Mobley sipped on a whiskey with a splash of cold soda. He felt pleasantly warm as he listened to the amiable chatter of Lydia and Anne Davis. Both of them had sampled several glasses of the fine French champagne being served in seemingly endless quantities. Their tongues had loosened considerably.
Mobley scanned the room, one of the advantages of being able to see over everyone else’s head. He’d met numerous wealthy gentlemen, politicians, and tittering young ladies, but Governor Davis had remained aloof, off with his own knot of whispering friends. Apparently the man had been satisfied to rub elbows once for the sake of the crowd, but intended to go no further. Yancy Potts had seemed particularly nervous, bouncing from one person to another without apparent purpose.
Anne Davis reached out to capture a passing guest. The man was huge. He stood at least six-four and must have weighed three hundred pounds. He was well into his cups and trying to nibble on a small fried chicken wing as he staggered by.
“Judge Hooks,” Anne said. “Come here, I would like for you to meet Judge Mobley Meadows and his guest, Lydia Sweetgrass.”
Aubrey Hooks looked at Anne with a pleasant smile on his bright red face and had the presence of mind to bow slightly in recognition of a fine lady. In doing so, his diaphragm was pressed upward by his great abdomen. A large belch issued from his mouth. Lydia winced. Mobley was shocked. Anne Davis burst out laughing.
“You are indeed a charming man of many talents, Judge Hooks. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard a more precisely tuned belch, but why don’t you put that chicken away. I’d like you to meet one of your colleagues.”
Hooks smiled drunkenly. He turned to put the chicken wing down, changed his mind several times as to where he would put it, and finally selected a small salad plate that held similar leavings. He picked up the corner of a napkin lying on the table and in a grand sweeping motion pulled it toward his mouth.
The salad plate and several other articles of china came along with it and promptly fell to the floor, smashing into hundreds of pieces. The room fell silent for a moment, and then regained its tempo of talk, laughter, and boisterous braggadocio.
Jack, mingling several yards away, had been keeping an eye on Mobley. At the sound of breaking glass, he’d instantly reached for his pistol. He eased it back in his belt as he discovered the source of the commotion, and looked sheepishly around to see if anyone had noticed. He was relieved to see all eyes were on the huge Judge.
Mobley extended his hand to Judge Hooks, who took it without wiping the chicken grease off of his own first, as had clearly been his intention when he picked up the napkin.
“Chief Judge Hooks, I am happy to meet you. In fact, you are the reason I came here in the first place. I’d hoped to get your opinion and approval of the methods I intend to employ in my circuit.”
A dark look crossed Hook’s face. “Issat so?” Hooks fought to control his balance, swaying back against the table. He snorted. “Listen, whippersnapper. Thish is my circuit. All of it. All of Texas ish my circuit. I do what I please here, see? Don’t cross me. Now, where’s the champagne?”
The huge man looked around, tried to turn, but his feet were not up to moving as fast as had his massive upper body. He promptly crashed to the floor. He made one feeble effort to raise himself, fell back, then lay still. A hush came over the crowd.
Mobley was stunned. He’d never seen a federal judge make such a fool of himself. At the same time, he felt a duty to protect the honor of the profession.
“Jack! Go find Lieutenant Rafferty. Help him get Judge Hooks to his carriage. If you can, get one of the soldiers to drive him home. Do whatever is necessary. If he needs a doctor, see to it.”
“Yes, sir.” Jack turned and hurried to the porch. Within moments the officer and his sergeant, with Jack’s help, manhandled Judge Hooks out the door.
Anne Davis followed behind, weaving slightly, but having apparently decided she would rather stay by Jack’s side than continue talking with Lydia and Mobley. When Jack returned to the top of the steps, Anne asked if the judge was all right.
“I think so. He was just a little under the weather.” Anne grinned as she took another sip of champagne. “You can say that again. But don’t worry. Judge Hooks does that all the time. He’s even drunk on the bench at times. It’s a terrible shame, but Edmund won’t permit anything to be done about it. Not that anything could be done short of impeachment. He’s one of Edmund’s favorite people, and a valuable asset to him as well.”
“Is that so?” Jack found himself completely focused on Anne Davis. Slightly tipsy from the champagne, she was obviously becoming loose mouthed. He could think of no better source of vital information.
“Yes it is. Edmund recommended him to the president for appointment some six years ago and they have remained good friends. Whenever the governor needs a favorable ruling on a piece of legislation, he just goes to Hooks and gets it. I cannot tell you how important that has been to Edmund as he has tried to straighten things out here. God only knows how far back those two go.”
Jack nodded as if he agreed and looked around the grounds. “This sure is an interesting place. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen luxury like this. Why don’t we take a walk? I’ve about had my fill of cigar smoke. How about you?”
Anne reached out for Jack’s arm. “That would be nice.” They strolled around the large landscaped lot, nodding hello to the various guards as they passed. Jack found himself intrigued by the lady. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in the company of a charming, sophisticated woman. It had probably been his mother.
They reached a small patio area on the south side of the main building and sat down on a wrought iron love seat. “It must be nice being married to the Governor of Texas. You must be privy to all of the gossip in town.”
Anne looked at him and smiled. Her eyes lit up as she waved her index finger back and forth. “Uh, oh, naughty, naughty. You don’t fool around, do you? Well, at least you’re direct. Most people try to sneak up on the information they want, wiggling around until they think they’ve found out something really big.”
Jack felt his face flush. He’d thought he was being sneaky. “But I didn’t—.”
“Of course you did, but it doesn’t matter. I suppose you’re right. I do hear more than my share of gossip, but I’ve learned to keep it to myself. It just doesn’t pay to get involved in such matters. Anyway, Edmund would not be happy if he heard I had lowered myself to the level of a common chatterbox.”
Jack nodded. “I see your point; but I assure you it was not my intention to snoop. A large part of my job is to protect Judge Meadows, especially since the assassination attempt on the train. I thought if anyone might know something about it, it could have passed by you in some manner. You might not have realized the significance of what you heard. That is often the case with idle talk. Can you now see why I asked?”
Anne nodded and leaned back in her chair as if trying to access her memory. She finally shook her head. “No. In fact, I have not heard anyone say the attack was an attempt on Judge Meadows’ life. We all thought it was just another terrorist raid by ex-confederates trying to disrupt the election. Edmund has been concerned about it for a long time. What makes you think it was an assassination attempt?”
Jack thought for moment, considering what he should tell her. He finally decided to come right out with it. “Two of the wounded survivors confessed before they died. It was the Kinch West gang, not revolutionaries, and Judge Meadows was their target. The other people were killed to make it look like a terrorist attack.”
“Oh, my—what kind of people would do such a thing?”
“That’s what we are trying to find out.”
Mrs. Davis stood and brushed her dress to remove any wrinkles. He jaw was set. She seemed determined about something. “Well, Marshal Lopes, you have my promise. If I hear the slightest thing about this monstrous act, I will let you know immediately.”
Jack accepted her statement as
an honest one and decided to let the matter lie. He’d already found out more than he’d hoped for with regard to the governor and Judge Hooks; and now he’d made sure Governor Davis and his cronies knew they were not safe. When people are nervous, the make mistakes.
“Mrs. Davis,” he said politely, “I’m afraid if the governor saw us out here, he might come running out with murder in his eye.”
“My husband? Oh, I think not. He has more respect for me than that. He knows I wouldn’t do anything to cause him grief. We’ve been married far too long not to have complete trust in each other. That certainly doesn’t mean I can’t talk to a man now and then. But perhaps you’re right. We should go back into the party before the champagne turns me into a babbling idiot.”
CHAPTER 40
Dixie Potts made a great show of entertaining Edson and walking him about the enormous house. She introduced him personally to several state legislators, a state judge, and a banker from New Orleans who had come to Texas to check on several of his investments. After an hour of mindless patter and chatter, they ended up in a large upstairs bedroom containing a huge four poster bed and several pieces of highly polished French furniture.
“This was Sam Houston’s bed,” Dixie said quietly as she carefully closed the door. “I don’t suppose you’d like to try it out?”
Edson looked nervously around. He tried to edge away from Dixie, who was slowly maneuvering him up against the wall.
“No? Well, that is a disappointment,” she whispered, her soft breath warming his ear. “What exactly are we going to do about you, good lookin’? I had no idea who you were this morning when we met. Now you know one of my most important secrets.”
“Uh, what secret is that, ma’am?”
Dixie smiled up at him. Her hand began to stroke his left thigh. “Why, the one about me and Mary Sue and the room above the boutique.”
She lowered her voice to a husky moan as she pressed against his chest. “I am a totally depraved woman, you know. I have been since my teens. They have names for women like me. Sluts; harlots; women of low character and values; prurient morals. That’s what they say. But until now, I have been very discreet, if not brazen. No one has ever found me out. My partners have always been carefully chosen. You were an aberration, accepted in a moment of blind, wonderful passion.”
“But, ma’am—.” Edson squirmed as Dixie nibbled on his earlobe, ran her tongue around its rim and moved her hand to a more central location. “You don’t think I would ever tell, do you?”
“I don’t know, would you?” She licked his nose gently and pursed her lips.
“Perhaps—I could be bribed?” Edson said raggedly.
“Now, that’s a better attitude.” Dixie was now breathless. Her chest and neck began to redden and her voice became lower. “I have something I want to give you. But it’s also for me. I want your beautiful body close to mine. I want you in me, on me, all over me—now.”
“My God.” Edson looked around the room. “We can’t do it here. There are people all over this place. Someone could walk in on us.”
“No they won’t,” Dixie gasped. “No one is interested in this old room. Besides, it’s the risk that makes it worthwhile.”
“I thought you said you were always careful? Is this what you meant?”
“Shut up.”
Dixie began to ease Edson around so her back was against the door. She released him from his new pants, hurriedly lifted her lavender dress and petticoats, and hoisted herself up to wrap her legs around his waist. It was a short, powerful, almost violent encounter.
Edson slowly eased Dixie down to the floor, her legs limp, barely able to hold her diminutive weight. Within a few minutes, her breathing returned to normal. “Thank you, Edson. That was—more than incredible.”
She turned and walked carefully to the dresser mirror, straightened her hair and dress, watched as Edson adjusted himself and his suit. After a short pause, she turned. “Now, if you find yourself unable to keep silent, I want you to come to me. We’ll work it out. I’m sure you understand that as Yancy Pott’s wife, there might be a great deal I could do for you.”
Edson nodded. “I have no need of your help and I would never turn on you. That is not my way. I help women, I do not hurt them. That is my obligation and my promise.”
He had no intention of ever holding this lady up, no matter what the circumstance. But if making a promise would make her feel more secure, he would give it to her. He walked over to the large window next to the bed and looked out on the City of Austin.
“My grandfather once told me I have a gift. A gift for understanding and caring about women. He told me it was my destiny and duty to be kind to all women, to satisfy them when I could and protect them from anyone who would do them harm. I think I understand how you feel. You think you’re different because the needs of your body dominate your thoughts, but you’re really not. I’ve known many women in my life who need more than they get. What I find interesting about you is that you don’t seem to care about getting caught. It’s difficult for me to understand. In your world the consequences could be so great.”
He turned and walked away from the window. “Your husband, Yancy … is not a good man. There is something about him that is different. He will hurt you if you cause him grief.”
Edson paused. Dixie was looking at him in awe. “He will hurt you just like he and Governor Davis have been trying to hurt Judge Meadows.”
Dixie’s jaw tightened. She looked at him with anger in her eyes. “He wouldn’t dare hurt me. He knows I know about him, about his boyfriends.” Her eyes began to shine with wetness. “He doesn’t want me and he doesn’t need me, but he wouldn’t ever hurt me. I would destroy him.”
Edson stared deeply into Dixie’s eyes. She turned on her heel and walked to the door. “Come, Edson. We must return to the party. People might talk if we’re gone too long.”
Edson nodded and walked out the door with Dixie casually holding onto his arm. As they arrived at the reception room, the party was going full swing. Several ladies spotted Edson and immediately headed for him. Dixie laughed, leaned close and whispered. “Here come the rest of the sharks, looking for scraps.” Somewhat louder, for public consumption, “I must go now, Deputy Rabb. It has been most interesting talking to you. Perhaps we will meet again sometime.”
Edson bowed slightly from the waist. “Thank you, ma’am. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the opportunity to meet such a lovely lady. Good night.”
CHAPTER 41
Lydia introduced Mobley to several people she knew at the party. They mingled interminably, he telling stories and becoming flushed as she occasionally rubbed against him. He felt better now, the pain in his chest mostly gone. The ache in his heart, the uncertainty, remained. For the first time in his life, he simply did not know what to do.
That fact, coupled with a growing realization that many of the people at the party considered him an aberration, a gangly hillbilly to be gawked at and pitied, left him feeling cold. Lydia seemed to sense his mood. She maneuvered him onto a terrace porch where they could look over the city. A scent of lilac, mixed with magnolia blossom drifted by as they looked out upon the twinkling gas lamps now lighting the streets. She leaned against him. He liked it, but remained anxious.
“I notice the Governor has not seen fit to involve you in any of his great pontifications tonight. That’s rather strange, don’t you think? It’s like he wants you to know him, but not get too close. He’s acting like you might upstage him.”
“You could be right, Lydia. I’ve not been unaware of his lack of attention, but frankly, I could care less. The man crawled out from under a rock somewhere. I’d like to help him get back, and I think he senses my feelings. He didn’t get this far by being stupid or blind.”
“Well, I still don’t know why you all seem so mistrustful of Governor Davis, but you do seem to be feeling better. Are you having fun? I’ll bet it’s been a long time since you’ve seen a home as nice as
this?”
“Fun? I don’t know.” He tried not to, but found his arm reaching out, coming to rest around her waist. He feared it a brazen thing to do in public, but could not let go. She snuggled against him. “It’s only been a couple of months since I was home in Tennessee layin’ about my grandfather’s plantation. That house is almost twice the size of this one, if you can believe it. Old Colonel Angus Meadows has more money than all the kings in Europe. At least it seems that way.”
“Is that right? You certainly don’t play the role of a rich man. Oh, you have the manners of a gentleman all right, but I would have never guessed you were from uppity people.”
Mobley squirmed. “I’m not rich. My grandfather is. The rest of the family, including me, will be rich after he dies. By the time I see any family money, I’m likely to be old and gray. But, not to worry, I’m not likely to starve anytime soon. This job pays a fair wage and most of my expenses can be recouped as part of the costs of court. If I needed money, I’m sure all I would have to do is ask old Angus, but it’s a matter of pride with me not to do so. He made his, I’ll make mine. As far as being uppity, that’s an affliction an ol’ boy like me, bein’ from the back woods and all, ain’t ever likely to suffer.”
“I’m quite sure of that,” she said as she rested her head on his shoulder. “I have been wondering, though, if you are just naturally afraid of women or suffer from some other sort of malady?”
He stiffened. “Malady? What kind of malady do you think I might be suffering?”
“Maybe—an injury in the war? You know, like a serious wound that renders you incapable of liking women?”
“Good grief. What on earth could have given you that idea? Besides, I never served in the ground war. I served on merchant vessels.”
“Well,” she said softly as she pressed against him. “We’ve been together now for several weeks. Though you’ve been pretty sick, you must have noticed my feelings for you have grown. I was just wondering. We do live in the same hotel suite, after all, and you’ve made no move to advance the relationship.”
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