Free The Bellingham Bloodbath by Gregory Harris Page B

Denton Ross, red faced and breathless, bringing up the rear.
    â€œThere!” Denton howled as he gripped the handrail, pointing a fleshy finger in my direction. “There’s the scoundrel who assaulted me and stole my file!”
    Varcoe’s gaze landed on me with a frown. “I thought you said it was Pendragon.”
    â€œScoundrel?” Colin looked at me and I could tell he was restraining a laugh. “Did he just call you a scoundrel?”
    â€œHe’s confused,” I said smoothly. “I didn’t steal his file. He loaned it to me. Isn’t that right, Mr. Ross.”
    â€œThere is no confusion!” he snapped back. “I was viciously attacked by this . . . this . . .”
    â€œCareful now . . . , ” Colin warned.
    Denton reddened. “I was very nearly rendered unconscious for the sole purpose of stealing my file.”
    â€œUnconscious . . . ?” The inspector glared back at Denton. “By Pruitt?”
    â€œNearly . . .” His face flushed deeper as he repeated the word with less enthusiasm.
    It took a moment before Varcoe realized he wasn’t going to get the prey he’d been hoping for. So there was far less vitriol in his voice when he finally spun around and stared at me. “Well, Pruitt, what do you have to say for yourself?”
    â€œCome now, Inspector—” Colin started to say.
    â€œNo one’s talking to you, Pendragon!” he barked.
    â€œExcuse me . . . , ” Colin said, puffing out his broad, muscular chest like a rooster. “You cannot come in here spouting venom and expect that we are going to stand for it. Accusing Ethan of assault? That’s mad and even you know it.”
    Varcoe’s lips curled with displeasure. “Bugger the assault. I’m talking about a file that I ordered sealed, which is right now sitting on your damnable table!”
    â€œHe did assault me—” Denton Ross chirped from the doorway.
    â€œShut up!” Varcoe blasted without taking his eyes from Colin. “So how do you explain that, Pendragon?”
    â€œNeither of us will explain anything with that formaldehyde-drenched pox standing in our flat.”
    â€œI don’t have time for this, Pendragon.”
    â€œAnd neither do I!” he snapped back.
    â€œInspector!” Denton sputtered.
    â€œMe lamb’s ready fer servin’!” Mrs. Behmoth hollered from downstairs. “Ya best get that room cleared out. I ain’t feedin’ that lot a shites.”
    â€œEnough!” Varcoe bellowed. “We’ll all take a ride to the magistrate’s and let him sort this out. Grab that file!” he barked at one of his bobbies.
    â€œYou cannot be serious,” Colin protested. “We haven’t time for these games, Emmett.”
    â€œYou will do as I say, Pendragon, or it will be my personal pleasure to have you forcibly removed!”
    Colin gritted his teeth and looked about to throttle Varcoe as he fixed his gaze on me. “Let’s make this fast!” he growled, storming across the room and yanking our coats from the hall tree.
    â€œWe’ll see how full of spit everyone is when we get to the Yard,” Varcoe crowed. Colin didn’t say a word as he tossed my coat to me before bounding down the stairs.
    â€œWot’s goin’ on?” Mrs. Behmoth was standing in the entry with a ladle clutched in one hand and a wadded kitchen towel in the other. “Where do ya think yer off to with me supper ready?”
    â€œWe’ll be right back,” I mumbled, Colin having already stalked outside, his posture as rigid as I knew his mood must be.
    â€œYa can’t leave now!”
    I shook my head, avoiding her glare, as I closed the door and walked to the inspector’s waiting carriage.

CHAPTER 7
    C olin and I were placed in a holding room for what felt like hours. The room was little more than a closet with a couple of chairs and a small table.