Page 14 of Dead Man's Hand

The Grandville home had been a mansion in its day. Built in the late 1800s during the city’s opulent past on what was known as the richest hill on earth, it was the home of one of the city’s high society. Three stories with gingerbread brickwork, ornate wood filigree and leaded glass windows, it had stood the test of time.

Buck parked on the steep street. No sign of security. He climbed out and walked through the wrought iron gate, up the sidewalk and onto the wide front porch. At the massive wood door, he rang the bell.

To his surprise, an elderly man in apparently fine health answered the door. He was dressed in slacks and sweater, loafers on his feet. He wasn’t tall or handsome, but there was an air about him of arrogant dominance. He could see where the son, Titus, had gotten it from.

“Marcus Grandville,” Buck said. “I’m Buck Crawford, a private investigator with—”

“I know who you are,” the man said. “You’re here about Darrow. Titus called and warned me you might be stopping by. I have a few minutes before I need to leave.” He waved him into what had once been the parlor. Now it felt more like a den. “This shouldn’t take long, but if you’d like to sit...”

He took one of the chairs facing the elderly Grandville.

“Darrow,” Marcus said. “What about him?”

“He’s your nephew?”

The older man gave a nod. “Wasmy nephew. Why are you asking about him after all these years?”

“He married a woman named Sheila about thirty years ago and they moved up this way. I’m trying to find Sheila.”

“I have no idea where she is after all this time.”

“But you met her.”

“I suppose I must have.”

Buck tried not to grit his teeth. “Did she have a child with her?”

Marcus frowned. He could tell that the man was about to say no when Marcus surprised him. “A boy with dark hair and pale blue eyes. One look at him and I knew he was no Grandville. Any fool could tell that. Any fool except my nephew.”

“He thought the boy was his?”

“Darrow took after the other side of our family,” Marcus said in answer.

“Sheila returned to Lonesome without the boy after they split,” Buck said. “What did Darrow do with the boy?”

The man shrugged. “Had him with him the last time I saw my nephew. He was hanging around some ranch outside of town.”

“The Diamond Deluxe?”

Marcus’s eyes lit up for a moment. “Charley Diamond’s place, that’s right. Haven’t thought about that place in years. Look, I have an appointment.” He started to get to his feet, but Buck stopped him.

“I know the young man I’m looking for lived out at that ranch,” he said. “I suspect your nephew left him out there. What I need to know is what happened to the boy after that.”

The elderly man sighed. “Charley lost that place, you know.” Buck nodded. “I think I might know who you’re looking for. After Charley lost the ranch, he and a teenage boy were running cons around the state. You think DJ Diamond was the kid Darrow thought was his? Mind if I ask why you’re interested in Diamond?”

“It’s a long story, but he has family looking for him.”

“Family?” Marcus huffed, looking skeptical, as he rose, interview over.

“One more question,” Buck said as he rose as well. “Have you ever heard of someone named Keira?”

He saw the answer in the man’s face an instant before Marcus caught himself. “I really have to go. Sorry I couldn’t have been more help.”

“On the contrary, you have been very helpful. I can show myself out.”

“TITUS,” MARCUSSAIDthe moment his oldest son answered the phone. “That PI from Lonesome was just here.”

Titus swore. “Where were Rafe and Butch? They were supposed to make sure he didn’t bother you.”

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