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"No, I do not suppose they would," she murmured in sye ave a nod of his head "As you say"

"Then, what is it you desire of rimaced "There have been two more prostitutes discovered murdered since Molly’s death"

Jocelyn stared at him in stunned disbelief "Twoin the river; the other was left not far from here"

She pressed a hand to her twisted stooneto steal They did not hurt others They si to survive in a harsh world that offered the

It was all so horribly, wretchedly unfair

"Dear heavens," she whispered, her heart clenching with pain

With a silent swiftness Lucien was at her side, his hand coesture of unspoken syly?" he demanded of the Runner

The pleasant features hardened with a surprisingly grim expression "The last victim had a ribbon tied about her neck with a note that ritten to Miss Kingly"

Jocelyn sucked in a shocked breath "To e hand "It had your name and the words

’the necklace or death’ scrawled upon the paper"

Just for a ht be physically ill The dark evil that was stalking her was becoe men who had broken into her bedchamber, but with Molly’s murder and now the other poor victirasp the aainst her skin

"I this makes no sense Why would anyone desire ht that Lucien stiffened at her side, but her attention re Runner

"Are you certain?" Mr Ryan deold"

"Has anyone approached you and admired the necklace, or wished to borrow it?"

She paused, briefly considering theof the necklace, had they not? And there had been those odd drea her to protect the aave a small shake of her head The Runner would think her ypsy dreams She wasn’t certain that she entirely believed the strange happenings herself

"No," she at last h "A pity I had hoped youwo tears "I wish that I did I a even closer, Lucien placed his arm protectively around her shoulder There was a sudden air of danger that crackled about hily had nothing to do with the ed toA rely is involved, but I cannot ignore the fact that two of the victims carried notes with her name upon them"

Lucien tensed, but before he could speak, Jocelyn turned to offer hiht, Lucien There must be some reason that this ave a deep shudder, her sto to revolt "We ht," he retorted in icy tones

Not even the undoubted courage of Mr Ryan was equal to the dark, loo threat of Lucien Valin

"No, of course not" He offered her a strained smile "You will come to me if you discover any information?"

"Certainly"

"Then I will trouble you no further" He gave a bow "Good evening"

Jocelyn barely noticed as the large man turned and quietly left the room Her heart felt heavy and her ?

If someone wished to harm her, ould they kill pathetic women upon the street? And ould they possess sueh an odd fascination with her amulet?

Why?

"Have a seat, Jocelyn" With tender care Lucien guided her to a nearby chair Waiting until she had numbly settled upon the threadbare cushion, he briefly disappeared, only to return with a slass of brandy that he pressed into her hand "Drink"

She did as she was coh as the fiery spirit slid down her throat Lifting her head, she irls dead," she said in quavering tones

He griers in a warrip

"I am sorry, Jocelyn"

"This is unbearable" She shivered in fear "Who would do such a thing? And why?"

"As you saidafor er able to deny the truth

There was a faint pause before she heard hi in his dark tone made her search his oddly pale features He sounded so certain

As if as if he knew