Stilling his breaths to keep his pulse calm and his nerves on alert, Adrian entered the room slowly, using the oil lamp to search the space for a possible assailant.Until more of the table came into view.Until he realized someone was stretched out upon it.
He rushed forward and instantly saw the restraints.Rope tied around a pair of ankles.His heart began pounding an urgent warning as he registered that the person wore trousers.A man.Adrian swung the lamp toward the face and the poor bastard groaned.
Unsurprising since his arms were also restrained and a rag had been shoved into his mouth.He stared up at Adrian, an imploring look in his pale green eyes while he kept on groaning as though attempting to speak.
Determined to help him, Adrian pocketed his pistol and reached for the rag—just as the door to the room slammed shut behind him.
He cursed, yanked the rag free so the poor man could breathe with more ease, and crossed to the door.Despite his efforts to get it open, it wouldn’t budge.
“Don’t waste your strength,” said the man on the table.
Adrian pressed his forehead against the door.Damn.Despite his attempts at caution, he’d not been cautious enough.Whoever had trapped him in here had probably been in the corridor, hiding behind the door, waiting for him to enter the room before acting.
He muttered a curse and returned to the man who was still strapped down.
“Who are you?”Adrian asked as he started undoing the ties that held him in place.
“I…um…” The man sucked in some air and expelled it.“Mr.Smith.”
Adrian stilled.He narrowed his gaze and studied the man’s expression.His throat bobbed and his eyes darted sideways.Adrian tilted his head.This was the sort of shiftiness he’d encountered a thousand times before while enforcing his father’s orders, trying to get men to speak.
He held the light closer to the man’s face, saw the sheen upon his brow and the wild look in his eyes.The man tugged on the restraints.“Come on.Help me out of these, will you.”
“I might consider doing so if you tell me the truth,” Adrian said.He drew his pistol and pointed it squarely at the man’s head.“Who are you really?”
“I…I told you already.”
“You gave me a name, that’s true.I just don’t believe that it’syourname.”
“Of course it is.Why wouldn’t it be?”The man kept trying to yank his arms free.A futile endeavor.“I was directed here after seeking medical help, but when I was brought down here, I changed my mind.I tried to leave only to get knocked unconscious and wake up like this.You have to believe me.”
“I really don’t,” Adrian said upon reflection.There was nothing genuine in this man’s words.In fact, he was a terrible actor.
“Why?”The man’s voice broke.Finally something that sounded real.
“Because you lied to me about your name.”
“You’re wrong.I promise I’ve done no such thing.I swear to you—”
“And the best reason I can think of for you to do so is if you don’t want the real you to be found.Given the fact that you’re here of all places, I suspect you to be one of three people.Doctor Lester, Doctor Preordian, or Doctor Islington.My bet would be on the latter.”
* * *
Having found no hint of anyone’s presence upstairs, Samantha returned to the foyer with every intention of heading down to the basement and checking on Adrian.Retracing the path he’d taken earlier, she walked toward the back of the house where the door to the service stairs was located.
Adrian had left the door open, granting her easy access.She stepped forward, prepared to descend, when the hair at the nape of her neck stood on end, alerting her to a presence behind her.The hand holding her pistol sought its mark as she whipped around, but the narrow space hindered her movements.
Her elbow caught on the wall.A fraction of a second’s delay.Enough, however, for her attacker to shove her backward, into the vacant space behind her.
She fell, prepared to hit the floor hard.
Her spine slammed into the stone tiles before she was ready.Pain lanced through every part of her body.The air was punched from her lungs.
Shoes clattered upon the steps.She sucked in a breath and flexed her fingers, only to find the pistol gone.Agony speared her as she tried to move, to get up and ready for the fight that would either save her or kill her.
Groaning, she attempted to push up onto one elbow.Her eyes sought her assailant.She needed to get her bearings but it was so bloody dark.Her head pounded but she ignored it.Loud banging ensued, accompanied by a familiar voice shouting her name.
“Adrian?”Her own voice was but a weak rasp.
