Chapter 60

Bang!

Zimmer flung the dining room door open and rushed inside.

He gave Adele a quick, polite nod, then hurried over to report to Christine. Whatever he said seemed meant for no one else's ears — he leaned in and murmured it low, and as he listened, Christine's expression visibly hardened.

"Sorry. I need to get going."

He rose hurriedly from his chair. Zimmer snatched the coat and rapier hanging on the wall. Something serious had clearly happened.

"I'm fine, so don't worry about me — go, quickly."

Adele was curious what it was, but she decided not to ask until he told her himself. Given the nature of his work, there had to be plenty he couldn't speak of freely.

"And you — don't you dare come outside."

Christine said it gravely to Adele, who had followed him as far as the dining room door to see him off.…