Page 78 of Air Affair

“Where did you go this morning?” he asked, concern in his eyes. “I was worried you might go see your father.”

She looked at her hands, unable to meet his gaze. “I did,” she said quietly. “I went to Aunt Alva first, and I brought her with me. She’s the only person I know who intimidates Papa. I had to speak with him. I had to know if…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Did he try to force you to do anything? Because I’ll⁠—”

“You’ll what? You’re lying in a hospital bed.” She laughed incredulously.

“I’d think of something.”

She shook her head. “I was safe with Aunt Alva. Hank, I don’t think it was him. He said sabotage is cowardly, and he’s right. My father is many things, but a coward is not one of them. Did you know he’s one of the oldest men ever to receive a commission from the Army? He was sixty-four years old when he signed up to fight. The man relishes confrontation. He always has. I can’t believe he would do something so underhanded.”

“Even if he’s innocent, I don’t like that you took the risk of going to see him.”

She put a hand on his. “I choose my risks, Hank. He’s my father. I had to know.”

“I accept that, but I don’t have to like it,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Has he given up yet on getting you to marry Windham?”

She shook her head. “The man is stubborn. Even Aunt Alva thinks you and I should wed, and she’s almost as stuffy about these things as he is. I’d like to invite her to the wedding, by the way. And of course, I’ll invite Evelyn and some of my suffragette friends.”

He smiled. “Anything that makes you happy, princess. You should invite that widow you helped, Ann Prince, too. O’Donnell is sweet on her. I assume the entire O’Donnell family is invited.”

“And you’ll be inviting your fellow pilots?”

“And Major Fleet, and a few of the mechanics.”

“We need to make a list. I’ll go see if I can borrow a pen and paper.”

She went out to the front desk and asked. The attendant obliged, and Rory hurried back.

“All right, let’s see,” she said, settling down by his bedside table to write. “My aunt, Evelyn and my other suffragette friends, the O’Donnells, and who else?”

At that moment, a police inspector knocked on the door. “Excuse me, Lieutenant Hawley? I’d like to ask you a few questions. And, young lady, may I ask your name?”

“Aurora Belmont, his fiancée.”

The inspector nodded. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Belmont. I’m afraid we have some questions for you too.”

Rory swallowed hard. She wanted to help, but she’d rather have dental surgery than answer questions about how she split with Edward. Nonetheless, there was nothing she wouldn’t endure to see justice served to anyone who hurt Hank.

30

Hank didn’t like the police interviewing Rory, but at least he could be present while they did it. He didn’t like her going to see her father either. He was supposed to be the one by her side, standing up for her, not some aunt he’d met for five seconds and never spoken a word to. He was a man of action, her loyal knight. Being stuck in bed while so much was happening around him was maddening.

“Officer—” he said.

“Inspector Green,” the man corrected.

“Inspector Green, what would you like to know?”

“Who can you think of that might have a grudge against you at the moment?” He took out a notepad and pencil.

“I don’t have many enemies, inspector. I’ve always steered clear of trouble. But my engagement to Miss Belmont has caused some bitterness with her father and her former fiancé.”

Hank shifted, pushing himself a little higher. His head still ached dully in the background, and he had an itch on his leg inside the cast that was driving him mad.

“For the record, that would be Major August Belmont and Senator Edward Windham of Connecticut?”

“Correct.”