Page 44 of Go, Rogue

“Andrew,” she says, “why would someone want to hurt me? I don’t think I slipped on oil and hit my head.”

“No, lass, I don’t think you did either. It wasn’t me you heard, calling out for you.”

“You didn’t come for me?” she asks and tries to hide the hurt she knows is on her face and in her voice.

“Aye, I did. But when I called out for you, I called you Menace. And lass too, I believe. But not Catherine.” He pauses and then reaches for her hand. “I don’t know who would do that to you, but I swear to you I will find out.”

“It could have been anyone,” she says. “You called me Catherine when you first saw the glitter and knew I was aboard. Anyone could have heard you.” She pauses. “Everyone likely did hear you.”

“Aye. I’d forgotten about that.”

“Do you think…” She keeps her voice carefully neutral. “Do you think it was the same person that set the fires?”

“Aye. I do.”

“I do too. And I wonder… that is, I suspect, that whoever did this wanted me out of this room and you occupied, because they were looking for something.” She pauses and fishes around in her trouser pocket, producing the key. “Perhaps this?”

She’d never put the key back in the book. It had been tucked into her trouser pocket ever since she’d found it.

She’d forgotten all about it until something sharp jabbed into her side in the water closet.

She looks up to see the color drain from his face.

“Andrew?”