Page 26 of The Cowboy's Justice

“Yep, mine too, and that’s why you’re goin’ back to the house, packin’ up your stuff and leavin’. I’ll give you fifteen minutes. If you’re still there when we arrive you’ll have to see a plastic surgeon about your new nose.”

“Are you crazy?”

“I can be,” Devlin warned, lowering his voice and leaning towards him.

“I’m her lawyer. You can’t threaten me. I’ll sue your ass if you—”

“You can try, but that won’t fix your face or take away the pain, and you’ll have a helluva time provin’ I did anything,” Devlin growled. “And for the record, it’s not a threat. I’m tellin’ what will happen if you don’t skedaddle. She’ll sign what she needs to sign, then you’ll get the fuck outta Smoky Hill and turn her account over to another lawyer. Here she comes. Now make it quick.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Staring at the tough, muscled cowboy, William was genuinely scared, but the moment Portia signed the documents he’d be gone, and not just from Smoky Hill. He was leaving his life, and the sooner the better.

“Did you hear me?” Devlin demanded as he saw Portia making her way towards them.

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you. Don’t worry. I’ll take off and I won’t be back.”

“What is it you need?” Portia asked as she perched herself back on the bar stool.

Though he could feel Devlin’s eyes on him, William didn’t feel rattled. The lake and mountains had magically settled his nerves, and he’d had a brainstorm. After she had executed the documents, he’d cut off the signature line from one of them and paste it at the bottom of the Power of Attorney. When it was copied and emailed to her broker it would appear legitimate. It was referred to ascut and pasting,an outdated way of changing documents. When he was a boy hanging around his father’s busy office the secretaries would sometimes let him help.

“Just sign at the bottom like always,” William said, handing her the papers.

“But these are just minor addendums to the tenancy agreements,” Portia exclaimed. “I don’t understand the urgency.”

“I just wanted to get them out of the way. You know how work can pile up,” he replied as she scribbled her name. “Thanks. Now I’ll go back to the house and get my things. ButPortia, if anything comes up I’ll be at your beck and call like always.”

Placing the papers back in his briefcase, William felt his heart tick up. He was almost there. But as he marched away he wanted to spin around and tell Devlin to go fuck himself.

Then he suddenly wanted to laugh out loud.

He’d soon be a free man.

Free from the boring work.

Free from the tough bosses at the law firm.

Free from the demanding clients.

He had no idea why the drug hadn’t worked on her, and changing his plans midstream was nerve-racking, but he was starting to see it as a blessing. He’d have his millions, and he wouldn’t have to deal with Portia ever again.

* * *

Watching William leave the restaurant Devlin’s eyes narrowed. Something didn’t feel right.

“What’s wrong?” Portia asked softly. “Aren’t you glad he didn’t argue about anything?”

“I made it clear if he did he’d have a problem. But he backed down too quickly, and he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would do that. What was it you signed?”

“I own a small apartment building and it was just an addendum to the rental contract. It doesn’t even go into effect until the beginning of next year. There was no urgency about it.”

“That’s weird,” Devlin muttered. “I don’t trust him. I know you’re uncomfortable at the thought of bein’ in your house while he’s clearin’ out his stuff, and I don’t see him as a petty thief, but I think we should go over there.”

“Maybe you’re right. I can pack while you keep your eye on him, though he might be gone by the time we get there.”

“Let’s go. Who knows, maybe catchin’ him by surprise will pay off. My gut is tellin’ me something’s up.”

* * *

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