Evan prepared his body to sprint forward but held every part of himself still so he could hear the first sounds of alarm.
Andre’s footsteps coming toward them were the only sound through the corridor. “I think he believed me, Brielle.” The lad’s whisper could probably be heard all the way downto the storage room, and Evan had to fight both a cringe and a chuckle.
Brielle’s silhouette appeared against the light filtering around the corner as she stepped from her hiding place.
Evan did the same.
“Go to our chamber. Wait there.” Brielle’s voice barely carried loud enough for Evan to hear, especially since she was already striding toward her brother and the assembly room.
Evan pushed forward to catch up to her but had to step out of Andre’s way so the lad didn’t run into him in the dark.
Outside the double doors, Brielle pressed her ear to the crack between them. Evan held his breath so she could hear better.
The murmur of deep voices drifted from inside, but not loud enough to make out distinct sounds.
Brielle whispered, “It doesn’t sound like he’s struggling.”
A thread of relief stole over Evan. Maybe they could take both men into custody without trouble. Then he would only need to ensure Gerald’s punishment would stop him from ever being a threat to Brielle again. That might be harder to accomplish than the capture.
Brielle pulled open the door and slipped inside before Evan could request to go first.
So, he followed her. Just following this woman kept him on his toes.
Leonard and Wesley had Hugo lying facedown on the floor, with one man on either side of him. It looked like Wesley was tying Hugo’s wrists.
Leonard stood as Brielle approached. “He’s ready to go to the holding room.”
“He gave you no trouble?” Brielle spoke English, but in a low voice.
“I’ve done nothing wrong.” With his cheek pressed against the stone floor, Hugo’s lazy French was a challenge to decipher.
“That will be up to the council to determine.” Brielle’s French was much crisper. She stepped back and motioned for the men to lift Hugo and lead him toward the door.
As the group passed by Evan, Hugo shot him a curious gaze. “What’s he doing out?”
No one answered, and they moved into the hallway. Evan fell into step beside Brielle as they followed the prisoner and the other two guards. Thankfully, no one else entered the corridor during the walk to the cell at the far end. The fewer people who knew what was happening, the better.
29
Evan stayed out of the way while the two men secured Hugo on the fur pallet, binding his legs at the ankles, then tying the straps at his wrists and feet together. Evan didn’t envy the man who would be tasked with guarding this mouthy lad. The more they trussed Hugo, the louder he denied his guilt.
No one wasted their breath to argue with him. Hugo may be guilty of nothing more than letting a fiend drip poison into his ear, but that would be up to the council to determine.
When they were done, Brielle motioned for Wesley to stay and guard Hugo, then waved Evan and Leonard with her as they left the room. She didn’t speak again until they reached the Durand chambers, where Philip paced by the fire.
He spun to face them as they entered. The room held no sign of Brielle’s father or anyone else. Had the senior Durand taken his younger children away to allow them privacy to plan?
Brielle motioned the three of them around her and quickly brought Philip up to speed on Evan’s release and Hugo’s capture. She skimmed over the reason why Hugo and Gerald needed to be apprehended. “Now it’s time to ready things totake in Gerald. He’s out hunting now, and one of the elders is watching for his return. He’s not expected until dusk, but he may come back early to ready things for his plot tonight.”
Packing for his escape, no doubt.
Brielle’s gaze shifted between them as she spoke, but it seemed to hover on him more than either of the others. As much as he tried to push aside his feelings and focus on the work at hand, he was having trouble making his body obey.
“There are several ways we could take him into custody, but I’d like a vote. It’s critical we’re all of the same mind for this to succeed.” She looked at each of them in turn. “We could have a lookout posted outside the gate or in the gatehouse to alert us when he’s coming. Then the four of us can take him there at the gate.” She narrowed her gaze as she spoke. “Or we could wait in his chamber and capture him there.”
That sounded like the safer option of the two, giving Gerald less of a chance to escape. If he made it out of his chamber, he’d still have to flee to the outer walls to be free. Not likely he could accomplish that with the four of them giving chase and others watching. But if Gerald did get away, could he survive out in the cold on his own? He would have his hunting gear and winter clothing, so he might manage it.
But they wouldn’t let him get away. Evan would have his gun and could stop the man with a well-placed bullet. Not that he relished shooting anyone, but he would do what he had to for Brielle’s safety.
