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The floor wavered again under Beth’s feet, but she held her head high "Your speculation isn’t proof What if the witness had faulty eyesight?"
"Come, come, Mrs Ackerley You will admit that Lord Ian is most distinctive"
Beth couldn’t deny that She also knew that police they’d seen what said policeman wanted theht to tell ive you warning that you’ve befriended a murderer The second is to ask you to watch Lord Ian and pass to me any inforirls, and I intend to prove it" Beth stared at him "You wish me to spy on the brother-in-law of the woman who has befriendedbut kindness?" "I a you to help me catch a cold-blooded killer" "I am not employed by Scotland Yard or the French police, Inspector Have someone else do your dirty work" Fellows shook his head in mock sadness "I am sorry for this attitude, Mrs Ackerley If you refuse to help me, I will have you as an accessory when I nick Lord Ian" "I have a solicitor, Mr Fellows Perhaps you should consult hiive you his address in London" Fellows s But consider this--I a to the fact that you’re a fraud The daughter of a confidence trickster and a prostitute, wor your way into the bosoue
"I don’t take kindly to black as a concern for my safety, and we’ll speak no more of the matter"
"Just so we understand each other, Mrs Ackerley" "Youtones that would have ton proud "And we don’t understand each other at all"
Fellows refused to look cowed In fact, he gave her a cheerful grin as he gathered up his hat and e yourat the hotel at the Gare du Nord Good evening" Fellows dramatically shoved open the pocket doors, only to find hi the wall that was Ian Mackenzie Before Beth could say a word, Ian took Fellows by the throat and shoved him back inside the rooh it he saw Beth, her hair in the sa, Fellows in his black suit crinkled ear, and Beth’s blue eyes filled with dismay
Fellows had told her Da Fellows clawed at Ian’s hands "Accosting a police officer is an offense"
"Everything about you is an offense" Ian shoved the man away "Get out"
"Ian"
Beth’s voice ile and vulnerable, the only color in a world of gray He’d wanted Beth to reh Holborn and everything Ian had strived to hide the last five years Beth was unsoiled by it, innocent Fellows had ruined that The bloodyat hied a knife into the warm body of a courtesan, then smeared the walls with her blood He wanted Beth to keep looking at him in soft wonder, to smile her little smile when she made a jest Ian didn’t follow
Ian soe, killed Sally He sos he did in his ht, things he’d never revealed to anyone, not even to Hart
Fellows fingered his collar, his face red Ian hoped he’d hurt the ainst Hart, against Ian, against anything Mackenzie Fellows had harassed Hart and Ian so h Holborn case five years ago and warned that he risked his job pursuing it further Now Felloas back That ht of Lily Martin lying in the parlor where he’d found her a week ago, her sewing scissors through her heart He reer he’d felt, and the sorrow He’d meant to protect her, and he’d failed
"Get out," he repeated to Fellows "You aren’t welcome here"
"This house has been hired by Lady Isabella Mackenzie," Fellows said "And I have not been cautioned against speaking to Mrs Ackerley She’s not a Mackenzie" Ian’s gaze slid over Fellows’s self-satisfied face "Mrs Ackerley is under my protection"
"Your protection?" Fellows smirked "A fine way to phrase it"
"I certainly don’t like that io, Inspector You’ve said what you need to say, and I’d be obliged if you’d leave"
Felloed, but his eyes glittered "Of course, Mrs Ackerley Good evening"
Ian wasn’t satisfied atching Fellows exit the drawing room--he followed Fellon to the foyer and instructed the footman to not let him back in under any circu until Felloalked away down the busy street, whistling
He turned back to find Beth behind hi to her skin Her face was flushed, her cheeks daone, her brow puckered Ian had difficulty reading people’s expressions, but Beth’s worry and uncertainty screamed at him Damn it all, if she’d believed Fellows