by Lori Wick
“How many men are we talking about here?” he still sounded only mildly interested.
“Just two.”
He hesitated for only a moment. “All right. I’ll wait for you here and then show you the files.”
Carlyle nodded pleasantly and walked to the front door. Gerard was there to let him out, his manners impeccable. The door closed behind him, and all Carlyle could do was hope that they would be allowed back in.
Nick couldn’t remember if Duncan Phipps had ever seen him. It had been nothing short of torment to send Carlyle in where he wanted to be, but he couldn’t take the chance. He comforted himself with the fact that, either way, they were going to get him, and Nick would get inside. He would be called in as one of Carlyle’s assistants. If that didn’t work and Duncan put up a fight, they would raid the mansion. It was just a matter of time before he had the information he so desperately sought.
He felt his palms sweat. It was almost impossible to keep Pup from his mind, but he forced himself to stay calm. His wife was another worry. She had been inconsolable the night before, almost ill with the tears she’d shed, first with worry over how late he had been, and then over the news concerning Pup. It was a temptation to hide it from her, but he knew that wasn’t fair.
I’ve got to take Pup home to Camille, Nick said to himself. She has to be all right. I want Phipps. I want him badly. But no matter what else happens, that girl has to be all right.
Pup’s huge eyes looked through the gloom at the man holding her, and she nearly collapsed with relief. Only then did McKay remove his hand from her mouth. Both arms crushed Pup against him for a moment, and then he held her away so he could look into her face.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he whispered almost faintly.
“I was so scared.” Her voice was just as low.
“It’s over now. Stay here.”
She wanted to hold on to him, to tell him not to leave her, but she realized all too well that he had a job to do. McKay shifted her so she could lean against the wall. Weak with exhaustion, Pup slumped against it. He then moved through the bushes along the house toward Trent.
“Is everything all right?” The other agent had heard the scuffle.
“Yes. Get out front. Tell Nick that I have Pup.”
“Pup?”
“That’s right. Get to him immediately, even if he’s already gone inside. Tell him or Carlyle privately.”
Trent moved to do as he was told, and McKay returned to Pup.
Carlyle came down the steps, and both Nick and Kelsey Frost, the other man they’d chosen, stepped down from the buggy where they’d been waiting. Nick was just about to stride up the walk when he heard his name. He stopped in the guise of tying his shoes.
“Is that you, Trent?” he asked without ever looking in that direction.
“Yes. McKay sent me from the back. He has Pup.”
The young agent had no idea what his words did to Nick’s heart. For a moment he couldn’t breathe. He could still see Camille’s stricken face and wanted to weep with relief for all of them.
“Thank you, Trent.”
A moment later, Carlyle was beside them. He reached into the buggy and, as planned, brought out a slim briefcase. Nick finished with his shoe and spoke, his lips barely moving as they walked toward the house.
“McKay has Pup,” he told his closest agent. “Nothing will stop us now, Carlyle. We’ve got this man dead to rights.”
The moment he was close enough, McKay took this special woman back in his arms. They were both going to be covered with scratches, but neither cared. Wanting to see the real Pup, McKay pulled the wig from her head and stared at her for a full minute. He had almost lost her. She was so much a part of him now, and he had almost lost her. Emotions threatened to overwhelm him.
It was not the moment McKay would have chosen for such a thing, but before anything else could happen, he kissed her. Still holding her close with one arm, his free hand cupping the back of her head, he kissed her full on the mouth.
“Please do that again,” she whispered the moment they broke apart. McKay was happy to oblige.
“I was so scared,” she repeated. “I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
“It’s over now. You never have to go in there again.”
“Duncan will be furious when he realizes what he’s done.”
“What’s that?”
“Paine must have come to see him.”
“That was the plan,” McKay told her.
“Duncan was questioning me, but he was so irritated that he left the door to my room unlocked and unguarded. I simply let myself out.”
After that she couldn’t talk any more. She laid her head on McKay’s shoulder, wishing more than anything that she could just go to sleep.
Carlyle introduced his workers to Mr. Phipps, his eyes watchful. They had been outside only a short time, but anything could have happened. His concerns were groundless. Still certain he knew more, Duncan smiled hugely as he showed them to the filing cabinets in the corner.
Carlyle started on one, but Kelsey took a little longer. He had two guns on him, and he wanted to be in a position to stop Phipps if he tried to leave. Nick made no attempt at pretense. He immediately began an inspection of the wall Pup had described. It could be a lost lead. After all, if they’d caught Pup because of this secret door, the files might have been moved; Nick could only hope that they felt too secure for this.
Duncan took a seat at his desk. He realized almost instantly that Paine was in front of his feet, and in his present mood, took perverse pleasure in giving him a hard kick. He tried to ignore the treasury men and work on his papers, but Nick caught his eye.
“The files are over there,” Duncan directed him.
Nick ignored him.
“You there, by the wall. The files are over there.”
Nick looked at him for a moment but went back to his inspection. He’d found the outline of the door but had no clue as to how to get in.
“Did you not hear me?“ Duncan began, but then cut off. Nelson had come through the door, gone right to the desk, and whispered something into his ear. The banker’s face flushed a furious red. He stood and cleared his throat, trying to maintain his calm.
“I know you gentlemen will want to get on with your work, so I’ll just leave my assistant, Mr. Case, to answer any questions you might have.”
“We’d rather you stay here.” Kelsey had stepped forward now, his gun pulled. “You too, Mr. Case. Both of you gentlemen can take a seat over here.”
“This is an outrage!” Duncan began, but closed his mouth when Kelsey leveled the gun in his direction. He sat on the leather davenport, Nelson beside him, and tried to contain his fury. It didn’t work. Seconds later he had to lash out.
“Get out here, Paine—you sniveling little coward!”
Carlyle gave up his act at the filing cabinets, pulled his own gun, and turned to see Paine climb from beneath the desk. The clerk’s hands went into the air as soon as he saw the weapons. Kelsey motioned him to join his uncle on the sofa, and he did so without speaking. For a long moment the occupants of the couch watched Nick’s fingers on the wall. Carlyle knew what he was after but opted to stay out of the way.
A few minutes later, Nick slammed his hand against the paneled wall. His fierce gaze swept the room before he took a gun from under his own coat. Certain that by now his men had secured the entire mansion, he nevertheless moved carefully to the entry hall and out the front door. It was busy out there, agents and mansion employees everywhere, but he spotted Trent almost immediately and motioned him over.
“Find McKay. Tell him I need Pup. He’s to stay with her at all times.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nick paced until Pup came into view, McKay beside her. He took in her appearance—white face, scratches on her arms, and her dress looking like she’d slept in it. Her wig was in place, but the blonde hair made her look even more pale.
“You need me?” she asked befo
re he could speak, telling him that she was all right.
He nodded. “For just one thing. Did you get into that wall?”
“Yes. I’ll show you.”
Pup led the way indoors, Nick and McKay on her heels. She didn’t even look at the men in the room but went straight to the panel. Not five seconds later she had pulled the strip down, and the door creaked open. Carlyle lit a lantern that Nick held high. The head treasury man allowed Pup to step in ahead of him; this was her moment as much as his. Carlyle followed. Not only were there file cabinets, but just past them a stairway led up to what must have been the attic. Pup had been right on both accounts. Nick didn’t need to see any more. He was happy to leave Carlyle to the inspection. He returned to the room, Pup with him.
“Well, gentlemen, it is our belief that you have a lot to answer for.”
Duncan’s mutinous expression told Nick they’d hit gold, but he also knew the crooked banker would deny all involvement to his dying day. No matter. Nick knew they had enough to convict.
A bustle of activity followed in the next few minutes, and then Pup stood before Nick just outside the wide front door. He stared down at her, unable to speak. A moment later he hugged her. Pup’s eyes closed with comfort. She hadn’t known if she would ever see him again.
“I’m headed to your house now,” she told him when she could speak. “I’ve asked McKay to take me.”
“Good. Camie’s pretty upset, so steel yourself.”
Pup could only nod. McKay stood waiting nearby. She began to turn away, but Nick’s voice stopped her.
“Thank you.”
Pup smiled. “You’re welcome. Duncan knows who I am. It’s the only reason I wasn’t tortured for information. Finding out that I was Jubal’s sister stopped him in his tracks.”
“I can see how it would. Jubal has worked for him for so many years. Duncan must have been asking himself if Jubal had been playing him all along.”
“He mentioned that one of his associates and a worker didn’t show up last night. Was it Jubal?”
“Yes. He’s behind bars.” Nick watched her. “You can see him, Pup. I will arrange it.”
“I’m not up to it today, but I’ll bank on that. I’ll see you at the house tonight. I’m too tired to clean out the apartment right now, Nick. Can it wait?”
“I’ll see that it’s done and get your things back to you.”
“Don’t miss my Bible—I need that.”
“Of course. I’ll see you tonight at the house, and I’ll have your things.”
Having heard every word, McKay stepped forward then and gently took her arm. They were silent as they made their way to the street. A buggy was on hand, and McKay asked the driver to take them to the Wallaces’ house. Pup began to feel numb and passed the next minutes in something of a blur. First she was in the buggy, McKay beside her, and then she was leading the way into the Wallaces’ kitchen, whereupon McKay ceremoniously removed her wig for the last time.
At first she didn’t move; she was too tired. Miranda, thinking she had heard the door, came through from the dining room and stopped short. She didn’t speak but put a hand to her heart and went right back out. A moment later Camille walked hesitantly into the room. Clearly she had been crying for hours, and even now tears welled in her eyes. The two women came together, and McKay stood aside while Camille held Pup and sobbed.
“I just can’t …” Camille tried to speak, but was too overcome. “I’m sorry. I was just so afraid.”
“It’s all right now,” Pup told her. “It’s over. Nick is safe. Duncan Phipps has been taken to jail. I’ll be here the rest of the day.”
Camille let go of her to reach for a hankie, and Pup turned to McKay.
He was the first to speak. “Are you going to be all right?”
“I think so. I’m tired.”
“I’ve got to get back to the house, but I’ll be back. You’ll be here?”
“If you’re coming back, I’ll be here.”
McKay smiled. He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers before capturing her jaw to kiss her ever so softly. He then handed her the wig.
“Don’t be wearing this when I come back.” He reached toward her again.
“All right.” She would have agreed to anything while he was touching the black curls at her temple, his eyes alight with love. Pup turned as he slipped back out the door, knowing that he had to go but needing to see as much of him as possible. She then turned back to the room. Both women had been watching them unashamedly. A moment later the three of them were in tears again.
41
Camille sat very still at the side of Pup’s bed. Pup was already asleep, and she herself was tired to the bone. Yet something compelled her to remain close to the girl. It was just too much of a miracle that she was alive. You couldn’t live with Nick Wallace and not understand what type of man Duncan Phipps was. Camille had been certain Pup had been discovered and killed, and then she’d walked in to find her standing in the kitchen.
Miranda had come to the living room where Camille had been trying to stay busy arranging flowers and writing letters, and with just two words had brought her back to life. “She’s here.” Camille knew she would never forget it.
Nothing has ever made me want to believe in You, God, Camille now prayed, but this does. You brought her back to me. I know You did. Even if she marries McKay Harrington and I won’t see as much of her anymore, I don’t care. She’s the daughter I never had, and You brought her back to me. She trusts in You so much. She reads Your Bible, and has found peace—a peace I’ve never really known.
Camille bit her lip. She had never admitted this to anyone. What would Nick say? He’d be totally crushed if he thought she wasn’t happily married to him. Could she even explain? Could she ever make him see that it wasn’t about him or their marriage but about what went on inside of her?
As she had been through the night and during the day, Camille was once again overcome by emotion. She sat by Pup’s bed and cried, silent tears pouring down her face. She tried to stop; all the tears had already given her a headache, but it was no use. Afraid she would wake Pup, she walked to her own bedroom. It felt good to slip out of her dress and lie on the bed: She’d spent so little time in it the night before.
Tired as she was, sleep never came. Her eyes felt weighted, but it was no use trying to sleep when Nick wasn’t in the bed with her. She’d always had a hard time sleeping without him. But today he wasn’t on her mind. Pup was—Pup and her relationship to God. The older woman knew she could ask her about it, but the answer might be a fearful thing. What if Pup told her that it wasn’t for everyone? Camille didn’t want to think that way, but the idea persisted. Why does Pup have such assurance while still a young woman, while I, who am old enough to be a grandmother, am still searching?
She rose and dressed just an hour later, not feeling refreshed, but knowing she needed to be available for Pup when she came downstairs. Her mind shifted to Nick as she took the stairs, and she remembered again with relief that he was all right. She sighed a tired little sigh. She would sleep tonight. Nick would be in the bed with her, and Pup would be down the hall. She just needed to get through the day.
McKay felt as if the paperwork would never come to an end, but still he kept on. Reports had to be filed. His every action on the job this morning, as well as in Longmont, had to be recorded. It was tiring. Finally he finished and he felt his spirits lift as the Wallace home came into view. She was inside, and he was going to see her. He knocked on the front door, his heart beating a little faster as he waited. Miranda answered.
“Well, Mr. Harrington.” She never seemed to forget names. “Come right in.”
“Thank you. Is Callie up to a visitor?”
“I’ll ask her.”
McKay’s heart did erratic things when Miranda came back to take him to the study. He stepped to the doorway and found Pup sitting inside on the sofa, a book in her lap. She didn’t have her dark wig in place, but she was still
in a dress, and even with the short hair, she looked very feminine. She had never looked like a man to him, but now her dress of dark blue with white cuffs and collar only added to the attraction. McKay was so taken with her that he almost forgot to thank the Wallaces’ housekeeper before making his way across the room. Pup watched him approach.
“Hi,” he spoke quietly when he’d seated himself beside her.
“Hi, yourself.”
“You look as though you feel better.”
“I slept and ate.”
For a time they just looked at each other.
“Did they need you back at the mansion?”
“No. I ended up at the office working on piles of paperwork.”
“Did you get done?”
“Yes.”
Words died out. They were content just to be near each other. McKay had picked up her hand, and Pup loved it when he wove their fingers together. It helped her forget a little bit of the fear she had known just that morning. Had it really been only a few hours ago? So much had happened. It was hard to believe it was over, and for Pup it was over in more ways than one.
“I can’t do this anymore, McKay,” she said quietly, her eyes looking across the room. He watched her profile. “I can’t keep this up.”
Those words were music to McKay’s ears, but the discussion couldn’t end there.
“Can you tell me why?” he asked.
She turned her head. “I can’t handle the deceit. It has really bothered me these last few days. People are fooled so easily by what I do. Shouldn’t I be more concerned for their souls than I am with making sure I get past them or pull the wool over their eyes?” He had never heard her so passionate.
“So you think all undercover work is wrong?”
“No.” She was sure about that. “But it is wrong for me. It’s impossible to be playing a role and still tell someone about Christ, because I can’t get that personal. And I don’t like that. It doesn’t feel right. I was glad to help Nick with this case, but I can’t even stay and fellowship with my church family without getting called out on a job. And when I think of the people I’ve deceived—not crooks like Duncan Phipps—but innocent people like Mrs. Meyer and others at the mansion, I feel sick. I just can’t do it anymore, McKay. I just can’t.”
