Wendy was not dead, Frank repeated to himself. Yes, she could have died, but she didn't. She was all right. They had both survived… He must not let a dream shake him so.
He would talk to his lawyer, and make sure he got the best deal possible. Too bad that Amos would not cooperate, and too bad that he had lost his leverage with him. But still he could strike a deal.
-0-
Albert Thatcher was fun company. Having lunch together, discussing the details of the case he wanted her to investigate… and maybe get Cousin Amos to lend a hand had been much more than discussing work. She found herself talking about who she was, what she wanted, and the mistakes she had made. She did not mention Victor. She did not want him to think badly of her.
"You never had friends?"
"No. No one that I could play with, nor confide"
"But there are many people who could be your friends."
"Like who?"
"Like Beverly. Or Wendy.."
"But they are not…"
"Not local aristocracy as you are?"
Dinah blushed, beginning to get angry.
"It is simple. You wanted to be free of the strictures of being the local princess. But you never stopped thinking of yourself as the princess. And a princess has no equals. You should learn to let go of that idea. Stop being the Benchley heiress, and start finding out who Dinah really is."
Dinah said nothing. His words had hurt her. But what if he was right?
The lunch date did not end well.
-0-
Frank laid down on the cot. Night was falling and he was getting sleepy. He hoped he would not get bad dreams again.
… He was again on the ship. There were shots as Amos cut his way towards them. There was one shot and Wendy fell…
Amos came in and released him. He bent over to where Wendy was.
Wendy was dead.