The House That Jack Built by Robert Asprin & Linda Evans

He wouldn’t have moved his face on a dare.

“Sid bought the story about you being hit by a freight wagon. The creep actually chuckled and said it was about time you got your comeuppance. Malcolm was extremely rude to him.”

That surprised Skeeter, even as it warmed his heart. He still couldn’t get used to the idea that Malcolm Moore and Margo Smith were giving him their friendship. Margo smiled. “Paula’s gone to Spitalfields to check up on Ianira and the others. They’re all moving to Malcolm’s flat in Belgravia, just in case there’s trouble about the counterfeit banknotes.”

Skeeter regretted the necessity of ruining his friends’ down-time cover.

Margo patted his hand gently, taking care not to disturb the I.V. leads. “Rest for now, Skeeter. We’ve got everything under control. I’ll visit again tonight, after Paula gets back.” She gave him a cheery smile, then vanished from his line of sight. Dr. Nerian appeared and spent several moments fussing with his I.V. lines, then injected something into the heplock. Whatever it was, it eased the deep ache in his face and left him drifting.

Skeeter fell asleep wondering what he really would look like, a week from now.

* * *

Goldie Morran was having the worst week of her life. I.T.C.H. agents had been prowling through her books, finding discrepancies she would have to explain, and Interpol agents had been breathing down her neck, curious in the wake of the Inter-Temporal Court’s investigation. She would have been deeply thankful for the reprieve brought about by the Ripper, but for one detail. The entire station was locked down, leaving her trapped for three solid days in her shop, which she’d had the foresight to equip with a well-stocked back room, including a convertible sofa bed, a wet bar, and plenty of food.