House of the Rising Sun (Hackberry Holland 4)

“I don’t remember particulars. He bears you a grudge about something that happened in Mexico. I told him—” Bishop wiped his mouth, his eyes misting.

“Go on,” Hackberry said.

“He said not to worry about you. That eventually you would fall on your own sword. He said you’re one of those men who actually seeks his own death.”

“He’s probably right,” Hackberry replied. “But it won’t happen today. And when the time comes, I might have a lot of company for the trip across.”

Bishop mounted his horse, his left hand shaking on the reins. He turned his horse in a circle, his face white. “You won’t tell him, will you?”

“Tell who what?”

“Beckman. About our conversation. I ask this one favor of you.”

“You’re on your own, Cod. I’d better not find out you’ve held on to information about my son.”

“Sir, can you show me a little respect? Just a little. We’re both gentlemen.”

“Tell that to the darkies you burned out of their homes.”

Hackberry went back into the house just as the phone rang. It was Ruby.

SHE TOLD HIM of everything that had happened at the clinic in the Mexican district. She also said she had gone to the police and the sheriff’s department.

“You told them about the motorcar with the bell on it?” he asked.

“Yes, the police said they don’t go beyond the city limits. A deputy at the sheriff’s department said their motorcars don’t have bells.”

“You’re sure the car had a bell? On the driver’s side?”

“Yes.”

“Then someone is lying,” he said.

“You believe the police or the sheriff’s department abducted Ishmael?”

“I think it was somebody who works for Arnold Beckman.”

“That’s the second time you mentioned that name.”

“He buys and sells arms all over the world. He believes I stole his property down in Mexico in 1916.”

“What were you doing in Mexico?”

“Looking for Ishmael.”

“You stole something from this Beckman man and he’s holding Ishmael until he gets it back?”

“I cain’t say that for sure, but I suspect he’ll be getting in touch.”

“Hack, I’m really upset by what you’re telling me. Our son’s life is in the balance because of some stolen property you won’t let go of?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that.”

“It doesn’t sound complicated at all,” she said. “It sounds like your stubbornness at work.”

“You don’t cut deals with a man like Arnold Beckman.”

“Not even to save your son?”