Free The Tied Man by Tabitha McGowan Page A

haunting eyes froze in a mocking stare and I was thrown by the difference in him: the shyly complex young man that had so intrigued me the night before had been replaced by this automaton. 
    ‘Look, if you tell me what you want, what you like – I’m good.’ His tone was softer now as if he was forcing himself to play this role, but it still didn’t sound like his voice. ‘You won’t be disappointed,’ he added.
    I gave a harsh laugh. ‘Where the fuck did you get that line?  Page twenty-one of the Rent Boy’s Handbook?’
    As soon as I had spat the words, that final, elusive piece of Finn Strachan fell into place, and it was too late.  I may as well have slapped him.  ‘Finn, wait…’ I began, but he gave me one last stricken look and walked out of the studio.
    *****
    At nine o’clock that evening I sat by the meagre light of a single oil lamp, refining that day’s sketches until my vision blurred and my head informed me that a migraine would be on its way unless I stopped soon.  Not only was I prevented from working through the night, getting past dusk was going to be impossible.
    I closed my pad in reluctant defeat and was just considering a late run to ease my frustration when there was the lightest of taps on my door.  ‘Come in,’ I called.
    Henry tentatively pushed the door open.  ‘I’m sorry to disturb you.  Were you busy?’
    ‘No, unfortunately.  Can I help you?’
    ‘Lady Albermarle would like a quick chat, if that’s not too much of a problem.’ For such an innocuous request, the usually open man couldn’t look me in the eye.
    ‘She wants to see me now ?’
    Henry gave a nervous nod.  ‘She’s aware that it is rather late, but she did say that it was important.’
    ‘But you’re not at liberty to say what?’
    ‘I’m afraid not.’
    ‘Well she’s going to have to take as she finds.’ I didn’t bother to put on my shoes.  ‘So, where am I going?’
    ‘What?’  It was a simple question, but Henry responded as if I’d just stabbed him.
    ‘This vital meeting.  Where is it?’
    ‘Um, if you just follow me, I’ll show you.’  Henry began to walk away.
    I didn’t move.  ‘What’s going on, Henry?’
    ‘What? Nothing -’
    ‘Crap.  You’re shitting yourself every time I open my mouth, and as for Finn… Wait a minute, has this got anything to do with that ridiculous scene this afternoon?’
    ‘I’m sorry, what scene?’
    ‘It doesn’t matter.  Let’s just say that I was forced to do some rapid re-evaluating.’
    In truth, I was shaken by the anger that still lingered in me.  I had done my best to ignore the whole appalling mess while I worked: I was not yet ready to deal with the shadows from Finn’s unwitting revelation.
    ‘I’m afraid I can’t give you any more information.’ Henry moved off, declaring the subject closed.
    ‘Can’t, or won’t?’ I began to follow him.
    *****
    Instead of heading upstairs to Blaine ’s private quarters Henry led me down a tight spiral staircase, and the damp flagstones under my feet made me regret my decision to remain barefoot. 
    ‘We’re nearly there.’  If his words were meant to reassure, they failed.
    I peered into the gloom of the subterranean corridor and shivered.  ‘God, Henry, where are you taking me?  The dungeon?’
    Henry simply pushed open a huge oak door that creaked in finest horror movie fashion.  In my head, a string ensemble played something menacing in a minor key.
    ‘Good evening, Lilith.’  Blaine stepped out to meet me in the hallway.  ‘Thank you so much for coming at such short notice.’  She wore the same elegant grey silk suit that she wore in the brochure, and looked as though she had just finished a busy day at the office. 
    I expected her to invite me in, but instead she gestured me into a small anteroom that had borrowed its furniture from a boutique hotel.  A bottle of Cristal in an ice-bucket stood next to two crystal flutes: this didn’t look anything like