Ghost River by Jon Coon (best non fiction books of all time TXT) 📕

things about you, John,” Duncan said. “What I have is a book, a book of names and dates and happenings involving one John Vesey and a number of other fine fellows. ‘Tis worthwhile reading, all those wicked doings and unless I make certain arrangements to stop it, it will be on its way to the gentlemen at Whitehall.”

“No, Duncan,” Kate whispered hoarsely. “No.”

Vesey blanched. “You are bluffing MacLean.”

“Are you willing to chance it?” Duncan asked pointedly. “With the information in that book, I can cut you off at the knees. Without it, I can do nothing.”

Once again the pistol went to Kate’s skull. “The book, MacLean, or I kill her.”

“Do you think that I would be fool enough to keep it on my person?” Duncan asked. “Or that I would be sufficiently stupid to hand it over to you without some assurance of safety for Kate, the child, and myself. I was a fool once; I will not be so again. If you want the book, you’ll have it on my terms, Vesey. Kate and Anne are to be free of you, in writing. I will supply the materials and the text.”

“You must think me insane,” Vesey retorted.

Duncan smiled. “Consider your position, Vesey. Should you harm Kate, a hempen rope would be the least of your troubles, for I would tear you apart with my bare hands. Refuse my offer and Wellington will have the evidence within a sennight. Those are your choices.”

Vesey thought for a moment. “I could kill you right now.”

Duncan debated the wisdom of drawing Vesey’s fire, but quickly rejected the idea. “Aye, you might get lucky at this distance, but I dinna recollect you being the best of shots. Would you risk missing me, John? Besides, if something were to happen to me, I’ve left specific instructions regarding the disposition of the book. Your sins will be the talk of Carlton House.”

“And the girl?”

“Would not stand witness against you, unless you were fool enough to force her back to your custody. I would not put a child through that pain unless absolutely necessary for her safety.” Duncan shrugged in a show of nonchalance. “I will meet you at the causeway in an hour to make the exchange. The book in return for Kate, her daughter and a signed statement.”

“That is all you offer?”

“That and the opportunity to leave here in one piece,” Duncan said.

Vesey laughed. “You must be as mad as they say to think that I would agree to so poor a bargain.”

Kate saw her opportunity. With Vesey distracted, she had worked loose the last of her bonds. Her fingers slipped to her knife and she brought up the blade with a quick slashing motion. She barely scratched him, but the second of surprise was all the chance she needed. Kate dashed toward the castle as Vesey’s weapon discharged into the air and fell to the ground.

Vesey snatched up the gun, made a fumbling attempt to reload then discarded it to follow his fleeing captive. As MacLean drew closer, the look of murder on his countenance made Vesey realize that Katherine was his only bargaining chip. Without her as a shield, the Scot would like as not tear him to pieces for the sheer pleasure of it. Vesey hurried inside just in time to see Kate bolting into the servants’ hall.

Kate struggled with the rusting tumblers, opening the lock to the tower door just as Vesey came into the room. There would not be time to lock it behind her as she had hoped. She ran up the stairs, a strategy forming in her mind. She could hear the door swing shut, the protest of the mechanism as the key locked her in with Vesey. The sinister sound of his laughter echoed up the stairway followed by the sound of footsteps. Praying for strength, Kate boosted herself out the small window, ignoring the pain in her back as she reached for handholds. Her only hope depended on Vesey keeping his attention on the stair.

“Katherine, you might as well stop this nonsense.”

She could hear his voice coming closer.

“You are trapped, little fool. There is nowhere to hide.”

He was perilously near the window. Kate held her breath, not even hazarding to inhale. A peculiar sound came from below and she uttered a silent blessing. It sounded as if Duncan had found the axe and was taking the flimsy door apart.

“Do not force me to come up after you, you stupid bitch.”

Vesey’s anxious voice echoed as he called up to the tower room. Her back throbbed and her sweaty fingers protested as her tenuous hold began to slip, but she did not dare to try for a better grip. She strained to hear his footfall as he mounted the stair, imagined him climbing to search the dark reaches of the windowless room.

“Katherine!” The angry roar was muffled as it reverberated through the tower. “Kath- . . .” the cry cut off abruptly as the groan of wood became a roar. Rotting timber protested as ancient beams splintered beneath his weight before being drawn downward by the irresistible forces of gravity and momentum. A cloud of debris flew through the window, showering her with bits of wood and dust. Then there was silence.

Kate tried to haul herself up, but there was no strength left in her. She felt herself sliding until a firm hand gripped her wrist and hauled her in.

“Duncan,” she whispered as he grasped her close.

“Och, Kate, did you expect me to catch you from below again?” He tried to smile, but the effort was beyond his ability. “I damn near lost you, Kate. When you needed me, I couldna protect you. You were right.”

“As were you,” Kate said, coughing and catching her breath. “It was foolish to hide my head and believe that evil would never find us again.”

“He won’t,” Duncan told her, nodding towards the gaping hole in the floor. He lifted her into his arms and carried her down