Chapter 4: Twist of Fate
Author's note: By now you all probably have a pretty good idea about who killed who. Well I hate, (Okay no I don't) to do this to you, but things are about to get weird. I'll probably never actually do a Chase/Archie romance thing, unless I get some overwhelming plea by those reading this, but playing with innuendo is fun for me. Chase is mine, but you can use her if you ask. Please read and review this. Have fun.
Disclaimer: the norm
~*~
"The horse belonged to Thomas." AS soon as the damning words left her mouth, Horatio raced up the hill to the main house. His long legs skimmed over the uneven terrain.
Chase faltered as they neared the barn, and surely would have fallen to her knees if not for Archie's strong, steadying grasp. Chase squeezed shut her eyes, trying to will away the pounding at her temples. After a moment the drumming subsided and she glanced up. Concerned azure eyes gazed back down.
"You musn't work yourself into a frenzy like this," he chided. "Your head will cease to ache when you relax."
Chase snorted, a crimson flush rising up her neck. She stumbled forward a bit and Kennedy drew her closer so that she was no longer able to flounder about on wobbly legs. "Even now I can't comprehend you Mr. Kennedy. You believe something is afoot and yet you remain so irritatingly placid," she snapped at him.
"I'm not placid, I'm upset. But blustering about like a ninny won't help anything. And I'll forgive you rantings, for you are..."
Chase cut him off in mid-thought, rolling her eyes skyward and managing a watery smile. "I know, I know, I'm concussed. I'll rest after we find that rat Thomas." She pushed herself away and nearly fell again. Her headache was back in full force and suddenly all she wanted to do was sit and sleep.
"Forget it. Horatio went to find him already. The only place you're going is to your rooms and to bed." Chase shook her head but Archie refused to listen. He swept her quickly off her feet and carried her up the ladder to her rooms, the strain showing in the bulge of his neck. She might have protested, but she felt incredibly tired and weak. So instead she nestled her head against Kennedy's chest and let sleep overtake her.
Archie lowered Chase onto her bed and pulled the covers up around her shoulders. Chase rolled onto her side, taking most of the covers with her and mumbling something Archie couldn't quite hear. Kennedy shook his head, "damned stubborn American." His voice was hard, but affection flickered across his features. He stood by her bedside for a long while, watching her as she slept. One corner of his mouth tugged up in the barest beginnings of a grin of grudging respect.
He had to admire her tenacity. One unruly lock of her hair fell across her face. Archie felt compelled. He reached down and brushed the lock away from her face, his fingers brushing lightly over her cheek. "Sleep well dear friend," he murmured, then turned on his heel and left, shutting the door firmly behind him.
--
Archie and Horatio searched long hours for Thomas, but Emma's husband was nowhere to be found. He had simply vanished from the property, not even the grooms in the stables had seen him. His horse was still in its stall and his clothes and other belongings in his room. Late that same night, Archie gather his family, as well as Sophie and her kin, in the foyer.
While Archie briefed his family on the new information regarding Calvin's death, omitting only the suspicions of Thomas, Horatio searched Emma's room. The two seamen had figured it better to wait for confirmation of their suspicions before telling everyone in the house.
The evidence was not long in coming. Inside Thomas' room, tucked away at the bottom of a dresser drawer, was a rumpled white shirt. It wasn't the shirt that interested Horatio however, it was the deep red stain in the center. He also found Thomas' knife. The blade had been wiped clean, but keen eyes spotted a few tiny flecks of dried blood on the hilt. The shirt or knife alone would have been proof enough, but now Horatio was utterly convinced that they had the right man. He rolled the shirt into a ball and tucked the dagger into his belt, heading down to the living room where the family was congregated. He regretted what he was about to do to Emma, but he had no choice.
Richard remained in a state of shock after the announcement, his aging features a disturbing gray. Emma fainted, and began to bawl after waking. Edna had guided her old friend up to her room to mourn. She brought with her a flask of brandy, hoping that alcohol would lull Emma into sleep. Luther and Richard took Horatio aside, pelting him with questions about his conclusions. Sophie lamented with Archie, her entire expression completely bewildered.
"Well that explains why he was so eager to pin the murders on you," she cooed. "I, of course, never believed him for a moment, but it is comforting to know that you've been cleared. How terrible for your family though! And to believe I was in the same house with a murderer, it baffles the mind. Oh Archibald, what are you going to do now?"
Archie smiled grimly, grasping her arms firmly. "I'll do what Cal would have wanted. I'll concentrate on winning the Cup. Once I do that perhaps, my cousin will be able to rest in peace, and we can go on with our lives. I love you Sophie," he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. Sophie blushed and the two headed out to the gardens to discuss wedding plans.
--
Chase woke late the following day. Her head screamed and her mood was foul. She snapped at the stable hands and went about her duties with a dark cloud hanging over her. Her mood was not improved when she learned of Archie's proposal.
"Ms. Sophie Riley," she grumbled. "Little twit has probably never worked a day in her life. Wait no, Mrs. Sophie Kennedy. I'll never understand the marrying practices of the rich. If only he weren't so damnably happy." She punctuated her last thought with a wild fling of her pitchfork.
With a sigh she stopped, wiping the sweat from her brow. "So blasted happy," she repeated more quietly. She leaned on her fork, thinking of her friend. Archie was a witty, good-hearted man, quick to like a person and quicker to smile.
She hadn't seen Kennedy smile much as of late. The cheerful twinkle in his eye had been replaced by a somber responsibility. When Kennedy smiled his entire face lit up. HE looked younger and more innocent than his 22 years would suggest. 'But he hasn't smiled like that in a while,' she lamented. 'Only when he's around Sophie,' she admitted to herself.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when Horatio cleared his throat behind her. "Lord Mr. Hornblower, you scared me out of my wits. You're awfully quiet for such a large man."
Horatio grinned, touching a hand to his wiry frame. "Well, tall anyway if not large. How are you feeling this afternoon?"
"I'd be better without this headache. And I'd be much better if some of the stable hands were more inclined to work. What with the Cup so close there is an awful lot of extra work, and everyone leaves in a few hours. And since I was in bed all morning not a thing got done." She shrugged. "Other than that I really don't know. I mean, I should be pleased right? Thomas is gone and wouldn't dare show his face again. I know this mess is behind us, but I can't shake the feeling that we missed something, something that doesn't add up."
Hornblower crossed his arms in front of him and leaned against the doorframe, thoughtful. "I know what you mean. At first I was pleased that the whole situation was finished, but at the same time it's very odd the way it all came together. Far too easy. Do you find it at all strange that one man wreaked so much havoc?"
"A bit. Thomas wasn't even about for some of the incidents. Race day for example, he never got near Calvin's saddle, let lone close enough to cut through the leather. And the day Kennedy and I were attacked in the city, he was with you remember?"
"You're right. I'd forgotten about that. The more I think about this the more inclined I become to guess that Thomas didn't act alone. He was working with someone, but who?"
"Well, we can rule out Edna, Emma and Richard right away. Emma and Edna didn't come to the race, and Richard loved Calvin. Maybe, Luther?"
"Possibly. After all, Richard and Luther are in business together. Maybe he has some hope of monetary gain with Richard's heirs out of the way," Horatio mused. "I just wish we didn't have to leave this afternoon. If we could stay for an extra day we could explore further without being interrupted."
"That would be convenient, but I don't have a satisfactory excuse to stay behind, do you?"
--
For once luck was on their side. Luther himself offered a way out of joining the entourage to the race cite that afternoon. Luther needed some legal documents from his office in the city, to facilitate the sale of a promising colt to the Harrison's. It was then that Horatio learned that Luther was Richard's lawyer.
"I'll go," Chase volunteered. "John doesn't need me there and I don't need to watch the Cup. I can see it next year. Just tell me where your offices are."
Luther looked apprehensive. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, sending out a woman alone in the city. I wouldn't feel assured of your well being."
"Not to worry sir," Horatio interjected before Chase could say something snide. "I'd be happy to accompany Chase. We'll ride up this afternoon, stay the night, retrieve your papers and meet up with at the race tomorrow. I don't particularly want to see Archie break his neck race riding anyway. Not that he will Ms. Riley," he finished hurriedly when he saw the look of horror pass over Sophie's features.
Luther shrugged. "All right then Mr. Hornblower. I won't turn down a good man offering to do me a favor. Thank you."
Horatio nodded amiably. "Not a problem at all. Now you had best be on your way if you want Archie to walk the course before dark. We'll see you there for the race tomorrow."
Luther smiled and had a lad run and fetch him a piece of parchment and a pen. He wrote a hurried note to his assistant and signed it with a flourish, pressing the paper into Horatio's open palm. "Show this to Gregory and he'll let you inside."
Luther thanked Horatio once again and stepped into the cab of the handsome four horse carriage Richard had assembled. Richard, Emma, Edna, Sophie and Luther were all seated inside. A stable hand drove. Following the carriage was a wagon filled with supplies. John drove two sturdy bays and Archie pelted him with questions of how he should run the Cup course. A groom was seated in back with the feed and to pay attention to Holly and Castle that were hitched to the back.
The carriage and wagon wound down the drive and off the Harrison's grounds. Horatio and Chase glanced at one another. "Sometimes fate lends a helping hand eh?" Horatio smirked.
"Absolutely. Now let's be off as soon as possible. If you would start to ready Percy and Raven I will go change out of this ridiculous outfit and into something more practical." She tugged irritably at the high neck of her pale blue dress. "I'll change and be back in flash."
"Am I to assume then that you will not be riding sidesaddle?"
"Please, you know I never ride sidesaddle unless I have to. You're perched in such a ridiculously unbalanced manner because it looks ladylike. I'd give a month's pay to see John, Richard or any one of you men ride in a sidesaddle. But I digress, I'll be right back."
Chase sprinted up to her room, the skirts of her dress piled up so she wouldn't trip. Inside she stripped the irritating, hot habit off and tossed it on her bed. Tucked away inside her footlocker were a pair of green trousers and a plain blue shirt. Pants were so much easier to ride in.
She stuffed a dress and a nightgown into her saddlebags and hurried for the door, but stopped before she crossed through the threshold. She turned back and went to her tiny dresser. Tucked away beneath her skirts was a small dagger, sheathed in black leather. She fingered the leather lightly and strapped the blade to her ankle just above her boot. She sensed trouble was brewing and she wanted to be ready for it.
Horatio had just finished saddling Chase's energetic black gelding when she appeared from the loft of the barn. He left the gelding ground tied in the aisle and ducked back inside a nearby stall to retrieve Percy. Chase used deft fingers to fasten her bag behind the saddle in a matter of moments.
The ride into the city was uneventful, peaceful even as the two rode along at a steady trot. They stowed their mounts in the local livery and checked their bags at a boarding house, where they rented rooms for the night. The ride had taken several hours, and the sun hovered low in the western hills. They decided to postpone their visit to Luther's law offices until the next morning.
--
The air held a chill the following morning, and the fog clung to everything. One could hardly see ones hand in front of their face as they wandered through the thick white cloud. Horatio walked briskly down the street, and Chase followed behind, rubbing her hands up and down her arms to warm them.
She watched Horatio darkly, peering out from behind the wrap she had borrowed from the inn keeper's wife. She hated the cold with a vengeance. She hated the fact that Horatio could walk down the street with only a thin coat surrounding his bony frame. "You just love this don't you?"
Horatio glanced in Chase's direction and grinned. "You mean the morning air? Ah yes, isn't it a lovely morning? And the air is so refreshing." There was a rosy hue in his cheeks and his eyes twinkled, for once dropping the serious demeanor that almost always held them. He was teasing her and Chase knew it.
"The air is bloody well freezing is what it is. But not to you Englishmen, no, this is just a pleasant nip. I positively dread the winter that comes."
Hornblower ignored her griping for the most part, searching the street instead for any sign of Luther's office. At last he spotted it, at the end of the cobblestone street, marked by a hanging wood placard. "Here we are then. I wonder if his assistant is in?"
"Well I say we stop wondering and find out," she muttered peevishly. Stamping her feet and hugging the shawl closer, she pushed past Horatio and rapped hard on the door. After what seemed to Chase a very long moment, a harried looking young man answered the door. Not bothering to first introduce herself, Chase edged her way inside.
"Gregory Allen?" Horatio inquired. The man nodded quickly. "I must apologize for my companion, she does not take kindly to the weather. My name is Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower. I believe you are expecting us."
Gregory Allen was not a handsome man. His eyes were too narrow and his brows too bushy. His nose was long and crooked and his features were pinched on a thin, pale face. He eyed the two strangers suspiciously for a moment, and Horatio noticed a glimmer of intelligence in his murky gaze.
"Come in, you're letting the warm air out." He motioned Horatio inside, shutting the door firmly behind him. "You were supposed to be here last night." There was no malice in Allen's voice, it was merely a statement of fact.
"I'm afraid I have much work to do, what with Mr. Riley gone at the Harrison's, so I won't be able to help you look for the documents. But I'll show you to Luther's office and you can take it from there."
"That's just fine. I'm sure we'll be able to find what we need in no time." Gregory nodded and led them down a long, dark hall.
The man obviously didn't converse much with people, but now he seemed to want to chat. "So Mr. Riley's Sophie is getting married eh?" Horatio nodded politely while Chase merely grunted. Allen smirked, "I see you've met the lady then." He fished a ring of keys from his pocket. "Have to feel sorry for the poor sod that proposed. He obviously doesn't know what he's getting himself in for. Ms. Sophie is quite the handful."
The two tall oak panels slid open with a creak. Luther's office was immaculate, not a paper out of place. His desk was gleaming with well oiled wood. Bookshelves ran from floor to ceiling along the back wall and a large cherry file desk was placed in the far corner. Horatio eyed the door meaningfully.
Gregory looked down at his hands. "Right. I'll leave you to it then. Call if you need me, I'll be out front." He turned on his heel and ambled back down the aisle. Chase shut the doors.
"Finally," Horatio breathed. "I thought he'd never leave. Here are the papers on that horse, right where he said they'd be." He pulled a set of papers from the top desk drawer and tucked them inside his breast pocket. "All right Chase, look for anything suspicious, anything that might suggest an advantage for Luther if all Richard's kin are deceased."
The two worked quickly, sifting through the desk drawers and through the bookshelves. Their search was fast proving fruitless however. In a last desperate hope, Horatio tried the file cabinet. Locked, as he had feared.
"Looks like our luck has run out. Unless you can magically produce a key."
Chase studied the file drawer for a minute, hands resting lightly on her hips. "Maybe in this case we don't need luck. Hand me that letter opener will you?" The officer was confused, but did as she asked, placing what looked like a rounded, dull blade in her hand.
"What exactly do you plan on doing?"
Chase slid the blade down into the space between the drawer and the actual cabinet. She moved it slowly closer toward the lock being extremely careful not to scratch the wood. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
"One day when I was sixteen my father took me into Richmond. He met up with a few drinking friends and ordered me to stay put outside this tiny leather shop. Needless to say he promptly forgot about me, and I with no money and no relatives in the area had to improvise. It is amazing what one can learn when faced with necessity. This is just one of my little tricks. The hardest part is popping the lock without breaking the wood around it."
She wiggled the handle back and forth, testing the mechanism. Once thoroughly satisfied she exerted more pressure, then more. Within a few seconds there was a satisfying pop, and the top drawer slid open. "And dear Mr. Allen won't notice until we are long gone."
"Impressive." He stepped forward and began rifling through the papers while Chase started on the drawer below. "Hold it," a bubble of excitement rose in his throat, "I think I found something. Huh, it's Richard's last will and testimony."
Chase withdrew the blade, now keenly focused on the parchment in the naval officer's hands. "Anything interesting?"
"All his lands are to be divided among his named heirs, Calvin, Emma and Archie. With Cal dead I suppose the lands will be split between the remaining two. Richard's assets are tied up in his properties and his horses. There is nothing to suggest that Luther has anything to gain."
"Nothing left for John?" Chase asked.
"Nothing of note, why?"
"Just seems a little odd to me is all. John has been working for the Harrison's for more than twenty years. Richard considers him a member of the family."
"Perhaps not a very close member of the family," Horatio quipped. "All this guarantees him is permanent employment for the rest of his days. That's something anyway." Chase just shrugged.
Horatio continued to read the document, but he had to admit to himself that he knew little of the logistics of law, and that most of the language made little sense to him. AS he read, Chase wandered back to the desk and opened a large, leather bound notebook that had been placed off to one side of the desktop.
"Come look at this!" She called. "This ledger contains Luther's holdings, it's his accounting book." She flipped to the back few pages of the notebook. "it looks like our friends the Riley's have been having a rather rough time in the last year. Luther is barely making enough to make ends meet. Seems his daughters don't care much for his waning assets either, they spend money like it grows on trees. He's near bankruptcy."
"How very interesting." The office doors creaked and the two froze where they stood. The young Mr. Allen poked his head inside.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" he smiled.
Chase's hand still hovered over the accounting ledger. What would the man say if he caught them snooping? Thankfully Horatio came to her rescue. The quick witted lieutenant drew Gregory's focus away from Chase and the ledger. "Say Gregory, where did Luther get that magnificent stag?" He pointed up at the rafters, where a deer head was mounted and stuffed on the wall. "I didn't realize he was such an adept hunter."
The assistant's smile broadened. The distraction offered Chase a chance to replace the ledger. "Oh Mr. Riley didn't shook that buck, although I know he wishes he had. No, Ms. Sophie is the one that took that one down. She's quite handy with a rifle when she's in the mood for it. It's rather marvelous when one considers how much the lady hates manual labor."
Hornblower risked a glance at Chase. Her puzzled, increasingly anxious expression matched his own. 'Sophie?' she mouthed, her eyes wide. "Thanks so much for letting us in Mr. Allen," Horatio said, edging closer to the door. Once outside the confines of the office, the two burst into a jog and rushed out the door.
"I can't hardly believe it!" Chase yelled as they raced down the street.
"It makes sense though doesn't it? Her father is near to broke and she's quite used to living comfortably, so she needs to marry rich. Archie fits the bill for the perfect husband, he has an inheritance, he's well connected through his family and he's almost never at home. She'll be able to squander away his money without a thought."
Chase drew Horatio to a stop, breathing hard. "But why kill Calvin and why go after Emma?"
"She's greedy, she wants all the money for herself. With Emma and Calvin out of the way Archie inherits everything. And she's good enough with a rifle to have shot at Emma and me that night."
"Do you think she'll speed up Richard's death any? He's not so old as to expect to die any day. For the love of the Lord the man still rides in steeplechases!"
"I have a feeling that once Emma is out of the way, Richard will be her next target. WE have to stop her. When is the race scheduled to start?
"An hour, why?"
Horatio began to walk once more, his lengthy stride carrying him quickly. Chase had to trot to keep up. "If Sophie does plan to strike today, she would probably do it during the mass confusion of the race, don't you think? No one will be paying her any mind at all."
Chase paled and tore the shawl from about her neck. "You get the horses, I'll get our bags. The ride to the grounds takes about an hour and a half, a little less if we run the horses to ground. The faster we get out of here the better." She tore off in the direction of the inn and Horatio moved for the livery.
The two rode hard to the grounds of the point to point, hunched over the horses shoulders as they galloped over the hills of the English countryside. Chase fought her overwhelming urge to let Raven run as fast as she knew he could. The horse would be of no use to her if he became winded before reaching the spectators. Percy was not so fast as the fleet Raven, but he had a better wind.
They cut ten minutes from their trip by riding through farmers' fields on their way, a cardinal sin in equestrian etiquette. Neither Horatio nor Chase even considered the rule as the cut up newly plowed fields. The terrain became less undulating as they rode, and Chase spotted the edge of the forest that marked the periphery of the trail. The steeplechase course was cut into the existing landscape, and only a few trees had been cleared to make the path wide enough for three or four horses to gallop abreast.
Horses and riders were soaked with sweat when they drew to a halt by the course's edge. Raven, hyped by the gallop through the fields, danced lightly. "They've already come by here, and not to long ago by the looks of it," Horatio informed her. "Where to now?"
The plane of the landscape rose steadily in one direction, but was fairly flat in the other. Chase considered the options. She had ridden the course several times with Calvin after first coming to the Harrison estate. Cal had been a man possessed, and because of it she knew every inch of the course.
"They've another two miles to ride, but it's the most treacherous, toughest part of the race. There is a gradual incline for the next half mile, two jumps, then a drop into water. When the ground drops off there forms a small bluff overlooking the rest of the course. It would give Sophie an ideal place to station herself with her rifle. The spectators are gathered a quarter mile from the finish line. I'll find Emma, you search the bluff and find Sophie. Hurry."
Horatio needed no further urging. He kicked Percy into a gallop, the massively built gelding surging forward valiantly. Chase turned Raven in the opposite direction, into the woods, through the thicket in a shortcut to the finish.
Horatio took Percy in a straight a line as he dared, weaving in and out of the trees at a dangerous racing clip. Twice he crossed the path of the racers just behind them, but he was making up ground. The path took another turn and suddenly Horatio was in front of the pack of racers. He didn't dare relax. Instead he pushed the gelding harder, steering him up through the treeline and onto the bluff. He just prayed he might find Sophie in time and, not for the first time that trip, wished he had had the presence of mind to pack his pistols.
--
Chase guided her horse through the throngs of people. She shielded her eyes from the sun and peered over the tops of people, searching for someone she recognized. Raven did his part to clear the path, snaking his head around to nip at anyone who did not move out of his way.
"Bloody hell and damnation," she muttered under her breath. "Where the hell are you Emma?" Finally she saw a face she recognized, but it wasn't the face she sought after. "Edna! Edna it's Winifred." The plump woman focused in on the scruffy looking rider on the black horse.
"Winifred? My Lord dear, do you realize how you look? It's dreadful. Get down off that horse and we'll find some way to make you presentable."
"Thanks, but not right now. Have you seen Sophie as of late?"
"Why no, now that you mention it, she disappeared a little while ago. And Emma has been no fun at all, she's set herself to sulking over at the fringe of the crowd."
Chase glanced sharply in the direction Edna had indicated. The field was just cresting the last rise on the track. One more fence and they would set their horses down to use their last reserves of speed and heart as they made a mad dash for the finish. She didn't even notice that a familiar chestnut mare led them all, she was too busy worrying that Emma was out in the open.
She wrenched Raven around rather severely and began pushing her way toward Emma. "Emma!" She cried out, but her voice was lost to the din of the shouting crowd. "Emma you have to get down!" She was still just out of reach when the sound of a rifle shot rang through the air.
--
Horatio flew from his saddle while Percy was still cantering, crashing hard into Sophie. Her careful aim was destroyed and the bullet missed its intended target by a matter of a few feet. The two tumbled onto the soft, wet earth. Sophie didn't try to fight the naval officer, for she knew she was no match.
Instead, she spat at him as he took away her rifle and drew her up to her feet. Her hair had been torn loose from its bun, and dark wisps clung about her face and she swatted at them in irritation. A steady stream of insults and profanity poured from her lips.
Horatio raised an eyebrow. "Now isn't that unladylike? For shame Ms. Riley." He clucked his tongue disapprovingly. "Such language, now move." HE gave her a firm push and they began their slow descent down to the questions that would surely await them. Percy followed close behind, happy to be walking at last.
A small crowd awaited their arrival. Chase was busy ignoring the persistent questions being thrown at her by Richard and Archie. She assured them repeatedly that Horatio would be able to better satisfy their curiosity. Emma was pale, the skin drawn up tight around her face. She had screamed when the massive black gelding had bumped into her with his shoulder, sending her flying.
Archie was the first to spot Horatio, herding Sophie in front of him, Percy's reins in his left hand, and a rifle in his right. He handed his newly won trophy to a groom and rode over to his friend. His face was blotchy and red. "What is the meaning of this? Horatio? Chase? I demand an explanation!"
Horatio sighed, slapping his friend across the shoulder. "Archie my dear friend, you may want to consider postponing your wedding plans a bit." Kennedy didn't respond, he merely waited for the explanation he knew was coming.
--
"...So we found the will in the file drawer and figured it out form there," Horatio finished. "Sophie had everything to gain." Emma had grown outraged as the story unfurled, actually launching herself at Sophie. Edna, tearful and confused had led her away. Luther was pale, and he looked much older than he had before, like the story had taken years off his life.
Archie kept shaking his head in disbelief. He approached Sophie slowly when Horatio had finished. "Why did you set out to kill Cal? What did he ever do to you?" The young man was obviously crushed, but there were questions he needed answered.
Sophie snarled, her pretty face twisting into something grotesque. "I never intended to kill him or anyone I the first place. All I wanted was to marry into the family so that I wouldn't end up without a cent to my name. I was having an affair with Emma's lout of a husband and he found out about it. He threatened to expose us. He had to be eliminated."
Chase stood at the border of the small group, listening and absorbing the information. Somehow, watching Archie's disheartened expression, the victory they had won over Sophie lost some of its luster. Instead of feeling elated, she was miserable.
"SO then you and Thomas conspired to kill Emma as well," Horatio prodded. "You figured that having two of the heirs out of the way was even better than one. The two of you plotted."
Sophie snorted. "Please, Thomas had nothing to do with it. He didn't have the backbone to kill his lovely wife, or Calvin for that matter. But you believed it didn't you? Thomas was the perfect fall guy."
Archie and Horatio exchanged puzzled glances. 'If not Thomas then who?'
Warm breath tickled the back of Chase's neck. She froze when she felt the cold metal barrel of a pistol press into her exposed skin. "Scream and I'll shoot you bloody head off," an icy voice warned her. "back up slowly." She complied, feeling a vice-like grasp encircle her arm.
"Where is Thomas now?" Horatio demanded quietly.
"Buried in a shallow grave," Sophie replied without a thought. There was no regret in her tone, only pure venom. "We did away with him the night I shot at Emma."
"Who is we?" Archie asked.
Sophie peered out into the multitude. A slow smile spread across her lips. "Why don't you ask your little whoring stable hand Archibald? She's with him right now."
Horatio and Archie whirled. Chase was perched awkwardly atop the saddle pommel of John's gray hunter, looking as panicked as either had ever seen her. It didn't take long for them to understand why. John had a pistol trained on her head. He sat behind her in the saddle, one arm encircling her waist.
"Come any closer than that and you'll regret it for the rest of your lives," he sneered. "maybe half as much as I regret hanging about you for so long Richard. Never got me a damned thing."
"What are you talking about John? I don't understand." Richard couldn't subdue the pleading whine in his voice.
John grunted. "You don't understand twenty-six years old man? That's right, Sophie had the decency to show me your will. Twenty-six years working for you and you credit me with nothing? Not money, or land, or a house, or even a decent racer? I've wasted my life working for you and I wanted to make you pay!"
"I always paid you well John, you never were hungry. I employed you when no one else would take a chance. I owe you nothing."
"Tis no matter Richard." John's eyes gleamed with hatred. "I've taken your son from you, your dearest child. I've taken from you your son in law, so that your daughter might never recover, and by the time this day is through I'll have taken her as well. Goodbye forever, and I hope you all rot in hell." He spun his horse around and booted him into a fast canter.
Everyone remained rooted to the ground for a moment, then Horatio and Archie ran for the nearest horses. The quickly tightened the cinches and swung aboard. "You're going after her? What do you plan to do?" Richard called to them.
Archie tipped his hat and grinned, "What we do best uncle."
"Improvise!" Horatio shouted, and the two friends raced away.
John's horse was more fresh than Raven and the gray Castle that Richard had run, but he was burdened by two people on his back. Horatio and Archie drew steadily closer, inching up on the fleeing killer who still had one victim left in his grasp.
Chase gritted her teeth as they galloped madly in and out of the forest. Branches tore at her clothing and her hair, and John's poor hunter was laboring under their combined weight. But as tired as John's mount would soon be, the other two horses were just as tired if not more so already. Castle had just completed a five mile steeplechase and Raven had been run at a hand gallop for more than an hour. All three horses would drop before too long.
Chase writhed against the man's constraints, but John held her firmly. Raven and Castle were beginning to lose ground rather than gain, and it wouldn't be too long before both were outdistanced. She had to stop them now.
Chase lurched forward in the saddle, breaking John's grasp for a moment. She closed her eyes for this was bound to hurt. She grabbed the gelding's right rein in both hands and pulled back on it fiercely. AS the horse's head twisted around she threw her weight to the left, unbalancing the horse still more. John yelled furiously as the horse gave way, tripping over his own hooves and pitching left.
John soared from his saddle, landing hard on his left side. Still holding the reins, Chase's left leg became pinned underneath the massive gray form. Her left arm hit the ground with a resounding thwack, pain shooting up it from fingertips to shoulder. Even as the horse rolled off her, she was too dazed to move at all. Her eyes drifted down the trail. They were coming, thank God Archie and Horatio were coming.
John was just staggering to his feet when Horatio reached him. The lithe young Lieutenant was well aware of the pistol still in John's grasp. He feinted left, then swung his right fist into John's stomach. He grunted but did not drop his gun. John let loose with an animalistic roar, backhanding Horatio across the face with the butt of the pistol. HE lay still on the earth, stunned.
Chase watched as Archie drew near. She wanted to call out, to help, but her body refused to obey her mind and she was left mute. Archie and Horatio were fine pugilists she knew, but John had not been born or raised a gentleman. She recognized the way he stood as the position of a street fighter, and one who was not above playing dirty.
John leveled his weapon at Horatio's head, a mad, hateful gleam in his eyes. But Archie was upon him before he could pull the trigger, leaping deftly from his saddle to his back. John went down on his knees. Kennedy released his hold around his neck and John attacked, swiping Archie's feet out from under him. He aimed a large foot for the younger man's throat, and Archie rolled out of the way just in time. John advanced, using his pistol like a club. Horatio began to recover as his friend began to falter.
Horatio drew himself up on his knees, shaking his head to clear away the awful ringing that rang inside. It was then that Chase's body began to respond to her demands. Her right hand crept slowly down the length of her leg toward her boot. She gasped every time she jarred her left arm. Finally, with tear filled eyes, her hand found the hilt of her dagger. She grasped it solidly and drew the blade from its sheath. "Horatio," she managed to croak. She tossed the dagger in his direction, and the shiny silver blade settled near his feet.
Archie was wrestling with John, each trying to regain control over the pistol. Archie's face was red from his exertions against the bigger, heavier man. He began to lose. Horatio was like a cat, a blur as he leapt upon John and thrust the dagger deep into the man's back. He would have preferred not to stab him in the back, but he had little choice.
John stiffened and groaned. The pistol slipped from his fingers and he released his grip on Archie's throat. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground, his eyes wide and his mouth open. HE struggled to draw breath, inevitably failing and died without uttering a word. The two officers moved away from him and to Chase.
She found that if she gripped Horatio's shoulder with her uninjured hand, and they both tried to stand at th4e same time, she could draw her legs underneath her. Clutching her left arm protectively to her side, she limped slowly over to Raven. The black horse nickered when he saw her, but sighed when Horatio boosted her into the saddle. The last thing the poor horse wanted to do was gallop again. She smiled softly and leaned toward his ear. "No worries my boy, this is definitely a walking trip." The horse snorted as if in agreement.
Archie swung up on Castle while Horatio went to fetch John's gray. Chase caught Archie staring at her. She looked at him questioningly. "How are you?" He finally asked.
"Dreadful. My entire left side is one massive hurt. And I am fairly certain that I have broken my wrist, considering that I am able to feel the bone pressing against the skin, which is not normal. You?"
Archie shot her a wavering smile. "Let's think. My dear cousin is dead, as is my cousin-in-law. My dearest Emma may never recover from this heartache. An old employee I once considered a friend turned out to be conspiring to kill off most of my family. Not to mention that the woman I thought I loved only wanted me for my money, and then there was nearly losing you. Definitely a red letter day. It's enough to give a man gray hairs."
"I'm sorry Kennedy, about Sophie I mean."
"Don't mention it, and I mean that." Horatio trotted up to them. The three friends started back the way they had come, riding at a leisurely walk for the first time all day.
--
"Morning."
"Morning Chase," Archie replied. "Watching the younglings again are we?" He too smiled as he watched the yearlings cavort about the paddock. They stood there for a while in silence. "I heard the news by the way, congratulations."
She shrugged. "It's only till your uncle can find a replacement for John."
"DO well with the horses and it may well be longer than that." Archie leaned his frame on the fencepost, fingering the brim of his hat. It felt almost strange to be back in his uniform after almost a month.
"You leave today then?" He nodded. Chase didn't know what else to say, so she absent mindedly began to play with the sling that held her left arm. The silence that settled between them was uncomfortable at best.
"The coach is already waiting. Walk with me up?" She nodded and walked with him up the path. She limped slightly, but moved steadfastly up the incline refusing the help offered her.
They said their goodbyes at the hillcrest. Chase hugged Horatio fiercely with her good arm. "Stay healthy, and keep him out of harm's way," she motioned to Archie with the tilt of her head.
Dark eyes danced. "That's a full time job in and of itself, but I'll do my best." Horatio moved on to thanking his host and saying goodbye to Edna and Emma.
Chase and Archie hugged too, and when their embrace ended they hovered, not really wanting to let go. She felt his breath tickle the back of her neck. They both wanted to say something, but neither did. Archie stepped back after a moment or two and flushed slightly. "Hanging out around you two is dangerous you know?" Chase quipped.
"I'm going to miss you Chase; you and your razor tongue."
"Hey, I rather like my razor tongue. Have a safe voyage Kennedy. Indy'll be broke to ride the next time you have leave this way. But do me a favor, and leave the murderous potential wives at port."
Her eyes twinkled and Archie grinned. "I guarantee it. Uncle, Emma, till next time." He stepped up into the cab of the carriage. No one moved until it vanished amongst the trees, far down the lane.
THE END
I hope you liked this, and that it wasn't too confusing. I can't believe you didn't guess it was Sophie! I thought I was being way too obvious. Honest reviews are appreciated and thanks for reading!
Author's note: By now you all probably have a pretty good idea about who killed who. Well I hate, (Okay no I don't) to do this to you, but things are about to get weird. I'll probably never actually do a Chase/Archie romance thing, unless I get some overwhelming plea by those reading this, but playing with innuendo is fun for me. Chase is mine, but you can use her if you ask. Please read and review this. Have fun.
Disclaimer: the norm
~*~
"The horse belonged to Thomas." AS soon as the damning words left her mouth, Horatio raced up the hill to the main house. His long legs skimmed over the uneven terrain.
Chase faltered as they neared the barn, and surely would have fallen to her knees if not for Archie's strong, steadying grasp. Chase squeezed shut her eyes, trying to will away the pounding at her temples. After a moment the drumming subsided and she glanced up. Concerned azure eyes gazed back down.
"You musn't work yourself into a frenzy like this," he chided. "Your head will cease to ache when you relax."
Chase snorted, a crimson flush rising up her neck. She stumbled forward a bit and Kennedy drew her closer so that she was no longer able to flounder about on wobbly legs. "Even now I can't comprehend you Mr. Kennedy. You believe something is afoot and yet you remain so irritatingly placid," she snapped at him.
"I'm not placid, I'm upset. But blustering about like a ninny won't help anything. And I'll forgive you rantings, for you are..."
Chase cut him off in mid-thought, rolling her eyes skyward and managing a watery smile. "I know, I know, I'm concussed. I'll rest after we find that rat Thomas." She pushed herself away and nearly fell again. Her headache was back in full force and suddenly all she wanted to do was sit and sleep.
"Forget it. Horatio went to find him already. The only place you're going is to your rooms and to bed." Chase shook her head but Archie refused to listen. He swept her quickly off her feet and carried her up the ladder to her rooms, the strain showing in the bulge of his neck. She might have protested, but she felt incredibly tired and weak. So instead she nestled her head against Kennedy's chest and let sleep overtake her.
Archie lowered Chase onto her bed and pulled the covers up around her shoulders. Chase rolled onto her side, taking most of the covers with her and mumbling something Archie couldn't quite hear. Kennedy shook his head, "damned stubborn American." His voice was hard, but affection flickered across his features. He stood by her bedside for a long while, watching her as she slept. One corner of his mouth tugged up in the barest beginnings of a grin of grudging respect.
He had to admire her tenacity. One unruly lock of her hair fell across her face. Archie felt compelled. He reached down and brushed the lock away from her face, his fingers brushing lightly over her cheek. "Sleep well dear friend," he murmured, then turned on his heel and left, shutting the door firmly behind him.
--
Archie and Horatio searched long hours for Thomas, but Emma's husband was nowhere to be found. He had simply vanished from the property, not even the grooms in the stables had seen him. His horse was still in its stall and his clothes and other belongings in his room. Late that same night, Archie gather his family, as well as Sophie and her kin, in the foyer.
While Archie briefed his family on the new information regarding Calvin's death, omitting only the suspicions of Thomas, Horatio searched Emma's room. The two seamen had figured it better to wait for confirmation of their suspicions before telling everyone in the house.
The evidence was not long in coming. Inside Thomas' room, tucked away at the bottom of a dresser drawer, was a rumpled white shirt. It wasn't the shirt that interested Horatio however, it was the deep red stain in the center. He also found Thomas' knife. The blade had been wiped clean, but keen eyes spotted a few tiny flecks of dried blood on the hilt. The shirt or knife alone would have been proof enough, but now Horatio was utterly convinced that they had the right man. He rolled the shirt into a ball and tucked the dagger into his belt, heading down to the living room where the family was congregated. He regretted what he was about to do to Emma, but he had no choice.
Richard remained in a state of shock after the announcement, his aging features a disturbing gray. Emma fainted, and began to bawl after waking. Edna had guided her old friend up to her room to mourn. She brought with her a flask of brandy, hoping that alcohol would lull Emma into sleep. Luther and Richard took Horatio aside, pelting him with questions about his conclusions. Sophie lamented with Archie, her entire expression completely bewildered.
"Well that explains why he was so eager to pin the murders on you," she cooed. "I, of course, never believed him for a moment, but it is comforting to know that you've been cleared. How terrible for your family though! And to believe I was in the same house with a murderer, it baffles the mind. Oh Archibald, what are you going to do now?"
Archie smiled grimly, grasping her arms firmly. "I'll do what Cal would have wanted. I'll concentrate on winning the Cup. Once I do that perhaps, my cousin will be able to rest in peace, and we can go on with our lives. I love you Sophie," he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. Sophie blushed and the two headed out to the gardens to discuss wedding plans.
--
Chase woke late the following day. Her head screamed and her mood was foul. She snapped at the stable hands and went about her duties with a dark cloud hanging over her. Her mood was not improved when she learned of Archie's proposal.
"Ms. Sophie Riley," she grumbled. "Little twit has probably never worked a day in her life. Wait no, Mrs. Sophie Kennedy. I'll never understand the marrying practices of the rich. If only he weren't so damnably happy." She punctuated her last thought with a wild fling of her pitchfork.
With a sigh she stopped, wiping the sweat from her brow. "So blasted happy," she repeated more quietly. She leaned on her fork, thinking of her friend. Archie was a witty, good-hearted man, quick to like a person and quicker to smile.
She hadn't seen Kennedy smile much as of late. The cheerful twinkle in his eye had been replaced by a somber responsibility. When Kennedy smiled his entire face lit up. HE looked younger and more innocent than his 22 years would suggest. 'But he hasn't smiled like that in a while,' she lamented. 'Only when he's around Sophie,' she admitted to herself.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when Horatio cleared his throat behind her. "Lord Mr. Hornblower, you scared me out of my wits. You're awfully quiet for such a large man."
Horatio grinned, touching a hand to his wiry frame. "Well, tall anyway if not large. How are you feeling this afternoon?"
"I'd be better without this headache. And I'd be much better if some of the stable hands were more inclined to work. What with the Cup so close there is an awful lot of extra work, and everyone leaves in a few hours. And since I was in bed all morning not a thing got done." She shrugged. "Other than that I really don't know. I mean, I should be pleased right? Thomas is gone and wouldn't dare show his face again. I know this mess is behind us, but I can't shake the feeling that we missed something, something that doesn't add up."
Hornblower crossed his arms in front of him and leaned against the doorframe, thoughtful. "I know what you mean. At first I was pleased that the whole situation was finished, but at the same time it's very odd the way it all came together. Far too easy. Do you find it at all strange that one man wreaked so much havoc?"
"A bit. Thomas wasn't even about for some of the incidents. Race day for example, he never got near Calvin's saddle, let lone close enough to cut through the leather. And the day Kennedy and I were attacked in the city, he was with you remember?"
"You're right. I'd forgotten about that. The more I think about this the more inclined I become to guess that Thomas didn't act alone. He was working with someone, but who?"
"Well, we can rule out Edna, Emma and Richard right away. Emma and Edna didn't come to the race, and Richard loved Calvin. Maybe, Luther?"
"Possibly. After all, Richard and Luther are in business together. Maybe he has some hope of monetary gain with Richard's heirs out of the way," Horatio mused. "I just wish we didn't have to leave this afternoon. If we could stay for an extra day we could explore further without being interrupted."
"That would be convenient, but I don't have a satisfactory excuse to stay behind, do you?"
--
For once luck was on their side. Luther himself offered a way out of joining the entourage to the race cite that afternoon. Luther needed some legal documents from his office in the city, to facilitate the sale of a promising colt to the Harrison's. It was then that Horatio learned that Luther was Richard's lawyer.
"I'll go," Chase volunteered. "John doesn't need me there and I don't need to watch the Cup. I can see it next year. Just tell me where your offices are."
Luther looked apprehensive. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, sending out a woman alone in the city. I wouldn't feel assured of your well being."
"Not to worry sir," Horatio interjected before Chase could say something snide. "I'd be happy to accompany Chase. We'll ride up this afternoon, stay the night, retrieve your papers and meet up with at the race tomorrow. I don't particularly want to see Archie break his neck race riding anyway. Not that he will Ms. Riley," he finished hurriedly when he saw the look of horror pass over Sophie's features.
Luther shrugged. "All right then Mr. Hornblower. I won't turn down a good man offering to do me a favor. Thank you."
Horatio nodded amiably. "Not a problem at all. Now you had best be on your way if you want Archie to walk the course before dark. We'll see you there for the race tomorrow."
Luther smiled and had a lad run and fetch him a piece of parchment and a pen. He wrote a hurried note to his assistant and signed it with a flourish, pressing the paper into Horatio's open palm. "Show this to Gregory and he'll let you inside."
Luther thanked Horatio once again and stepped into the cab of the handsome four horse carriage Richard had assembled. Richard, Emma, Edna, Sophie and Luther were all seated inside. A stable hand drove. Following the carriage was a wagon filled with supplies. John drove two sturdy bays and Archie pelted him with questions of how he should run the Cup course. A groom was seated in back with the feed and to pay attention to Holly and Castle that were hitched to the back.
The carriage and wagon wound down the drive and off the Harrison's grounds. Horatio and Chase glanced at one another. "Sometimes fate lends a helping hand eh?" Horatio smirked.
"Absolutely. Now let's be off as soon as possible. If you would start to ready Percy and Raven I will go change out of this ridiculous outfit and into something more practical." She tugged irritably at the high neck of her pale blue dress. "I'll change and be back in flash."
"Am I to assume then that you will not be riding sidesaddle?"
"Please, you know I never ride sidesaddle unless I have to. You're perched in such a ridiculously unbalanced manner because it looks ladylike. I'd give a month's pay to see John, Richard or any one of you men ride in a sidesaddle. But I digress, I'll be right back."
Chase sprinted up to her room, the skirts of her dress piled up so she wouldn't trip. Inside she stripped the irritating, hot habit off and tossed it on her bed. Tucked away inside her footlocker were a pair of green trousers and a plain blue shirt. Pants were so much easier to ride in.
She stuffed a dress and a nightgown into her saddlebags and hurried for the door, but stopped before she crossed through the threshold. She turned back and went to her tiny dresser. Tucked away beneath her skirts was a small dagger, sheathed in black leather. She fingered the leather lightly and strapped the blade to her ankle just above her boot. She sensed trouble was brewing and she wanted to be ready for it.
Horatio had just finished saddling Chase's energetic black gelding when she appeared from the loft of the barn. He left the gelding ground tied in the aisle and ducked back inside a nearby stall to retrieve Percy. Chase used deft fingers to fasten her bag behind the saddle in a matter of moments.
The ride into the city was uneventful, peaceful even as the two rode along at a steady trot. They stowed their mounts in the local livery and checked their bags at a boarding house, where they rented rooms for the night. The ride had taken several hours, and the sun hovered low in the western hills. They decided to postpone their visit to Luther's law offices until the next morning.
--
The air held a chill the following morning, and the fog clung to everything. One could hardly see ones hand in front of their face as they wandered through the thick white cloud. Horatio walked briskly down the street, and Chase followed behind, rubbing her hands up and down her arms to warm them.
She watched Horatio darkly, peering out from behind the wrap she had borrowed from the inn keeper's wife. She hated the cold with a vengeance. She hated the fact that Horatio could walk down the street with only a thin coat surrounding his bony frame. "You just love this don't you?"
Horatio glanced in Chase's direction and grinned. "You mean the morning air? Ah yes, isn't it a lovely morning? And the air is so refreshing." There was a rosy hue in his cheeks and his eyes twinkled, for once dropping the serious demeanor that almost always held them. He was teasing her and Chase knew it.
"The air is bloody well freezing is what it is. But not to you Englishmen, no, this is just a pleasant nip. I positively dread the winter that comes."
Hornblower ignored her griping for the most part, searching the street instead for any sign of Luther's office. At last he spotted it, at the end of the cobblestone street, marked by a hanging wood placard. "Here we are then. I wonder if his assistant is in?"
"Well I say we stop wondering and find out," she muttered peevishly. Stamping her feet and hugging the shawl closer, she pushed past Horatio and rapped hard on the door. After what seemed to Chase a very long moment, a harried looking young man answered the door. Not bothering to first introduce herself, Chase edged her way inside.
"Gregory Allen?" Horatio inquired. The man nodded quickly. "I must apologize for my companion, she does not take kindly to the weather. My name is Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower. I believe you are expecting us."
Gregory Allen was not a handsome man. His eyes were too narrow and his brows too bushy. His nose was long and crooked and his features were pinched on a thin, pale face. He eyed the two strangers suspiciously for a moment, and Horatio noticed a glimmer of intelligence in his murky gaze.
"Come in, you're letting the warm air out." He motioned Horatio inside, shutting the door firmly behind him. "You were supposed to be here last night." There was no malice in Allen's voice, it was merely a statement of fact.
"I'm afraid I have much work to do, what with Mr. Riley gone at the Harrison's, so I won't be able to help you look for the documents. But I'll show you to Luther's office and you can take it from there."
"That's just fine. I'm sure we'll be able to find what we need in no time." Gregory nodded and led them down a long, dark hall.
The man obviously didn't converse much with people, but now he seemed to want to chat. "So Mr. Riley's Sophie is getting married eh?" Horatio nodded politely while Chase merely grunted. Allen smirked, "I see you've met the lady then." He fished a ring of keys from his pocket. "Have to feel sorry for the poor sod that proposed. He obviously doesn't know what he's getting himself in for. Ms. Sophie is quite the handful."
The two tall oak panels slid open with a creak. Luther's office was immaculate, not a paper out of place. His desk was gleaming with well oiled wood. Bookshelves ran from floor to ceiling along the back wall and a large cherry file desk was placed in the far corner. Horatio eyed the door meaningfully.
Gregory looked down at his hands. "Right. I'll leave you to it then. Call if you need me, I'll be out front." He turned on his heel and ambled back down the aisle. Chase shut the doors.
"Finally," Horatio breathed. "I thought he'd never leave. Here are the papers on that horse, right where he said they'd be." He pulled a set of papers from the top desk drawer and tucked them inside his breast pocket. "All right Chase, look for anything suspicious, anything that might suggest an advantage for Luther if all Richard's kin are deceased."
The two worked quickly, sifting through the desk drawers and through the bookshelves. Their search was fast proving fruitless however. In a last desperate hope, Horatio tried the file cabinet. Locked, as he had feared.
"Looks like our luck has run out. Unless you can magically produce a key."
Chase studied the file drawer for a minute, hands resting lightly on her hips. "Maybe in this case we don't need luck. Hand me that letter opener will you?" The officer was confused, but did as she asked, placing what looked like a rounded, dull blade in her hand.
"What exactly do you plan on doing?"
Chase slid the blade down into the space between the drawer and the actual cabinet. She moved it slowly closer toward the lock being extremely careful not to scratch the wood. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
"One day when I was sixteen my father took me into Richmond. He met up with a few drinking friends and ordered me to stay put outside this tiny leather shop. Needless to say he promptly forgot about me, and I with no money and no relatives in the area had to improvise. It is amazing what one can learn when faced with necessity. This is just one of my little tricks. The hardest part is popping the lock without breaking the wood around it."
She wiggled the handle back and forth, testing the mechanism. Once thoroughly satisfied she exerted more pressure, then more. Within a few seconds there was a satisfying pop, and the top drawer slid open. "And dear Mr. Allen won't notice until we are long gone."
"Impressive." He stepped forward and began rifling through the papers while Chase started on the drawer below. "Hold it," a bubble of excitement rose in his throat, "I think I found something. Huh, it's Richard's last will and testimony."
Chase withdrew the blade, now keenly focused on the parchment in the naval officer's hands. "Anything interesting?"
"All his lands are to be divided among his named heirs, Calvin, Emma and Archie. With Cal dead I suppose the lands will be split between the remaining two. Richard's assets are tied up in his properties and his horses. There is nothing to suggest that Luther has anything to gain."
"Nothing left for John?" Chase asked.
"Nothing of note, why?"
"Just seems a little odd to me is all. John has been working for the Harrison's for more than twenty years. Richard considers him a member of the family."
"Perhaps not a very close member of the family," Horatio quipped. "All this guarantees him is permanent employment for the rest of his days. That's something anyway." Chase just shrugged.
Horatio continued to read the document, but he had to admit to himself that he knew little of the logistics of law, and that most of the language made little sense to him. AS he read, Chase wandered back to the desk and opened a large, leather bound notebook that had been placed off to one side of the desktop.
"Come look at this!" She called. "This ledger contains Luther's holdings, it's his accounting book." She flipped to the back few pages of the notebook. "it looks like our friends the Riley's have been having a rather rough time in the last year. Luther is barely making enough to make ends meet. Seems his daughters don't care much for his waning assets either, they spend money like it grows on trees. He's near bankruptcy."
"How very interesting." The office doors creaked and the two froze where they stood. The young Mr. Allen poked his head inside.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" he smiled.
Chase's hand still hovered over the accounting ledger. What would the man say if he caught them snooping? Thankfully Horatio came to her rescue. The quick witted lieutenant drew Gregory's focus away from Chase and the ledger. "Say Gregory, where did Luther get that magnificent stag?" He pointed up at the rafters, where a deer head was mounted and stuffed on the wall. "I didn't realize he was such an adept hunter."
The assistant's smile broadened. The distraction offered Chase a chance to replace the ledger. "Oh Mr. Riley didn't shook that buck, although I know he wishes he had. No, Ms. Sophie is the one that took that one down. She's quite handy with a rifle when she's in the mood for it. It's rather marvelous when one considers how much the lady hates manual labor."
Hornblower risked a glance at Chase. Her puzzled, increasingly anxious expression matched his own. 'Sophie?' she mouthed, her eyes wide. "Thanks so much for letting us in Mr. Allen," Horatio said, edging closer to the door. Once outside the confines of the office, the two burst into a jog and rushed out the door.
"I can't hardly believe it!" Chase yelled as they raced down the street.
"It makes sense though doesn't it? Her father is near to broke and she's quite used to living comfortably, so she needs to marry rich. Archie fits the bill for the perfect husband, he has an inheritance, he's well connected through his family and he's almost never at home. She'll be able to squander away his money without a thought."
Chase drew Horatio to a stop, breathing hard. "But why kill Calvin and why go after Emma?"
"She's greedy, she wants all the money for herself. With Emma and Calvin out of the way Archie inherits everything. And she's good enough with a rifle to have shot at Emma and me that night."
"Do you think she'll speed up Richard's death any? He's not so old as to expect to die any day. For the love of the Lord the man still rides in steeplechases!"
"I have a feeling that once Emma is out of the way, Richard will be her next target. WE have to stop her. When is the race scheduled to start?
"An hour, why?"
Horatio began to walk once more, his lengthy stride carrying him quickly. Chase had to trot to keep up. "If Sophie does plan to strike today, she would probably do it during the mass confusion of the race, don't you think? No one will be paying her any mind at all."
Chase paled and tore the shawl from about her neck. "You get the horses, I'll get our bags. The ride to the grounds takes about an hour and a half, a little less if we run the horses to ground. The faster we get out of here the better." She tore off in the direction of the inn and Horatio moved for the livery.
The two rode hard to the grounds of the point to point, hunched over the horses shoulders as they galloped over the hills of the English countryside. Chase fought her overwhelming urge to let Raven run as fast as she knew he could. The horse would be of no use to her if he became winded before reaching the spectators. Percy was not so fast as the fleet Raven, but he had a better wind.
They cut ten minutes from their trip by riding through farmers' fields on their way, a cardinal sin in equestrian etiquette. Neither Horatio nor Chase even considered the rule as the cut up newly plowed fields. The terrain became less undulating as they rode, and Chase spotted the edge of the forest that marked the periphery of the trail. The steeplechase course was cut into the existing landscape, and only a few trees had been cleared to make the path wide enough for three or four horses to gallop abreast.
Horses and riders were soaked with sweat when they drew to a halt by the course's edge. Raven, hyped by the gallop through the fields, danced lightly. "They've already come by here, and not to long ago by the looks of it," Horatio informed her. "Where to now?"
The plane of the landscape rose steadily in one direction, but was fairly flat in the other. Chase considered the options. She had ridden the course several times with Calvin after first coming to the Harrison estate. Cal had been a man possessed, and because of it she knew every inch of the course.
"They've another two miles to ride, but it's the most treacherous, toughest part of the race. There is a gradual incline for the next half mile, two jumps, then a drop into water. When the ground drops off there forms a small bluff overlooking the rest of the course. It would give Sophie an ideal place to station herself with her rifle. The spectators are gathered a quarter mile from the finish line. I'll find Emma, you search the bluff and find Sophie. Hurry."
Horatio needed no further urging. He kicked Percy into a gallop, the massively built gelding surging forward valiantly. Chase turned Raven in the opposite direction, into the woods, through the thicket in a shortcut to the finish.
Horatio took Percy in a straight a line as he dared, weaving in and out of the trees at a dangerous racing clip. Twice he crossed the path of the racers just behind them, but he was making up ground. The path took another turn and suddenly Horatio was in front of the pack of racers. He didn't dare relax. Instead he pushed the gelding harder, steering him up through the treeline and onto the bluff. He just prayed he might find Sophie in time and, not for the first time that trip, wished he had had the presence of mind to pack his pistols.
--
Chase guided her horse through the throngs of people. She shielded her eyes from the sun and peered over the tops of people, searching for someone she recognized. Raven did his part to clear the path, snaking his head around to nip at anyone who did not move out of his way.
"Bloody hell and damnation," she muttered under her breath. "Where the hell are you Emma?" Finally she saw a face she recognized, but it wasn't the face she sought after. "Edna! Edna it's Winifred." The plump woman focused in on the scruffy looking rider on the black horse.
"Winifred? My Lord dear, do you realize how you look? It's dreadful. Get down off that horse and we'll find some way to make you presentable."
"Thanks, but not right now. Have you seen Sophie as of late?"
"Why no, now that you mention it, she disappeared a little while ago. And Emma has been no fun at all, she's set herself to sulking over at the fringe of the crowd."
Chase glanced sharply in the direction Edna had indicated. The field was just cresting the last rise on the track. One more fence and they would set their horses down to use their last reserves of speed and heart as they made a mad dash for the finish. She didn't even notice that a familiar chestnut mare led them all, she was too busy worrying that Emma was out in the open.
She wrenched Raven around rather severely and began pushing her way toward Emma. "Emma!" She cried out, but her voice was lost to the din of the shouting crowd. "Emma you have to get down!" She was still just out of reach when the sound of a rifle shot rang through the air.
--
Horatio flew from his saddle while Percy was still cantering, crashing hard into Sophie. Her careful aim was destroyed and the bullet missed its intended target by a matter of a few feet. The two tumbled onto the soft, wet earth. Sophie didn't try to fight the naval officer, for she knew she was no match.
Instead, she spat at him as he took away her rifle and drew her up to her feet. Her hair had been torn loose from its bun, and dark wisps clung about her face and she swatted at them in irritation. A steady stream of insults and profanity poured from her lips.
Horatio raised an eyebrow. "Now isn't that unladylike? For shame Ms. Riley." He clucked his tongue disapprovingly. "Such language, now move." HE gave her a firm push and they began their slow descent down to the questions that would surely await them. Percy followed close behind, happy to be walking at last.
A small crowd awaited their arrival. Chase was busy ignoring the persistent questions being thrown at her by Richard and Archie. She assured them repeatedly that Horatio would be able to better satisfy their curiosity. Emma was pale, the skin drawn up tight around her face. She had screamed when the massive black gelding had bumped into her with his shoulder, sending her flying.
Archie was the first to spot Horatio, herding Sophie in front of him, Percy's reins in his left hand, and a rifle in his right. He handed his newly won trophy to a groom and rode over to his friend. His face was blotchy and red. "What is the meaning of this? Horatio? Chase? I demand an explanation!"
Horatio sighed, slapping his friend across the shoulder. "Archie my dear friend, you may want to consider postponing your wedding plans a bit." Kennedy didn't respond, he merely waited for the explanation he knew was coming.
--
"...So we found the will in the file drawer and figured it out form there," Horatio finished. "Sophie had everything to gain." Emma had grown outraged as the story unfurled, actually launching herself at Sophie. Edna, tearful and confused had led her away. Luther was pale, and he looked much older than he had before, like the story had taken years off his life.
Archie kept shaking his head in disbelief. He approached Sophie slowly when Horatio had finished. "Why did you set out to kill Cal? What did he ever do to you?" The young man was obviously crushed, but there were questions he needed answered.
Sophie snarled, her pretty face twisting into something grotesque. "I never intended to kill him or anyone I the first place. All I wanted was to marry into the family so that I wouldn't end up without a cent to my name. I was having an affair with Emma's lout of a husband and he found out about it. He threatened to expose us. He had to be eliminated."
Chase stood at the border of the small group, listening and absorbing the information. Somehow, watching Archie's disheartened expression, the victory they had won over Sophie lost some of its luster. Instead of feeling elated, she was miserable.
"SO then you and Thomas conspired to kill Emma as well," Horatio prodded. "You figured that having two of the heirs out of the way was even better than one. The two of you plotted."
Sophie snorted. "Please, Thomas had nothing to do with it. He didn't have the backbone to kill his lovely wife, or Calvin for that matter. But you believed it didn't you? Thomas was the perfect fall guy."
Archie and Horatio exchanged puzzled glances. 'If not Thomas then who?'
Warm breath tickled the back of Chase's neck. She froze when she felt the cold metal barrel of a pistol press into her exposed skin. "Scream and I'll shoot you bloody head off," an icy voice warned her. "back up slowly." She complied, feeling a vice-like grasp encircle her arm.
"Where is Thomas now?" Horatio demanded quietly.
"Buried in a shallow grave," Sophie replied without a thought. There was no regret in her tone, only pure venom. "We did away with him the night I shot at Emma."
"Who is we?" Archie asked.
Sophie peered out into the multitude. A slow smile spread across her lips. "Why don't you ask your little whoring stable hand Archibald? She's with him right now."
Horatio and Archie whirled. Chase was perched awkwardly atop the saddle pommel of John's gray hunter, looking as panicked as either had ever seen her. It didn't take long for them to understand why. John had a pistol trained on her head. He sat behind her in the saddle, one arm encircling her waist.
"Come any closer than that and you'll regret it for the rest of your lives," he sneered. "maybe half as much as I regret hanging about you for so long Richard. Never got me a damned thing."
"What are you talking about John? I don't understand." Richard couldn't subdue the pleading whine in his voice.
John grunted. "You don't understand twenty-six years old man? That's right, Sophie had the decency to show me your will. Twenty-six years working for you and you credit me with nothing? Not money, or land, or a house, or even a decent racer? I've wasted my life working for you and I wanted to make you pay!"
"I always paid you well John, you never were hungry. I employed you when no one else would take a chance. I owe you nothing."
"Tis no matter Richard." John's eyes gleamed with hatred. "I've taken your son from you, your dearest child. I've taken from you your son in law, so that your daughter might never recover, and by the time this day is through I'll have taken her as well. Goodbye forever, and I hope you all rot in hell." He spun his horse around and booted him into a fast canter.
Everyone remained rooted to the ground for a moment, then Horatio and Archie ran for the nearest horses. The quickly tightened the cinches and swung aboard. "You're going after her? What do you plan to do?" Richard called to them.
Archie tipped his hat and grinned, "What we do best uncle."
"Improvise!" Horatio shouted, and the two friends raced away.
John's horse was more fresh than Raven and the gray Castle that Richard had run, but he was burdened by two people on his back. Horatio and Archie drew steadily closer, inching up on the fleeing killer who still had one victim left in his grasp.
Chase gritted her teeth as they galloped madly in and out of the forest. Branches tore at her clothing and her hair, and John's poor hunter was laboring under their combined weight. But as tired as John's mount would soon be, the other two horses were just as tired if not more so already. Castle had just completed a five mile steeplechase and Raven had been run at a hand gallop for more than an hour. All three horses would drop before too long.
Chase writhed against the man's constraints, but John held her firmly. Raven and Castle were beginning to lose ground rather than gain, and it wouldn't be too long before both were outdistanced. She had to stop them now.
Chase lurched forward in the saddle, breaking John's grasp for a moment. She closed her eyes for this was bound to hurt. She grabbed the gelding's right rein in both hands and pulled back on it fiercely. AS the horse's head twisted around she threw her weight to the left, unbalancing the horse still more. John yelled furiously as the horse gave way, tripping over his own hooves and pitching left.
John soared from his saddle, landing hard on his left side. Still holding the reins, Chase's left leg became pinned underneath the massive gray form. Her left arm hit the ground with a resounding thwack, pain shooting up it from fingertips to shoulder. Even as the horse rolled off her, she was too dazed to move at all. Her eyes drifted down the trail. They were coming, thank God Archie and Horatio were coming.
John was just staggering to his feet when Horatio reached him. The lithe young Lieutenant was well aware of the pistol still in John's grasp. He feinted left, then swung his right fist into John's stomach. He grunted but did not drop his gun. John let loose with an animalistic roar, backhanding Horatio across the face with the butt of the pistol. HE lay still on the earth, stunned.
Chase watched as Archie drew near. She wanted to call out, to help, but her body refused to obey her mind and she was left mute. Archie and Horatio were fine pugilists she knew, but John had not been born or raised a gentleman. She recognized the way he stood as the position of a street fighter, and one who was not above playing dirty.
John leveled his weapon at Horatio's head, a mad, hateful gleam in his eyes. But Archie was upon him before he could pull the trigger, leaping deftly from his saddle to his back. John went down on his knees. Kennedy released his hold around his neck and John attacked, swiping Archie's feet out from under him. He aimed a large foot for the younger man's throat, and Archie rolled out of the way just in time. John advanced, using his pistol like a club. Horatio began to recover as his friend began to falter.
Horatio drew himself up on his knees, shaking his head to clear away the awful ringing that rang inside. It was then that Chase's body began to respond to her demands. Her right hand crept slowly down the length of her leg toward her boot. She gasped every time she jarred her left arm. Finally, with tear filled eyes, her hand found the hilt of her dagger. She grasped it solidly and drew the blade from its sheath. "Horatio," she managed to croak. She tossed the dagger in his direction, and the shiny silver blade settled near his feet.
Archie was wrestling with John, each trying to regain control over the pistol. Archie's face was red from his exertions against the bigger, heavier man. He began to lose. Horatio was like a cat, a blur as he leapt upon John and thrust the dagger deep into the man's back. He would have preferred not to stab him in the back, but he had little choice.
John stiffened and groaned. The pistol slipped from his fingers and he released his grip on Archie's throat. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground, his eyes wide and his mouth open. HE struggled to draw breath, inevitably failing and died without uttering a word. The two officers moved away from him and to Chase.
She found that if she gripped Horatio's shoulder with her uninjured hand, and they both tried to stand at th4e same time, she could draw her legs underneath her. Clutching her left arm protectively to her side, she limped slowly over to Raven. The black horse nickered when he saw her, but sighed when Horatio boosted her into the saddle. The last thing the poor horse wanted to do was gallop again. She smiled softly and leaned toward his ear. "No worries my boy, this is definitely a walking trip." The horse snorted as if in agreement.
Archie swung up on Castle while Horatio went to fetch John's gray. Chase caught Archie staring at her. She looked at him questioningly. "How are you?" He finally asked.
"Dreadful. My entire left side is one massive hurt. And I am fairly certain that I have broken my wrist, considering that I am able to feel the bone pressing against the skin, which is not normal. You?"
Archie shot her a wavering smile. "Let's think. My dear cousin is dead, as is my cousin-in-law. My dearest Emma may never recover from this heartache. An old employee I once considered a friend turned out to be conspiring to kill off most of my family. Not to mention that the woman I thought I loved only wanted me for my money, and then there was nearly losing you. Definitely a red letter day. It's enough to give a man gray hairs."
"I'm sorry Kennedy, about Sophie I mean."
"Don't mention it, and I mean that." Horatio trotted up to them. The three friends started back the way they had come, riding at a leisurely walk for the first time all day.
--
"Morning."
"Morning Chase," Archie replied. "Watching the younglings again are we?" He too smiled as he watched the yearlings cavort about the paddock. They stood there for a while in silence. "I heard the news by the way, congratulations."
She shrugged. "It's only till your uncle can find a replacement for John."
"DO well with the horses and it may well be longer than that." Archie leaned his frame on the fencepost, fingering the brim of his hat. It felt almost strange to be back in his uniform after almost a month.
"You leave today then?" He nodded. Chase didn't know what else to say, so she absent mindedly began to play with the sling that held her left arm. The silence that settled between them was uncomfortable at best.
"The coach is already waiting. Walk with me up?" She nodded and walked with him up the path. She limped slightly, but moved steadfastly up the incline refusing the help offered her.
They said their goodbyes at the hillcrest. Chase hugged Horatio fiercely with her good arm. "Stay healthy, and keep him out of harm's way," she motioned to Archie with the tilt of her head.
Dark eyes danced. "That's a full time job in and of itself, but I'll do my best." Horatio moved on to thanking his host and saying goodbye to Edna and Emma.
Chase and Archie hugged too, and when their embrace ended they hovered, not really wanting to let go. She felt his breath tickle the back of her neck. They both wanted to say something, but neither did. Archie stepped back after a moment or two and flushed slightly. "Hanging out around you two is dangerous you know?" Chase quipped.
"I'm going to miss you Chase; you and your razor tongue."
"Hey, I rather like my razor tongue. Have a safe voyage Kennedy. Indy'll be broke to ride the next time you have leave this way. But do me a favor, and leave the murderous potential wives at port."
Her eyes twinkled and Archie grinned. "I guarantee it. Uncle, Emma, till next time." He stepped up into the cab of the carriage. No one moved until it vanished amongst the trees, far down the lane.
THE END
I hope you liked this, and that it wasn't too confusing. I can't believe you didn't guess it was Sophie! I thought I was being way too obvious. Honest reviews are appreciated and thanks for reading!
