Pay the Devil - Jack Higgins [52]
Burke laughed harshly. “If you think Sir George will count me a fair exchange for your son, Rogan, you must think again. The fact that you intend to hang me will suit him very well. Afterwards, he’ll have the pleasure of seeing you all kick air.”
“He’s right, Mr. Rogan,” Joanna put in desperately. “I know my uncle and the way his mind works. By hanging Burke, you’ll be playing right into his hands.”
As Clay knotted the bandage into place, Shaun Rogan shook his head. “I’ll not stand by and see my son hanging for killing a man in self-defense. Varley drew on him, there was nothing else Kevin could have done.” He emptied the bottle and placed it deliberately down upon the floor. “I’ll not go back on what I’ve said. If Kevin isn’t here by six o’clock, Burke hangs.”
Clay got to his feet and slung his saddlebags over his shoulder. “You owe me a favor, Big Shaun and you can repay it easily. I’m going to Hamilton to see what can be done. I want you to promise me you won’t make a move before midnight.”
There was a strained silence, and Mrs. Rogan crossed quickly to her husband and placed a wrinkled hand timidly on his shoulders. “Trust the colonel, Shaun. He’s proved a true friend.”
Shaun Rogan still hesitated, and Clay said impatiently, “For God’s sake, make up your mind as to what you really want. Your son returned to you in one piece or Burke hanging lifeless at the end of a rope. It’s not much of an exchange.”
Big Shaun slammed a hand against the arm of his chair. “By God, Colonel, it isn’t. I’ll wait till midnight, but no later.”
Joanna sobbed with relief and Clay turned and smiled briefly at her. “I’d like you to stay here, just to make sure Big Shaun knows what time it is.”
She nodded, eyes dark in a white face. “Of course, Clay, if you want me to.”
He moved closer and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I’ll manage something.” He turned away from the new hope which sparked in her eyes, and went outside to Pegeen.
Once on top of the moor, he gave the mare her head and galloped through the rain, his mind concentrated on the conflict ahead. Already a plan was forming in his head and yet he had to meet Sir George Hamilton first to see if things could be handled sensibly.
He came down from the moor through the gap in the wall and cantered across the grass. As he passed the stables at the rear, he saw that a carriage was being got ready and that at least a dozen men were saddling their horses.
He dismounted at the foot of the steps and went up to the front door. As he raised his hand to the bell-chain, the door was opened by the butler. At the same moment, a hand pulled him out of the way and Sir George Hamilton appeared.
When he spoke, his voice was icy. “You are no longer welcome in my house, Colonel Fitzgerald.”
“And I have no wish to be here,” Clay said. “But there’s something much more important to discuss. Are you aware that the Rogans hold your man Burke and intend to hang him if Kevin Rogan is not with them by six o’clock?”
“I have already been informed of the situation,” Sir George said. “Naturally, I’m extremely sorry about Burke, but under the circumstances, there is nothing to be done. It’s much more important to the peace of the county that a notorious malcontent like Kevin Rogan should be safely lodged in gaol. I intend to escort him to Galway myself within the hour. Afterwards, I hope to return with sufficient help to root his damned family out of Hidden Valley once and for all.”
Clay almost lost control. “You wanted something like this to happen, didn’t you? If they hang Burke, you’ll be able to see the rest of them laid by the heels.”
“Exactly!” Sir George said, and something unholy glowed deep in his eyes. “I’ll see them under the sod, every one of them, if it’s the last thing I do.”
For a moment, Clay gazed into insane eyes,