“If money is what you seek, I can pay you. Please tell me what I want to know, and I will happily give you money for your assistance.”
Featherspoon shook his head. “People have told me that for so long, I refuse to believe it. My life is controlled, and I cannot stop it.”
“Is Macgregor the one controlling you?” Trevor paused for an answer, but the man continued to shake his head. “If he is, I can stop him. I will give you back the control you lost.”
“It’s useless. Useless…”
“Tell me, Mr. Featherspoon, do you take children from wealthy families and sell them to Macgregor?”
“Yes.”
Trevor’s heart lightened. Finally, he was getting somewhere. “Did Louisa come from noble parents?”
“Yes.”
“Do you recall their title?”
“D—D—doesn’t matter now.”
Inward, Trevor growled.So close…“I beg you, Mr. Featherspoon. Help me and I shall help you.”
The other man’s expression wavered from sadness to confusion, before his face grew red and he glared Trevor’s way. His aim became steadier as he pointed the pistol.
“It’s too late now, Your Grace. Too late for all of us.”
Trevor’s heart dropped. The perplexed man was going to pull the trigger.Lord, help me!
Suddenly, a loud thud rang through the air. Featherspoon’s body jerked. His eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed. Behind him stood a boy—perhaps in his tenth year—holding alarge piece of wood. The boy resembled the vagabonds Trevor had seen lately, except this one was a little cleaner.
“F—f—forgive me, sir, but I couldn’t allow him to shoot you.” The boy wiped his moist eyes.
“Who are you?” Trevor strolled closer, still hesitant.
“Isaac, sir. Isaac Dickson.”
“Are you related to Featherspoon?”
The boy shook his head and his eyes filled quickly with tears. “No. One week ago, he told me… told me my family…”
“Burned in a house fire?”
Isaac nodded and swiped at his eyes again. “I believed him, but after hearing what you said…” He sniffed.
Trevor motioned the boy from off the porch. “I will take you to your family if you wish. I don’t believe they are dead.”
The boy flew down the steps and ran to Trevor, burying his face in Trevor’s coat. “I don’t either.”
He patted Isaac’s head, studying Mr. Featherspoon. Blood gushed out the back of his head. The man’s skin was deathly white. Trevor pushed the boy away and hurried to the porch. Turning Featherspoon over, Trevor checked to see if the man was alive. His chest did not rise or fall. Trevor laid his head on the man’s chest. No heartbeat.
“D—did I kill him?” Isaac asked in a squeaky voice.
“Not to worry. You did the right thing.” Trevor met the boy’s panicked eyes. “I assure you, the law will not punish you. This man was very bad and had kidnapped many children.”
“He told me I would live with a man named Macgregor soon.”
“No, Isaac. I will not allow that to happen.” He stood and moved down the steps toward the boy. “Let us take you home and I will see that Featherspoon has a proper burial.” He led the way to his horse, but then stopped and glanced back at the cottage. “Are there any more children in there?”
“No. Just me.”
