Page 59 of Untamed Coast

The man moved farther inside, toward the starboard side table.

“I told you to deal with my lawyer.” Anya lowered the weapon. “Leave. This instant.”

Thomas pulled himself into a seat at the dinette. “Had a run-in with your lawyer, a rather disagreeable chap. Thought he could throw his weight around, but as a businessman, I don’t take kindly to threats.”

Threats? He was shot in the back of the head.

Keeping her body between the man and the galley drawer, Anya replaced the revolver, lifted out her fillet knife, and slipped the scabbard into her boot while the man made himself comfortable in her dinette.

Thomas placed an attaché case on the table and opened it. Anya stood near the edge of the seat, blocking his exit path. He reached into the case and…

Gun.

He had a gun in the case. Anya stepped forward and crouched, reaching for her boot, the sickening smell of his sweet cologne filling her nostrils.

He removed a stack of papers and closed the case.

Anya eased. She sat down across from him at the dinette, pulling the knife from her boot, slipping it under her leg on the seat. She could easily slice the inside of his thigh from under the table.

Stay calm. Be ready to move.

Thomas held the papers across the table, presenting them to her. “No need for concern, Mrs. Baron. Like I mentioned, I’m not here to cause any harm. My intention is to handle our business in a way that suits us both.”

Among the papers were Anya’s files from Chilton’s office.

The heater unit under the window kicked on, and the papers fluttered in the fan’s warm air.

Thomas calmly laid his hand on the stack. “I saw you stopped by Mr. Chilton’s office earlier today, so let’s cut to the chase and be straight with each other. I reckon we both understand the situation at hand.”

Anya held his gaze, daring him to look away. “You need to know that I called the police and reported Chilton’s murder. They should be here any minute.”

Thomas didn’t react. “I reckon you might be bluffing, Mrs. Baron. However, I suspect we’ll find out soon enough. Personally, I’d prefer we kick off our dealings with a foundation of mutual trust.”

“If that were true, Mr. Thomas, you would not have boarded my boat without my permission.” Anya struggled to make her voice sound confident. “I guess you should get on with it and state your business, then. And, it’s Miss Baron. My husband is deceased and I did not take his name.”

Thomas nodded. “I get it. I want you to know I’m ready to make you an exceedingly generous offer for your fishing cabin and island, with some conditions tacked on.”

Anya flipped through the pages the stranger handed her. There was a bill of sale for the fishing cabin. “My fishing cabin is not for sale.”

“If you’ll focus on the figure there in front of you”—Thomas smiled—“I think this proposal might alter your position.”

“I don’t…” She looked at the bottom of the page. The amount was staggering. Anya strained not to look surprised. It was many times what the little island could possibly be worth. She let out a long breath and steadied her voice before trying to respond. “And what would those tacked-on conditions be?”

He reached for the attaché again. Anya tensed her grip on the wood of the fillet knife handle.

Smooth slice, top to bottom. All the way to the bone. Like the first cut on a big halibut.

Thomas raised the lid of the case and removed another document. Anya checked her reach. He was tall and spindly and his knees extended almost to her side of the table.

Pin his leg to the left with mine, duck and cut. He can’t be that fast with his gun.

Thomas lowered the top of the case and latched it again.

Anya relaxed, sliding the knife back beneath her thigh, taking the papers with her left hand.

“This sum should set you up as quite the affluent lady.” Thomas smiled. “In return, you commit to keeping hushed any details about the property you’re parting with, your transactions with our firm, and any demand for further funds from your deceased husband’s estate.”

“And why is keeping my mouth shut so important to you?” Anya asked. “What do I know that you’re willing to pay—”