Page 106 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

Andreas raised an eyebrow at Santiago’s guarded tone. “Of course. I’ve been wanting to end this inane conflict between us, but you seemed bent on prolonging it. I’m very glad to see you here; now we can put it all behind us.”

Santiago pursed his lips, ruminating over his friend’s words and trying to determine why they irked him so much. “That’s not the reason I came. I’m not quite ready to put everything behind us, despite howinaneyou think it is.”

“Why are you here, then?” Andreas’s voice was suddenly sharp, hostile, and perhaps even a little wounded as it hit Santiago’s ears.

“I need to check something. How was Évora last year?”

“Why do you ask?”

Santiago leaned toward the captain, searching his eyes for truth. “When you borrowed my carriage last year, is that where you went?”

Andreas’s face hardened, and all traces of geniality evaporated. “Do you remember what I told you the day your parents died?”

But before Santiago could respond, Andreas was punching him in the face.

Santiago reeled back, cradling his jaw where he’d been hit.

Andreas was on his feet, glowering with hatred. “Well?What did I tell you?”

“You’re asking this now?”

“Tell me!”

Santiago stared at the man in shock. He’d never seen Andreas out of control like this. “You told me that whatever I did with the rest of my life, you would make sure it succeeded.”

“That’s exactly right! And I have! When you ran away from your birthright to chase this stupid idea of becoming a merchant, did I laugh at you? Did I say it couldn’t be done? Nay, I helped you buy a ship! I even became captain!”

Santiago went around the desk, stopping a few feet from Andreas. “If you thought it was stupid, then why did you help me? Why not just tell me what you really thought?!”

“Because you still had a part to play, and I couldn’t very well lose your friendship just yet.”

Santiago looked at the man in disbelief.Even my worst fears weren’t this bad.

“You mean you were just using me this whole time?”

Andreas threw back his head and laughed. It was a cacophonous, chilling sound. “Of course I was! And once your parents were gone, it was easy to gain your trust. You were so desperate for someone to care… Just as I’d hoped.”

Santiago’s eyes widened at the implications. He flew forward and grabbed hold of Andreas’s shirt. “What are you trying to say?”

The captain didn’t look the least bit worried as Santiago tried his best not to suffocate the man. “You ask far too many questions. I knew this day would come, but I guess it came a little sooner than I thought. Oh, well, it’s not like I really need you anymore.”

Santiago tried not to let the barbs get to him. “Don’t avoid the question, Costa.Did you have something to do with my parents’ deaths?I could end you right now, so answer me.”

“How could I? I mean, it’s not like the criminal who murdered them just happened to know where they’d be that night. Quite a shame the murderer was never caught.” Costa winked.

Santiago raised a fist, about to smash the man’s jaw—

“Ah, not so fast!” Costa had pulled out a dagger from his clothes so quickly that Santiago hadn’t even noticed. Now it was aimed right at his chest.

Santiago stopped, the knife hovering just above his heart.

“As I recall, the police couldn’t find motive, weapon, or killer. The only thing they could determine was the type of weapon. A dagger.” The captain smirked and glanced at the knife in his hand. “Rather like this one, in fact. Or perhapspreciselythis one. How fitting, then, for you to leave this world in the same way your parents—”

“Argh!” Santiago grabbed Costa’s wrist and shoved him away. He looked around for anything he could use as a weapon, his eyes settling on the captain’s pistol.

But suddenly, Santiago pitched to the side and fell on the floor. Everything started sliding, falling, hitting the wall—

Santiago pulled himself up using the desk, but then the ship was heaving to the opposite side—