were no good reasons for the strong-arm tactics Artemis was employing.
If the man wasn't so damned old and his father to boot, Daniel would have enjoyed cutting him down a peg or two physically. But it was with words he would have to win this battle.
Just before he reached the store, Daniel was brought to a halt by the sight of the crowd gathered around the kiosk he had rented for Georgie's pictures—a kiosk which should be empty now that she had no camera. Curiosity prevailing over anger, he pushed his way through the crowd. Whatever was there must have just appeared for so many people to suddenly be taking an interest.
With the calm eye of a professional, Daniel examined the display of black-and-white photographs. Some were overdeveloped by inexperienced hands. The composition of others left much to be desired. There was no doubt that the photographs had been taken by an amateur, and one without an eye as good as Georgie's.
Be that as it may, the photographs packed a significant wallop. The crowd of ladies in trailing silks and bustles and feathered hats gazed in dismay at pictures of nearly naked, grubby children sitting near gaping holes in sagging porches. Rooms where the ceilings threatened to cave in on neatly set dining tables vied with rats sitting on piles of garbage while children played nearby. A family dressed in their Sunday best beamed solemnly at the camera from in front of a house that seemed in imminent danger of collapse.
Someone with a cynical eye had caught these scenes, and Daniel wondered who could be any more cynical in this town than himself. He wandered around all sides of the kiosk, looking for some clue to the photographer and finding none. He knew it wasn't Georgina. While she might see the contrast between the people and the living conditions, she was prone to dressing things up in ribbons and bows. Whoever had done these pictures had gone for the jugular.
Remembering Peter was still in possession of Georgina's camera, Daniel shook his head and backed out of the crowd. Artemis would have his brother's scalp if he learned Peter had taken these pictures. He couldn't imagine the stiff and proper Peter doing anything so defiant, especially when it wasn't in his own best interests. ABC Rentals would be Peter's one day, and the houses in those pictures belonged to ABC.
Not believing what logic was telling him, Daniel hurried across the street to Mulloney's. He had an appointment to keep with his father, an appointment that had waited twenty-eight years. It was time.
He wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion. His white shirt was stained with oil from the press, and he hadn't bothered with collar and cravat or coat and vest in this heat. His hair was undoubtedly disheveled as usual, and his hands were grimy with the same oil that marked his shirt. At least he hadn't marred his knuckles on Egan's chin, Daniel reflected wryly as he ignored the stares in his direction and headed up the stairs to the office. He didn't think his father would appreciate his restraint.
The secretary opened her mouth to protest as Daniel stalked past her, but she wasn't in a position to tackle him as he threw open the door and marched into the inner sanctum. She sank back to her desk as he slammed the door behind him.
Peter wasn't available for this particular confrontation, Daniel noted. Only the old man behind the large desk near the window occupied the room. He couldn't see any resemblance at all between his own image in the mirror and this broad, handsome man, but Mulloney's name was on his birth certificate, and it was time for some explanations.
Daniel threw himself into a comfortable chair and propped his boots on the desktop. Arms crossed over his chest, he depicted insolent defiance even before he opened his mouth.
"Well, Dad, Egan says you want to see me."
The distinguished silver-haired man gaped blankly, then stared at the tall, lean stranger he had seen once before. The memory of the stranger's laughing insolence at the time still burned. No son of his would behave that way.
But even as Mulloney denied it to himself, Daniel's mouth lifted in a familiar grin and gray eyes sparkled with a light identical to those of his youngest son. Artemis gritted his teeth and gripped his desk.
"Had I ever wanted to see you, I would have paid for your fare here. I don't know what you thought