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The word “hunted” made me shiver. I knew his mania for me bordered on hatred. Sandor would kill me without flinching. I could almost feel his hands closing on my throat.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
“When I arrived in Paris, I set my men to work. They told me there was some talk in the bars and cafés of a woman who possessed beauty and grace beyond perfection. I knew, when I heard those descriptions for myself, that they spoke of you, my treasure. You name was linked with an Englishman named Eddie Jago, who proved surprisingly easy to find. A few drinks later and it was as if we had been friends for life. Within the hour, I had myself an invitation to his ancestral home. He is a fool.” His face softened as he gazed at me. “He does not love you, my jewel, this man you have chosen. This Eddie Jago.” I felt a tingle of relief. At least he had not guessed the truth. He must never suspect it. “The only warmth in his eyes when they look on your face is of friendship. And you are more his mother than his lover.” It was an echo of the words Cad had spoken. “I came here to kill him, but there is no need. He is no threat to me. You are still mine. When I leave this place you will be with me. I would prefer it to be willingly, but it doesn’t matter. You will come anyway.”
I gave a groan of pure frustration and swung on my heel, walking straight into Cad’s unyielding frame. He caught my upper arms to steady me and, as always, his touch made me want to throw myself into his arms in the most wanton, undignified manner imaginable. I restrained myself. Cad was watching Sandor over the top of my head, his expression enigmatic, his jaw tight. My mind raced back over the words Sandor and I had just exchanged. But we had spoken in Hungarian. There was no way Cad could know what we had said.
I saw Sandor’s eyes narrow slightly as they flickered from Cad’s face to mine. Later, when we were alone once more, he drew me to one side and said in a low voice, “Make no mistake, my jewel. Don’t play games with me or I will be forced to give you a little taste of what you have done to me. I will show you how it feels to lose someone you value.” Foolishly, my fear at the time was that he might be speaking of Cad.
* * *
Inspector Miller, his long face wearing the mask of a man living a nightmare, spent over an hour in Tynan’s study. Tynan relayed the details of their discussion after dinner that night. We were all present except Eleanor and Sandor, a fact that I could see was troubling Lucy. Tynan explained that another body had been found close to the railway line in Wadebridge. It was not, as was first suspected, Nellie Smith. The dead woman was a known prostitute, but there could be no doubt that the same man who had murdered Amy Winton was responsible.
“You will all be aware that Cad has come under some scrutiny from Miller because he was the last person to see Amy Winton alive.”
“I was not the last person to see her alive,” Cad said deliberately, lifting his gaze from the fire, which he had been studying intently. “The last person to see that poor child alive ripped her apart with a knife.”
“And was it you?” I was surprised at the depth of venom in Eddie’s voice. A sneer thinned his lips. “Did you do that to her, Cad?”
“You know I didn’t do it, Ed,” Cad replied calmly, returning his brother’s stare steadily. An ugly flush stained Eddie’s cheeks, but he maintained his belligerent, challenging stance.
“We all know Cad didn’t do it,” Lucy reproached, diffusing the taut atmosphere.
“Nevertheless, we also know how rumours spread, particularly where our family is concerned.” Tynan regained control of the conversation once more. “Take care, my son,” he spoke directly to Cad. “If you were not a Jago, I believe that Miller would be taking a more forceful approach toward you.”
“Then we must do all we can to help him find the sick bastard who is responsible,” Cad stated firmly. “Mustn’t we, Ed?” Eddie nodded a terse agreement, although he still appeared hostile. I wondered, with a queasy feeling tugging at my insides, if he really believed Cad could commit such atrocities. His face told me he did, and my nausea intensified.
