Stanley drives Elizabeth and Tinley home, and the Doctor follows. “She’s rattled and has a bump on the back of her head, but Miss Miller will be okay. Let her rest.”
Elizabeth walks the Doctor out, and Sebastian sits with Tinley reassuring her that Aiylin is okay. “Please, Daddy, I will just sit quietly?” she pleads.
“I will see if she’s awake, my heart, the Doctor said to let her sleep.”
Aiylin is staring out at the lantern in the melted snow. Her head is pounding, but she ignores it. She runs it over and over in her mind each visit with Langdon. Did she bring this on? What did he mean by the others?
A knock has her turning to the door. “Come in.”
Sebastian walks in, holding a tray with cups and a teapot. The moment Tinley sees her, she flies across the room and throws her arms around her legs.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay. The bad man didn’t hurt you!”
Aiylin wraps both arms around her and presses a kiss to the top of her head. “No. Just a bit tussled, but I’ll be better tomorrow.”
“You’re supposed to be resting,” Sebastian says, watching her closely.
“I know,” she replies and avoids looking at him. “I’m sorry that I ruined your trip to the market,” she whispers.
“It’s not your fault,” Tinley says and tugs her over to the rocker next to the fireplace. Aiylin sits, and Tinley grabs a blanket to tuck over her legs.
“My brilliant daughter is right,” Sebastian grins as he watches Tinley take care of Aiylin. “We brought you a treat,” he smiles.
“Oh?” Aiylin struggles to hide the emotion raging behind her eyes. “Melting chocolate, Oma said it cures everything,” Tinley helps her father pour, and he hands her a cup. Aiylin’s hands are shaking too hard to hold it alone.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs.
“I’ve got you,” Sebastian murmurs and Tinley nods as he places the cup back on the tray.
His eyes lock on to hers, and she with retreats into herself, refusing to look at him. “Perhaps some food would help,” Sebastian turns to Aiylin. “My heart, would you go ask Oma to have soup and biscuits sent up?”
Tinley is happy to help, and she runs from the room. Aiylin leans back, wincing when she bumps her head. Sebastian grabs a small pillow and offers it to her. She leans forward allowing him to help and sits back with a sigh of relief. She clutches her hands in front of her.
“Thank you,” she jumps when he takes her hands in his.
“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours, Aiylin?” he demands.
“Tomorrow we will talk, Sebastian. I need to rest,” she murmurs and squeezes her eyes closed, as a tear slips down her cheek.
“I’m sorry. Of course, rest.”
When he leaves, she doesn’t try to stop her tears. How could he ever forgive her for bringing this to his door?
Chapter 24
Jacob sits across from the jail cell the next morning, holding a glass bottle in his hand. Tasha explained what the drops were and how some people abuse them. Now staring at the deranged man in front of him, he’s decided to try to use that to his advantage. Two deputies are working at their desks but watching in case he needs them.
“Release me!” Langdon demands, “I’ll have your badge for this. I didn’t do anything wrong, Aiylin is my fiancé.”
“I don’t think so, Mr. Barnett.” He lifts the bottle and opens it to take a smell. “Mmm, smells good.”
Langdon goes still, like a predator who has spotted his dinner. “Those are mine, I need them,” he whines and reaches through the bars. Both deputies stop working to watch.
Jacob seals the vial and places it on his wooden desk. “I’ve heard about these drops. They are supposed to take away pain.”
“Yes, I can get you some!” his eyes never leave the bottle.
“That’s a promise you can’t keep, Mr. Barnett. The U.S. Marshall will be here soon to take you into custody.”
Langdon feels the rage building and tries to stamp it down. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Well, witnesses say that you threatened to kill an innocent young woman. Our victim gave a statement that you threatened the Becker family as well as a young child.”
“Lies! They fall from her lips!” Sweating profusely, he struggles with stomach cramps, headache, and tremors. “Please, give me my drops they make it stop…” he pleads.
“Tell me why you came here first and I’ll let you have them,” Jacob lifts the bottle in front of the bars and shakes his head in disgust when Langdon leaps forward reaching through with a clawed hand. He shouts in outrage when Jacob smiles.
“You won’t be smiling when I get out of here, Sheriff! That pretty little store clerk of yours will beg for mercy before I’m through with her!”
Both deputies leap up and grab Jacob before he can get to the cell. “You don’t threaten mine!” he shouts.
“Not so calm now,” Langdon laughs and lays down on the cot.
Jacob shrugs off the deputies and seizes the bottle, shattering it on the floor. Langdon leaps from his bed, with a roar of outrage. “No!” He stretches through the bars, reaching for the liquid amongst the debris.
“Disgusting,” Jacob murmurs. “I need air. Give it some more time, Doc says he’ll tell us everything when the tremors hit.”
Tasha is working in the back on the accounting books for her Father when Jacob walks in. He stares at her for a minute, before she realizes he’s there.
“Jacob!” she lights up the room with
