She nodded readily. "Duke didn't try very hard to sell lots because when the tunnel is finished, the town will fade away. At least, that's the probability. So he put up buildings and leased them to businessmen on a percentage basis. A few businesses he operated himself, of course."
"So as heir to his estate, you're in a position to tell the town council what to do."
"Not exactly," she said, frowning. "At least, I don't. In fact, it seems as if somebody is always telling me what to do. Sometimes I feel a bit trapped, Mr. Tesno."
"You know I work for Ben Vickers?"
"I presumed you did."
"You must know what the town is doing to his men. A booze town and a construction job don't mix."
"It isn't a nice town," she admitted soberly. "But it makes money. And I owe Ben Vickers nothing."
Tesno's eyebrows went up. "Without him there'd be no town."
"He's fought us every step of the way," she said, emotion creeping into her voice. "If it hadn't been for Ben Vickers, my husband would be alive today."
Tesno was startled. "I didn't know that."