Lost Treasure

Chapter 2 - Facing The Enemy

POV = Ambrose

Suddenly I sat bolt upright in bed, sweating profusely and desperately trying to catch my breath.

"Lillian ... " I gasped out her name.

It was a clear night and the almost full moon partially lit my sparse bedroom. Adequate ... no need for a candle. My chest continued to heave as my brain replayed the image of Lilly falling from the rope bridge.

I put my hands to my face and stretched my neck backwards trying to get my breathing under control. I couldn't believe it had happened again. I had never been a fan of the wasteful activity called sleep, but recently I had almost begun to fear it. My sleeping hours were being haunted by nightmares - very vivid and detailed nightmares that always left me in this pitiful state.

I reached across to the chest of drawers and grabbed my pocket watch. I flipped it open - 2.44am. I returned the watch and lay back on my bed to continue calming my breathing.

The worst nightmares were becoming more frequent and they always ended the same way - with the death of Miss Lillian Linton. Tonight's had been so vivid that I was questioning whether it had actually happened. Had she really been taken from me? Ever since my unexpected meeting with Dalgliesh shortly after my return from South America, I hadn't had a restful night's sleep.

Fortunately that particular evening my secretary Mr Linton had not accompanied me to what I thought was a business meeting in Battersea. Instead of a prospective business partner, Dalgliesh was sat in The King's Arms tavern waiting for me:

"No secretary tonight Lord Ambrose?"

"Mr Ambrose. Do you see one?"

"I thought you two were joined at the hip, along with your gorilla here." Dalgliesh smirked sarcastically.

Karim took a step forward and placed his hand on the hilt of his sabre. I placed my hand on his shoulder to stop him for a moment.

"Please Rikkard. I just want to talk to you for a few minutes. I have no army with me, just a couple of men sat over there. Sit and drink with me."

Karim looked at me and then continued glaring at Dalgliesh.

"Very well your lordship. I will sit but I will not drink with you." Karim glanced back at me and I nodded at him before I sat opposite the man I hated most in all the world. Karim stood behind me on high alert, facing Dalgliesh's men.

"Such a pity Ambrose. They serve a particularly fine blend of scotch whiskey in this tavern. Sure I can't tempt you?" I shot him a look that made my answer clear.

"What do you want?" I wanted this over and done with as soon as possible.

"Efficient as always, eh Rikkard? Though I am curious as to where Mr Linton is this evening?"

"None of your business."

"I understand that you and your little team have recently returned from South America. You were gone for quite a long time. I trust it was a successful trip?"

"Adequate." I was sure that Dalgliesh didn't know about the hoard of gold treasure that we had returned from that expedition with, so what was he up to?

"Whilst you were away there really were an extraordinary number of balls and social events you know. I attended quite a few of them myself. They're so useful for making and renewing business contacts don't you think?"

Dalgliesh took a sip of his scotch and looked at me. He may have been expecting an answer but I wasn't going to waste unnecessary words on him.