The Clockwork Menace by Bec McMaster

Author:Bec McMaster [McMaster, Bec]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-925491-36-4
Publisher: Bec McMaster

The theatre was bedlam.

Fear and excitement tainted the air, and it seemed the entire acting troupe had emerged from whichever little hole in the theatre belonged to them, to see what all of the fuss was about. The room was abuzz with talk that the pursuit had lost Lovecraft, as he circled back around near the theatre.

He could be anywhere nearby. Perry's fingers twitched as everyone whispered about it.

Lord Rommell was furious. "You knew this creature?" he demanded, stepping forward just enough to make her uncomfortable.

Perry found her back against the theatre wall. "I encountered him yesterday. He... he's some kind of anomaly but I don't believe he meant any harm–"

"Perhaps you shouldn't form such assumptions," Rommell replied. "Without an actual basis to your theory besides feminine intuition." He actually turned his back on her, focusing on Garrett. "I want a search mounted. I want this... this creature found. It's quite evident he has something to do with Nelly's disappearance, and this incompetence is not what I'm paying the Guild for. If I hadn't stepped in when I did, it would have torn poor Miss Radcliffe to pieces!"

"My lord." Garrett's lips thinned. "Of course we plan to mount a search." Those blue eyes locked on her. He'd made it clear he thought the same way Rommell did, about Lovecraft. "I'll send for reinforcements from the Guild. We'll track him down."

Perry looked away. It was bad enough for Rommell to be questioning her competence, but Garrett hadn't even made one sound of protest. He'd always backed her when people challenged her in the past, and something ached in her chest that he didn't this time.

Was she wrong? Was Lovecraft a threat to her?

She couldn't even fathom it. He seemed so childlike to her, more frightened of the world than it was of him - which was a considerable amount indeed. He had the size and capacity to do great violence, but she just couldn't see it being intentional, no matter what had occurred here earlier. He seemed to react only out of fear and pain.

Garrett offered his arm to Miss Radcliffe, who was frightfully pale. "Perhaps you'll allow me to see you home. You look like you could do with a rest?"

Perry's muscles locked tight, anticipation flaring. It would be the perfect opportunity to follow up on Lovecraft's scent alone.

"That's quite generous, Reed," Rommell broke in, "but I do believe you have work to see to. I'll escort Eliza home in my carriage." He pasted on a smile and stepped toward the actress. "Come, my dear."

"Thank you," Miss Radcliffe looked between the men. "But I don't believe I should leave, not just yet. We have a show to perform in a few hours." Sucking in a shuddery breath, she stepped away from Rommell. "I feel utterly safe with the Nighthawk's here. I'm certain they'll find the culprit - and whatever has happened to poor Nelly."

Rommell harrumphed under his breath, but he patted her gloved hand. "Such bravery, my dear. Don't you let any of this bother you.

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