“Sure we will. Nobody knows where you are.”
“My mutter—mother does.” Phoebe wasn’t at all sure her mother would know where they’d gone, but she hoped the comment might cause him some concern.
“My brother is takin’ care of your ma right now.”
Phoebe cried out as he tied her hands together and pulled the rope tight. His comment left her with a sinking feeling. “How many of you are there?”
He pulled her to her feet. “Three of us. Dave’s the one you just saw. Pete’s the oldest, and he’s the one that talked to your pa.” The man, no more than a boy really, looked at her oddly for a moment, then shrugged. “I ain’t never heard of a pa wanting to kill his girl child. Lot of men want to kill their wives, even their sons, but it seemed strange him wanting you dead. And you bein’ so pretty and all.”
“My vater—father is quite mad,” Phoebe countered. “You can’t hope to get away with this.”
Just then Phoebe heard Ian calling her name. “I’m here, Ian! Help!” she yelled just before her captor put his dirty hand over her mouth. He held her in an iron grip against his foul-smelling body. “Be quiet,” he said in a hush.
But Phoebe wasn’t about to obey. Instead she raised her booted foot and kicked backward, thankful that she’d worn a simple, lightweight skirt. Her foot hit the man’s shin square, causing him to let out another yell as he had when Kenny bit him.
It also caused him to let go of Phoebe, which gave her just the freedom she was hoping for. She took off running in the direction of the voices that continued to call for her.
Ian heard Phoebe’s cry and then silence. He feared the worst but continued running through the brush and trees as fast as he could. Ernst Eckhardt was somewhere behind him, but Ian didn’t have time to wait, and just as he rounded a grove of trees, Kenny came flying out.
The boy wrapped himself around Ian, but not before Ian saw why he was on the run. A large man barreled through the trees with his gun leveled at the boy’s back. Ian did the only thing he could think of and twisted, throwing himself and Kenny to the ground. He tried to cushion the fall with his left hand but twisted it badly as they met the ground. The sound of shots being fired just over his head caused Ian to roll and cover Kenny with his body. Pain seared through his hand and wrist.
Behind him a loud thud hit the ground, and then Eckhardt called out, “It’s all right. He’s dead.”
Ian rose ever so slightly to make certain Eckhardt was right. Not four feet away lay the body of the man who’d pursued Kenny. He lay flat on his back, eyes open and staring at the skies overhead. A bullet hole oozed blood from the middle of the man’s forehead.
“That other man’s got Phoebe,” Kenny said, pushing at Ian. “You gotta save her.”
Ian moved to get up and felt sharp pain shoot up his arm. His wrist was either broken or badly sprained, but it wasn’t going to stop him.
“Kenny, run as fast as you can back to the cottage, but don’t go inside. If your mama isn’t there outside, then go to the hotel and wait for the police. When the police arrive, you’re going to need to tell them how to get here. Can you do that?”
Kenny nodded. His eyes were wide with fear as he glanced over at the dead man. “You won’t let that other man hurt Phoebe, will you?”
Ian’s anger began to overtake his fear. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Kenny shot off down the path, and Ian turned to find that Eckhardt had already headed into the trees in the direction Kenny and the man had come. Ian hurried to follow after him.
A million thoughts raced through his mind, but the only one that mattered was that they reach Phoebe and save her from harm. Eckhardt was now just ahead and had stopped to listen.
“They’ve got to be close,” he whispered.
Ian nodded and pointed to the area where Kenny liked to fish. Eckhardt’s glance followed. There was no one in the clearing, but he felt certain they had to be in the general vicinity. Deciding to try bartering, Ian called out.
“We’ve killed your brothers, and now it’s just you. You might as well come out.”
“You’ll just kill me too,” a voice called out.
Eckhardt answered. “We won’t kill you if you let Miss Von Bergen go and come out with your hands up.”
A long silence settled over the woods, and only the rippling water from the creek could be heard. Even the birds were quiet. Finally, a rustling of brush sounded somewhere to Ian’s right, and in another heartbeat Phoebe appeared with a man. He had her pulled close against him like a shield.
Ian could see the captor was hardly more than a boy. His face was drained of color, and he looked as if he were more afraid than Phoebe was.
“Look, we can pretty well guess that your brothers were the ones who got you involved in this,” Eckhardt said, putting his gun away. “We don’t want to hurt you or see anyone else hurt. So why don’t you just let her go and we can talk.”
The boy shook his head. “You’ll kill me.” He backed up just a pace, dragging Phoebe with him.
“We won’t,” Ian declared. “I give you my word. In fact, we can’t kill you because we need your help.”
This seemed to stir the boy’s interest. “What help can I give you?”
Ian stepped forward despite the boy’s look of fear. “You have to know about all of this. We need you to testify about who paid you to do this.”
“It were her pa,” the boy replied, looking around with a wild expression. He continued shaking his head. “Her own pa wanted her dead. Not me—not even my brothers.”
“Son, just calm down. We know it was her father, but we need for you to tell that to the police. They’re on their way, so you can’t hope to escape. Now just let her go and talk to us about what you know.”
Ian met Phoebe’s gaze. He could see her fear and hated that she should ever have to face such a heinous act. Her father would rather see her and Elizabeth dead than simply admit defeat and let them go. Ian had never known such a monster as Graf Von Bergen.
Eckhardt stepped closer to Phoebe and her captor. “Let her go and help us put the blame on her vater, and we will do whatever we can to see the law goes easy on you.”
“You’re a foreigner—one of them,” the boy replied, still agitated but a little calmer.
“He is that,” Ian said. “But I’m not. We will do what we can to help you. You’re only what, fifteen—sixteen?”
“I’m fifteen.” The boy took his hand from Phoebe’s mouth. “I never wanted to hurt anybody. Pete said I had to help him on account that I knew what he was planning to do. He and Dave told me I had to.” The boy’s voice broke, and at the same time Phoebe pushed away from him and ran to Ian.
He wrapped her in his arms, ignoring the pain that shot up his arm as he tightened his hold. “Are you all right?”
Phoebe nodded. “Is Kenny—Mutter . . .”
He put a finger to her lips. “They are fine.”
Ian heard the boy sobbing and Eckhardt saying something, but he couldn’t make out the words. Not that he really cared to. What mattered to him most was the woman in his arms. She was safe and hadn’t been hurt.
“My hands are tied.” Phoebe pulled away, and Ian let her go. She turned and presented her back to him. “Please undo them.”
Ian wasn’t at all sure he could manage the knot without using both hands. He attempted to pull at the rope using just his right hand, but he couldn’t seem to budge the knot. His left hand was useless, and it was then he remembered his pocketknife.
“Hold on.” He reached into his right pocket and pulled out the knife. With his thumb he managed to free the blade, then flicked it back to lock it in place. “Don’t move,” he warned Phoebe.
He sawed through the rope. It finally gave way and dropped to the ground, but Phoebe stood stock-still.
“Are you all right? Did I hurt you?”
“I’m fine. You said not to move.”
Ian laughed and let out a heavy breath. “You can
move now, but I’m glad to know you can follow directions when you have to.”
She turned as Ian grimaced from the pain. “What happened?” She reached for his left hand, but Ian pulled away.
“I think it might be broken. I fell against it when I grabbed Kenny out of the way of that other man.”
Phoebe nodded. “You saved our lives.”
“It was really Eckhardt. He had the gun, and now two men are dead, all because of your father. I never should have made your mother meet with him, and I shouldn’t have let you two return to the hotel.”
Phoebe smiled. “Mutter has become fiercely independent, as if you didn’t know. You couldn’t have forced her to do or not do anything.”
“I suppose you’re just as stubborn.”
She laughed in spite of all the gravity. “Ja, I can be. When I really need to be.”
“And what would you ever need to be stubborn about?”
She never had a chance to reply. Eckhardt interrupted with the boy in hand. “John has agreed to help us.”
The lightheartedness of her moment with Ian quickly passed as they drew nearer the cottage. Ian told her about the dead man who’d tried to strangle her mother. At the first sight of her mother, Phoebe’s eyes welled with tears. She crossed the distance between them and fell sobbing into her mother’s arms. The two women embraced and held each other tight for several minutes.
“Are you all right? Did they hurt you?” Mutter asked.
“I’m fine. I was so afraid they would hurt you or Kenny.” Phoebe pulled back and looked into her mother’s tear-filled eyes. “Where is he? Is he all right?”
“He’s just fine. I had him stay up at the hotel. The police are on their way, and when they arrive, the hotel manager will bring them and Kenny back here.”
Phoebe nodded, barely registering anything past Kenny being all right. “I prayed,” she murmured. She drew a deep breath and spoke up. “I prayed like never before, and I know God heard me.”
Mutter smiled and nodded. “I know He did too.” She reached up and smoothed back Phoebe’s hair. In the struggle it had come unpinned and now fell loose around her shoulders. “God will always hear us, Phoebe. You need never worry that He won’t, and even if the worst had happened to me—God would still have heard you.”
“But it would have been harder to believe.” Phoebe shook her head. “If we pray and God does nothing to help us, how can we know that He really hears us—that He cares?”
“Faith, Phoebe. You must have faith in Him.”
“Faith is never easily had, Phoebe,” Ian said, joining them. “If it was, they’d sell it on every street corner.”
Mutter dropped her hold. “He’s right, you know. Ian is quite a man of faith. I think he will be much better suited to teach you about such matters than I am.”
“I don’t know about that,” Ian countered, “but right now we have a plan to go over, and I need the two of you to join us and help with the details.”
Phoebe met his gaze and lost herself momentarily. When she had thought she might never see him again, the one thing on her mind was that she would never know his kiss. It was something she intended to rectify as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
24
Frederick Von Bergen sat at one of the hotel’s outdoor tables, waiting for Ian Harper to bring him his sapphires. The day before there had been a flood of police, and rumor had it that two dead bodies had been found on the property. No one seemed to know anything more.
Frederick didn’t need anyone to tell him anything more, however. He was certain the bodies found would belong to his wife and daughter. Something must have happened to keep the hired men from getting the women off the grounds before killing them, and while that complicated matters, it didn’t take away from Von Bergen’s satisfaction that things were finally going his way.
Harper had sent word just that morning that the stones were ready, and shortly after this came a message from the man he’d hired to kill his wife and daughter. If everything went his way, he’d soon be able to leave this horrible place with his son at his side.
The thought of having another son to train and use amused Frederick. He was getting a tidy dowry from the family of the young woman Dieter was to marry. Of course, the money was supposed to go to Dieter, but Von Bergen had already made it clear to his son that this wasn’t going to be the case. Dieter would inherit the estate and all that went with it, and since Frederick would remain at the estate for years to come, they would use the dowry money to benefit the property. Of course, there was no need to explain to his son that he needed the money to pay off a debt that included their lands. Dieter would do as he was told and not question where his father planned to use the money.
It was a pity that Phoebe couldn’t have been as pliable. He’d always spoiled her. That had been his biggest mistake. He wouldn’t make it again. He hated the idea of telling the duke that Phoebe had died in America. The man had been positively delighted at the prospect of having a young and beautiful wife who could give him sons, and Frederick had been delighted at the connections and money he would have via Phoebe. All of that would change now.
He chided himself for being so quick to include Phoebe in the killing. She could have been brought into line by simply threatening to do the same to her as had been done to her mother. That way Frederick would have had her help with Kenneth and could have seen her married to the duke. Well, there was no use dwelling on it. Gerda would help with the boy.
Thinking of Gerda brought something else to mind. Perhaps another way he could make a tidy sum for himself. Now that his wife was truly dead, Frederick would be free to marry again. He wasn’t all that old, and a rich young woman to warm his bed and fill his coffers might be just the trick. Should there be additional heirs, he would welcome them and manage them better than he had his daughter.
Of course, he still had yet to manage the boy. Kenneth was not yet ten, but no doubt his mutter’s bad habits and lack of discipline had ruined the boy. It wouldn’t be easy to break the boy of those traits.
“But break him, I will.”
The graf gazed skyward with a smile. The clouds overhead suggested rain, but Von Bergen gave it no thought. Harper was due in less than ten minutes and would bring the sapphires. After that it would be a matter of meeting with his hired killer and then ascertaining the location of his son. He’d already instructed Hubert and Gerda that his plan was to leave in three days.
Von Bergen heard the trolley approaching and knew Harper would be on it. He took out the money he still owed and counted it for the third time. It was a pity to separate himself from such a vast sum. However, it was a small price compared to what he would manage to make once everything was said and done. He replaced the cash in his vest pocket and waited with a sense of satisfaction.
After about ten minutes, Von Bergen spied Harper making his way along the path from the hotel. Harper had apparently entered from the back of the hotel. Frederick had left word with the hotel manager and reception desk clerk as to where he’d be. He instructed them to send Harper and anyone else who asked for him to this somewhat secluded location. In fact, he had chosen this particular location for its privacy. Behind him was a rather lovely arrangement of blooming bushes and flowers along with a fine stand of trees. To his right was the hotel, and to the left was the natatorium. In front of him the hotel grounds extended a display of flowers, trees, and an occasional fountain, as well as tables where guests might enjoy outdoor dining when the weather was pleasant. The latter was something just now being experimented with for the warmer summer months. Frederick had to admit it suited him better than the stuffy dining rooms.
“I was happy to get your message, Mr. Harper,” Frederick said as Ian approached. “Won’t you have a seat? As you can see I have ordered us a light lunch.” He motioned to the table, where cheese, fruit, and breads awaited their attention. Von Bergen was already drinking his third glass of wine.
“What will you have to drink,
Harper?”
“Nothing. I won’t be here that long.”
The man was all business, but that suited Frederick just fine. It was when Harper reached into his coat that the graf noticed his injured hand. “What happened to you?”
Harper glanced at his left hand and then to Von Bergen. “I took a fall and broke my wrist and finger. Fortunately for you, I had already completed the stones.” He placed the two bags on the table. “You will find them all there, but feel free to count them.”
Laughing, Frederick withdrew the cash from his pocket. “No need for that. I trust you. I have heard from others that your reputation is impeccable. I would have liked to have you facet additional stones. I suppose that isn’t possible now.”
“No. I’m afraid not.” Harper fixed him with a hard look. “I have other appointments, so if you don’t mind, I’ll take my money and leave you to your meal.”
Von Bergen could see that Harper was more than a little anxious to be on his way. He handed the lapidary his money. “Feel free to count it.”
Harper nodded and did just that. It irritated Frederick to no end. He had just given Harper the benefit of his trust by not counting the stones, but now the man actually took the time to assure himself he wasn’t being cheated by Von Bergen.
Frederick said nothing, however. It wouldn’t do to create a scene now that he had what he wanted.
When Harper finished counting the bills, he gave Von Bergen a nod before tucking the money into his coat pocket. “I presume this concludes our business.”
“I suppose it does.” Von Bergen toyed with a piece of bread. “Unless, of course, you’d like to change your mind and join me for lunch?”
“No. I’m sorry. I have other things to tend to.” With that Harper left, not even bidding Von Bergen good-bye. The man’s rudeness was uncalled for, but typical of Americans.
Finding himself alone once again, Von Bergen checked his watch. His next meeting wouldn’t be for nearly an hour. He was anxious to hear about his wife and daughter’s demise. He tried to feel something other than satisfaction. After all, Phoebe and her mother had long been in his life. He should at least feel something of a loss at their passing. But he couldn’t muster up the slightest thought of mourning. There was simply too much relief in knowing that the deed had been done and he was now free of anyone who could harm him.
A Beauty Refined Page 24
