She licked her dry lips. “There are things I need to tell you.”
The floor shook as her train resumed its trip.
Horror filled Christopher’s eyes. He gripped the edge of the window. “Stop the train!”
She wasn’t sure to whom he was shouting because she had no idea how to stop a train. There was a loud whistle, then the train gained speed.
“Find a train guard,” were Christopher’s last words before she lost visual contact with him.
A guard? One of those rail workers who handled the brakes? She ran towards the direction where she’d seen the attendant. The train was still painfully slow, but as soon as it passed the next station, it’d speed up.
“Sir!” she shouted, waving a hand at the attendant.
The man scowled. “Ma’am?”
“You have to stop the train. I must leave the train this instant. Please.”
“But, but you wanted the train to go faster a moment ago.” His hat dropped to his eyes.
“Stop the train. Now! It’s an emergency.”
The man paled. “Oh, Lord, is it a fire? A fire?”
Pearl blinked. “No. I mean, yes! Fire!”
“Fire!” someone yelled from the other side of the aisle.
In a moment, shouts of fire ricocheted off every corner of the train. The attendant ran away, like a rabbit chased by a hound. A whistle rang out, and the train skidded to a stop so abruptly, she slammed against the wall. Pain exploded in her head, but she pushed off the wall and staggered to the closer exit. Screaming passengers crammed the aisle, shoving each other aside.
“Move, move.” She made her way through the mob.
“That’s what we’re trying to do!” a woman snapped.
One of the doors opened, and the pressure of the bodies squashing her eased.
Finally, she breathed fresh air when her feet landed on the grass of somewhere. Christopher’s train was still parked yards from her in the station. He was running on the field next to the rails in his uneven gait, dark hair flapping his face. Pearl ran towards him as well.
All the air in her lungs was flushed out with a breath when he was a few feet from her. He slowed his pace, shoulders tensing under the coat. His jaw muscle ticked, and his fingers clenched the pommel of his walking stick.
“I was searching for you,” he said, his voice harsh.
“So was I.” She couldn’t bring herself to touch him. His scent and warmth hit her senses.
Behind him, Cowasj, Dorian, and Benedict arrived.
Christopher opened his mouth, but Cowasj cut him off.
“Where is the money?” Cowasj asked, striding towards her.
So that was the reason they were chasing her. The cursed money.
“I don’t know.” Pearl did her best to not recoil.
“Where did you hide it?” Cowasj took another step towards her, fire flashing in his gaze, but Christopher blocked him with an arm.
“Not here.” He shot a glare at her that tore a gasp of pain from her throat. “We’ll return to Gladstone and have a quiet chat together.”
Cold dread sank into her stomach. Christopher’s tone sounded bitter and determined. She didn’t want to be arrested. “Will you call the police?”
“You can bet!” Cowasj barked.
Dorian frowned. “Cowasj, please. We need to assess a few facts before calling the police.”
Christopher simply glowered, and her heart thumped faster in shame and fear. Not fear of being arrested though, but fear of having truly, deeply hurt him.
“I won’t call the police until I’ve talked to you,” Christopher said through gritted teeth.
It wasn’t the reassurance she wanted, but it was something, and if Miss Cherrywood had done her job, Pearl should be able to flee Gladstone in case of need. Besides, she didn’t have any other option. If she refused to go with them, they’d call the police immediately, and she wouldn’t have the chance to explain herself to Christopher.
