“Damn it, we’re too late.”
Teague threw open the door as the carriage came to a halt and jumped out. The lump in Lucy’s throat expanded, and her stomach clenched at the sight before her. The staff huddled in front of the house. Freddy paced, clutching his hair.
She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and got out of the carriage. Tisha, still holding her hand, climbed out after her. They both joined Teague, who talked with Freddy.
“Lucy!” Freddy rushed to hug her.
She embraced her brother-in-law. “Where’s Aunt Sera, Rue—”
“He has them...locked in the salon…a gun…will kill….” He trembled, and his eyes overflowed with tears.
Walter came forward, haggard and ashen. “Less than half an hour ago, there was a knock on the door. A man brandishing a gun and clutching a sobbing woman rushed in screaming for Mr. Daugherty. Mrs. Toulson and Mr. and Mrs. Dalton rushed out to investigate before I warned them. The man ordered us all in the back salon and said if we didn’t do what he wanted, he would shoot us. He made both women sit and told us to go get Mr. Daugherty. I told the man Mr. Daugherty wasn’t in the residence and he would have to be sent for. The man ordered Mr. Dalton and me to leave, and he and the ladies would stay in the room to wait for Mr. Daugherty to return.”
“I didn’t want to leave, but the lunatic shot the wall near my head and screamed for me to get his father or he would start shooting the women.” Freddy wrapped his arms around his chest.
“They’re still inside? Where’s Daugherty?” Teague asked.
“Mr. Daugherty is still upstairs in his bedroom with the nurse. I thought it best to lie and make the man believe Mr. Daugherty isn’t on the premises,” Walter announced.
“The man holding Aunt Sera and Rue hostage is Aidan Lovett, father’s illegitimate son and my half-brother.” Lucy braced for the bombardment of questions.
“What? How can it be?” Freddy shook his head in disbelief.
“There’s no time to talk about that now. How many people are still in the house?” Teague asked.
“The staff is outside and all accounted for. Six in total are still inside. Mr. Daugherty and his nurse are upstairs in his room. Mrs. Toulson and Mrs. Dalton, including the baby and the woman Mr. Lovett dragged in with him,” Walter said.
“Oh dear, little Dinah.” Lucy barely kept back her tears, unlike Freddy, who looked ready to faint.
“Have the police been sent for?” Teague asked.
“Yes. They should be here soon,” Walter replied.
“We don’t have much time. Once the police arrive, things will get worse. Aidan may snap further.” Teague stared up at the house. “I have to go inside and talk to him. He’ll listen to me.”
“I’m coming in with you,” Tisha said.
“Are you crazy? Aidan could end up shooting you!” Lucy couldn’t believe Tisha would endanger herself in such a way. She wouldn’t allow it.
“Da and I are the only ones who can stop him.” Tisha reached for Lucy.
She stepped back, shaken to her very depths. If Tisha got hurt—or worse, killed—she wouldn’t be able to stand it.
Tisha dropped her hand and pain floated in her eyes.
“Mrs. Endcott is right, darlin’.” Teague drew Tisha to his side. “Aidan isn’t thinking correctly. I have no idea how he’ll react when he sees me.”
“Da, you’ve told me before it’s all about taking chances. You’re a perfect example of that. You’ve succeeded where most would fail.” She rested her palms on her father’s chest. “If anyone can help Aidan, you can. He’ll listen to you and, hopefully, to me. Something is telling me it will all turn out for the best. Trust me on this.”
He curved his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. Tisha turned her face toward Lucy and mouthed, “Trust me.”
She couldn’t stop the trembling hammering her bones, and when Freddy hauled her into an embrace, she gladly conceded. She needed his support now more than ever, knowing Tisha would accompany her father into an extremely dangerous situation.
Teague gave Tisha another kiss, this time on her cheek, then looked at Freddy. “Mr. Dalton, I wish there was a better way but there’s not enough time to come up with a better solution. I take full responsibility for myself and my daughter, and if something should happen to us because Aidan refused to listen to reason, you shouldn’t feel any remorse. I’ll try my best to rescue your wife and daughter, as well as anyone else he’s holding captive.”
Freddy nodded in resignation. “You have until the police arrive, which won’t be long. I do wish you would reconsider because you may do more harm than good.”
“But if we don’t do something, we may all lose,” Teague pointed out.
Neighbors from the surrounding houses came outside to investigate the commotion. Lucy turned when she heard her name. Viola and Polly ran to her. Before she could answer the questions thrown at her, Freddy, along with Teague and Tisha, walked up the front steps of the townhouse.
She excused herself and followed them, but Walter caught her elbow.
“Mr. McGrath told me to move everyone away from the house.”
“I can’t believe they’re doing this!” She wiped angry tears from her cheeks.
Teague opened the front door, and he and Tisha entered. Freddy shut the door behind him.
The rest of the staff withdrew to a safer distance. Lucy did the same and paced. She would be a complete and utter wreck until everyone inside was safe and sound.