PROLOGUE
TEXAS -1860

The fog shifted and swirled about Dirk Culley as he walked through the moonlit forest.   He waited in the shadows, watching the old gypsy woman, as she sat on a stool and warmed herself beside a crackling fire.   She couldn’t have known he was there, but suddenly she looked through the fog and with her gnarled hand, beckoned for him to come closer.   Her face was ancient, but her eyes were fiercely perceptive, dark and keen.   They seemed to look right into his soul as she stared up at him.

“Sit down young man,” she crooned. “I have been expecting you.” Her voice was deep and her words heavily accented.   “I have had dreams about you.   There are things I must tell you…and warnings I must give.”

He paid little attention at first, just an old woman’s words for a young man’s ears.   Easily spoken and more easily forgotten.   Then, as the fog and the smoke curled about the old woman’s head, her words captured him!

“My first warning is one you must heed.   If you trifle with a married woman, it will bring disaster upon you!   I say this most forcefully, for I have dreamt of two women who will cross your path.”   Staring off into the forest, her dark eyes reflected the firelight. It seemed as if she could see before her, the days and years to come. “One woman will have hair the color of sunset and eyes as green as clover.   She will lead you to something important!   Something—I think of great value.   The other woman stands in the light, and in my dreams, she stands so close to you that I cannot see her clearly.   All I see is that she wears a band of gold on her left hand, and she is covering a wound.   Red blood is bubbling up through her fingers.   I do not know if this blood is her blood or yours—and yet I know this wound will cause you great pain.   It will also lead to great danger and death, to some who you know well!”

Dirk scowled as he stared into the fire, not knowing what to think of the old woman and her strange words.

Gently touching his arm, she added, “There is one more thing I will tell you. Then you must go—for my people do not trust you.   When these women come into your life, they will force you to face a great darkness—a darkness you have feared all your life!   The outcome, however, will be of your choosing, for these women will lead you either to—ruination or salvation!”

“There before me were two women, with the wind in their wings.”   Zechariah 5:9

PROLOGUE
NEW YORK CITY, NY – 1883

“What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.”   Micah 2:1

The diminutive Irishman, Keefer Flynn, stood in the ornate library, hat in hand, as he waited for his pay to be counted out.   It was odd that he’d never noticed it before, but Lavenia Wrenford was showing her age.   That or perhaps the rumors were true.   She had always been stunningly beautiful.   Even as the years passed and her thick dark hair became streaked with silver, it seemed only to make her more alluring and elegant.   Now as Keefer read the signs, he was sure the gossips were right.   The woman whose posture had always been ram-rod straight, now drooped like a withered flower as she bent over her mahogany desk.   The skin on her manicured hands was paper thin and spotted.   Her long graceful fingers now trembled as she laid each bill on the gilded blotter.

Well now, the rumors must be true—and what a shame it is, Keefer mused.   She’s sick all right—maybe even dying.   The realization roused no pity in the man.   For Lavenia Wrenford was not the type to receive pity nor to give it.   She looked down on her peers, hated her family and had no friends.   Still, it was painful to see this once magnificent woman, now only a shadow of her former self. Especially so for Keefer, for Lavenia’s demise meant the end of a very long and lucrative arrangement. He considered himself a Purveyor of Information, although some might call him a snitch. Regardless of the title, he liked what he did, and because he was good at it, he had a good life.   Lavenia was his best client, but he hadn’t learned anything of use in quite a while.   If she grew impatient or if she were dying, these monthly payments might end abruptly.   Deciding he better remind her of his worth, he tapped his hand on her desk and said in his most pleasing Irish lilt, “I’ll tell ya true Vinny, I’ve been workin’ mighty hard on this one.   Been trailin’ that young society touf, day and night.   Oh yes, day and night, just like I promised.   He’s quite the gadabout—hobnobs with the very best of society—and by-gum the very worst—I can assure ya of that!   So far he’s done plenty his Mama wouldn’t approve of—but nothin’ we can use—not yet anyway.   He acts all proper and genteel in front o’ his folks and all them other rich swells.   ‘Course he does just what he pleases when he thinks no one’s a-lookin’.   Won’t be long before he makes that one big mistake.   Then old Keefer will be right there to get the goods on him.   Ya can count on me!”

Lavenia sighed as she gazed up, her golden eyes flashing, as a feral look of pleasure spread across her lined and ashen face, “No need to worry Keefer, I haven’t lost faith in you.   Just keep watching.   I have grand plans for that spoiled young man.   He’s a totally self-absorbed, scheming sort of fellow and I’m told he’s becoming more egotistical by the day.   A true nouveau riche—new money—no class.   Most importantly, his family is closely linked with my daughter Augusta and the Graingers.   As you know—for far too long she has escaped my revenge.   But when you complete your task, that problem will be remedied.   Success will be all the sweeter when it’s mine! As you know very well, my dear Mister Flynn, I will never give up!”

Keefer nodded as he picked up the money, folded it and stuffed it into his pocket.   “That’s a fact Vinny.   Ya never give up and neither will I.   Sooner or later that gent will make that one big—can’t take it back—mistake.” Shaking his thumb at himself he grinned, adding, “He’ll make it, I’ll see—and he’ll do anything we ask him—just to keep the world from knowing about it!”

Lavenia slowly rose from her chair and walked Keefer to the door. “That’s right,” she sneered.   “You be there to see Mister Timothy Barrett Tulane make that mistake.   And I know I can count on you to help him make it even bigger—if it’s at all possible!   Then he will do anything I ask of him, just to save his own skin.   Of course, the Tulanes are Augusta’s dearest friends.   They will go down with the Graingers.”   A scornful smile spread across her face as she added, “Then and only then, will I be able to—rest in peace!”