Blake joined Pierce at the table, careful to take a seat that kept his back to the wall and smiled. “I don’t know that it’s so amazing,” he began. “You told me my first job was to look out for your girl, so when things went haywire at the bank, I did what I was told. I got her away and found a doctor who knew how to keep his mouth shut. After that there isn’t much else to tell. Darcy was determined to find you, so I followed her lead until we ended up here.” Blake raised a hand gesturing to the space. “It’s quite a place.”
Pierce’s eyes pinned Blake to his seat as he watched the play of emotion on the older man’s face. Suspicion, awe, interest, all played across his brow and Blake schooled his own features to an innocent smile.
“I can hardly believe it,” Pierce said, a slow smile spreading across his face. “You proved yourself loyal and effective.” Pierce dropped a heavy hand on Blake’s shoulder and nodded. “You’ll do boy.”
Blake grinned like a rube, hoping the big man would believe everything he had said. He knew that he was only minutes away from the breakthrough he had been working toward for nearly two years.
“There’s someone else I’d like you to meet,” Pierce said. “Only my most trusted men have ever met him, but once you do, all your dreams could come true.”
Blake tipped his head in acknowledgment as his hands grew sweaty with doubt. Either he was going to meet the man who pulled the strings for this gang, or he was going to die. He could only trust that he could play the role he had been given well enough to save his sorry hide and keep Darcy from losing the life she had only recently regained.
“I’m your man,” Blake’s voice rang with a confidence he didn’t feel, but when the other man chuckled, he knew his play had worked.
From a dark corner of the room a tall thin man with white hair peeled himself from the shadows and stepped into the light. His white hair was combed neatly over a wide brow and his blue eyes glinted with intellect. The well made suit fit his bony frame perfectly making him look austere rather than frail. “I believe I’ve heard of you,” the older man drawled walking slowly toward the table, his long silver handled cane tapping on the stone floor.
Blake slowly rose to his feet, the blood draining from his face as he recognized Harold Hawkins one of the governor’s under secretaries. He had known that the corruption went deep in the state, but this was a shock he hadn’t expected, and it made his blood run cold.
“You seem to have a bit of initiative young man,” Hawkins said, his rich smooth voice calm as he stepped up to look Blake in the eye. “I see you didn’t expect to see me here,” he added with a grin. “Pierce you have done very well. No one has suspected me once of being the one holding the reins of this very lucrative partnership.”
“I’ve done my best,” Pierce said, looking nervously between Blake and Hawkins.
“We can use young men like you in this organization,” Hawkins continued. “But how do I know I can trust you?”
Blake looked toward Pierce then back to the well dressed man before him. “I think I’ve proven my loyalty.”
“Indeed,” Hawkins’ grin was anything but friendly. “I think perhaps a little test,” his blue eyes flickered toward Pierce, who blanched, then back. “You will kill the girl.”
Blake clenched his jaw preventing the gasp that sprang to his lips from escaping. Was the man serious? He wanted him to kill Darcy in cold blood. Swallowing hard, he cut his eyes to Pierce who was busy studying his finger nails as if some deep secret was hidden there.
“Well?” Hawkins asked.
Blake swallowed hard but nodded. His next actions would determine if he lived or died. He had no choice. He had to do what the other man said.
Chapter 22
Blake eased the pistol under his arm and took a step toward the door Darcy had gone through earlier. His mouth was dry, his chest tight, and he could hear the blood pounding in his ears.
Gripping the door handle tight, he pushed the door open closing it behind him with a soft snap as Darcy turned from the bench where she sat, a smile touching her lips.
Blake laid a hand over his lips and whispered as quickly as he could. “Play along.” The words flickered between them even as he raised his pistol and shot.
Darcy screamed, the sound of running feet pounded toward them and Blake quickly took the woman by the shoulders, his eyes boring into hers. “I’m sorry,” he said, as his fingers dug into her side and bright blood began to pool on her satin dress.
Darcy grasped Blake’s arms as he pressed her to the floor, her eyes never leaving his as the door behind them slammed open and she sagged into darkness.
Blake closed his eyes for a second, pleading for forgiveness as he lifted the limp body of Darcy in his arms.
“I guess that answers that question,” Pierce snapped. “It was time to be rid of her anyway.”
“Yes, it was.” Mr. Hawkins voice dripped with meaning as Blake carried Darcy’s still form from the room. Bright blood dripped through his fingers leaving a spotted trail behind him with every step.
“I’ll get rid of the body,” he said. His voice steady and his heart like ice. “I’ll take her out where no one will find her.”
The cold crook of the silver headed cane hooked Blake’s shoulder and he paused, looking back at the older man. “You have proven yourself,” Hawkin’s grin was like the smile of a corpse. “Head back to Cheyenne and await our orders.”
Blake nodded, his muscles cramping with the weight in his arms as
