“Yeah.”
The woman stood and tugged across a curtain.It cut the light filtering into the bedroom, and he ceased squinting.
“Why don’t you try to sleep?”
“What’s wrong with me?”he asked.His mind was fuzzy and full of rippling, aching pain.
“We’re not sure, but you’ve been having headaches.The healer suggests you sleep as much as possible.”
“Yes.Tired.”Was it his imagination, or was he slurring his words?
“You sleep, and I’ll check on you later.Do you need the bathroom?”
“No.”
“I’ll fill the glass for you in case you’re thirsty later.The en suite is right through that door.”
“Thanks.”Mikhail closed his eyes and sank into the oblivion that dragged at him.
Edwina left the bedroom, quietly locking the door after her.The last thing they needed was for Mikhail to wander off while they were making plans.She headed toward Roscoe’s study and tapped on the door.
“Enter.”
She pushed through the doorway and stopped on spotting several of his men with him.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Take a seat,” Roscoe said.“We’re planning what to do next.”
Edwina slipped into a seat.“Were you able to identify the doctor visiting Mikhail?”
“Yes,” Roscoe said.“He’s not an actual doctor.He’s a scientist on Smirnoff’s payroll.I have two men in position to grab him when he leaves work.”
“What’s next?”
“Once we speak with the scientist, we’ll decide our next move.Hopefully, Mikhail will improve soon and give us more information.We were right to bring him here.Smirnoff has his men combing the countryside, searching for Mikhail.He went to Mikhail’s estate, but it was a civil visit.They bowled up to the front gate and asked to speak with Mikhail.They took Mikhail’s grandfather with them, so Ivan let them inside.He told them Mikhail wasn’t present, and Ivan thought they believed him.He told the grandfather he was worried because it’s not like Mikhail to disappear this way.”
“Did Mikhail’s grandfather say anything about Bridget and Mikhail’s marriage?”
“No,” Roscoe said.
“Thank you for your help,” Edwina said.
Roscoe grinned, making Edwina stare because it was an unusual sight.“I still expect you to work for me.You’re smart and think on your feet.Most people would’ve frozen when someone knifed them.You kept your head and got yourself back to the meeting point, despite your pain.”
“Thank you,” Edwina said, the scar itching beneath her clothes.“The future is murky right now.Who knows what will happen?”
A knock came on Roscoe’s office door.
“Come in.”
The door opened.It was one of Roscoe’s men.He wore a forbidding expression as he handed over a newspaper.“Front page.”
Roscoe opened the paper on his desktop.“Bloody hell.Edwina, look at this.”
26
Mikhailwokefromadeep sleep with a damp pillow and a dry mouth and throat.He swallowed several times, but his mouth remained uncomfortable.With a groan, he pushed to a sitting position and spied a glass of water on the bedside cabinet.He reached for it, every muscle in his body aching.His fingers trembled when he picked up the glass, and several water droplets escaped the rim.
The liquid was blessedly cold as it slid down his throat, assuaging the dryness.His thoughts turned to the woman with the green eyes.She’d been kind to him.No threats.No visible weapons.He’d pulled a knife on her, though, hadn’t he?The vague recollection of her shock slipped into his mind to haunt him, standing out among the other thoughts that knocked together and tangled him into confusion.
