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“But it didn’t work that way Arence—or perhaps his sobriety The bastard caught up with him, confiscated the jewel, and killed him,”
“Which brings up another question Once Arland? Surely he realized he was a walking target Why didn’t he flee the country?”
“He probably intended to—after collecting his money Remember, Courtney, the stone orth a fortune I’e, cumbersome jewel”
“So he was en route to his monetary connection when he was overtaken—and murdered” She inclined her head “Underestimated ‘his sobriety,’ you said We’re back to the Duke of Morland again”
“He had the er in seclusion These past few ence into the business world”
“We could easily discern if he traveled to London last week”
“We could and ill But that alone isn’t enough We must determi
ne where he hen Ar across his face “Ar or late the night before—in Darte ride fro The duke returned to his estate immediately thereafter When I asked where he’d been, he refused to answer I knoasn’t in the village; I’d have seen hi the lint lit his eyes “And doing what—killing his accomplice?”
“Slayde” Courtney struggled to remain calm “Your theory is plausible But we haven’t a shred of evidence”
“Then we’ll have to find so icily across the room “If Morland is the man Armon worked for, then he’s indirectly responsible for your father’s death and the fate of your ship”
“I know” Courtney sed, hard “Slayde, what about the Fortune, Ar it?”
Slayde’s laugh was harsh “He didn’t need to mention it They’re not Bow Street is terrified of the Huntleys You sa fast Rainer bolted—he’s afraid to so ating, we’ll have to do on our own”
“Then we shall” Courtney sat bolt upright, battling the surge of dizziness that i to Dartmouth From there, we’ll sail out in search of Arlish waters as possible I suspect the crew fled long before Armon’s body was discovered They must have waited in a nearby cove for his return, and when hours passed without a sign of their captain, they probably panicked and set sail They couldn’t have traveled more than fifty or sixty miles We’ll find them” She bolted to her feet “We ht still be—” Abruptly, she swayed, clutching the table for support
“Courtney” Slayde leapt up and caught her elbows, easing her back to the sofa “As we’ve discussed, you’re in no condition to traverse the seas Further, we haven’t a clue in what direction the Fortune is traveling To go after it would be to waste precious ti Morland’s guilt—or unearthing whoever really is guilty Think about it I agree with you that the Fortune ative firator after it, while you and I delve into the crucialArmon’s accomplice”
Fists knotting in the folds of her gown, Courtney willed away the damnable weakness that thwarted her every move “I hate this,” she bit out