Games (Timeless Series) (31 page)

“Black’s
involved. I’m checking out one of his friends who supposedly works for the railroad on the new tracks. Once I talk to him, I’ll head back to Twin Oaks and have another talk with Black. My guess is Hillier’s paying Black to create some kind of mischief at your place, Colin. Gus says he’s a model worker, but Frank Miller, Caroline Hillier’s foreman, thinks differently.”

Colin’s concerned gaze met Simon’s
. “Do you think there will be problems? I was planning on staying here of a couple more days, but I can leave today if I have to.”

“No, I’ve alerted Gus and Jake
. Also, Jamison’s keeping his eyes open. If Black says boo, we’ll know it.” Turning to Parker, he said, “Anything else?”

He
was about to speak when the serving girl interrupted and placed Simon’s order in front of him. When she left, Parker said, “Nothing else panned out up north. No one seems upset by a new track. Caroline Hillier is the common tie. We have enough to bring her in for questioning, but the nasty weather might hamper our efforts today. She’s not going anywhere, so let’s give it an extra day and shoot for Friday. Hopefully after questioning her, we’ll learn the why.”

“Doesn’t surprise me Caroline’s involved,” Colin said.

“I can’t help thinking I’m missing something, though.” Simon shook his head, unconvinced they could resolve the case so easily. “I’m doing further digging—try to meet with my informant in hopes of learning more. The criminal element sticks closely together. I can’t spend too much time, though. I want to start back before the rain worsens.” Simon glanced at Parker. “What are your plans?”

“I’m leaving right after this meeting for Bentley’s farm
. Weather permitting, I’ll meet you at Hillier’s place day after tomorrow.”

Harold Bentley walked up to the table.
“Gentlemen.” He smiled and held out his hand.

All three men looked up at the same time before standing and taking turns shaking hands.

“How goes the investigation?” Bentley turned to Parker. “I trust you’re finding everything acceptable to accommodate you?”

Parker nodded.
“Everything’s fine. I appreciate your hospitality. As for our case, we’re gaining momentum and hope to have it resolved soon. Would you care to join us?”

“
Thanks, but I’m meeting my fiancée, Emma Tyler, for lunch. I saw you from the door and wanted to pay my respects. I’m staying at the hotel for a couple more days, but my plans can change if need be.”

“No need.”
Parker shook his head. “I know my way around your farm, Harold. Everyone there has been very helpful.”

“Good, good
,” he said. “Well, I just spotted Emma. Let me know if you need anything further from me.”

Three pairs of eyes watched
him leave, then the men returned to making plans.

After setting a time to meet at Hillier Meadows, Simon
said, “Too bad about the weather. I’d prefer to deal with Caroline now rather than later.” He glanced at Colin. “Have there been any more incidents with the new track?”

“No
. Things have been quiet. Work’s back on schedule. The men have relaxed somewhat.”

“Don’t let them get too relaxed
. This isn’t over yet. I won’t be happy until the last frayed end is snipped.”

“That’s why I like working with you
, Harrington.” Parker chortled, clapping Simon on the back. “Once that bulldog bite of yours takes hold, you don’t let go until you’ve shaken everything out.”

Throwing his napkin down, Simon rose from the table
. “Something tells me this one’s going to be harder to shake than all the others.” He nodded. “Gentlemen, I’ve got things to do, so I’ll see you later.” He threw money on the table. Then, after placing his hat on his head and shrugging into his damp coat, he turned and walked out of the dining room.

~~

With a heavy heart, Giselle worked tirelessly. The drizzly rain and howling wind, growing in intensity by the minute, fit her mood.

Earlier, Gus had determined the
ir pleasant weather had ended. All hands, including hers, stayed busy rounding up the herd and leading them into the main corrals near the stable.

Toward the end of the morning the bitter cold
, made worse by the biting wind and piercing frozen rain, hindered their efforts.

Giselle struggled with a horse as Gus came into view
. Bedraggled and wet, she barely had the strength to deal with the animal.

He
grabbed the reins from her hold. “Go on inside and take a break. It’s almost time for lunch. We can handle the rest.”

Relieved, she nodded
. “I will come back out after lunch,” she offered before hurrying inside, totally ready for the warmth of the fire. Frozen to the bone, she thought she would never be warm again. She quickly changed into a warmer habit with warmer underclothes, making sure to stick her gun, bullets, and file in her pocket. She laughed. It was becoming more obvious she would have no need of such things. Still, she held on to them thinking it better to be safe than sorry.

She met her parents and Minnie and Maizie in the dining room for lunch.

As Giselle pulled out a chair, Minnie said, “Oh, dear, it does look as if the nice weather is gone for the year. I hope you’re not planning on working with this storm raging?”

“I can help in the barn and stables
.” Giselle placed a napkin on her lap. “I doubt I am much use outside, though.”

Sophie
clucked. “You should let the men do it all,
ma petite
. It is much too miserable for anyone to be out.”

“Oh, Mama
. I need to earn my keep. I will wear my rain slicker and just make sure I am bundled up well.”

“Do they need help?” Marcus chimed in
. “I’d be happy to assist.”

Giselle shook her head
. “Gus has it all under control. Things are a little crazy because the horses do not like storms. It probably will not take more than an hour or so before everything is done.” She sighed and then added wistfully, “Now that the weather is turning cold, I guess we have to be content with being inside.”

“The Thorpes will be back soon, and I
am sure you will have Simon to keep you company,” Sophie said softly.

“Simon
will not be here much longer.” She did not bother keeping the sadness out of her voice.

Sophie cleared her throat
. “Oh?”

“Once his case is solved, he has no reason to stay.”

“What happened to make you so glum,
ma petite
?”

Her
mother’s gentle prompting was Giselle’s undoing. Tears streamed down her face. “Oh, Mama! I did the stupidest thing in the world. I fell in love with him, and he only loves his job. He warned me, but I would not listen.” She jumped up and fled the room.

~~

All four at the table were stunned.

When Sophie got up to follow, Marcus held her arm
. “Whatever this is, it’s between them. They need to work it out amongst themselves.”

“But I hate to see her in pain,” Sophie answered with a torn expression.

“Wait awhile. We have to trust we gave her the tools to make her own decisions. She’s made her choice. If it was a bad one, she’ll suffer the consequences, and then she’ll need your arms.”

Sophie sat back down
. For the rest of the meal, conversation was spotty and subdued.

~~

Giselle ran into the library for privacy and let her tears fall. After crying herself dry, she glanced around the room. Memories swamped her. When her focus landed at the bar, she thought of Simon pouring her a drink last night.

She smiled wistfully
. So much had happened between them in the past couple of days, and most had taken place in this room. Her smile deepened, thinking of their poker game. It had taken a bold man to win her heart and Simon Harrington was exactly that—a bold man.

Well, s
he was a bold woman and a survivor as well, she thought as realization set in. If given the choice between the pain in her chest and never having the experience of Simon Harrington, she no qualms as to what she would pick. She dried her eyes and headed outside to work.

When
she entered the stables, no one was around. All the activity was centered in the corral, where men and horses still darted about in complete disorder.

A shrieking horse’s whinny pierced the air
, along with the distinctive sound of a whip cracking. Giselle lifted her skirt and hurried toward the sound just in time to see the man, Black, leading a horse out of its stall toward the rear entrance.

She
quickly followed, bowing her head when she pushed open the door. Rain lashed, hitting her face, and the wind howled, both making it difficult to see. Giselle finally saw him mount another horse and head off toward the track, leading the recalcitrant animal. She returned to the stable to saddle a horse and realized that Black had taken Fortuna, her favorite. Now more determined than ever to discover what he was doing, she quickly saddled Asapurna. Once outside, she galloped in the same direction Black had taken.

Simon spent the next two hours talking with
his informants. Neither had new information. The man in charge of hiring the workers for the new train track wasn’t much use either. Simon did happen to find out the name of the fellow Black was chummy with, another lonely drifter who hadn’t shown up for work in almost a week, and no one knew where he lived.

Disappointed, Simon caught the one o’clock train
to Shelbyville. When he disembarked at the station, the weather had worsened. The bitter wind and rain continued. Every now and then droplets would turn into icy shards, making the journey back to Twin Oaks a painful one.

When he finally made it, Jake met him sporting a wide grin
. “You look like you could use some warmth.”

Simon returned the grin
. “I’ll damn sure be happy to get out of these wet clothes and have a glass of bourbon.”

“Go on
. I’ll take care of the horse.”

“Thanks, Jake
. Have you seen Giselle?”

“She was headed
toward the stable just a few minutes ago,” he said, grabbing the reins and turning toward the building.

“Thanks again
.” Simon grunted, then he added before he turned to go, “Will you tell her I’m looking for her? I’ll be in the library.”

Attempting to avoid the penetrating barbs, h
e ran toward the house.

In
his room, he hurriedly changed, anxious to find Giselle and talk to her. Minutes later, he strode into the library and poured himself a liberal drink. While waiting, Simon stood by the fire, drinking the fiery liquid and letting heat soak in from both sources.

After warming himself and finishing his drink, he stared at the clock
. What was keeping her?

He paced, annoyed as hell because Giselle hadn’t shown herself yet
. Subduing an urge to throttle her at this obvious attempt to avoid him, he charged toward the stable.

Spying Jake, he stalked over to him
. “Where is she?”

“Sorry
, Harrington, but she’s not here. I thought she was back inside.”

Jamison
burst into the stable, thoroughly wet and shaking from the cold.

“Mr. Harrington!” he said through chattering teeth and blue lips
. “You gotta save ’em.”

Both Jake and Simon turned at his anxious voice
.

“Save who?” Simon’s
gaze narrowed. “What’s going on?”

Jamison was all excited and could barely get his words out
. “Miss Giselle and Fortuna.”

Simon felt the blood drain from his face.
“Calm down and tell me what’s happened to Giselle.”

Jamison took a big breath
. “I kept my eye on him, just like you said. Today when everyone was so busy, he started acting funny. I hung back and watched. I saw him take Fortuna out of her stall. I already had a horse saddled, ’cause I was workin’, so I followed. Miss Giselle followed on Asapurna. He’s up to no good, I tell you! He didn’t know I was behind him. I didn’t know Miss Giselle was following until I headed back to warn you. I tried to get her to return, but she said she wasn’t gonna let nothing happen to her favorite mare.”

“Giselle’s out, with this storm picking up, following Black?”
At his nod, Simon yelled, “Where?”

“Out on the trail
, ’bout a mile past the track. Miss Giselle was a quarter mile behind.”

Turning to Jake, Simon barked, “I need a fast horse
.” Glancing at the boy, he said, “Thanks, Jamison, you did a fine job, son.”

Jake had already
saddled a horse. He brought him out of the stall and handed the reins to Simon. “Hold on a minute, Harrington. I’ll be right back.”