Chapter Ten
Drake came down to breakfast and found only Valinda at the table. “Good morning,cheri.”
“Good morning,” she said shyly.
He ran his eyes over her mouth and forced his mind away from how sweet she’d tasted last night in his arms. “Where’s the Lovely Julianna and Henri?” he asked, taking a seat.
“Little Reba said they’re eating in their suite.”
“Ah, that’s what lovebirds do after being apart. Did you sleep well? No bad dreams?”
“No bad dreams.”
“Good.”
“How was your sleep?”
“Good.” He dreamt of her. Hot, lusty pirate dreams.
Reba came in. “Drake, there are some soldiers outside asking for you.”
He stood and left the room. Outside was his nemesis from the Bureau, Lt. Merritt, and a three-man mounted detail. “What can I help you with, Lieutenant?” Drake asked coolly.
Merritt glared down from his mount. “Where were you around two o’clock this morning?”
Drake eyed him. “Here in bed. Why?”
“Do you have witnesses?”
“Either tell me what this is about or leave. My breakfast’s getting cold.” He knew Merritt disliked being challenged, especially by men of color, but that was his problem, not Drake’s.
“Liam Atwater was taken from his house by some riders about that time and hasn’t been seen since.”
“Again, why are you here?”
“To see if you know anything about it.”
“I don’t.” He crossed his arms. He saw Merritt look behind Drake, so he turned and saw his mother, Henri, and Valinda watching from the door. “Anything else?”
“If I find out you were involved—”
“You won’t. Good day, Lieutenant.” He walked up the steps. The angry lieutenant wheeled his mount around and he and the detail rode off.
Inside, Henri asked, “What was that about?”
Drake explained to him about Atwater murdering Daniel Downs, before adding, “Apparently early this morning, some men dragged Atwater out of his house, and now’s he’s missing.”
Julianna said, “For good, I hope. How dare he murder a man in front of his wife and child.”
Valinda said, “The lieutenant thinks you know something about it because you were trying to have Atwater arrested?”
“I suppose so.”
She shook her head. “Had the Army been helpful, maybe the murderer wouldn’t be wherever he was taken. Come and eat before your breakfast gets any colder.”
He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Julianna and Henri went back to their rooms and he rejoined Valinda at the table.