“No.”
“I suppose you deny knowing McDermott, too.”
He took a deep breath. “Blackguards may serve causes nobler than themselves.”
“Like gambling, you mean?”
“You’d be well paid to contain your insolence, sir.”
I laughed, wondering if I could provoke him into admitting his complicity. I had the impression he was feeling his way, deciding how to play me.
“Until now I’ve shown forbearance on Caitlin’s account.”
“Bullshit,” I said. “You haven’t come at me only because you thought I might disappear. Then you’d never learn who I worked for. You’re so paranoid that—”
“I’m what?”
“—you assume I’m a spy. But most of all, you’d never get your hands on the precious money.”
“Ah, there!” he exclaimed. “You’ve as much as admitted robbing us!”
“How can you be robbed of something you never had?”
“General O’Neill has ordered me to recover it.”
“I see.” I grinned maliciously. “While he’s off recruiting the KKK, you get the fun stuff—like sucking up to McDermott.”
His fists clenched, knuckles whitening; his eyes glittered with malice.
“You ought to give up extortion,” I said. “Even with McDermott’s expertise, you’re not very good at it.”
“Why do you talk of him?” he hissed.
I saw no point in revealing my eavesdropping adventure. On the other hand, I enjoyed watching him wriggle on my hook.
“Maybe because his name goes so well with yours. ‘McDermott and O’Donovan.’ Like a partnership, no?”
“You have a fortnight, sir,” he stated.
“For what?” Was he challenging me to a duel?
“To deliver the money.”
“Oh, for Chrissake, can’t you drop that?”
“I don’t make idle threats. Have it together when I return in mid-September.”
“How generous to give me that long.”
“Another matter, more personal. I intend for Mrs. O’Neill to become my wife. You have no right to see her.”
“She’s the one to decide that.”
“Not necessarily.”
I lost it then. The words whooshed out in an explosive gust. “I’m tired of threats. I’m tired of being told what to do. If something happens to me, you can be damn sure Cait will find out your precise role in her brother’s kidnapping. I’ve already arranged for it. Not only that,” I added, swept on by my own lies and my anger, “she’ll get the full story on Colm!”
I suppose I’d meant it as a probe, a shot in the dark. The instant the words left my mouth I realized I’d hit ground zero. He staggered back as if I’d socked him. His face went pale, and he stared at me with narrowed eyes. In the street the cab doors opened abruptly and men began to climb out. O’Donovan waved them back.
“Who are you?” he breathed.
I said nothing, intrigued by the dramatic reaction.
His voice rose above a whisper. “Now it’s plain why you brought up that bastard McDermott!”
“Is it?” This was proving interesting.
“You dare link his name with mine, when you’re the one conspiring!”
“Conspiring?” I wanted to snatch his shirtfront and shake him. “O’Donovan, you dimwit! Bullets were flying around me at our last game! Le Caron blew up an entire boat! You’re trying to force me to give you huge amounts of money and to stay away from Cait and Timmy. Now you’re bent out of shape because you got a threat back? What the hell’s wrong with you?”
“A fortnight,” he said, staring into my eyes. “Honor will be satisfied, should I have to pursue you to earth’s end.” Later I would have cause to remember his phrase.
I returned to the team to find that Champion had also given me notice. As soon as he hired a new substitute, my playing tenure would end. I’d keep my other roles, but at half salary. Thanks a lot.
Actually, I wasn’t surprised. Harry was sympathetic, but I’d missed far too much practice. I knew that he could use somebody younger, with more speed and versatility. And who wouldn’t suddenly disappear or get shot. I was welcome to work out with the team, he assured me, even keep the score book during games, if I wanted. On balance I wouldn’t be losing all that much.
Champion’s decision, I suspected, stemmed only in part from my most recent absence. Somehow he’d gotten word of the steamboat escapade. Though our presence there had not made the papers—coverage of the fire was eclipsed by the disputed game—to Champion it must have represented exactly the sort of reckless adventuring he dreaded.
I got back in time to suit up for a game to benefit the Buckeyes. Their resources were currently at a low ebb, so we were helping out.
“Typhoid Fowler’s back,” Allison greeted me in the clubhouse.
“Quarantine’s lifted,” I announced. “Your hero is here!”
They hooted me.
“Curious how you and Acey laid off,” Waterman said, “when Harry was grinding our butts into the dirt.”
“Acey?” I looked over at Brainard, who was pulling on his cotton undershirt.
“Been sicker’n a pup,” he said soberly.
“Everything clear?” I asked him on the diamond. “McDermott gone?”
“’Pears so,” he replied. “You mind if I hang on to that other five hundred a mite longer?”
“No problem,” I said. “Were you going to throw that game?”
He said nothing.
Probably just as well. I might not have liked his answer.
Before a fair-sized crowd, we set about battering the Buckeyes. It was pathetic. George, Sweasy, and Mac had thirteen hits each, and every starter scored at least ten runs. We hit eleven homers. We won 103-8.
In the final inning Harry let me bat for Allison. I went to the plate thinking it would probably be my last time up as a Stocking. I wanted to make it count.
The Buck hurler came in with a low medium-speed spinner. I strode into it and whipped the bat. Solid contact. The ball flamed on a line to the fence. “Hold!” yelled Harry as I rounded first. The left fielder played the carom perfectly. I sprinted for second, not about to stop. The throw came in strong. I hooked away from the baseman, outside the bag, catching it with my bent left leg. He lunged to make the tag, lost his balance,
