Ash sighed. “I think it might be time to send her somewhere else.”
“I can move her back in with me. I’m more stable now, and Madelene is there, too.”
“I don’t think that’s the best option either. Too many memories. She needs something different.”
“What then? I will not send her to another asylum.”
“That’s not what I’m suggesting. I think her best chance at healing might be at my estate. It’s quiet, safe, and it’s away from you and here and everything else she knows.”
“To live with your brother?” He snorted. “I think not.”
“You have my word that you can trust him. And I believe being in the country away from all of this, with no expectations, and of course little Maggie, will be her best shot at rehabilitation. What she’s recovering from is more than just a scraped knee, Allister.”
His heart ached for his sister. She was so sweet and pure and hadn’t deserved any of the horrific things that happened to her. Eventually, he nodded. “Give me some time. I need to dig up what I can. For my own peace of mind.”
He clapped Simon on the shoulder. “Now, let’s put you to work.”
He pushed aside thoughts of his sister and looked over the balcony wall. For a moment, as he stared down at the gaming floor, he was mesmerized by the sheer onslaught. It was magical, just as Ash had said. So much was happening all at once. Cards being shuffled and dealt, dice being thrown, men drinking, and laughing, and groaning. Women dancing. Music playing. It was a perplexing melange of chaos that overwhelmed all the senses.
But then he drew from his years of training and focused. He scanned all the patrons, his eyes quickly landing on one man.
“You have a problem,” he said to Ash.
“Already?” Ash moved a little closer. “Where?”
“The man who just stepped up to the roulette table. See how he’s holding his left hand against the front of his jacket? He’s got a weapon in that inside pocket. Probably a knife.”
One side of Ash’s mouth turned up just a bit as he looked at Simon. “Apparently, whoever is at the front door tonight missed it. We’ll need to have a talk with him.” He nodded. “But for now, let’s go remove the problem.”
Excitement made Simon’s heart flutter as he followed Ash down the stairs, but that wouldn’t do. He needed to calm himself. When they reached the bottom, he closed his eyes. He breathed in deeply through his nose and blew it out through his mouth.
“Ready?” Ash asked him when he opened his eyes.
Simon gave a single nod and Ash pushed the curtains aside with his cane. “Go up and man the balcony,” he said to O’Connell.
“Yes, boss.” There wasn’t a hint of hesitation or argument, he simply did as he was told.
Patrick spotted them immediately and walked toward them as they moved across the gaming floor. Ash sent him to the curtain with just a nod. Simon was starting to understand what Fogg had meant when he’d said they each played their role. They seemed to function as a single unit. It was impressive.
As they approached, Simon positioned himself behind the man, while Ash placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Roger, let’s take a walk.”
As he turned, Simon filled the vacated space next to the table, blocking his retreat.
“What is this, Ash? I haven’t been anywhere near the girls tonight.”
“Then you won’t mind taking a walk with us.”
That was the word that made Roger realize Ash wasn’t alone. His head whipped around, his brow furrowed.
Simon nodded toward the back of the room. “Let’s not make a scene, Roger.”
Patrick held open the curtain as they pushed him through.
“I still have money on the table!” He tried to shrug them off.
Ash shook his head. “You forfeited that money when you came in here with a weapon.”
