Promise Me Forever

by Janelle Taylor

  “You don’t think he killed himself?” Luke asked in dread.

  “No, I think somebody else did it for him, somebody who either needed or wanted him out of the way, or out of Rachel’s life.”

  “That Jones vixen?”

  “I don’t think so. When I saw her the other day, she did all she could to blacken Rachel’s name, but I doubt she’s a murderess. Camellia is too smart to risk losing everything on revenge. I was going to tell Rachel about my ruse with that little minx, but I never got the chance.”

  Luke grinned and his light-blue eyes sparkled. “So, we track her moves for the last three days and discover what frightened her.”

  “That’s the plan, my friend. I’ve gone over everything from every angle, Luke, and I’ve faced the truth: I love her, I want her, and I need her. I don’t believe Rachel McCandless is capable of murder. I believe her only involvement in this arms mystery is the mess Phillip left her in. Something in the last few days has shaken her faith in me, but I’ll win it back. Either that or she’s running scared of risking my life on her jinx theory. I could be blinded by love and desire, but I won’t accept that until I’m given positive proof she’s a criminal. She’s mine, Luke. I’ve never loved or wanted a woman like this before. I won’t lose her to fate, to an enemy, or to her mistaken fears.”

  “After you free her from the past, then what?”

  The captain grinned. “I’m going to marry her and sail away with her.”

  “If I know you, there’ll be no stopping you until you succeed. I’m checking on your other suspicions. We’ll get answers soon.”

  At Moss Haven, Rachel was too distraught and angry to care if it was dark and dangerous outside or if a stealthy culprit was observing her action. Besides, with the loaded derringer in her pocket, she wished the despicable snake would approach her for retribution. She replaced Phillip’s marker that had been yanked from its location and thrown onto the front porch. She used her bare foot to pack dirt around the wooden stake that was lettered with his name, then the distressed widow gazed at her third husband’s resting place and wanted to weep to release her tension, but she mustn’t weaken. She returned to the house and went to bed; she needed rest for the events that loomed before her during the next few days.

  When Rachel arrived in Augusta on Friday afternoon, she hurried to the ammunition company to see George Leathers before he left his office. She told the carriage driver to deliver her baggage to the Planter’s Hotel and to inform them she would be there soon to register for the night. She paid him for his assistance, and he drove away.

  Rachel entered the office to find the gray-haired man sitting behind his desk and reading the local newspaper. He stood quickly when she arrived, but looked hesitant and apprehensive.

  “After what’s happened,” George began, “I shouldn’t be surprised to see you here today, but I am. Your local paper sent Phillip’s obituary to mine, so I saw the date listed. It was a shock, Rachel. What were you doing here having a good time when Phillip was already dead? Why didn’t you tell me? You deceived me. I don’t understand.”

  Rachel knew she looked tense. “Please sit down, George,” she said, “and listen to my explanation. It was hard to pretend I was on a holiday and to dupe you, but I had a good reason. Before Phillip died, he told me he had qualms about the big deal; and that’s why he backed out of it. Incidents occurred to intimidate him into restating it.” She revealed the ones that had happened in February. “Phillip never received a verbal threat that I know of, but he was certain either the client or Harry—or both—was behind them.”

  His brown eyes widened. “Harry? What are you saying?”

  She put her new plan into motion. “You must hold everything I tell you in confidence. Can you do that for me and Phillip?”

  George nodded.

  She took a deep breath and divulged, “Harry was pressuring Phillip about this deal. Both companies need money badly, so Phillip was going to honor the bargain. Something happened, I don’t know what, to convince my husband it might not have been legal. It might have something to do with supplying arms and ammunition for a Cuban rebellion.” She halted again to relate what Dan had told her about that possibility. “He didn’t have time to expose everything before he died from cholera. He warned me this client and Harry could be dangerous, not to trust them. But he also advised me to honor his part of the deal. He knew he was dying and told me to check out both company’s books before I told anyone he was dead. He didn’t have time to explain why that was important. I thought I could learn something from you and Harry if I withheld the truth. This might sound ridiculous, but I think Phillip might have been murdered.”

  George appeared baffled. “But you said he died of cholera.”

  “That’s what the symptoms implied and what I told the authorities. I didn’t think it was wise or safe to mention my suspicion of murder or an illegal deal that could get us all into trouble. Besides, I had no facts to go on at that time, and only have a few gathered now, but no real evidence.”

  George stroked his mustache as he questioned, “Phillip actually suspected Harry of being deceitful and dangerous?”

  “Yes, he warned me not to double cross Harry, whatever that means.” She repeated a few of Phillip’s mumblings and related some of the threats against her to give George a small but clear picture of her dilemma. “Do you see why I was so alarmed and frightened, why I had to fake a holiday and dupe you? I’m sorry, George, because I don’t think you’re involved in this mystery. I have to confide in you, but I can’t do the same with Harry, not yet. I’m going to visit him tomorrow and see what I can learn. I can’t reveal to him all I’ve told you, so I’ll tell you what to say to him if he contacts you. Will you help me? If this deal is legal and it was nothing more than feverish rantings, we’re all fine. But if it’s true, we’ll have to decide how to handle it. We don’t want our reputations and lives placed in jeopardy.”

  “We certainly can’t honor the contract if it’s illegal,” George said. “I wish Phillip had told me the truth before we stuck our necks out this far financially.”

  “Phillip needed money badly, George,” Rachel thought she should disclose that fact, “and knew both of you do, too. He kept the contract a secret because of his suspicions. He was taking total responsibility for it.”

  “You mean, he was going to go through with it anyway?”

  “Yes. But if anything went wrong, he was going to take full blame. He was the one who made the mistake, so he was hoping to finish the deal and forget about it. He was sorry he got all of us into this mess. He wanted me to carry it out, but he left me with too few clues and facts to do that. To be honest, George, Phillip left me in terrible financial condition. All three companies are hurting for money. I hope we can honor this contract.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Of course I’ll help you, Rachel. It sounds like quite a challenge; it’ll get the old blood to flowing swiftly.”

  “There is one big favor I’ll need. Please send the order, so I can use it as bait to discover if we can sell it as planned or if we have to back down. If I don’t have something to use, I can’t get answers from the client when he arrives to check on late delivery. I’ll be responsible for the merchandise. If anything happens to it, you can have my share of the company as payment. I’ll put that in writing, so you won’t worry about me reneging.”

  “That’s generous and gracious of you, Rachel, but your share isn’t worth what I have invested in the order. But I’ll trust you and do as you request.”

  She sighed in relief and smiled. “Thank you, George; it will be a big help. Let’s both pray the deal can proceed as planned. Didn’t Captain Slade’s large order help out our finances any?”

  “I’m afraid not. I used the money to pay back salaries and to buy supplies to complete that big deal. I still had to borrow money from the bank. But your cousin doesn’t have to worry about not getting his purchase.”

  “That’s another thing, George; Daniel Sl
ade isn’t my cousin. He’s an old and close friend of Phillip’s. They grew up together in Charleston. He arrived the morning Phillip died. But it is true he came to do business with Phillip, and his two orders are legitimate. He agreed to pretend to be my cousin and to be on holiday while I took care of private business. But that’s something else I don’t want Harry told yet. We also thought it would look better if I were traveling with kin, instead of an unattached male.”

  George shook his head in pity. “You’ve had a lot to endure and to handle alone, Rachel. I’m sorry. Phillip was a fine man, a good partner. I’ll miss him. Was there trouble when you reported his death?”

  “The usual investigation, which isn’t closed yet.” She related what had taken place. “Now do you see why I’m apprehensive and suspicious? And that isn’t all. When we were in Athens, Harry had us followed every day and night. Dan trailed our shadow back to Harry’s office for his report. I caught Harry in lies several times, but I didn’t let on I had. That makes me distrust him even more. To be fair, there may be logical reasons for his strange behavior, but I can’t risk exposing what I know.”

  “I hate to say it, Rachel, but I agree,” George said. “Harry’s always been a strange man. It may be unfair of me, but I think he’s capable of doing such evil things. When he came to see me after his last visit with Phillip, he was abrupt and cold, outright angry. He came close to threatening Phillip if anything went wrong. But it seems stupid on his part to kill Phillip before the deal was finalized. He says he’s in the dark about the client’s identity and location.”

  “But that will be simple to discover when the client comes for his order. Maybe Harry assumed I’d be easier to control than Phillip. Have either of them ever mentioned buying licenses to construct patented arms?”

  That change of topic confused him. “No, why?”

  Rachel disclosed her suspicion in that area, and saw George’s eyes widen in astonishment. “If Phillip knew, he didn’t say anything or halt it. But I prefer to think Harry is the only one involved in that crime. With the arms being shipped so far away, he knows the chance of being exposed is slim. That also gives Harry an excellent reason to go through with the deal; he can’t sell patented weapons in the United States. He’s already trying to force my hand by saying he won’t supply the arms without the advance, but can’t get rid of that many weapons anywhere else, and the company will be ruined. I’m still searching for the money; Phillip hid it well.”

  “What a mystery,” George murmured.

  “Yes, it is, and we’re stuck in the middle of it. I’ll keep you informed of everything, by letters sent here for privacy. We won’t know much more until the end of May or beginning of June; it’ll take that long for the client to realize there’s a problem and to come to Savannah to check on it.”

  “You shouldn’t face him alone, Rachel, if he’s dangerous.”

  “Dan will be there,” she lied to calm him. “He has to stay until his arms are ready and delivered. He says he’ll help me before he sails.”

  “That’s good. I liked him.”

  “He’s a nice and kind man,” it pained her to allege, “as you are, George. Please forgive me for duping you, but I had to get to know you better before I was assured I could trust you completely.”

  “After all you’ve told me, I quite understand. You’re a clever woman, a strong and brave one.”

  She sent him a warm and honest smile. “Thank you, George. Now, when Harry questions you, as I’m sure he will, I want you to tell him that I duped you, but that I’ve apologized. I was only trying to discover the condition of the business before I told you of Phillip’s death, as if I feared you’d cheat me out of profits. Tell him you don’t think I trust you completely and that you’re angry with me for lying. I was also very interested in the big deal, but don’t know much about it. I told you I don’t have the money, but you aren’t certain. Say I told you Phillip became ill fast, lost consciousness, and didn’t tell me anything before dying. Tell him I’ve agreed to go through with the deal, but I want to sell my share of both companies as soon as the deal is completed. Say it all depends on whether or not a new arrangement can be made with the client, since I don’t have his advance.”

  “That will get him furious at you, and suspicious of you.”

  “That’s what I want if I’m going to get any clues out of him. I hope he does threaten me and try to force me to continue the deal; that will tell me how involved and desperate and dangerous he is.”

  “I’ll worry about you, Rachel.”

  “Thank you, but I’ll worry about you, too. Guard yourself well, George. I wouldn’t put it past Harry to try to get rid of both of us so he can collect the entire price. I don’t believe he’s as ignorant about all of this as he claims. Harry’s too devious and greedy to trust Phillip this much. Only an honest, trustworthy, and loyal friend and partner like you would let Phillip handle this deal the way he has. I promise you that Harry won’t cheat us out of our shares of the profit, if there is one.”

  “I still hope there is, Rachel, to save us. As I told you I am going to sell out and retire when all my business is finished. What about you?”

  “Me, too, George. You can begin work on a sale any time. I’ll agree with whatever price and terms you say are fair.”

  “I’m happy you decided you could trust me and confide in me, because you can, Rachel. I would never betray you, and I’ll do all I can to help you.”

  “I’ll be traveling on to Athens in the morning to confront Harry. I should be home by Monday or Tuesday night. After Harry questions you, let me know how he reacted and what he said during your meeting.”

  “You’re certain he’ll come to see me?”

  “Positive. He’ll want to make certain both of us are fooled.”

  “If Harry is responsible for those incidents and for murdering Phillip, I hope you get the evidence to have him arrested and punished.”

  “So do I, George.” She realized she was still duping George a little, but that couldn’t be helped. She couldn’t expose every detail to him, not yet. But she did feel as if he were being honest and sincere, and that relieved her. After warning him to be on guard for threats, she bid him farewell.

  When Rachel arrived in Athens on Saturday afternoon, her luck wasn’t as good as it had been in Augusta. Harrison Clements was away for the weekend, and not expected back until late Sunday night. His wife was with him, or so the housekeeper told her. She left a message she would be at his office first thing Monday morning for a business conference. She assumed Harry had seen Phillip’s obituary, too, and was nervous over her deception.

  Rachel scowled in annoyance as she found another note on her pillow after having dinner downstairs. She had almost requested for her evening meal to be sent to her room, and wished she had. The daring suitor was on her trail again! She hated being pursued this way and was sorely puzzled by how the man got in and out of her room without her noticing his presence. Didn’t that have to mean she didn’t know the culprit? Once more her script was used and there were threats against Dan’s life if she saw him again. Soon, considering how closely she was spied on, the pursuer would know Daniel Slade was out of her life. She concluded that this matter had nothing to do with the arms deal, so she would ignore it. Until he revealed himself to her, she couldn’t spurn him or discover why he used a forgery of her handwriting for his messages.

  At six on Sunday afternoon, there was a knock on Rachel’s door. She considered not answering it, dreading to initiate a quarrel with Harry in her room. But, she reconsidered, it might only be a bellman with a note saying Harry had returned home, gotten her message, and was ready to confront her in the morning.

  Rachel opened the door. Her gaze widened and she inhaled sharply. “What are you doing here?” she gasped. “How did you know where to find me? What do you want, Daniel Slade?”

  Dan nudged her backward and pushed the barrier aside. He entered her room, closed the door, and locked it. “We’re going to h
ave a serious talk, woman. It’s time to clear the air once and for all.”

  Rachel retreated a few steps and gaped at him. An obstinate gleam filled his dark-blue eyes and his clean-shaven jaw was clenched in resolve. She wasn’t prepared for this situation. Her heart hadn’t chilled enough against him. Gazing at him seemed to weaken her need to spurn him. “About what? I said all I had to say at home. It’s over, Dan; accept that.”

  “It’s only beginning, Rachel McCandless; accept that,” he corrected, as he played a gentle but firm grasp on her upper arms.

  She attempted to free her body and gaze, but could accomplish neither. “Don’t be stubborn and childish, Dan,” she urged. “Or spiteful.”

  “Those aren’t my intentions. I only want to love you and help you. Those are the same things you need from me.”

  She stared at him. Don’t weaken or be tricked. “You’re wrong. I—”

  “You’re going to listen to me, woman! I risked my neck to keep you out of prison. I lied to your partners to help you obtain clues. Luke and I checked out your family and servants to see if one of them is framing you. We searched for a jilted or unrequited lover who would kill to free you for himself. We looked for a jealous and spiteful female rival who wants to punish and destroy you. We know you aren’t responsible for those crimes. I even courted that repulsive vixen Camellia Jones this week to see if she’s to blame for your past troubles. I do everything I can to assist you, but you turn your back on me and close your heart against me. Why? It isn’t because you don’t want me as much as I want you. What is it then? What happened to make you reject what we both know you want? Are you that wary of all men? Are you that afraid of a permanent love?”