Page 148 of Their Master

Selkirk’s eyebrows shot up. “Claytonabducted one of your people? It’s not like him to get personally involved, he usually likes to allow others to do the dirty work.”

“I misspoke—I should have said his henchman acted for him.”

“Was it one of the agents who were sacked along with him?”

Smith pursed his lips in distaste. “Unfortunately, it was somebody I know—an ex-lover.”

“Ah.”

Smith was mildly amused by the other man’s look of discomfort. One could speak of abductions and shootings in front of an aristocrat, but God forbid something even vaguely personal was mentioned.

Smith reached into his right front pocket and handed Selkirk the piece of paper Charles had left at Moira’s house. “His messenger left a demand letter.”

The earl read the few lines and looked up. “That is a great deal of money—will you give it to him?”

“Yes,” Smith said without hesitation. The abduction had only occurred three hours ago, but it felt as if an entire epoch had passed. In the span of mere moments, he’d almost lost one lover andhadlost another. And all because he was a grudge-bearing fool. If they’d been living with him, he would have had guards. If he’d knocked on the door last night and told Luke he was leaving his guards there—if, if, if!

“Mr. Smith?”

Smith shook himself from his pointless self-flagellation. “Based on your presence here, Clayton must have contacted you?”

“Yes, he sent a man for more money.”

Smith snorted. “Greedy bastard.”

“I think he’s hoping to take all he can get and disappear permanently.” Selkirk’s lips curved into a smug smile.

“What?” Smith demanded.

“I know where he is hiding.”

Smith’s heart pounded almost painfully hard. “Where?”

“I want two assurances, first.”

Smith’s hands fisted, but his voice was calm when he spoke. “You are concerned about the documents you seek?”

“Yes.”

Smith felt his mouth curl into an unpleasant smile. “If I get my hands on Clayton, he will give me whatever I want.”

Selkirk gave him a long, searching look, and then nodded. “I believe that.”

“What is your other demand?”

“I prefer to think of it as more of a request.”

“I’m listening.”

“I want to be there when you confront him.”

Smith stood. “Fine. As long as you’re ready to go right now.”

∞∞∞

Moira pulled the thin, smelly blanket tighter to her person but still couldn’t stop shivering. She suspected it was more from fear, than from cold.

“You can’t leave yet Grimes, you need to pick up Smith’s money!” Clayton shouted, his angry, high-pitched voice making her jolt.

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