She still didn’t know where the other detectives were, but she figured they had probably gone to jail to talk with Glynn Nickerson, so naturally, nobody would be coming to her rescue this time. After all, Joseph Donnelly hadn’t even been a suspect, so why would her comrades think he was dangerous now? And with Angela injured, the lady wouldn’t be any help at all.
“Mr. Donnelly, what are you doing in my house uninvited?” Angela snapped.
He sauntered into the room and took a chair as if he owned the place. Keeping his eyes—and weapon—on Angela and Nicole, he casually stretched out his legs, crossing one booted-ankle over the other.
“I was followin’ Miss Bastian in hopes of havin’ her lead me tae the other detectives,” he answered.
“Why?” Nicole asked warily.
“So that I kin get rid of ye all. I dinna exactly like it when ye shut down me business in London, and so I decided tae stop ye from interferin’ now as I’m startin’ to expand.”
Nicole huffed. “Didn’t I tell you the other day that we were working on a different case? We don’t care what you’re doing now, Mr. Donnelly.”
He stayed quiet for a few moments, cocking his head as he stared at her through a narrowed gaze. She didn’t think she’d be able to convince him. He’d been quite an intelligent man when she’d watched him before. In fact, he was almost too smart for his own good sometimes.
“Aye, but I think ye do care, Miss Bastian. Ye might not be workin’ on puttin’ me outta business now, but ye soon will.” He shook his head. “And I canna be havin’ that.”
“Mr. Donnelly,” Angela said with a stronger voice. “There is no reason to kill us. We are not your enemy.”
“But ye are, Mrs. Phelps. The two of ye ‘no’s I’m here, and once yer dead, yer friends won’t ‘no why. They’ll figure the two of ye are dead because of the case yer workin’ on.”
Silently, Nicole groaned. He was right, of course. Her father and brother certainly wouldn’t think Joseph Donnelly was involved. Her mind quickly thought of an argument. “Oh, but you’re wrong. I’m quite certain someone saw you enter Mrs. Phelps’ house earlier. She has very nosey neighbors, you know. Many people on this street look out for each other. I’m sure once the police start asking questions, they will remember a strange man entering the premises, and eventually the other detectives will suspect you.”
It only took Joseph Donnelly a moment before he nodded. “I think yer right, Miss Bastian.” He jumped to his feet. Waving the pistol in the air, he motioned toward the front door. “We need tae leave. I’ll kill ye in some other place.” He cocked his head. “In fact, I ‘no the perfect spot.”
Fright gripped Nicole harder this time. She had to convince him otherwise—and quickly.
He threw both Angela and Nicole a glare. “Let’s get goin’.”
“You must be joking.” Angela gasped. “I’m injured and in my night clothes, for heaven’s sake. I’m not going outside dressed like this. If people saw me leaving the house adorned in such a fashion, they would certainly think something was amiss.”
Nicole held her breath, watching Joseph’s reaction carefully. She knew what Angela was doing—biding her time. After all, it was getting darker by the minute, so wearing a cloak over her nightclothes really would not be noticed. Perhaps there was a chance someone would come save them after all.
Joseph grumbled. “Then I suggest you get changed.”
Angela’s gaze jumped to Nicole as the older woman silently communicated that everything would be all right. Nicole was glad Angela felt this way because she doubted her own abilities. Still, she must go along with Angela’s plan in hopes of getting them free from this madman.
When Angela made the move to get up, Nicole slid her arm around the woman’s waist in an attempt to help.
“Whoa! Whot do ye think yer doin’ Miss Bastian?”
She arched an eyebrow. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m helping Mrs. Phelps up to her room.”
“No, yer goin’ to stay down here with me.”
Nicole opened her mouth to argue, but Angela cut her off. “Now what good will that do, Mr. Donnelly? I’m injured and weak. How do you expect me to dress myself when I’m in this condition?”
Joseph’s jaw tightened and his free hand bunched into a fist at his side. “Fine,” he growled. “But I’m comin’ with ye.”
Nicole helped Angela up the stairs and into the bedroom. Thankfully, Angela had a dressing screen in the corner so at least Joseph wouldn’t watch. Angela picked out a dress and the two women moved behind the screen.
“I have a plan,” Angela said as quietly as she could. Thankfully, the rustling of the skirts and dress made more noise.
“What is it?” Nicole whispered.
“Once he takes us to where he’s going to shoot us, I’ll swoon, which will draw his attention to me. You can then attack him from behind.”
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. It sounded so easy, but Nicole knew from past experience that nothing ever turned out how she wanted. “All right.”
