Never Say Never to an Earl by Grace Callaway

Author:Grace Callaway
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Grace Callaway
Published: 2016-11-30T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Given the proximity of the theatre to Nicoletta’s lodging, Sinjin and Kent arrived at their destination within minutes. Throughout the ride, Kent had seemed preoccupied, his focus clearly upon what they’d just learned. Sinjin, for his part, felt a mix of relief and anticipation.

At last, there was proof that he hadn’t made up the mysterious man—that Nicoletta French was not what she seemed. Proof that he’d been framed and wasn’t the brute that she and her accomplice had tried to make him out to be. And now, with the help of Polly’s family, he would soon unravel the sinister web and clear his name and conscience.

Then he could go to Polly a free man.

As they headed up the front steps of No. 12 Castle Street, Kent said curtly, “Let me lead the interview, my lord. It’s critical to strike a balance: if we intimidate her too much, she won’t talk.”

“All right. But if I…”

Sinjin trailed off at the same time that Kent stilled beside him.

The front door was ajar.

“Stay behind me,” the investigator ordered.

Sinjin followed the other man inside, his neck prickling at the eerie stillness of the foyer. Sunshine shafted in through the transom above the door, gilding the dancing dust motes, the only movement in the room. No sounds of domestic activity, no voices… His ears twitched at a faint shuffling noise, and he tried to discern its origin. He gestured toward the hallway.

Kent jerked his chin, and the two of them advanced stealthily down the corridor, deeper into the heart of the house. The rustling grew louder, coming from the room up ahead—the parlor where Sinjin had found Polly the other day. He and Kent were almost within the line of vision of the open door. With their backs against the wall, they consulted silently. The investigator hiked his thumb at his own chest, then made a staying motion at Sinjin.

His gestured instructions were clear: I’m going in, you stay here.

Like hell Sinjin would.

Kent was already moving, swiftly rounding the doorway into the room. His voice emerged the next instant, calm yet commanding. “Stay where you are. I just want to talk.”

“Buggering hell.” The deep bass voice was straight out of Sinjin’s nightmare.

He didn’t pause, sprinted inside. A startling tableau greeted him: Nicoletta lying on the carpet, a scarlet bloom on her chest, a hulking black-haired man standing over her with a pistol in his fist. The gun was aimed at Kent. Instinct coiled Sinjin’s muscles. He sprang forward, diving for Polly’s brother as the shot went off in a deafening blast.

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