Lillian Holmes and the Leaping Man by Ciar Cullen

Author:Ciar Cullen [Cullen, Ciar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781938876523
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Published: 2013-07-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

A guilty conscience.

George woke, clothes bloody, hair disheveled, wondering what could possibly have taken Lillian so long to report him, or if his plan to cover his attack had truly worked. His heart dropped at the thought that she might have died from her neck wound.

No, it hadn’t been that deep, he hadn’t drunk much, and she’d been in full charge of her senses when he left. The entire house had stirred, and no doubt they had come to her aid. Could she actually want him to remain free? He doubted a few kisses had swayed her. She continued to be an enigma.

It was morning. George heard Phillip and Kitty stirring upstairs, and he rushed to clean up and plan his next step. God, what he wouldn’t give to stay here. But Lillian would make that impossible. He might go back and kill her this evening, but she would likely be guarded. And she still had that damned pistol that could make a racket.

As he finished shaving in his bathroom, he heard a conversation in the foyer downstairs. Who would be calling so early? Had Lillian finally visited the police? No, the voice was female, and familiar.

He tiptoed down a few of the stairs and saw the blonde morsel who was Lillian’s friend. Warner? No, Wheeler. That was it, and she spoke urgently to Kitty. The two moved into the living room, so George descended as far as he could while remaining hidden.

Miss Wheeler was crying and somewhat incoherent, but he quickly got the gist of her message. Lillian Holmes had attempted suicide last night, and had written a note to her best friend explaining her reasoning. So, the knife he’d dropped had done the trick. But Phillip would spot the scenario instantly. Nothing to do but run.

“I’m so sorry, Bess,” Kitty exclaimed below. “She did seem upset when she was here, but I thought her perhaps a bit ill with the beginnings of a fever or some other physical ailment.”

“Yes, it certainly took us all by surprise, except for Dr. Schneider, her physician. He’s admitted her…committed her, to the hospital. For observation only, I pray. I hope it is a short stay, but he is greatly concerned. She is sedated and heavily guarded, lest she try to hurt herself again.”

George had told many tall tales and listened to many in his day, so he knew absolutely that Miss Wheeler was not an accomplished liar, although she was doing her best.

“Heavily guarded?” Kitty repeated. “My, this is serious indeed!”

George groaned at her naiveté. So, this was a message from Lillian directly: Do not try to kill me again, for I am now surrounded and you will not reach me so easily.

“It is for the best.” Bess’s voice broke, and George realized the girl wasn’t sure of her facts at all. Perhaps Lillian’s spirit was broken.

“So, how can I help you?” Kitty asked. “Why have you come here?”

Bess took a deep breath. “As you say, she seemed rather upset last night.

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