Smith nodded. “I ran into the last of them as I arrived. I told them you were expecting me, and they allowed me access. You really should get better servants. I could have been anyone.”
“True enough.” Lakewood could hardly tell Smith that he was at the top of the list of people Lakewood wouldn’t have wanted in the house.
A knock sounded on the front door, and then it opened. Gerome Berkshire announced himself.
“We’re in the dining room, Gerome,” Lakewood called. “Come join us.”
He heard Gerome’s boots cross the foyer and then come down the hall. He would no doubt be just as surprised to see Mr. Smith.
“What in the world is this all about?” Gerome questioned, coming into the room. He saw Mr. Smith and stopped. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Neither did Mr. Lakewood,” Smith replied. “Come in and have a chair. In fact, get some dinner. We aren’t standing on formalities here tonight.”
Gerome hesitated, then gave a nod. He went to the sideboard, throwing careful glances at Smith and Lakewood as he chose his meal. When he was finally settled in the seat across from Lakewood, Smith picked up the conversation.
“I was just telling Mr. Lakewood how glad I am that you were coming this evening. Otherwise I would have had to send someone to find you. This makes it much simpler.”
“What can we do for you?” Lakewood asked. He hated the feeling Smith gave him. Smith was younger than he and Gerome were, yet he commanded a presence that dominated the room. He was in control of the entire plan. It was his family’s wealth and power that had drawn Lakewood’s attention, and Lakewood’s resources that had drawn his. It seemed a good marriage of sorts.
Smith finished eating and even polished off his wine before saying another word. Lakewood didn’t like having to wait for information, but there was nothing he could do. Smith was in charge and would do things his way.
“I understand,” Smith said, pushing his plate back, “that we’ve had more than a little attention from the government. I’m curious why I haven’t heard the details of this until now.”
Lakewood wondered who was giving Smith information. When he found out, he would have that person eliminated, but for now he’d have to play his cards close to the vest.
“I didn’t think it worth bothering you with,” Lakewood replied. “I’m already dealing with it.”
Smith gave a cold smile. “I don’t pay you to do my thinking, Lakewood. I am the only one who will decide what is worth my trouble. It seems to me that a government investigation in which one of our close associates is forced to turn over evidence is reason enough for me to be involved.”
Gerome coughed, spewing wine across the table and onto Lakewood’s face and clothes. Lakewood slammed a fist on the table before thinking. Cursing, he grabbed his napkin and wiped his face. “Control yourself, Berkshire.”
Smith watched the exchange with an expression of ennui. He picked up the wine and poured himself another glass. “What else haven’t you told me, Lakewood?”
“Me? I, ah, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t kept anything from you. I send the reports as requested, and all the shipments of guns have been stockpiled and are ready for your use. I sent you the complete inventory and location of everything.”
“Yes, I have that, as well as the list of men who work for you. What about the situation with Seth Carpenter? I thought I told you last Christmas to kill him. Why is still alive?”
“He stopped being a part of the investigation, and I thought maybe he could be useful to us down the road,” Lakewood replied, hoping the answer would show Smith that he was only thinking of the end results. “He has connections that we might be able to use.”
“So once again you were doing my thinking for me. Is thatit?” Smith shook his head and got to his feet. He paced a moment, then took a stand directly behind Gerome. “I can’t have that, Lakewood. I’m quite capable of doing my own thinking.”
He drew a revolver, and Lakewood’s eyes widened. His chest tightened. Smith needed him. He needed his help. He wouldn’t kill him.
Gerome looked confused. “Samuel, you look as if you’ve just seen a ghost.”
Lakewood had opened his mouth to assure Smith that he was completely useful to him when the gun went off. A bullet tore into his chest.
For a moment Lakewood felt searing pain. The bullet seemed to pin him to the chair. He tried to take a breath, but only a strange gasp sounded, and no air entered his lungs.
As he fought to stay alive, Lakewood watched Smith move to the side of the open-mouthed Gerome, put the revolver to his head, and pull the trigger. Gerome slumped forward and his head hit his plate of food. Blood poured out across the fine linen tablecloth.
It was the last thing Lakewood ever saw.
CHAPTER24
Faith could think of nothing but the danger in which she’d put her family. Lakewood would be furious when he found out she was gone. She never should have left.
Andrew took pity on her and cut the trip short. “You won’t be at ease until you see for yourself that everyone is all right,” he told her as they raced back to Portland from Astoria.
