The Visitor - The Bell Tower 1873 - 1875

by Barbara Svetlick

  “Because you did that so well and without any emotion at all.” James blew a smoke ring. “Sometimes I miss how timid you were when we first met.” James reached out and pulled her up to him. “I miss the days before the children when everything was always so new and exciting for you.”

  “Do you want to run away with me?”

  “And what would your husband say?”

  “He’d be angry because trying to raise three girls alone would cause him to age prematurely.”

  Mr. Alston put on his gloves as the coachman opened the door to the large coach. Mirisa watched them from the window knowing that he would complain all the way back to the office.

  “That woman is insufferable.” Mr. Alston settled back against the seat as Mr. Sinclair and the assistant climbed in. “Everyone is paying particularly close attention to whether or not I can handle her. I would like to tell her husband to use whatever methods necessary to make her sociably acceptable.”

  Mr. Sinclair kept himself busy shuffling papers in his cache when Mr. Alston struck him with the head of his cane. “Sir?”

  “I don’t like her ideas whatsoever. She is nothing but a pampered woman who believes she has the right to an opinion. I want you to contact the attorney to see if we have any way to stop her meddling.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I will be damned if some little woman is going to dictate my job to me.”

  “How did your meeting go?” Meeks stood up and started to unbutton his shirt and she watched him through half closed eyes.

  “I handled it like you advised me to and it went perfectly. Of course, having James there probably did more than anything I said.”

  “Sorry I couldn’t be here to help you.” Meeks started to unbutton his jeans when she leaned over and did it for him. Mirisa looked up at him as he lowered himself into the hot water. He pulled her up to him. Mirisa moved her hands across him and he closed his eyes letting her do whatever she wanted. She brought him right to the edge then stopped. Meeks smiled but didn’t open his eyes as Mirisa started again but this time slower. He finally reached for her hips and took control away from her as he released what energy he had left. “I love being able to climb into the tub with you after a hard day but I know better than leaving you home alone with James.”

  “I have been good.”

  Meeks opened his eyes taking in her pouting lips. “Thank you for waiting for me.”

  “You have always been worth the wait.”

  Mirisa slid her arms around his neck as he ducked them both under the water. She was laughing when Meeks brought her back up. “Do you want to talk about your hard day?”

  “Sure. I’m making too much money doing nothing and everyone thinks I need to do something with it but if I do I’ll just make more money.”

  “Do you want me to spend more of it?”

  “Sure, what would you like to buy?”

  “I don’t know. I feel so guilty sometimes for frivolously spending your money despite the fact that I get such enjoyment out of the things we do. I can’t think of anything I really need that you haven’t already provided. Maybe someday we can go to Europe or around the world. I’m really glad I have liquidated most of my holdings because now I can just enjoy life with you and the children.”

  “Were they weighing heavily upon you?”

  She smiled. “They were. Did you buy the little house you were talking about?”

  “James is negotiating with the family but it might take a few months to get them to sell.”

  Mirisa stood up and put her hands on either side of the tub kissing him before climbing out. Meeks put his head back and closed his eyes.

  James knocked on the door as Mirisa looked into the mirror as she put the brush down on her table. Meeks was taking a shirt out of the wardrobe slipping it on as he waited for James to say something. They still hadn’t found time to discuss the issue that had emerged but James had advised Meeks that it was an urgent matter.

  Garnett appeared at the doorway as James lit his cigar. “Does everyone want to go out for dinner tonight? I’m in the mood for a good steak and there’s only one place to get it.”

  “Can we get in without reservations?”

  “Sure. It’s Monday night so it will be mostly businessmen and I think we need to start working the books again.”

  Mirisa turned and looked at James. “What does that mean?”

  “You’re too young to get a response to that question.” James stood up and told her to dress for the men tonight. Meeks looked at him and Garnett just shrugged because when James was in the mood to go after money it was always very intense. When she came downstairs for a cup of hot tea, the library door was closed. Facing hungry bears in Colorado was preferable to the danger of living in the east with men who loved intrigue and lived for a challenging adventure.

  Meeks sat down on the couch and opened the envelope reading the report.

  “Have you seen Catherine since you have been back?”

  “A few times. She’s been very jumpy and has made up excuses not to meet with me.”

  “Who hired the hitman?”

  Garnett sat forward. “The man gave the name of Thomas Ribber but this agent was also on the investigation of Miss Tyler and said the man resembles her second husband, Russell Bellows.”

  Meeks put the paper on the table. “What is the status of the medical inquiry on her last husband?”

  James was pacing when Garnett told him to sit down. “They have sealed the findings since they lack of real evidence that will point to her.”

  “Well, I understand their concern because it sounds like they don’t have enough to even arrest her but why would Catherine want to have someone try to kill Mirisa?”

  “It’s actually my fault.”

  Meeks looked at James. “How?”

  James leaned back in the chair and blew smoke rings watching them rise slowly. “Catherine has inferred that it is Mirisa that draws me to Colorado. She also informed me that she is aware that I have untold wealth and could certainly live anywhere I chose.”

  “Well she certainly isn’t very smart. All she has to do is agree to live in Colorado, marry you when you are in New York and have you killed in some robbery or something before springtime.”

  “I…”

  “James, her reasoning just isn’t sound if her goal is to win you over. The jealousy part has more teeth to it.”

  “I’ve never known her to be particularly jealous even though she is not fond of any of you. She also doesn’t hold any animosity that is detectable.”

  “We’ve been up against far worse.” Meeks poured a shot and thought about the situation. “Has Mr. Bellows paid for the hit?”

  “Not yet. He is set to meet with the agent at the end of the week when he said he will have a plan on where and when she will be most vulnerable. The worst part is that he has been instructed to take out anyone, children included, who might be with her.”

  Meeks thought about the problem. “Then I guess we need to handle it because even bumbling idiots are sometimes successful.”

  James dressed in an old pea coat pulling the collar up around his face to protect not only his identity but to keep the dampness of the river from getting in. He lit a cigarette and thought the worse part of skulking around the docks was having to give up his good cigars. James pulled his cap lower and walked against the wind as he ducked into the seedy tavern filled with dock workers and sailors. He stopped at the bar and asked for ale before he moved to a table in the far corner. His knuckles were dirty as were his fingernails and his only money was crumpled in his front pocket. He didn’t know how anyone could drink the swill they called ale but he had had far worse.

  On the third night, Russell Bellows came in and sat down at the bar as the bartender set a large ale in front of him without asking. Bellows placed a coin on the bar top and waved for another. Bellows lit a cigarette and watched the door then looked around the room realizing that all the tables were taken so he would
have to watch for an empty table. Bellows slid off the stool and told the bartender to refill his glass as he walked past James and slipped out the back door. He was gone but a moment before coming back in and noticing an empty table against the wall. You could tell he was taking assessment of the patrons but James had already determined that with the turnover on the docks that there were always strangers in the tavern.

  Bellows walked over to the bar and told the barmaid to clean the table as he walked over with two mugs and sat down waiting. James watched as patrons leaned into their tables allowing her girth to maneuver to the table. She lifted the three mugs as the muted sound of the glass drowned out what she said to Bellows. She slapped a dirty rag on the table dragging it across in a feeble attempt of cleaning off the spilled ale and ashes. Bellows scolded her as she sassed him back then returned to the bar mumbling under her breath. Normally a very jovial man, she found Mr. Bellows to be short tempered and rude. The agent brought in not only the cold wind but allowed the rain to blow through causing rumbling from those sitting near the door. He took off his hat and unbuttoned his jacket before weaving through the room to sit down next to Bellows and a few tables away from James.

  Bellows offered him a cigarette but the agent declined and looked around the room nervously when Bellows told him the place was safe. They talked quietly as the agent nodded occasionally and offered little in response. Bellows pulled a newspaper out of his jacket and slid it across the table to the agent who immediately hid it in his jacket. The agent stood pulling his collar higher as he stepped out of the pub. Bellows sat back smiling motioning to the barkeep to bring him another ale. James put a silver coin on the table then slipped out the back door and joined Garnett in the alley.

  “Everything set?”

  James nodded then pulled out his gun from his shoulder harness before replacing it. It was a nervous habit when he anticipated using his gun. The weather began to decline as the rain let up while the wind howled between the buildings. The barges clanged against the pilings threatening to bring down the dock but the streets were empty.

  The waiting was always the hardest not because of anxiety but because nothing made them happier than ridding the world of a bottom feeding scum. They were waiting behind empty crates across the alley shielding them from the elements when the back door of the saloon finally opened and the man pushed hard as the wind tried to keep him from getting out the door. Bellows pulled his cap lower and pushed the door closed as he hunched over and pulled his coat tight against his neck as he bowed his head against the wind. He walked deeper into the alley heading for his horse when Garnett stepped out and asked for a smoke dropping his bottle on the ground where it rolled in front of Bellows.

  “Get out of my way you filthy drunk.”

  Garnett reached out grabbing Bellows arm when Bellows pushed him in the chest. Garnett fell back intentionally pulling Bellows off guard when Bellows tried to right himself and pull back as he reached for his gun.

  “I said to get away from…”

  The shot hit him dead center in his chest as his mouth struggled to finish the sentence and he crumbled to the ground. James walked out of the shadow as Garnett went through his pockets taking his watch and emptied his wallet throwing it on the ground so he would be identified.

  James and Garnett moved through the alley throwing the watch onto a rooftop. They discarded their clothes in another alley where homeless men were sleeping putting the money from Bellows wallet in one pocket and throwing the gun into a pile of rubbish. All the evidence would be gone within an hour and no one would ever acknowledge the two men in the storm.

  Dominic and the boys left the Plantation early in the morning just carrying their bedrolls and saddlebags. Jonathan was using Matthew’s first saddle and horse which was designed to keep him seated. He looked so small but Dominic felt that mentally he was ready for the challenge though Dominic had spoken to them both seriously about letting him know when they grew tired. Riding with everyone was easier since he didn’t have to concentrate so much on their safety but he thought if he travelled slowly they would do well.

  The trip through the mountains fascinated Jonathan so much that Dominic had to keep him on the inside. Both boys were riding well though Dominic kept the days short so they wouldn’t grow too tired and it allowed them a lot of time to explore the land with him after the camp was set up. Dominic taught them how to build and light a fire, how to make spears to fish and how to secure their camp. He taught them how to survive, how to be still and how to move through nature leaving no trace. They talked constantly during the trip and the boys absorbed everything Dominic said to them. When they finally dismounted at the brownstone, it felt like they had only been riding a day but his sons had changed more in that week than they ever had.

  Jonathan came through the door in his typical fashion, blowing past Garnett and James and right into his mother’s arms as she turned the corner from the staircase. Mirisa slowly sat down on the step as he held her tight. Meeks came out of the library as Jonathan ran up the stairs to find his sisters. Matthew walked up to her and kissed her cheek and told her that they missed her.

  “You have both grown so much.” She took Matthew’s hand in hers. Matthew had grown three inches and he was as handsome as his father. She saw only Conrad in the way Jonathan walked, the way he smiled and the blue of his eyes. He had the same cockiness despite his young age. His dark hair was long and he wore it tied back with rawhide which made him resemble Conrad even more. Mirisa knew he never bonded with her because he never intended to stay.

  Dominic walked up behind Matthew with the saddlebags and reached down and helped Mirsia up as Matthew picked up his saddlebag and followed his father. Mirisa turned and her eyes met her husband’s. He put out his hand and she walked over to him as he encircled her into his arms. They could hear Maggie through the entire house.

  “I guess the quietness is over.”

  Dominic came back downstairs and sat down on the couch with everyone. Coffee and meat pockets had been set out since they were going to the theater and dinner. Mirisa instructed dinner to be served upstairs. She went into the nursery to find her children sitting on the floor talking.

  “Matthew, if you and Jonathan want to sleep in one of the big rooms you can move your things.”

  Matthew smiled. “No, I think we want to be close to our sisters since we will only be home a few months.”

  “Alright. We’re going to the theater tonight so I’ll have dinner served up here.” She walked over and picked up Elizabeth putting her in bed where she burrowed down in the blankets. She looked back from the door. Sara was sitting in Matthew’s lap with her tattered rabbit tucked under her arm and sucking her thumb.

  Mirisa decided to pamper herself leaving the men to enjoy the evening. Meeks finally came up and changed clothes. He decided to wait for her and took her hand as they walked downstairs. She was wearing a beautiful deep red dress that gathered in the front folding out to the sides, had on rhinestone red shoes and diamonds. Her hair was pulled back on one side where she had pinned it back behind her ear before it curled. They were all in suits though she loved the way her husband always dressed to compliment her. Mirisa kissed Meeks lightly before he slipped the cape around her.

  Despite their chiding her about always being late, the lobby of the theatre was still packed with patrons socializing. It was a wonderful play about a murder of a wealthy man by his wife’s lover with a few twists. Mirisa thought it would be wonderful to be an actress though she had never met an actor that she considered to even be as attractive as her men were on their worse day. Between acts Mirisa excused herself and went to powder her face. She was sitting in front of the mirror when a group of women came in and recognized her.

  “Excuse me are you not married to Alexander Meeks?”

  Mirisa looked up into the mirror at the four young women before she stood up closing her purse. “Yes.” They all waited for her to say something else and realized that she wasn’t going
to.

  “Do you get to sleep with all four of them?”

  Mirisa smiled. “No. I have my hands full handling my husband and taking care of our children.” She excused herself and stepped into the ante room to straighten her skirt when she overheard their conversation.

  “Do you believe her? You know they have no problems sharing the same woman. I did hear that Louis is still trying to get her despite her turning him down. We spotted him alone in the box with her the other night between acts. Maybe she is just very discreet.”

  “Well, I heard she inherited her grandmother’s estate and is quite wealthy in her own right. I just can’t believe she would choose to live somewhere where Indians could steal her children and take her captive. You know they do horrible things to women they capture.”

  “I know. Did you hear that Catherine Tyler has delayed her plans to marry James despite telling everyone that they were going to get married when he came east?”

  “I heard that she gave him an ultimatum that if they married he had to live only here because she was not returning to Colorado even for a visit.”

  “She actually saw Indians and only escaped capture by sheer luck. I don’t blame her one bit for I would have had vapors and taken the first train home.”

  The little brunette pushed on her curls putting them back into place. “The last I heard, Catherine was planning on announcing her engagement to James this winter and not even planning on waiting for her year in mourning to end.”

  “I know but I overheard my brother talking about the police finding the body of her second husband in an alley off the docks. They said he was robbed and shot. When they broke the news to her, she advised them that her solicitor had assured her not three years ago that her husband had been killed in Jamaica and therefore the police must be mistaken. They asked her to identify the body and Catherine told them that she just could not look upon a dead man and went into vapors.”

  “My goodness, she does seem to have a lot of men dying around her.” They all broke into hysterics.