He'd known Coleman was corrupt, but this was beyond corruption. This was systematic evil, dressed up in legal language and official stamps. "Take it," he said. "Take all of it."
"Every file that shows what they're doing." They stuffed papers into a canvas bag Ayah had brought, working faster now, knowing they were running out of time. Rhett was reaching for the last drawer when he heard footsteps on the stairs outside. He froze.
Met Ayah's eyes. She'd heard it too. The door handle turned. Rhett grabbed Ayah and pulled her behind the desk just as the door swung open.
Through the gap between the desk and the wall, he could see boots. Expensive ones, polished to a shine. Not a guard. Someone more important.
"I told you I needed those contracts by Friday," a voice said. Educated Eastern accent. Vickers, probably. Another set of boots entered.
These were scuffed, worn. "Had some complications. The woman you wanted from Coleman's batch escaped. He's still trying to track her down."
Rhett felt Ayah tense beside him. "I don't pay Coleman for excuses," Vickers said coldly. "I pay him for results. If he can't deliver, I'll find someone who can."
"He's got men out looking. Says he'll have her within the week." "He'd better. I've got a buyer in Denver paying premium for Apache women."
"Says they make good house staff if you train them right." A pause. "What about the cowboy?" "She ran off with Callaway."
"Dead, probably, or will be soon. Coleman put the word out. Every bounty hunter from here to the border is looking for them." "Good."
"Can't have people thinking they can interfere with legitimate business operations." Legitimate. The word made Rhett want to put his gun to the man's head and redefine it for him.
The men moved around the office, and Rhett heard papers shuffling, a cabinet opening. They were looking for something. He and Ayah pressed tighter against the wall, trying to make themselves smaller, invisible. "Here," Vickers said.
"The Santa Fe contracts. I need you to take these to Coleman tonight. Tell him I expect the next shipment ready by the end of the month." "Consider it done."
The boots moved toward the door. Rhett allowed himself to breathe again. Then Ayah's foot slipped. It was a tiny sound, barely a scrape against the wooden floor.
But in the quiet office, it was deafening. The footsteps stopped. "What was that?" Vickers asked. "Probably rats. Old building."
"Check anyway." Rhett's hand moved to his gun. Ayah's eyes were wide, terrified. The boots came closer around the desk.