33

Shiver

By the time Pinch told me what he’d told Wilder, I was ready for a drink.

“I’m not saying there’s anything going on between them. I’m only saying that I believe that’s where she went.”

I studied the man seated in front of me. Pinch was like a brother to me. I had no reason to doubt a single thing he told me, about anything.

The “friendship” between my mother and Rivet was baffling, and that was an understatement, but there was no reason for me to doubt its validity.

“What did you say that made Wilder angry enough to leave?”

Pinch shrugged. “He didn’t let me finish.”

That didn’t sound like Wilder. Not in the slightest.

I shook my head. “I wish I could spend time unraveling this, but I have far more pressing matters to deal with.”

“How can I help?”

“I’ve been called to London to fill in for Rivet during his bereavement leave. Prior to Patsy’s call, my intention was to keep Losha and Kazmir here with me, but now I won’t be here.”

“You don’t want them to go to London with you?”

“Not particularly. It makes it far more difficult to ensure their safety. It would require twenty-four-hour protection, along with limited movement. Here, at least, the round-the-clock protection isn’t as obvious.” I didn’t need to explain; Pinch had been the one to set up the security in advance of our arrival.

“You could commute.”

I’d thought of that, but with over an hour each way, plus the inconsistent hours I’d need to be at SIS headquarters, I’d have very little time with Losha and Kazmir as it was.

“Have you talked to Rivet?”

I shook my head. “Patsy is the one who called and asked me to come in.” If what Pinch said was right and the duchess did go to town to see Rivet, then I definitely didn’t want to call him. “We need Wilder back here.”

“I’m here,” said Wild, walking into the drawing room of Dorchester House.

“What the bloody hell?” I asked, getting really tired of hearing those words come out of my own mouth.

Wilder walked over to Pinch. “I’m sorry, mate. Wasn’t anything you said. I mean it was, but I wasn’t angry with you.”

“What were you angry about?”

“Don’t we need to talk about Losha and the baby, Shiv?”

“The more I think about it, my only option is to take them to London with me. Is the duchess staying in the Kensington flat?”

“I would have no way of knowing for certain, but that would be my assumption,” my brother answered.

“Better to stay as close as possible to SIS headquarters anyway,” suggested Pinch.

“I’ll get with MI5 about security, with Pinch’s help, of course,” said Wilder. “Shiv, you should focus on getting Losha and the baby ready to leave as soon as possible.”

“I need to make arrangements with her.”

“She’s enjoying her time with Wellie so much.”

“Darrow too,” said Pinch, holding up his phone that displayed a photo of Losha, Kazmir, and Darrow.

How much simpler would it be if we just stayed here? If I resigned from MI6, and Losha and I spent our lives at Whittaker Abbey, raising Kazmir and any other children we were blessed with? We could be happy here; I was certain of it.

Pinch offered to locate Thomas on his way out to let him know not to bother unloading the limousine since we’d be leaving within the hour. Wilder said he’d ride with me, followed by Pinch, and that the entire entourage would be escorted by the security team.

“Did you know Thomas had a family?”

Wilder didn’t respond, but his look was questioning.

I ran my hand through my hair. “What if I’m not cut out to take over Rivet’s spot?”

“Where’s this coming from?” Wild asked, closing the door without going out. “And what does it have to do with Thomas?”

“The duke always made it a point to get to know the people who lived and worked at the abbey.”

“If that’s all it is, don’t make too much of it. I believe the man you’re referring to is part of the security team sent in by MI5.”

“It isn’t just that. I feel out of sorts, as though what I really want to do is walk away from all of SIS and do what Father did—live a simple life here at Whittaker Abbey.”

“There’s nothing to say you can’t do that, Shiv.”

“And leave everyone, Rivet included, in the lurch?”

“Maybe not right away, but once things are settled, hand in your resignation.”

“Wilder, I need you to tell me what Pinch said that made you so angry.”

My brother walked over to the window. “It wasn’t what Pinch said. In fact, I think he’s a bit off base.”

I folded my arms.

“I heard the duchess on the phone earlier. It was right after I saw her and she looked as though she’d seen a ghost.”

“And?”

“I didn’t know then, but now I believe she was talking to Rivet.”

“What did you hear her say?”

“That they had to find ‘him,’ that it was imperative. She also said that with Anna’s death, he no longer had an excuse to wait.”

“That’s how you knew Anna passed.”

Wilder nodded.

“When the duke told me to find someone named Matthew, the words he used were ‘before it’s too late.’”

“I believe our mother’s mysterious and hasty departure may have something to do with this Matthew.”

“Me too,” I murmured, wondering what my next move should be.

“Perhaps you should revise your plan.”

“How so?”

“You and I go to London and find the duchess. If she is with Sir Ranald, we force them to tell us who Matthew is and why the duke was worried enough that his dying words were to find him.”

“What about Losha and the baby?”

“They stay here, Shiver. Have Pinch stay too, along with whatever security team he has in place.”

“What if I’m required to stay in London?”

“It’s an hour’s drive to return to Whittaker Abbey, pack them up, and head back to London, security detail with us.”

“I hate leaving them here without me.”

“I get it, but we won’t be gone that long.”

I rubbed the ache in the center of my chest. Something felt off. Very much so. I only prayed that whatever it was, related solely to the man my father told me to find, and whom Wilder believed he overheard the duchess discussing with Rivet.