“That’s all I need, more trouble and debts! Damn, Rachel!” she instantly scolded herself. “What’s the matter with you? George is dead; Molly Sue is hurting; and you’re worried about yourself!”
“This has been a shock, love, so it’s normal not to think sensibly.”
“Is it, Dan? Sometimes I think I’m…. Let’s have a stiff drink to get rid of our tension.”
Monday, Dan came to tell Rachel his two orders from Athens arrived by rail: 2,960 rifles with attachments. He had stowed them aboard the Merry Wind for safety, and placed guards on duty around the clock.
A telegram was delivered while they chatted. A furious Harrison Clements challenged Rachel to come to his office to examine the licenses he had purchased giving their company permission to use those patented designs on the weapons he was making. He offered to sell her his share of the arms company and vowed he would not stay in business with such an “underhanded and unstable woman.” He told her the customs letter was being sent to her, but no weapons at his expense were forthcoming, or were ever coming. “Don’t ever threaten me again,” he ended the communication.
Rachel glanced at Dan and said, “I hope the local authorities don’t get hold of this telegram; I can imagine how it could damage me if anything happened to Harry or how it will make him look guiltless if this deal gets nasty and exposed. He may have licenses, but how do we know they’re genuine? I’m going to call his bluff like I did Milton’s!”
“Be careful with him, love. He’s dangerous and unpredictable. As for us, we’d better put a little distance between us for a while. We don’t want the law or our enemies guessing the truth about us. I’ll see you Friday night, unless something happens and you send for me. I’ll leave my men here.”
Thursday, a man arrived by train with several papers from Harry. He hadn’t halted along the route to sleep, so he wanted to rush his task and leave for a local hotel to collapse.
Rachel eyed the clearance paper for customs and decided it was authentic. She looked over the licenses to use those patented designs for weapons, as the man was ordered to let her examine them and for him to return them to Harry. They, too, appeared legal and in order. To forge handwriting and papers would be a simple task for a trained hand, but making fake seals to use on the two documents would not. It seemed that nothing illegal was involved in the arms deal. She must have been mistaken. If the payment could be found and the deal finalized, she would earn a fat and needed profit and no risks would be taken, but that was a big if.
The messenger took the papers she handed to him and left for town.
Rachel opened the remaining letter. She was alarmed by what she read: there had been a fire at the company and one worker had been slain. The damage was minor and wouldn’t shut down or slow down business. Harry had posted armed guards for protection, and he knew of George’s murder. He begged her to find and deliver the Cubans’ money so the contract could be fulfilled before they were murdered! He closed by informing her that Dan’s third order would arrive Monday, along with thirty extra rifles from him.
Later, Earl Starger paid her a surprise visit, having returned from Boston. The relaxed and smiling man handed Rachel one of the jewels she had sold to Adam Meigs, which was then purchased by Camellia Jones. “She was on the ship with friends going on holiday. She boasted of how you’d had to sell many pieces for support. It angered me, Rachel, so I talked her into letting me buy this one. I said it was for my wife, but I want you to have it as a peace token, along with this…” He placed the brooch and an envelope in her hand before she could withdraw it. “It’s only a thousand dollars, but it’ll help out until you get your problems settled.”
Rachel shook her head and held the items out to him. “I don’t want anything from you. I can manage fine on my own.”
Earl refused to take back the money and diamond pin. “Consider them gifts from your mother for Christmases missed. Don’t be proud and stubborn, Rachel. Taking money from family is less embarrassing than facing financial ruin and public ridicule. If you insist, think of it as a loan and repay it when you can. Don’t create another scandal or more hardship for yourself at this difficult time.” He changed the subject. “Did you go see Catherine during my absence?”
“No, I invited her to Moss Haven, and she came for a few days. We had a wonderful time, and she’s doing much better. Why didn’t you tell her you visited me twice? And why didn’t she know about Phillip’s death?”
“I thought you should tell her the bad news when you saw her. There was no need, in her ill condition, to have her worried over you longer than necessary. I should have told you she didn’t know, but I forgot during our last quarrel. Have there been any problems about Phillip’s death while I was gone?”
“None, but the case isn’t closed yet. When did you dock?”
“Tuesday evening. I had business in town yesterday. I’m heading home after I leave here. Have you seen today’s newspaper or heard from your Athens partner?”
“Why?”
“There’s an article about trouble there yesterday. I also heard what happened with the Augusta company last week. What’s going on, Rachel? Do you need help and protection? Can I hire a guard to watch over you?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“Before I left weeks ago, you mentioned getting threats. I admit I wasn’t sure they were genuine, but the attacks on your companies tell me they are. Something’s amiss, girl. If you need help or more money, tell me. That’s all I have with me today, but I can send more. It won’t obligate you to me. I only want to keep you out of more trouble and danger, I don’t think Catherine could stand losing another child.”
She told herself not to be fooled by his seemingly sincere worry. To prevent a nasty scene, she said, “Thank you for your concern and offer, Earl, but I’m fine. Please keep this news from Mama, if you can. The police should have those crimes solved soon. Besides, I’m perfectly safe; an old friend of Phillip’s— Captain Daniel Slade—is in town on business.” She watched for a reaction to Dan’s identity, but saw none. “He has two of his crewmen protecting me at all times. Whoever was threatening me or playing pranks can’t get near me anymore. I wish they would, so they could be unmasked and punished. I reported those incidents to the police, but there isn’t anything they can do.”
“It’s good to know you’re safe. You be careful, and I’ll tell Catherine you’re fine. Good-bye, Rachel. Contact us if you need anything.”
“Good-bye, Earl, and thank you.”
As a relieved Rachel observed her stepfather’s departure, Lula Mae said from behind her, “That’s the first time you two ain’t fussed lack bitter enemies. What did he want?”
She related the gist of their talk, then handed the housekeeper the money. “Put it in the cashbox. We’ll need it next week for bills.”
“You took money from him? I cain’t believe it. You hate him.”
Rachel gave a heavy sigh. “I had no choice. I’ll repay it later, even if I have more of a right to White Cloud earnings than that Yankee does.”
“You two made peace?”
“Heavens, no. But I wasn’t in a mood to quarrel with him. He’ll never change, but he didn’t harass me as usual, so no harm in being nice and sweet.”
The following day was filled with more surprises. Rachel answered the door to find a man who introduced himself as an insurance broker from Macon.
“I came to give you this, ma’am.” He handed her a packet of money. “As per Mr. McCandless’s orders, if anything happened to him, I was told to deliver this hundred thousand dollars to you in cash. I’m sorry this visit took so long, but I just learned of his demise. If you’ll sign this release form, the insurance money is yours and I can get on my way home before the last train leaves.”
“I don’t understand. I didn’t know Phillip had a policy with you.”
“He took it out in February and paid the cost through June. Mr. George Leathers had a policy with us, too. When I saw his wife Tuesday,
she told me Mr. McCandless had died in March. Your husband’s instructions were, in the event of his death to bring your payment in cash.”
“This is most unexpected, sir, and greatly needed. Thank you.”
After she read and signed the form, the broker left. Rachel stared at the bills in her grasp, wishing it were the missing million dollars. She wanted to keep the money for expenses, but it was more important to buy guns, to save her life and those of others. She hurriedly freshened up, took one of the seamen as a guard, and went to see Dan in town.
“You sure you want to spend this on more weapons?” he asked.
“As you said with your money, our lives are more important. I’ll telegraph Harry that the money’s on the way; he has guns made and waiting, so he can ship them immediately, before our next meeting with those rebels.”
“I’ll take it to him myself, so we’ll be certain he gets it and obeys. If I don’t stop off anywhere and nap on the train, I can be there tomorrow.”
Dan sent Luke Conner to Central Station to check on the rail schedule. While his best friend was gone, Rachel told Dan about the letter earlier this week from Harry and about Earl Starger’s—pleasant for a change—visit. They discussed how Dan was to handle Harry.
When the first mate returned, he told Dan he had two hours to pack and get aboard, then handed his friend the ticket he had purchased.
“Good, that’s gives us time to visit your lawyer, Rachel, to check on your position in the Augusta company. I think, if the company folds, with the books destroyed and George dead, you aren’t responsible for its debts. We’ll see. I hope so; that will take one worry off your mind. If I were you, I would get rid of my share of that Athens company fast before it leads to trouble. I know that leaves you with only the plantation for support, but don’t worry; I’ll take care of you. And you might get the shipping firm back if all goes well with our investigation. We’ll work on it after this matter is resolved. Luke, I want you to stay near Rachel while I’m gone in case those surly Cubans approach her again.”
After Dan left on the train, Luke and Rachel headed for the plantation in her carriage. Along the way, he remarked, “I’m delighted to finally meet the woman who’s going to change my life.”
“What do you mean?” she asked the brown-haired man who, as Dan had said, always appeared about to burst into a broad grin.
Luke Conner chuckled and his azure gaze mellowed. “You’ve stolen my best friend’s eye and he’s determined to settle down with you.”
She didn’t know what to say, so she hinted, “Settle down with me?”
“He has proposed, hasn’t he?”
“Yes, but I haven’t accepted. It’s too soon.”
The first mate’s eyes took in her exceptional beauty. “You will. Dan never takes no as an answer to something he wants. I’m going to become the captain of the Merry Wind while you two stay home and create a family.”
“Family? Dan wants children?”
“What man doesn’t? You two will have beautiful babies.”
Rachel realized it was time to remind Dan that she might not be fertile. If he was being dreamy-eyed about children, she had to impress upon him the possible truth. If he were not serious about her, Dan wouldn’t have mentioned her and a future together to his best friend.
“Did I say something wrong or upsetting, Rachel?”
She smiled at Luke and said, “Of course not. Your remarks just caught me off guard. When a stranger woos a woman, she doesn’t always know how serious or honest he’s being. I guess this talk means he’s both.”
“Daniel Slade is the most sincere and trustworthy man I know. I hope you feel the same way about him that he feels about you. I wouldn’t want him to get hurt. He’s my best friend, my captain, and like a brother to me. You do love him and want to marry him, don’t you?”
Rachel glanced at the handsome and genial man. True, he was being bold and nosy, but only out of love and concern for his friend. “I shouldn’t be thinking about such things, Luke. Phillip was Dan’s good friend and my husband. He’s only been dead for two months, the same amount of time I’ve known Dan. I don’t want to rush this attraction between us, and I don’t want to risk more gossip about my marrying before Phillip’s body is cold. You should advise Dan to slow down and get to know me better before he makes such a serious decision about his future. You know I’m still under investigation; if Dan and I look as if we’ve gotten too close too fast, the law could suspect us of doing away with Phillip. That might sound crazy and impossible to you, but it isn’t when I’m involved. I don’t want him hurt in any way.”
“I understand, Rachel, but Dan will take care of everything for you.”
“You’ve helped him investigate me and you’ve met me. Do you think I’m capable of being a Black Widow? Do you think I’m guilty?”
Luke fused his azure gaze to hers. “No, Rachel, I don’t.”
“Not even in the beginning?”
“I had doubts, but was never totally convinced,” he admitted.
“I appreciate your honesty, Luke.”
“Relax and let us take care of things for a while. One problem’s done; that lawyer is getting you out of trouble and debt in Augusta.”
Carlos Torres and Joaquin Chavous were waiting in the barn when they arrived. “Another conquest to protect you, Señora Raquel?”
She glared at the brazen man. “This is Captain Slade’s first mate and best amigo, Luke Conner. You didn’t have to murder George Leathers and destroy our Augusta company to terrorize us. I told you George had already sent his part of the contract; the ammunition is stowed safely aboard Dan’s ship. The hold-up is Harrison Clements in Athens, but if you try to harm him again like you did Wednesday, we can’t fill your order. Three men are dead, murdered. One company is blown up. Harm another person or set another fire and I’ll go to the police and have you arrested. Is that clear?”
“I do not know who is threatening you or why, Señora Raquel, but it is not us. It would be foolish to harm people and places we need to fill our order. Is this another trick to stall or an attempt to betray your word? Monday is the final day to complete our business. If not, accidentes will occur and we will be behind them this time.”
“Dan is in Athens now picking up part of the order. I have 2,960 rifles aboard his ship. Another 3,040 are arriving Monday. That’s six thousand, and the full amount of ammunition. I need more time to get the other four thousand. Or rather, I have to find $127,000 to pay for them being made.”
“Six thousand is not enough, Señora Raquel. We paid for ten. Get the others pronto. I will give you until Tuesday, no más,” he vowed coldly.
Luke escorted Rachel into town on Monday to meet Dan at the depot. The train arrived on schedule and they greeted each other with smiles.
“How did things go during my absence?” Dan inquired as he perceived a genial aura between his love and first mate.
Rachel glanced at Luke and smiled. “Would you believe your best friend charmed the frown off Lula Mae’s face. My spinster housekeeper is most taken with him. If he were older, she would no doubt pursue him.”
“How did you manage that magic, my friend? She can’t stand me.”
Luke sent Dan a lopsided grin and roguish shrug. “I’m irresistible.”
“It’s because you’re a threat to her, Dan,” Rachel quipped. “She’s afraid you’ll steal off to sea with her mistress and put her out of a good job.”
“That’s my intention, woman, if you ever agree.”
“Luke’s an excellent chess player. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other. For seamen both of you are superb riders.”
“The old change-the-subject ruse, Luke; did you catch how easily and quickly she does it?” Dan teased. “She’s leading me on a merry chase.”
“I’ve never been dishonest with you, Daniel Slade, not about that.”
“Being dishonest and being direct are two different things, love.”
“Can we discuss t
his at another time and place, sir?”
“See, Luke, I get to her, but she doesn’t want to admit it.”
“Listen, you two mischievous sailors,” Rachel put a halt to the bantering. “We have serious business to tend. What happened? The suspense is chewing away at me,” she said.
“I have 3,040 rifles with me. Harry sent thirty extra as promised.”
“How generous of him,” Rachel scoffed. “I didn’t scare him at all.”
Dan related his news. “I did my best to persuade him to send the other four thousand and the dynamite, but he wouldn’t. I pointed out we had George’s ammo and wouldn’t have to pay for it; it didn’t make a difference. I told him you would sacrifice your share of the profit, and we’d paid for the 5,970 rifles out of our pockets. I even told him what you said about giving up your share of the company if he’d send only half of the remaining weapons. He still said no. He claims he can’t write off $127,000.”
“But we’ve spent $207,500 saving our skins!”
“He knows that, love, but it doesn’t change his mind. He said the rebels have to take the ammo and six thousand arms and be satisfied. He thinks we’ve done all we can to straighten out Phillip’s mess.”
“We?” she echoed with a sneer. “It hasn’t cost him anything!”
“He says he hasn’t made any profit, either. Even sacrificing his profits and yours, the expenses are $334,000 for the full contract. He did agree to give up any profit, but he won’t pay for arms out of his personal account and says the company’s account is bare.”
“He’s as responsible as I am. Maybe more so.”
“He doesn’t see it that way, because Phillip accepted the money and you’re Phillip’s wife.”
“It’s because he thinks I have the money and I’ll soon weaken!”
“That,” Dan concurred, “and the fact he’s riled about the trouble last week. He’s posted guards at the company and his home for protection. He’s nervous, but not budging. He’s put the company up for sale, said you had agreed. He has the rest of the weapons ready and waiting, if we’ll send the remaining $127,000. Giving up his profit is as far as he’ll go.”
Promise Me Forever Page 42
