Page 84 of Betrayal from Beyond
“I am sure we can use you. We are going to need all the help we can get,” Niall said grimly.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Worry ate ather all during the short train ride, but Kara pulled in a deep breath as they disembarked.Think. Focus. Find Harold. Then find Petra.They could do this.
She felt nearly fully recovered from her dose of opium. Perhaps the chill in the air helped. She hadn’t drifted off, even with the sway of the train. Turner, however, had begun to fade, and he whitened a little more with each step along the platform.
Nudging Niall, she nodded toward her oldest friend. He followed her hint. He ran an assessing gaze over the older man, then gave her a return nod.
“Let’s head straight out for the line of hacks,” she said, taking Turner’s arm and moving off at a slower pace than she normally would have used. “Niall and Dalton can bring our bits of luggage and meet us there.”
Once they made their way outside, she allowed Turner to hail a hackney. They stood next to it as the others caught up to them.
“All right now,” Niall began with authority. “Here is when we split up. Turner, you go straight to Stayme’s. Inform him of Harold’s disappearance.”
“And Gyda,” Kara interjected.
“And Gyda,” Niall repeated. “The viscount’s network should be familiar with the boy. They can check in at all of Harold’s usual London haunts. Make sure they know we are covering Preston’s work and home.”
“If Stayme has found any information on who Petra might be targeting, then I imagine Gyda will leave Harold to us and waste no time setting out in pursuit,” Kara said.
“If she hasn’t gone out already,” Niall said dryly.
“It’s a lot of pieces to juggle.” Kara turned to Turner. “It will help if you stay at Stayme’s for now and act as coordinator. We will all report in to you. You can send out vital information to the right parties as needed.”
Turner knew what she was doing. She could see it in his eyes. But he merely nodded, which told her he felt as bad as she suspected, which made her worry more.
“Don’t take too long to send word of what you find,” the butler cautioned before he climbed in the hack.
“We’ll join you at Berkeley Square as soon as we can.”
The cab started off, and Niall waved for another to move up. “Dalton, Preston’s rooms are at—”
“No,” Kara interrupted. “You and I have to split up, Niall.” He started to object, but she raised a hand. “Dalton doesn’t know Preston from the prince. We need someone who knows the man at each site. Dalton can come with me to Westminster. You head over to his rooms.” She paused, thinking. “If Preston is not there, stay and keep watch. We will do the same. If you do find him or Harold, then come to find us once you’ve figured out what is going on.”
“I don’t like separating from you,” Niall said with a frown. “You’ve had two close calls with that woman in as many days.”
“I’ll watch over her,” Dalton assured him. “If that Scot woman shows her face, she will be too busy dealing with me to worry over the duchess.”
Niall started to speak, but then shook his head. “Fine. If anything goes wrong, head straight to Stayme’s. I’ll find you there.”
“Agreed.” She read the concern in his face and burrowed into his arms.
He held her tight. She never wanted to leave the warmth and love he wrapped around her, but Harold was out there, likely trying to prove his bravery and worth. She needed to find him and convince him that they already knew both. That he proved himself every day with his contagious laugh, his kind heart, his willing work ethic, and his eagerness to learn. “We will find him, won’t we?” she whispered. “She doesn’t have him?”
“Unlikely. Not yet. It’s Preston that worries me now.”
“He wouldn’t hurt him, surely,” she protested. She could not have read the man so wrong.
“No. Not in the normal course of things. But if he is forced to weigh Harold’s safety against Tom’s?” Niall shrugged.
Hearing it said out loud made it easier to step away. “Let’s go, then. We need to find Preston before he has to make such a choice.”
She kissed Niall fiercely and climbed in the cab. Dalton followed, and the hack set out for Westminster. It was not a long trip. Kara directed the driver to let them down right near the construction entrance they had used before. As Dalton paid the driver, she approached the gated entrance.
“Good morning,” she said brightly, relieved to find the same porter stationed there. “I see you are having a bit of a slower day today.”
The porter blinked. “Duchess!” he said after a moment. “Yes. Not so many deliveries today. But have you come to visit with Mr. Preston again, ma’am? Or have you another appointment?”
