Page 10 of Unbroken
There was nothing to do but hastily retreat. A few minutes later, Irene drove them back out through the gates, an angry Tubbs glaring from the door as if to make sure they left.
“That could have gone better,” Sebastian said.
Irene’s dark eyes narrowed. “Don’t worry. We’ll get our hands on the guest list. One way or another.”
CHAPTER 6
“I think you might have handled things a bit more delicately,” Ves suggested that evening as Irene drove them home. He and Noct sat in the rear, curtained off from the outside world except for a gap in the windows between front and back seats.
“We can’t just let some random person stumble about while the School of Night prowls around and some maniac is using the Book of Blood to kill people,” Irene shot back.
Noct sighed. “Perhaps a bit of misdirection would have kept him happy, my heart. As opposed to outright refusal.”
“I suppose, but he’s a very unpleasant man,” she replied, unrepentant. “Let him stew. We’ll find a way to talk to the butler on our own. Or any of the other servants who might know.”
“Just…I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe take Mortimer next time you need someone’s cooperation,” Ves said. Though Mortimer’s personality could be abrasive, to say the least, he had a knack for charming people when he needed to.
Irene started to protest, but Sebastian said, “No, Ves is right. I at least should have handled things better. I suppose I wasn’t expecting him to want to join our investigation, rather than simply report back to him. I wish I knew if he’s trustworthy.”
“After what happened with Arthur, I don’t trust anyone but us around these damned Books,” Irene said darkly.
She had a point. Arthur Fairchild had been a fellow librarian and close friend of Sebastian’s. Yet the Book of Breath still corrupted him. Tubbs might start out trustworthy, then be lured in by some promise of power. “Best not to chance it,” Ves agreed.
Irene pulled up to the curb outside of the Rath house. “Good night, all. I’ll be speaking with Rupert again tonight, so wish me luck.”
“Good luck. We’ll see you in the morning,” Noct said, before pulling a blanket over his head and climbing on Ves’s back to conceal himself for the few steps from the auto to the gate.
The oldest children, Willie, Helen, and Jossie, were engrossed in some sort of skipping game in the side yard. As soon as they spotted them, Helen called, “Mama has a visitor.”
A flash of resentment went through Ves: Noct would have to remain out of sight, and he’d have to keep on his coat to prevent anyone from asking about the slashes in the back of his vest. It was followed immediately by a stronger flush of shame. Bonnie not only had every right to friends outside the household, she likely needed them. And of course some of them would want to visit her at home.
Noct took the direct route, up a tree and through the attic window to his room. Sebastian and Ves entered in a more ordinary fashion. The smell of roasting meat greeted them inside, and Sebastian made a face, perhaps remembering the poor woman whose sickbed he’d visited.
“We’re home!” Sebastian called as they hung up their hats and suit coats.
“In here,” Bonnie responded, but her voice lacked its usual cheery note.
Ves exchanged a glance with Sebastian, then they both went into the sitting room. Bonnie rocked back and forth near the unlit fireplace, baby Clara fast asleep on her shoulder. In her free hand she held a letter. Across from her sat an old woman with a round face and apple cheeks, dressed in a dark gray frock. Her gnarled fingers were busy knitting, but her sympathetic gaze was fixed on Bonnie.
“No man is worth crying over, dear,” she said. “My first husband ran off to South America and died there—or that’s what I told my second, though the old fool might well be alive to this day, for all I know.”
Sebastian looked at the letter in Bonnie’s hand. “Is that from…?”
“Jeremy.” She crumpled the paper in her fingers. “He’s not coming back.”
Not exactly surprising, after Sebastian had attacked Jeremy with the magic he’d gained from the Books. Still, it must be a blow.
The old woman tucked her knitting away in a bag and made to rise. “I should probably be going.”
Bonnie seemed to recover herself. “I’m sorry—Mrs. Caroline Adams, this is my brother, Sebastian Rath, and our boarder, Vesper Rune.”
Mrs. Adams beamed at them. “What fine young men you are! I just moved in down the block and wanted to meet my neighbors.”
“She’s in the old Szawlowski place,” Bonnie said, and Sebastian nodded, the name apparently familiar to him. “She stopped by just after the mail came and was good enough to keep me company.”
“No trouble at all, dear.” Mrs. Adams hitched her bag over her shoulder. “I’m only glad I could be of some help. And now that I know you have such adorable children, the next time I come I’ll be sure to bring my famous gingerbread cookies.”
“Thank you, truly.” Bonnie made as if to rise, but Mrs. Adams tutted at her.
