Bedpans, Teapots and Corpses (A Maggie and Irene Cozy Mystery Book 1)
Page 19
“Forfeit my life? It just got real. Now hold on just a minute, Mr. Rhodes.” At twenty and seven years of age Joshua was neither ready nor willing to die, especially for a complete stranger. “Perhaps you had better enlighten me as to precisely what it is your daughter needs protecting from, and why, sir?”
Nathan Rhodes motioned to the money, breathed a pained sigh, and sank wearily down in the chair Joshua offered. “Over the years, Captain Jordan, I have amassed a sizable fortune. I was visiting here from the red clay of Georgia just after completing my education, when I was introduced to my future wife and soon entered into a very profitable partnership with her father. Without even working to achieve it, the wealth seemed to be deposited in my lap. This is but a mere pittance compared to my vast holdings, I assure you. When my wife’s parents went to their heavenly reward, I was also bequeathed their rather immense fortune. However I assure you my wealth is not important at the moment. All my riches mean nothing without my darling daughter to share them.”
Again he paused as if expecting a reaction from Joshua, but got none. “To get to the point, Captain Jordan, I have received numerous threats over the years. There have been two blatant kidnap attempts with the last coming only two days ago. They came too close this time, much too close. If not for a few minor miscalculations on their part they would have succeeded in kidnapping my daughter and holding her for ransom.”
The grieving father’s voice shook as his eyes clouded with pain. “Only the Good Lord above knows what harm the miscreants might have done before releasing her. If they released her. Therefore, although it pains me beyond measure, I feel it detrimental to my daughter’s welfare to remain in France. I must relinquish her until these criminals can be captured and brought to justice. My justice.” He slammed his clenched fist on the table hard enough to make a few of the coins flip.
Joshua noticed a tear slip from his red swollen eyes. This decision clearly weighed heavily on Nathan Rhodes’ mind as expressions of deep anguish flickered across his haggard face. “I have the wherewithal to purchase anything my heart desires, Captain Jordan. Anything in the world I wish for, except happiness. Why, in all my daughter’s eighteen years I have never missed a single breakfast with her or spent a solitary night without her peacefully slumbering in the room juxtaposed to mine. Were I not in fear of losing her forever this separation would be unfathomable.”
“I can certainly appreciate your concern, sir.” Contemplating his words Joshua strolled to the open window to gaze across placid ocean waters. “However, I can assure you that your daughter would have no greater need than a female traveling companion. She would come to no harm on board my ship. As you are aware, the Windjammer is a cargo vessel and we only have accommodations for two passengers at most.”
Joshua scrubbed a hand over his face considering the offer before him, the pros and cons. The pros being the money of course, the cons, being saddled with a spoiled and whiny brat for the entire cruise. “On this particular voyage both passengers have sailed with me previously and I can vouch for their safety, as well as my crew, whom I would trust with my life. But rest easy that they would be alerted to the situation at hand and every possible precautionary measure would be taken to assure your daughter’s safe voyage. I would not think it too difficult a task to keep a vigilant eye on her. ”
“A traveling companion!” Nathan roared, leaping from his chair to stand before a stunned Joshua like a man possessed with hidden demons. “Have you gone completely daft, man?” His hands on Joshua’s shoulders jerked as if he were trying to shake some sense into a simpleton. “It is their intention to abduct my daughter and hold her for ransom. For the love of God man, they might even resort to murder if their kidnapping plot were to somehow go awry. A hell of a lot of good a traveling companion would do!”
Taking a deep breath in an apparent attempt to settle his frayed nerves, Nathan continued. “Captain Jordan, please allow me to impress upon you the seriousness of this situation. My daughter must have a bodyguard, someone to protect her from any and all adversaries encountered along the way. Someone who will be by her side by day, and especially at night, when these brigands are most likely to strike.”
Nathan sighed heavily. “Understand this is not a pleasure cruise, sir. If it were I would build her the most opulent and lavishly bedecked vessel to ever navigate the seas. I would see it equipped with every convenience and have every extravagance known, or even considered in the shipping industry, to take her to any destination her heart desired. But the thieves would expect my daughter to travel in such a manner. Concealing her on a cargo vessel will be the safest and least conspicuous means to reach her destination.”
Turning to face Joshua, Nathan’s eyes swept his muscular frame. “I put complete trust in you, Captain Jordan, to be the gentleman and protector my daughter needs. Nonetheless, should she come to any harm while in your care…” he paused and glanced out the window at the calm, sparkling water of the bay. Joshua noticed his knuckles whiten under the pressure of his clenched fist. “May the Good Lord be with you.”
Lynna’s Rogue
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