Page 61 of Irish Rose
“You’ve got a job to do, one you’re paid well for. If you can’t get to the horse, get to his feed. I want him out of the running for tomorrow.”
“I ain’t poisoning no horse and I’m tired of taking all the risks.”
“You didn’t have any qualms about using a hypodermic or taking ten percent of the purse from the Bluegrass Stakes.”
“Amphetamines is one thing, cyanide’s another. That horse dies and Logan’s not going to rest until somebody hangs for it. It ain’t going to be me.”
“Then use the drugs.” The voice was impatient, dismissive. Erin found her hands balled into fists. “Find a way, or you won’t see a penny. If the colt’s found drugged in the Derby, he’s out for the season. I need this race.”
And she needed to get to Burke. Erin stayed still and waited for them to pass on. But luck wasn’t with her. As she saw the two figures enter the stables, she straightened her shoulders and moved forward. It was a gamble, but the best she could hope for was a bluff.
“Good day to you, Mr. Durnam.” She made her lips curve even when she saw the shock come into his eyes. She glanced at the groom, too, one of the new ones Burke’s trainer had hired.
“Mrs. Logan.” Durnam smiled in return but was already calculating. “We didn’t see you in the stables.”
“Just thought I’d look over the competition. If you’ll excuse me, Burke’s waiting.”
“I think not.” He took her arm as she tried to pass. Because she’d been half expecting it, Erin was already primed to scream. With surprising speed, his hand clamped over her mouth.
“Good God almighty, what are you doing?” the groom demanded. “Logan’ll have your head.”
“He’ll have yours as well if she goes to him and blabs. She heard everything, you idiot.” Because Erin’s struggles were making him pant, Durnam thrust her at the groom. “Hold on to her. Let me think.”
“We’ve got to get the hell out of here. If someone comes in—”
“Shut up. Just shut up.” Durnam’s face was already sheened with sweat. He took out a white handkerchief and mopped it. He was a desperate man who had already taken desperate measures. Now it was time to take another. “We’ll put her in the van until the race is over tomorrow. By then I’ll have thought of something.” Taking the handkerchief, he pulled it around her mouth. As an extra precaution, he took the groom’s grimy bandanna and tied it over her eyes. “Get some rope. Hurry, tie her hands and feet.”
Erin choked on the gag and struggled against both of them, but she was already aware she’d lose. On a desperate impulse she worked her wedding ring off her hand and let it fall to the ground. Then ropes bit into her wrist and she was smothered inside a blanket.
She felt herself being lifted but could do no more than squirm. Even that was futile as the more she resisted, the harder it was to breathe. She heard a door open just before she was lifted up and set inside on a hard floor.
“What the hell are we going to do with her?” the groom demanded as he stared down at the heap inside the blanket. “The minute we let her go, she’ll talk.”
“Then we won’t let her go.” Durnam leaned against the side of the van and this time mopped his brow with his sleeve. Everything was going to go his way, he told himself. He’d come too far, risked too much to have one woman destroy it.
“I ain’t having no part in murdering a woman.”
Durnam dropped his arm and gave the groom a long, narrow look. “You just take care of the horse and leave the woman to me.”
They were going to kill her. Erin struggled to work the blanket from her face as she heard them shut the van door and walk away. She’d heard that in his voice. Even if he’d promised the groom that he’d cause her no harm, she would have known. Whatever had pushed Durnam to this point, he wouldn’t hesitate to do away with any obstacle.
Her baby. With a half sob, Erin twisted her wrists and fought against the rope. Mother of mercy, she had to protect her baby. And Burke.
The panic welled up, and for a moment she lost herself in it completely. Before she’d regained control, her wrists were raw and her shoulders bruised. Panting, Erin lay quiet in the dark and tried to think. If she could get up somehow and find the door, she might find a way of forcing it open. She inched her way over to the wall; then, using it as a brace, she managed to get to her knees. She was soaked with sweat by the time she’d struggled to her feet. Keeping her back to the wall, she slid along it, groping with her fingers.
She almost wept when she found the knob. She twisted, straining on her toes before she could fit her fingers around it. Locked. She had to shake her head to keep the tears from coming. Of course it was locked. Durnam might be a brute, but he wasn’t a fool. She tried thudding against the door, hoping to draw some attention, but trussed up tightly she was unable to get the momentum to make more than a quiet bump. Erin slid to the floor again and, closing her mind to both panic and pain, continued to work at the ropes.
“Have you seen Erin?”
Travis continued to run his hands down his colt’s leg as he looked up at Burke. “Not since this morning. I assumed she’d gone back to the hotel.”
“Maybe. She could have taken a cab.” It was logical, Burke reminded himself. There was no reason for the sick feeling in his stomach. “We came in together this morning. She usually waits.”
“She was looking a little tired.” Travis straightened. “She could have gone back to get some rest before tonight.”
“Yeah.” It made sense. She was probably soaking in a hot tub right now, thinking about the party that night. “I think I’ll drive back and check on her.”
“Ask her if she’ll take pity on a lonely man and save a few dances for me.”
