Freddie had marched right up to him, and he had put up both hands as if to ward her off. She wasn’t making any threatening moves, though. Both of her arms were hanging stiffly at her sides.

“That girl, Penny. I saw her. She came in here.”

Who was Penny?

Jake looked around as if he expected to see another girl. “She’s not here. It’s just us. This is a business meeting and—”

“Don’t lie to me! I saw her. You’re keeping her in this hotel, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not keeping her anywhere,” Jake insisted.

“You’re lying! I saw her! You lied to me!” she screamed, and before anyone could do anything, she raised her arm and plunged a knife right into Jake’s chest.

Jake cried out, and Gideon did, too, because of the blood that immediately began to spread, soaking his shirt and his vest.

Someone screamed, someone who wasn’t Freddie, and all eyes turned to the other door that was open now. Persephone stood there, her face white with shock.

“She is here,” Freddie cried in triumph. “I knew it! You lied to me,” she repeated, and pulled out the knife and plunged it in again.

“Bates, let’s get out of here,” Coleman said, snatching up the bag of money. “We don’t want to get mixed up in this.”

“Wait. What about—” Gideon tried, but Coleman was gone, leaving the door hanging open behind him.

“Penny, come on,” Waterson said to Persephone, but she was still in shock, watching Jake sink to his knees as the blood continued to soak his shirt.

Freddie suddenly started to weep. “Oh, my darling, what have I done?” she asked, falling to her knees beside him. At least she’d pulled the knife out again.

Waterson went to the doorway where Persephone stood and pushed her into the other room, slamming the door behind them.

“What have I done?” Freddie continued to wail.

Gideon went to help Jake, not sure exactly what he should do but knowing he had to do something. Then he heard another door slam and voices in the hallway, Persephone and Waterson. They were half running down the hotel corridor, having obviously just fled the suite’s bedroom through the hall door. Waterson carried a Gladstone bag in one hand and was propelling a reluctant Persephone with the other. Persephone carried a carpetbag and turned as they passed the open door to see Freddie weeping while trying to hold Jake upright. Persephone stumbled to a halt, but Waterson took a moment to pull the door closed, shutting off her view and probably hoping to conceal the crime until he and Persephone could make their escape.

Jake keeled over onto his side while Freddie continued to moan over him.

There was even more blood than Elizabeth had seen in her vision. Gideon would have to be sure to tell her.

—