“But that didn’t stop Jake from going next,” Peter said with a hint of sarcasm. “God knows there isn’t an ounce of fear in that man.”
“You know Pa. Heaven forbid an innocent girl should be in trouble. He can’t stand the thought of a woman abused.”
“He had to know this would kill your mother, especially when she’s not long recovered from…” Peter stopped and rubbed at his eyes. “Goddamn it,” he muttered. “What did Buckley and his men do to her?”
Lloyd remained quiet for several long seconds. “Not what you think.”
“Did they beat her?”
“Yeah—pretty bad—but they didn’t break any bones. And let’s just say they humiliated her in the worst way. If I went into any more detail, I’d feel like I was betraying her. She’d die of shame if she thought you knew any of it. If she pretends everything is fine, you have to go along with it.”
Peter held his head in his hands. “Jesus God Almighty.” His voice broke as he spoke the words. “Damn it, Randy.”
Lloyd knew in that moment how much the man loved his mother. He spoke her name as lovingly and with as much agony as Jake would have. “She can’t know I told you,” he reiterated, “and I’m only telling you because, much as I resent your feelings for my mother, I know you care about her and about this whole family. And as Pa’s lawyer, you know there are some things you can’t talk about.”
“Of course not.” Peter raised his head, and a tear slipped down his cheek. “Lloyd, I have to talk to her. Just as a friend come to visit.” He sniffed and wiped his cheeks. “Maybe it will help get her mind off of Jake. It might be good for her to have a visitor.” He took a deep breath. “Is she really doing better?”
“She was till Pa left for Mexico. I see the desperate fear in her eyes that he won’t make it back this time. What he’s doing is really dangerous, and one man has already died. The place where they took the girl is pretty heavily guarded. It’s just that Pa is determined to kill the man who owns the brothel—figures it’s the only way to stop the abduction of more young girls.”
Peter shook his head. “The man is determined to get himself shot or hanged, isn’t he? Heaven forbid he should die of old age—not a man like Jake.”
“That’s what scares us the most. I know how he thinks, and he’s thinking it’s his time. He belongs to another world, Peter, one we can only partly understand. Pa understands it best. If he makes it back, it will be for Mom, but I know what’s in his heart. He doesn’t want to be in this world anymore.” The gravity of it hit Lloyd suddenly, and he choked on the words. “None of us…can picture life without Jake Harkner in it. If he does come back, it won’t be because he’s fought for his life. I can tell there are times when he does want to die.
“But he’ll come back for my mother, because he promised her he would, like he’s done so many times in the past. It’s just that this time… I don’t know. I’m scared if he’s badly injured or something like that, or if he ends up in prison, he’ll give up.”
They sat there for a few minutes, not talking at all. Finally, Peter took a handkerchief from his suit pocket and blew his nose and wiped at his eyes. He put the handkerchief back, ran his fingers through his still-thick hair, and put on his bowler hat. “I’m going to the house, Lloyd. Just remember I’m a married man, and I do love my wife. But you know damn well I also love your mother and have for years. And in all those years, even when I was still single and she worked for me back in Guthrie…I never once tried to move in on your father. You have to believe that. Not only was I scared to death of the man, but I also respect him. And more than that, I respect your mother. Believe me, I am well aware of how much she loves your father. No man on the face of the earth could take his place in her heart. At least afford me the satisfaction of being here for her for a while and helping keep her mind off things. I can keep a conversation going—tell her what’s happening with Jeff—what my wife is doing—maybe take her for walks or a buggy ride. Anything to keep her from going crazy with the waiting.”
Lloyd wiped at his eyes with his shirt sleeve. “I guess that might help, but no buggy rides without one of the men going along. I promised Pa she’d never be left unguarded. I know you carry a gun yourself, but ever since last winter, Pa’s wanted extra protection for the women.” He looked at Peter, his eyes red. “Besides, I’m not about to let a handsome, wealthy lawyer who’s ten years younger than Pa go riding alone with my mother.” He grinned a little.