Highland Wolf (Highland Brides) Read Online Free Page B

thief. "I didn't take it."
    "Then where is it?"
    "I don't... I don't know what you're talking about."
    With a jerk, Roman thrust the sharp end of the poker past the man's face and into the fire behind him. 'Think hard," he suggested quietly.
    The thief swallowed and stared sideways at the glowing faggots. "I didn't take it," he whispered.
    Roman nodded toward the pile of discarded items that had been dumped from his sporran. "Then why isn't it there?" he asked, reaching for the poker. The end glowed an entrancing orange.
    "Ain't there?" whispered the villain. "But we was told 'twas in the pouch." He suddenly stiffened. 'The Shadow! 'E got 'ere before us."
    Roman eased back an inch. "What?"
    "Not again! Jesus! Not again! I'm as good as dead. Dagger's gonna kill me."
    "What are you talking about?"
    "The Shadow," he moaned. "Damn his soul! He's done it again."
    "Who's—" Roman began, but a gasp from behind stopped his words.
    Still crouching, Roman turned on his heels. Herr Krahn stood in the doorway holding a club as thick as his arm. Behind him, a woman gaped, her uplifted candle throwing her wide eyes and cloth cap into stark relief.
    "What the hell goes on here?" growled her husband.
    Roman ground his teeth. What the hell, indeed? "Who or what is the Shadow?" he asked slowly.
    'The Shadow?" The big man lowered the club. His wife sidled sideways a scant step, eyes still round as oranges. "What's this all about, then?"
    "I've been robbed," said Roman.
    "Gonna slit my throat," the thief moaned.
    "The Shadow?" The big landlord advanced with a scowl. His wife came with him, staring. "Here? In my house?"
    "Here and gone like a ghost," whispered the thief. "Damn 'im. 'E must a already took it when we come. Turned hisself into smoke and slipped down the chimney. Or slithered under the door like a snake."
    "Have you heard of this Shadow?" asked Roman, facing the landlord.
    "I have heard tales same as everyone. But whether they are true ...?" The big man shrugged.
    "Oh, they're true. 'E's real," whispered the thief. "'E just ain't 'uman."
    Roman turned back to the man on the floor. "Who is this Shadow?"
    The thief shrugged. "'E ain't nobody. Or 'e's everybody. 'E ain't anywhere. But 'e's everywhere. I gotta get away. Gotta get away." He shifted his eyes wildly about.
    "How would he know I had the necklace?" asked Roman, trying to reel the man back to reality.
    "'ow?" He laughed, but the sound was wild. "The Shadow knows everything 'bout everyone. 'E just knows."
    Roman scowled. "Who is he? How does he look?"
    "'E looks like an old man. A babe. A puff of smoke."
    Stifling an oath, Roman rose to his feet. "Who has been in this house while I was here this night?" he asked, turning to the pair by the entrance.
    The landlord shook his head. "Just a young couple, them and their little one. But I know them well. Then there was the young fool what come in just fore you. He was in the room across from yours. Marrow was his name. John Marrow. But he was too drunk to..."
    Doom echoed in Roman's mind. Grabbing the woman's candle, he took the steps three at a time. The slatted door banged open, revealing an empty room.
    Roman swore in quiet earnest then turned toward the couple who had followed him up the stairs. "How did he look?"
    "He ... He ..." Herr Krahn scowled as he scrutinized the room. The bed had not been slept in. Not a thing was out of place. "He was a stout man. Fair tall... I think. He woke me up. I—"
    "What color was his hair? What did he wear?"
    "He had a hat. It shadowed his face. All dark, he wore. He'd just woke me up. I couldn't see much."
    Roman drew a deep breath, steadying his temper. Now was not the time to lose control. 'Tell me about the Shadow," he said evenly.
    Krahn pulled back his big shoulders and lowered his brows. "The Shadow," he murmured as if just connecting the incident with the name. "'Tis said he's the ghost of an old beggar what lived on Laurel Street."
    The wife eased up beside her husband. "Some say he