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She made an impatient sound but stepped back.
Braden pulled out his kerchief and pressed it against Haxton’s shoulder, then eased him forward to get a look at his back. The blood on the sofa confirmed his suspicions.
“The shot went right through. You’re lucky, Haxton.”
“He was going to kill me,” the banker faintly replied.
Samantha whirled an impatient hand. “Again, clearly, but why?”
Logan joined them. “The butler says Haxton’s assailant arrived shortly before we did. Haxton seemed frightened but agreed to see the man in his study. Only a few minutes passed before the gunshots were fired.” He bent and picked up Haxton’s gun. “The old bastard was expecting trouble.”
“Have the butler fetch me clean cloths. The wound isn’t that bad, so once I bind it up we can question him.” Braden glanced at Samantha. “Can you find some whisky or brandy and pour him a glass?”
She nodded, and turned to search the room.
“Och, this bloody butler is no good,” Logan said, casting a disgusted glance at the man, still with his head between his knees. “I’ll find some cloths.”
Moments after he stalked out, Samantha returned with a glass of whisky.
Braden held it to Haxton’s lips. “Drink this.”
The man spluttered at first but managed a healthy swallow before subsiding back in his chair.
“Ho, you. Sit up,” Samantha called to the butler. “Where is the rest of the staff?”
The man slowly pulled himself upright, took out a kerchief, and mopped his face before answering. “There’s no one but me and—”
Logan came back into the room, followed by Kade.
“Kade found a maid hiding in the pantry,” Logan said, handing a stack of cloths to Braden. “I told her to stay where she was, for now.” Braden went to work binding up the wound, ignoring Haxton’s moans.
“Do you want me to check upstairs?” Kade asked.
“The kitchen maid and I are the only servants,” the butler interjected. “The master was to leave tomorrow for the family estate near Dumfries. The other staff have already gone ahead or been given holiday.”
Logan glanced around the room. “If this little tableau is any indication, I’d say Haxton knew he had to get the hell out of town.”
Braden propped Haxton up on some pillows and then rose to his feet. “I’d say he’s ready to talk.”
The banker peered up at them, fright lingering in his watery gaze. “I . . . I don’t feel up to talking. I need a doctor. I must go to bed.”
“You just saw a doctor,” Braden said. “And my medical assessment is that you’re perfectly capable of talking.”
“But the shock—”
Samantha brought the tip of her blade to inches from Haxton’s nose. “Will this help you get over the shock?”
“The lassie’s a true Kendrick,” Logan said with approval.
Braden pointed to the dead body on the floor. “Haxton, who is this man? Why did he want to kill you?”
“Andwhereis my sister?” Samantha asked through clenched teeth.
Haxton lifted a trembling hand to his perspiring forehead. “I know nothing about your sister, Lady Samantha. That is the God’s honest truth.”
Samantha brought the lethally sharp point to a hair’s breadth from his nose.
“I swear it!” Haxton yelped.
