Free Playing With Fire by C.J. Archer Page A

knuckles were white. I unclenched my fists and flattened my palms over my skirt. My hands shook.
    "Thank you, Inspector," Samuel said. He seemed the only one of us capable of saying anything useful. Sylvia appeared to be having difficulty breathing, and Jack was lost in thought. He stared at the floor as if he could find Tate's whereabouts written there.
    "I'll send word if there's any more news," Weeks said. He put the telegram back in his pocket and reached for his hat. "Good day, ladies, gentlemen."
    "I'll see you out," Samuel said.
    "Wait!" Jack moved to stand between Weeks and the door.
    Weeks, caught by surprise, stepped back, almost bumping into Samuel. "Yes, Mr. Langley?"
    "Hannah's life may be in danger from Tate. You need to send men to protect her."
    "I'm sure he won't come here, Mr. Langley. If he hasn't been caught already, then he'll most likely be making his away to the nearest port and a ship to America. That's what I'd do if I were him."
    "You're not him," Jack ground out through a rigid jaw. "And I'm telling you that he will come looking for Hannah. She needs protecting."
    "Now listen here, Mr. Langley. I don't have men to spare to laze about up here dining on fancy dinners and sipping tea all afternoon. We're very busy in Harborough. If there was an immediate threat to Miss Smith's safety, then I wouldn't hesitate. Like I said, Mr. Tate is probably already out of the country."
    "Thank you, Inspector," I said quickly, eyeing Jack's fingers. He looked like he was about to set off sparks in Weeks's direction. "You're right, there's no need to worry yet."
    Weeks frowned. "Why are you only concerned for Miss Smith's safety?" he asked Jack, oblivious to the fire he was stoking. "You were all going to give evidence, weren't you? I'd have thought he'd come for all of you, not just her." We'd apprised Weeks of the situation upon our return from London after Tate's arrest. It seemed he'd listened after all.
    Sylvia gave a little cry of distress. Samuel cleared his throat. "If he wasn't on his way to America by now you mean," he said.
    "Right you are, sir." Weeks slapped his hat on his head. "It's Mr. Gladstone, isn't it? I heard there was another gentleman residing up here." He gave Samuel a thorough once-over as if he were trying to fathom why someone would voluntarily live at Freak House.
    Samuel raised his eyebrows. "Good day, Inspector."
    Jack stepped aside and Weeks cleared his throat. "Right. Yes. Good day to you all."
    Samuel walked him out, and Jack watched him go. After a moment, he strode up to the fireplace and shot a small fireball into the grate. The flames leapt and danced wildly before settling down again.
    "Feel better?" I said, trying to sound light.
    "I can't believe this," he growled. "Incompetent fools."
    "Don't be too harsh. I'm sure Tate used his fire to get himself out."
    "I wouldn't be so certain. Could you have become angry enough to start a fire if you were in a filthy prison cell, waiting for your life to end?"
    Like me, Tate needed to be angry to summon the fire. We couldn't produce sparks at will like Jack. "I suppose you're right," I said, "but I'm not Reuben Tate. It's possible he found something to fuel his temper. He struck me as a rather volatile man."
    "That is quite the understatement," Sylvia muttered.
    Jack shook his head and headed for the door. "I'm not so sure."
    "Where are you going?"
    "Into the village to send a telegram to Scotland Yard. I want to know more about how he escaped and what they're doing to find him. Besides, it's too dangerous for Weeks to travel alone back to Harborough. The man's a fool, but I don't want his blood on my hands. I also want to press home the need for the villagers to be careful until further notice."
    I'd not thought it possible, but I'd forgotten about the demon. "You be careful too, Jack."
    "I will. I'll take my knife just in case. I don't know if it'll stop it entirely, but I don't want to use the fire unless absolutely necessary."
    He left