Page 85 of The Lady Glass
Theresia. She was so close. But why was she working with Lewis to crack a code?
“This is ridiculous.” The anger in Theresia’s voice was filled with strain and... fear. “There is nothing here, Mr. Lewis. There’s no literal treasure.”
“You’re lying.”
“No, Mr. Lewis. You’re being delusional. If there were such a treasure, why would the glassblowers protect it when many of them can barely eke out a living? You must see the truth in what I’m saying. Just let me leave with the vase, and I will pay you whatever I have.”
The vase? Lewis had the vase? With a sickening whirl, all thepieces of the puzzle slid into place. Lewis had been in London at the time of the first murder. Lewis was the one who’d planned for Rolland’s father to be in the same house as the murderer. Lewis was fluent in French. Lewis was the one who’d killed Michael and had been ready to do the same to Rolland’s father.
It was like someone had punched Rolland in the gut. But why? Why had Lewis done it?
There was no time to demand an explanation.
He slipped into the room, hoping not to be seen. Lewis’s back blocked his view of Theresia sitting at his desk. The only glimpse of her from this angle was her dress pooling under the desk. Lewis bent forward and waved a gun in Theresia’s face, making Rolland’s blood boil.
Lewis pointed to the vase, his voice more agitated than normal. “There’s a row of suns, a row of stars, and then another row of suns cut into the glass, and an equal number of gems. Tell me what it means!”
“I’ve already told you I know nothing about any significance behind the symbols. I can appraise its value for you and no more.” She dinged the vase with her nail, producing a reverberating ring. “Do you hear that? It is the sound of its rich quality. The more cuts and the more intricate the pattern, the more expensive the crystal is. It’s absent of scratches or nicks or irregularity. It’s perfect. The gems, the gold—they only enhance what was already so beautifully handmade.”
Rolland stepped closer while she spoke, fearing his breathing or footfalls would give him away if the pounding of his heart did not.
“I don’t have time for this,” Lewis growled. “The vase alone cannot fetch the price I require.”
“Then, sell it to me!” Theresia cried. “I will pay generously. Please.”
Lewis laughed. “Do you think me a fool? I shall take it toanother glassblower to read. It is you I am done with.”
The board beneath Rolland’s foot creaked, and Lewis spun around. Rolland had narrowed the gap between them, but not enough to reach for the gun, which was now aimed at his chest.
He lifted his hands up slowly into the air. “Lewis.”
“Rolland?” Lewis lifted his brow. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t be far behind this one.” He motioned toward Theresia with his head.
Rolland could see her clearly for the first time, a Bohemian angel wrapped in a cloak of the sky, holding his heart in her trembling hands. She was terrified and so was he.
Would she die before he could confess? Would he die?
Heaven help them.
His gaze darted back to Lewis and his unwavering gun. Why was this happening? This was his friend, not some stranger. He swallowed. “You said yourself you have no more need of her. Send her out, and you can tell me why you’re pointing that thing at your best friend.”
Lewis’s face fell, but only briefly, before hardening once more. “You weren’t ever supposed to know. Now that you do, I cannot let Miss Dvorak go. I have to have a reason for you to do as I say.”
“I’ll do exactly as you say. Just let her go.”
Theresia was slowly standing from her seat behind Lewis.
Lewis growled. “You’re telling me what I want to hear, but I know your tricks. I know Marcus’s and Cadogen’s too. How else do you think I managed to keep such a big secret right under your noses?”
“You managed to trick us because we trusted you.” Rolland took a small step sideways, trying to inch closer to Theresia and warn her not to try anything hasty. “Please, Lewis. In respect for our friendship, all I ask is for you to spare her.”
“What friendship? You forgot all about me the moment you joined the navy. You could have shared in my spoils, but youwere too wrapped up in yourself—your mourning, your noble cause, your selfless honor. You thought only of yourself. Did you even know that I’ve lost nearly everything? My idiotic father gambled away my fortune right before he lost his mind. Now he’s locked up in a madhouse, and I’m the only one left to pick up the pieces.”
Rolland gaped. “I had no idea.”
“Of course you didn’t. I’ve had to rely on my wits to make ends meet, all whilst hiding my own pathetic father from Society.” Lewis shook his head, clearly humiliated by his tale but needing to confess too. “Then again,” he finished, “you never wrote to ask either. The only missives you sent were in response to inquiries from me.”
“I’ve never been one to wax long on words, Lewis. You know that.” But he should have tried harder. He should’ve prevented this. “I can’t apologize enough for not being a better friend. I should have seen your suffering.”
