Heart Stealer by Melody Wiklund

Author:Melody Wiklund
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melody Wiklund

8

Chapter Eight

Natty’s original plan for getting James Guarin’s heart away from Genevieve Hunt involved a housebreak, a couple of knockouts and possibly some threats delivered to the young mistress if Natty couldn’t find the heart in Hunt Manor alone. This, however, was before she and Angela learned that Genevieve Hunt, along with the Guarin family, was paying a visit to the Ilbird Estate in the countryside.

On hearing this, Angela spread a fresh sheet of paper on their parlor table and twirled a pen between gloved fingers. “New plan,” she said. “Your old one would have worked well enough, but as things are, I think this case calls for a little ‘divide and conquer’. What do you think, Natty?”

“One of us tackles Hunt Manor and the other trails Genevieve Hunt?”

“We don’t know yet whether there is a single hiding place for the heart or if it is necessary for the thief to keep the heart on them. If we search Hunt Manor while Genevieve has the heart on her person, it’s a waste of time. On the other hand, there will be no better opportunity to search her room than in her absence—and no better opportunity to accost her than while she’s away from her family. From what I’ve heard, the Hunts are a protective bunch.”

“So,” Natty repeated, “one of us tackles Hunt Manor and the other trails Genevieve Hunt.”

Angela nodded. “I think… You, Genevieve, and me, the manor. You need more experience in locations outside the city. Not all targets will politely stay within city bounds, you know.”

Natty was aware of that much already. And despite the fact that often their missions did stay within the city, Angela had hoarded up maps of most towns in the country just in case, as well as maps of every other country where she’d ever had to travel for the sake of a patron. The map of the area surrounding the Ilbird Estate consisted mostly of one small village and a lot of forest.

Angela pursed her lips. “The village may seem promising—lots of alleyways and quiet corners—but remember, villagers talk. They remember every stranger passing through and what they looked like and what they did. If you can get Genevieve in the forest, that would be far preferable.”

“Indeed,” Natty said. “But Genevieve Hunt doesn’t seem the type to go wandering by herself. She’s a proper lady.”

“Hm,” Angela said. “Well, you’ll have to think carefully about your approach.”

Natty had a stroke of luck, then. Iris Witherbone, apparently in a contrite mood despite Angela having been the one to smack her in the face and possibly break a tooth, sent them a bouquet of apologetic flowers via messenger raven, along with a note saying that if Angela wanted to come and visit, perhaps Iris could help her with her latest mission after all.

Angela hmphed at the note and hmphed at the flowers, but she went to see Iris anyway. The mission took priority; if Iris could help, Angela could swallow her pride. (Besides, Iris was

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