Dutch Rodgers sat in an armchair, with Morris seated across the room. No one else was present.
Liam paused. It was too late to find Tilly. He could hardly back away now. If only he’d told Rodgers that he’d meet him in the dining room—or anywhere more public.
“Liam! What good fortune that you found us here. Come, take a seat. Where is Mrs. Hannan?” Rodgers pointed at the armchair across from him as he laid down a newspaper he’d been perusing.
Liam wanted to hesitate, but he couldn’t. Everything he did from here on out would have bearing on Rodgers’ response to his demands. So he straightened his shoulders and took the seat as Morris silently rose and closed the door. “She won’t be joining us,” he said.
“A pity. She’s a lively conversationalist, or so Morris tells me.” Rodgers eyed Liam for a moment before continuing. “Now, I’ve told you I’d like to get this moving along, so I’ve taken the liberty of sending a telegram to an old friend in Denver. Heruns some lumber mills and can find men to work for nearly nothing. He guaranteed me a crew and a shipment of lumber in three weeks’ time.” Rodgers sat back in his chair with a sort of triumphant look on his face.
Liam tried not to shudder. That lumber was more than likely sourced from some other company that owed some debt to Rodgers’ “old friend.” And the men were certain to be those who’d emigrated from China or somewhere else and fell into working for the wrong people.
It was the antithesis of the sort of businessman Liam wanted to be. It was time to put a stop to this now.
“No.” Liam’s voice came out louder than he’d intended, but maybe that was for the best.
Rodgers froze. “I’m sorry?”
“I said no.” Liam forced himself to breathe. He couldn’t back down. And as long as he remembered Tilly, he wouldn’t. “We’re finished here.”
Rodgers raised an eyebrow as Morris took the seat beside him. “That’s impossible. I’m an investor, remember? You made a deal with my partner.” He nodded at Morris. “You took my money and used it to buy that land. Like it or not, your endeavor is mine now.”
“And that’s where you’re wrong,” Liam said evenly. “It isn’t. It’s my business, and I’ve decided to return your investment.”
Rodgers stared at him a moment. Then he tossed his head back and laughed. “All right. Where’s the money?”
This was the part Liam dreaded. “I can get you a substantial percentage from the bank in the morning.”
“A percentage. Meaning you don’t have the full amount.” Rodgers leaned forward. “I don’t accept your offer.”
“It isn’t an offer.” Liam’s tone was icy. He was past caring what Rodgers might do in the moment. His anger boiled beneaththe surface. It wasn’t right what Rodgers had done, and Liam refused to pay the price for it.
“Hmm.” Rodgers wasn’t smiling. He held Liam’s gaze with his own.
The seconds ticked by, and Liam forced himself not to look away. The room was eerily quiet around them, with the only sounds being footsteps in the hallway beyond the door and the light rumble of conversation from the lobby.
“Morris, it seems Mr. Hannan has forgotten last summer,” Rodgers finally said.
“I haven’t,” Liam said shortly.
“Then you must care less for yourself and your family than you do your own pride.”
“I won’t stand for your threats, Rodgers.” Liam stood, hoping that would indicate he was through with this conversation. “The marshal is aware of you and your background. This town won’t let you put roots here, as I’m sure you’ve already figured out. You’re hanging on to me as your last hope.”
Rodgers stood then too, and before Liam could realize what he was doing, the man was standing toe to toe with him. “No one tells me no. You’re going to learn that the same way everyone else in this town will if they don’t give me what I want.”
Liam stood his ground, half wondering if Rodgers would hit him if he said anything else. But he couldn’t back away. He refused to. “You—”
The door to the library flung open at that moment, cutting Liam off. And in walked Marshal Wright, the county sheriff, Tilly, and what appeared to be half the town behind them.
