by Lori Wick
“You know. You’ve known all along.” He was growing angry. “You’ve known all along, and you’ve played me for a fool!”
“You are a fool,” Nick said without compassion, “to think you could get away with this.”
“You can’t pin anything on me!” Paine now said rashly, his face going from white to red. “I don’t know anything!”
“You know plenty, Paine, and before this is over you’re going to tell all,” Carlyle spoke up, careful to keep his body between Paine and the door.
Paine was shaking his head wildly, and Nick came to his feet. His voice was hard.
“We’re going to send Duncan Phipps to jail, Paine; you can help us do it, or you can go with him.”
The younger man looked as if he would panic and run, but the uncompromising look on Nick’s face seemed to take all fight out of him. He sank back down into the chair, slumped over, his hand to his head.
Carlyle went back out and gave three messages to the boy who waited. One was to his wife telling her he would be late, another was for Camille Wallace so that she would know not to expect Nick, and the third missive was to McKay Harrington at the jail, telling him the three of them would be with him shortly.
Pup was surprised when dinner was delivered to her. She had expected to be killed, tortured, or starved at the least, but not fed. The meal looked good, but part of her was afraid to touch it. However, it had been hours since she’d had food, and she knew she had to take the chance. There was nothing to fear. It didn’t taste odd, and she didn’t feel sick or faint, but neither could she eat very much. She was much too tense.
Darkness fell, and since she couldn’t get the windows open, the room was warm. Praying all the while for strength and wisdom, she was able to light a lantern and, at one point, she even tested the bed. When a clock down the hall chimed 11 times, she gave up, removed her shoes, and lay down. Less than an hour later she fell into a fitful sleep.
Back at her apartment, Nick’s stomach churned and his heart hammered in his chest as it had been doing for hours. Stuart, Hackett, and Paine were all behind bars. So where was Pup? Pup was working at the enemy’s mansion, a place she no longer needed to be—but it was too late to tell her. Something had gone wrong, terribly wrong; he could feel it in his bones.
He waited until midnight and then went to Carlyle’s, rousing the man from bed. He gave him orders to have undercover men guard the Phipps mansion effective immediately. Carlyle called on some of his best, assuring Nick that they would handle it.
Nick finally headed toward home, his heart still sick with worry. It wasn’t just Pup who was on his mind. He knew now that he should have pulled her Sunday night, or even pushed the point with his wife the night before, but he didn’t and now it was too late. His heart clenched in agony as he tried to figure out how he could have been so lax. It clenched further when he asked himself how he would ever break the news to Camille.
39
“Well, now,” Duncan’s voice was almost congenial as he addressed Pup, “I was hoping you were an early riser. It looks like you had a comfortable night.” His eyes surveyed the room and then focused on Pup.
The captive maid didn’t see any point in answering. They had brought her breakfast, and she’d eaten a few bites. The rest sat on the tray near the door. If he was hoping to be thanked, she knew she would disappoint him.
“Have you been keeping busy?” Duncan asked, as if they were enjoying a day in the park. Again, Pup didn’t respond. She didn’t wish to antagonize the man, but neither was she going to make things easier for him.
Before breakfast had arrived, she’d gone to work in earnest. The windows were her first focus, but they held fast. She had checked the entire room for panels, a hidden door, anything—she’d come up blank. She’d even lifted the rug and checked the floor and then stood on a chair to get a closer look at the high ceiling. Again, nothing.
“Still don’t feel like talking?” Duncan’s voice was losing its charm, and Pup realized she’d remained quiet long enough.
“I told you yesterday, I don’t see any point.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that you’ll just kill me, so why should I tell you anything?”
Duncan looked as though he were considering something. “You’re obviously an intelligent woman; you must know that death can come very slowly.”
“True, but you don’t strike me as the type who likes getting blood on his rugs.”
“You’re right, I don’t, but sometimes I can make an exception.” Duncan studied her again. When she still displayed no fear of him or his power, he went on. “It looks as if someone needs to give you a point, a reason as it were, to tell me what you know.”
Pup remained quiet this time.
“I think you’ll find that I’m a fair man.” His voice was mild; after all, he held all the cards. “So I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you one hour to think about talking to me, and to be extra fair, I’ll tell you what I want to know. I want to know if your presence here has anything to do with the fact that one of my men and one of my business associates never returned to me last night as they’d planned. I also want to know for whom you’re working and how much they pay you. I want to know if the name Richard Stuart means anything to you. Am I making myself clear?”
“Very.”
“Good. You see I have a few men who don’t specialize in banking and finance as I do. Their talents abound in a more physical realm, such as pain levels and the art of convincing someone that her loyalty is no longer worth the price. I assume this is also clear to you?”
Pup nodded.
“I hope it won’t come to that. In fact, at anytime within the next hour you only have to knock on the door, and the man waiting outside will come for me.” He turned and started back toward the door but stopped. “I do hope you’ll make the wise choice. Nothing is worth that much protection.”
Duncan went out the door on those words, and Pup was left alone. She had never been in this situation before—not just having her identity revealed, but being held captive as well.
I have no idea what to do here, Lord. Does Nick even know that I’m in trouble? If he didn’t try to see me last night, then he probably doesn’t know anything. Would Nick want me to keep my mouth shut during torture?
Somehow Pup didn’t think he would, but what if she revealed something that compromised the whole case? The thought was intolerable to her; they had all worked so hard. She also realized there was nothing honorable about Duncan Phipps. He tried to be smooth, but he was a criminal. He said they could work together, but he was a liar. He was better at deceit than banking. Her mind was made up. She would tell Duncan nothing. She might die in the process, but she knew that even if she did tell him he would kill her. She might not be here to see Phipps go to jail, but Nick would still have his case.
A clock chimed down the hall. Pup lost track of the bells, but she knew it must be around seven o’clock. How long had Duncan been gone? Suddenly Pup didn’t know, but however long it had been, she had less than an hour before the torture began.
Not in all the years McKay had worked for him did Carlyle ever need to seek him out at the boardinghouse. It was a surprise to have anyone knock on his door in the morning, but to have Carlyle waiting in the hall outside his room was stunning. What did it mean? McKay could only stare.
“May I come in?”
“Of course.” McKay recalled himself and stepped back. He shut the door automatically behind his superior.
Carlyle came right to the point. “Pup never came back to her apartment last night. I’ve got agents surrounding the mansion. As you know, the plan was to invade and search the premises tomorrow, but with Pup possibly being held inside we’re going now—in about an hour. I want you with me.”
McKay would have told him that nothing could keep him away, but he couldn’t speak. She was in danger. She was trapped in that mansion, and for a moment he couldn’t breathe.
“Are you going to be al
l right for this, McKay?” Carlyle’s voice became firm. “You can’t run this one on emotions; you’ve got to have a clear head.”
McKay took a deep breath. He felt resolved but also calm. “Yes. I’ll do all I can, and I’ll be fine. Just tell me what you need me to do.”
Carlyle mapped out the plan, giving several alternatives if things didn’t proceed as they figured. The men left McKay’s room just 15 minutes later. Both were armed and headed to meet with Nick and Paine. Pup could already be dead; there was not a minute to lose. The time had come to shut Duncan Phipps down for good.
“You didn’t knock on the door,” Duncan said as soon as he entered Pup’s room. This time he wasn’t alone. A rather small, wiry man was with him. His eyes were flat and remote, and in his hand was a rope.
“No.” She had to drag her eyes from the other man. “I didn’t see any point.”
“I had hoped you would feel otherwise.”
Pup cocked her head to one side, trying not to fear what lay ahead. “You know, you’ve really made quite a few presumptions. What makes you think I have anything to tell you?”
“I’ve thought of that,” Duncan admitted, “and had you only been here at the mansion I wouldn’t assume anything, but you were also at my bank—and not just at my bank, but at my special office.”
“Ah, yes,” Pup returned, looking satisfied. “I’d forgotten about the special office. You know, Mr. Phipps, you’re not really so much a banker as a thief.”
Duncan looked at her indulgently.
“You’ve been misinformed.”
“I don’t think so.”
Duncan smiled. “You delude yourself. You don’t know as much about me as you think you do.”
“On the contrary, I know quite a lot. I’m going to tell you something, Mr. Phipps.” She spoke slowly now, drawing the words out to make sure she had his attention. “I’m going to tell you something that not many people know. My brother works for you.” It was out. Pup had debated what to do or say, and she now felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
The men were in place. Paine had gone to the front door, and treasury agents were across the street, in the bushes around the house, everywhere. There were no plans for a shoot-out. If Duncan would let them in, they would handle this civilly. They would search every room and probably arrest every member of the household, but unless Duncan put up a fight, no shots would be fired.
McKay positioned himself at the rear of the mansion. There were tall bushes all along the edge of the house. He had a clear view of two doors, one of which was very near. Trent Adams was not far away on his other side and closer to the other door. Every so often McKay’s gaze would move upward, giving him a view of all the windows on the second floor.
She’s up there somewhere, Lord. She might be hurt or frightened. Please watch over her. Help her not be afraid. And even if I never see her again, Lord, help her to know that she’s the only woman I’ve ever loved.
With Pup’s announcement, all amusement fled. The banker looked intently at his prisoner, his eyes showing disbelief.
“Govern,” he finally whispered. “Govern and Jubal Hackett.”
“I’m impressed,” Pup commended him. “I thought I would have to spell it out for you.”
All thought of torturing this woman flew from his head. If she was anything like her brother, nothing could force her to talk before she was ready. Not aware of the way Pup watched him, he moved around the room, his mind working things out.
He would just keep her. Whoever had sent her would eventually come looking for her. In the meantime she would enjoy his hospitality. He wouldn’t starve her or harm her in any way, but a few weeks in this room might loosen her tongue or bring her boss out of the woodwork. And then there was Jubal. A visit from her brother might do a world of good.
“I suddenly find you much too valuable to harm, Miss Hackett,” Duncan said firmly as he now faced her. “I believe I will enjoy your company for a bit longer. If you need anything—food, reading material, anything—just knock on the door and ask.”
This was the last thing Pup had expected. She was working desperately to frame a reply when someone knocked on the door. Duncan scowled but went to answer it.
“I was not to be disturbed,” he said. His voice could be so cold.
“I’m sorry, sir.” Pup couldn’t see him in the hallway, but she recognized Nelson’s voice. “It’s your nephew. He says he has word on the men you were expecting last night.”
“What is he doing here during the day?” Duncan growled. “He’ll have the whole treasury department down on my head.”
Pup heard the last of this as Duncan and the rope man went out the door. Her relief was so great that she began to tremble all over. For an instant she had thought he might make a connection between her and the treasury department, but he’d been too angry with his nephew—Pup assumed it was Paine—to give her any more thought.
She stood for a moment, her mind racing in frantic thought. Then it occurred to her: She hadn’t heard the door lock. Terrified to hope but determined to try, she moved silently toward the closed portal. The knob turned under her hand and her breath caught in her throat. She froze, knowing if someone was outside she’d be caught in an instant. She heard nothing, no voices, nothing. Still moving as soundlessly as she was able, Pup pulled the door open and paused yet again. There was still no sound or movement.
She put her head out. The heart that had nearly stopped a few moments ago now raced in her chest when she saw that the hall was completely empty. Keeping her head long enough to remember to shut the door behind her, Pup moved into the passageway. No longer was she thinking of secret panels, file cabinets, or information. She had worked in this house for days. She knew every door, hallway, corridor, and stairway. And right now she was getting out.
“Why did you have to come now?” Duncan asked Paine for the fifth time.
Paine’s fear and nerves were not feigned; he was not a good liar. “I just got the word, and when Mr. Wallace asked me to run an errand this morning, I thought I should tell you right away.”
Duncan scowled at him but then asked, “Did you actually see them in jail?”
“No.” This was true, although he’d been at the jailhouse himself. “But Mr. Wallace wasn’t even talking to me; it was Mr. Crawford who brought the news.” Paine slowed down now. What if they had been playing him for a fool yet again? Then he remembered the night he’d just spent in prison. A shudder ran all through him. He couldn’t take the chance.
“I’m sure it’s true,” Paine went on. “After all, you just said they didn’t come last night as planned.”
“I know what I said!” Duncan snapped. He would have gone on, but a knock sounded at the office door. Nelson answered it.
“A Mr. Carlyle Crawford is here to see the boss.”
Duncan had been moving to the door, but now rounded on his nephew. “You fool! You were followed.”
“No, I’m sure not.” Paine was certain that this was not part of the plan.
Duncan cut him off with a downward slash of his hand. “Get out of sight!” he whispered furiously. “I’ll handle this.”
Paine stood frozen while Nelson and his uncle left the room. He’d never been so frightened in his whole life. Completely forgetting that there was another door he could use, he hid underneath the desk in terror.
It was impossible to know if the mansion staff knew she was being held captive. So for this reason alone Pup was determined to keep out of sight. She had arrived on the main level, but the door she usually used exited through the kitchen. Someone was always in the kitchen. At one point she heard footsteps moving rather fast in the hallway and had to hide behind a corner. No one had approached, but she thought her heart might stop before the person turned and entered a room without discovering her.
At last she had made it. She was at the door to the wine cellar. She wasn’t certain if anyone would be in the cellar, but right inside this door was a door that led to the ba
ck of the house. It was on the same side of the house as the kitchen door but was separated by many high bushes. If she could just gain that door, she knew she was home free. Even if it meant hiding at the back of the house for the rest of the day, she would be safe.
Pup breathed a prayer of thanks when she found the cellar door unlocked. She wasted no time, swiftly slipping inside and trying the outside door. The key was in the door, so she turned it, moving slowly in case this entry was being guarded from outside. She opened it just a crack and saw nothing. Determined to put up a huge fuss if she was grabbed, Pup went ahead, every movement subtle. Opening it just enough to slip out, she remembered again to close it behind her.
She saw no one. Her heart soared as she took the steps on swift, silent feet. She was almost free. Walking carefully along the bushes, she knew just where she was going to hide. Pup never made it. Arms roughly grabbed her from behind, one hand going hard over her mouth. Before she could think about struggling or screaming, she was dragged off her feet and into the thick foliage at the back of the house.
40
“My files?” Duncan managed to look pleasant, but Carlyle wasn’t fooled.
“Yes, sir, we have some questions on several accounts and would like to verify the facts with you.”
“That sounds like bank business.”
“We think so, too, sir, but there are no such records of these accounts with your banks, and we have people who say they’ve worked with you.”
“Of course.” Duncan looked as if he’d just remembered. “I do have some private dealings, and the files for those transactions are right here in my office. I’d be happy to show you.”
“Very well. I’ll get my assistants, and we’ll begin.”
“Assistants, Mr. Crawford? I really don’t think you’ll find that much.”
“But this will speed things along, Mr. Phipps.”