Belle’s entire body turned to ice. She clutched her side, where the scar of his betrayal still ran ragged. Never had she imagined anyone would be so knowledgeable of that horrible night.
It terrified her.
Belle swallowed as she noted Westfield and Grey share a look. They did not like nor did they trust this new development. Evelyn would not become part of this project.
“My wife will not be involved in such dangerous matters,” Grey confirmed Belle’s suspicion aloud. The grip on his wife’s shoulders when she would have protested tightened. “That is final, Evelyn.”
Evelyn remained silent, her cheeks flushed with anger. Belle knew that look. She would let the matter go. For now.
“I will not lie, this is a dangerous man,” Derek said with a sigh, the first trace of uncertainty he’d shown. “I would never ask this of anyone, but all of you have a unique position in society to get the word out. I understand your concern, Grey, though I will say that the women will never be in any danger, as acquiring information from their own contacts and circles is the full extent of their involvement.”
Not true, Belle thought, closing her eyes, the scars on her body still tingling.
They were all in danger. Just being connected to her was enough to risk their lives. This was no ordinary spy. He took pleasure in inflicting pain and enjoyed the thrill of the dangerous game. He would know the exact moment inquiries were made; his eyes and ears were always everywhere.
Pain stabbed her chest as she battled for control over her wobbling legs. She could not allow danger to descend upon her friends. They had to hear the truth. They deserved it.
“Could he have killed whoever helped him, perhaps?” Belle heard Evelyn ask. She ignored her husband’s pointed stare as she asked the question.
Oh, he’d tried, Belle mulled darkly, her earlier resolve strengthening. She was clear once again on what needed to be done.
“It’s possible, but still does not explain the missing body or why no one with fatal wounds ever received treatment from any nearby doctor—and we inquired with many,” Derek answered.
“No one received treatmentthat you are aware of,” Westfield emphasized.
“It would make sense,” James conceded, interjecting his opinion before his brother could respond. “If whoever he hurt survived, that may be reason enough for his return. It could be that he has unfinished business, loose ends to tie up.”
Jo shook her head. “Or we are looking at this entirely wrong. What if it’s not the list or the escape or any unfinished business he came back for, but rather another reason?”
St. Aldwyn sighed, realizing that his wife would not let this go. Jo was already attempting to solve the puzzle.
“There’s no other reason,” Belle said, her voice firm with both determination and steely conviction.
“You have insight on the matter?” James asked. “Or have you already heard something of significance?”
That caught Westfield’s attention. “Why would she have heard anything of significance?”
James smile turned sly. “The more important question is where.”
For pity’s sake.
Westfield turned to Belle questioningly and she sighed before addressing the room. “If he has returned, it’s not because his mission failed, but because it never ended. He must be here to finish what he started four years ago.”
To Belle’s utter vexation she was met with only thoughtful stares, nary a suspicious one. Well, except for Westfield’s narrow regard. She was going to have to spell this out for them, then.
“A rather good point, Lady Belle,” James said with a nod.
It was Derek Shaw’s suspicious nature that prompted him to say, “A very good observation, indeed, but hardly concrete.”
Steely eyes locked with arrogant ones. “There is no other reason.”
Suspicion blossomed in his gaze.
Finally.
“Do you have proof of this observation that we are not aware of?”
Belle had always imagined that when the day of reckoning came, the skies would thunder and, if she was lucky, the earth would open up and swallow her into its depths. Instead, she stood in a room filled with her dearest friends, knowing that once she revealed the truth, they would condemn her for it. But as she stared at all their beloved faces, she felt nothing but a complete calm settle over her.
“I know because I am the one that helped Edgar De Roux escape.”
