Page 52 of Once a Hero

“Look who’s talking. You stole the three-amber brooch from Philomena right under our noses.”

Technically, Raynelle took it. But Beatrice kept it.

Yeah, she had to return it soon. Her conscience wouldn’t permit it.

Beatrice wondered what would happen to her and her team if they discovered the brooch in her cargo pocket.

“What do you want from me?” Beatrice asked.

“Nothing. You were in the way.”

Who was she after? It could not be Kenichi and Raynelle since they had come in late in the game.

Jake? “In the way of what? Of whom?”

“I won’t take betrayal sitting down,” Molyneux said.

“Someone betrayed you?”

“Let it be a lesson for everyone.” Molyneux’s tone was one of disappointment.

Beatrice wondered if that was meant more for Big Man and his people rather than for Beatrice sitting there, chatting with her long-lost adoptive mother at large.

Was it theatrics?

“Why don’t I just shoot him already?” Molyneux asked.

“I don’t know.” Beatrice wasn’t sure where the conversation was going, but she was almost sure she knew who Molyneux was taking about.

“Too quick and painless. Did you hear that, Oswald?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Big Man nodded.

Oswald, huh? Beatrice filed that away.

“So you torture him?” Beatrice asked.

“The visuals are astounding.”

With Dad’s dagger.Beatrice frowned.

“You don’t approve?” Molyneux asked.

“Of any killing, no.”

“But of torture?”

“Not my cup of tea.”

Molyneux laughed. “You’re so grown up. Sorry I didn’t check on you. Been busy, you know. In fact I would’ve left you alone if only you’d stopped following that FBI agent.”

“Former. He was fired.”

“Thanks to me. Good. Now I won’t feel bad if we work him over some.”

“Work him over how?” Beatrice asked.

“You’ll find out. Meantime, let me ask you one question. Why are you looking for the Amber Room?”

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