Page 170 of Storm of Bells
At the sight of the key ring, Mr Ambrose’seyes glinted. ‘That…’
‘What? You know what that’s for?’
‘I have my suspicions. And if it leads whereI think it does….’
The look in his eyes said it all.
Suddenly, from outside, I heard the sound offootsteps coming down the corridor.
‘Quick!’
Pulling Lord Dalgliesh’s shirt straight, Itugged the covers up to his ears to hide the tears and slits in hisclothes. I stepped back—then hesitated. Quickly, I stepped forwardand tweaked his nose, once, hard. Yes! A dream fulfilled, awonderful memory created! Grinning, I stepped back again, just intime.
Behind me, the door swung open and the doctorrushed in. I turned to meet him with a smile, hiding my secretstash behind my back.
‘Welcome, Doctor! So glad you could joinus.’
‘It’s my pleasure, Miss…?’
‘Linton, Sir. Lilly Linton. And this is myfiancé, Lord Rikkard Ambrose.’
‘My Lord.’ The doctor bowed. ‘Let me assureyou I shall do my very best to take care of your friend.’
‘You have no idea,’ Mr Rikkard Ambrose toldhim, his eyes glacial, ‘how much I appreciate that.’
‘Excellent. Let’s start, shall we?’ Steppinginto the room, the doctor glanced down at the vicar who,apparently, was still lying unconscious on the floor. A fact that Iprobably should have paid more attention to before now.
‘Ah. Is that the patient?’
‘Err…no.’ I cleared my throat. ‘He justkeeled over because of the real one.’ I jabbed my thumb at the bed.‘The bloody one.’
‘Intriguing.’ Raising an eyebrow, the doctorstepped over to Dalgliesh’s side and put down his black bag. ‘It’snot every day an unconscious patient manages to knock somebody elseunconscious. Let’s see…’
‘Please, give him plenty of laudanum, Doctor,will you.’ I put on the most sympathetic expression I could manage.‘Let’s not make him suffer.’And let’s make sure he’ll beknocked out for as long as possible.
The doctor gave me a warm smile. ‘I shallgive him an extra dose. You’re a compassionate woman, MissLinton.’
Oh yes, I always make sure to medicatepeople after shooting them.‘Thank you, Doctor. I…I have to gonow. The repairs in the village are by no means finished.’
‘But…wait.’ He glanced down at the vicar’sprone form. ‘Who will take care of the reverend? I can’t look aftertwo people at once. Not with one of them bleeding so profusely.Someone else must—’
‘I’ll do it.’ Beaming like an angel of mercywith expensive lingerie, Jenny leaned downward and stroked thevicar’s cheek. ‘’e’ll be in good ‘ands with me. I’ll take care of‘im.’
‘That’s wonderful, Miss! I’m sure he’llappreciate it.’
‘Oh…’ Her smile widened. ‘I’ll make sure ofthat.’
Mr Ambrose took that opportunity to grab myarm and drag me out of the room. Probably a good idea, all thingsconsidered. In my opinion, we had urgent things to take care of—andhe seemed to agree. The moment the door had closed behind him, hewhirled to face one of his men waiting outside in the corridor.
‘Where is Dalgliesh staying?’
The man snapped to attention. ‘We observedhim leaving a manor house in the vicinity. It is located—’
‘—to the south, outside down the road toCornwall, right?’
The man’s eyebrows shot up. ‘H-how did youknow?’
I wanted to know the answer to thatparticular question myself.
