Was that story true, or a bald‑faced lie? Ally wondered. Were they still hiding her someplace?
But why was he here? He certainly hadn't come to discuss the kitchen design job for his Gramercy Park mansion. That was now long ago and far away.
"Alexa," he said moving toward her, "please don't be frightened but there's something I have to find out."
He reached out with his left hand and seized her wrist. She only saw the glint of the penknife in his right hand for an instant before he slashed it across her palm.
"What!" she screamed and yanked her hand away. Knickers gave a loud yelp and then howled mournfully.
Only then did she notice that there'd been just a momentary flash of pain.
"It's okay," Bartlett said reaching to soothe Knickers. "Just a superficial scratch. Now watch it. I want to know if Karl had time to finish the procedure."
My God. She didn't have to watch. She could already feel it beginning to heal.
"What's . . . what's going on? Is this—?"
"He had hopefully completed the Beta on you just before Kristy's mother showed up. But did it work the way it was supposed to? We didn't know. Until now."