“We’d hate to impose,” Adrian said.
“Or land you in trouble,” Samantha added.
“He’ll agree that letting you sit on display in the front office for all to see would be a mistake,” Miss Hastings said.“Just leave it to me.”
She disappeared past the front desk and into a hallway.Adrian dipped his chin and rocked back on his heels, then glanced at Samantha.His wife gave away no hint of emotion.Nothing about her suggested she was manipulating her way toward their goal.A frightening observation that reminded him once again of how easily she’d maneuvered her way into his life.
He took a slow breath to dispel the accompanying anger and told himself this was before.Everything had changed since then.She’d proven herself to him more than once.Even when he’d doubted her, she’d come for him, saved his life, helped him recapture the life that had been stolen.
His pulse slowed into a steadier rhythm.Another breath banished the anger completely.She’d been highly trained by Harlowe but she was Adrian’s wife now.Her allegiance was to him and he’d do well not to forget that.Hell, he owed it to her to put her reason for forming that initial attachment with him in the past where it belonged.
“Everything all right?”
Her voice made him blink, refocus, realize she was staring at him.He nodded.“Yes.”
She kept her gaze on him, allowed it to linger as though she might be discerning the truth in his words.Eventually she nodded toward her left.“Looks like Miss Hastings has returned.”
Adrian straightened as Miss Hastings came nearer.She swept her arm to one side.“I’ll show you to Kendrick’s office now.Please follow me.”
When Adrian entered the room, his gaze went straight to Kendrick’s desk.The surface was usually filled with piles of papers and other things.Now, it appeared completely bare.He sent Miss Hastings a questioning look and arched one brow.
Noting his expression, she shrugged one shoulder.“I didn’t want to keep you waiting while I figured out what he might wish to hide, so I put it all in a box.”
Adrian snorted, then shared a look with Samantha, who looked as though she were torn between horror and amusement.“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
“I’ve done it in a way that will make it easy for me to return it all exactly as I found it.”Miss Hastings bit her lip, concern filling her gaze for a second before she banked the emotion and straightened her spine.“If what I did angers him then so be it.He should simply learn to be more orderly.”
“It might have been more prudent to simply cover his things with a cloth,” Samantha said.
Miss Hastings turned to her, lips parted.“I…didn’t think of that.”
“Well, what’s done is done,” Samantha said.“Maybe next time.”
“Hmm…” Miss Hastings stood for an awkward moment, her attention on the empty desk before she suddenly gestured toward the vacant chairs.“Now that we’re here, won’t you both sit?”
“Thank you.”Adrian waited for Samantha to claim her seat, then took the second one and asked Miss Hastings.“Will you join us?”
Only one vacant seat remained and that was Kendrick’s.“I couldn’t possibly.”
Adrian was instantly back on his feet.“Well, I cannot sit in the presence of a lady.”He gestured toward the chair he’d vacated.“If you won’t use Kendrick’s chair then by all means, use this one.”
“Thank you, Mr.Croft, but that doesn’t seem right either when you’re the guest.Besides, I thought I might fetch you something to drink.There’s both coffee and tea, if you like.”
“I’m not in need of either,” Samantha said.When Adrian echoed this sentiment she said, “However, I do wonder if you have any idea when Kendrick is due to return.The longer we wait to speak with Wentworth and Melroy, the longer it will take us to figure out whether or not our lead is valid.”
“It would be more efficient if we had our answer ready for when he gets back,” Adrian said.“Then we could head out together if need be and prevent any further delay.”
“That does make sense,” Miss Hastings agreed, “and since I am working the case with him, I don’t see why I cannot speak with these men.If you’ll accept my presence, I’ll see to it that you meet with them.”
“An excellent plan,” Adrian told her.“Thank you, Miss Hastings.”
It took nearly ten minutes for her to return.When she did, she was accompanied not just by Wentworth and Melroy but also by two guards, one of whom Adrian recognized from his own incarceration here.A reminder that made him sympathize all the more with the two men who were escorted into the room.
He stood, thanked Miss Hastings, and sent the familiar guard a stiff nod by way of greeting.The man responded with a scowl, then released his hold on Wentworth’s arm and stepped back.He assured the other guard he could leave, waited for him to do so, then positioned himself by the door while keeping his gaze fixed on everyone present.
Although Adrian knew he was merely doing his job, the urge to punch him was undeniable.There was just something in his expression that got on Adrian’s nerves.
He shoved the impractical feeling aside and addressed the physicians.“Gentlemen, I’ve asked to meet with you because I believe you may be able to shed some light on the murders I’ve been helping Chief Constable Kendrick investigate.If I’m correct, helping me will ensure your release.”
