Page 95 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
I know he's got poison in that ring.Leah had seen enough trinkets of its kind in her time to spot one a mile away.
The made their silent progress through the streets, growing steadily closer to the point of inevitable collision.Riphook won't be easy to bring down.
“How much farther?” Kenneth whispered over his shoulder.
“Not long.” Leah answered. Her hands floated back and forth to a small knife that Nash had given her in the cemetery. It was tucked discreetly beneath her garments, but she could reveal it with a sharp swiftness.
“When we arrive.” Cornelius said back to them. “He will wait for me to walk out alone on the pier.”
“Then he will join you?” Kenneth asked.
“Correct.”
“We should hide at the end of the pier.” Leah whispered up into Kenneth's ear. “Then approach with the Judge when they are both engaged.”
“Yes.” Kenneth bobbed his head along with his step. “I agree.”
“What are you lovebirds whispering about?” Cornelius tried to twist about, but Kenneth prodded him again with the barrel of his gun.
“You should watch where you walk, Uncle.” Kenneth scorned. “The flagstone can be treacherous. Best to keep your eyes front.”
“That's good sense.” Leah chimed in, grinning at Kenneth's remarks.He is so classically bold and serious, and yet as much as I hate him for it, I love him all the more.
“Very well.” Cornelius mockingly raised his hands in the air. “I am looking forward.”
“See that it remains that way.” Leah ended the conversation, and they moved the rest of the way in silence.
When they broke from the cover of buildings and stepped onto the expansive London docks, Leah felt another shiver run through her spine.Something is strange, it is far too still. Where are the watchmen and vagrants?
“Where is the Marquess' coach?” Kenneth looked up and down the empty docks. “Where is anybody?”
“Riphook ensures there is no unwanted foot traffic.” Cornelius sneered. “Private night tonight. Beautiful moon, isn't it?”
“Don't you start talking.” Leah gave him a light shove forward. “Keep walking. We are still some ways away from pier six.”
They walked along the river, and Leah constantly found herself looking over her shoulder. She was increasingly tense and couldn't help but feel as if they were walking into a trap.
We have set a trap, but I fear they have set a better one.
“We are here.” Cornelius said from the front of the line.
The pier stretched out into the wide portion of the river, lit up in the moonlight it boasted shadowy clusters of crates, lines, and empty gangways.
“Go on then.” Kenneth, nudged Cornelius forward.
“This is your last chance, Kenneth.” Cornelius pleaded. “Don't do this.”
“That time has long passed.” Kenneth remained stalwart. “Go.”
“So be it.” Cornelius stiffened his face, straitened his clothes, and began walking down the pier.
“What is he up to?” Leah whispered to Kenneth as they crouched behind a clump of crates.
“What do you mean?” Kenneth replied.
“Come now, you cannot expect him to give everything away so easily.”
“I do not know what I expect.” Kenneth admitted. “But I am fearful for what might transpire next.” They both peered out, their eyes locked on Cornelius as he paced down the pier.
