Heart of Courage Read Online Free PDF Page B

appeared.
    â€œGood afternoon, gentlemen,” Lindsey said.
    â€œGood afternoon, Miss Graham.” Bertram settled his beaver hat over his thinning hair and he and Archer disappeared out the door.
    Thor looked at her hard. “Do not tell me you could have handled them by yourself.”
    â€œI did just fine, thank you.”
    â€œYou were lying and they knew it. By the gods, Lindsey, you cannot help your brother by making up tales that are clearly not true.”
    â€œI was buying time. In a couple of days, I will tell them I remembered incorrectly, that I got the dates mixed up, but not yet. I need to find out who killed those women. That is the only way my brother is going to be safe.”
    Thor’s blue eyes sharpened. “If the police can’t find the killer, how will you?”
    â€œI’m a newspaper reporter, am I not? It is my job to dig up information. That is precisely what I am going to do.”
    â€œYou are a woman, Lindsey, whether you like it or not. Two women have already been killed.”
    â€œI’m going to help my brother—whether you like it or not!” Turning away from him, she picked up her reticule and started for the door.
    Thor caught her arm. “You are going home?”
    â€œFor now.”
    â€œIs your carriage out front?”
    â€œI usually walk to work this time of year.”
    â€œYou are upset and worried. I will see you get home safely.”
    She opened her mouth to protest but already he was urging her toward the door, grabbing her cloak off the coat tree, leading her outside and down the front steps. He raised one big hand and a hansom cab jerked to a halt just a few feet away. Thor helped her climb in, settled himself on the seat beside her, and the driver clucked the horse into motion.
    â€œYou are a troublesome female,” Thor said.
    â€œAnd you are a meddlesome brute.”
    His jaw tightened. “An irritating, troublesome female.”
    She cast him a glance. “An overbearing, meddlesome brute.”
    Thor just grunted and leaned back in the seat. Lindsey tried not to notice the powerful shoulder pressing against her, the faint, masculine scent of soap and man. She tried not to be grateful that he was taking her home when she had just lied to the police.
    When, instead of her brother, she might be the one who wound up going to prison.
    Â 
    Aunt Delilah was pacing the drawing room when Lindsey got home.
    â€œLindsey! Thank God you are here! The police just left. What in the name of heaven is going on?”
    Lindsey sighed. “I am sorry, Aunt Dee, I should have told you. I suppose I was hoping the entire affair would simply fade away and you would never be the wiser.”
    â€œThe entire affair? By that you are referring to the murder of two young women, for which the authorities suspect your brother?”
    Lindsey caught hold of her aunt’s pale hand and they both sat down on the sofa. “He didn’t do it. You know Rudy would never do anything like that.”
    â€œOf course not. Oh, dear God, I wish your father were here.”
    Not for the first time in her life, so did Lindsey. From the time she was a child, her parents never seemed to be around when she needed them. “Well, he isn’t and so the task of clearing Rudy’s name is left to you and me.”
    â€œWhatever do you mean?”
    â€œThe police can’t seem to find the real killer so we must do it for them.”
    â€œAre you mad? You don’t know the first thing about finding a murderer.”
    â€œI imagine it involves digging up information. That is something I know how to do.”
    Aunt Dee shook her head, moving the glossy black curls on her shoulders. “I don’t know, Lindsey…. If anything went wrong, if something happened to you, your parents would never forgive me.”
    â€œHow do you think they are going to feel when they find out their son has been tossed into prison for