Killian contemplated the man, his boat, the future of this enterprise. It mattered how he bought what he wanted. Learning over decades that intentions were one means to please the universe, he knew methods were as vital to the success of a venture. He'd failed himself and others at one endeavor because he'd not been careful to attend to the ethics of it or the details. "What do you know about that gentleman,Carruthers?"
"Old Dunwoody's in his seventies. Any sum you offered him would beprincely."
"Does he live nearby?" Killian asked as he surveyed the downs north from thebeach.
"He has a cottage behind that hillock there." Carruthers pointed to the northeast. "He fishes every morning, eats his fill but sells most of his catch to the monger inBrighton."
"Family?"
"Wife and sons long dead,sir."
"So fishing is his life," Killian concluded remembering a hoary fisherman in Waterford who lived to ride the waves and bring in whelks and mussels, sole and crab. Silent as the tomb, but kept to himself, happy in hislot.
"You'd say so, yes, sir. Not soft in the head yet, though. A talker. Happy to weave the local legends. Especially of theSavages."
"Does he? Well, good for him." Killian said, fighting the urge to ask about the owners. Killian directed his next question to the agent but locked his gaze on Pierce. "What would be a proper price to offerhim?"
"Two hundred eighty pounds,sir."
"Double it," Killian said as Pierce grinned in disbelief. "And tell him we want him to remain in his house and to fish atwill."
Carruthers blinked. "And—and you want this parcel,too?"
In truth, it was the first time he'd glimpsed it last month that he'd made up his mind. The sea was too strong a pull to deny...as well as that other factor of the owner and the previous ones. "I do. Make an offer to Lord Savage. Eight hundred is his askingprice?"
Carruthers was up on his toes, bouncing with delight at his sale. "It is,sir."
"Offerten."
Pierce blew air from his mouth and plopped his hat on hishead.
As they strolled down the hillside, Pierce caught up with him. "No bargain, thatland."
"I wasn't looking forone."
"What are you in searchof?"
The answer that popped into his mind was not one he was ready to admit to anyone. After decades of acting only after research and deliberation, Killian was not one to bet on an unsure proposition. But he'd give Pierce an answer that would satisfy them both until he was at peace with the probability that he might do the impossible. He mightfail.
He glanced at Pierce and looked away lest his son see more than he should. "Ahome."
