Theodore checked with the front desk clerk for messages, then made his way to his room. He doffed his outer coat and hat and threw them onto a nearby chair. He’d be going out again for a luncheon meeting, so he saw no need to do more. Taking up the first map, he spread it on the table and used whatever was available to hold it in place. He then took the papers he’d received from his surveyor and began to work at altering figures. The work was tedious. He had to make certain that his marks looked natural. It was all a matter of taking his time and being diligent. Thankfully, he’d always had a bit of artistic bent to his nature. It had served him well enough when he worked for the Carson bank, and it would help him now.

Thinking of his days working for Luke’s father’s bank, Theodore couldn’t help but remember the man who had changed his life. Rafael was dead and gone now many years, but his influence had made Theodore a better man. Or at least a more knowledgeable one. Learning to adjust the books to help themselves to hundreds of thousands of dollars had enriched Theodore’s life in more than one way. Of course, it had robbed him of a friend when Rafael had been found out.

He truly missed Rafael, and he couldn’t say that of any other person in his life. Being reunited with his parents had only proven that he’d been wise to leave in the first place. Although, to his credit, he had given them a perfect performance. Father had even laughed at one of Theodore’s stories a few nights earlier. But no one had ever shown such complete acceptance of Theodore as Rafael Clarington, and none probably ever would. His friend had taken their secret arrangements to the grave and saved Theo from a life in prison. Who could ask for a better friend?

“And Lucas Carson is the reason you’re gone,” Theodore muttered. If not for Luke’s prying and seemingly magical ability to look at a book of numbers and see errors, Rafael would never have been caught.

Theodore frowned. Lucas Carson had caused him more grief than he even knew. He’d lost his home and felt the need to leave a good job, all because of that man. Worse still, he’d lost a good friend. It was all Carson’s fault, and Theodore would see to it that he paid for it. When these new numbers wreaked havoc on the rail line—perhaps even caused deadly accidents—Lucas Carson’s reputation would be ruined. Especially when Theodore willingly testified that Lucas had altered the drawings.