Tuppence (The Tipton Hollow 3)

“Mark is here,” Gertrude whispered, throwing a wary look around the hallway as if expecting Tuppence to jump out at her.

“She isn’t any threat to you,” Isaac snapped angrily.

“I know that, dear.” Gertrude grabbed his arm in a firm grip when Isaac moved to step around her and tugged him away from Tuppence’s bedroom door.

It was the look on her face that made Isaac remain patiently by her side and wait to hear what she had to say. “What’s happened? Have the men caught the gunman?”

“No. Well, I am not sure. It isn’t that.” Gertrude tutted and sighed, shook her head, and then glared at her son. “Mark wants Tuppence.”

“Well, he can want her all he likes but he can’t have her,” Isaac drawled possessively.

“You don’t understand,” Gertrude insisted, refusing to release him.

There was something in the tone of her voice that made Isaac go cold. “What?” his voice was nothing more than a croak. He almost dreaded his mother’s next words. Deep inside, despite it being the first time he had heard them, Isaac wasn’t surprised at what his mother had to tell him.

“There has been another murder, Isaac. Mark claims that Tuppence is responsible. He is here to arrest her again.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Isaac raced down the stairs to find Mark standing in his hallway.

“Get out,” he ordered both Mark and the police officer who appeared to be guarding his front door but from the inside. “This isn’t a bloody police station. Nobody is trying to escape. You have no right to barge in here like this.”

Mark, stunned by the uncharacteristic ferocity of Isaac’s hostility, held placating hands up to his friend. “I am sorry,” he began.

“You expect our association to allow you liberties I am not prepared to accommodate, Bosville,” Isaac growled. “I do

n’t care why you are here. My house is not going to be over-run by you and your men. Get out. Now.”

Isaac’s cold, implacable tone forced Mark to wave his deputy outside. When he had gone, and Mark was alone with his friend, Mark tried to resurrect what was left of his friendship. “We have been good friends for many years, Isaac, but I have a job to do.” He struggled to understand when Isaac had decided to take a stand against him and almost asked Isaac what Tuppence had said about him since the last time he had been here.

“I would expect common sense to apply regardless of your job,” Isaac bit out. “It is inappropriate for you to be here like this. Given that you are here in a professional capacity, you do not have the right to enter my home without a warrant.”

“I have to arrest her,” Mark murmured softly, looking regretful.

“She hasn’t done anything, and if you are claiming that she has, you are a liar,” Isaac snapped. He hated the fact that they were having to discuss this in the hallway where any of the house staff could overhear but refused to invite Mark into his study. As far as Isaac was concerned, he wasn’t on such friendly terms with Bosville now that allowed Mark into his inner sanctum anymore.

“There has been another murder,” Mark announced, hoping that he could get Tuppence to the police station quickly so that he could question her before locking her up where she was going to be safe.

“Tuppence is automatically responsible, eh? Tell me, Bosville, what would you have done if there had been another murder and she was behind bars? Would you have blamed that on her too, and made up some lie that she had done it before you arrested her?” Isaac shook his head and glared at Mark with such animosity that Mark eyed the door warily.

“I can understand your need to protect her.”

“You know nothing,” Isaac spat. “I was a fool to think you were a credible gentleman worthy of my respect. God, I even thought you were a brilliant detective. Now, I know you are just lazy.”

“I am sorry about that,” Mark replied.

Isaac threw him a dismissive look that was full of aristocratic scorn.

“I am not your enemy, Isaac. I don’t want to do this anymore than Tuppence wants to spend another night in the cells,” Mark argued.

“So why are you arresting her then? Can’t you be bothered to find the real killer? Is it too dangerous for you?” Isaac snarled.

“It’s not that.” Mark ran a frustrated hand through his hair because he could feel the condemnation emanating from Isaac.

“Ah, I get it. You thought that because Tuppence had no family, she would be a perfect scapegoat,” Isaac drawled. “It must have really ruined your plans when I stepped forward and offered to protect her.”

“Isaac,” Mark growled.