Promise Me Forever

by Janelle Taylor

  Rachel interpreted his wanting to continue the preparations as a clue. Perhaps he even concluded she would bring forth the money later if she had no other choice. “Thank you for the flattery and confidence,” she said. “I swear I’ll do my best. Whatever it requires to solve this mystery and my problems, I’ll do it.” She knew he didn’t comprehend her real meaning, but that was fine.

  “Don’t go marrying our rich client to win his aid,” he joked.

  “He may already have a wife,” she quipped, as if she’d thought of it.

  “If he doesn’t, I’m sure he’ll be enchanted and tempted by you. He’ll try his damnedest to ensnare a rare gem like you as part of his new deal.”

  “Thank you again…may I ask you a question that baffles me? Why did you allow Phillip to handle such a crucial deal in this illogical way?” she rushed on before he could object to her question.

  “Because he was a friend and partner, one I trusted. When he said he had to honor somebody’s confidence, I believed him. I didn’t have any reason at that point not to do so. I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but Phillip took heavy losses during the ‘73 Panic and Depression. Maybe that’s when he started gambling and ran up heavy debts. Or perhaps it was following those family deaths and scandal. He found this mysterious deal and client, as you called them, and I agreed to help him try to recover his many losses. I suppose I also got greedy and excited about making a big profit, so I allowed myself to get pulled in deeper and deeper.”

  Rachel didn’t believe that claim for an instant. “Why didn’t I ever suspect Phillip had money problems?”

  “Men don’t usually tell women those things. I also felt partly to blame for his problems getting worse. When he invested in my company, it was doing fine. We had contracts to make weapons for Winchester, Remington, and a few others. But they expanded their businesses and canceled the contracts, just dumped us out in the cold after years of helping them out with expert craftmanship and always honoring our deadlines. They gobbled up all the other available markets, American and foreign. With their names and reputations, it was easy to steal all the customers. A company of this size and with two partners to support can’t survive on small or personal contracts. Business keeps slacking off every month.”

  Rachel heard and witnessed bitterness over those crippling losses, and assumed that was why Harry— and perhaps Phillip—were illegally using those makers’ patents for the rebels’ arms. Still, she held silent about that suspicion to prevent tipping her hand about her knowledge.

  “This could be a dangerous situation, Rachel, not to honor a contract with a rich and probably powerful man, to tell him your husband lost his money either by hiding it or gambling it away. When he arrives, do you think he’ll believe you and I know nothing about the money? I doubt it. He’s going to be furious. Duped men do crazy things when crossed. You have to find that money or replace it.”

  She skillfully clenched her hands and licked her lips as if scared and tense. “I’ve already explained, Harry. I can’t. I’m on the brink of poverty. Are you sure he paid Phillip?”

  “Phillip told me and George he had.”

  “Then who would he trust to hold that large amount for him? And why?”

  “I have no idea, Rachel. But you can study the company’s books to prove I didn’t receive it. As my new partner, they’re open to you.”

  “There is one last point I’d like to mention, if it’s true.” She noticed how that tone seized his full attention. “The firm’s record lists Haiti as the destination for the cargo, but Phillip mumbled something about Cuba, about war and freedom, about needing guns badly. I had forgotten about it until I saw Haiti listed. Dan told me rebels are battling there for independence from Spanish rule. He said a gun-running ship with an American flag and partial crew was attacked and men hanged. Spain had to compensate the families to avoid a conflict with us. Publicly, our country is staying neutral, but perhaps not privately. If the shipment is for Cuban rebels, that could explain why Phillip had to keep it a secret.”

  “You could be right; it sounds logical.”

  She felt that Harry knew all she was telling him, but revealing she knew a few things could evoke a slip from him. With cunning, she speculated, “If it is a confidential military operation or assistance, that could be how Phillip got that customs clearance. He’s been in shipping all of his life, and he owns partnerships in arms and ammunition companies, so someone he knew or who discovered those things about him must have approached him as the best choice to fill his needs. Maybe he didn’t tell Phillip where the order was going and why. Or if he did, Phillip was willing to aid their cause, or make a big profit on it. All you’ve told me about Phillip explains why he agreed; he was desperate. But it sounds as if something happened to give him doubts; that’s why he changed his mind and halted the deal. So, why didn’t he return the money? You said he told you he still had it the day before he died. By then he had changed his mind a second time and restarted the contract. The only reason I can guess why is because of several horrible incidents that occurred in February.”

  After she related them to him, she surmised, “Phillip must have taken them as warnings not to back out; he even mumbled something to that effect during his delirium. I can understand how urgently the rebels need their orders from us… but enough to do such evil things to get them? And what will they do to all of us if we don’t comply with them or return their money? Damn Phillip for dying before he could tell me everything! Those aren’t many clues for us to work with, Harry. What do you make of them?”

  “What did he say on his deathbed? Did he call out any names?”

  Rachel knew why he was worried. With her most innocent voice and expression, she repeated only the rantings she had used so far to dupe him.

  “Will you go through with the deal if it is for rebels?”

  “Yes, if there’s no trouble. Phillip cleared it through customs, so it must be legal. One thing I will demand from this client is proof of a signed contract between him and Phillip and proof the money was paid to my husband. Evidence first, negotiations second.”

  “If the deal’s confidential, maybe there is no contract or receipt.”

  Rachel frowned, but concurred, “You could be right, but I will question him on those points. When Milton gave you the destination, did you have any suspicions the shipment was for Cuba?”

  “I have to admit that I did, but dismissed it as foolish. I didn’t have your knowledge to tell me I was wrong. I don’t want any trouble from this matter, Rachel. I wish I weren’t involved in it, but I am; we are. You’ll have to find a way we can honor this deal or find us a safe way out of it. We have to protect our lives, families, friends, and holdings against potential revenge. Let’s get it over and done with as soon as possible, so we can both make fresh starts.”

  “What if we discover our client was behind those deadly incidents? What if Phillip did return the money, but they refuse to admit it and try to force us to hand over their purchases?”

  “He still had it the day before he died, or he told me he did. He promised to bring it to me the following Monday. When you came here and claimed he was gone for weeks, I was furious and baffled. You don’t think he killed himself because he lost it, do you?”

  She permitted her expression to show doubt and sadness. “I honestly don’t know what to think, Harry. I hope he didn’t. No matter, he left us in a tight and perilous bind.”

  “If those incidents were warnings, that kind of man doesn’t play games. If we trick him, he’ll have us killed. Nobody twisted Phillip’s arm to make this deal, but they’ll do more than twist ours to make us stick to the bargain he made. That worries me.”

  “Me, too. We’ll either have our answer in two and a half weeks or a few weeks afterward. Let’s pray it’s a good one.” She sighed heavily. “This discussion has worn me out emotionally and physically. Do you mind if I rest this afternoon and go over the books with you tomorrow?” That would give him time to telegra
ph George to check out her story and be duped further.

  “That’s fine with me. How about dinner tonight? My wife is still in Atlanta looking at homes and making new friends. We hope to be moved and settled in by the end of the summer. I apologize for being angry and crude earlier, but I didn’t understand the situation.”

  “That’s all right, Harry; it was my fault for deceiving you, but I was so confused and desperate. I’m glad you forgive me. Dinner sounds marvelous, but Dan is with me, so I should bring him along. He’s at the hotel or out playing around town. It would be hard to claim it’s a private business dinner when we’ve spent hours on it today.” She perceived his annoyance.

  “I didn’t realize he’d come along again.”

  Rachel laughed. “He tracked me down last night at the hotel. He was miffed at me for taking off alone. He doesn’t realize I don’t need a man’s protection for such a simple journey. He and his family are oldfashioned; they believe a lady must have an escort wherever she goes.”

  “That isn’t a bad idea with a woman as ravishing and tempting as you, especially in light of those threats you said you’ve been getting.”

  She observed that lustful gleam in his eyes again, but she smiled. “Thank you once more, partner. One favor, I don’t want to discuss business in front of him tonight, if you don’t mind. These matters are personal, just between us, not for my relatives’ ears. What are our dinner plans?”

  Harry set a time and place, and Rachel agreed. They spoke a few minutes, with him telling her what time to be in his office tomorrow on Tuesday, April twenty-seventh. Then she departed, with the man almost painfully drilling his powerful gaze into her retreating back.

  On Friday, Rachel dressed to go into Savannah to meet with a jeweler to see what he would offer her on several of her expensive pieces. As she did her grooming, she reflected on the past few days. The dinner Monday night with Harry and Dan had passed without problems, as had her meeting with Harry the following day. As far as she could detect, the books had not been altered and Harry had been truthful about the company’s condition. According to a cable from George yesterday, Harry had gone to see him on Wednesday, and George had carried out Rachel’s request to delude him.

  She and Dan had spent a passionate, stolen night together in Augusta Wednesday while en route home. Upon her return yesterday, a letter had awaited her from her mother. To Rachel’s delight and relief, Catherine Fleming Starger was feeling better and wanted to visit her daughter next weekend. Rachel had sent her mother a prompt plea to do so after Earl had informed her of the older woman’s illness. The only part of the letter she found disappointing was her mother’s confirmation of her doctor’s visits, with Earl as her escort, on the two days in question. That told Rachel her stepfather couldn’t be in two distant places at the same time, and Earl Starger would never hire anyone to do his dirty work!

  By one o’clock, Rachel was relieved again when Adam Meigs offered and paid her a fair price for the jewelry she sold him. She was to go to Milton’s office to entice him to visit Dan’s clipper with her this afternoon, but a stunning and malicious episode occurred to prevent those plans.

  Chapter 16

  “My, oh, my, what do we have here?” a sultry voice with a heavy Southern accent taunted from the doorway. “The merry murderess buying herself new trinkets with her deceased husband’s money? Or mayhap trading in gifts for prettier gems with which to ensnare her next victim? If Phillip McCandless had married me instead of recklessly choosing a Black Widow as his mate, he would still be alive and well. Who are you adorning yourself for this time? Who is the fourth victim, Rachel?”

  The dark-haired widow turned to confront the tormenting redhead whose striking tresses tumbled down in untamed perfection. Camellia’s cattish yellowgreen eyes exposed her shallow character, and the woman’s sharp claws were unsheathed again today. Before Rachel could leave to prevent an embarrassing scene, the twenty-five-year-old viper created one.

  “Only a heartless bitch like you could dump a fine man like Phillip McCandless in an unmarked grave and not give him a decent burial or allow his many friends to say a proper farewell.”

  Rachel’s sherry-colored gaze altered to one with of grayish green as anger consumed her. She glared at the aristocratic beauty with her full, pouty lips and unmarred oval fair-complected face. To her, Camellia’s long and slender neck reminded her of a snake’s with head held high to strike. Again, the auburn-haired vixen spoke before she herself could, while Rachel eyed the two grinning friends with Camellia who laughed encouragement and nudged each other in amusement.

  “Oh, yes,” she drawled in a breathy purr, “I know all about your wicked deeds. I have many friends in the police department, more than you have in this entire area. You’ve entrapped yourself this time. I’m surprised you’re still strolling around free, but it won’t be for much longer.”

  Rachel concealed her alarm at those intimidating words and wondered if there was any truth to them. Even if something had come up which she hadn’t been questioned about yet, she bluffed with poise, “Well, you’re misinformed, and most rude, Miss Jones. Didn’t your family and tutors teach you proper manners and good breeding?”

  Camellia looked as if she was astounded that Rachel gave any response, as if she’d expected her to burst into tears and run away. “How would you know about good breeding, as you don’t possess any? You’re a vicious criminal, and you’ll get caught and punished this time. Your file is still open, wide open.”

  Rachel realized her calm and strength vexed the other woman. In a sweet tone she replied, “I won’t quarrel with you, Miss Jones. You know nothing about me or the real situation, despite tales from your gossipy and mistaken spies. You’re the one who’s vicious and hungry, eager to devour me out of spite for stealing Craig and Phillip from your grasping clutches.”

  Camellia’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped. “If either or both could speak from their graves or be allowed to choose again, there would be no contest or comparison between us!”

  Rachel knew she had touched a raw nerve, and couldn’t help but pick at it to silence her foe. “You’re absolutely correct; you would suffer two defeats again. A hateful, spoiled, and selfish witch like you could never land a smart fish, no matter how pretty and expensive your baited line was.”

  Camellia clenched and unclenched her fingers, as if preparing them to attack her despised rival. “How dare you insult me!”

  Adam Meigs shifted nervously behind his counter. He wanted to halt the episode, but Camellia Jones was too valuable a customer to offend. He hated being placed in this distressing position.

  “The same way you dare to insult and harass me,” Rachel retorted. “I’ve offered you peace and friendship many times, but you persist in being my enemy and tormentor. You create lies about me and fan the flames of unjust rumors. You try to humiliate and hurt me at every turn. Grow up, malicious little girl, and clear your head of such destructive traits; that’s the only way any man is going to lean in your direction.”

  Camellia gasped in outrage. “You arrogant and stupid bitch! I’ll—”

  Rachel riled her more when she interrupted to chide, “That’s what I mean, Camellia. Your quick temper and foolish hatred defeat you every time. I’m not the reason you’re still unmarried; they are. I didn’t steal. Craig and Phillip from you, because you didn’t own either one. You have beauty, money, and social rank; but some men don’t consider those as important enough reasons to marry a childish woman like you. Even if I were guilty, which I am not, you have no reason or right to behave like a—”

  “Shut up! Don’t you dare call me names or I’ll claw your eyes out!”

  Rachel noticed the silky hands with long nails that lifted for a moment, flexed a warning, then lowered and tightened into fists. She saw the fiery glint in the woman’s gaze. “I see, you can call me whatever nasty names and vile words you wish, but I’m supposed to cower and hold silent in return? I’ve done that in the past, but no more. I wa
s afraid if I got angry and fought back with people like you, I would do damage to myself even more powerful than those stupid investigations and cruel gossip. I realized I was mistaken. I’m not guilty, so I don’t have to behave as if I have something to be ashamed of or to fear. My case file can stay open forever and the authorities won’t find any incriminating evidence against me, because there is none, because I didn’t harm any of those four people.”

  “Three dead husbands and a son in three years?” Camellia sneered.

  “Strange and unfortunate, but of natural or accidental causes.” Rachel roved her gaze over the three people as she vowed, intending to shame the women, “One day, all of you doubters and persecuters will discover I’m blameless. I hope you and others will be adult enough to apologize then.”

  “Apologize to you? When it snows in July!”

  “Stranger things have happened, Camellia; I know from experience.”

  As if just noticing the pieces of jewelry lying on a cloth on the counter, Camellia snatched up one she recognized, having seen Rachel wear it to a party. Enlightenment flooded her, and she grinned cattily. “I’ve heard Phillip’s companies aren’t doing well. I guess this proves it. Having to sell off jewels to eat, my unlucky spider? I’ll take them all, Mr. Meigs, every one. You have purchased them?” she asked, and Adam nodded.

  Rachel fumed at knowing this vixen would have those precious items she’d been forced to part with for survival. She hated the thought of Camellia wearing anything chosen for her by Phillip. She knew the redhead would gloat every time she wore them, as if displaying trophies of victory. “Good-bye. I hope we don’t meet again soon, if ever. Mr. Meigs, I—”

  Camellia grabbed Rachel’s arm to prevent her departure, astonishing everyone in the store. “I haven’t finished my say, you—”

  Rachel exposed her anger on purpose. “Oh yes you have! You—”