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Chapter Eighteen
At breakfast the following morning Jim dropped a stack of newspapers on the table. “You made the papers.”
As Jim sat, Rhine sighed and picked up one. The headline read: RHINE FONTAINE—A LIFE OF LIES. He forced himself to read the article and the accompanying editorial that denounced him for what the paper termed “a cruel and callous hoax” on the good citizens of Virginia City. The story also demanded his immediate resignation from both the town council and the Republican party. Rhine tossed the paper aside and went back to his bacon and eggs. He’d been expecting it. Even though he’d been duly elected to the council, it had been as a White man not as a man of color. Neither mixed bloods or full bloods of African descent were allowed at the table. He supposed he should be angry and in many ways he was, but to have Eddy in his life he chose to look past the petty hate and focus on the future with her instead. With his wealth behind him, he could still make the road a bit easier for his people and that knowledge eased the bitterness, too.
A few minutes later Lyman Greer walked into the saloon. Rhine and Jim shared a silent look. Wondering what Natalie’s father wanted, Rhine wiped his hands on his napkin and stood. “What can I do for you, Lyman? How’s Natalie?”
“As well as can be expected considering the lies you fed us,” he replied accusingly. “I’m here for the deed to my house.”
“Do you have what you owe me in exchange?”
“No, and I don’t plan to pay you. Not after what you told us last night.”
“A debt is a debt, Lyman.”
“Not when it’s owed to one of you,” he shot back disdainfully.
Rhine folded his arms and assessed the man who’d once touted his abolitionist roots so proudly. “Your note is now owned by my brother. I sold it to him a week ago in anticipation of what last night’s confession might bring. As you know, he’s a highly respected banker in San Francisco and counts some of the city’s finest lawyers and judges among his clientele.”
The ashen Lyman swallowed.
“And for the record, he’s White just like you. I’ve been kind enough not to ask you for payments. My brother will not be. Expect a letter from him soon demanding you begin payments or he’ll foreclose.”
His eyes went wide.
Rhine asked, “Is there anything else?”
His fury was plain. “No.”
“Good day then.”
If looks could kill, Rhine would’ve been dead on the saloon floor. Instead, Lyman sneered, “Nigger bastard!” and stormed out.
Rhine looked over at Jim, who shook his head sadly and said, “I expected better from him.”
Rhine had as well.
Jim added, “Let’s hope he spreads the word. Save folks the pain of getting their feelings hurt.”
Rhine had investments in many of the businesses around town, and now that Drew’s name was also on those investments, they wouldn’t be able to cheat him out of his profits or wiggle out of whatever he was owed simply because he was no longer White. Knowing how furious that would make those who’d shown their true feelings last night made Rhine’s morning seem brighter.
Before Rhine could retake his seat, Sheriff Howard came through the door, and Rhine wondered, What now? “Morning, Blaine.”
“Morning, Rhine. Jim. Let me start by saying, I’m just a peace officer. Got no quarrel with anybody not breaking the law—Colored or White.”
“And so you’re here because?”
“Because Mayor Dudley and the town council don’t have the balls to give you this themselves so they sent me.” He handed Rhine a sheet of paper. “They want you to sign it as part of your official resignation.”
Rhine read the top line. I, Rhine Fontaine, guilty of lying to the town council... He didn’t bother reading the rest before handing the document back to the sheriff. “I’m not signing it. Saying I resign is all they need.”
“Understood.”
There was silence as the two men faced each other. Howard said finally, “I don’t pretend to know why you did what you did last night but I get the feeling it took a lot of courage.”
Rhine waited.
Howard continued, “I say that to say I still consider you a good man, Rhine. One of the most honorable men I know. There are others in town who feel the same. If any of the ball-less bigots threaten you or cause you any trouble, let me know and I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
