Matt regarded down at his toes.

“What?”

He sighed. “Apparently, there are some structural issues, so the contractor wants extra time.”

“Structural issues? Are you shitting me? That fort has been standing on that rock since sixteen hundred one thing, and I’m fairly positive a few rounds can’t compromise the construction when the bombs from WW2 couldn’t.”

Matteo shrugged. “I’ll personally drive down there tomorrow and ensure there’s no extra hold-up.”

I nodded. “You discovered the thief?”

“After all. He’s within the cave,” he mentioned with a smirk. “Obtained the telephone, as effectively.” He waggled his eyebrows.

I narrowed mine. Matt had higher not have damaged into the rattling factor and seen bare pics of Fiona as a result of if he had, I must gouge out his eyes, and doing that to my finest pal wouldn’t be one thing I’d notably take pleasure in. “Let’s discuss to him then.”

I modified instructions, and as a substitute of taking the steps as much as my workplace, I turned again down, then walked over to a different set of stairs—these ones carved into stone—main right down to the cavernous basement.

“Let’s see what this asshole has to say.” Though nothing he may say would change his destiny.

With Matteo on my heels, I made my means down, walked by way of the string of caverns till we reached the final one.

The cavernous room—guarded by two of my males—which was nearly utterly lacking a wall, offering a powerful view overlooking the ocean—throughout daylight.

It was nearly solely used to extricate info—because of the superior soundproofing the overwhelming noise of the crashing waves offered, or to ship a verdict already decided.

It was unhappy how many individuals both killed themselves by leaping into the ocean, or drowned or smashed in opposition to the rocks whereas attempting to take action.

“Hey there,” I mentioned to the person, certain to what resembled a St. Andrew’s cross carved out of stone.

His proper eye bulged whereas the left one was swollen shut, and his already suspiciously truthful pores and skin—beneath the bruises—paled as he noticed me.

Why? Did he acknowledge me?

I stared into his face—I’d by no means seen him earlier than—then regarded over at Matteo, who pointed at Price’s purse.

“You only a garden-variety legal or a specialist in stealing ladies’s purses?” I requested, my tone informal however my gaze unyielding.

The thief let loose a strained snicker, his eyes darting between Matteo and me. “Only a petty thief, sir. Noticed a possibility and took it. Nothing extra.”

I picked up Fiona’s purse from the stone flooring, my fingers tracing over the smooth leather-based. “This can be a fairly costly piece to seize, don’t you suppose? Or was it the girl who caught your consideration?”

He swallowed onerous, his gaze flickering. “Simply…only a coincidence. I didn’t know who she was, otherwise you.”

“Is that so?” I requested, my voice dangerously smooth. I dropped the purse, took a scalpel from the desk, and took a step nearer.

The person flinched and tried to tug away from the stone cross—in useless.

“I’d’ve thought you had a specific curiosity in me or the lady…” I took the scalpel and thoroughly grazed the pores and skin on his left cheek, leaving bloody drops behind.

His resistance wavered.

I may see it in his eyes. He stored his head unnaturally nonetheless, fastidiously avoiding any motion, however I may see the battle to keep up his composure, the concern in his eyes. “No, sir. Simply the purse.”

I studied him for a protracted second, the silence within the room damaged solely by his ragged respiration and the crash of the waves. I may scent his concern, style his desperation.

“Then how come you adopted us round all afternoon?” I requested, my phrases resonating off the stone partitions.

The person’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to disclaim it.

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