It was as if someone had stuck a cue in Reynard's bum.
"Tell me, lad," Mister Verel muttered as he instantly lowered his voice and leaned in. "Did you steal this?"
Reynard's eyes hovered over the brooch, and he gulped. What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? Reynard gulped again and the insides of his dry mouth.
"So?" Mister Verel probed. "Did you?"
"No," he replied, trying to remain level-headed. The crack in his voice did not go unnoticed by either of them. "Can I get it back now? My mother must be awaiting my return."
