Page 70 of Lord Ashley's Beautiful Alibi
They ran forward, headed for the green of the church. At the side, Kane turned them for the clearing in back. If they reached it, they would make the front of theaubergein a few quick steps.
They rounded the corner of the church and came face to face with Carrot Nose. He had an evil smile, full of stained, broken teeth. He also had a pistol in his hands. “Bonjour, madame et monsieur. Or should I say Mademoiselle Bolton andMonsieur le Comte?”
Kane stepped in front of Gus, his palm up. “No need for that.”
“I say there is. I thinkmademoisellecomes with me.”
Kane sniffed. “You are so wrong.”
“She’s looking for that otherputain.”
Kane took another step forward. “Go home,monsieur. Your mother wants to wash out your mouth.”
“I’m after St. Antoine, and this bitch knows where she is. She’ll come with me.”
Kane barked with laughter. “Go away,monsieur…” He looked over the man’s shoulder.
The fellow retreated a step, glanced over his shoulder, and…
Kane lunged forward.
But the pistol cracked.
A blast of fire burst through his upper arm. For a moment, he halted. His next step felt as if it were in midair, then he staggered.
Gus wailed like a banshee and ran around him.
Kane reached out…but she slipped through is fingers.
“Bastard!” she yelled at Carrot Nose in a French accent that could call the dead. Her arm up, she went for the fiend.
And he had her. Christ, he had her!
Kane’s head whirled.
Around the waist, Carrot Nose pulled Gus to him.
But she fought.
Kane’s knees buckled, but, mouth open, he watched her fight like Medusa. With fists and feet, she kept the poor sod busy.
Carrot Nose bellowed and cursed her.
But she broke free, faced Kane, her green eyes eerie with hate.
The bastard caught her back against him.
Kane blinked, his vision clear. He reached a hand to her…
Gus grinned at Kane in a triumphant, ugly sneer. Her left arm came up…and whipped down.
Carrot Nose howled like a wounded beast.
Gus walked from Carrot’s sagging arms, free.
Kane gaped.
She came for him, smiling, all crisp matron. “Come now.” With an arm under Kane’s good one, she buttressed him and said, “He’s down. Theaubergefor us, my love.”
