Blood Line Read Online Free PDF Page B

lad.'
    While Faro filled in the details, Vince completed his bandaging in silence.
    'That's it, then. As far as I can go, Stepfather. The rest is up to you.'
    Thanking him, Faro tried to stand up. When he swore, Vince grinned.
    'Don't take it out on me, Stepfather.'
    'It's damnably sore.'
    'Give it time.'
    'Time! And don't you go round blabbing what I've told you to them,' said Faro with a fierce nod towards the closed door.
    'You must think I'm a fool. Two ladies with the vapours and two hysterical little girls. Life, for us mere men, would hardly be worth living. Anyway, you should be jolly thankful that it wasn't your neck. I expect that was the intention - a more fatal area, I assure you, that doesn't respond to
    healing with time.'
    'Hold on, this bandage - it is too bloody tight.' 'Tight is what it has to be, if it's to get better, so do stop complaining, there's a good fellow.' Faro seized his boot, and watched by Vince finally gave up the unequal struggle to get it fastened.
    'How am I expected to do anything if I can't get a boot on and I can't walk?'
    Vince grinned. 'The answer is simple. You don't even try.'
    'God dammit.'
    'Precisely - and all criminals too. You'll have to let them rest for a while.'
    'Damnation - are you certain about this ankle?'
    'Oh indeed I am, Stepfather. Allow me to know a badly sprained limb when I see one. And if you want a second opinion I can get Dr Kellar to look at it. As Police Surgeon, he's more used to handling the dead than the living, of course, so don't expect him to be as gentle as I am.'
    Seeing Vince's offended expression, Faro patted his arm. 'Sorry, lad, but it is a cursed nuisance, you must admit.'
    'I dare say you'll get quite adept at hopping up and downstairs,' said Vince with a cheerful grin. 'A sprightly man like you.'
    Faro gave him a sharp glance. 'Thank you for not reminding me I'll soon be forty - at the moment, McQuinn's favourite taunt.'
    'Really, Stepfather. You're getting as sensitive as a dowager about your age. Forget it. Probably McQuinn envies you that abundant head of hair - as I do. I reckon I'll get half an inch more face to wash with every passing year,' said Vince with a rueful glance in the mirror. 'Besides, you've got good bones, a fine strong Viking face, a splendid figure and an excellent constitution - barring regrettable accidents like typhoid and sprained ankles, which can happen to anyone. You're really wearing very well,' he added sternly. 'And you don't need my assurances that you don't look your age.'
    'As a matter of fact, you're the second person to tell me so in the past twenty-four hours,' said Faro smugly. 'Good.'
    To continue was irresistible. 'Yes, indeed. The first was a very pretty young lady - not much more than "sweet and twenty".'
    His stepson's weakness for any female young and pretty was immediately kindled and at the end of Faro's story of his meeting with Lucille Haston, Vince stressed how anxious he was to help. His fervent offer of assistance, by taking his injured stepfather's place on a personally conducted tour of the royal apartments, was too eager not to be also quite transparent.
    'Sounds like a splendid idea, lad, if you can manage my mother, Rose and Emily too,' said Faro carelessly. Seeing Vince's doubtful look, he added, 'I'd really be grateful. As you know, they're longing to visit the Castle and I honestly haven't the least idea about entertaining little lasses.'
    This admission put Vince on his mettle. 'Really, Stepfather, where the family is concerned, you certainly don't appear to exercise that famous logic of yours.'
    'And what do you mean by that?' asked Faro indignantly.
    'Why, they leave clues everywhere about what they like. All very easy to follow. Even I, who am no detective, can interpret the desires of little girls to perfection. Mind you,' he added with a rueful grin, 'I'm not always quite so astute where their older sisters are concerned.'
     
    In the days that followed, Faro discovered the