Gaia sat in city hall at the land registry office reading the history of the deed to their mansion. Another piece of the puzzle fell into place. Preston Albright bought the mansion for price of the property taxes owed. The city took possession after the last of Mamie's family passed away. With no one willing to claim the inheritance, it became a derelict eyesore. Preston, with his gorgeous ballerina wife, Charlotte Wyndham took possession between the two world wars.

Gaia closed the ledger where the records of property transfers were recorded and slid it back across the counter to the clerk.

"Thank you. This has been most enlightening. I'll need to search the library records for more about Charlotte Wyndham's career."

"No need, I can tell you. My mother was a huge fan and took us into Houston every Christmas to watch their production of the Nutcracker. She started out as Clara, and then danced the role of the Sugar Plum fairy. I got to see her in Swan Lake as well when my husband gifted me the tickets for one of our anniversaries. It was one of her last performances, before she retired."

Gaia nodded. "That fills in the blanks for me. She told me he was her soul mate. She couldn't stay here in the house they refurbished. Too many memories of Preston. And the the rumors of ghosts, which turned it into a haunted house. Her brother wanted to sell it."

"Earl. Money grubber. He's happier now that he's got someone interested in his factory project. But there's something about that one. I never did like him, or their father."

Isn't this interesting. Charlie never mentioned her father. Only her love for her husband, and her fear of Earl and his greedy nature. I wonder what else she knows. She seems to be up on all the gossip.

The clerk continued, "It was so sad, when her husband was called to go to war, and then disappeared at sea. They were a love match. You could tell whenever you saw them together."

"No one wanted to answer my questions. Arya Buhle only confirmed the lynching and murder of the men and boys."

The clerks attitude changed, and her tone was icy when she spoke again. "And how could the even afford such a mansion. If you ask me, they got it illegally. Everyone knows their kind." She turned her back on Gaia.

I guess she's done with me. This town is quite divided on how they treat their black citizens. I have to ask Harry about Earl's thoughts on the matter.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Gaia looked at their Cadillac convertible where it sat parked in the barn. The big sliding door on the side of the building slid open with the pressure of one finger now. There were spaces for four cars inside. Only two were used for the moment. Harry's work truck was out.

There was no way she could walk out to the factory work site. It was well out along Walnut Creek from Magnolia. Harry showed her how to remove his driving blocks, so she grabbed the leather sack they stowed them in when she drove and dropped the bag behind the seat.

She wished for a smaller sporty car, but anything on the market was just as big. Gaia loved the big fins and the bullet tail lights. The car was a like a grand duchess holding court in a ballroom. At least the top was down, and the weather report was good.

She tuned the radio to the local country music station and hummed along with the latest Patsy Kline hit. No one in America featured Irish ballads. On the odd night, they could tune in the station from home, but it was a rarity. Harry bought her records, and new technology was in the works. Something called Hi-Fi. It stood for high fidelity.

Heading out along the rushing clear water of the stream, eased her racing thoughts and a half hour later she parked beside the site office. Cement trucks were lined up, and the men were busy spreading it over a massive area. It must be the second quarter of the processing floor. Earl Wyndham sitting on a chair around the corner from her parking spot. Why wasn't he out giving the crew a hand like Harry?

Gaia spotted him in the middle of a group of men. Must be the cement finishing crew he talked about. It looked like organized chaos. Little glimmers of green flame flickered here and there, and she knew her husband was using his talents to keep everyone safe. A small smile curved over her lips.

"What the fuck is a woman doing on the site. You have no reason to be here." Earl Wyndham's voice was harsh gravel and he stood eye to eye with her as he confronted her.

Gaia took an involuntary step backward, before she planted her feet at shoulder width.

"And who are you to speak to me like a churlish oaf?" Her voice dripped sweetness. Who did he think he was? She might know who he was from Harry's description, but he should have some manners.

"A God damn man. Get your ass back in your car and get the fuck off this property before I call the sheriff." He stepped forward again, pushing into her stomach with his flabby stomach.

Harry! I need you. Earl is giving me trouble. Hasn't even introduced himself or bother to ask who I am. I think I know exactly who the problem was if you know what I mean.

Defend yourself, love, if you must. I will be there in a few minutes.

He's pushing me around.

Stand strong.

She could tell Harry was closer and took a step to the side and walked past the annoying hulk in her way. The man was insufferable.

He grabbed her arm from behind yanking it back and bending her elbow painfully.

"You will do as I say. Wealthy too. You should know your place." He steered her around the corner and back toward her car, but not before he reached up to squeeze her breast. "I could do worse. Remember it." He shoved her toward the car, and she stumbled, nearly falling to her knees.

"Since when do we treat a lady like that?" Harry asked, his voice quiet and deadly.

"I've about had it with your ways runt. Take the slut and get the hell off this site. I should never made the deal with you."

"And I shouldn't have made a deal with the devil. However, I suggest you take the contract you signed and talk to a lawyer. My word against yours, about how you treat the men. I will have you charged with assault. The slut, is my wife!"

"Figures. You can't control the men, and she doesn't know her limits."

Harry came to stand beside Gaia. Running his arm around her waist, he gave her a squeeze. She felt him vibrating. Fury is all she could think. Controlled fury, exactly her own state.

"I think it's you who's leaving," Harry said, his voice still soft and reasonable.

Wyndham put his hand behind his back and drew a pistol. ''I don't think so."

And he screamed. The gun in his hand exploded, blowing fingers off it and the stench of burning flesh made Gaia gag.

"Go inside, love. I'll take care of him; you call for help. Get the sheriff, and an ambulance out here."