Page 101 of A Fearless Heart
“Up to eight now, I believe.”
“Oh, my Lord. And his friend was just one of them.”
“Well, Parrish wasn’t a friend. He was another agent who died as he was also tracking down the killer.”
“Wait, Gabesaidhe was a friend.”
“He said what he thought would make you sympathetic. I don’t think Mr Courtenay has many friends.”
“Can’t imagine why. And what else did he lie about in terms of this whole matter?”
Bond shrugged. “I wasn’t there for the first half, at your estate. But when dealing with spies, it’s best to assume they’re lying about everything unless they have to tell the truth because they’ll get caught otherwise. Even when they do tell the truth, it’s because they think it will be useful. I’m sorry you had to find out this way, my lady. He would have preferred you never knew, of course.”
“Oh, I’m sure ofthat. He really thought I was the killer, didn’t he?”
“At first…possibly,” Bond said. “When he gave us our instructions, however, he’d decided you couldn’t have done it, not least because you were never in London. But he knows you’re involved, so we’re to keep you safe.”
“Safe from what?”
“The real killer?”
“He talked about Trevor. He thinks Trevor did it. He thinks Trevor still has the poison with him and he’s running about London like a madman, randomly poisoning people.”
“Not randomly.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Cady snapped. “My brother isn’t evil!”
“As you say, my lady.”
There was a soft knock at the door, and Minnie stepped in. “Pardon me, but Mr Courtenay is here, my lady.”
“I am not at home.”
“He’s very anxious to talk to you.”
“I expect so, but I remain not at home. In fact, you can tell him that I will not be at home for the next thousand years. He can take his stupid spying and secret investigations and do whatever he likes on his own.”
Minnie nodded uncertainly. “Er, yes, my lady.”
“Use those exact words! And tell him he’s a bad gardener.”
“Ohhh.Yes, my lady.” Minnie closed the door, looking as if she’d been the one insulted.
Bond stood up. “Shall I fetch your breakfast?”
“I don’t care.” Cady rolled back onto her side, hiding from the world. The pain of Gabe’s deception was still raw, and even with Bond filling in some details, she didn’t know how she’d been so silly and naive. She’d given her whole heart to Gabe, and he’d just been playing a part.
But she was the one who had to live with herself now.
* * * *
Downstairs, Gabe did not take the news well.
“She said what?”
“Don’t make me repeat it, sir.” Minnie had tried to deliver the message in a flat, impersonal tone, but he heard all of Cady’s rage in the words.
“Look, she’s obviously distraught. I’ll go up there and explain everything.”
