Shock rippled through Martha. Lily Rose had been engaged? “Oh, Lily Rose.” She sat next to the weeping woman. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Lily Rose dabbed at her eyes. “I’ve been alone all my life, Martha. I’ve enjoyed my time with you, but when I met William...” She sighed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “He was the only person in my life who was mine. I didn’t have to share him with you or the dig or anything else. And now...” Her voice trailed off on a sob.
Martha’s heart ached for her friend. And for the kind of friend Martha had been. Had she truly been so absorbed in her own life that Lily Rose thought she wouldn’t care about her exciting news? Did she truly believe that Martha didn’t care about her?
She could never make up for what had been done to Lily Rose through her own selfishness. But it paled in comparison to Mother’s horrific behavior. “I’m so, so sorry. Truly I am. Nothing can make up for my own behavior, Lily Rose. I’m sorry I wasn’t a good friend. And I can’t begin to express my sorrow for what my mother has done, but we have to stop her.”
Wait... the hair on the back of Martha’s neck stood up and she glanced around the room. Could her mother hear her? No. There wasn’t any way ... right? Even so, she went to Lily Rose’s side and whispered into her ear. “I will stall as long as possible. Go get the sheriff down in Castle Rock. See if he will come back with you.” She glanced at the clock. “Hurry! Thetrain leaves in twenty minutes. I’ll pack your things for you and hide them away. Go ... now.”
Inside his cell, Jacob walked from one side to the other. It took all of three steps one way and three steps back. Ever since Martha’s visit he’d been praying. The more time that passed, the greater the urgency in his heart grew.
Not for himself.
For her. His whole body was tense. He wasn’t sure how he knew it, but he did. To the core of his being...
Martha was in danger.
Was it because of him?
He hated the thought.
Lifting up another prayer, he continued his pacing.
He would gladly give up his life if it meant she would be okay.
An hour had passed in her mother’s office. The first fifteen minutes, Martha waited for her parent to arrive. When she did, Police Chief Masterson was with her.
So it was true. Mother owned the man.
That didn’t bode well for Martha.
But she sat, spine straight, with schooled features and listened to the woman who’d given birth to her describe their family’s legacy.
The smuggling of paintings, sculptures, jewels, gold, silver, people, and ancient artifacts had been going on for centuries. The extent of her family’s crimes sickened her. Then to hear of the black-market dealings and slave trade... it just about put Martha over the edge.
But when Mother dared to talk about her dig as if it were her own, it took everything in her power to remain calm. Even when the woman claimed herApatosaurus.
Martha kept her voice low. “Are you trying to tell me that you own the museum?”
Victoria—even her mother’s name irked her now—laughed. “Of course I do, my dear. I also own the other dig.”
“What?” That brought Martha out of her chair.
“Sit. Down.” The voice brooked no argument. “I’ve had enough of your dramatics. It’s about time you learned how the real world works. It’s clear I have sheltered you far too long. Wake up, Martha. This is your legacy.”
The firm set of her jaw and the fierce look in her mother’s eyes sent a chill up her spine. Did she think Marthawantedthis?
“Now... I have buyers for the bones. They will pay a hefty price. I wanted you to have the joy of excavating your first dinosaur skeleton, and I was even going to let you win the competition.”
None of it mattered anymore. Not in light of the lives lost and the pure evil in front of her. “At what cost, Mother?”
“The cost doesn’t matter. I always get what I want. You do too. That will continue as long as you know your place.” Her mother took a seat in the high-backed leather chair.
That chair had always looked like a throne to Martha when she was a child. Her grandfather’s chair—now her mother’s. Seemed fitting enough. Inside, her stomach churned, but she kept her back straight and her mouth in a firm line.
Scuffling sounds from the hall snatched her attention.
“Let me go!” A man was being dragged into the room by Simon and Charles. The bodyguards that never seemed to sleep.
