Page 125 of The Last Kingdom

Derrick could see Malone was hesitating with his answer, and he could also read the look in his eyes. He stepped back out of the study, through the archway, into the corridor. He gazed left and right, the view extending fifty feet in both directions past other rooms. Nothing he saw caused alarm.

Then he heard something.

Like a scrape.

“What was that?” he asked.

“Could be one of the staff closing up for the day,” the curator said.

Or it could be something else. Derrick caught Malone’s attention. “Let me talk with you.” He faced Fenn. “Excuse us.”

They stepped from the study down the hall, out of earshot.

“Can you use that thing?” he whispered.

Malone nodded.

“Okay. Whatever you learn, keep it to yourself. These two are real Johnny-on-the-spots. I don’t like friendly. We need to find what’s out there before anyone else.”

“I hear you, and agree. I don’t think we’re alone.”

“Me either.”

He turned.

Malone grabbed his arm. “Don’t shoot the staff.”

He smiled. “I’ll try to be careful.”

They returned to the study.

“Malone is going to see what he can do,” Derrick said to Fenn. “I’m going to take a walk.”

“Where?” Fenn asked.

He also hated nosey-Nellies.

“Don’t know. Just a walk.”

* * *

RIFE KEPT MOVING THROUGH ONE ROOM AFTER ANOTHER. LOTS OFoak paneling, colorful wall paintings, and beamed ceilings with carved ornamentation. He hoped the misstep with the table had not been noticed, but he had to assume it was since he was dealing with two highly competent professionals. He also had to be careful with his steps as the plank floor creaked in places. Luckily, there were a multitude of rugs that helped shield their steps. Placards identified the spaces as bedroom and oratory. They finally stopped in a parlor, heavy with recesses formed by arches and columns. The rest of its decor consisted of bookcases, brass chandeliers, and candlesticks adorned with Bohemian glass. Blue silk curtains embroidered with lilies and swans hung before the windows. He stepped over and parted the sheers, glancing down at the inner courtyard and external staircase from which they’d entered. He realized that they were at the floor’s farthest edge, pointing north, the opening to his right leading to another corridor and the series of rooms that ran opposite the ones they’d just traversed, which included the study with Koger and Malone.

Knight had slipped into the next room.

He followed.

And was surprised.

It was not like the others. Some sort of faux grotto, complete with stalagmites and stalactites and a dry waterfall. Weird. A glass door opened to an upper conservatory filled with plants. Knight stood to one side of the doorway, gun ready, signaling for him to stop and that trouble was approaching. Knight pointed back toward the way they’d come and they headed there.

“What’s up?” Rife whispered.

“Koger has good ears. He’s coming our way.”

Perfect.

Chapter 72

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