Page 88 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“If I don't,” Nash said, “then I'll be dead.”
“Yes, you will.” Cornelius growled. “Riphook does not take treachery lightly.”
“Yet, you seem to.” Leah remarked. “You have taken it all rather well that your game is done up. Why is that?”
“I have no reason to worry.” Cornelius kicked his feet up on a nearby ottoman. “This is the way of things, it seems, and I have no power to change that. I can only hope that those present will remember my cooperation,” Cornelius looked Kenneth as he spoke, trying to appeal to his emotions.I only need a moment of his trust to poison her.He thumbed the poison capsule on one of his subtle rings. It was just enough to end a life.
“Go on then, Nash.” Leah said, touching the lad's arm. “And mind yourself.”
“I shall.” Nash bowed his head and crossed to the open window, leaping up atop the sill like a bird on a perch.
“Nash.” Kenneth said suddenly. “Thank you.”
“Sure.” the lad grunted, and was gone.
“Now what?” Cornelius asked, careful not to sound mocking.
“Now we will wait.” Kenneth said, leaning against the desk, still gripping the pistol. “And when the time is close, we will go to the pier.”
“Very well then.” Cornelius nodded and gripped the arms of the chair, trying to appear serious. It was time to play the part. He had to give Leah and Kenneth some credit – they had out smarted him. But their trap was nowhere near as airtight as they might imagine. Riphook would deal with Nash, then the law would deal with Riphook.
All he had to do was deal with the law, Leah, and Kenneth. The law was easy, all it required was coin. Kenneth was hard, because it would take time to rebuild trust between them, but Cornelius was confident that he could control Kenneth as long as Leah was out of the picture. He had to deal with her now.
The poison in his ring was made to work several hours after ingestion, and work over several days. Therefore, Cornelius rationalized that it would look like she took an ill-timed fever and perished. This would break Kenneth, but Cornelius could build him back up again.
How marvelous.Cornelius realized,Kenneth has brought me all of my enemies at once.
“Are you afraid, Uncle, to face judgment for your crimes?” Kenneth challenged. “For they are great.”
“There is little I fear, Kenneth.” he answered. “But I should say, if we are to wait here, let us at least take a drink. My cup has gone empty, and it is poor on my health not to continue, especially in this moment of stress.”
“A drink?” Kenneth looked at him wildly. “How can you behave as if you have not utterly betrayed me? How can you sit there and behave as if none of this has any bearing on our lives?”
“It is only that I am older, and I have learned to keep such rants within my head.” Cornelius countered. “There is no use in growing upset over stagnant facts. Please, let us all just sit in silence for a moment and have a drink.”
“I think not.” Kenneth said hotly.
“Oh, blast it.” Cornelius would try to provoke Kenneth into a state of emotional instability. “You are the same as your father!”
“My father?” Kenneth blinked, his cage clearly rattled.
“You know it never sat right with my dear old brother that I made so much money, you know that, don't you?”
“What are you on about?” Kenneth scoffed. Leah was pacing the perimeter of the room.
“But what was I supposed to do, hmm? I ask you. Never was there a chance for me in the family business, not while your father was running things. He was the eldest son, and it was his responsibility. He was very clear about these matters.”
“Be careful what you say, Uncle.” Kenneth grew tense again, standing straight in front of the desk.
“So, I made my own way, I found my own wealth, and damned if I didn't do it well. I own this city, Kenneth.”
“Not any longer.” Kenneth argued.
“So, it seems.” Cornelius laughed. “When he came to me, your father, he was so angry with me, for my enterprises had grown more successful than his. I had no desire to hide from him, no, I had always wanted his respect, all my life, more than my own father, even! I wanted him to be proud of me, I suppose,” Cornelius said wistfully.
“Proud of you?” Kenneth gawked.
“For building something so vast.” Cornelius spoke softly. “Alas, the news broke him, and that is when he collapsed and died.”
