Chapter 14. Twenty-two minutes later the front door of the sprawling mansion opened, and a footman

tripped his way down the steps in an effort to proceed his employer to the door of the limousine.

The door was opened for the distracted young man, now Natalie re-attired, and looking very little

the worse for wear for his supposed evening of debauchery the night before.

August Fenwick slipped in the door, still reading the banner story of the Morning Chronicle.

"'Morin' boss,' his driver said cheerfully, as if she hadn't seen him in their secret layer a short time ago.

He seemed surprised by the greeting, and Kit started the engine hurriedly to encourage the footman to close the door before her boss dropped the ball altogether.

Something must have rattled his cage for him to lose the threat of the whole secret identity routine, even for an instant.

A moment later they were on their way down the lane. His composure now returned.

"'Everything okay?' she asked, expecting an answer in the negative.

"'Martin Davies was killed last night,' he said,

indicating the paper in apparent disbelief.

"'The millionaire?' Kit was surprised.

"'Was it murder?'

"'No. An accident, by the look of things.

"'There was a fire. It doesn't really say how it started.

"'Wait,' he read silently for a moment.

"'It says the fire seems to have spilled out from a fireplace and spread.

"'Martin was apparently asleep in a chair nearby. I'm sorry, boss.

You were friends, weren't you? she asked. I've known Martin Davies all my life, he said, as if it were

the same thing. You weren't. It's been quite a while since there was anyone who knew anything that I

would consider important about my life, he said, frowning. Present company accepted, she said too softly for him to hear.

...