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Rose thought about what she had just told him She would like to say that her parents could stop when they wanted to, and their drinking was only for recreational purposes, butuntil they were rendered senseless for several days at a time

“You are effectively living by yourself then,” Barnaby sighed

“They are often incapable of getting out of bed,” Rose admitted She offered him a false s on her lashes “I don’t et a lot et”

Barnaby mulled over her spirited nature and wondered if her head-strong behaviour was a result of having to fend for herself It didn’t seearded so callously She should be looked after

“It is going to be soain, Rose,” Barnaby admitted “I can’t lie to you You are a witness to two murders, of men e think tried to double-cross Sayers The killer is directly connected to thefor several et Chadwick off the streets and behind bars where he belongs To do that, we have to get you to London so you can talk to my boss”

“So why have we just left him face down on the paveistrate?” Rose countered

“Because there is only one of ht of theht, especially when I-” When he hesitated she looked at him

“When you are burdened with me,” she finished for him Confirmation of her assumption came from the stilted silence that settled between them

“You are a main witness to thetime” Barnaby replied

“But why do I have to go to London?” Rose asked

“That’s where my boss is, and where you are safest believe it or not,” Barnaby said frankly

“I thought that is where this Terrence Sayers’ underworld lives?” she replied coldly

“It is,” Barnaby agreed

“So you are taking ht into the lion’s den?” She didn’t know if he was setting her up for so to be involved in but then this entire evening had been ludicrous

“No, we are going to hide you in the busiest town in this country There are tooto find you We can hide you more easily there than we can out here” Barnaby waved an arm to the empty fields around them