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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] quickly, wondering which child had snuck in behind her. Nothing there, but the Spanish moss swaying gently in the trees. She shrugged to herself as she continued to follow the path along the water's edge. About five minutes later she heard a sound again. "Amos, is that you?" A sharp blow to the head knocked her to her knees. The second knocked her out. "Nope," said her attacker. "And you'll probably never see him again, Missie." Picking up her limp body, he threw it over the saddle of the horse he tethered nearby. Chapter 24 356 TREY PACED the floor of the sitting room. Dinner had come and gone but no sign of Alex. The children had come back hours ago, saying that she had been walking so slow they decided not to wait for her. Deep in his bones, he knew something was wrong. His wife would never stay away like this, unless she was hurt. He had waited long enough. Striding into the kitchen, Trey spoke to Jessie, who ate with his daughter. "Gather the men. I want to search for her." Jessie nodded as he got up. Within minutes, he had most of the hands rounded up and standing near the back door. Trey gave his orders before leading the men off. They had to find Alex. Their search turned out to be futile. They knew she had been near the bayou by her prints, but that was where they ended, as if she just disappeared. Trey trudged up the stairs to his home. He found Beau and Fluerette waiting for him. Fluerette looked frightened. "What?" "A package arrived for you while you were gone, Mr. Trey. It's in the sitting room." Trey nodded. He glanced at his friend. "Alexandra is missing." Chapter 24 357 "That's what Fluerette told me. Did you find her?" Trey shook his head. He walked into the room to find a large wrapped painting leaning against the fireplace. "Fluerette!" "Yes, sir?" she asked, wringing her hands inside the folds of her dress. "When did this arrive?" "About an hour ago," she replied. He rubbed his forehead. Who sent this? Trey ripped the packaging off. The part of the painting he saw was a bared, slim shoulder, a gloved hand, and patch of dark green. "What the hell?" The rest of the wrapping came off in seconds. Trey turned white as he stared at a painting of Alexandra, seated on a settee. Andrew stood behind her chair. He raked his fingers across Andrew's image in anger. The semi-dried oils smeared, distorting Andrew's face. He threw the painting into the fireplace. He stalked into his office and picked up his gun. Metal scraped as he placed two shells into the chambers of his shotgun, and dropped four extra into his pockets. Three strides got him out of the room and into the hall that lead to the door. Chapter 24 358 Jessie stood just inside the door. "Get a horse saddled." Trey swallowed hard. This man had caused him nothing but grief. It was time to end that grief. Beau stepped up to him, placing his hand on Trey's shoulder. "Trey, maybe you should think about this." The heat of his friend's hand permeated into him. "I have thought about this for too long. It's time for some action." "I'll come with you." "No." Trey turned cold eyes on his friend. "This is something I have to do myself." Beau searched his eyes, then nodded. "Be safe, my friend." Trey marched down the steps, swung up on his horse and charged down the road. He didn't think on the trek to Leroux's. Andrew better be alone this evening, or whoever might be with him could be hurt too. Right now, he didn't care. One foot kicked against Andrew's door, sending it crashing down. "Where is she, you son-of-a-bitch?" Andrew shot up out of the chair he sat in. The papers in his lap slid to the floor, pinging as they hit. "Trey? What are you talking about?" Chapter 24 359 "Alexandra. What have you done with my wife?" "We need to talk." "Like hell." Metal scraped metal as Trey cocked his rifle, then pointed it at Andrew's heart. "Where is she Andrew?" "I don't have your wife, Trey." Beads of perspiration appeared on his upper lip. "Think about this. If I had your wife, would I be here right now?" "Explain the picture." Andrew's brow creased. "What picture?" Trey gripped his rifle hard. The metal warmed in his hands. He closed his eyes, trying to control the anger he felt overpowering him. "The painting you sent." Andrew eyed the rifle warily. "Could you please elaborate." "The painting of you and my wife." The sound of wood hitting bone dominated when Trey whacked Andrew with the butt of his rifle. Andrew fell to the floor. Andrew stared up at him. "Trey, you've got to believe me. I didn't send you a painting of any sort." Trey lifted the rifle up again. "You lie." "Are you going to hit me every time I say something you don't like?" Andrew glared at Chapter 24 360 him. "If so, go ahead and shoot me." Silence. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |