Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

something. When my David asked me, I’d seen it coming and been fasting all day, so anxious I couldn’t get a bite down. I passed out in his arms.” She shook her head. “Sounds romantic, but didn’t feel that way.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

Theo trudged in, rubbing his eyes. He sniffed the air. “Can I have some coffee, too?”

“Sure—in about five years.” Ellis smirked.

Theo groaned.

Blast, did I just use the same response my dad did when I asked if I could drive the horseless carriage? I must be getting old.

Ellis downed his breakfast and went into the shop. Even though they weren’t open today, he had several projects brewing. He’d focus on them until Nyssa came downstairs.

He paused in front of his workbench. Nyssa’s notepad lay on top of it, open, with a tattered scrap showing where a page had been roughly ripped out. Odd for Nyssa who was so careful with her belongings.

How in the world did that get here? He scanned the cluttered surface. Cogs and vacuum tubes lay scattered, but not in the right order. Though Nyssa always teased about the messy way he kept his workspace, Ellis thrived on the chaos and knew where to find every screw, bolt, and gear. Was Nyssa fussing with my stuff? No, if anything she’d leave it in better order, not worse. Maybe it got jostled somehow.

After clearing a space, he got out his notepad and flipped to his plans for an automated dishwasher. Mrs. H had jokingly suggested he make one.

Though that clever old girl probably knew I’d take that as a challenge. Well, she’s going to get her wish, either way. I just need to make the function gentle enough not to break the china while strong enough to scrub it … brushes? Water jets? Both?

The jangling of the doorbell made him look up. His posture tightened, and he scowled. “How did you get in here?”

O’Hara shrugged. “The door’s unlocked.”

“It shouldn’t be. We’re closed today.” He wheeled to the door and examined it, ignoring O’Hara who stood over him with her arms crossed. Scratches marred the surface around the keyhole. A chill shot through him.

Did someone break in? Or did O’Hara pick the lock? Not just now, though. I would’ve heard her. Blast, I need to make sure nothing’s missing. Why didn’t Nyssa enable the alarm last night? He held the door open. “You can turn around and leave. This is private property, and I doubt the San Azulan authorities granted you a search warrant.”

“You’re right, but I wanted to talk to you.” Without a glance at the open door, she strode further into the shop and leaned against the counter. “Your lady friend wasn’t easy to track. The New Taured police department was to the point of abandoning her case when we got the lead about her being in San Azula.”

“This country doesn’t have an extradition treaty.” Ellis continued to hold the door in spite of the hot air creeping in from outside. Sweat beaded beneath his collar.

“True—but that isn’t the reason I came here. I wanted to find out how much you know about the woman you shared a table with last night.”

“I know her far better than you do. If you knew a thing about Nyss, you’d know she’d never do what she’s accused of.”

O’Hara raised an eyebrow. “Really? So you believe her assertion of innocence? Then why did she run?”

“It’s a long story, which I doubt you’re truly interested in. Seriously, this is trespassing.” He jerked his head towards the open door, considering whether or not he was willing to drag her out by the hair.

“So you don’t want to talk about your lady friend, but what about yourself?” She fingered a screwdriver that lay on the countertop. “According to immigration records, your name is Hart Cormac, previously of New Taured, but there’s no such person. I sent a telegram back to check. No certificate of birth, no records of employment or education.”

“And yet I’m here.” Ellis allowed himself a smug smile. “Apparently New Taured needs to improve their record keeping.”

O’Hara scowled. “I will figure out how you fit into this.”

“Good for you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do, and I think it would be better for you if you weren’t here when Nyssa wakes up.”

“I was watching you two last night, hand in hand, like a picture on a Valentine. You know a girl like her won’t stick around long. She couldn’t stay straight when her employer gave her the chance. She’ll be off on another scheme and out of your grasp soon enough.”

“I’m through with this conversation.” He let the door swing shut and returned to his workbench. “You can leave willingly or I can call the police. Your call.”

“Ellis!” Theo rushed in, his eyes wide. He froze when he saw O’Hara.

“What’s wrong?” Ellis asked.

“Nyssa’s room is empty. I went upstairs and her door is wide open. She’s not there, though.”

Ellis’s chest tightened, but he forced his voice steady. “I’m sure she’s around.”

“Or it’s like I said, the moment I’m onto her, she bolts like the fugitive she is.” O’Hara sniffed, tilting her nose into the air.

Ellis gritted his teeth. He pushed a button on his workbench, causing the shop door to swing open. “Out. Now.”

O’Hara sauntered to the door, then turned around and gave him a wink. “I won’t be far, which is more than you can confidently say about your little girlfriend.”

As soon as she was through, Ellis punched the button on his desk again. The door swung shut behind her.

The nerve.

Theo’s bottom lip quivered. “That was the detective who scared Nyssa yesterday.”

Ellis started. “You know about that?”

“Nyssa told me to go upstairs, but I listened at the door.” Theo dropped his gaze to his feet. “Did … did she arrest Nyssa, you think? Is that where Nyssa’s gone?”

Ellis put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “No, she couldn’t have done that. We’re safe here, Theo. All of us, even Nyssa.”

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