returns or keeps gambling his way across the country?”
“Yes.”
“We will need twenty-four hours to get everything in place. Are you going to remain here or go home?
“I’m going with you.”
Garnett smiled because he knew she would want to be right in the middle of anything which would make it more difficult since they would have to protect her while keeping her from exposing them before they found her brother. Garnett stood up and walked her to the door telling her to be ready to travel in the morning. Meeks opened the cabinet and took out the whisky as Dominic and James walked into the office from the connecting door sitting down.
“Opinions?”
James poured a shot and sat back. “I’ll run a background check. Her story sounds legitimate but something is not sitting right.”
They spent the next two hours working on the assignment before Meeks went down to the bank and verified the transfer of funds. He walked to the Tavern and ordered lunch to be delivered up to the office though he didn’t think this assignment required a lot of planning. The sun had finally come out with blue skies in every direction and the moisture clinged to everything and everyone as it evaporated. Meeks walked down to the post masters and asked for a piece of paper and envelope. He wrote a long letter, sealed it and stood at the writing counter thinking.
“Would you like to post that?”
Meeks looked up and nodded. He wrote the address on the front and took out a few coins putting them in front of the postmaster.
“That will be three cents Mr. Meeks. Would you like me to check your box?”
“Thank you.” Meeks watched as the postmaster put on a stamp then dropped it in the box. The clerk turned from the counter and pulled out the mail that was bound with a string handing it to Meeks. The Tavern had already delivered the food so he placed the pack of mail on Garnett’s desk and sat down. There was a letter from the Plantation which was thick. Dominic opened it to find a drawing by Matthew of himself on his pony in the field north of the house then a very well printed explanation.
“After San Antonio, I think I need to head home.”
Catherine Tyler was paying the small boy a coin for bringing down her bag as James walked through the door. “Miss Tyler?”
She turned and thought this man was more attractive than the other two she had been dealing with. “Yes.”
“We’re catching the morning stage. Is this your only bag?”
“It’s the only one I am taking. I have paid the hotel for a month’s stay so I am leaving most of my things upstairs.”
James nodded and picked up the bag gesturing to the door. She walked toward the door as James followed her at enough distance to watch the way she moved. You could tell everything about a woman by watching her movements. Though she appeared relaxed, you could tell she was dealing with a lot of anxiety. Garnett and Meeks had already left by at sunrise and Dominic would be following the stage at a safe distance.
The stage line stopped in front of the Tavern as the driver put on the brakes and jumped down with the bag of mail. He tipped his hat to James then went into the post office coming back out with a full bag throwing it up on the racks. He reached down for the two bags in front of James and put them on the rack tying everything down. James handed him the tickets before he opened the door helping Ms. Tyler into the coach.
There was a gentleman about thirty years old and a young couple who didn’t look a day over twenty. She was cradling a very small baby who appeared to be sleeping. Next to them was an elderly man who was reading the Bible and frequently removing his glasses to clean them but he held the book up to his nose no matter how well he cleaned the lenses. Catherine sat down next to the young man as James sat next to the window. The driver closed the door and climbed back up in the driver’s box and they pulled back onto the highway heading south to Austin. James thought the highway was becoming very busy since the end of the war. They arrived in Austin early the next evening. James stepped down then helped Miss Tyler out of the coach and picked up their bags walking into the hotel. Miss Tyler stood on the walkway taking in the small but impressive little town before she picked up her dress and walked into the hotel.
James took the keys and paid the boy sitting on the tall stool to take the bags upstairs as he took Miss Tyler’s arm and led her to the second floor. He took out his watch telling her that they would eat in the hotel dining room around seven giving her enough time to clean up. James handed her a key and closed the door as Dominic was opening the door next to James’ room. James opened the connecting doors then stripped off his jacket and shirt before taking off his boots.
“I don’t know what are worse, eating days of dirt or the ruts that come with the heavy rain. I think my innards have shifted.”
“Well, at least it has been uneventful so far. I’m going to head for the saloon if you want to meet me later.”
James took Ms. Tyler to dinner and listened to her talk about trivial things knowing she was dealing with fear and anxiety over her brother. He told her the stagecoach was leaving before eight then made sure she locked her door. Catherine was probably no older than twenty-five very maturely developed with dark hair that she wore up in a bun. He was unsure if her clothing was intentional due to traveling alone or if she was very modest. She had a very pretty face with beautiful brown eyes. The one thing that convinced them of her sincerity was the fact that the photograph of her brother revealed the same eyes.
The stagecoach pulled out on time and the highway to San Antonio was a lot drier causing clouds of dust in their wake. James leaned back and brought his hat down over his eyes trying to ignore the bouncing of the coach. Miss Tyler took out a small book and read quietly. The two gentlemen sitting across from them talked easily indicating a familiarity with each other.
James checked them into the Merger Hotel on the Alamo Plaza getting her a room on the end with his room across from hers looking out over the Plaza. She told him that she was going to go to the market house in the Plaza and asked when Mr. Meeks would be arriving.
“They have already checked in. Do you need an escort?”
“I would love the company if you have nothing to do.”
“Let me change and I’ll meet you in the lobby in about fifteen minutes.” Miss Tyler nodded and went to her room.
When James opened the door to the lobby, Dominic was tying up his horse and just nodded before he removed his saddlebags. Garnett sat next to t
he window of his room and watched James walk across the street to the market with Miss Tyler. They spent hours going through the stalls as he helped her pick out lighter clothing before she bought some fresh fruit. She laughed easily at James’ comments and would frequently touch him as they went through the market. To a stranger, you wouldn’t know that they weren’t intimate.
“Were you hired to protect me?”
“More or less.” He was carrying packages as they crossed the plaza to the hotel. Catherine unlocked the door as he stepped in putting them on the small table near the window then turned to ask her something when she put her hands on his chest and kissed him. James hesitated, waiting to see her intent. Catherine slowly unbuttoned her dress pulling it off her shoulders and slowly stepping out of it as he watched. He could tell she was weighing whether James would respond or reject her advances. She sat on the bed and unbuckled her shoes then removed her petty coats until she was wearing only her chemise and stockings. James took her slowly and was surprised at her passion. While he was dressing, James asked her if she wanted to have dinner at the canteen and she agreed. He left her sitting on the bed with the bed sheet draped across her lap and her breasts exposed.
James knocked on the door and stepped into Garnett’s room where they were drinking and playing cards. “You know James she is an assignment.”
“She came on to me. And Dominic I believe Mirisa was an assignment was she not?” He lit a cigar. “Have you found anything?”
“First, we received a background check on her and the only piece of information she didn’t give us is that she is married. She is married to an older gentleman who is now chair bound and under a doctor’s care. He is wealthy and married her when she was barely eighteen which means she is about Mirisa’s age. Now, as to her brother. He checked into the hotel paying for a month which will be up this week.” Garnett put the key on the table. “We searched the room thoroughly finding over a hundred dollars hidden behind the dresser along with a small handgun. There was indications of a woman visiting the room as well as a possible scuffle though it was not a big one or maybe he was just an unkempt individual. The clerk said he hasn’t been seen in a while but that it is possible to go in and out of the hotel by the back stairway. There are signs that someone has been in there recently.”
The Visitor - Colorado 1869 - 1871 Page 2