Free Whisper In The Dark (The McKinnon Legends-- The American Men Book One) by Ranay James Page A

the Spanish royalty,” she finished his thought.
    “Precisely my point,” he said nodding his head.
    She looked at him as he leaned forward laying his forearms on his desktop.
    “Katherine, whether I believe there is a fortune to be found or not is immaterial. The fact others do believe there is treasure and are willing to kill for that possibility is material.”
    The light went on for her. “You think I’m in danger?”
    It was something she had not given a moment’s thought to until just that second. The shock and pain she was going through had blocked the thought before now.
    “Katherine, I know the last couple of weeks have been traumatic and would have been difficult under the best of circumstances, however, you must wake up. Kyle is dead. George attacked. Yes, I think you are in danger and so does Robert. We both believe you could have already become a victim if it were not for Robert’s men.”
    “You mean his ghosts? They are like shadows. They are always there, but I never see them. It’s creepy.” She shook her shoulders as if a chill had passed over her.
    “They are serving their function. You need an ally, someone you can trust. I believe Robert is such a man. He brought this by, but did not say why and I have not looked at its contents. He asked me to give it to you when you came in to see me.”
    He slid the envelope across his desktop to her.
    Opening it up, she looked at the document.
    She read over the offer.
    I, Robert Samuel McKinnon, do here by offer the following options to terminate the promissory note which I hold in my position:
    Fair market value, less the debt owed in the amount of three million dollars. I agree to pay this and if accepted then Katherine Delight Brandenburg will relinquish the deed to the Golden Circle and all livestock, mineral rights, and crops currently ready for harvest. (George can stay and will be given a stipend and lodging for the remainder of his life, all health care will be the sole responsibility of the McKinnon Trust).
    OR
    We go partners on the treasure. The Cruel Shelf, jobbing pirate’s share to captain’s. And as captain I get to choose my booty. Your share must cover the note or the Golden Circle is still mine.
    Take it or leave it. You have one hour to decide.
     

Chapter 14
    “Is he crazy?” she asked handing the document back to Mr. Lyles to read. Unsure of what Robert was up to she blinked several times trying to puzzle it all out. “He must be crazy.”
    The older man looked the document over. It was a legal offer. “No, personally I think it is a good offer. He is giving you a choice, Katherine. That is more than Dallas Langston would have ever done.”
    He handed the document back to her.
    “What the heck is he talking about? The cruel shelf?” she asked looking up and over the paper.
    He smiled in spite of the gravity of the situation. Robert was a lot like his old man had been with a quirky sense of justice.
    “It is an old pirate’s measure of disbursing the booty. The captain gets twenty shares to the jobbing pirate’s share of five.”
    “This is a joke, right?”
    “No. It is a peace offering. Take the money and run, dear. He is offering you a way to save face and fair market value for the ranch.”
    “He took my birthright right out from under me.” She sounded unreasonably whiny even to her own ears.
    Lyles slapped the desktop hard with the flat of his hand making her jump.
    “That is immaterial and childish. Langston legally held a note Kyle unwisely entered into with that barracuda without consulting me. Robert paid Langston off, and he did not have to do so. Remember that fact, Katherine. He was not the one to rob you of your birthright. I know you don’t want to hear it, but Kyle did that. Now, can you or can you not pay Robert?”
    She stared at him in stony silence as the finality of the situation finally sank in.
    “Not at the moment, no.” Sighing and shaking her head, Katherine knew deep down Mr. Lyles had a