Page 81 of A Shadow Amongst the Roses

Thomas moved immediately, kneeling beside him. “Easy, lad. You’re safe.”

The boy blinked awake. When his eyes focused on Thomas, relief flooded his face without reservation.

“Mr. Grey!” Sammy sat up so fast he swayed, and Thomas steadied him with both hands. “I didn’t lose it! I promise I didn’t lose it!”

Eliza and Thomas exchanged a quick glance.

Thomas softened his tone. “Lose what, Sammy?”

“The note!” Sammy’s small hands patted at his pockets frantically. “Da said I had to give it to Mr. Hacket at the mill. He would know to give it straight to you. I didn’t drop it—I didn’t—oh!”

His hands froze inside the torn lining of his jacket.

Slowly, reverently, he drew out a crumpled, damp sheet of paper. Still intact.

Thomas released a long breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

“You kept this with you the whole time?” he asked.

The boy nodded vigorously, tears gathering again. “Da said it was important. And I knew I had to get it to you. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

Something tender and fierce moved through Thomas. He reached out and clasped the boy’s shoulder with care.

“You didn’t disappoint me,” he said, voice thickened with sincerity. “You did exactly what was needed.”

Eliza stepped closer as Thomas unfolded the note. Her heart beat a fast tattoo. Whatever lay on that page had already reshaped their night. It would shape what came next.

Thomas scanned the message quickly. His jaw set.

“It’s worse than I thought,” he murmured.

Eliza’s breath caught. “What does it say?”

He folded the note with careful precision before answering. “One of the support beams at Thornhaven was weakened deliberately. The roof collapse wasn’t an accident.”

She absorbed that in silence. “You suspected as much.”

“I did,” he admitted. “But this confirms it.” His gaze lifted to hers. “Someone wanted people hurt. Your tenants. Your land.” He paused. “Or you.”

The space between them shifted, protective now, instinctive.

Eliza drew in a slow breath. “What are you thinking?”

There was no hesitation. Only resolve.

“This is connected. Sammy’s disappearance. The attempt to blame me. The sabotage. Ashwood’s sudden arrival. None of it is coincidence.”

She swallowed. “You believe Ashwood…”

Thomas didn’t say the word. He didn’t need to.

“We need to move the boy before Ashwood begins searching.”

Eliza nodded. “Where will we take him?”

Thomas rose slowly and offered a hand to Sammy. “Somewhere safe. Somewhere he will never think to look.”

Sammy took his hand without question.