Page 69 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

My heart burned, falling down to my stomach as I stared at Roxanne’s painting resting on the wall.Dear Moon, I cannot breathe.

“Where are the documents?” Francis called out from the room.

I peeked into the study; Francis frantically searched through the stack of papers on the table. “I gave them to Roxanne,” I told him carefully.

“They were here last night,” he gestured in front of him. “I put the documents right here.”

“What is going on?” Roxanne’s voice echoed from behind as she pushed past me.

Francis’ gaze met hers when he said, “The documents are gone.”

Chapter 26

Guard Dog

Voices erupted in unison, turning into one incoherent sound.

“I left them in your study!” Roxanne shouted.

“They are not here!” Francis yelled back.

“Are you certain?” Roxanne rushed toward the table.

“Do you take me for a fool?” Francis shook his head.

Papers flew in every direction when Roxanne rummaged through the documents. “Fuck!” She finally gave up. “I put them right here. They were right here!”

Francis took a deep breath, collecting himself before speaking. “Who did you tell about the documents?” he said in a terrifyingly calm voice.

“I heard shouting.” Caleb ran into the room, with an unsheathed dagger in his hand. “Is everything all right?” He scanned the room.

“We only told Simon,” Roxanne shook her head.

“What is going on?” Caleb whispered to me, putting his dagger away.

“We can’t find the documents,” I replied quietly.

“Did you tell him at the tavern?” Francis took a deep breath as though using all of his energy to keep himself put.

Roxanne nodded, touching the bridge of her nose.

“Bloody hell.” Francis sat down on the chair.

“Someone must have overheard you,” Caleb chimed in.