A Duke in Shining Armor (8 page)

             
He turned and made his way back to the house.  He would just tell Clint that with him being married now it was time for him to make his departure.  He had just reached the front stairs to the townhouse when a scream sounded from the second floor.

             
He took off running in the direction of which the sound came from.  His first thoughts flew to Juliet.  He had to make sure she was safe.  He nearly collided with her as they reached the stairwell at the same time.  “What is going on, I heard screaming!” she asked him.

He pushed her to the side.  “Stay here.” He ordered.  Clint came barreling down the hall.  They each took the stairs running.  They found a pale faced Emily with her hands to her mouth. She was staring in horror at Clint’s little sisters nurse Mary lying in a pool of blood outside of the child’s bedroom.

 
             
Clint rushed forward and wrapped his wife into his arms.  He checked her over from head to toe while Jon reached down to the nursemaid to feel if her chest moved with any life.  She was breathing, but it was shallow.  “We need a doctor and fast.” He told Clint grimly.  Emily nodded her head and took off down the stairs.  Jon stood up and followed Clint into little Olivia’s room.  The room was in shambles. 

You could tell a struggle had taken place.  In the center of the room sat one lone child size shoe.  Clint walked over to it and picked it up.  Jon could tell he was in shock, and was trying to come to terms with the fact that his sister was not in her room.  He was about to walk over to Clint when he caught sight of a piece of paper on Olivia’s bed sitting next to her favorite doll that never left her side.  He snatched it up and read it.  He looked at Clint his eyes filled with dread.  “What does it say?” Clint demanded
.

“We have the girl.  Do nothing until you receive further instructions or she dies.”