An hour later Olivia agrees to have dinner with him. They are sharing a bottle of wine when the train once again comes to a stop. Olivia gasps and looks out her window. “I wonder what’s going on, that is a great deal of police?” Jung turns and follows the direction she gestures only to pale at the sight before him.
“Indeed. Lucky for you, we’re traveling together. You are quite safe, Miss Olivia. I will go over and find out what is happening.” Jung moves back through the dining car towards his seat. He grabs his black suitcase from the overhead compartment. A quick search has him drawing out the documents he needs. It is time to change his name again. Money talks and he was able to get fake papers simply enough. Now to stop them before they reach Olivia.
The police are entering the dining car when he intercepts them. She watches closely and waves at him from their table, he points to her and offers his papers to the officers. When he reclaims his seat, she asks, “What is happening?”
The officers move systematically through each car. Each person is asked for documentation.
“It seems they are searching for a murderer,” he states. Her gasp has him turning to reassure her. He stares down at her and reaches across the table, taking her hand in his. “No worries, my dear, we shall travel the rest of the way together, and I will see you safely to your family.”
“Oh, that is very kind of you, Dr. Aston,” she blushes and squeezes his hand. She turns and watches with concern as the officers continue moving through the train. They unsuccessfully complete their search, and the journey continues.
He smiles in satisfaction when the train starts to move again. Dr. William Aston and his new “bride” were not who they were looking for. He will stick with her until New York and then find Summer Denning. “Won’t you sit with me the remainder of the way?”
She giggles and takes a seat next to the window, unaware that she is traveling with a psychopath.
Chapter 25
Victor's guilt haunts him. He pushes the horses hard the rest of the day, not stopping until the rain and lack of light forces him too. Summer’s in terrible pain, and Jonah is too exhausted to argue when Victor announces they will be sleeping inside the carriage. They are allowed six hours of sleep before he is up and pushing the horses once more at first light.
“Daddy… when are we gonna get there?” Jonah whines.
“Victor, what is the rush?” Summer asks, glancing at Jonah while trying to hide the pain in her side. He hardly speaks to them, and she's sure that he must be exhausted by now. “Surely a small break is in order…”
“NO. We will break when we reach our destination.”
Jonah begins to bounce up and down on his knees on the back seat until Victor loses his patience, “Cease Jonah!” He yells. Jonah flinches as if Victor slapped him. Summer moves to the front seat and leans close to his ear.
“If you want to be angry at me fine, but don’t take it out on Jonah.”
“Don’t presume to know my mind, Miss Denning. Take your seat. I will parent my son as I see fit.” With a flick of his wrist, he snaps the reins, urging the horses harder, nearly tossing her from her seat.
“Bloody, Ass,” she mumbles and Jonah giggles as she plops into her seat beside him.
“You talk funny,” he bounces in his seat again completely forgetting about being fussed at.
“Do I? I think you sound funny too, love, especially when I do this.” Summer tickles him until he begs for mercy. Victor ignores them and pushes along. By evening they are on the fringes of a town called Brocton.
He pulls the carriage up to lovely two-story white Inn called The Colonial Inn and Boarding House. “Stay here.”
She watches him go and bites her lip in worry. Jonah looks at the house and back at her.
“Do you think there’s ghosts in there?” He asks with excitement in his eyes.
“Any respectable Inn always has ghosts, Jonah. We shall seek them out together, but not until after we have a proper bath.”
Victor returns and helps Summer out of the carriage followed by Jonah. Her ribs are throbbing, and her face is ridiculously bruised. The groomsmen come out and immediately begin unloading the trunks to move them inside while the stable hands take care of the horses.
“Our suite is ready, shall we?” Victor leads the way, followed by a limping Summer and Jonah.
They walk up the red brick steps onto a covered porch with a large lantern. Once inside Summer gasps and Jonah holds on tight to her hand. They are standing in a large living room with a massive stone fireplace that stretches floor to ceiling. It is flanked by multiple chairs and a sofa for the guests to mingle. A wraparound staircase with a gorgeous gas-lit chandelier hangs from the ceiling.
“Welcome to the Colonial Inn, Mr. and Mrs. Yates. Your husband told me about the incident on your travels, I do hope you will take your time and convalesce here.” Summer doesn’t flinch, but simply glances at Victor.
“That’s very kind of you,” she murmurs softly.
“Would you care for a cookie, young man?”
Jonah stares at the older man with his long salt and pepper beard with half round spectacles and grins, “I love cookies.”
He gives a hearty laugh, “A boy after my own heart, here, have two. Now I will show you to your suite. You are in luck, your suite overlooks the river, and it is on the quiet side of the Inn away from the road.”
They follow along with Jonah skipping and munching on his cookies. After some
