Page 99 of Under the Earl's Wicked Spell

“We want some answers as to why you shot a fellow soldier,” Charlie said, not looking at him as he led the way towards the rocks. “Only a maniac would target an officer like that, knowing that it’s a hanging offence it caught.”

“I didn’t shoot anyone! You’ve got the wrong man!”

“I’ve tracked you from Rafe’s house all the way up here. I know you’re our man.”

“Tracked me? You’re lying!”

Rafe barked out a laugh.

“Trust me, he knows what he’s talking about. Now, watch your footing, otherwise, you’re going to end up…oh!” Asante stumbled and landed on his knees on the jagged rocks. “A bit like that, I suppose.”

Asante let out a cry of pain, and Charlie moved the knife away as the man almost took him down as well. With a growl, Charlie hauled Asante to his feet.

“There’s plenty of time for screaming later. Now get moving.”

“No! Let me go!”

Rafe and Charlie ignored him as they pulled him along, getting to a little alcove where the rocks flattened out. There was a small cave tucked away behind the rocks, and Rafe pointed towards it.

“That’s a good place to stop.”

“Good idea.” Charlie flashed his knife at Asante. “Don’t even think about running. We’re a lot faster than you.”

They reached the cave, Asante practically being dragged along, and then they dumped him on the sand just inside the mouth of the cave. He sprawled on the ground for a moment before scrambling to his feet in a flurry of sand, swinging around on Rafe and Charlie, who now blocked his way outside.

“This is ridiculous! You can’t do this! And you!” He pointed at Rafe. “You’re a member of the nobility who thinks they’re above everyone else. You think this is going to be well-received when people find out what you’ve done?”

“Seeing as I’m already a pariah for something I haven’t done, I don’t think that’s something I’m too worried about.” Rafe folded his arms. “Now, why did you shoot Lieutenant Millinchip?”

“Who?”

“The officer who came to my house to tell me what happened that day. Why did you do it?”

Asante snorted.

“You can’t seriously think that I did it, can you?”

“We know it was you.” Rafe gestured at Charlie. “This man is the best at what he does. He knows exactly who it was who hid in my garden and shot at the soldier who was doing the right thing in telling us who didn’t kill Richard Hayward.”

“Are you just trying to get out of it?”

“Are you?”

The two men glared at each other. Rafe could see Asante wavering. He was backed into a corner, and he knew he was in trouble. Rafe glanced at Charlie.

“Do you think we should let the local magistrate know about this? I mean, someone was killed. He should be able to get the answers.”

“Killed?” Asante stiffened. “He was killed?”

“The doctor tried to save him, but it was no good. You killed him pretty cleanly.” Rafe nodded. “That’s a hanging offence, and we’ll make sure you go to the gallows.”

Asante’s face paled in the moonlight. Then he shook his head.

“No! No, that wasn’t meant to happen! I was only meant to scare him!”

Charlie arched an eyebrow.

“Scare him? What could you possibly get out of shooting him to scare him?”

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