Games (Timeless Series) (38 page)

“So
, he was insured?” Simon asked.

Nodding, Bentley offered, “Yeah
. It’s no big secret. After working with him for a couple of months, I didn’t think he’d ever amount to much. I wanted to drop the insurance and get rid of him, but I was talked into giving a new trainer a shot. He worked with him for a couple of weeks before the horse died. I never saw much improvement, even though I’d been assured he was coming along.”

“You had a new trainer?”

“Yeah, but after the horse died, the guy felt so bad, he found another job.”

“Who was this trainer?”

“Isaac Black. He’d been working at the Hillier place for a couple of years.”

“And you didn’t think to give us this information when you gave your list of suspects to Thorpe?”

“Why would I? He wasn’t suspect. He came highly recommended and you said to look for someone who was new to the area. He didn’t fit the description, so I didn’t think it was important. Why? What’s this got to do with Black? He’s working at Twin Oaks now, far as I know.” Bentley’s demeanor was inquisitive.

“So
, how much did you insure the horse for?” Davis asked.

“Originally for $10
,000,” Bentley stated.

Simon’s eyebrows shot up and he offered a soft whistle
. “Nice chunk of money for a dead horse, wouldn’t you say?”

“Exactly what are you implying, young man?” Bentley asked huffily
. His back straightened and he leaned forward, color infusing his features.

“An out-of-control horse conveniently dies and you collect $10,000, an interesting coincidence, especially given you’re near bankruptcy
.” Simon’s voice held more than a hint of accusation.

“I’m going to ignore your remark
.” Turning to Davis, Bentley asked, “You think I did that? For money? Hell, son. I thought you knew better. If that’s all you’ve got to go on, I’d say neither of you are doing your job. Now you can both leave. I’m done answering questions.” He stood up, his face red with anger.

“Harold, sit back down
. We’re not saying anything. Just asking some unanswered questions,” Parker said in a placating manner. “Our trail leads to you and Caroline Hillier. It seems Hillier was playing some kind of game to lure Simon back to the area. She knew all about Simon being a marshal. Said you’d given her the information. Also, you’re somewhat responsible for me being here, which in turn brought Simon.” At Bentley’s questioning look, Parker expanded his explanation. “Your letter to Grant, requesting me. You knew we’re partners, Harold. Black is responsible for the death of Hillier’s horse, and Hillier was also involved. Your involvement with her, plus the fact that you gained from your horse’s death, tells me there is some kind of connection, especially when you take into account that Black worked for you.”

“But I’m not involved with Caroline Hillier in any way, nor did I gain from the horse’s death
. The blasted beast almost killed one of my hands. Once that happened, I wanted no part of him. I sold the horse soon after Black started working with him, even though he stayed on my farm and continued working with the horse there. I transferred the insurance, too.” Just then, Bentley broke off. “Oh my God. I can’t believe he’d do something like this.”

“Who?
Can’t believe who would do what?”

“My fiancé’s son
. I trusted him and kept quiet about the transfer and sale, not wanting to let on about the defects of the horse if they could be fixed. But it looks like he wanted it quiet for other reasons.”

When Bentley spent the next few minutes telling them the name of the individual he thought responsible and why, a feeling of dread streaked through Simon. “Where is his farm?”

“Halfway between Hillier’s place and Twin Oaks—off the main road about a mile. You can’t miss it. There’s a big gate at the road.”

“Let’s go!” he said, standing abruptly and pulling Davis along with him
. “I’ve got to get back to Twin Oaks as soon as possible.”

“Why?
Don’t you want me to stay here and question Harold a little more? Find out more about this character?”

“There’s no time
. I’ll fill you in on the way.”

Shaking his head, Davis followed
. “I can’t see what your rush is. Now that we know who he is, he’s not going anywhere.”

“Will you hurry?
I think I’ll need backup.”

“Simon, what are you not telling me?”

“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling—my gut is telling me something is wrong.”

“Why didn’t you say so?
Let’s go! You can fill me in later.”

“Miss Giselle, Mr. Tyler is waiting in the library for you,” Miles stated
after rapping on her bedroom door at two o’clock sharp.

Giselle
walked slowly down the stairs, sighing along the way, not really sure how to approach the subject of her impending engagement without hurting Bradford too much. She’d wrestled with the problem all morning. Opting for a little more time, she decided to procrastinate and not say anything until he brought up the subject. Hopefully he’d understand and leave without feeling too badly, but she didn’t think things would come off so easily.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, her hand brushed against her skirt and she felt her small weapons
. She swallowed a laugh. Since Simon was now wrapping up his case, she really had no need of the items. About to run upstairs to put them away, she stopped with her foot on the next step. Shrugging, she turned around and kept going. It wasn’t worth taking the time. Her most pressing goal now was to finish meeting with Bradford. Then she could wholeheartedly start planning her wedding.

He rose off the sofa when she entered
the room.

“Bradford, how nice to see you
.” Her smile was genuine as she offered her hand.

He returned her smile
. “It’s nice to see your lovely face too, my dear.”

“You
are too kind. Please be seated. Is there anything I can get you to drink?”

“No thanks,” Bradford said, shaking his head
. “I brought my carriage. I was hoping we could go for a drive because I’d really like to talk to you, but I’d rather it not be here. The sun is out and it’s warm on the face. We won’t be too long.”

Not really wanting to talk with him in the same room where so many memories of Simon were
embedded in her memory, she quickly agreed.

“Just let me grab my hat, cloak
, and gloves.”

He took her hand and brought it to his lips
. “You look beautiful, my dear. You should dress in gowns like this more often.”

She bit back a smile
. He rarely saw her in anything but her riding habits because they spent most of their time riding. “Now that the weather has changed and I am not outside with the horses so much, I do not need to dress for it.”

He let her hand go and they both headed
toward the door. Bradford was quiet while he helped her with her cloak.

“When you become my wife, I hope you realize I’d rather you dress more formally,” he said, waiting until she had her hat in place before holding out
his arm.

She placed her hand
on the bend in his elbow and said, “I really need to talk to you about that.”

Bradford smiled.
“Not now, my dear. Once we have the seclusion of my carriage, I’ll be all ears.”

They walked out of the house and down the front steps to his waiting carriage
.

When Giselle spied Fortuna and Hercules tied to the back of the gig, she glanced up at Bradford with questioning eyes
. “Why do you have the horses if we are going for a carriage ride?” she asked.

“Jake thought we’d be going riding, and asked me to exercise them
. Since you’re not dressed for riding, they can follow behind.”

Shrugging, she let him lift her into the carriage
. Though the temperature was just above freezing, the sun was high and its warmth felt good to Giselle. She sat back in the seat and relaxed as Bradford clambered in next to her and grabbed the reins. Flicking them with a practiced hand, the conveyance rolled down the lane, the thoroughbreds trotting along behind.

“I a
m glad you came by to take me for a ride today.” Despite her dreaded task, being out of doors helped lift her mood. She smiled. “It is a perfect day.”

Bradford chuckled. “Yes
, it is.”

They rode in companionable silence until he veered off the main path onto a trail just wide enough for the horse and buggy.

“Where are we going?”

“Off the road a bit
. I prefer privacy when we talk. I don’t want anyone interrupting us.”

“That
is silly. There is no one about.”

“Maybe
.” He shrugged. “We’ll stop up here a ways.”

“So
, how is your mother?” she asked, choosing a safe topic. “How are her wedding plans coming?”

“Fine
. They’ll be getting married in a month.” He didn’t say anything further until he stopped the buggy and set the brake. Then, catching her gaze, he said, “I’d like to make it a double wedding, Giselle. That’s why I brought you out here.”

He pulled a diamond ring from beneath his coat and offered it to her.

“I…um…I do not know what to say,” she stammered, completely stunned.

“How about yes?”

Giselle’s gaze went to her lap and she studied her hands intently, thinking of how to say the words. Finally, she let go of a long breath and said quietly, “I am sorry. I cannot marry you, Bradford. I do not love you.”

“I was afraid of that,” he said, shaking his head slowly and heaving a heavy sigh
. “I was hoping the game wouldn’t end this way, but it was worth a shot. Still, we’re not done playing yet.”

“What game?
You are not making any sense.” When he gave a sinister chuckle, alarm washed over her. She turned to look at his face. What she glimpsed in his eyes terrified her. Her back stiffened, the only outward sign of the fear she felt, as she schooled her face to show no concern while trying not to panic and trying to remember her father’s words.

“So many emotions running over your face,” he said regretfully, keeping his intent gaze on her
. His smile became almost vicious. “That’s why I’ve enjoyed playing with you, my dear. You’re such a good adversary and quite a prize to win—well worth the effort.”

“
You have lost me on the playing part and I am certainly no prize.” Something was definitely wrong. If she could keep a cool head, maybe she could also keep him talking. For lack of any better plan, she added, “Please enlighten me.”

“I truly thought I had you last week,” he said, more to himself than her, not seeming to hear her
. “I waited too long, though.”

“Too long?
What are you talking about?”

“The game of love, my dear
.” He sighed again, looking wistfully at the landscape, lost in his thoughts. “I played the lovelorn fool too long, which was my error.”

“Bradford?
” Confusion replaced fear. “I do not understand what you are saying.”

In a split second, his expression turned harsh again, and he hissed, “You had to go and ruin
my perfect plans. I’d never marry you now, even if you were willing.” He shoved the ring back into his pocket.

Her trepidation increased, but her confusion remained
. “Why not?” she asked, keeping the fear out of her voice. “Why back down now?”

He backhanded her then
. Pain exploded everywhere as her head reeled back against the carriage seat. For just a moment, her world went black and she saw stars.

“You stupid bitch
. You’re no better than she was.”

It was a full minute before she could think again
, at which point she remained silent, unwilling to incite his anger once more.

“I had no idea he’d be staying with the Thorpes when he came into town
.” He laughed, the sound causing the hairs on her neck to stand on end. “What a dilemma. I have no one to blame but myself for that outcome.” He glanced over at her then and his smile took on a menacing quality. She swallowed her fear and forced herself to breathe as he continued speaking. “I should have realized he caught your eye at the ball, just as he did Caroline’s. I misjudged my ability to bring you around. I thought for sure I’d be able to woo you in the time I’d allotted.”

“Who?” she finally asked, stalling for time, already knowing the answer
.

His smile died and his eyebrows
lifted. “Still playing, Giselle?” he sneered. “You can drop the pretense. You know who. If not, let me refresh your memory. Simon Harrington.” He shook his head, tsk-tsking. “Too bad about poor Simon. But don’t worry. You’ll be joining him soon.”

“What have you done to Simon?” she asked, pushing down fear.