The Turquoise Spider by Mikala Ash

Author:Mikala Ash [Ash, Mikala]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BIN 009391-03042
Publisher: Changeling Press LLC
Published: 2020-05-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Some Questions Posed and Answered

I was back where it all started, standing at the front door of Grosvenor Crescent, Belgravia, the stately London abode of Lord Sloane. It was dark, the fog had become so thick I could hardly see Alf’s cab. I had asked him to wait. Surprisingly he asked for nothing. I’d told him it might be some time, but he just shrugged, extracted a hip flask, adjusted his driving goggles onto his forehead, and settled back into his seat.

Balanced in one hand I held a box. Archie was behind me, one fist gripping Luis’s arm, the other the Adams which he pressed firmly into his side. I used the knocker, and a minute later the door opened revealing a shirtless and collared Felix, still smelling of lavender. He smiled at me in recognition or did I imagine relief as well? “Mrs. Hunter-Payne. Good evening.” His gaze slid past me to take in Archie and Luis. His expression hardened.

“Good evening, Felix. Be so kind as to tell Lord Sloane we have Luis and the Turquoise Spider as requested.”

“He will be most relieved. Please come in, and follow me. He is in the library.”

Lord Sloane was dressed this time, wearing an elegant dark frock coat. He turned when Felix announced us and watched in silence as Archie marched a whining Luis into the room and dumped him unceremoniously onto the settee. I went to a table and moved the still copulating automaton aside to make room for the box.

“Good evening, Mrs. Hunter-Payne. Good hunting, I see.”

“Good evening. Though I believe I have the honour of addressing Monsieur Andre Gliese, do I not?”

He threw his head back in laughter, and pulled off the wig and peeled off the beard. “Mon dieu. It is good to dispense with this silly charade,” he said in clear, accented English. No hint of a cold now. “How did you know?”

“Felix,” I said over my shoulder. The semi-naked young man was hovering at the door.

“Yes, madam?”

“Three brandies, if you please. Perhaps one for yourself if Monsieur Gliese will permit?”

Andre Gliese nodded his approval and I sat down. Poor Archie was agog, staring in wonder at the seemingly tireless automatons that were still going clickety-clack as they found their mechanical pleasure. “Monsieur Gliese, this is my associate who put himself at great peril to assist me in extricating your son, Luis, and the Turquoise Spider, as was our commission. You will have to switch it off, as it seems to have a life of its own.”

Gliese motioned to Archie who took a seat. Felix handed out the brandies, though did not pour one for himself, and waited at the door. I studied his firm masculine body for a moment, then turned my attention to Monsieur Gliese. I took a large sip of brandy. “How did I know? Many things alerted my suspicions that something was not above board. First, I was immediately suspicious when a half-naked servant opened the door to the street. The real Lord Sloane would not permit such a thing.

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