Peacekeepers

Chapter 40: The Researcher

July 5, 1893

Anne was nervous, twisting her hands in her skirts anxiously as the carriage rode through the streets, wincing when it hit a rough patch of the road and making her bounce in her seat.

"You'd think they'd maintain these roads better." Garreth grumbled, steadying her against him with an arm around her waist as he watched out the window warily.

"Muggles can't fix things as easily." Diane chuckled from across from them. "No reparo spells for them."

"It's no wonder Dan is always in awe of spells." Sebastian chuckled from one side of Diane, Ominis smirking from her other side.

"Thank you for coming with us, you three. I do appreciate it." Anne said softly, setting a hand against her belly anxiously. "I'm so nervous."

"Of course, sis. As if I'd let you go into something like this on your own." Sebastian grinned. "You know we're here for you if you need us."

"With anything. Not just fighting." Diane added with a smile. "Around the house, with the baby, if you need a break, or maybe extra hands," she started listing things off on her fingers as Ominis' smile widened beside her.

"You guys are going to make me emotional." Anne sighed, fanning her face as her cheeks flushed as she tried not to get teary eyed. It was so nice to have so many people supporting her, especially during moments like this when she felt so vulnerable.

"Poor Anne." Garreth smiled softly over to her, knowing how she usually preferred to act tough. The hormones just wouldn't let her, though.

She gave him a little wry smirk and grabbed his hand with one of hers, giving another little nervous sigh. "It would help if I knew anything about this guy... but the fact that he works for the Right Hand makes me nervous. You said Kaiden Malfoy didn't know what they were doing?" She said, looking to Ominis.

"No, not at all. In fact it was a huge betrayal to him that Kyle would use his money in such a way. So we shouldn't assume that he knows what he's working toward. It may be a similar situation."

"Or it may be that he does know." Sebastian shrugged. "We'll have to be careful."

"You don't think he'd try anything with me, do you?" Anne asked in worry.

"I'm coming with you wherever you go, sweetheart. I won't let anything happen to you." Garreth said, squeezing her hand in his reassuringly.

That did help in calming her down, a soft sigh of relief sounding from her.

When they arrived at the address, Sebastian stared out the window with wide eyes. "What the hell? Is this guy rich or something?" He said in shock at the size of the house. It was almost as big as the Walsh estate had been!

"I'm not sure... I guess he is." Anne said in surprise, staring out the window as well. Garreth let out an impressed whistle, leaning over beside her.

"I don't understand why people have such big houses like that." Garreth whispered. "Where does all that money come from?"

"Garreth." Sebastian turned a flat expression toward him. "I've been to your family's house. It's bigger than this, just underground."

Garreth thought for a moment before chuckling and shrugged helplessly. "I suppose."

They walked up to the house, and Anne nervously knocked on the door, standing back and straightening her skirts anxiously. "I wish I'd worn something a bit better." She mumbled.

"You look wonderful, don't worry." Garreth smirked in amusement at her fussing.

Anne gave him a little smile as well, but it vanished as her anxiety returned when the door opened. A man in a black suit lowered his head to them in greeting.