Page 113 of Tell No One
“Just having a shower,” Lincoln said.
“I hear they were skimming stones.”
“I thought a short period of freedom would do them good.”
“Did you?”
“Well, they can’t get anywhere. I didn’t see the harm.”
“You let them go outside after I’d told you that was one of the rules? They only leave the house under supervision. Think before you answer.”
When Ahsan turned off the water, Tag reached in and switched it on again, mouthingstay there.
“They left on their own,” Lincoln said. “They were resting. It’s Tag’s fault. He’s a bad influence.”
That was true.
“I thought I could trust you to look after them.”
“You can.”
Norbury didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Make sure they eat well tonight and go to bed early. At some point the Russian will call for Tag. Escort him yourself. Do not let him roam around. He has a habit of escaping. And youare not to touch either Ahsan or Tag. Understand?”
“Yes.”
At the sound of the door closing, Tag nodded to Ahsan to turn off the water. When they were both dry, they walked back into the room naked.
“Don’t bother putting your clothes on,” Lincoln said. “It’s food and straight to bed tonight. What would you like for dinner?”
Delaney sat at the dining table with the Frenchman on one side and Norbury on the other. After a butternut squash and coconut soup, fillets of highland venison with port and redcurrant jus had been served. Delaney helped himself to potato Dauphinoise and roast parsnips. To his amusement, Alec Dronfield was a vegan and he’d been given Portobella Stroganoff.
In what sort of world did being a vegan sit comfortably with paying millions to hunt and kill people? Killing animals was wrong but not killing people?Jesus Christ.Delaney wasn’t naive. The world had plenty of people willing to do things others would think were evil. He was one of them, but to pay to hunt people who’d done nothing, then walk away and let others clean up the mess you’d made—Delaney hoped the world would have fewer of these fuckers tomorrow.
Henry wanted them alive, but Delaney would do whatever was necessary to protect Tag. And maybe Ahsan too. He’d been shocked when he’d first seen the two of them in puppy gear.
“Don’t you think?” Norbury asked.
“Sorry. Day-dreaming,” Delaney said.
“I was saying the earlier we start, the better. The weather forecast is excellent. We need to make the most of it.”
Delaney nodded. “How long before we follow?”
“All the details will be given after dinner.”
“I like your castle.”
“It was a wreck when I bought it. One fascinating find in the attic was the estate’s old game books. Handwritten accounts of every duck, pheasant, deer or grouse that was shot here over the year. The hunters’ names and the weather conditions were also recorded.”
“Not good idea to continue that tradition,” Delaney said.
Norbury laughed. “I agree. The entry that amused me the most was one that said, ‘The birds seemed disinclined to fly today.’”
Delaney chuckled.They won’t want to tomorrow either but you won’t let them say no.“Do you organise regular shoots?”
“No. I shoot grouse but I’m a green laird. More interested in the value of the natural assets: the wonderful scenery, forests to absorb carbon and habitats that sustain biodiversity. I’ve invested in peatland restoration and planted thousands of trees.”
Sanctimonious prick.“Tiring work,” Delaney said.
