Twenty-One
If Gray stopped to think about the devastation of Annabelle’s betrayal, it would sink him. Instead, his first order of business after leaving her at the koi pond was to cancel the sale of thePelican. His life in America was eroding quickly, making it impossible to predict how things would unfold in the coming months. He wanted his options open, and that meant keeping his ship. Suddenly, life on the far side of the world felt irresistibly tempting.
His banker was appalled at the prospect of canceling the deal. George Wagner would earn a generous commission from the sale of the steamship, but his fees would evaporate if it was scuttled.
“It will be very difficult to cancel at this date,” he stammered from behind his huge desk at the bank.
“I know it will be difficult. Can it be done?” It would surely involve some hefty penalties, but Gray was willing to pay them.
Wagner still hesitated. “This sale will make you an extremely wealthy man.”
“I’m already wealthy. I want to scrap the deal. I’m rich enough.”
“That may be,” the banker said delicately. “I fear that is not the case for your brother. This morning I was notified of the third bad check written against your brother’s account.”
Gray instantly went on alert. “What are you talking about?”
“Luke Delacroix has written three bad checks in the past month. If the situation is not remedied soon, the bank may assess overdraft fees against his account.”
Gray almost wanted to laugh. The world would be a brighter place if the only problem Luke had to worry about was an overdrawn account.
“How bad is the damage?” he asked.
“Three checks totaling six thousand dollars.”
That was a lot richer than anticipated, but Gray would settle the debt. Where Luke squandered his money was always a mystery, for he earned a decent income from the family business but always seemed strapped for cash.
“Who needs to be paid?”
“I’m not at liberty to say,” the banker replied. “We have a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard your brother’s privacy.”
“And yet you’re asking me to cover his debts.” The banker hadn’t exactly stated that, but they both knew where the deep pockets were. “I’m not paying money to unknown persons. I need to know the nature of those payments.”
Mr. Wagner shifted in his chair, the corners of his mouth turning down. “All I am at liberty to say is that the checks were written to private individuals in the Philadelphia area.”
Gray froze. It was in Philadelphia where Luke had run into trouble four years earlier. Was he being blackmailed? It would explain his penury these last few years.
“Give me the names.”
“I can’t do that,” the banker demurred.
“And I can’t sell my ship. Cancel the sale of thePelican, and good luck tracking down my brother to settle those debts. Let me know when you’re ready to give me those three names, and I’ll pay them off.”
The glass in the door rattled as Gray slammed out of the office.
Caroline was the most likely person to know Luke’s private business. Gray didn’t have an appointment with her, but neither did the dozens of other people who walked up to the front door of the White House and knocked, asking for a chance to see inside. The president’s home was open to visitors every day until three o’clock, and Gray funneled in with the rest of them. A uniformed butler stood at the entrance to the East Room, an oversized chamber covered in embossed paper, gilt mirrors, and richly appointed furnishings.
Gray approached a footman. “I’d like to speak with Caroline Delacroix, secretary to the first lady. I’m her brother and need to speak with her on an urgent family matter.”
“Miss Delacroix is a very busy lady,” the footman said. “I’m not sure Mrs. McKinley can spare her.”
“Please inquire,” Gray asked. He wasn’t sure what had prompted this burning sense of urgency, for Luke wasn’t going anywhere, but if he was being blackmailed, Gray wanted to know.
The butler disappeared down a hallway, and Gray cooled his heels alongside the rest of the tourists gawking at the life-sized oil paintings and glittering chandeliers.
Caroline scurried into the room a few minutes later, her face tense with expectation and anxiety. “Any news?”
He shook his head, hating the disappointment that darkened her face. He wanted to protect Caroline, not pour more problems on her shoulders. “I need to speak with you privately,” he said.
