Page 84 of Brimstone Bound
‘Unfortunately, yes.’ Lucinda Barnes moved, stepping into my line of vision. ‘Hand over the wolf.’
Hurt and anger flooded my veins. ‘What about Tony?’
‘I can assure you,’ Lady Sullivan said, ‘he will be avenged.’
I looked from her to DSI Barnes and back again. ‘You’ve made a deal.’
‘We have extracted some concessions regarding the future of Supernatural Squad,’ DSI Barnes said. ‘The matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.’
‘Apart from the dead ones,’ I said sarcastically.
‘You will be rewarded for your efforts, Emma.’
I didn’t want to be rewarded, I wanted justice. Beneath me, I felt Cassidy stir. I cursed and stood up. Almost immediately, Robert and his wolves grabbed her and hauled her away.
‘Detectives are sworn to uphold the law,’ DSI Barnes said quietly. ‘Whether they agree with it or not.’
I wanted to stamp my feet and scream. Instead, I looked away.
‘Go home,’ she continued. ‘Go home, hug your boyfriend and get some rest. You deserve it.’
Yeah, yeah. I looked up at the sky and the faint streaks of pink appearing as dawn finally arrived. I started to walk away.
Lukas caught up to me. ‘That was a dick move, D’Artagnan. You should have waited for me. What happened to “all for one”?’
I didn’t answer.
‘I know that you’re angry that Cassidy will be dealt with by the wolves, but that was always going to be the case. You knew that. The important thing is that she’s out of the picture.’
‘Yep.’
‘You should be congratulating yourself.’
I glanced at him and managed a weak smile. ‘Go me.’
Lukas frowned. ‘Are you alright?’
‘I’m fine. I’ll do exactly what DSI Barnes said and go home for a rest.’ I bit my lip. ‘I do appreciate all the help you’ve given me, Lukas.’
‘Any time, D’Artagnan. Any time.’
I smiled again before picking up my fallen crossbow, turning out of the park and leaving him behind. His words from yesterday echoed in my head:Just because the deaths occurred within a similar time frame doesn’t mean they’re related.
Cassidy had poisoned Anna, murdered Tony and then done the same to Becca. But from what she’d said, she hadn’t killed me. Whoever had slit my throat was still out there.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It wasn’t a conscious effort. A combination of bone-sagging fatigue and homing instinct propelled me all the way back to my flat for the first time in days.
With Jeremy already on his way to work, and no handy spare key with a neighbour or hidden in a plant pot, I was forced to wiggle through the open bathroom window to get inside. It wasn’t an easy manoeuvre but, once my feet were planted on familiar ground, I exhaled in relief.
God, it was good to be home. I spent several minutes simply walking round, touching stuff and reassuring myself that it was the same place. The knowledge that my home hadn’t changed, even if I had, made me feel better instantly.
I sat down on the sofa in the small living room, dropped the crossbow on the floor next to my feet and smiled at Jeremy’s briefcase in the corner. He’d forgotten it again. It was surprisingly good to know that things were still the same here. No matter what had happened in the last few days, I could slot back into my old life. Nothing had altered – it was only me who was different.
I stripped off my borrowed clothes and climbed into the shower, setting the temperature to scalding. I scrubbed myself from head to toe, as if I could clean away all the cares and worries from the last few days as well as my curious guilt at walking away and leaving Tony’s killer in the hands of someone else.
I don’t know how long I spent in the shower. Far too long. When I finally stepped out, my skin was pink and raw. I gazed at my bare face in the mirror. I looked tired but I was still the same old me, even if I didn’t feel that way.
