James took the room key and headed straight for the stairs.
He had a bottle of whiskey in his duffle bag and he was dying to pop it open.
Just as he reached the staircase a man stepped in front of him to block his
way.
“Good evening friend” the man extended his hand, “My name is
Malachi.”
“I don’t give a good god damn who you are and I ani’t your
friend.” James spat in a deep Southern drawl. He attempted to move around but
Malachi stepped in his way again.
“Your itchin’ for an ass whipping boy” James dropped his
duffle bag to the floor and started rolling up his sleeves.
“Well I see that polite conversation is lost on you so I
will get right down to business.” Malachi replied stiffly, “You are looking for
someone and I know where to find her.”
“I’m listening” James nodded.
“Yes I thought you might be interested” Malachi smiled. “So
why don’t we go up to your room and have a drink of that fine whiskey hidden in
your duffle and have ourselves a little chat shall we?”
James thought it over a mere second before he nodded. Why
the hell not he reasoned. If this guy was yanking his chain he would beat him
to a pulp, relieve from bent up frustrations. And if he really did know
something then it was well worth sharing his whiskey.
Malachi’s lips parted in a wide smile as he moved aside to
let James lead the way.
******************
Audrey’s eyes fluttered slowly open. As her vision cleared
she saw the library around her. She had been moved to the settee where she now
lay. She pushed herself up to a sitting position and rubbed her head. A large
lump had formed on the left side of her head where she hit the stone floor.
“Ah she wakes.” Nicholas stood by the fireplace, one arm
resting on the mantle. “I shall have Max pack your things. I shall grant you
safe passage back to the village. If you ever venture to return here or tell
anyone of this place, I will kill you.” His tone was devoid of any emotion, he
might have been giving her driving directions.
“My things …what …” Audrey fought to clear the clouds in her
head. “I am leaving? Why? I thought …”
Nicholas turned his head to regard her in cold contempt. “Do
you think me a fool? I welcomed you into my home, I provided for your every
need.” His voice rose as did his fury. “You have fed me one lie after another
since you arrived! Nothing you have told me is true save your name and it is
only a half-truth!”
“Nicholas please …” Audrey pleaded, her cheeks burned hot under
his vicious gaze.
Nicholas moved to snatch the newspaper off the table “This
man hunts you and you have led him to my door!” Nicholas threw the paper at
her.
“I …didn’t know …” Audrey began.
“Another lie!” Nicholas raged on. “You knew he would come
for you! You knew!”
“I am sorry” Audrey said softly. She lowered her head,
unable to look at him. “What was I suppose to say? I did not expect …”
“To live.” Nicholas finished for her, his tone softening. “But
still he would have followed you here. You do not understand what is at stake.”
Heavy silence fell between them. Nicholas went back to the
fireplace. He poured himself another glass of wine from a decanter on the
mantle. He twirled the red liquid in his glass but did not drink.
“I … do not want to leave.” Audrey’s voice was little more
than a whisper.
“Is it fear of this man that ties you here?” Nicholas turned
his head to look at her.
“I do fear him” Audrey nodded. She gathered her courage and
met his gaze. “But that is not why I want to stay.”
“Finally” A wide grin plays across Nicholas’s lips, “The
Lady speaks the truth.”