Page 74 of Solving Sophronia

Sophie knew he wished to frighten her, that he derived a twisted sort of pleasure from the power he held over them. She held her head up and didn’t allow her fear to show.

“Sophie... ,” Prissy said.

“Just do what he says, and remain quiet,” Sophie told her. She didn’t take her eyes from Lord Everleigh’s pistol, staring at it in frozen fascination. She couldn’t have moved if she wanted to.

Footsteps sounded, and Hans Hofman entered the room.

Lord Everleigh turned away, and Sophie’s insides clenched. Her shaking started in earnest now.

Hans looked around the room with a horrified expression, his eyes growing wider as he took in the situation. “Vat is this, Everleigh? Vat have you done?”

“They know, Hans,” Everleigh said in a calm voice, shrugging a shoulder and smoothing down his mustache with the tips of his fingers. “It can’t be helped.”

Sophie looked back to the other exit. Maybe while the two men were distracted, speaking to each other... She caught Prissy’s gaze, motioning to the doorway with her eyes.

Prissy looked behind at the exit, then back to the men, shaking her head.

Mimi sat quietly on the other side of the room, petting Dorrit, but her face was ashen. Her composure was an act to keep her granddaughters calm. She was nearer to the exit than any of them.

Perhaps Mimi could make an escape. Sophie caught her grandmother’s eye, tipping her head toward the doorway.

Mimi gave a small shake of her head. She’d not leave her grandchildren behind.

Hans scrubbed his palms over his cheeks. “Everleigh, it must stop. We cannot keep... I cannot.” He motioned to the structure overhead. “I agreed only to burning the building. Nobody vould get hurt; ve vould have our railroad.” He lowered his hands and looked at the women. “But this. This has gone too far.”

“Do you want to hang, Hans?” Lord Everleigh spun the revolver in a slow rotation on his finger, watching it with a casual air. “I hear the long drop snaps a man’s neck almost immediately, but not always. Then, of course, you must slowly suffocate as your brain is deprived of blood and oxygen.”

Hans’s already pale face looked even whiter. “No. Of course not.”

Sophie caught Prissy’s gaze and darted her eyes to the exit again.Run!She tried to will the word from her thoughts to her sister’s.Go now!

“They are the only ones who know.” Lord Everleigh waved the pistol toward the women. “The police will never figure it out. This is the last of it, Hans. It ends today.”

Hans glanced at the ladies and back to his friend. After a moment he gave a reluctant nod.

Sophie’s blood went cold.

Everleigh smiled, patting Hans on the shoulder. He turned to face them. “Now, where to begin...” He glanced at his companion, spreading his hand as if being generous. “Would you care for the honors?”

Hans still looked sickened, but he clenched his jaw and nodded, looking resolved to what he must do.

Sophie tensed, ready to fight or run.

Hans looked between the women, and his gaze settled on Prissy. He started toward her.

Prissy scrambled back over the table, falling in her haste to escape. She fought against her skirts, struggling to her feet, and ran toward the door.

Hans chased after her, grabbing her by the arms.

Dorrit started barking.

Lord Everleigh started toward Sophie, but hearing the dog, he changed direction, veering toward Mimi and raising the pistol.

Mimi pulled the dog close against her chest.

Energy surged through Sophie. “Do not touch my grandmother!” She ran at Lord Everleigh, grabbing on to his extended arm.

She’d hoped to pull off his aim or disarm him, but he was much stronger than she’d believed. He twisted and gave a shove that sent Sophie backward. She crashed into a broken chair and hit her head. Something sharp dug into her ribs, and for an instant, she couldn’t draw a breath. She shook her head at the haziness and tried to get to her feet, the instinct to protect her family stronger than the pain. But her movements were sluggish.

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