CHAPTER THIRTEEN
RAN STOOD NEXT TO ROBERT HAWTHORNE, A STOCKY, BARREL-CHESTED man who looked more like one of the guys in the construction crew than an engineer.
He was wearing a miner’s hard hat over his salt-and-pepper hair, a clipboard tucked under one arm. “We’ve done a great deal of preliminary work. As much as we could at this juncture. As I said, our current theory is that smugglers added on to the tunnel several times. There’s also quite a strong possibility it branches off in several different directions down there.”
Though a copy of the drawing Hawthorne had found in local historical archives wasn’t available, apparently the map showed the earliest portion of the tunnel dating back to 1750, a section leading inland from what had once been a cave in the cliffs.
“At this point,” Hawthorne continued, “physically traversing the interior is the only way to ascertain more.”
“If you think it’s safe—”
“That is not what I said. Indeed, what I’m trying to say is, the only way to know exactly how much of the tunnel still exists or where it leads is to go in and take a look. The thirty-yard section I examined was in passable condition. My guess is parts of it were still in use even after the Warringtons bricked up the entrance. I dare say, if other sections are indeed still intact and have been maintained at least to some degree, you might be all right to risk going in.”
“There’s always some element of danger in exploration.”
“True enough. If you feel it’s worthwhile, you can always shore up the passage as you go along. It would take a good bit of work, of course. I would be happy to help you develop a plan.”
Ran made no reply. He needed more information, and he wasn’t willing to wait weeks or months to get it.
Robert checked his watch in the overhead fluorescent lights the workers had installed in the basement. “At this point, I have nothing further to add. I’ll have my report sent to the email address on your business card, along with a bill for my services.”
Ran nodded. “I’ll forward it to my accountant. Thanks for making yourself available on such short notice.”
Since he was receiving double his usual fee, Hawthorne just smiled. He extended a hand Ran shook. “No need to trouble yourself further. I can see myself out.”
A rough wooden staircase, complete with handrails, had already been completed. Hawthorne climbed to the top and disappeared into the hallway. Ran looked up to see Eve coming down the wooden stairs. She had changed into jeans and a long-sleeve pink T-shirt.
She looked good, like cotton candy or raspberry sherbet—good enough to eat. He forced himself not to remember the kiss on the front porch last night and blocked the direction his thoughts were leading.
“I gather that was the engineer,” Eve said, dragging Ran’s mind back where it belonged.
“Robert Hawthorne. Hawthorne and Longworth Engineering has a solid reputation in the area.”
“So what did Mr. Hawthorne tell you?”
“Robert gave the tunnel a fairly good report card, considering. He went in about thirty yards and took a look around. He thinks portions of it were still in use even after the Warringtons bricked up the entrance to the basement.”
“I wonder what they were using it for?”
“Good question. Who was using it? And what were they using it for?”
* * *
Eve stood by as Ran’s cell phone signaled a text.
“Jesse,” he told Eve, reading the message on his screen. “He’s on his way back with some of the items I sent him to get.”
“What kind of items?”
“Miner’s hard hats, shovels, spare flashlight batteries. The area around Sunderland is known for mining, so the hats shouldn’t be hard to find.”
Excitement poured through her, along with a good dose of nervousness. “When are we going in?”
Ran’s gaze shot to hers. “Jesse and I are going in. It could be dangerous. I’d rather go by myself, but it’s a dumb move, and Jesse wants to be included.”
“Well, I want to be included, too. Just because I’m a woman—”
“It’s not that. At least not exactly.”
“I don’t care why you don’t want me to go. I’m going with you. This is my house, therefore my tunnel. I started this. I’m going to finish it.”
A muscle jerked in Ran’s cheek. She figured it was rare that someone went against him. He took a deep breath, clearly fighting to hang on to his temper.
“Have you thought about what we’re going to find in there? You said you hate rats. I guarantee there are going to be dozens, probably hundreds of them in there.”
Eve shuddered, but she had already figured that out. “I’ll deal with it.”
“Fine. The house is yours. The tunnel begins on your property. I’ll admit that gives you the right to go in, if that’s what you want. You can go in—just not with me.”
“Wait a minute.”
“If I take you, I’m the person responsible if something goes wrong. I’m not willing to take that chance.”
Irritation trickled through her. “You may think you’re responsible, but you’re not. If something happens, the consequences are the result of my decision. It has nothing to do with you.”
The lines of his handsome face tightened. It occurred to her that the single most traumatic event in his life had been the death of his wife and child. He blamed himself for the car accident that had killed them. Suddenly Eve understood.
She reached up and rested her palm against his cheek. “I know you’re trying to do what’s best.” She smiled into his dark, brooding features. “How about a compromise?”
His black eyebrows drew down. “A compromise,” he said darkly.
“That’s right. I know it’s not a word you commonly use, but—”
“What sort of compromise?”
“I’ll go in with you as far as it looks safe. With luck we’ll see enough to know if the tunnel has anything to do with the spirits in the house. If you really think we shouldn’t continue, we’ll come back. Deal?” She held out her hand, and his features finally softened.
Ran took her hand in his but didn’t let go. Instead, he slowly drew her toward him, until her breasts rested softly against his chest. Lowering his head, he settled his mouth over hers.
Heat poured through her, slid out through her limbs. The gentle kiss lingered, expanded, deepened into something hot and urgent. Eve moaned when he pulled away.
“Deal,” he said softly, his amazing blue eyes on her face.
Eve just nodded. That was the second time she had kissed him when she knew she shouldn’t. “You have to stop doing that.”
A black eyebrow arched. “What? Stop kissing you?”
“Yes . . .”
“Why? We’re both unmarried adults. I like kissing you, and we both know if you’d wanted to, you could have stopped me with a single word.”
“Maybe. Or maybe not. I don’t have the kind of experience it takes to handle a man like you.”
A corner of his mouth kicked up. “A man like me? You think I’m a player? I’m not gaming you, Eve. I rarely date, if you want the truth. When I socialize, it usually involves something to do with my business dealings.”
She frowned. “You’re a man. You must have needs.”
“And you don’t?”
Eve made no reply. Until she’d met Ransom King, she hadn’t given sex much thought. It was just part of being married, more a way of feeling close to her husband than experiencing any real pleasure.
“I have a few women friends,” Ran continued.
“Friends with benefits,” Eve guessed.
“That’s right. We get together on occasion, but it’s nothing serious for either one of us.”
“Is that what you want me to be? Another of your friends with benefits?”
“I don’t need any more friends.”
Eve mulled that over, unsure exactly what he meant. “Why me?” she asked.
“I can’t really explain it. You’re different. I’m attracted to you. The fact is, I want you. I’m the kind of man who goes after what he wants, so if you aren’t interested, now is the time to say so.”
Eve swallowed. “I don’t . . . I’m not . . . I don’t think . . .”
“Maybe if I kiss you again it’ll help you figure it out.”
Desire curled through her, along with a rush of fear. She had told him the truth. She had no idea how to handle a man like King.
Eve stepped back so they were no longer touching. “We . . . umm . . . have work to do. I want to see what’s in the tunnel—we both do. But the afternoon is slipping away, and I certainly don’t want to go in after dark.”
His mouth edged up. “It’s already dark in the tunnel.”
“It’s not the same.”
Before he could reply, Jesse appeared at the top of the stairs. “Got everything we need, boss, and a few little extras.” Jesse hauled several big plastic bags down the newly constructed stairs to the cellar.
“Katie wanted to go with us,” Jesse said. “She’s pouting. I told her you wanted her to work on the camera footage from last night, but she said she was already done. Violet is taking her over to Sunderland Castle. It’s a local tourist attraction.”
“And Zane?”
“He’s keeping an eye on the surrounding area. Zane’s worried there might be outside entrances to the tunnel we don’t know about.”
“Good thought.” Ran’s gaze swung to Eve, then back to Jesse. “Eve’s going with us—at least as far as it’s safe.”
“I figured,” Jesse said. “I brought her a hard hat.”
Ran crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, hell.”
Eve couldn’t stop a laugh. “Thanks, Jesse.”
“Yeah, thanks a lot,” Ran said sarcastically. He walked over and began to sort out the gear, which included disposable plastic rain slickers with snaps on the front to keep out any water dripping from the ceiling. There was a size small miner’s hat with a lamp on the front among those Jesse had brought, along with a compass, folding shovel, and various miscellaneous items.
“I got us something I think you’re gonna like.” Jesse held up a device about five inches long and a couple of inches wide that looked like a camera. “Night vision range finder. Works up to a hundred fifty yards in the dark.”
Ran smiled his approval. “It’ll need a target object in order to calculate the distance, but if it works, it’ll beat the hell out of a measuring tape.”
They were planning to map the tunnel. The more they knew about it, the safer they would be.
Ran turned to Eve. “You need some better shoes. Have you got any hiking boots, something sturdier than sneakers?”
Eve nodded. “I’ll go put them on.”
“All right, then. We’ll go in as soon as you get back.” His eyes widened when she walked over and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thanks for the compromise.”
Instead of a smile, hunger flashed in those brilliant blue eyes. Eve’s stomach contracted. Ran had warned her. She knew what he wanted. The question was what did she want? And how much was she willing to risk in order to find out?