Bobbi Smith by Heaven Read Free Book Online

share a drink and discuss this.” He stood, aware of the attention they were drawing from the other diners. “Thank you for dinner.” With quiet dignity, he strode from the room.
    For a moment, Enoch remained where he was. His thoughts were confused as he tried to sort out just what he was feelings. Betrayal, anger, and hurt competed with excitement. After a moment, excitement won. While it did hurt that Lawrence had had the crown all along and had kept it from him, there was no denying that he was still desperate to see it. Throwing enough money on the table to pay the bill, Enoch surged to his feet and ran after Lawrence.
    The diners looked on with open interest as Enoch, looking very angry, rushed out. A murmur of gossip threaded through the room.
    “Lawrence! Wait!” Enoch called as he emerged from the hotel and saw him about to climb into a hired carriage.
    Lawrence stopped and turned to join him.
    “I’m sorry,” Enoch said with true feeling. “I was wrong to react as I did, but I was so shocked by the news . . .”
    “Would you like to come back to the house with me? I think it would be better to speak of this in private.”
    “Thank you. You know what an obsession this has been for me. I want to know everything.”
    They climbed into the cab together, and a short time later they were settled in Lawrence’s study. They’d forsaken brandy for tumblers of whiskey. The house was deserted and Lawrence was glad. The last thing he felt like doing was dealing with Philip or Robert tonight.
    “You’ve really had the crown all this time?” the professor asked, his anger now replaced by anticipation. He had a multitude of questions and was desperate to have them all answered.
    “It was found twenty-seven years ago, and I’ve had it in my keeping ever since.”
    “And you told no one . . .”
    “You know what a furor the discovery would have caused if it had become public. Other than myself, only my sons and valet have seen the crown, and then only on very rare occasions.”
    “Why did you decide to tell me now, after all this time?”
    “Things in my life have changed . . .” Lawrence paused as sadness filled him. “My sons . . . Well, suffice it to say that I’ve disinherited them.”
    “I’m sorry, Lawrence. I had no idea.”
    “I’m past being sorry. I thought I could redeem them. God knows I tried, but I realized a short time ago that it was hopeless. As far as I’m concerned, I have no children.”
    As close as he was to Alex, the idea was anathema to Enoch, but he said nothing. He could see the pain in his friend’s eyes and knew there was nothing he could say or do to help the situation.
    “Which is why I decided tonight to tell you the truth about the crown.”
    “Is the crown here? In the house? May I see it?” He could no longer deny his excitement.
    “The way things now stand, no one will see the crown again until after I’m dead.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    He quickly explained his motivation in hiding the treasure to keep it safe, and how afterward he’d written the three books. “I originally intended the books to go to Philip and Robert upon my death. I’d thought working to find it would make them better men, but I know now it’s useless. They’re beyond redemption. So I’ve designated that, upon my death, the books are to be given to the three people who love the crown as much as I do. One is to go to you, another to Matthew McKittrick, a young man I correspond with in Boston, and the last to my closest friend, Father Edward Bradford.”
    “But Lawrence, why hinge finding the crown on your death? That’s morbid. We’re your friends. You know yourself that I haven’t been searching for it all these years because of its value. I’ve wanted to find the crown because of its historical significance.”
    Lawrence realized he had a point. He’d written the books to thwart his sons in what he knew would be their quick attempt to sell all of his valuable