Page 26 of All Hallows Trick

“Don’t get used to it.” I watched him as we walked on. “You’re strangely okay with me setting you up for murder.”

“They sent the crossbow off for lab testing. It won’t come back with my prints on it. And if it does, Mummy and Daddy will just pay off the judge.”

Hearing him say Mummy and Daddy so seriously like that, no sarcasm at all, reminded me of Byron. My heart squeezed into a tight, compact pain. “I’m so sorry, Duncan, seriously. I didn’t want to do this to you.”

“I know. How much was the bail?”

“A hundred thousand.”

“Jesus.”

“That’s what I said.”

“What do they think I am, a serial killer?”

“I think they’re making an example of you.”

“Because I’m a student?” he demanded, affronted.

“Because you’re a rich boy,” I laughed. “And a Ford, with the whole island named after you.”

“Named after my asshole great-great-great-et-cetera-uncle Bartholomew Andrew Glothen Ford.”

“Glothen?” I gave him a horrified look.

“A name he made up himself at the ripe age of thirty-eight.”

“God,” I said.

“Exactly. Since I don’t have Glothen in my name, I don’t think I should be punished like that crusty old bastard. If anyone should have been locked up it was old uncle Bartholomew. He owned people.People,Cat.”

“I should have saved my ‘god’for now.”

Duncan nodded, eyeing the gates of Ford when they came into view. “Yeah, that was a premature use on your part. Owning people definitely deserved an appalledgod.”

My chest tightened as I looked at him, seeming for all the world like he was okay and amused and not traumatised. “Will you be okay, Duncan? Honestly, no bullshit.”

“Honestly, no bullshit, I haven’t been alright since I got here.”

“Well, I don’t know if you still want a friend when they got you arrested, but I’m here for you. Fuck, that’s cliche.”

Duncan gave me a look. “You’re cheesy as fuck, Wallison. But I appreciate it.” He stopped on the path, unbuttoned my coat and handed it back. “Thanks for coming to bail me out. Hopefully I never have to return the favour someday.”

“I don’t plan on getting arrested, so you’re in the clear. And thanks for understanding.”

His attention drifted to Virgil, walking a clear distance behind us. Tor and Madde were right behind us, protective mother hens that they were. Or—oh, no. Judging by the dark looks on their faces,jealous husband henswas more accurate.

“Not your fault. Just don’t make a habit of getting me locked up,” Duncan replied. He walked backwards a few steps. “You’re not staying, are you? You look like you’re waiting to run.”

I sighed. “Yeah, I—”

My whole body jolted when the vibrator turned on. Ohhhh fuck no.

“I can’t stay here,” I managed to finish, my voice strangled. Luckily, Duncan must have thought bad memories were getting to me because he didn’t question it.

“Take care,” he said, glancing at Virgil, then the empty road. “I hope she leaves you alone.”

“Likewise,” I breathed, pulling my coat back on for something to do. I shot Miz a warning glare. He just watched me with a dark, intense stare.

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