Hidden in a Whisper (38 page)

THE NEXT MORNING Reginald had just completed explaining to his staff the process for stripping the meat from a lobster shell when a bleary-eyed Braeden Parker came into the kitchen. In spite of his exhaustion, he looked like a man with a determined purpose, and Reg had little doubt he was there to confront him about Rachel.

“You must collect all of the meat from the shells,” Reg told his assistants. “But leave the brain for later. We will mix that with soft butter and add to the mixture later. Be very careful, as we will need every bit of lobster we can lay our hands on.” The shipment of fresh lobsters had been shorted by thirty of the little beasts, and Reginald knew he would have to perform a minor miracle to make the food stretch for the huge banquet and party planned that night. Tonight would be the final celebration of the grand opening, and besides the banquet, there were refreshments for the formal ball that was to be given later that night.

“Mr. Worthington, I would like a moment of your time,” Braeden said, coming to stand directly in front of the chef.

Reginald looked up and nodded. “Very well. Shall we go to the storage room or perhaps your office?”

“Given that the dining room is already full to capacity,” Braeden began, “I suggest we stay here or step outside. I really don't want to have to walk through that crowd again.”

“As you wish,” Reginald replied. “Since the morning temperatures are rather cool, let us move to the storage room, where we might have less interference.”

Braeden followed after him, and Reginald couldn't help but wonder how he would handle the big man if he decided to turn loose with a bout of temper. If Parker chose to use his fists instead of his mouth, Reg knew he'd be in trouble. Still, Parker seemed capable of controlling his anger—at least up until now. Perhaps he was worried over 239 nothing.

But upon meeting Braeden's harsh glare, Reg wondered if he'd done something very stupid by isolating himself with Casa Grande's comanager. Backing up against the delivery conveyor, Reg felt his pulse quicken. The man's eyes positively burned with a fire that suggested he would stop at nothing—nothing at all, in order to learn the truth.

“I want some answers and I want them now,” Braeden said in a nononsense sort of fashion.

“I will tell you whatever I can,” Reg replied calmly.

“Do you know where Rachel is?”

Reg raised a questioning brow. “Why would you ask me that? I already spoke to you on the matter the other night. I'm the one who suggested a search party.”

“I'm asking you because Ivy Brooks implied that you are hiding Rachel away from me, that Rachel sought her solace with you, and that my searches will prove futile.”

Reg smiled. So that conniving little idiot had put Parker on him, after all. She'd implied to know things about Reg's activities at Casa Grande, and while he had no idea what she actually knew, he wasn't about to allow her the upper hand. “Parker, I care a great deal about Rachel, but Ivy Brooks means her nothing but harm. She would tell you anything in order to get you on her side. She set her sights on winning you over, and Rachel was an interference in her plans. Knowing Ivy even as little as I do, I realize she would do or say whatever she had to in order to eliminate her competition.”

“What is your point?”

“I'm saying that Ivy has the ability to accomplish pretty much whatever she wants. As you guessed, she planned that little seduction scene at the Needlemeier mansion. She told me her plans.”

“She told you the truth and you lied? You let everyone out there believe me to have harmed her—destroyed her reputation. Why?”

“Because I love Rachel,” he replied simply. “And I knew so long as Rachel was deceived into believing you deserved her love, she would go on believing in you and loving you.”

“Why, I ought to—” “Tut, tut, Mr. Parker,” Reg said, pressing hard against the rollers on the conveyor belt as Braeden advanced. “If you refuse to contain your temper, I will not continue to explain.”

Braeden's face contorted in anger, but he held back and nodded.

“Then explain.”

Reg nodded. “Ivy told me of her desire to have you for her husband, and given the fact that I wanted very much for Rachel to think of me as a prospect for her lifelong mate, I agreed to help her with her arrangement. But I also did it out of fear for Rachel.”

“Fear for Rachel? I don't understand.”

“Ivy will stop at no length to harm Rachel. If she can't scare her off and force Rachel to leave on her own accord, I feared Ivy might actually try to eliminate the dear woman.”

“Why would you say that? Do you have reason to believe Ivy would do physical harm to Rachel?”

“Not only do I think she would, I know she would. I know about the rattlesnake.” Braeden paled and Reg nodded. “That's right—the one Gwen told you about. Ivy planted it there. Well, not exactly Ivy.

She paid to have it done and then hid the man in her room after he hit Mr. O'Donnell over the head. She simply slipped him out her window and no one was the wiser for her actions.”

“No one but you,” Braeden said flatly. “If you knew about this, why didn't you go to the proper authorities?”

Reginald smiled. “Because it gave me power over Miss Brooks.

And, as you have witnessed her vengeance and her conniving ways, I believe you understand what it might mean to hold at least a marginal amount of influence over that young woman.”

“That snake could have killed whomever opened the drawer,” Braeden said angrily.

“Yes, but I knew it was somewhere in the office, and when you all left to help Mr. O'Donnell, I planned to take the matter into my own hands.”

“Only you didn't have to because Gwen Carson handled the situation.” “Yes,” Reg said, nodding. “Quite a woman there.”

“Yes, she is quite a woman, and she wouldn't have deserved to have been bitten by that snake either. You should have come forward before it went that far.”

“Until I saw the situation being arranged and followed the man, I had no real idea as to what he was about. But that aside, you must understand that I went along with Ivy for Rachel's sake. I couldn't have another attempt on her life. She's too precious. I think even you would have to admit that protecting her was far more important than worrying about your reputation. Ivy told me that if I didn't help her, she would see to it that Rachel suffered. I didn't want to see Rachel in further danger.”

“But she may be in danger at this very minute,” Braeden said, eyeing Reg suspiciously. “That is, unless you know otherwise. In which case, I demand to know the truth.”

Reg crossed his arms and tried his best to appear completely at ease. “Mr. Parker, I do not trust you, neither do I like you. You epitomize that typical American male mentality of taking what you want and worrying about the consequences at a later time. If in fact you have to suffer those consequences at all. But my feelings are unimportant. I believe, however, that after spending time with me, Rachel has come to see the difference in how men of proper breeding conduct themselves. I believe she cherishes the more gentile nature she finds in me, and I doubt very much that she cares for you anymore. Especially given your indiscretions with Ivy Brooks.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“She didn't have to say it with words—her face told me everything I needed to know. I believe it told you the truth as well. I saw the exchange between you two. You know she believes the worst. You know she believes you to have taken up a dalliance with Miss Brooks. And because her trust was fixed on such fragile ground with you, you 241 must also realize that such a blow would surely destroy any remaining love she held for you.”

Braeden took two steps forward and stopped directly in front of Reginald. “If you know where she is,” he said in a low, menacing voice, “you'd be wise to tell me.”

“I don't know where she is,” Reginald replied. “I wish I did. I certainly wouldn't be here if I had the opportunity to take her away from this mess. I have abhorred this place from the moment I arrived and had very nearly made up my mind to go back to New York when I met Rachel. I only stayed because of her. I only stay now because of her.”

Braeden shook his head. “She loves me. I know she still loves me.”

“Then you are a fool, Mr. Parker.” Reg moved to the side and slipped past Braeden while he appeared to contemplate that final statement. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a party to prepare for.”

“If you love her so much, then why aren't you out there looking for her instead of sitting here planning for a party?” Braeden suddenly asked. “I think you know where she is, and because you know her to be safe and out of danger, you are merely going about your business.”

Reg turned at the door. “Think what you like, Mr. Parker. But remember this, I am a man with connections. I needn't do my own dirty work when there are so many people desperate for a job. I might not be out looking for her, but that doesn't mean I haven't hired others to be doing just that. Just ask around. Ask Tomas. He went with you yesterday, but today he's already gone, working for me. He was, in fact, under my pay yesterday. So don't judge my appearance here to be a sign of indifference. I know I am hardly cut out for the physical demands of searching the wilderness for Rachel, but I would never stand by idly while she's missing.”

With that, he left Parker to consider his words. It irritated him that the man would question him when it came to Rachel, but he quickly dismissed it. Even more irritating was Ivy Brooks. He couldn't help but wonder what she might mean to his plans. He had a job to do, and the last thing he needed was the interference of that child.

Still, by sharing what he knew with Braeden, he had turned the tables on Ivy Brooks. He had explained his participation in her little charade, and Braeden couldn't argue that he had been perfectly justified in the choices he'd made. Smiling to himself, Reg felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Now, if only he could convince Rachel that Braeden's loyalty lay elsewhere.

Reg waited an hour after Braeden had taken off to search for Rachel before getting down to business. He had watched Braeden load up his supplies, speak to Fred Harvey and the marshal, and then take his leave. One thing Reg had to say for the man, he was driven and he was persistent.

Making certain that the kitchen staff and Harvey Girls were busy with preparations for the noon meal, Reginald picked up a small box and headed out of the kitchen. He paused at the delivery entrance to make certain no one was observing him, then removed his white chef's coat and hat and donned his tweed jacket before making his way down the road.

Taking a seat on one of the park benches, Reg waited for several minutes before he opened the box and began nibbling at the brunch he'd packed for himself. He needed the quiet moments to better organize his ideas, and looking back up at Casa Grande, he knew his plans would have to come together soon. Smith was counting on him, and so far things had run in a smooth and orderly course. Reginald needed to ensure that nothing disturb their undertaking.

Movement down below on the lower portion of the fall's pathway caused Reg to sit up and take notice. He continued eating, pretending to be unconcerned with the approach of two dark-skinned natives.

“Senor,” the first of the two men said as they approached the bench where Reg sat.

“Yes, how can I help you?”

“You are the cook, are you not?” the man questioned.

Reg stiffened. “I am the head chef of Casa Grande.”

“Good,” the man said, smiling. “Pablo said you would very much like some extra help.”

Reg relaxed a bit and nodded. “I'm always looking for good help. Come see me later in the kitchen. Let's say around eight o'clock.”

The men nodded and continued toward Casa Grande as if the conversation had never taken place. Smiling to himself, Reg felt a sense of accomplishment.

After half an hour of mental contemplation, Reg finally repacked the remaining food and made his way back to the kitchen. His mind was consumed with what he had to do tonight, for both the banquet and the initiation of his well-thought-out task. Yet he was also consumed with Rachel.

When night fell and there was still no sign of Parker, Reginald decided the time had arrived for him to make his move. After meeting the two men he'd spoken to earlier in the day, where he handed them a great deal of money and whispered instructions, he waited until both men slipped out of the room before doing likewise.

Now he felt a sense of elation and excitement. It wouldn't be much longer, he reasoned. He would soon be on a train bound for Chicago and then New York, and from there he would take a steamer home to England. And Rachel would be at his side.

He pulled on his coat and stepped outside. He cursed the electrical lighting, which added illumination from the various streetlights in front of Casa Grande. Complete darkness would have suited his purposes much better, but with a sigh he realized he would simply have to make do. He stole across the open lawn and let the shadows swallow him as he neared the falls. The gentle roar offered him comfort as he maneuvered down the narrow walk to the powerhouse. The noise, like the shadowy darkness, offered him more in the way of coverage, and Reg was no fool. He knew he needed to remain completely hidden throughout his mission. Smith had stressed over and over that no one could know of the matter, and though Reginald had hired the two men to help him, he had no doubts that the men would not survive the ordeal once everything was in motion.

Quietly, he opened the powerhouse door and, with one last backward glance, slipped inside. The room was dimly illuminated from one single light in the corner. The power was generally shut off after a certain time of night, but with the grand opening and the long nightly celebrations, arrangements had been made to leave the power on throughout the night. The situation would either serve Reg's purpose or oppose it—he hadn't really decided which way it would be.