David clapped his hands. “Okay, if we spend much time talking here, old Robert’s gonna come to see what we’re doing. Where are we sleeping, my good man?”
Edward’s brow furrowed. “Oh, dear. Mr. Robert had Maysie make up rooms for you in the other wing. He wanted Miss Laynee put here.” He nodded to a closed door. “That’s a connecting door to Mr. Weather’s room, and her father has moved into it. He had me take all Mr. Weather’s personal belongings and box them up.”
Eric shook his head as Laynee began to tremble. “There’s no way I’ll leave her here at his mercy with us on the other side of the house.”
“Sir, if I may, there are two rooms in the other wing that connect. I can have Maysie put Laynee in one and you gentlemen can share the other one. She’d be close enough for you to keep her safe.”
Laynee breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “That would be great, Edward. Don’t mention it to my father, just show us the rooms and make sure we have bedding. That’s all we need. I’m gonna have to get my clothes from father, or I’m gonna have to go shopping tomorrow. This is all I have, and I borrowed it from their aunt.”
“Miss Laynee, I’m reasonably sure that Maysie could loan you something to sleep in, and she could wash up what you’re wearing tonight so you’ll have clean clothes for your shopping trip tomorrow. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to the other rooms.”
Eric followed Edward down the hall toward the other end of the house, with David and Laynee close behind. When he got to the staircase he slowed down, peeked down the stairs, and then hurried across into the other hall. Halfway down the hall, he stopped and opened a door. Eric followed the others in and looked around. A beautiful Navajo patterned comforter graced a huge, king-size, four-poster bed. The rest of the room was elegant and tasteful, decorated in blues and white.
David walked over and opened a door revealing a generous walk-in closet with built-in drawers, shoe shelves, and luggage racks above. “Very nice.” He grinned.
“Mr. Weathers loved having company, sir. He tried to make them so comfortable they never wanted to leave.”
Laynee turned away, but not before Eric saw the tears in her eyes. He went and put his hands on her shoulders. She turned in a flash and buried her face in his chest, her body shaking with sobs.
“Oh, dear, I’m so sorry, Miss Laynee.”
“I wanted to come and live with him so much,” she sobbed. “Father always said no. He must have been so lonely at the end.”
“He had us, Miss. And he lived for your letters and video conferences. He loved you, child. You can be sure of that.”
David cleared his throat and pointed toward a door. “Is that the connecting door?”
“Yes, sir. It’s a bathroom, and it has doors to each room.”
“Okay, that’s great.” David moved toward the door. “I think we all need to rest a little before dinner. We can use the time to try and pull ourselves together and plot a little more strategy.”
Edward put the bags on the floor. “Of, course. I’ll let Maysie know where you are, and that you’ll be down in about an hour.”
David nodded and walked him to the door. “Thanks for everything, man. If the old man gives you any grief over changing Laynee’s room, just send him to us. Remember, he doesn’t own this house, so he has no authority over you. All he can do is threaten.”
Edward grinned. “That’s good to know, sir. Have a good rest.” He walked out, shutting the door behind him.
David turned. “Okay, we’re in. Now what?”
Eric walked to the window and glanced out at the back property. “I think we should play dumb.”
“What do you mean?” asked Laynee.
“Let’s go to dinner like everything is just fine and dandy. We’ll lure him into a comfortable state and wait for him to reveal something, like his master plan.”
“What do you think his next step will be?” asked David.
“If Macon’s reports are right, he’ll have to come up with another way to get his hands on Laynee’s money, and I don’t think he’ll wait long to make his move.”
David sighed. “Then we need to be ready for anything.”
Laynee moved toward Eric and stopped when he grabbed her hand. She sighed when he pulled her into his arms. “I’m scared.”
Eric cuddled her close. “You don’t have to be afraid of anything, love. We’re not gonna let anything happen to you.”
“I’m not worried about me. I’m afraid of what he could do to you.”
David rested his chin on her head. “Trust me, pretty lady. He doesn’t stand a chance of hurting us.”
* * * *
Robert tightened his grip on the phone as he waited for Jeremy to answer. This is going to be easier than I thought. A couple of country yokels, taking the time to bring the poor, blind, rich girl home after rescuing her in the woods. He chuckled. “I couldn’t have planned it better, myself.”
“Is she back?” Jeremy asked.
“Yes, she’s home, and she brought the daring rescuers with her.”
“Who are they?”
“Just a pair of kids trying to act like men. They said they own some fly-by-night place in Glacier. Get this. They take money from rich tourists to take them on nature hikes.”
“Did Laynee tell them you left her there?”
“We left her there. I wasn’t alone. As far as I can tell, Laynee doesn’t remember what happened. She said some dog found her, and led her toward the road where The Lone Ranger and Tonto tripped over her.”
“What are you gonna do now?”
“For tonight, nothing. She’s insisting they stay, and the servants are preparing some kind of welcome-home dinner in her honor. I plan on telling her at dinner that she has to come home with me tomorrow. Knowing my stubborn daughter, she’s going to go ballistic and insist on staying here. I’ll get my feelings hurt and storm out.”
“And exactly how is this going to help you get any money?”
“It leaves her alone with the two of them. If anything happens to her, the police are going to suspect the two strangers she brought into our home. I can play the grieving father all the way to the bank.”
“Sounds risky. If they are the outdoor type, they just might be able to best you if you go back tonight to finish her off.”
“Have a little faith, boy. You’ll get your money soon. Once this is done, it’ll take about a week before I can send her will to probate, and then we’re both home-free.”
“You don’t have a week. The auditors will be in the office on Monday.”
“Don’t you worry about that. I have a plan to throw them off my track for a few days.”
“What plan?”
Robert laughed. “Forget it, Jeremy. I’m not about to share any more with you than I have to.”
“Fine, you just remember that I won’t wait forever.”
* * * *
David held onto Laynee’s arm as they followed Eric into the formal dining room. An oak table, big enough to seat ten, was laid out in what was probably their best china and silver. Multiple forks at each place setting made him want to growl in frustration. Why couldn’t they have a simple barbecue in the backyard?
Edward came through the door carrying a covered dish. “We’re ready to serve now, if you’ll all take a seat. Mr. Conner said he would be here momentarily.”
David nodded. “Thanks, man.” He led Laynee to a chair and motioned for Eric to sit next to her. He waited for her to sit, and then moved her chair closer to the table. Frowning at the four place settings, he crossed to the other side and took a seat.
“Maysie’s made my favorite broccoli casserole.”
Eric studied his mate. “How do you know?” Even his nose couldn’t pick out a green casserole.
She smiled. “I can smell it.”
David reached over and lifted the lid on the large bowl, his eyes widening at the green mounds of broccoli smothered in some type of cheese sauce. And I thought bears had a good sense of smell. “Tha
t’s a mighty pretty sniffer you got there, love,” David said.
Laynee snickered and picked up her napkin, laying it across her lap.
Eric picked up a fork. “Do we get a different fork for each different dish on the table?”
She giggled. “No, but sometimes you get them for different courses. All you have to remember is to start on the outside and work your way in. There’s probably a salad, dinner, and dessert fork there.”
Robert walked into the room and smiled. “I hope you found your rooms comfortable. We haven’t used that wing of the house in some time, so please forgive us if it’s not up to your usual standards.” He stopped and placed his hand on Laynee’s shoulder, bending to kiss the top of her head. Laynee tensed, gripping the edge of the table so hard her knuckles turned white.
David nodded. “The rooms are fine, sir. We appreciate your hospitality while we’re here. It’s not often we get treated to a home-cooked meal.”
Robert moved to take the seat at the head of the table. “Well, I certainly owe you for rescuing my little girl. Please feel free to stay here while you’re in town. I’ll instruct the staff to make you comfortable.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Eric said.
“It’s the least I can do. Laynee and I will be leaving in the morning, but the servants will stay until you’re ready to leave. How long do you anticipate being in our fair city?”
Laynee jerked her face toward her father. “They already told you they didn’t know how long they’ll be here. And what do you mean, we’ll be leaving in the morning? I’m not going anywhere.”
Robert scowled. “Now, don’t be difficult, Laynee. We need to get home. I don’t want to be around while the realtors are showing this place. I’m going to have a crew come in and start packing up all the personal items so the cleaners can get to work.”
Laynee frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Robert leaned back in his chair as Edward poured him a glass of wine. He picked up the glass, closed his eyes, and sniffed at the contents. Smiling, he took a small sip.
“Father, I asked you a question.”
Robert narrowed his eyes and looked at Laynee. “You’ll not use that tone with me, young lady. I didn’t take that kind of disrespect from your mother, and I certainly won’t take it from you.” He glanced at David. “Apologies, gentlemen. Sometimes my daughter forgets her manners.” He turned his gaze to Laynee. “With your grandfather gone, there’s no reason to hang onto this estate. We’ll be quite comfortable in my home in Minneapolis. I plan on putting this place up for sale immediately.”
David watched a dull, red flush move quickly up Laynee’s neck. Discreetly, he sniffed the air. He could literally smell her anger.
“No, you won’t be selling this house, Father.”
David sighed and groaned inwardly. I guess my loving mate wasn’t up to sticking to the plan. Carefully, he moved his chair back a bit, just in case he needed to get up in a hurry.
Robert set his wine glass down. “Laynee Elizabeth Conner, you watch your tone when you talk to me, young lady. You don’t have a say in what I do with Winston’s property. It doesn’t make sense to keep two houses here.”
Laynee threw her napkin down on her plate and got to her feet, Eric and David only a second behind her. “I most certainly do have a say in what happens to Grandfather’s home, and I can assure you, we are not selling this house or one stick of the furniture inside.”
Robert stood. “What are you ranting about, young lady? I most certainly am going to sell this house and most of the rest of his holdings just as soon as I can.”
“You can’t sell what you don’t own, Father.”
Robert scowled. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m not the fool you take me for. I know that Grandfather left everything to me, and since I’m over the age of twenty-one, I don’t need anyone acting in my best interest. You won’t sell this house because you can’t without my permission, and I’ll never sign away my inheritance.”
Chapter 9
Robert’s nostrils flared as his hands clenched at his side. He took a couple of steps toward his daughter. “I’ve had more than enough of this nonsense, Laynee. Say good-bye to your friends. You’re coming home with me right this minute.”
“I am home, Father. Grandfather wanted me to have his house, and I’m gonna live in it and be happy like he always wanted. You shouldn’t have kept us apart all those years.”
Robert moved to grab her arm and jerked back when Eric growled and pulled Laynee into his arms. His face took on an unnatural hue as his gaze moved from Eric’s face to his hands on Laynee’s shoulders. “Seems as if your saviors are awfully close to you, daughter. Just what kind of payment did you give them for rescuing you in the woods?”
David grabbed Robert by the front of his tailored jacket. “You owe your daughter an apology, Mr. Conners. And I’m thinking you’ll be giving her that apology before you leave.”
Robert swallowed hard and glared at David. “Get your hands off me now, boy. You’re a guest in my home.”
“No, Father. They’re a guest in my home. Grandfather’s attorney already filled me in on the contents of the will, so I know I’m right. I’m keeping Grandfather’s estate, and you can leave.”
Robert stepped away from the table when David let go of his jacket. “How could you let these strangers come between us, Laynee? You know I’ve always done right by you. Your grandfather may have left you the house in his will, but there’s no way you’re capable of seeing to the everyday running of a place this size. You’re still a child in many ways, and it’s my duty, as your father, to protect you. We can sell this place, and you can live with me.”
Laynee laughed harshly. “Do you think I’m a fool, Father?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t think you’re a fool. You’re just young and naïve to the ways of the world. It’s to be expected after spending so much of your life cloistered in that school.”
Laynee brushed at a tear that slid down her cheek. “I know what you did.”
“Explain yourself, young lady. Everything I’ve done has been for you.”
“I know you tried to kill me by leaving me in the woods. How was that for my benefit?”
Robert laughed. “What kind of lies have they been filling you with, girl? You’re my daughter. Why would I try to kill you?”
“My memory isn’t gone. I remember you giving me the soda that knocked me out. And when I woke up, there was raw meat lying all around the tree where you’d left me. You were hoping some wild animal would find me and do your dirty work for you.”
Robert rubbed two fingers up and down the bridge of his nose. “Laynee, you must have dreamed it. The highway patrol told me that these young men found you near the road.”
“Yes, they did. The dog that discovered me led me to them. But you weren’t in luck, Daddy dearest. When I told them what I remembered, Eric went back to scout for the place you’d left me.” She stepped away from Eric. “He found what was to have been my final resting place, including the soda can and all the meat.”
Robert’s face lost some of its color. “I did give you an orange soda when we stopped, but that doesn’t mean I tried to kill you.”
She gave a bitter laugh. “Well, I hope for your sake, it’s true. They turned the can over for testing. They already know the soda was drugged and what it was drugged with. Now they’re checking for prints to see who all had their hands on the can.”
Robert scoffed. “Of course my prints are on it. I bought the damn thing and gave it to you. That doesn’t mean I put any poison in it.” He was quiet for a moment, and then the corner of his lip turned up. “Maybe it was Jeremy. You and he certainly never got along, and he was with me. In fact, he helped gather up supplies in the market. He could have easily slipped something in your drink.”
“Please, what motive would Jeremy have for killing me? I barely know the man.”
“What motive
would I have?”
Laynee snorted. “Money!”
Robert laughed. “I have money, little girl.”
She shook her head. “Apparently not enough. If anything happens to me, you’d inherit everything I own, including everything Grandfather left me.”
Robert clenched his fists, causing Eric to growl again. “I’ve heard enough of this nonsense. Are you coming home where you belong?”
She shook her head. “I am home.”
Robert glared at her for a moment and then stormed from the room. A few moments later they heard the front door slam.
Edward rushed into the room followed closely by Maysie. “Is everything all right, Miss Laynee?” he asked.
Laynee smiled and wiped her hand across her eyes. “Everything’s fine, Edward. They’ll be one less for dinner though. Seems my father didn’t like the fact I now own this house.”
David pulled Laynee into his arms and hugged her tight. “You did great, love. I’m proud of the way you stood up to him.”
Eric hugged her from behind. “Me, too, pretty lady. You won’t have to worry about him anymore. I think he got the message. He knows we’re on to him, and he’s scared.”
Edward glanced at Maysie and then back at Laynee. “Excuse me, Miss Laynee, but I don’t think it will be that simple.”
“What do you mean?” asked David.
“I don’t think Mr. Conners will just go off and lick his wounds. For some reason, he’s very determined to get his hands on this estate, and I don’t think a dressing down by his daughter is going to drive him away permanently. He may retreat to replan the battle, but he’ll definitely be back.”
David nodded. “I agree. He’s planning something. I just don’t know what. We’re all gonna have to keep our eyes and ears open and be careful. He’s already tried to kill Laynee once. It stands to reason he’ll try again.”
Eric growled softly. “Especially now that he knows he doesn’t have anything to lose.”
“What do you mean?” asked Laynee.
“He knows we have the soda can that can tie him to the crime. He’s got nothing to lose if he tries again.”
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