Page 35 of Angel's Flight

Christine did recall – vividly.She heard the shot that ended Antoine’s life over and over in her nightmares.But it hadn’t been Erik that killed him, and Antoine, rapist and killer himself, had deserved his fate.Of that, Christine was certain, and that certainty gave her strength.

“Then you have been lied to,” Christine exhaled.“It’s you who serves a monster.Or the ghost of one.”

“Keep telling yourself that."

“You saidourandwe.You work with whoever it was harassing the baroness,” Christine went on, trying to steady herself.“That was months ago.”

“We did lose you for a while after that,” Pauline sighed.“But a recent uptick in correspondence from Paris changed our fortunes.The delay allowed us to learn about you and Monsieur Gilbride.Such an interesting choice – his mother’s name.Rare in France, but so common in Ireland.Especially around – what was her backwater village called?Coolaney - that’s right.”

“You will not involve any more innocent people in this,” Christine growled, and Pauline laughed.

“Like the sweet family of dear Jack here?Or whoever this useless lout is?”Pauline nodded backward towards Howard.“Mark my words, gentlemen, this strumpet and her phantom aren’t your friends.They are using you like they’ve used all the others they’ve hurt and discarded.I wonder, Christine, did Erik offer you to them as payment for their help?I’m sure you’re quite the obliging whore since you can’t—”

Christine’s slap echoed through the room, leaving a red welt on Pauline’s pale cheek.“How dare you?”she breathed, shaking in anger and shame at what she had done.What she was.What Jack and Howard would see her and Erik as now.

“So, the angel has a spine,” Pauline muttered.“I still don’t know what your Erik sees in you.What sort of caring wife doesn’t even ask after her husband when he’s in danger?”

Christine launched herself at Pauline, only to be caught by Howard.

“Madame Gilbride, a word,” Howard admonished.He was strong for his size, and Christine couldn’t resist as he guided her away from the woman she very much wanted to strangle.“Jack,guardala.”

“Felicemente,” Jack replied, stepping in front of Pauline with a frown.“See.Not useless.”

Howard hauled her out of the kitchen, letting her go once the door was shut.They were in the bright summer sun in the courtyard now, and Christine had never felt so exposed.Everything she had tried to hide and run from for months had found her.Jack and Howard were going to believe Pauline because half of what she had said was true, and the rest was so easy to believe after all she had done...

“I’m sorry,” Christine whispered to Howard and the sky.She was sorry for everything, but it didn’t matter.

“Take a breath.She’s upsetting you on purpose, Christine,” Howard said, calm and soothing in a way that shocked her.“She wants you off guard so you’ll let her go.”

“She wants you to turn on me,” Christine argued, shaking her head.“What she said about Erik and me...I’m not...”

“I know,” Howard said simply, and the storm in Christine’s heart suddenly subsided.

“What?”

“I said I know,” Howard repeated with a lopsided smile.“You’re not the monster she says.”

Christine stared into his pale eyes, her panic receding.“You barely know me.You’ve never even met Erik.”

“Christine, the first night I met you, I knew I could trust you with a confession I’ve made to very few friends,” Howard said, taking her hand.It was remarkable how much the simple contact grounded her, as did the sincerity in Howard’s eyes.“Men like me must be careful, as I’m sure you know.I have a sense of who I can trust – who I can tell is kind.I trusted you because my heart said to, and I was right to do so.I can only assume a man like your husband who has charmed you and Jack, is just as remarkable.I don’t see why the ravings of an obsessed lunatic who has been hired by some other villain to pursue you should change that.”

Christine sniffled, noticing the tears on her cheeks for the first time.“I’ve been so afraid to be found out.”

“I can understand that too,” Howard replied with a shrug.“But you must ask yourself: who are you?Are you the version of Christine that she wants you to be?The one she can hurt and manipulate?Or are you more?”

Christine felt like some restraint on her soul that she hadn’t known was there had suddenly been released.A weight lifted as Howard smiled at her.“I know who I am.You’re right.”

“Good girl.”Howard squeezed her hand.“Let’s deal with this harpy.Have you any ideas other than slapping her again?I don’t think that will make her talk, despite how satisfying it might feel.”

Christine laughed weakly and shook her head.“I guess we will keep her here until Erik comes back.I can’t make this sort of decision without him.I don’t want to endanger you or Jack though.I’m sorry to involve either of you.”

“We are helping you because your goodness is clear,” Howard replied with a reassuring squeeze of Christine’s hand.“I also don’t want to see your life destroyed before I can hear this music of your husband’s.It’s made Jack brave enough to get involved, so it must be quite impressive.”

“He’ll be delighted to share, I’m sure.Until then, is there a cellar here?”

“Where else would they keep the wine?”Howard asked back with a wink.

The scene was unchanged when they entered, save for Jack sporting a deeper frown.

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