Page 131 of When We Touch

“How delightful!” Cecilia said.

Maggie glared at Mireau.

“Surely, you weren’t arguing all that time?” Mireau said.

“Don’t you understand? He would have tried to stop us. He would have been convinced that there was another way.”

“Well, there is another way. We could just have police surround the house,” Cecilia said.

“I’m just really afraid that they do have orders to kill Arianna the second that anything looks out of the ordinary,” Maggie said. “Once we have her out of that house . . .”

“What do we do if Jeremiah is late again?” Mireau asked.

“Tonight, it just doesn’t matter. We just get them drinking, and get Arianna out. And we’ll hope that the police are able to find him, once we have Arianna out of the house.”

“They haven’t been able to find a maniacal killer,” Cecilia pointed out.

“What matters most is Arianna. If Jeremiah is not there, we still bring out the brandy. We are here for Arianna. Agreed?” Maggie said.

“Obviously, it’s most important that we get the girl out,” Cecilia said.

“We’d best pray that your notes reached their intended destinations!” Mireau said.

“Darby will see that they do.”

“Eustace will not fail us,” Cecilia said. “He does know where the house is, and he’ll be ready to assist us.”

“One problem,” Mireau noted.

“And that is?” Maggie asked.

“All the fellows are never inside the house. They stand guard outside.”

Maggie nodded. “Yes. You’re the strongest, you must take Arianna. She will be dead weight. Cecilia and I will have our weapons ready.”

“His thugs carried guns before,” Mireau reminded her. “And you’ve made sure that Jamie will not be here to come to our rescue tonight.”

“We know that they are armed, and we will be ready to shoot first,” Maggie told him.

“Oh, God!” Mireau moaned. “I cannot believe that we are doing this.”

“Eustace will be outside as well, and he is a crack shot!” Cecilia reminded them proudly.

“Shush!” Maggie warned. They were on the walk and might well be overheard.

They reached the house. Maggie felt a crawling sensation of fear streak up her spine. She was suddenly entirely uncertain about dragging Mireau and Cecilia into the fray.

“I should go alone,” she said.

“Never!” Mireau told her. “And ridiculous. How are you going to carry Arianna out, and keep the two of you from being shot?”

“Maggie, you did not force either of us into this. We’re on the walk. Let’s go—before we do look suspicious!” Cecilia said.

They were right. Squaring her shoulders, Maggie headed toward the house.

John was at the door. “Ah, ev’ning! Come in, come in. The Hennesys await ye!”

They all greeted John cordially and entered the house. Ellen Hennesy was there, dusting her hands on her apron once again, greeting them warmly. This night, George was home already as well, and just as she had been the night before, Arianna was already at the table. She allowed no spark to come to her eyes. She spoke as one dead. “Perhaps Jeremiah will reach Frank for you tonight, mum, perhaps he will.”