milling about the historic Fort George. The fort employees were dressed in period costumes and several were leading small groups on tours.
Sheâd read the brochure last night before finally falling into a dreamless sleep. As a history buff, sheâd found the rich history of the fort and the surrounding area fascinating. She lifted the brochure sheâd brought with her to her mouth to hide the fact she was speaking. âDid you know during the War of 1812, this fort served as the headquarters for the Centre Division of the British army?â
âNo, I didnât,â Blake responded. âI must have missed that in history class.â
Her lips twisted. She moved to a plaque pretending to read it. âWell, considering this is a part of Canadaâs history and since youâre from the South, you wouldnât have been given this tidbit of information.â
âWhat makes you think Iâm from the South?â
âIâve an ear for accents. Plus, you dropped a yaâll this morning. It was kind of hard to miss.â
He actually chuckled in her ear.
She was so surprised her hand loosened around the bag and she almost dropped it. âDid you just laugh?â
âMaybe.â
She pressed her lips together to keep from smiling and slipped the brochure into the bag.
Someone brushed against her. Startled, she jumped back a step. Remembering the last time someone had bumped into her, she swung around, ready to jab her assailant in the nose.
A short, older woman wearing a heavy coat and a hat pulled down low over her ears, allowing little tufts of dark hair to poke out, blinked at her.
âMy apologies.â The woman reached out a hand to steady Liz and pressed a piece of paper in Lizâs hand before hurrying away. A note!
Liz unfolded the paper. âThat woman passed me a note that says to be at Butlerâs Barracks in five minutes.â Her heart revved up. Would she find Jillian there? She dug out the fortâs brochure and consulted the map to see where the barracks were located.
âSit tight, Liz,â Blake instructed. âDrew will detain that woman and see what she knows.â
âIt says be there in five minutes.â She found the barracks on the map and rushed in its direction. âIâm heading there now.â
âI need to get people in place over there,â he said, his voice sharp.
âAnd I told you Iâd do whatever is necessary to get my sister back,â she replied just as sharply. âSo youâd better hurry.â
She heard his frustrated growl but didnât let it deter her. When she reached the barracks she skidded to a halt, scanning the few people wandering around. An older couple walked with arms linked, heads bent together. A group of school children and their chaperones gathered near a cannon on display while they listened to a fort employee no doubt explaining the use of cannon fire in the 1800s.
No one seemed the least bit interested in her.
A piece of paper flapping against the barracks door caught her attention. She moved swiftly to the door and read the note pinned there out loud.
âLeave the necklace. Your sister will be at the hotel.â
âOkay, Iâve got eyes on you,â Blake said. âPlace the bag on the doorstep and head back to the entrance.â
âYouâll take me back to the hotel?â she asked, still clutching the bag.
He sighed. âIâll send Nathanial.â
Something in his tone stirred a riot of apprehension in her chest. Careful to conceal her mouth with one hand, she said, âYou donât believe sheâll be there, do you?â
âHonestly, no,â Blake answered. âOur best course of action is to follow whoever retrieves the bag and pray they lead us to Santini. And your sister.â
In other words, he didnât believe Santini would honor his word or show up. The man was a ruthless criminal, so that opinion
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