Page 89 (2/2)

"Will you get out of the street?" Alex was the next one out of the carriage, and he, too, wanted to exae He stuck one hand under his wife's arentle assailant/' Emma said "Either that, or one who doesn't kno to use a saw"

John appeared around the corner, looking absolutely furious "What did he saw off?"

"Nothing," Alex replied "Just loosened the wheel"

John swore under his breath "I apologize for placing you and your wife in danger Belle and I will return home immediately, and I will forward you funds to cover the cost of the carriage"

Before Belle could protest, Alex held up a hand and said, "Nonsense There is no pere All we need is another wheel"

"What's this about a wheel?" Dunford finally e rather crumpled

"It caet so testy about it I just got here"

"Sorry," Belle offered "I feel like I've been standing here for an hour"

"You probably have," Dunford replied dryly "You had the treood fortune, if you recall, to have landed at the top of the pile By the way, I sent Bottomley back to your place, Ashbourne, to fetch some help to clear this out I shouldn't think it will take hi We're actually only a couple of streets away from your home" He walked over to where the left rear wheel should have been "I must say, Spencer did a rather poor job of it If he wanted to crash a carriage, there are far e to break a single bone a the five of us"

Belle rolled her eyes "You are so adept at finding the bright side"

John scowled and pulled her against his side "I'm thankful that no one is hurt, but you'll pardon ht side I will not be the cause of any of your deaths Let's be off, Belle We're going home"

"So he can pick you off with a bullet as alk back? I think not"

"Belle's right," Alex said "You're far safer with us than without us"

"Yes," John replied acerbically "But you're far safer without us than you are with us"

"Will you pardon us for aher husband a few feet away from the small crowd "You must listen to me, John," she whispered "Weren't you the one who toldthis ht at the Tumbley bash If we catch him, we'll have hundreds of witnesses He'll be put away for the rest of his life"