“This isn’t the proper thing for me to do at all,” he protested.
“Nonsense,” countered Hawk. “Shanna and I are sorry we arrived so late. It’s an inconvenience to you and your wife.”
“Oh it’s not an inconvenience in the least, Master Hawkins. As a matter of fact, Matilda and I were quite lonesome for company. You’re most welcome indeed.”
“Thank you. Being here, in the mansion of my birth, makes me feel like I have just been released from prison. I feel reborn.”
Shanna rushed in with Matilda. She insisted Matilda be seated at the Chippendale next to Connors while she poured two additional cups of tea from the silver teapot.
“What did you and Connors discuss while we were gone?” she asked Hawk as she handed him the crumpets.
Hawk took two and returned the tray to Connors. “How being here makes me feel reborn.” He looked at Connors and Matilda. “I trust my personal things have arrived.”
Connors nodded. “They came earlier today, Master Hawk. And as instructed by your father arranged exactly as they were in the other mansion. Everything has been done and is awaiting your inspection.”
“I’ll inspect the grounds and out buildings tomorrow. For now I’ll just look through the mansion.”
* * * *
Three hours later Shanna looked at Connors and Matilda and saw their weariness.
“Please retire,” she said. “And thank you so very much for the food and your most generous help. Hawk will show me the few remaining rooms.”
The two servants bowed and left for their upstairs living quarters. Shanna smiled at Hawk. “What’s next?”
“A library that my father wouldn’t allow moved to the new mansion.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see in a moment.”
The room contained wall-to-wall books reaching all the way to the ceiling. Shanna eyed their spines. She categorized their titles into two subjects, occult and dolls. Puzzled, she faced Hawk.
In a solemn voice he said, “After mother’s death I was overcome with loneliness. I started to read her books about the occult. I even began buying them. I learned everything I could in a hurry, knowing that when the new mansion was finished, mother’s presence and everything would be left here. I tried psychically to communicate with her. Sadly, nothing ever happened.”
“And the doll books?” Shanna asked.
“They were also Mother’s. She had a fabulous doll collection.”
“Where are the dolls now?”
“They’re packed away with all her possessions.”
“I’m sorry.”
Hawk smiled a little. “Yeah, I’m sorry, too. Well, I think I should take you home.”
They left the library, had just reached the bottom of a winding staircase when it happened. A soft voice issued a command. “All right, hands in the air and nobody move.”
Chapter Ten
Four thieves wearing black jeans, turtleneck sweaters, boots and stocking masks stared at them.
Hawk saw three common survival type knives and a .357 Magnum Colt Python revolver, stainless steel version.
The thief up front enjoyed waving it around. He was undoubtedly the leader. When he spoke it was like listening to a quiet voiced movie gangster.
“Just stay where you are and you might not get hurt.” Without turning he gave a command to the three behind him. “Finish getting the rest of the stuff.”
The fourth one in line left for the kitchen. The leader motioned with his gun. “While you were upstairs we took the liberty of freeing you from some of the burden of your wealth. I’m sure you won’t mind. In fact we intend to go upstairs while you remain here under guard. It will be my pleasure to watch you.” He gave a command to the other two and they dashed up the staircase. He looked at Shanna. “You’re quite a dish, honey. How would you like a little fun time with me? I’m real big where it counts.”
Shanna voiced a jungle snarl. “Just try it, you piece of human shit. I’ll kick your real big so hard you’ll have to look for it under your chin along with your balls, providing you weren’t born without them. As for your phallic symbol gun, you’ll feel it up your ass.”
The man backed up a step. “All right you win, you wildcat. So relax and don’t try anything. And don’t rely on your servants. We know they’re upstairs and my gang will tie them up. Sadly we’ll have to do something about them. They’ve seen us without masks, they could identify us. But then if we take care of them, we would have to do the same thing to you two…It is a problem, isn’t it?”
An explosion punctuated the robber’s last sentence. Hawk knew the sound. Shotgun, twelve gauge, hopefully with Connors staring down its back sights.
The .357 jerked erratically as the thief holding it turned toward the staircase.
Someone screamed, and there was another shotgun blast.
Shanna lunged forward. In one blurred motion she whacked the gunman’s wrist, causing him to shriek with pain and drop his gun. A second later the weapon was Hawk’s. Hawk felt its phallic power, its cold-as-death ability to dispatch anything in its way. He pointed it at the thief. “Run, you sonofabitch.”
The man obeyed. He ran toward the hallway door, bolted through it onto the lighted front lawn. Hawk followed. He smiled as the Magnum bucked and roared in his right hand. The thief screamed. He managed three scarecrow jerks before collapsing to the ground. Hawk ran to him and kneeled. The man was alive. Holding his leg wound he stared at the blood oozing between his fingers.
“Crazy bastard, you shot me!”
“Nonsense, I didn’t shoot you. Your gun did. In fact I’ll bet it could do the same again.”
Hawk stood. He pointed the Magnum upward. In slow motion he cocked its hammer back. It made a loud metallic crack of doom sound. “Take off your mask, guy. I want to see your fear.”
The man obeyed. There was a resemblance. “Well, what do you know? I do have a look alike, somewhat. Two handsome guys living on the same planet and they meet, face to face. However, I do believe I need to change your appearance. What I have in my hand should improve your looks.”
Hawk saw terror race on the man’s face. He smiled as he heard the man’s choked voice.
“For God’s sake, don’t shoot. Help me. I’m bleeding to death. For God’s sake, help.”
“Oh really now, what do you know about God? Do you know how to pray?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Pray.”
“No! No! Please, I beg you! Don’t shoot.”
“And why shouldn’t I? You pointed a gun at me. You tried to rob me.”
The Magnum moved down to the man’s head. Sobbing, babbling for mercy, the thief attempted to crawl backwards. He howled with pain, grabbed his leg and stopped. Hawk smiled. A surge in his groin informed him he was ejaculating, experiencing the same ultimate killing thrill of eight years ago. He caressed the stainless steel weapon in his right hand. Its God-like power bathed his body and soul. It was the final say over a piece of human crud. He squeezed the trigger. The Magnum bucked and roared in his hand. Its deliverance missed the thief. Shanna had knocked his right arm to one side. Just in time.
“Shanna, what the goddamn hell do you think you’re doing? This was none of your business.”
Hawk saw the shock and anger on her face. He heard it in her voice.
“I won’t take such language from you or anybody. Say it to me again and you’ll be on the ground for a long time and in the hospital a lot longer. What is wrong with you? You were going to kill him. Why for God’s sake?”
Hawk mentally backed up a step. It was time to sugar coat the truth. “I apologize to you for my improper language. But don’t be silly Shanna. I scared him into a confession.” He glared at the groveling thief. “You will confess to all your crimes won’t you?”
The thief nodded.
Hawk faced Shanna. He saw relief rake her face and heard her sigh. He smiled. “See what I’ve accomplished?”
“My God, Hawk. I heard your every word. I was convinced you meant what you said.”
“Scare the hell out of them. Then they’ll confess they’ve been bad boys. Come on, we’d better see how Connors is doing.” He looked at the thief. “As for you, guy, don’t even move your ears while we’re gone.”
As they walked away Shanna asked, “Won’t he escape?”
Hawk replied, “No, not a chance. He’s weak from loss of blood and I deliberately put a bullet in his leg where it would break bones. If he tries to move pain will knock him out.”
* * * *
In the mansion’s hallway two thieves were on the floor attempting to stop blood leaking from various areas on their ventilated bodies. Another stood with hands in the air in respect for a shotgun held by a fiercely mad Connors.
“I heard you were tied up,” Shanna said before Hawk could.
Connors snorted with disgust. “Her Majesty’s Secret Service taught me many ways to escape incarceration. These gentlemen are rank amateurs. Boggles my mind as to why no one has bagged them ‘til now.”
“Well done, Connors,” declared Hawk.
“Thank you, sir. I’ve taken the liberty of phoning for police assistance. In the meantime Matilda is busy brewing coffee for us.”
* * * *
The police arrived along with a medic. The four thieves were doctored and questioned. A weary plainclothesman managed a smile as he stopped in front of Hawk, Shanna, Connors and Matilda. “I’m Sergeant Niklaus Graybeal. Is everybody all right?” He asked that question while staring at Shanna.
She answered. “We are, but the thieves aren’t.”
“What happened here?”
With the exception of Connors everybody talked at once. Sergeant Graybeal acknowledged the head butler’s politeness by asking him to tell his side of the story.
“Well, there really isn’t much to relate, sir. Matilda and I were enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee before retiring when I suddenly felt a weapon tickling my spine and a most obnoxious voice commanding me to stay seated. Well now, the outrageousness of the whole business infuriated me to no small end. Then the dastardly blighter had the unmitigated gall to conk me on my noggin. When I awoke I found myself to be gagged and bound and rather sloppily as a matter of fact. Well, sir, I promptly freed myself and Matilda. I then grabbed my trusty weapon and went about dispatching the scoundrels much as I hunted game birds as a boy in England. And that’s about all there is to say, sir.”
Sergeant Graybeal sipped the coffee Matilda served him. He looked at her. “Thank you for the coffee. You must tell me how you manage to create such marvelous ambrosia.”
Matilda nodded.
“Now Mr. O’Brien, it’s your turn. Tell me your side of the story.”
Hawk told only what he thought was necessary.
“Was it necessary to shoot the man?”
Hawk frowned. “I wanted him out of the mansion, so I told him to run. When he was outside I thought I saw him fumble for a concealed weapon. I found out I was wrong after I shot him.”
Graybeal scratched his nose and pursed his lips. He finished his coffee, put the cup to one side and stared intently at Hawk’s eyes. “I briefly talked to the medics before I came into this mansion. One of them told me the man now has a leg that will cause him to limp through life. You knew exactly where to put that bullet in him, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“The man told me you had the gun to his head and you said you were going to kill him.”
Hawk laughed. “I deliberately scared the hell out of him so he would confess his crimes to you instead of saying in court he was innocent.”
Graybeal scratched his chin for a few seconds. His gaze never left Hawk. “Yes, he did confess. I suppose you have a permit to use a hand gun.”
“Naturally,” said Hawk. He pulled his wallet from a pocket and handed over his permit. “It’s up to date.”
Graybeal handed it back. “I’ll probably need to see you further.”
Hawk smirked. “I’ll stay in town.”
Shanna was last. She mentioned nothing about Hawk’s terrible conversation.
“Okay, it looks like I might have to contact some of you for further information. We’ll see. As it stands right now everything does seem to be on the up and up with the exception of a few minor details which might clear up on their own.” He looked at Shanna. “You took a very brave and dangerous chance, young lady. Any man with a gun could end your life in a second.”
She shivered when she looked at Hawk.
Chapter Eleven
Shanna spent hours at the racetrack to be with Templeton as much as possible. Today she was going to make him happy with soft drinks and lots of conversation. “You need a break,” she called to him. “I have an ice cold treat for you.”
I also have a star hot sensuous body for you. It’s all yours whenever you ask.
Templeton looked up from under the hood of his Corvette and wiped grease from his hands.
“Smashing,” he commented. He took the soft drink, opened it and drank. “Ah how marvelous the taste. What would I do without you?”
Shanna marveled at how majestic his every move was. She always felt warm and wonderful when she was with him. “Are you racing this weekend?” she asked.
Templeton swallowed more drink before answering. “No. I’m heading for Cannon Beach in a few hours.”