I cleared my throat and tried to look humble. “I understand that they, ’er Mr. O’Hanlon and Lily, went to Texas. Do you know if that’s true?”

He threw back his big head and laughed. “Texas,” he declared, “yes, they went to bloody Texas.”

Without thinking, I blurted out, “But where in God’s name is Texas?”

“The back of beyond,” he said, “thousands of miles from here. I hear it’s a desperate place, and the heat would kill you.”

My mouth dropped open. “But—but, why? Why there?”

“Oil!” he said. “Oil! Ever since oil was discovered there back in ’01, every class of blackguard’s been running down there hoping to make his fortune. That son-in-law of mine dragged poor Mary there with him first time he went. It didn’t suit her. Didn’t suit her at all. She took the fever and he brought her back. But it was too late.”

He was beginning to slur his words. Everything in me wanted to get up and leave, but I needed to find out about Delia. I pretended to sip more whiskey even though I never could stand the bloody stuff.

He began to study me again, his eyes roving all over my body. “You’re hiding something from me, missy. There must be some reason that sister of yours would be calling herself Nora. I know you’re wanting to know if she went with him and where in Texas they are, and I know you’re plotting in your head how you’ll get there.”

He leaned forward. “I’ll make a bargain with you. Come back here Friday night and I’ll spell out for you where they are, but only after you tell me the real reason you’re so anxious to find them.”

He stood up and I got up as well, my legs weak and the sweat running off me. The last thing I wanted was to see this man again. But what choice did I have?

I nodded. “Very well, Mr. Sullivan.”

He showed me to the door, but before I could leave, he rested his hand on my shoulder. “And once we have all that straightened out, I might have a proposition for you.”

Alarm must have shown on my face for he laughed heartily. “Ah, don’t worry, love, it’s nothing like that. Although I’d wager such arrangements might not be new to you.”

Without thinking, I raised my hand to slap him, but he caught it and held it. “You’re a little spitfire, aren’t you?” he said. “I like that in a woman. But you have it all wrong. The proposition I have in mind is something that will benefit us both, not only financially but by the revenge we’ll get on those who’ve wronged us. This Delia has wronged you, hasn’t she?”