Agency’s services, I doubt if they would have been as
inefficient.“
The words were biting, and Bentsen felt a chill ripple down
his spine. He considered himself a fair judge of men and he
knew he had never met one more dangerous than this velvet-
clad individual before him.
„That’s why I left St. Petersburg and came to New Orleans.
I decided it was necessary to hurry you along.“
Bentsen moistened his lips with his tongue. „I believe I
have the information you need.“
„That’s fortunate.“ Nicholas coolly examined Bent-sen’s
face. „I sincerely hope so, Mr. Bentsen.“ Without waiting for
an answer he turned and crossed the stateroom toward the
washstand against the far wall. „Take Mr. Bentsen on deck,
will you, Valentin? I think I need some fresh air. I’ll join you
shortly.“
Marinov nodded lazily. „Delighted.“ He gestured to the
door leading to the deck. „Mr. Bentsen.“
Bentsen felt the need for air, too, and took several deep
breaths as soon as the door closed behind them. He felt as if
he’d been caged with a stalking lion. Strange, before the
prince had faced and spoken to him he’d felt contemptuous of
the man with his exhibitionism, his fine velvets, and his
exquisite manners. Then, before his eyes, Savron had changed,
deepened, taken on a gleaming cutting edge.
He walked to the rail and his hands closed tightly on the
ornate wooden barrier. „His highness is an unusual man.“
Marinov’s gaze was shrewd as he strolled over to stand
beside him. „You thought Nicky was a fool?“ He shook his
head. „Only when he wants to be. You might remember that
fact. He can be quite deadly with either a sword or a pistol.“
He looked out at the still and muddy river. „Nicky’s seldom
intense about anything anymore, but he was fond of Andre. I
think you’ll find him a trifle explosive regarding the boy’s
death. I hope you don’t disappoint him this time.“
„Are you threatening me?“ Bentsen asked, astounded.
Marinov shook his head. „Warning you.“ He smiled faintly.
„I have a distaste for your hot, muggy weather here in New
Orleans. It’s been an interesting trip, but I want to go home to
St. Petersburg. Tell Nicky what he needs to know and we can
get this business over with.“
„I agree.“ Savron’s voice behind them caused both men to
turn to face him. He was dressed now in polished black boots,
a fine white linen shirt of faultless purity, and pale gray
trousers whose sleek lines over his thighs and buttocks could
be the work of only a master tailor. „Tell me what I want to
know, Bentsen.“ He moved forward, his expression as grim as
his tone was soft. „Was Dominic Delaney responsible for my
cousin’s hanging?“
„He was definitely involved in his death.“
„That isn’t what I asked you.“
Bentsen drew a deep breath. „You don’t understand. In
towns like Hell’s Bluff, people don’t talk to strangers. Our
agents had great difficulty finding out even the simplest facts.“
„I’m interested in only one fact. Did Delaney goad that
crowd into hanging Andre as Durbin’s letter states?“
„Possibly. He was there at the hanging and he paid for the
funeral.“
„Guilt?“
„Dominic Delaney doesn’t have a reputation that would
lead one to believe he has a conscience,“ Bentsen said dryly.
„He was an outlaw for almost ten years before his family
managed to buy him a pardon.“
„A criminal,“ Savron said slowly. „Then Durbin’s letter
probably was true. What did you find out about Durbin?“
Bentsen looked surprised, then uncertain. „Why… nothing.
You didn’t ask us to investigate anything but the circumstances
surrounding Andre Mar-zonoff’s death.“
A flicker of impatience touched Savron’s features. „Merde!
Do I have to spell out everything for you? Durbin must have
had his reasons for writing that letter beyond being a ‘friend of
justice’ as he called himself.“ He smiled crookedly. „A man
seldom bestirs himself for the sake of justice. It was more
likely for Durbin’s sake. Is that all you know?“
„Dominic Delaney s wife-to-be and his fifteen-year-old
niece, Silver, were present at the lynching.“
„A cozy evening of family entertainment.“ Savron’s lips
curled with distaste. „Bloodthirsty bitches. I would have
thought watching a man die by hanging would be a little too
much even for the most hardened woman. I wonder what they
would think of the guillotine.“ He frowned. „You’re giving me
damn little solid evidence on which to make a decision.“
„Decision?“
„Whether or not to kill Dominic Delaney.“ The prince’s
reply was almost casual. „I suppose I’ll have to seek the
bastard out and make my own determination. Where can I find
him?“
Bentsen shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. „We’re not
sure.“
„What?“ Savron’s voice once again held a dangerous
softness. „What do you mean, you’re not sure? I told you that
locating Delaney was of primary importance.“
„We tried,“ Bentsen said hurriedly. „He and his wife,
Elspeth, were participating in an archeological dig-in Cahokia,
Illinois, up until a few months ago. Then the excavation was
completed and the members of the party scattered. No one
seems to know where the Delaneys went from there.“ Savron’s
face was darkening more with each word, and Bentsen rushed
on quickly. „We know he didn’t return to the home ranch,
Killara, in the Arizona Territory. No one there knows of his
whereabouts.“
„We seem to know where he isn’t,“ Savron said caustically.
„What a rare pleasure it would be to know where the man is.“
„There’s one person who might know: Silver Delaney,
Dominic’s niece. She’s enrolled in a school for young ladies in
St. Louis.“
„Ah, the sweet young maiden who enjoys attending
hangings,“ Savron murmured. „I can see how he might confide
in such a sympathetic relative.“
Bentsen nodded eagerly. „Delaney and his wife visited her
regularly, and the girl spent several vacations at the dig. If
anyone would know where Dominic Delaney went, it would
be Silver Delaney.“
„Then may I ask why you didn’t send an agent to the
school to ask the young lady?“
Bentsen s glance slid away. „We did.“
„And?“
„She told him to go to hell.“
Marinov burst out laughing. „Obviously a lady of exquisite
taste and delicacy of speech. Nicky, I believe I’d like to meet
this fair flower.“
Savron smiled grimly. „I’m beginning to think you may get
your wish. The Randall Agency’s men appear to be pitifully
ineffectual.“
„Now, see here.“ Bentsen bristled indignantly. „We’re not
entirely at fault. We did find out quite a bit about the girl.“
Nicholas leaned back against the rail and folded his arms
across his chest. „Indeed? I wait with baited breath.“ –
„She’s been at Mrs. Alford’s academy for two years and
has been expelled twice. Both times the fees were doubled to
get the school to accept her back.“
„I’m hardly interested in a schoolgirl’s pranks,“ Savron
said in a bored tone. „Tell me something that will lead me to
Dominic Delaney.“
„She has a lover,“ Bentsen said triumphantly. „Perhaps
several lovers. Luke Carey, our agent, has been watching her
day and night since she refused to tell him anything. He was
hoping she’d lead him to her uncle, but every night she sneaks
out and goes to the circus.“