With this segment of Chapter Six of Repairing the Legacy, we continue the serialization of Repairing the Legacy. This is a rough draft work in progress and may not reflect the final form. Time period: set after the ending of The Martiniere Legacy main trilogy, before the Epilogue (for this chapter). I’m breaking longer chapters into sections for readability. This is the fourth part of Chapter Six. There will be four parts to this chapter.

New to the series? Chapter order:

Return of the Prodigal Son (2 parts)

Conversations and a Dinner (2 parts)

Dancing into Change (2 parts)

Sisterly Compromises (3 parts)

Conspiracies at the Rodeo (3 parts)

PASSING THE BATON

October, 2061

GABE

Gabe took a deep breath before beginning the Monday morning Board meeting. He felt almost as tense as he had been before testifying against Philip’s abuses all those years ago. Insomnia had ravaged his Sunday night. His fatigue was worse than ever—he’d gotten maybe two, three hours of sleep.

“You’ll notice that I just opened access to the first agenda item,” he said, after the opening routine.

“What the hell, Gabe?” David was the first to react. “You’re resigning as the Martiniere—now?”

“How are we going to keep the Family factions from tearing the Group apart?” Charles glowered across the table at Christopher. “We’re pretty damned weak, and some of us still want to take the Group public.”

“I think going public is the best idea,” Christopher countered. “Especially with Gabriel stepping down.”

“Wait a minute. Did you even read the full statement?” Justine asked. “This isn’t a casual impulse. Gabriel has health issues.”

But the arguments swirled past her objections, the Family leaders bickering, voices raising.

“STOP IT!” Gabe slammed both fists down hard on the table, but that didn’t seem to make an impression. He started to rise—and pain clobbered his chest, radiating to the fingertips of his left arm. He fell back in his chair, panting, grabbing at his left shoulder. Oh God. Was it already too late?

“QUIT!” Brandon bellowed from his seat at Gabe’s right. “Eliot, get the medics in here, NOW. Justine, call Mom down from her office.” He bent over Gabe. “Dad. Meds.”

“Left. Jacket. Pocket,” Gabe gasped, barely aware of the sudden silence around him. The pain dominated everything else.

The little pill that Brandon slipped under his tongue didn’t ease the agony one bit.

“Hang on, Dad. Hang on,” Brandon said over and over, his voice steady. Something Gabe could focus on.

Then his son stepped back as medics swarmed around Gabe, easing him onto a stretcher. Blood pressure cuff. Hand-held scanner. Shot that finally started dulling the pain.

Ruby’s hand in his.

Breathing coming easier. But God, he was tired.

“How bad?” he whispered, after another shot.

“Angina,” Ruby murmured in his ear, a faint fearful note in her voice, so unusual for his warrior wife. “A very bad attack. They’re giving you blood thinners just in case, but the scanner doesn’t detect any blockage or clot. Running blood tests now.”

He nodded, and tightened his grip on her hand.

The stretcher started moving.

“Hospital?” he asked.

“No. Your office.” That worried tone still echoing through Ruby’s words. “No further issues. You just need to rest.”

He focused on her hand in his as they left the conference room. Once they were in his office, the medics helped him lie down on his couch. He heard Ruby talking to Dr. Amy via comm, over by his desk, but was too wiped out to pay attention.

Ruby returned. “Dr. Amy confirms the scanner diagnosis from the tests the medics sent her. Angina, probably caused by stress, coupled with what appears to be an anxiety attack. The medics are leaving the monitors on just in case and it’s a direct feed to her office. She’s adding an anti-anxiety medication to your daily regime that you are to take right away. While she doesn’t recommend you go back to work today, she says to tell you that if you do decide to do so, you are to take a nap first.”

That pissed tone in Ruby’s voice was actually a relief—back to her usual self. He must be improving if she sounded angry instead of scared.

“We’re to give that med to him in a shot,” one of the medics said. “Fast-acting.”

“Good,” Ruby said.

“Will you stay with me?” he asked as the medic injected him.

“Of course, Gabe.” Her voice softened. “Sleep now, all right?” She moved away.

“Let me do that,” one of the medics said as Gabe heard the faint sound of dragging—sounded like one of the heavy but comfortable office chairs.

“Thank you,” Ruby said. Then she picked up his hand. “Sleep, Gabe. I’m here.”

He obeyed—not that he could do anything else, the way fatigue pulled at him.

#

Gabe stirred. “How long have I been asleep?” he asked.

“About an hour.” Ruby stroked his cheek. He nuzzled into her palm, smiling up at her worried face. “Shall we go back to Justine’s?”

He sighed. “No. I’d better find out what’s happened with the Board while I’ve been down. Or did Brandon adjourn the meeting?”

“They reconvened with him as the chair,” she said. “Are you sure about this, Gabe?”

“It’s either that or hand things completely over to Bran right now—and I’m not ready to do that. I don’t have to do anything, but I’d better make an appearance.”

He exhaled. The tension that had been winding him up since Sunday afternoon was still there but distanced, not clutching at him like it had been. The effect of the anti-anxiety med? Possibly. Damn it, though, he hated the notion of anti-anxiety medication—too close to the psychotropics that Philip had used on him. If it could get him through this week without further attacks, however—

Gabe sat up slowly. He didn’t need Ruby’s help to stand, though she went with him to the bathroom, leaning against the counter with her head in her hands as he used the toilet, washed his hands, then straightened his clothing and hair. At least he didn’t need to resort to his backup shirt or suit. Then he kissed Ruby.

“Time to return to the fray,” he said.

Ruby scowled. “I’m coming with you. Wait—” she said as he started to speak. “I’m the Matriarch. And I’m your wife. If the Board doesn’t like it, they can take a flying leap.”

Gabe chuckled at that. Definitely his warrior wife, ready to do battle. He took her arm and they went down to the conference room.

Brandon raised a hand to stop discussion as they entered. “Are you here for the rest of the meeting?”

“Just to observe,” Gabe said. “Keep on going, Martiniere-in-waiting.”

Brandon nodded sharply. Eliot pulled another chair over next to Gabe’s for Ruby. The Board members silently rose, then clapped as Gabe and Ruby sat down.

“Thank you,” Gabe said. “But keep going.”

Ruby held his hand throughout the rest of the meeting. Gabe added a comment or two, but otherwise deferred to his son. This was Brandon’s show—and Bran did a good job of it.

They returned to his office as the meeting wound down. Gabe did not want to get sucked into long discussions and justifications afterward. He was tired, damn it. And Ruby needed comforting after this scare.

He did, too. They sat on the couch, holding each other.

A knock on the door. “It’s me.” Justine opened the door a crack.

“Come in,” Gabe said.

Justine dropped in the chair by the sofa.

“Well, that was one way to prove your point,” she said wryly. “Daddy-damned-dearest never did get carried out of a Board meeting on a stretcher, though there were a few times when he should have been.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. “Sounds like Philip, all right.”

“I suppose you could call him a product of that era of corporate leadership,” Justine sighed. “And Brandon rose to the occasion. If there were any questions from the Board about his ability to be the Martiniere—most of them got answered today.”

“Good,” Gabe said.

“One thing they did decide before you returned—you will have a Family title after Brandon becomes the Martiniere.”

Gabe sighed. “Good grief. Can’t the Family let go of me?”

“You’re kidding, right, Gabie? It’s nothing big.” Justine’s lips quirked in a half-smile. “The Martiniere Emeritus. Some privileges, a little bit of power, mostly within the Family, not the Group. Advisory within the Group.”

He could live with that. “So who pushed that notion?”

Justine managed to look a little abashed. “Um. It might have been something I thought was a good idea. I can foresee times when it would be good for you to have a voice with some weight behind it. Brandon is perfectly happy to let you preside over Family ceremonial events.” She paused. “The Family is very aware of all you have done to improve our circumstances after the mess that Daddy-fucking-dearest made of things. Some events—like the Gala, and Christmas dinner—won’t be the same without you heading them.”

“Mostly social, then.”

“Pretty much. Your vision is important, even after you step down, Gabie. You’re a unifier, not a divider. We still need you in that role.”

Damn Family. But Gabe was well aware that the Family would not let him go again—not until he died, and if the Family could find a means to cling to him after his death—then they would.

All part of being a Martiniere, damn it.

#

December, 2061

Brandon’s choice of the Martiniere-in-waiting happened faster than Gabe thought it would. He picked one of the British Martinieres, Seth, a cousin of Christopher, the current head of the British families. Seth was Bran’s age, and had been too young to be sucked into Chris’s abortive attempt to overthrow Philip. His experience was in finance, not research or programming.

“A good thing, really,” Justine told Gabe privately. “Neither Seth nor his father Robert have been tied into any factions. That’s good. That continues on the unification pathway you and Brandon have established. Plus Seth’s financial background is a good backup for Brandon—one lack Bran has is in the financial management side.” She scowled. “What I don’t like is that Seth enjoys high risk sports more than he should. At least for my liking. But perhaps I’m just getting old.”

“Eh, well, let’s hope Bran holds the title for a good long time,” Gabe said. He eyed his sister. “Have you given any thought to your replacement yet?”

Justine snorted. “Gabie, I’m seven years younger than you, and the worst thing that ever happened to me was that damn hysterectomy when I was twenty. I don’t have Daddy-fucking-dearest’s cardiac issues, and cancer?” She shrugged. “If that happens, well—I don’t have anyone affected by it.”

“Wrong. You have me and Brandon. Ruby. Mikey. Donald. Eliot. Nick. I’m not the only one who needs to think about what happens next,” Gabe said. “Just saying. You don’t have children, and neither does Serg. There aren’t any young Vygotskys. Someone reliable needs to be groomed to take over security.”

Justine nodded curtly. “Taking it under advisement. Don’t worry, Gabie. I’ve been talking to Kevin Swait. That—may provide an option that keeps things independent. Which the Director of Security really needs to be.”

Gabe raised his brows at that, but it made sense. The Swaits had been heavily involved in the work of freeing indentured workers, and they’d been working with Justine even before the AgSuperhero and the formal connection with him and Ruby.

The Group could do worse than bringing a few of the Swaits into leadership positions. And—perhaps—Jeff Swait’s youngest daughter, JoAnn, seemed to be striking up a friendship with Mikey. Both kids were fascinated by tech and video games.

A possible match which would make the Swaits part of the Family, not outsiders?

Too early to tell—and who knew what would become of either of those kids at this point? Mikey was just seven and JoAnn six. A lot of years were ahead of them.

#

March, 2062

The ascension ceremony for Brandon happened at Moondance. Donna-gran was too sick to attend, but to Gabe’s eye, Ruby did admirably well administering the oath of office to both Bran and Seth. As the Matriarch and the Martiniere Emeritus, they were the first to swear loyalty to both men.

Still, Gabe was glad enough when it was over, and he, Ruby, and Mikey could go back to the Double R.

Gabe went to bed early.

He startled awake at full daylight. No warmth on Ruby’s side of the bed, so she had risen quite a while ago without waking him—usually she got him up if he slept through the alarm.

What the hell?

Gabe called up the time.

Eight o’clock. Damn, he was going to be late starting the day’s meetings—

Wait a minute.

Gabe blinked. His son had become the Martiniere yesterday.

He didn’t have those morning meetings.

Ruby hadn’t begun the handoff of responsibilities from Barkley-Martiniere and Barkley-Martiniere-Swait.

But Mikey should be headed for the barn by now for his morning ride, before he started his home school classes.

Damn it, why had Ruby let him sleep in? He still had things to do.

Gabe tossed on clothing and hurried downstairs. Ruby was washing dishes, and his heart sank. He’d have to scrounge his own meal. Worse, he’d missed breakfast with Ruby and Mikey, one of the high points of his day. Damn it. Why hadn’t Ruby gotten him up? Yeah, he had been tired after everything yesterday, but—

“Sleep well?” Ruby turned from the sink and grinned at him.

“I missed breakfast with you and Mikey,” Gabe grumbled. “Slacking. And we’ve gotta shift responsibilities, now that I’m no longer the Martiniere—”

“C’mere, you.” Ruby opened her arms. They hugged, and then she pulled back, looking up at him. “Listen. You were wiped out after yesterday. I could tell.” She gave him a little shake. “It’s your first day of official retirement. You don’t have to burn up the world doing something new, Gabriel Martiniere. But for today—” she poked him in the nose. “You need to go to the Lakeside for breakfast. Spend some time drinking fake decaf with the liars. Learn to slow down a little bit.”

“You want me to become a loafer?” He couldn’t quite keep the outrage out of his voice.

“Two or three mornings at the Lakeside won’t make you a loafer,” Ruby scolded. “It’s good for our image for you to start showing up there, give some input into community opinion—and you know as damned well as I do that the Lakeside table is where a lot of informal decisions are made. We’ve been talking about getting more influence within the community, making things better for the future. This is one way to do it. You have the time to be there now.”

“True,” he admitted.

“And maybe—just maybe—I’ll have a husband who’ll live for a few years longer if he learns to relax. Got it?”

Gabe laughed and hugged her. He definitely heard the worry in her voice.

He stopped in the arena to watch Mikey ride Rose before leaving. Ruby had been working with Mikey on reining maneuvers.

“Want to watch me ride a pattern?” Mikey asked.

Gabe cocked his hat as he leaned on the gate. “Sure.”

Mikey and Rose managed a credible reining pattern and Gabe applauded. Ruby came up beside him.

“Hey, I thought you were going to town,” she said.

“I am. I just stopped in to see Mikey.”

“All right.” She kissed him. “Now, go. Your bodyguards have been waiting. They’re a little worried.”

Gabe laughed again. “Eager to get rid of me?”

“You don’t want to lollygag around much longer. You need to eat and take your meds.”

“All right, all right.” He headed for the truck, checking his pocket to ensure he remembered his pill dispenser.

When he got to the Lakeside, his friends Monty and Larry were among the ranchers sitting around the liars table.

“Well, there, Gabe,” Monty said. “How’s it feel to not be the big boss of the Martinieres anymore?”

Gabe took a deep breath as he sat down and checked the menu the server handed him. He noted it was a healthy senior menu. Heh. Probably the standard for every other person at this table. He ordered the cardiac special—fake egg and cheese omelette, faux bacon, one slice of toast—and faux decaf.

Then he answered Monty.

“You know, I think it might just start to feel pretty damn good.”

Oh, he still had things to do. The Electric Born weren’t completely eliminated as a threat. Ruby had carried the full weight of managing Barkley-Martiniere and their part of Barkley-Martiniere-Swait for two years, and that needed to be remedied. And he wanted to be more involved in bringing up Mikey. Plus research, the inevitable problems that would come his way as the Martiniere Emeritus, and whatever local projects he took up.

But for this morning—Gabe sipped his coffee, relaxed in his chair, and joined in the flow of talk.

Time to learn a different role for his life.

How hard could that be?

*************************

Like what you’ve read so far? Check out the other stories in The Martiniere Legacy—all links here, both Amazon and other sources.

Justine Fixes Everything: Reflections on Mortality is now available at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo!

What’s it about?

EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE....

Over the years, Justine Martiniere has become the fixer for the Martinieres. Have a problem? Go to Justine to get it remedied.

But it wasn't always that way.

First, Justine needed to escape the abuses of her father, Philip. She didn't expect to fall in love with the man she married, Donald Atwood. But she did–and then she faced the choice between remaining married to Donald, or stopping her sociopathic, megalomaniac father.

Justine Fixes Everything is in part the unusual love story of Justine and Donald–and in part the saga of her rise to power, viewed in retrospect as she tells the history to Philip's clone Mike, as he recovers from surgery. It's about what she sacrificed to become powerful—and, at the same time, how that past comes to haunt the challenges she faces toward the end of her life.

Want more? How about an alternative Martiniere world where Ruby and Gabe meet in a different manner and meet more challenges?

ANOTHER MARTINIERE LEGACY STORY ON KINDLE VELLA—A DIFFERENT LIFE—WHAT IF?

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09LH72GQG

One of the turning points of the Martiniere Legacy series is the death of Gabriel Martiniere's family in a plane crash when Gabe was twelve. That put Gabe's biological father, Philip, into the leadership of the Martiniere Group and the Martiniere Family, and expedited Philip's megalomaniac ambitions. But what if that crash hadn't happened? What would Gabe's relationship with Ruby, the love of his life, look like?

Billionaire nerd with a conscience, unlucky at love, striving to overcome the shadows of his past while trying to find agritech means to fight climate change.

Former rodeo queen, just trying to get her degree in agricultural robotics and make her mark on the world while trying to find agritech means to fight climate change, also unlucky at love and struggling with a shadowy past.

Can Ruby and Gabe successfully negotiate the complexities of the Martiniere Group and launch Ruby’s world-changing biobots without interference from competitors, while maintaining a relationship?

UPDATES ON A DIFFERENT LIFE HAPPEN EVERY WEDNESDAY, THROUGH DECEMBER, THEN MONDAY-WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY STARTING JANUARY 3, 2022. EPISODES CURRENTLY SCHEDULED THROUGH JANUARY.