Deceptions (Cainsville 3)

"I have."

"That means you want something from me. Let's get that out of the way first."

"I called you here because I believe we can benefit one another. This was never about hurting you, Eden."

I leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You forget I heard you give Mrs. Evans the order. Kill the girl." He'd brainwashed Peter Evans's wife after having their housekeeper kill Evans.

"Then you misinterpreted, which can happen when you eavesdrop, Olivia."

Reverting to my preferred name suggested he was anxious to show his sincerity, but . . . well, I had the feeling it took someone a lot scarier than me--or even Gabriel--to make Edgar Chandler anxious.

"I offered to protect you from any fallout after Evans's death and to help you better understand your situation," he said. "I tried to work with you."

That wasn't quite how I remembered it, but I said only, "You also warned me about the hounds. You said they'd come to Cainsville and, when they did, I'd regret turning you in. Well, they've showed up there. Hell, they've showed up in a lot of places. But I'm not quite getting the 'regret' part."

"Again, you misunderstood me. I never warned you against the hounds. I can promise they're no threat to you."

Bingo. I knew who had Chandler scared shitless.

"The Huntsmen showed you how to perfect your mind control, didn't they?"

"Huntsmen?" He tried for an air of bewilderment.

"Cwn Annwn," I said. "I think I'm finally pronouncing that right. Welsh. So many letters. So few vowels."

"I realize recent events have been confusing, Eden, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

"No? Huh." I looked at Gabriel. "Is it warm in here?"

"Cool, actually."

"Then why is Edgar breaking into a sweat?"

"It's a fever," Chandler said. "I've been unwell. I'm also under a great deal of strain. You've heard about Anderson's death?"

"We have," Gabriel said. Chandler's former bodyguard had apparently OD'd on morphine in the hospital a couple of weeks earlier. "I presume he was murdered. While you would be the obvious suspect--and mind control the obvious weapon--the fact you contacted us says you are not responsible and, moreover, you fear you're next." He motioned toward the guard. "Hence your paranoia."

Silence dragged on for so long that the guard started walking over, expecting Chandler to declare the visit at an end.

"I need to make amends," Chandler said finally.

"To us?" I said. "Oh, that's sweet."

Chandler looked confused.

I glanced at Gabriel. "Not to us."

"To the Huntsmen, I take it," Gabriel said. "You've outlived your usefulness, and you could be a threat."

"There's someone I need to . . . have removed."

Gabriel's brows shot up. "I provide many services, Mr. Chandler, but that one is outside my area of expertise."

"No, I don't think it is."

"Then you think wrong." A chill crept i

nto Gabriel's voice.