Page 101 of Tempting the Highland Spy
“She accused me of being a thief…she caused that scene. Why would she want to protect me?”
“That was earlier, before I convinced her you’d stolen her brooch. I’m surprised she didn’t creep back in the room and retrieve those foul little toys, if only for spite.”
“You didn’t have to kill her.”
Edythe shrugged. “She was a cloying plague of a woman. It would’ve happened sooner or later.”
Throwing Edythe a glance over his shoulder, Thornquist scowled. “If you don’t stop talking, I may just toss you out of the window.”
“If you expect your share of the money, I suggest you treat me with the proper respect.” Edythe stared daggers at him. “If you do as I say, you’ll soon be a very rich man. But if you make me angry, I’ll ruin you. I’ll see to it you’re nothing more than a stagehand.”
“God above, what does he see in you?” Thornquist bit off the words.
A sly smile curved her mouth. “As if you didn’t know the answer to that.”
My God, did the woman possess an ounce of decency?
“We need to finish this,” Thornquist said, low and surly. “Every minute we delay exposes us to more risk.”
Finish this. The implication unfurled a current of fear through Grace. If they believed she would be passively led to slaughter, they were truly mad. She’d be damned if she’d make it easy for them.
The door opened. Raibert walked casually through the portal.
“Where the hell is O’Hanlon?” Thornquist demanded.
“He went after MacMasters.” Raibert shot her a speaking glance. “I understand you’d made O’Hanlon’s acquaintance before you came under this roof. You took something that belonged to him. Now why would you do such a foolish thing?”
Thornquist scowled. “Damn it, why did you leave MacMasters to him? You know he’s unreliable.”
“MacMasters seems to have vanished,” Raibert said coolly. “O’Hanlon will find him. He’s got a score to settle.”
“MacMasters knows she’s here.” Ghoulish excitement colored Edythe’s voice. “He’s going to charge to the rescue.”
Raibert turned his venomous gaze to Grace. “I wouldn’t count on a rescue if I were you. O’Hanlon will gut him.”
Thornquist’s nerves showed on his face. “And what about McGinty? And that insufferable old woman?”
“We put enough sedative in their drinks to knock out a horse,” Edythe said.
“I thought O’Hanlon would do the job,” Thornquist went on. “I don’t intend to take care of the dirty work here while he chases after some bastard he should’ve killed in Edinburgh. When I agreed to steal that damned dagger, getting blood on my hands wasn’t part of the deal.”
Raibert slanted Edythe a glance. “He’s mighty full of himself tonight, isn’t he?”
“Bugger off,” Thornquist said. “You do realize that if your dearwifehappens upon us, this will all be for nothing.”
“What that bird-witted ninny thinks doesn’t matter. If need be, we’ll lock her in here until she collects her inheritance. And then I won’t need to look at her mewling face ever again.” Edythe smiled wickedly. “Her money will be mine.”
Raibert observed the scene with a look of mocking disgust. “Don’t be so sure of that. I may rid myself of all complications, including you.”
“Oh, darling, you don’t mean that,” she said. Strolling over to Thornquist, Edythe eyed him from head to toe. “You really are a handsome man. You know that, don’t you? I can see why the women moon over you when you’re on the stage.”
He glared at her. “I want to get out of here. Let’s get this over with.”
Light glinted off Edythe’s steel blade. “As you wish, my dear.”
With that, she plunged the blade hilt deep into his gut. Crying out in agony, Thornquist clutched wildly at the knife.
“Why?” he gasped.
