The Raider by Jude Deveraux Read Free Book Online Page A

flapping and two of the Taggert brats on her heels.
    Alex looked back to Pitman. “I take it you’re my new brother-in-law.”
    Pitman took a moment to answer. “I am.”
    Alex moved away from the window toward a chair. He sat in it primly, crossing his legs as best he could considering the padding on his legs and belly. “And what is this I hear about your stealing from the people of Warbrooke?” He waited a while before looking up at Pitman. The man’s eyes reflected his soul. Alex could almost see him doing calculations in his head.
    â€œI do nothing illegal.” Pitman’s voice was restrained.
    Alex picked imaginary lint from the lace at his sleeve, then held the lace up to the light. “I do so love good lace,” he said wistfully and then looked back at Pitman. “I imagine you married my spinster sister to obtain access to the eight thousand feet of wharf we Montgomerys own.”
    Pitman said nothing, but his eyes glittered and his hand moved toward a drawer. A pistol? Alex wondered.
    Alex used his tiredest voice. “Perhaps we should try to understand one another. You see, I have never fit in with the Montgomerys, such a loud, overbearing, brutish lot. I favored music, culture, the art of the table rather than standing on the deck of a lurching ship, swearing at a pack of smelly sailors.” He shuddered slightly. “But my father decided, as he said, ‘to make a man’ of me and sent me away. The money he gave me ran out quickly so I was forced to return.”
    Alex smiled at Pitman but the man said nothing. “If I were one of my brothers, I believe I’d have every right to evict you from this office.” He nodded toward the locked cabinet. “I imagine that is full of papers, perhaps even some deeds of ownership. And it would be my guess that you used Montgomery funds to purchase what goods you own, thereby making them, legally, Montgomery deeds.”
    Pitman’s eyes were like two coals on fire and he looked as if he were about to spring at any moment.
    â€œLet us make a bargain. I have no desire to spend my life in this room juggling pieces of paper, nor do I want to be confined on a boat where I am expected to do heroic deeds such as my revered brothers accomplish on an hourly basis. You do not touch the Montgomery lands—we never sell the land—and pay me, say, twenty-five percent of your profits and I will not interfere with you.”
    Pitman gaped for a moment, his eyes going from dangerous to wary. “Why?” was all he said.
    â€œWhy not? Why should I put myself out for anyone in this town? My own sister has not extended a welcome to me, merely because I do not live up to the expected ideal of the Montgomery name. And, too, it’s easier for me to allow you to do the work while all I do is collect part of the profits.”
    Pitman began to relax and his hand moved away from the desk drawer, but there was still caution in his eyes. “Why did you return?”
    Alex gave a laugh. “Because, my dear fellow, they expect me to do something about you.”
    Pitman almost returned Alex’s smile and relaxed even more. “Perhaps we can work together.”
    â€œOh yes, I believe we can.” Alex began to talk to Pitman in a lazy style that he hoped would convey the impression that he wasn’t really interested, but he wanted to know to what extent Pitman had put the Montgomery holdings in debt and, if possible, to find out what he was planning. Pitman’s appointment as Customs Officer gave him a massive amount of power. It was left up to his integrity whether he abused that power or not.
    It was while Alex was attempting to get information from Pitman that he saw a head appear at the top of the window—an upside-down head of one of the Taggert kids. The head disappeared almost in the same instant, but Alex knew that the child had been listening.
    Alex waved his hand at Pitman.