Simon shrugged. “How do you know about my sister?”
“I got her out of there. Why in God’s name would you send her to a place like Auburn Ridge?”
“She tried to end her own life. I didn’t know what else to do to keep her safe.”
“Christ, man, you should have spoken up.”
Simon felt like a fool and a coward. “Perhaps I should have, but I didn’t have anything to offer for your help besides my services. You very clearly do not want that while I am still employed by the Intelligence Services, and I can’t leave there until I finish cleaning up this fraudulent marriage mess.”
“What is it you think I get in exchange for taking in the rest of these women, Allister?”
He sighed. His pride had prevented him from simply asking for Ash’s help. It felt too much like charity. If he couldn’t give something in return, it made him feel like even more of a failure. “Is Samantha here?”
Ash nodded. “She’s under my protection now.”
Simon didn’t know Ash well personally, but he’d done enough research on the man to be confident his sister was in safe hands. He also knew he would protect Samantha, even from her own brother.
“Dr. Mickelson assured me that she would be safe and cared for at Auburn Ridge, but it would seem I was misinformed. What do you know that I don’t?”
Ash reached for a bottle and held it up. “Drink?”
“Please. My best may not have been good enough, but I really have tried.” In truth, he was exhausted.
Ash set the glass in front of him with a nod. “She’s safe now, Allister.”
“Thank you.” Simon took a sip. Somehow he wasn’t surprised by the impeccable quality of the brandy.
“I have men who could help you with your list, you know.”
Simon shook his head. “There are only a few left now. I took care of one of them yesterday. I’d just barely finished washing off the remnants of his blood when your telegram arrived.”
“So why did you not allow me to take care of Warwick?”
Simon shook his head. “Can’t kill the ones that are going to be arrested, unfortunately. But many of them won’t be for one reason or another. Those are the ones I deal with on my personal time. I don’t kill all of them. Some of them I can only maim, in hopes the scars will serve as a deterrent, or at least as a warning to others to stay away.”
Ash nodded slowly. “I definitely underestimated you.”
Simon chuckled. “I get that a lot. It works in my favor, usually.” At face value, Simon was average in every way. Average height and build. Average brown suit. Average tawny hair and dull blue eyes. What weren’t average were the skills he possessed. He had trained hard and could easily subdue a man twice his size.
“I could use your skills if you ever decide to leave the Intelligence Services.”
“As soon as I finish with this, I will gladly take you up on that.” He’d been ready to leave a long time ago, but when he’d discovered what had happened to his sister, he’d committed to staying until he destroyed every last one of the men involved.
“Good.” Ash swallowed the last of his brandy. “Would you like to see Samantha?”
“I doubt she’ll want to see me. Especially now.”
Ash got up from his chair. “Stay here. I’ll have Gwen talk to her. She’s still quite nervous around me.”
That wasn’t surprising after all she’d been through. Simon didn’t know all the details, but he knew enough. She’d been through hell, and apparently he’d sentenced her to another helping of it when he’d taken her to that asylum. Dr. Mickelson had promised Simon she’d be well cared for and safe, and Simon had foolishly believed the man. Or perhaps he’d just been too desperate to look any closer.
A few minutes later, his sister rushed into the room and threw herself into his arms.
“I’m sorry, Simon. I didn’t mean to cause you so much trouble.”
“Hush now. You haven’t caused me any trouble.” He held her close, so relieved that she didn’t hate him. “You’re safe here, Samantha. Ash is a good man and you have nothing to fear from him.”
She turned and looked into the hall where Ash was standing, purposely keeping his distance. “Does that mean you’re not taking me with you?”
