Ruthann rattled on about the farm and their plans for the newborn. They enjoyed their tea and each other’s company as the hour passed. As Netty rose to take her leave, she asked Ruthann if she might first use the privy. Laughing, Ruthann showed her the way out the back door. Netty knew she never would have made it home without having to go. The baby now pressed uncomfortably against her bladder. Her stomach felt like dead weight as she felt the baby kick her sharply. Upon finishing her toilet, Netty returned to the house, letting herself in the back door. She paused as she heard voices in the kitchen, men’s voices. She could hear them discussing business. Netty hesitated to interrupt and turned to let herself back out when she heard Robert’s name mentioned. Now listening closely, she could make out something about raising the rent on the farm. She heard Mr. Neal object saying Mr. Woods had never raised his rent this often. The other voice sounded familiar. Peeking around the corner, she saw none other than Eli, her husband’s man. He flailed his arms at farmer Neal, insisting that the land belonged to Robert Doyle, the Neal family had little choice since they did not own the land.
Netty pressed herself tightly to the wall, hoping not to be seen. Her heart raced as she slowly backed out the door and ran around the house to the wagon. Clumsily, she pulled herself up as the front door opened and Eli appeared. She backed the wagon away from the hitching post, hurrying away. Giving a quick glance back, she saw Eli standing there, just looking after her. Did he recognize her? Would the Neals say anything? Would Eli ask?
This was a bad omen. Not forced to deal with Robert allowed her the freedom to create a new life. This timing called an end to her good luck and peace of mind; but the Neal’s farm? They pay rent to Robert? Were there others? Actually, how big was 2000 acres?
Rushing back to the farm, she found Wil at the bakery doing some painting with Baby off playing in the barn. Quickly, she related the news to Wil.
“You said 2000 acres? Netty, are you kidding me? I don’t even think the whole town is even 1000 acres. Netty you are really rich. And that bastard of a husband is cheating you. He has obviously been collecting the rents from the lease-holders and the tenement farmers for years. We need to hire a lawyer as soon as we can to get him out of your life. He is stealing from you.”
“You don’t know him, Wil, he is ruthless. He raped and murdered my mama. I don’t think it will be that easy.”
“Don’t worry, babe.” Wil rubbed her tummy giving her a quick kiss on the lips. “You have me now. And we have big ol’ Baby for back up.” He laughed as they spied Baby shuffling and wobbling toward them from the barn. Baby held something in his arms. A barn kitten. He discovered the mama cat giving birth five weeks ago and made himself their protector. He proudly showed them off whenever Wil or Netty would pay attention. They each took a turn admiring the kitten. Baby shuffled off, heading back to the barn.
“Netty, why don’t I saddle Maggie and run into town? I can sit down with a lawyer and see where you stand legally.”
“Yes, that might be a good idea,” Netty considered carefully. “We need to get information right now. I’m going to work on some pies in the kitchen then start dinner. Try to hurry home.” Netty kissed him goodbye and Wil hurried after Baby to the barn.
###
Netty finished the last of the pies. Sliding them in the oven to bake, she began peeling a four pound potato for dinner. She heard the latch on the front door. Calling to Baby, she turned, her mouth freezing in mid-sentence. There stood Eli.
“How dare you come into my home? What do you want?” Her voice ricocheted indignantly.
“Well, well, Miz Doyle.” He leaned lazily against the back of the door, insolence defining his posture. “Sounds like you’re not all that happy ta see me. Thought I’d stop by before I head back to Norristown ta see how yer doin.” Eli sauntered further into the room, his bulk blocking the door, cutting off her escape.
“I’m sure the boss is gunna be happy to hear how well yer doin here, means he can sure get a better price for the land, when he sells it to that fancy group from New York City.” Netty attempted to shield her shock from registering on her face. Any weakness simply inflamed bullies.
Eli inched closer. “Don’t know how he’s gunna feel with you carryin’ that drifter’s bastard, though. Nah, he’s not gunna like hearin’ that a’tol.” Eli reached out, grabbing her elbow, pulling her so close she could smell the stench of his breath on her face.
“Thought I’d not recognize ya, gal? Ya sure look holier than thou with all that gold hair now don’ cha.” He grabbed her pony tail, giving it a twist. He wrapped it around her throat, flipping her around and came up behind her. She could feel his erection throbbing against her back.
“Please, Eli, my Baby,” she whispered.
Eli dragged her over to the old straw bed and threw her down. She landed with a wince, on her stomach. Leering over her, she could see him actually slobbering.
“Never wanted ta take a piece of ya when the boss said I could, but I sure think I’ll help myself to a piece right now.” Flipping her over on her back, he pulled down his pants. Netty tried to kick him but he grabbed her leg, letting loose with a backhand across her face. Strangely, she felt no pain. But the baby felt different. Something must be wrong. She had to protect the baby.
“Alright,” she screamed. “Just do it.”
“Oh, ya gonna be nice, now? Thought ya might change yer mind when ya saw what a real man looked like. Let me hear ya say ya want it, Netty gal. Come on, let me hear it.” Eli raised his fist.
“Just get it over with, please.” Her voice reduced to a whimper, she tried to blank out her mind as Eli raped her. She could get through this. The baby would be fine, Eli would leave. She still had Wil and Baby. Baby. Oh my gosh; where was Baby? Baby, stay in the barn, please, she prayed silently.
Eli’s weight on top of her felt oppressive. She felt her stomach being compressed as he assaulted her in her most tender and private area. Her tail, wadded up under her waist, cramped from the painful crushing. As Eli finished, she felt blood pooling between her legs.
“Oh no, oh no,” she moaned. Rolling off the bed, she tried to stand. Her legs buckled and down she went. Holding her stomach, she screamed at Eli, “I need a doctor, please help me.”
“Git that wop drifter a yur’s ta help. I gotta git back ta Norristown ta give the boss his rents. Ya weren’t worth da effort anyway. Ya better keep your trap shut now, hear?” Looking at all the blood pooled around her, he sneered.
“What the heck?” Sniffing, he detecting the odor of sulfur that leached from her blood; blood that glimmered, not just red but distinct tones of effervescence. “Looks like ya got yourself a real problem, for Christ’s sake, gal.” Grimacing, he let himself out the door.
Netty touched the liquid pooling around her. It was very warm. She could feel the heat radiate from it. When she put her fingers in it, the blood parted, leaving her hand dry. What? She gathered her skirt, pressing into her groin to stop the flow. She felt something hitch from inside of her. She tried to remember when she last felt the baby move. Had to be when Wil left for town. She considered the color of her blood as she felt a slow dawning of terror, her pulse racing dangerously. What did it mean? Is this another of her changes? How will that affect the baby? Will the baby be normal? Her head was spinning. She had to calm down. Wil, where are you? Please, come home.
Netty rocked and held her skirt closely as she felt contractions. The baby was coming. No, it’s too early, God please, I beg you. Tears silently streamed from twin pools of desperate anguish. Slowly, she pulled herself over to the bed to lie down. Just in time, as she felt another gush between her legs. Netty’s eyes rolled back in her head and she mercifully passed out.
###
Wil unhitched the wagon, leading the horse to his stall. Filling the water trough, he thought he should bring the Jerseys down from the pasture before he went in for dinner. That would enable him to linger with Netty before he did the milking. Rounding up Baby from
his kitten protection detail in the hay loft, he saddled up Maggie and together they started out for the cow pasture trail. As Wil rounded up the Jerseys with Baby holding the gate open, he thought of the information supplied by the lawyer. It appears they had a tough row to hoe. Even if they could prove their case of fraud, Robert Doyle now wielded a great deal of influence. He was the Norris County Magistrate. That position entitled him to privileges in Sussex County where the subject property was. The rumor mill also suggested Robert owned many in law enforcement, with those in town on his payroll as they engaged in distributing the bootleg rum made in his carriage house at Sunnydale.
Wil was not yet deterred. He really needed to discuss things with Netty first. He planned to broach the subject after dinner. He did not want her to stress until after she ate. He rarely saw her put food in her mouth anymore. Well, at least she has not been losing weight.
Arriving at the barn, Baby slipped down off of Maggie, dashing toward the hayloft. After giving Maggie a quick brush down and some oats, he collected Baby from the hay loft, stopping to admire his kittens, at Baby’s insistence. Scooping Baby up and swinging him up on his shoulders, he left the barn.
Mounting the stoop, he noticed the cabin door was ajar. Not a good idea, Wil thought. I’ll have to speak to Netty about that. Entering the cabin, he choked. The room was filled with smoke, the smell of burnt fruit pies and sulfur. Shooing Baby back out the front door, he shouted for Netty. Running to the ovens, he opened the doors pulling out the ruined pastries. Hearing a moan from the straw bed, he spied Netty lying there. A glowing liquid seemed to spread over the floor and down Netty’s legs. Her tail, with its ominous membrane hovered helplessly over her head. In Netty’s arms lay what was left of their baby.
“I couldn’t heal the baby,” Netty said in a tiny tin voice. She sounded empty and lost, clearly in shock.
Tears slipped down Wil’s face as he quickly ran to her side. Slipping down to his knees, he put his hands on her head, smoothing back her hair. Her eyes were open but unfocused. She clung to their infant who was clearly dead, its skin blue underneath a sickly sheen of what appeared to be an effervescent membrane. Netty focused on Wil and seemed to recognize him. Pitifully, she cried.
“He raped me, Wil,” she whispered. “He hurt the baby. He hurt our baby.”
“Who was here, Netty? Who did this to you?” Wil’s face tightened bitterly, his guts contracting. He felt like he could not breathe.
“It was Eli. He recognized me. It was my fault. I should have stayed home.” Netty curled up around her dead child, murmuring to it. Slowly, she sat up, her eyes feverish.
“Baby, where is he? He can save the baby. He can bring him back.” Scooting to the edge of the bed, she staggered to her feet, weaving to the door calling for Baby. She fell to the floor as she lost her footing, Wil running to her side. The door opened with Baby sitting on the stoop where Wil left him. Netty held the infant in her arms, offering the dead child to Baby.
“You can do it, Baby, I have tried, but nothing happens. But you can do it Baby, you know how.” Netty dissolved into incoherent tears as Baby just stared, unmoving. Wil tried to drag her back into the cabin, but she resisted. “Baby, please. You have to help me,” she shouted hysterically. Turning to Wil, she begged, “Please get Baby to help me. He’ll listen to you.”
Colorful auras flashed, iridescence mixed with pressure. The whispers tried to calm her.
“Sister, I cannot. The life is already gone.” Netty sat on the floor, limp and stunned. Wil gently eased the stillborn from her arms, holding it tenderly to his chest. He wiped away his silent tears as he wrapped their baby in a blanket and took it to the barn. He would bury his child later, after attending to Netty.
Returning to the cabin, he found Netty still on the floor by the door with Baby at her side, stroking her face. He poured Netty a cup of water but she pushed it away. Forcing her up, he carried her into their bedroom. He peeled off her damp filthy clothes, pulling a clean nightgown over her head. Slipping her under the covers, he lay down next to her, cradling her in his arms until she drifted off to sleep. The last words she said were, “He hurt the baby.”
Wil sat at the table in the kitchen while Netty slept. His pain and anger hotly percolated, quickly heading to a boil. His teeth clenched so hard he could feel his facial muscles spasm. Not a man prone to violence, he contemplated only one course of action. He needed an eye for an eye. Reluctant to rely on the legal system with the threat of Robert Doyle’s influence, he resolved to handle the matter himself. Carefully, he wrote a note for Netty. He carried it into her bedroom where Baby was watching her. He kissed her head, setting the note on her nightstand.
“Baby, lock the door behind me. I will be back in four days. I will send one of the field hands to take care of the Jerseys. Stay in the house until I am back.” Patting Baby on the head he left the bedroom, stalking out of the cabin with one of their rifles.
Chapter 6
Robert sat in his library, elegantly sipping from a hand blown crystal snifter. He enjoyed watching the color of his favorite brandy, looking through the glass as he rotated the crystal in the light of the fire. Eli was overdue but he should arrive momentarily. He’d better. Anticipation made him restless. He anxiously awaited the pleasure he derived from tabulating the income Eli collected from Netty’s tenement farmers. He smiled to himself, thinking of the windfall the land was bringing him, even though he lost the other deal on the acreage shortly after Netty ran off.
He thought about Netty. He rarely worried about her. He knew how to find her. Where else would she be likely to go? He heard the rumors of the drifter she allowed to take up residence with her. Together, they apparently made quite an improvement to the property. Maybe he would not sell it just yet, after all. He did not fear Netty or her drifter. Well, well, she turned out to be a wanton trollop after all, didn’t she, he chuckled to himself, thinking of the rumored age difference between the two. He dismissed the strange tales of Netty’s produce and her orchards, along with the gossip about Netty’s looks. How the cow could even attract the drifter was beyond him. He thought seriously about killing them both. He could make it look like the drifter had done it. Then he would go in as the patient and forgiving husband, deftly claiming the property.
The sale of some of the acreage would make things much easier for him. His sisters have developed quite a habit of stopping by to complain about their shortness of funds, expecting him to subsidize them after their wealthy husbands put them on leashes. Their expenses overwhelmed him. He thought of the horses, their yearly wardrobes, their entertaining and the extravagant galas, all pathetic attempts to stay relevant. Their husbands long ago exhausted their patience with their spending, but Robert found it difficult to say no. Perhaps, it was because as their only brother, he felt a familial obligation. Or maybe, as the youngest, he found it the only way to lord over them. Either way, they created a significant drain on his finances.
A more pressing concern involved a rumor he heard at the courthouse. Only a whisper as of yet, but it appeared the federal government was weighing the benefits of legalizing alcohol, actually repealing Prohibition. That would be disastrous for him. If true, he might not have much time, although the feds were notoriously inept.
Taking another sip, his housekeeper appeared. Big Martha’s name fit her precisely. She was big and black, her impassive face clearly having seen plenty, wisely knowing how to keep all to herself. “Mr. Eli done returned, Mr. Doyle, sir. He sent word up from the carriage house. Sure, sure. He says ta tell you he gone an picked up a present for you from one a the farms he visited. He said she be needin some supper. I kin fix them sum’un or would you be wantin ta see him right away?”
“Feed the young lady, Martha; then send her up to my bedroom. Give her the usual garment to change into. Tonight, I think the blue. I trust it has been properly repaired since last time? And tell Eli to get in here, now.”
“Yesum, sir. Sure, sure.” As Big Martha left, bobbing
her head, Eli popped up behind her, sporting a big grin. He set the money bag down on Robert’s desk and pulled up a chair. Without asking, he helped himself to some of Robert’s brandy, gulping it down.
“Easy there, bucko, that is mighty expensive stuff,” Robert said, clearly annoyed.
“Relax boss, I deserve it after the ride I gave ol’ Netty.” Robert favored Eli with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, I ran inta her by accident. Did ya know she got knocked up? I had a lucky chance ta show her what a real man looked like, so I took it. I did leave her a wee bit worse for the wear. I think the bastard babe might not a made it.”
“Well, you may have saved me some trouble. But let me know next time before you decide to do something like that,” Robert said, mildly irked. “Did you see any sign of the wop she’s shacked up with? What kind of shape did you leave her in?”
“She was in pretty bad shape. All this weird shit coming out of her, thought it was blood, but I don’ think so. She was holler’n for a doctor when I left,” he chuckled. “Sump’n bout the kid.”
“Well, dummy, you may have created a little problem for us if he shows up here. If she can identify you, I bet he does. You should have just twisted her ugly neck on the way out, Eli. Clean up your mess like a man.”
“She’s not an ugly twit any more, boss. If the farmer I was collectin from din’ tell me who she was I wouldn’t a known. I knew I had ta have a piece a that.” Casting his eyes down, he belatedly remarked, “Hope you don’t mind, boss.”
“No, but we better be ready if he shows up.” Looking at how the fire glinted off his gold coin collection, (minus one coin, the bitch, I know she took it.) he gathered inspiration, hatching a beautiful plan. Yes, quite perfect. It would easily remove one annoying obstacle from his road to the fair Netty and solve Eli’s problem at the same time.
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