His rage increased. “Let him go. You’re welcome to the money. We won’t hinder your escape. Just release my son and we’ll get on our way.”
“Hank!” the man called at the top of his lungs, ignoring Walter’s plea. “Hank, get out here. Hank!”
“If Hank’s the man who’s been watching over us,” Oscar said in a voice that held not a single tremble in it, “he won’t be coming out anytime soon.”
“What do you mean?” the man demanded.
“We locked him in the closet,” Oscar returned matter-of-factly, an impressive feat since he was currently being held at gunpoint. “Hank’s not the brightest of men. When he locked us into the closet earlier, we began trying to pick our way out of it. Thankfully, my sister insists on having numerous hairpins put in her hair every day, because Miss Brinley told her they were useful. Hank didn’t know what to make of it when he came to check on us and found us standing in the middle of the room.”
Walter frowned. “He discovered you?”
Oscar nodded, but stopped mid-nod because of the pistolpressed against his head, something that sent Walter’s blood boiling. “He did, about ten minutes ago. I was sure we were going to be in big trouble. Samuel gets the credit for fast thinking. He told Hank the closet door hadn’t been properly locked because it was broken. Hank didn’t believe him, so Samuel told him to see for himself. I couldn’t believe my eyes when Hank strolled right into the closet. Samuel slammed the door shut on him, I snatched the key hanging right beside the door, and that was it.”
“I’ll take that key now,” the man still holding Oscar snapped before he began pulling Oscar toward Low Tide. “Hank’s boss will involve himself in this matter if Hank isn’t set free, and believe me, none of us want to tangle with that man.”
Walter stilled. “Who do you and Hank work for?”
“Never you mind about that,” the man said before he gave Oscar a shake, who seemed to be intentionally dragging his feet. “Stop it. If you don’t give me any trouble, I’ll have no issue releasing you, but if you don’t cooperate, you’ll be sorry.”
“I’m just trying to make sure I have the key in my pocket. I may have dropped it when I was running out of the house.”
“I’ll give you ten seconds to check.”
It took Oscar all of three seconds to pull something out of his pocket and then another second before the man holding him started howling, evidently having been stabbed by another one of Priscilla’s hairpins.
Walter surged into motion right as Oscar tore free. “Find Gwendolyn and the twins,” Walter yelled, which had Oscar flying down the drive, leaving Walter free to sprint after the man now running up the steps and into the house, yelling for Hank at the top of his lungs.
Fury coursed through Walter as he tore through the entranceway, skidded on the marble flooring, righted himself, then charged after the man now heading for a staircase. The faint glow of the moonlight through a stained-glass window made it possible for Walter to keep the man in sight.
He caught up with him before the second-floor landing, grabbed the man’s ankle, and gave it a yank, which sent them tumbling down the stairs.
Walter barely noticed the pain when his head cracked against the wrought-iron railing. Giving himself a shake, he pushed to his feet, caught hold of the man who was now staggering down the hallway, and planted his fist in the man’s face.
The man crumpled to the marble without a word.
“Impressive,” Gideon said from where he stood a few feet away. “I was going to assist you but decided you might want to take the man down on your own.”
“You were right.”
“Let me go find a light switch, then I’ll see about dealing with Hank. Given the pounding upstairs, I have a feeling he’s still locked in that closet.” Gideon strode away, and the gas sconces on the walls flickered to life a minute later.
While Walter waited for Gideon to return, he drew off his tie, using it to secure the man’s hands behind his back. He then yanked off the cap pulled low over the man’s face as Gideon rejoined him.
“Would you look at this,” he said, gazing at a face he was all too familiar with. “Seems like the rumors about Daniel Mizner’s gambling debts were true, because that’s the only reason I can think of that would have him resorting to kidnapping.”
Daniel took that moment to open his eyes, blinking a few times before he focused his gaze on Walter.
“Care to explain yourself?” Walter asked, keeping his voice measured even though rage had once again begun to smolder.
“I wouldn’t think you’d need an explanation. I needed the money, of course. My life was at stake, and everyone knows you’re one of the richest men in the country.”
“Who was threatening your life?” Gideon demanded.
“I’m up to my neck in losses I suffered at Vernon’s Gambling Den.”
Gideon frowned. “You gambled at Vernon’s? Are you out of your mind? He’s one of the most ruthless gambling den owners in the city.”
“He was the only one left who’d extend me credit. Unfortunately, I suffered a very large loss at one of his tables a month or so ago.” Daniel nodded to Walter. “That’s when I approached you and a few other gentlemen about some investment opportunities, but no one seemed keen to shell out any money.”
