Chapter 26 · The Crown's Debt

The axe was already dropping toward Ryan's neck when he shouted, "Wait!"

The headsman locked his arms in place. The blade stopped inches above Ryan's throat, trembling in the cold light.

"You want a stay of execution?" Inspector Voss asked. He didn't look up from the parchment in his gloved hand. "On what grounds, Lord Ashe? The debt's confirmed. The seal is Crown issue."

Ryan's knees dug into the rough scaffold planks. His wrists were tied behind him, and Victor Lane's men had a clear view of the rope marks on his skin.

"Then read it," Ryan said. "All of it. Out loud. Right now."

A laugh came from the edge of the crowd.

Victor Lane stood with his arms crossed, far enough from the scaffold to keep blood off his boots. "He's stalling, Inspector. Everyone can see that."

"Then you've got nothing to lose," Ryan said. "Unless you're scared of your own paperwork."

Victor's smile tightened. "Careful."

"That isn't a denial."

Voss's jaw clenched. The word had found its mark. An Inspector of the Crown didn't get scared of paper.

He unrolled the parchment another six inches. "Fine. I'll read it."

"Every page," Ryan said.

"Don't push your luck."