The Sugared Game - K.J. Charles Page 0,80

least it was a reaction, not that punchably bland smile.

“The world is full of peril on all sides,” Kim said, voice quelling. Will stepped back a fraction, calming himself down. “I take it you invited Maisie here to make that point, sir. Consider it made.”

“But do you understand?” Waring said. “You see, Arthur, a business in which I invest recently suffered a serious incident. It seems a member of my staff was killed while going about his duty. A very grave matter.”

“Graves only be men’s works,” Kim murmured. Will knew that one: it was a line from Timon of Athens that had come up in the course of his first entanglement with Zodiac.

“It has caused me enormous inconvenience,” Waring went on. “I consider it a direct attack. An unprovoked act of war, one might say, and as you remarked, Mr. Darling, one can so easily feel as if one is at war when one’s business is threatened. I do not let injuries pass unavenged.”

“Then avenge them on the right target,” Will said. “Not on people who haven’t done you any harm.”

“It doesn’t work that way, Mr. Darling. If you attack what is mine, then I shall retaliate against what is yours, do you see? I expect you would shrug off threats of personal injury or even real harm. I dare say you’re very brave.” He gave the word an insulting flick. “But if the punishment would be suffered, not by you, but by those for whom you care, I think you might be a little more circumspect. Arthur understands that, don’t you, Arthur? You care very little for yourself; I imagine you would be eager to make some great dramatic sacrifice. But my daughter suffering distress, even by watching Miss Jones suffer—no, you wouldn’t like to see that, would you?”

“I would not,” Kim said. “I hope it will not arise.”

“I shall decide what will arise,” Waring said. “You have chosen to interfere in my business; you do not choose the consequences.”

Kim took a deep breath. “Is there any room for negotiation?”

“Negotiation?” Waring’s lips stretched. “No. No, I think not. There is only surrender—unconditional, absolute, abject surrender, and obedience thereafter. I will accept that, and nothing less.” He looked between them, eyes hard. “I advise you throw yourselves on my mercy and pray that I show any, because the alternatives will be very unpleasant indeed for you and your friend. Consider well, Arthur, Mr. Darling. Consider well and quickly, because you have tried my patience too far.”

“I believe I understand what you’re asking.” Kim’s lips were white. “May I have time to think?”

“Do you need to?”

“I have loyalties, little though you may believe it. For God’s sake, sir, this is an innocent girl. Let me at least have time to think!”

“You may have until the morning,” Waring said. “Miss Jones will be quite safe until then, unless of course any of you attempt to leave my house. That would be a breach of my trust and a very bad mistake indeed. Make sure your obstinate friend here understands; I fear he may not have your moral flexibility. You may go. Oh,” he added, as Kim began to turn, “by the way, until I have done with you, you will find your motor-car out of commission, and the telephone faulty. Now, why don’t you pop off for a drink before dinner. A cocktail or whatever it is. I believe that’s your main area of talent.”

Kim took Will’s arm and pulled hard. “Come on, Will. Let’s go.”

Chapter Sixteen

Will made sure they were well away before he let out a long breath. “Jesus Christ. He’s mad as a hatter.”

“Mad or bad. Certainly dangerous to know.”

“I can’t face the girls. Can we go outside?”

Kim led him into the gardens, away from the light of the house. It was very dark and bloody cold, but the air was clean. That made a change from Waring’s study.

“I don’t know how you’ve stood it so long,” he said, keeping his voice low, just in case. This cloak and dagger stuff got on his last nerve. “I couldn’t have.”

“He usually hides it a great deal better. The gloves have well and truly come off.”

“Hides it except for the bloody great sea-goat on his fireplace. That’s a capricorn, isn’t it?”

“Would you believe, I didn’t notice it myself till my last visit. In fairness I’d seen the blasted thing so often it was invisible to me, but still.”

“Bit risky to label himself so clearly.”

“Well, he labels his people permanently,” Kim pointed