***
Brody started his Thursday with normal routine; a quick work-out, a stroll with the dogs out on his property, and a review of the busy day ahead. Travel plans and locations were marked and mapped, with notes for each. He thought that some might find it tedious, but Brody was exhilarated with the freedom to follow his whims and yearnings. Emails were checked and a few calls were made before he ventured out.
As Brody made the short, familiar drive into Ballaghadaere, he thought of his arrangements and how they'd make for a potentially busy Saturday. If he could get some wisdom and assistance from Liam and the animal rescue where he'd found his dogs, some farm animals would be obtained. Also was the meeting with Keenan Moore from the McMillan Construction company for arrangements to update Brody's new property acquisitions. Lastly was reserving some time in case Father Doyle needed extra hands to unload a delivery that Brody had planned for.
While the estate agent had sent the promised emails that gave updates on available properties, Brody felt the need, as in most of his business affairs, to conduct business in person. After a short meeting, he signed deeds for seven more properties, and had their information sent to Father Doyle to extend the need for the newly-formed labor detail. Because of the intermittent rain, Brody drove rather than walked to his other necessary stops within the village. His last stop before the long drive to Sligo town was the bank.
Brody waved to a busy Kate as he went to a teller's window to request a meeting with the bank manager. Kate gave her fella a smile as he was invited into Mr. McNally's office. Brody came back out twenty minutes later, at a time when Kate didn't have a customer to deal with. He strolled up, gave her a quick peck on the cheek, set a small, rectangular box in front of her, and then apologized as he hurried off.
Kate noticed it was a jewelry case and flipped it open. A note sat loosely on top of other items. She removed the note and saw a bank card with her and Brody's name on it; a joint account. Under that was a shiny, slender watch of modern design. After putting on the watch and the card in her purse, Kate read the note.
Item one: I was tired of you going through my clothes looking for loose change. There should be enough in this new account for whatever you need. Item two: congrats on your upcoming freedom, although in hindsight, this is about the last thing you'll need. Love, Brody.
Brody received a call of excited thanks only a few minutes down the road. The rest of the long drive to the north was scenic and relaxing. Finally in sight of Sligo town, Brody pulled over to study the map he marked with specific businesses to be visited. Many stops were made; some to make deals and place delivery orders (to be sent to Father Doyle, with his permission), while others were to make in-store purchases.
At a large toy and sporting store, Brody found a few more things to buy, and then ordered a literal truckload of other selected items to be shipped to the church in Ballaghadaere on Saturday. The sales staff in the women's boutique was helpful as well in helping Brody make his many choices. In all, he'd spent hours in the larger town, and his wagon was full of shopping bags.
After the car was unloaded and the dogs greeted, Brody sat out on the patio to make his other calls. He and Liam shared a light, jovial conversation, and the older gent agreed to travel with Brody on Saturday morning to inspect some of the herd that a farmer was selling. The last call to make on his list was to Amy O'Sullivan, who'd left an intriguing message the day before. She answered and gave more explanation.
Brody's vein of the Lynch line had very few branches, and those were from many generations back. There was a continued happenstance of single-child families leading up to him, which was easy for her to follow. However, back in the mid 1800's, a surname of Rike was introduced into the Lynch history by marriage. They had settled in what became Denver, Colorado. Amy searched that city's archives to follow that vein, but it stopped with the last of the Rike line, an only child named Simon, who had disappeared around 1880 or so.
There were only a handful of Rike's currently in the Denver area, and most had different lineage. Strangely enough, her last call to make was to a Rike with the first name of Simon. Amy inferred to Brody that the man who answered sounded quite inebriated. She explained the reason for her call to Simon and politely inquired about his mother's name and birth date. Mr. Rike slurred and was a bit incoherent, but she was sure that the man said his mother's name was Eileen, born in 1831, before he hung up on her.
There was an Eileen Lynch, of Brody's vein, born near Ennis, Ireland in 1831, who married Andre Rike in New York in 1850. Amy hadn't tried to contact the drunken man since. Other than public arrest records, Mr. Rike's files were sealed, so she came to a dead end with him as well.
As confused as Amy was, Brody thanked her for being so thorough. He then requested that she email all of her findings along with her bill for services before disconnecting. Something about the strange, implausible circumstances itched at Brody, enough to make a call himself. The worst-case scenario was that he'd get more of a drunken madman's rambling, and he could let it rest. Brody waited until Amy's email arrived, found the number in her concise notes, and dialed.