Sam, not wanting to be around the man, said, “We are planning to ride to my wife’s parents house to see if they have any more information.”
Hurley nodded and started to pull a bag from the satchel on his horse. “I will stay and assist if you like, Constable,” Miller said.
He nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
Sam mounted his horse followed by Jack and Devons. “We will send word to the Den once we have more information.”
Sam galloped away with Jack and Devons on his heels. He eventually slowed down, knowing he was pushing his horse too hard. Jack and Devons came up beside him.
“Sam, you need to calm down,” Jack insisted.
“How am I supposed to calm down, knowing that so many people were aware of Dolan’s issues, but no one did anything? That as long as you are titled you can get away with anything.”
“We will make sure he goes away to prison or hangs for this,” Devons said quietly.
Sam looked at him skeptically. “I will make sure he never harms my wife no matter what.”
“You have to hand him over to the constable,” Jack said, looking at him with concern.
He didn’t say anything, and Jack grabbed the reins of his horse, stopping him. “I will not see you hang for killing a lord. Clara wouldn’t want that either.”
Sam did not respond and grabbed his reins, spurring his horse on. He wished he could promise his brother he would not do anything as drastic as killing Dolan, but the words would not come out.
~
Clara stepped out of the carriage and looked around frantically. They were in the London Dock area. She saw men and women coming and going from ships. It dawned on her what Dolan was really planning to do. He was going to take them out of England. The plan made her attempt to run, but Dolan grabbed her arm.
“Do not even attempt it.”
“See Taylor there, ready to slice Abigail at my word. Or perhaps I will just give her to him.”
Abigail stood staring, her eyes round with fear. She finally shook her head and mouthed, “Run.”
But Clara couldn’t leave her. As much as the fear spurred her to do so.
She yanked her arm from Dolan’s and said, “Let go of me. I will not flee.”
He chuckled and whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to make you more obedient.”
She glared at him and allowed him to lead her into a small empty unkempt inn. Clara looked around wondering where all the people were.
“Isn’t it funny what a little bit of money will do. The innkeeper gave us the entire building while we wait to leave.”
“Where are we going?” Clara asked.
“Ahh, I have a piece of land on the continent. I think we will settle there.”
“Do you really believe my husband will ever stop looking for me?”
He shrugged. “We will deal with that when we have to.”
He wasn’t thinking clearly. Clara could see the deranged look in his eyes. She needed time to come up with a plan.
“It is time for you and me to spend time together.”
She nodded and said, “May I have some time to freshen up?”
He hesitated, looking at her skeptically.
