Hearts Through Time

TWENTY-SIX

Nick drove around town looking for Anthony and Cassandra. The two teenagers had disappeared, and it worried him. He'd located Alexander about an hour before with a bottle of whiskey in his hand, mumbling something about celebrating. Apparently, Abby had already talked him into coming back to the newspaper. All Nick knew was that the man was too drunk to walk a straight line, which meant he'd probably curl up somewhere and sleep it off.

Although Nick had two more days before Abigail would be murdered, he didn't want to wait that long to stop the crime. The murderer must be caught now.

What if Nick didn't save her? No, he couldn't think that. He couldn't live without Abby. He prayed he'd already altered history, and he wished for some kind of sign to let him know. Then again, his being in 1912 had already altered history, since there were things he knew that these people had no idea about. Could he stop the stock-market crash of 1929? Probably not, but if he stayed here, he could prepare for it, and perhaps help others to do the same.

He pulled the car to the side of the road near a busy street corner, glancing around the shops in hopes of seeing Anthony and Cassandra. If he could catch them doing anything illegal, he'd have them arrested immediately, and they wouldn't be able to harm Abby.

A familiar figure walked out of the barbershop. Harry. He glanced Nick's way and waved. Nick groaned, hoping the man wouldn't ask why he wasn't at work.

"Mr. Marshal. What a surprise seeing you this far from work."

Nick climbed out of the car and met Harry on the sidewalk. "I usually don't venture out this far, but once I started driving around, I couldn't stop. I love leisurely drives."

"As do I." Harry nodded. "I see Abigail is letting your borrow Edward's favorite car."

"This was Edward's favorite? I didn't know that."

"Yes. He loved that car even if it gave him problems."

"What kind of problems?"

"Oh, he drove it like a mad man," Harry answered, "and although he loved it because it was fast, there were plenty of times it wouldn't start for him. Took him several minutes to start the cursed vehicle when it acted up like that."

"That's happened to me a few times already."

"Yes, that man did like his cars fast. Shoot, he liked anything fast."

"Even women?" Nick cocked his eyebrow.

Harry chuckled. "Even women."

Perhaps Edward did have an affair with Cassandra after all, Nick thought.

Harry clapped him on the shoulder. "So tell me, will you be returning to work soon?"

"Of course." Nick didn't want to stop searching for Anthony and Cassandra, but he didn't want to raise suspicions with Harry, either. Nick had to make sure he'd be allowed in the newspaper building on the day of Abby's murder.

"Good. I have some exciting news to share today, and I want everyone to be there to hear it."

Nick folded his arms across his chest. "Oh, really? You have me curious. Can't you give me a hint as to your news now?"

"Well, I suppose I can say something." Harry grinned wide. "By this time next week, I will be the new owner of the Sacramento Journal."

Nick threw back his head and chuckled. "So Abby decided to sell it to you after all."

"Yes, she did."

"And what about Alexander? Did she talk to you about him?"

Harry nodded. "Starting next week he'll begin his new job at the newspaper."