loud and very clear whistle filled the compartment. Damnation.
Seizing the handle, he pushed open the door to reveal an empty stall as he suspected. Cussing under his breath, he pivoted quickly sliding the door to the vestibule open with more force than was necessary. He moved swiftly to the next car and the next lavatory. It was no surprise to him to find it empty as well.
At the opposite end, a door opened and yet another bloody porter appeared. This one was old and bony with shallow cheeks and a thinning hairline hardly noticeable beneath his cap.
Christ, Sam had never seen so many porter’s on one train before. The eight fleet of cars likely had something to do with that. But they sure as hell always seemed to be in his path and his way.
I ntent on pushing past him, Sam came to an abrupt halt when he noticed just over the old man’s left shoulder, the top of a copper-colored head. Releasing a long drawn out sigh of relief, he advanced toward the porter.
But j ust as he neared, the woman he firmly now believed was Ivy McGregor, peered around the frail looking man and spotted Sam. Her ghost like eyes rounded and the blood drained from her face, but she did not turn and run. Instead, she lifted a shaky hand and pointed a finger at Sam.
“That’s him,” she said in a rather firm voice considering the unguarded fear in her expression. “That’s the man who ’s been stalking me.”
This brought Sam, literally, to a screeching halt. The porter frowned before turning to block the copper-haired woman. “Excuse me, sir. Have you been harassing this woman?”
“You’ve got to be kidding?” he muttered more to himself than those around him. Fine, if this was the game she wanted to play, so be it.
“We don’t tolerate such behavior on our railroad line.”
The skin around the corner of Sam’s eyes creased as he narrowed his gaze on the woman. “Is that the story she’s using?”
“We have a very long and tiring ride ahead of us, and we expect our passengers to behave in a cordial and moral manner. If you cannot adhere to these rules, then I’ll have to ask you to remove yourself from this train.”
“Oh, I plan on doing that,” he said. “But not without her.”
“Ye’re a raving lunatic!” she declared in a false cry of innocence.
“Still the same, you’re coming with me. Willingly or not.”
“I’ll not be going anywhere with ye,” she said , shuffling backwards.
He instinctively took a step forward, intent on going after her, but the porter raised a bony hand as if to halt him.
“Now just stop right there, young man.”
“Listen,” Sam said between clenched teeth. “I’m not here to make trouble, so just step aside and let me do my business.”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that. The lady has made a formal complaint and feels her safety is at risk. It is my duty to ensure all passengers are not only comfortable, but also safe. I’m sure you can understand that.”
“Too damn well,” he growled, wondering what the old man would think if he knew exactly who he thought he was protecting. But for the porter’s safety and those of the other passengers, it was best he did not. The way things were unravelling though, Sam wondered how much longer he could keep her identity under wraps. The train gave an unexpected lurch, indicating it had just pulled out of the station.
Sam swore. Apparently, not too long.
“Then you will appreciate her concern and leave her be.” The old porter gestured toward the back of the car. “Now, if you could please return to your seat.”
Sam took a quick glance outside the window and groaned inwardly as the station slowly slip ped out of view. Hardening his tone of voice, he told him, “I ain’t going nowhere except off this train with my—”
“I’ve asked you nicely, sir.” The man’s own voice grew stern and the frown on his face had turned into a scowl the same moment he