Wilder Than the Rest: MacLarens of Fire Mountain Read Online Free Page B

all the cases handled by McCann Investigations.
    “Mr. Rents,” Lee said and held out a hand. “Have a seat.”
    The three men settled into their chairs before Alex indicated for Rents to begin.
    “It’s hard to know where to start,” Rents began. “A good friend of mine is, or was , a banker here in New York. We’d meet for supper a couple of times a month, talk about work, families, and such. The last few times we met, he seemed agitated, would order his meal then hardly take a bite. He was a big man and enjoyed his food, if you know what I mean.”
    Lee nodded in understanding. “What happened to your friend?”
    “That’s just it—he disappeared for several days before knocking on my door early one morning. He’s got a black eye like he’s been beaten, clothes torn up and such. Told me he’d been bothered by some odd activities at work and needed to speak with someone who could help. Problem was he didn’t know who he could trust, except me. I’ll tell you, he was scared. I told him about Alex and that I’d set up a meeting. Trouble was Alex was in Philadelphia. My friend got nervous about waiting and took off. Next thing I know, his body’s found near the docks. Guess he’d been dead a couple of days.”
    “I see.” Lee glanced at Alex before leveling his gaze back on Rents. “Have you spoken of this to anyone besides Alex and me?”
    “Not a soul. I got a message off to Alex as soon as I learned of Edward’s death.”
    “Last name?”
    “Franks. Edward Franks.”
    “Have the police figured anything out, found the killer?”
    “They won’t talk much to me, but I heard from an acquaintance at the station that they’ve got nothing. Not one clue.”
    “Did Franks give you any idea what he wanted to talk to Alex about?”
    Rents leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Only that he’d overheard a conversation about how to best get rid of someone. He seemed to think it involved some very influential person.” He paused a moment. “Wish I had more, but I don’t.”
    “You did right coming to Alex. Do we know how to reach you, Mr. Rents?”
    “Alex has my information.”
    Alex stood. “William, I’ll walk out with you. One of us will let you know if we learn anything.” He looked back at Lee. “Don’t leave until we’ve had a chance to talk.”
    Five minutes later, Alex had returned, a grim expression on his face as he took a seat. “My gut tells me there’s a connection between what Rents reported and what you’re working on for Dodds.”
    “How’s that?”
    Alex reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Lee. It was a report about a man who was looking for contacts to do some particularly nasty work for one of his clients. The source who’d overheard the conversation seemed to think it involved someone well known. The report had come from one of Alex’s investigators who’d been working another case.
    Lee let out a breath. “I don’t believe much in coincidences.”
    “Neither do I,” Alex responded as he walked out the door.
     

Chapter Three
    San Francisco
    Pierce stepped off the train before helping Mollie down. They’d talked little during the entire trip, each lost in their own thoughts. Mollie had surprised him by pulling out one of the dime novels that were popular and reading for most of the ride, effectively stopping any conversation between them.
    He flagged a carriage to take them to Torie’s large house. Even though Jamie had described the property, Pierce was still unprepared for the imposing structure and lavish interior. Torie had lived here when she’d been married to her first husband, Hamilton Wicklin, a miserable human being who was now out of her life forever.
    A nice-looking woman of about thirty answered his knock and smiled. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. MacLaren. I’m Penelope. Miss Victoria sent word that you’d be using the house.” She opened the door wide. “Please come in. I’ll get your bags and