Jane Bonander by Winter Heart

Author:Winter Heart [Heart, Winter]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

11

Upstate New York

Martin paced in the library, from the bookshelves by the window, around the expensive rosewood desk with the rich, leather-upholstered chair, across the thick carpet of floral medallions, past the table with the expensive mosaic boxes that stood beneath the carved mirror, to the cabinet that held the liquor, then back to the bookshelves.

He dug out his pocket watch and checked the time. Damn. The fool was late.

Hearing a conveyance pull up outside, Martin stepped to the window and scowled at the man who exited the buggy. “It’s about blasted time,” he muttered under his breath.

Moments later, his guest entered the study, carrying a travel bag.

“What took you so long? Your train leaves in less than two hours.”

The man appeared surprised by Martin’s impatience.

He dropped his travel bag onto the floor. “I had to pack, didn’t I?”

Martin’s answer was a growl as he crossed to his desk and yanked open a drawer. He pulled out an envelope. “In here are your instructions and money to cover your trip.”

The man grabbed the envelope and peered inside, thumbing through the contents. His eyes filled with anger and disbelief. “You don’t expect me to live on this, do you?”

Martin stood firm. “McCafferty has done all the work. He’s already posed as a peddler and combed the countryside searching for her. Found her, too. He’s willing to keep up the charade until you get there and get her ready for me.” He pulled out a cigar, stuck it between his teeth, but didn’t light it.

“We were damned lucky to discover that that nurse was scheduled to leave for California and that my niece did, indeed, use the ticket.” He chewed on the cigar, softening it the way he liked it.

“Aren’t the police looking for her, too?”

Martin gave him an impatient nod. “That’s why I want you on that train immediately. I must find her before they do. Now, go,” he commanded. “The only thing you have to do is confirm that she’s actually there, and find a way to keep her there. That’s your only duty. Anything else and you’ll scare her. If she runs, I’ll know why.”

“When are you coming?”

“Soon enough. I’ll get a message through to you.” He smirked, the cigar still tight between his teeth. “Then we’ll have some real fun.”

The man’s eyes narrowed and he frowned. “You’re an evil man, Odell.”

“Not so evil,” Martin amended. “Just greedy. Haven’t you heard that old expression, what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine? That’s the way I’ve always felt about my brother’s money.”

“When will I get my final payment?”

“When I can see for myself that she’s taken care of. Permanently.”

“You mean, after she’s been returned to Trenway and under yours and the doctor’s thumbs, again? What if they charge her with murdering the nurse? If she’s hanged, you get nothing.”

Martin couldn’t stop a knowing smile. “There are many forms of punishment for a crime. Life in prison without parole comes to mind.”

The man tucked the envelope into his breast pocket, grabbed his travel bag, and went to the door.

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