A devilish complication.That’s what this was.
By the time he walked through the front door he wanted only two things: a large glass of brandy and to share what he’d learned with Samantha.
But as luck would have it, he arrived at Number 3 St.James’s Square exactly as Kendrick was descending the front steps of the house.The chief constable paused on the pavement, a dark look in his eyes as Adrian climbed from the carriage.
“I was beginning to think your butler a liar,” said Kendrick while Adrian paid the driver.“Wouldn’t have thought you’d be out so often after all the excitement in recent days.”
“I’ve had a lot of tasks to attend to since the fire.”Adrian started up the front steps, fully aware of Kendrick following right on his heels.“Acquiring a new house involves certain logistics, to say nothing of all the meetings I’ve had to have with the bank, the insurance company, various dress makers and tailors, my secretary, and the workers tasked with clearing the rubble on Portman Square.”
He knocked on the door which was instantly opened by Elks.
“Fair point,” Kendrick conceded.“Mind if I come in?”
“I do, actually.”Adrian stopped in the doorway.“It’s been a long day, so if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to relax with my family now.I can stop by your office in the morning.”
“I’m afraid that won’t do.”Kendrick whistled and a couple of Runners peeled away from the shadowy corners nearby.“You see, I remember what happened now, and I am not going to wait until tomorrow morning for us to discuss it.So you can either let me in, or I can arrest you and let you spend the night in a cell.Your choice.”
It took tremendous effort for Adrian not to roll his eyes and sigh with exasperation.Fine.Best get this over with once and for all so they could move on.
Without saying another word, Adrian entered the foyer where he proceeded to take off his hat and gloves.Kendrick did the same and Elks closed the door, shutting out the rest of the world, along with Kendricks’s Runners.
To Elks Adrian said, “Please ask my wife and Murry to join the chief constable and me in the study,” before striding toward the room from which he’d been conducting his business in recent days.
He went straight to the side table and collected a glass.
“Brandy?”he asked, sending Kendrick a sidelong look when the man strolled in after him.A shake of the head gave Adrian his answer.He shrugged one shoulder and proceeded to pour himself a full measure.“Suit yourself.”
“You rendered me unconscious.”The comment was forcefully spoken — an accusation backed up by certainty.“I could have you charged with violence against an officer of the law.Make you spend a few years in prison.”
“But you won’t,” Adrian said, his gaze locking with Kendrick’s as he took a large sip of brandy.
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re not that big of an ass.”
Kendrick snorted.“No.That title goes entirely to you.”
Adrian stilled.He studied Kendrick more closely, noted the frosty expression in his light blue eyes, the firm set of his mouth, and the overall tension that made him look far more rigid than Adrian had ever see him.
This wasn’t a man who was merely angry because of what had occurred.
It was a man who felt humiliated, betrayed, and possibly even exploited.
Were Adrian in his position, he’d be furious.So rather than make excuses, he squared his shoulders and faced Kendrick directly.“You’re right.I abused your trust and our collaboration with each other, but I did so for your sake, so you would not be implicated in what had to happen.”
“That’s a bunch of horseshit, Croft, and you know it.You acted as you always do, in your own self-interest, with zero consideration for the larger impact.”
“Watch it, Kendrick.You’re in my home.”
“What of it?”Kendrick seethed.“Will you knock me out cold again if you disagree with what I’m saying?Or will you just have me killed next time?”When Adrian didn’t respond, he continued.“You are constantly blinded by your need for vengeance.Against Newton, against Lawrence, against Mrs.Hillford, against Doctor Ashburry, Mrs.Lester, and now O’Leary.Where the hell does it end?”
Edward’s words echoed, carving out a hollow spot in Adrian’s chest.But it wasn’t pain or regret that poured in and filled it, but rather the harsh reality with which he was faced.
His ribs closed around that grim awareness and tucked it against his beating heart.“With the destruction of the person who orchestrated my sister’s death.Everything else is just an attempt at passing the time until I find them.”
“You need to stop and let the law work as intended.”
“I would, if I believed the law capable of doing its job effectively.Provided we’re not discussing those who target me and my family directly.Don’t ask me to let their fates be decided by others.”
