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Chapter 163 - The Sanctuary
After one day of preparations, the conspirators started their mission. Theda came to Capwell's house and quickly changed her look to Sophia's who finally became to able to visit her father Bernard Wayne along Mary and Mason.
"Where we go?" Mason asked Mary who took the note with the brief description of the route from her mother.
"North", she replied absently and sitting behind the wheel. "Rattlesnake Canyon".
Mason raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
"What did you tell to Charlie?" Sophia asked him after a while. "Since yesterday he's looking pretty down in the mouth. What did you tell him?"
Mary anxiously looked at Mason but he simply replied: "I tried to make him understand that his mother will not come after him. Naturally he was upset".
"So you literally told him that?" Mary's voice sounded sad. "Why, Mason?"
"To stop him from waiting for her. The sooner he starts to live in the present, the better".
"Look who's talking", Mary said rather harshly.
Sophia looked from one to the other.
"I thought you have the bigger heart", she dryly said to Mason. "Otherwise I wouldn't bother you with that".
Mason just stared out the window. He did not want to discuss this subject.
They already were driving through the Rattlesnake Park.
"Give me the note", Mason asked and Mary handed him the sheet of paper without looking up.
"The Reservation?" He was amazed. "We're going to the reservation of Chumash tribe?"
"Yes", Mary nodded. "I didn't expected that too but it's quite logical place to hide if you ask my opinion. No one will be looking for Mr. Wayne there".
Sophia took the note from Mason to make sure he understood everything correctly.
"Jesus, my father was so close all the time?" she gasped.
"Of course, he should. Theda could not discreetly visit him if he lived somewhere in Arizona", Mason said. "Although I must confess I never occurred that he can live among the Native Indians. It's very creative way indeed".
The rest of the way they were silent, each lost in their thoughts. Finally they drove past the sign Santa Ynez and saw the small town far away.
Mary a little wandered but then found out the right spot on the map and stopped the car at the small rosy brown house.
"It's here", she said after consulting the note again.
All of them got out of the car and Mason walked resolutely to the front door.
"Wait!" Sophia stopped him. "Maybe I should..."
"Why wait? I thought you want to see your father. You don't have to hide from anyone here. Let's go".
Mason briskly up the steps and knocked. Sophia and Mary quickly stepped up after him.
No one answered for a long time but then the lock clicked, the door opened and they saw the gray-haired man with the wrinkled tanned face. He's average height and wore the shirt and slacks.
"What you want?" He asked surveying Mason.
"Dad..." Sophia slipped out behind Mason's back and reached for her father. "Daddy..."
The man froze, staring in disbelief at his own daughter.
"Phia", he said confusedly. "What the hell are you... how you found out where I live? Who are these people?" Bernard Wayne's eyes suddenly become wary.
"I already met with you once", Mary cut in. "I came with my mother Theda Duvall to see you at Pittsburgh. Mason Capwell, my husband", she presented Mason. "My mother gave us your address".
"Little Mary? The daughter of Kenny and Theda?" Mary nodded quickly. "Oh, Lord!"
"Mr. Wayne, maybe we'd better come into the house?" Mason cut in. "I think it's safer".
The old man slowly nodded looking over his guests and stepped aside, passing all three inside. Sophia came as the last and could not help but hugged her father on the doorstep.
"Daddy..."
Bernard awkwardly hugged her back, seem forgot how to.
The living room's interior had an Indian flavor: mats, patterned curtains, rattan furniture. The simply modesty but very clean place.
Mr. Wayne gestured offering them to sit down. His guests were taken chairs and the owner of the house sat on the old sofa by the window.
"Well?" He raised his eyebrows. "What made all you come out here?"
"I thought you were dead", Sophia said. "Just a week ago I heard that you are alive from Theda. And how we related".
"But Teddy should have told that I'm just fine. I bet she did, I know her. So why are you here?"
There was a short silence and then Sophia Wayne Capwell firmly said: "I came for you, Dad. I want to take you to Santa Barbara".
"That's my girl," Bernard's voice was laced with sad mixture of irony and pride. "Aren't you forgetting something? My agreement, for example?" After a brief pause he added: "I'm not going anywhere. And with you all the more".
"Why?" Mason asked intensely. "Because of a story with old government secrets?"
"Including. They are ancient secrets just for you, young man, but they are fear and grief for me and my family. You even cannot start to understand".
"Well, why not. I just can understand that. But not your reaction for the meeting with your own daughter who you hadn't seen for thirty years".
"What do you know about it?" Bernard began but he was interrupted by Sophia: "Dad, please. Do you not really happy to see me?"
"Of course, I'm happy," Wayne angrily looked at Mason. "But it would be better if all you just leave here and forget about everything. I'm fine. Just fine. I have all I need," he thought for a moment, clearly trying to imagine what can calm a woman: "My hobby gives me enough income to maintain a simple life as I used. You can safely return home to your family".
"You are my family!" Sophia broken up. "I have the husband and my children but none of them replaces my father!"
"The father who was set at nought when you decide to leave home!"
"How are you daring? You did tell me nothing even back then!"
"And that would stop you?"
"Enough!" Mason imperiously interrupted the coming father-daughter conflict. "I think your first meeting with your daughter after so many years does not deserve a vulgar quarrel. Or this is your goal, Mr. Wayne? Do you want to bring your daughter up the pivotal point so that she'll go away and never come back?"
Two men darkly eyed each other.
"Don't you care, dad?" Sophia's voice was pleading. "Did you ever want to have a normal life or meet your grandchildren? Why do you want to stay here?"
"Because it's dangerous!" her father finally lost his patience. "Phia, please do not make the situation even worse!"
"I'll be able to protect you! I have money and power. They'll retreat after realizing that they're going against Capwells. Dad, please!"
Wayne said nothing.
"Why you never gave news about yourself?" Sophia asked slowly. "You were so close and you knew where I live and where your grandchildren live... You could just send a word that you're okay. I was sure that you are dead if you did not. I was so sure that when we found mine and Theda's relation, I asked her where your grave is".
Bernard chuckled and then frowned. "I'll still chew Theda out for her broken promise..."
"My mom had the right..." Mary snapped, but Mason squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Mr. Wayne, you have not answered the question yet".
"This is not a courtroom, Mr. Capwell", Bernard replied in the same tone. "And I'm not at the witness stand as you seem forgotten. I do not have to report to anyone. My wife died long ago. My daughter left home for her acting dream. I am free to choose how I want to live. And I like my present life is it is, no matter you tried to convince me otherwise", he hardly looked at his daughter. "I do not care of your husband and your family. You can give Theda the photos of grandchildren so she would pass them to me if you wish. Leave me alone, damn it! I warned you when you're going to run away to Hollywood: if you leave this house, you'll never get in!"
"Stop it, why do you say this?!" Mary could not stand. "You miraculously have been escaped death for all these years... and what for? To turn out your own daughter? I do not believe..."
"My girl, everyone tends to survive; even animals whose instincts..."
"You're lying..." Mason's voice cut in. "You were very keen in the fate of your daughter many years ago. Enough to manage the kidnapping to hear about her".
"The kidnapping? Mason, what are you talking?" Sophia surprised.
"Mr. Wayne aware. Once he kidnapped me from the scout camp during our war games," Mason stared at Bernard. "You were much disguised so I did not recognize you till now or on photos. But your hobby etched in my memory". Mason picked up the carved chess piece from windowsill. "Your works are unique".
"Even back then I can see that you're a smart boy", Wayne said after a pause. "However this changes nothing. Of course, I was interested in Phia's wellbeing. Only all you ascribe to me being indifferent. But I will not go anywhere. And that's my final word".
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