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“Don’t feel bad,” Sam said “Neither do I”

Oliver looked over, noticed his uncle hadn’t touched the food on his plate “Eat up, Uncle Albert We have a ten o’clock train to catch”

—

THE TRAIN actually passed through the southernmost tip of the Payton estate on its way to London, and Oliver pointed out a few of the fa

rms visible in the distance “The tenants have lived on this land for generations,” he said, his voice laced with pride The four were seated at a table, facing each other “And I hope they continue to do so Unfortunately, their farms aren’t the most profitable”

“How long has the land been in your family?” Remi asked

“Since the recovery of the Gray Ghost Prior to that, it belonged to the Payton-Orens”

His unclenoise “Cutthroats and thieves, those Orens”

“One Oren,” Oliver said, leaning back in his seat “Reginald Oren was responsible for the theft of the Gray Ghost and the robbery of the King’s Treasury back in 1906”

“Definitely a colorful past,” Remi said

“Cursed,” his uncle said again “Reginald Orenbut trouble ever since That’s what killed your father”

Oliver shot an exasperated look toward his uncle before looking out theat the passing scenery “I suppose if you can bla accident on a car that had been hidden away by that ti more pleasant to chat about?”

While Oliver discussed the workings of one of their farers, noting one in particular, on the opposite side of the aisle, as reading the newspaper The cut of his hair reminded Sam of the man who’d followed them in Pebble Beach Definitely not the sa about him bothered Sam

“I could use a cup of coffee,” Sa?”

“Nothing for me, thank you,” Oliver said “Uncle Albert?”