He smiled. “It has been my life’s work to help those who are being put upon by others.” He motioned for them to sit. “I’ve already reviewed your situation and believe it will be expensive but not impossible to rectify.”
Victoria sat and smoothed out her skirt. “I don’t care at this point what it costs. I simply want my inheritance and my freedom.”
Ruef gave her a broad smile, but his gaze remained cold and calculating. “Then I am certain we can do business. I’ve already gone through the details of your situation. The fact that your father and brother are deceased, as well as your grandmother, clearly cuts the ties where your family is concerned. This Judith Whitley has no proof of being your cousin and, although I’m far too busy to see to it, should you desire to pursue action to reclaim the entirety of your family’s fortune, you might fare well. It will probably take a great deal of time, perhaps years, but we could try.”
As tempting as that sounded, Victoria knew there were too many people who would come to Judith’s aid to declare her a Whitley. She was an identical image of her twin sister, and those who’d known the family realized exactly who Judith was. Besides, wouldn’t it be better to just take what she could get now and then maybe try to get the rest at a later date?
“I’d prefer just to get my share for the time being. I want to be rid of this town and my cousin as soon as possible.” Victoria smiled. “Is it something I might consider later?”
“Of course.” Ruef leaned back in his leather chair. “In the meantime, I can have this matter wrapped up before the end of the week.”
“The end of the week? Then I’ll have my money and freedom to do as I wish?” Victoria could scarcely believe she’d heard right.
“Absolutely. I have a judge who’s a good friend. He’ll see the matter pushed through. Of course, there is an expense to expedite this matter. It will require a considerable fee.”
“I don’t care,” Victoria said, shaking her head. “I’ll pay you as soon as I have my inheritance.”
Ruef nodded and pushed a detailed invoice toward her. “I’ll need you to sign this.”
Victoria scanned the itemized list of expenses. She forced herself to remain expressionless as she looked at the total, which amounted to fifty thousand dollars. She had no idea how much her inheritance was, but she had a feeling Ruef did and had charged accordingly. She glanced at Arthur Morgan, and when he smiled and nodded, she signed the paper.
“In just a few days, you shall be a free woman, Miss Whitley,” Ruef said.
“Thank you, Mr. Ruef.” She got to her feet. A huge burden and obstacle had been taken from her. “I look forward to hearing from you once matters are settled.”
He considered her for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. I’ll be in touch very soon.”
“I’ll be ready.” She looked at Arthur. “Thank you for assisting me with this matter.”
They exited the office together and made their way outside. Already Victoria was making plans.
“I wonder if you would do me another favor?” she asked Arthur.
“And what would that be?”
“When we hear from Ruef, arrange a room for me at your hotel for that evening. After we see Ruef, I don’t intend to return to Mr. Coulter’s house. I’ll send for my things when I send Judith proof of my freedom.”
Arthur frowned. “But I need you there to be my eyes and ears. At least until Kenzie agrees to marry me.”
“I can tell you that the entire house is in a tizzy since Micah disappeared. I know you told Kenzie you offered him a hospital and he agreed to go away, but somehow I doubt that’s the truth. Dr. Fisher isn’t the kind to just walk away.”
“No, indeed he wasn’t.”
“Wasn’t? Does that mean Dr. Fisher is no longer alive?” She watched him carefully. She was picking up on his idiosyncrasies. He had a way of darting his gaze left and right when he lied and a slight tic in his right cheek when he was angry.
This time he only smiled. “It means that he will soon no longer be a problem.”
She shrugged as he hailed a cab. “Well, I hope you can find a way to wrap things up by Friday. I have no desire to remain in that house one second longer than I have to.” He helped her into the carriage, and she sat back on the leather upholstery and smiled. “I presume you’ll send a cab for me once our meeting is settled.”
Arthur handed the driver money for the ride. “You can rest assured. Haven’t I seen to everything so far?”
She nodded. “Yes, but I have yet to see your itemized list for repayment.”
He smirked. “Oh, but you will. I have a very specific repayment plan in mind.”
Victoria laughed as the driver put the team in motion. Arthur Morgan might think he was going to take advantage of her, but he wouldn’t. She’d had other men try to compromise her, and they hadn’t won. Arthur Morgan wasn’t going to win either.
CHAPTER
