When the loud knocking on his bedroom door did not abate, Geoffrey angrily struggled to sit up in bed, taking great care not to move too quickly, for his head was still pounding from the excess of liquor he’d imbibed after leaving the party the night before.
“Blast you, Bartley! What is it?” he shouted in irritation, and even the sound of his own voice pained him.
“I’m sorry, m’lord, but a letter has just arrived for you.” Bartley’s tone was suitably apologetic through the solidness of the closed chamber door. “The bearer said it was extremely important.”
“Just who was this ‘bearer’?” Geoffrey snarled as he climbed slowly from the comfort of his bed and began to pull on his red satin dressing gown.
“He was a seaman from a merchant ship, m’lord. The missive is from your family in England.”
Geoffrey was halfway to the door when he stopped, a frown creasing his brow. Incredulous, he asked. “Did you say it was from my family?”
“Yes, Lord Radcliffe.”
With great haste, Geoffrey unlocked the portal and took the letter from the servant. “Bring me a cup of hot tea,” he directed. Then, staring down at the envelope and immediately recognizing the strong, slanted lines of his father’s script, he changed his mind. “No…wait. Make that a generous portion of whiskey instead.”
“Right away.” Bartley scurried off to bring his suffering master the libation he’d requested.
Geoffrey closed the door and wandered back into the room, his mind racing as he tried to imagine what news could be in the letter. Since his “exile” to the colonies, his family had made little effort to keep in contact with him. His funds were deposited directly to his accounts, and they seldom sent any news. As he studied the envelope, he couldn’t help but wonder what major event had occurred to merit sending him a letter. Curious, Geoffrey sat back down on his bed and tore it open.
Geoffrey-
It is with the deepest of sorrows that I must send word to you of your brother James’s untimely demise. You are now the next in line for the title, and it is imperative that you return home at your earliest convenience. Your mother and I await your arrival…
Geoffrey paused in his reading to look up and stare about him in stunned amazement. His brother was dead! He smiled in cunning delight at the news. So old James was dead, was he? Geoffrey couldn’t be more pleased. James had been a thorn in his side from the earliest days of their childhood, and he would not miss him. And, he thought with a real sense of triumph, I will one day be the earl-not James! Realizing then that there was more to the letter, he directed his attention back to the missive…
James was killed in a duel by Lord Noah Kincade.
Geoffrey’s eyes widened as he stared in utter disbelief at the news. Kincade had been responsible for his brother’s death? The same Kincade who’d had the gall to face him at numerous social engagements? The same Kincade who’d refused his challenge last night? He read on…
Knowing what an expert swordsman your brother was, I cannot help but believe that it was a less than fair fight. There can be no peace in our family until justice has been served. Kincade must be made to pay for this outrage.
Come home as quickly as you can. We need you here. All the past is forgotten. We will welcome you with open arms.
Your mother and father…
Geoffrey’s joy at the unexpected change in his fortunes was still there, but his hatred for Noah had intensified. Kincade had murdered his brother and had cowardly refused to accept his challenge last night. The man, if he could be called one, was a spineless fool who deserved what he got. No longer content with just proving Noah guilty of treason, Geoffrey was resolved to make him pay for his actions, and pay with his life.
The single knock at the door brought him back to the reality of the moment, and he bid his servant to enter.
“Your whiskey, sir.” Bartley placed the silver tray on the bedside table.
“Thank you, Bartley.” Geoffrey was still a bit distracted as he considered the best way to proceed. It was only as the servant turned to leave that he spoke up. “Bartley…”
“Yes, m’lord?”
“I have a most important job for you…”
It was late afternoon as Matthew and Ben sat in the parlor of the Hammond house, their serious expressions reflecting their grim mood as they regarded each other.
“There’s no other way?” Matt asked, his tone revealing his disturbance over the news that Ben had just given him.
“None. We’ve tried everything we know,” Ben confided. “You’re our only hope, Matthew.”
Matt shifted uncomfortably at Ben’s request. He had hoped it would never come to this-a complete showdown between Noah’s goals and his own. When Noah had sent word to him earlier that morning that the Sea Pride had made port, Matt had notified the rebels immediately of the ship’s arrival. He had just received word back from Ryan Graves, through Ben, that they could not meet the terms of their original agreement with Noah. According to the rebel leader, their funds were completely drained, and there was no way they could come up with the additional money needed by the time Noah had demanded.
“If you could just talk with your brother,” Ben was saying hopefully. “We will pay him the amount agreed upon. It will just take us longer to get it, that’s all.”
“I know. I trust you, but…” Matt hedged, knowing what Noah’s answer was going to be even before he asked.
“Matthew, we must have those supplies.” Ben’s gaze was earnest upon him.
“I know, Ben.” Matt stood up, squaring his shoulders in an unconscious gesture against the battle of wills he knew was to come. “I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all we ask, Matthew. That’s all we ask.” Ben shook his hand fervently.
“Faith,” Matt called to his wife. The women had retired to the kitchen to give the men the privacy they’d needed for their political discussion.
Faith appeared in the parlor doorway with Ruth beside her. “Did you want me?”
“Always.” Matthew gave her a warm grin as he moved toward her. “I must meet with Noah, so I’ll be gone for a while.”
“It’s important?”
“Very, but I should be back before dark.”
“We’ll wait dinner for you then.”
“Good.” He bent to press a soft kiss on her lips before retrieving his greatcoat and heading from the house. “I’ll be back.”
When Matthew had gone, Faith returned to the kitchen while Ben and Ruth stood alone in the parlor.
“There are problems?” Ruth asked tentatively as she gazed up at him.
“Yes,” he answered tersely, trying to come to face the fact that they might not get the supplies they so desperately needed.
“Is there anything I can do?” she offered sympathetically. She remembered how the injustices of the day had upset her husband, and she wanted to be of any help she could to Ben. He was such a dear man, and he had come to mean so much to her…
Ben turned to Ruth, his eyes dark with unspoken emotion. “Just letting me be here with you helps.”
She sensed the meaning behind his words and boldly took a step closer to Ben. “Really, Ben?” She touched his arm lightly, and there was an immediate feeling of real intimacy to the moment.
Ben found himself caught up in a situation he wasn’t sure how to handle. Should he gruffly dismiss her question or confess to her his long-denied devotion? Frustrated by all aspects of his life at that instant and feeling that things could not possibly get any worse, Ben decided not to hide his true feelings any longer.
“Yes, Ruth. It helps. Your warmth and hospitality are the only sweetness in my life.”
“Just my warmth and hospitality?” Ruth pressed the issue. The feelings she had for Ben had long since passed being strictly friendly. She had been out of mourning for her husband for quite a while now, and she knew it was time to begin life again. Ben was the man she wanted in her future.
Ben was trapped. He wanted to tell her that he had loved her forever. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and make love to her. Casting his fear of rejection aside, Ben gave in to the power of his wayward emotions and took her into his arms.
“Ruth, my darling…you are the one constant that makes my life worth living,” he declared fervently just before his lips met hers. It was a soft, gentle exploration that sent shudders of excitement through him, and when Ruth molded herself willingly to him, he could hardly believe his luck. “Ruth?”
“Oh, Ben! I’ve wanted this for such a long time…” She smiled up at him, her eyes alight with her true feelings for him.
“You have?”
“Oh yes,” she sighed, kissing him again.
“I have, too,” he finally admitted when they drew apart. “You’re always in my thoughts… I love you, Ruth. I always have.”
“But, Ben, I never knew.” Ruth was amazed as they moved to sit together on the sofa.
Ben shrugged almost guiltily. “I was afraid. I didn’t know how you felt about me.”
“Oh, Ben, I love you, too.” She went into his arms again, thrilled at the joy of her newfound love.
He was surprised by the discovery, his blinding happiness dimming his worries about the war supplies and Matthew’s confrontation with Noah. He gathered Ruth close, seeking out her lips for another cherishing embrace. He knew that from this moment on, no matter how dark the following days became, he would be happy. He had his love, and it was a love that would last forever.
Noah sat at the desk in the captain’s cabin on board the Sea Pride, going over the contracts and manifests. At the sound of the door opening he looked up expectantly, thinking to find Captain Wells returning. He was surprised and pleased to find that it was his brother entering the room. Noah came to his feet and moved from behind the desk to greet him.
“Matthew, I’m glad you’re here. I see you got my message this morning.” He hoped that Matt was the bearer of good news regarding his deal with the dissidents.
“Yes, I received it.” Matt’s response was guarded.
“And have you notified Graves?” Now that the Pride was in port, Noah was anxious to conclude the business negotiations as quickly as possible.
“I did.” Matt sat down in the chair before the desk as Noah returned to his seat behind it.
“And?”
Matthew had been dreading this moment since he’d left Ben. He knew his brother’s loyalties, and he knew that there was very little real hope that he would change his mind. Still, he had to try.
“Graves has sent word that they do not have the funds to complete the deal at this time,” Matt supplied levelly. “They do promise to make full restitution if you allow them to take delivery now and pay the balance due later.”
“Damn!” Noah exploded. “I should have known they wouldn’t be able to come up with the money!” Angrily he got up and began to pace the small cabin. His expression was thunderous as he mentally calculated the cut in profit he would have to take in selling directly to agents to the Crown. “Tell him the deal is off. I warned them.”
“Noah…surely you don’t want to cancel the whole thing,” Matt began.
“The name of the game is profit, Matthew,” Noah replied dispassionately. “I trusted them once. I can’t afford to trust them again.”
“What if I tell you I am willing to forgo my share of the profits if you will let Graves have the goods at the price they’ve now paid?” Matt considered this as the only solution for settling the problem to the benefit of both sides.
“What?” His suggestion took Noah completely by surprise.
“I want you to conclude the transaction with Graves, and any monies that are not forthcoming can be taken out of my share of the profits.”
“I can’t let you do that!” he argued logically. “What are you going to live on? You have a wife now, and she’s dependent upon you.”
“I am fully aware of my obligations, Noah,” Matt replied stiffly. “However, there are some things that take precedence. If the sanctions come, as they most certainly will, we have to be prepared. We need those supplies.”
“Matthew,” Noah said in his most earnest tone, “you can’t be serious about this.”
“I am.”
“I can’t let you do this. What will you live on? How will you exist?”
“If I have to, I will get a job. I’m not averse to hard work, Noah.”
“That’s ridiculous! You’re a nobleman…a Kincade, for God’s sake! I’ll arrange a deal through Demorest. I should be able to clear enough to support us both for the time being,” he conceded.
Matthew realized then that the change in his brother had been so complete, he was now sounding just like the avaricious English money dealers who’d gleefully claimed their possessions in payment of their father’s debts. “I don’t believe this…” he remarked, stunned as he perceived the overall view of everything that had happened to them and the final results.
“What don’t you believe?” Noah glanced at him quickly, wondering at his tone.
“I don’t believe that you’ve changed so completely. You’ve actually become one of them.”
“What are you talking about?” Noah demanded in annoyance.
“I’m talking about your obsession with money. Just now you sounded exactly like the bankers and debt collectors who scavenged our inheritance after Father’s death. Don’t you remember how callous they were? Money was all that mattered to them. They didn’t care about the lives that would be destroyed, or the traditions that would be broken-only the money mattered.”
Matthew’s analogy jolted Noah deeply. For the first time he saw clearly how very greatly he’d changed and what those changes had wrought in his life. He had followed the path he’d thought would bring him happiness. He had believed that reclaiming their lost wealth and status would make him happy again, but now he knew it wouldn’t. Happiness was not related to things. Happiness came from within. In that silent moment of introspection, Noah accepted that he was not happy with himself.
He understood then that his quest to return triumphantly to England with his pockets well lined had carried with it a price far too great to bear. He had forfeited his closeness with Matthew. Not only that, but he had been so wrapped up in his pursuit of riches that he had discovered his love for CC too late to do anything about it. Now she was lost to him, too. The social life he had once thought he’d missed no longer held any appeal for him. He was alone, and he was miserable. Lost in a vortex of despairing, yet revealing, emotions, Noah could not reply for long moments as he stared at his brother.
Matthew, thinking Noah’s silence reflected unspoken anger on his part, went on to defend his position. “Noah, I don’t need money to be happy. I love Faith and the life we live here in Boston. All I want is to ensure that a free and open life will exist for our children and their children after them. It’s for that reason that I support the revolution. I’ve seen the injustices and the high-handed ways of the government officials. I know the Crown is treating us as if we were ignorant children. We are educated men, Noah, who are only demanding rights that should be ours already!” He paused, his troubled gaze fixed on his brother’s stony features. “Please, try to understand. I’m not alone in this. As you well know, the majority of those in Boston supported the dumping of the tea. Even CC Demorest-the daughter of one of the most important British agents in all the colonies-supports us without reservation. You know that.”
“Yes, I know that,” he replied hoarsely, thinking of CC. He loved her, and she was lost to him. So often they had loved and had not known it. She had confessed as much last night, and he’d refused to declare himself, taking umbrage at her effort to help the rebellion. Noah wondered how he could have been so blind not to have recognized what he was feeling, and he silently cursed the pride that was making it difficult for him to admit the truth even now. All this time he had been intent on only one thing-making the money in order to return to England. In the course of that single-mindedness, he had almost missed the very essence that would make his life worth living-CC…beautiful, loving CC. Noah knew a moment of very real anguish as he thought of how he’d humiliated her the night before, and he wondered if her profession of love had been true.
“I wish I could convince you to see things our way.” Matt was becoming more and more dispirited as he talked, for he thought Noah was, once again, refusing to listen. “I hate the fact that this caused a rift between us. I want us to be close again, like we were before all the trouble started…before Father died.”
It occurred to Noah then that that was all he really wanted, too. “All right.” Noah’s reply was quick and brusque and left Matthew completely speechless.
“All right?” Matt finally managed as he stared at him in wonder.
“Yes, all right. You can have the goods.”
“Are you serious?”
“Have you known me to jest lately?” Noah fixed him with a steady regard.
“Well…no…”
“Then you know my answer is serious,” Noah said, suddenly feeling very relieved.
“You’re selling us the goods, the payment doesn’t need to be made until later?” Matt repeated dumbly.
“I’m selling you the goods for the money I’ve already collected. Tell Graves to forget the second payment. We’ve made enough profit just off the first half they’ve paid us to support us both for a while.”
“Noah…I don’t understand.”
“Well, I do, at long last,” Noah sighed. He raked a hand nervously through his dark hair as he glanced up at his younger brother, studying him with glowing eyes. Matt had become a man…a fine, intelligent man, and Noah knew he deserved the truth-all of it. “I’ve been wrong, about a lot of things. And you were very right about the money… I have been obsessed with it, ever since that night…”
“What night?”
“The night James Radcliffe and I quarreled.” Noah looked away as the bitter memories flooded through him, and his hands clenched at his sides as he remembered the vileness of the other man’s accusations.
Matt remained silent for a moment and then asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Noah faced him. “I’ve never wanted to before. It was something I believed better off forgotten, but I think it’s long past time that you knew.” Noah took a deep, steadying breath, dredging forth from the depths of his soul all the ugliness of that night. “James had never made a secret of his dislike for me, and when he heard of Father’s death and our resultant losses, he seemed to take particular delight.” Though long suppressed, the memory of James’s sneering attitude and snide, underhanded comments still had the power to fill Noah with angry humiliation. It had been a painful time, and it was only with the greatest of willpower that he forced himself to continue relating all that had taken place. “I had been playing cards in the study with several friends, and he made a point of seeking me out. I had been aware of all the talk, but I was not prepared for such a vicious, open attack…”
“What did he say?”
“James claimed that Father was not only a gambler, but a drunken coward as well. He accused him of committing suicide rather than face up to his losses, and he proclaimed that I was, no doubt, just as much a weakling as he was.”
Matthew paled at the revelation. “Suicide? Father? Never!”
Noah nodded his agreement. “Up until that point, I had been managing to keep myself together. I had withstood the almost continual barrage of criticism and slights, but his insults pushed me beyond all reason. It had been bad enough that it had happened, but to have our family honor insulted was more than I could bear. No matter what else we are, the Kincades are not cowards.”
“I’d always known that James’s insult had to have been grievous to have evoked such hatred in you, but I’d had no idea just how despicable the man really was. No wonder you responded as you did. I’m sorry…” Matt took a conciliatory step toward Noah, his heart aching as he understood finally his brother’s torment.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Noah shrugged off his concern.
“No, but I feel now that I should have been there for you. You’ve carried the burden all alone, all this time.”
“It’s better that you didn’t know until now. You see, I’ve been too intent on what we lost. I’d lost sight of all that we had. I had forgotten what was really important in life.”
Matt’s gaze met and held his, and they embraced then, as brothers long parted but now reunited. When they moved apart, the warmth and affection that had long been missing between them for some time had returned.
“I’d better let Ben and Ryan know of your decision. Do you have a plan yet?”
Noah nodded, “I want this done tonight. The sooner it’s over with, the better off we’ll be.”
“What do you want me to tell them?”
“Have them meet around midnight. As I estimate, the watch will be the lightest then, and there’ll be less chance of being caught.”
“I’ll tell them. What about Captain Wells?”
“I’ll take care of him,” Noah assured Matt. “Just tell Graves to make sure his men know that they have to move quickly and quietly. And one more thing.”
“What?”
“I don’t want you to be involved with the actual ‘stealing’ of the merchandise. You and I have to come out of this looking innocent, or we could be arrested for treason.”
Matthew nodded his understanding. “What are you going to be doing tonight while all this is taking place?”
“I hadn’t thought about it.”
“Why don’t you return to the house with me now? You could stay with us, have dinner and spend the evening.”
“Thank you, I appreciate the invitation, but perhaps it would be better if we all went to an inn for dinner tonight,” Noah advised.
Matt frowned. “Why?”
“Lord Radcliffe and I had a slight run-in at Winthrop’s, and in the heat of the unpleasant exchange he openly suggested that I was involved with the rebels.”
“He did? Based on what proof?”
Noah nodded, grimacing. “He didn’t have any definite proof, so his accusations were scoffed at by those listening, but I don’t want to take any further chances. I’m firmly convinced that Radcliffe is the one who’s having me followed.”
“Lord Radcliffe?” Matthew was genuinely surprised. “But why?”
“I’m reasonably sure it all started because of my involvement with Eve Woodham.”
“He’s jealous?” A glimmer of understanding lit his eyes.
“Evidently so, and there was absolutely no reason for it.”
“But I thought…”
“You thought wrong, Matthew,” Noah cut him off sharply. “There’s only one woman I care about, and that woman isn’t the lovely widow Woodham.”
“She isn’t?” Matt asked, trying to subdue the lopsided grin that threatened.
Noah scowled blackly at his brother’s amusement. “You’ve known all along what it took me until tonight to realize.”
“You love CC?”
“Yes. I love CC,” he answered flatly, “very much.”
“That’s wonderful! I’m sure she cares about you, too. Why don’t you go to her and tell her how you feel?”
“I can’t,” Noah refused quickly.
“Why not?”
“The reason why I can’t is none of your business. Just believe me when I say that things are finished between us.” He remembered how terribly he’d humiliated her, and he knew he’d destroyed any chance they might have had for happiness.
“I’m sorry,” Matt said earnestly.
“So am I…more than I can ever say.”
There was a long, strained pause in the conversation before Matt brought up the subject of his encounter with Radcliffe again. “You didn’t say, but I want to know what you and Radcliffe argued about at the ball. Did you have words over Eve?”
“No. We didn’t openly argue over her.” Noah gave Matt a measured look as he offered, “The general discussion had turned to the raid on the tea ships, and Radcliffe had made the remark that a show of force was needed to teach the dissidents here in Boston a lesson.”
“He did?”
“Yes. He called the rebels fools, and I told him, in so many words, that the only fools were those who were so anxious to issue sanctions against the entire town of Boston.”
“You defended us… Thank you.” Matt paused in amazement and then frowned. “I can’t believe that Radcliffe didn’t call you out for that remark.”
“He did,” Noah answered.
“He did?” Again Matt was astounded by all that had happened.
“Yes, but I refused to take up his challenge.” Noah’s eyes solemnly met his brother’s as he searched there for understanding of his motive in turning down the duel.
“I’m glad.” Vivid memories of the bloody clash in England still lingered in his thoughts.
“Yes, well…so am I.” Noah was suddenly uncomfortable with all that he had revealed and he headed from the cabin. “Give me a few minutes to speak with Wells to make the arrangements for tonight, and then we can be on our way.”
“I’ll wait here for you.”
The two scurrilous-looking men crouched low behind the stack of barrels near the waterfront, watching the two men approach.
“Is that him, Pete?”
“Aye, Mick, that’s the bloke,” Pete replied in low tones as he glanced down the dimly lit wharf.
“You sure? I don’t want to go killin’ the wrong fella,” Mick told him nervously.
Pete gave him a derogatory look. “Whatsa matter with you? Ain’t you never done this before?”
“I ain’t never killed no one before…at least, not deliberately, anyhow,” Mick admitted.
“Well, just shut up and start swingin’. When they go past us, you take the one nearest you and hit him on the back of the head with your club. I’ll take care of the other one. With any luck at all, we can drop ’em and rob ’em without drawin’ any notice. We just gotta be fast. Remember, Mick…fast, quiet, and sure.”
“We gonna rob ’em, too?”
“Why not? Just ’cause we’re gettin’ paid to kill ’em don’t mean we can’t make an extra pound on the side. They look pretty well lined in the pockets, you know what I mean?”
“Yeah…I know what you mean,” Mick agreed, suddenly not feeling so skittish about the job they’d been hired to do. “But how come there’s two of ’em? I thought we were only hired to kill the one.”
Pete shrugged. “Who cares? One or two, makes no difference to me. All I want is the money that’s due me when the job is done.”
Noah and Matthew were deep in conversation as they strode along the street. They were completely unaware of the imminent threat until the two attackers launched themselves at them from behind.
“Matt! Watch out!” Noah shouted as he heard a stirring behind them and caught sight of their would-be assailants.
Matt was immediately alerted to the danger, and both brothers reacted much more quickly than the thugs had expected. The power of the killers’ first blows was deflected and caused little real injury. The ensuing fight was bloody and vicious as the men grappled in the darkness. In the end, despite the hired men’s dirty tactics, it was Noah and Matt who stood victoriously over their attackers’ prone figures.
“Who? Why?” Matt gasped as he rubbed his jaw, sore and discoloring from a well-landed punch.
Noah wiped at the blood that trickled from the corner of his mouth as he stared down at the two. “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” Kneeling down beside Mick, who was just beginning to stir, Noah grabbed him up by his shirtfront and gave him a rough shake.
“What? Ouch! My head…”
“Your head’s going to be hurting a lot worse if I don’t get some answers out of you fast!” Noah snarled down at the shocked, battered cutthroat.
“What do you want to know?” Mick squealed in fright as he stared up at the man he’d tried to murder just moments before.
“I want to know why you attacked us?”
“We were hired…” he confessed hurriedly.
“Who hired you?”
“I don’t know the gent’s name, but Pete does! Pete’ll tell you! I swear!”
In disgust, Noah turned his attention to his now-groaning companion. Angrily, he moved to the other man and snatched him up in the same manner as Matt stood guard over Mick. “I want to know who was behind this, and I want to know right now!” he demanded threateningly of the stunned Pete.
Pete had never expected two such fine-looking gentlemen to be able to fight back so brutally, and he was still recovering from the shock of having failed in the attack. “Will you let us go if I tell you?”
Noah smiled coldly. “If you don’t tell me, I may not bother with the authorities at all.”
Pete swallowed nervously as he glanced to where Mick lay. He realized then that there was no hope for their situation, and he quickly told him everything. “The man’s name was Bartley, and he had an English accent, just like you.”
“That tells me nothing.” Noah spoke with little belief. “Does this Bartley work for someone else?”
“I don’t know…”
Noah tightened his grip on the thug, and the man squirmed nervously.
“But we can show you where he lives!” Pete continued. “We followed him home after we made the deal. We was wantin’ to know who was behind wantin’ you dead just in case they didn’t pay up when the time came.”
“Someone made a point of wanting me killed?”
Pete nodded. “The directions were to kill Lord Noah Kincade and to make no mistakes.”
“Well, your first mistake was thinking you could do it.” Noah stood and dragged the ruffian to his feet. “Bring that one along, Matt. We’re going to find out right now who’s behind all this.”
They reached the side of the street opposite Radcliffe’s home after a long trek through town, and Noah was not surprised. Glancing at Matt, he told him, “Either he’s completely furious over my refusing his challenge, or he must have learned of my duel with James.”
“I was afraid of something like this. What are you going to do, turn these two over to the authorities?”
Noah looked at Pete and Mick in disgust. “Yes, and then I’m going to meet with Radcliffe personally. Can you take care of our other business alone?”
“Yes,” Matt assured him.
“Good. Let’s find a constable. I’m most anxious to come back here and face him, man to man.” There was grim determination reflected in Noah’s voice as he headed away from the residential street with Pete in tow.