Time was running out.
Agnes gave Jarvis a shove.
Jarvis, gun in hand, dashed into the dense woods of the island. Those in black pursued him into the forest.
Agnes had no idea if Jarvis could make it out alive. But as long as Jarvis had fled, there was still a glimmer of hope.
Agnes was dragged back into the mansion by Herbert. Upon entering, she saw Herbert conversing with Bain.
Agnes felt a chill in her heart. Bain had been with Reggie for thirty years. She never imagined he was in cahoots with Kearney.
Turning, Bain saw Agnes and smiled, "Miss Septima, welcome back. Don't worry, if you can't find your friend, we'll definitely help you look."
"Bain Robertson, you betrayed your godfather!"
Bain just smiled, "I serve the head of Albert’s Arms, and now that Mr. Kearney is in charge, I naturally follow his lead."
Agnes clenched her fists. Albert’s Arms was darker than she had imagined. She wondered how much Kearney had changed it over the years. Who beside her godfather could still be trusted?
This time, Agnes wasn’t locked in the basement but was free to move around the mansion, though not leave it.
Bain said, "Miss Septima, I have good news. Mr. Kearney will visit tonight, and Mr. Albert, knowing you're here, might come to see you too."
The thing Agnes feared most was happening. Kearney was using her as bait. If her godfather came alone tonight... With the entire island under Kearney’s control, the odds were grim.
Agnes felt uneasy. But there was nothing she could do but wait and see.
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