Carnival - Harlequin Intrigue, No 138 Author:Jenna Ryan NOTHING HAD PREPARED HER FOR THIS — Thick fog seeping off the Devon moor. The brooding ruins of an alchemist's castle. And the carnival itself, whose maze of tents and caravans hid the priceless Saxony jewels--and the identity of the carny who'd killed for them. — Preparing her first criminal case, Lexie Hudson was glad of Australian roustabout Ri... more »ck Matheson's friendly face--frankly, the place spooked her. But Lexie wasn't too scared to pursue any and all leads, and that worried Rick, working undercover for Scotland Yard. His concern wasn't entirely professional--he was greatly attracted to the young American lawyer, who wasn't experienced enough to know that the gravest threat to her well-being was her burning desire to uncover the truth. Rick heard a series of irregular clicks....
He dragged his mouth from Lexie's, lifting his eyes instinctively to the source of the irritating sound. It took only a split second for his brain to register what was happening and not much more than that for his reflexes to kick in. He thrust Lexie against the wall and shoved her to her knees. "Oh, my God...!" She breathed the exclamation in a barely audible whisper, then ducked even lower as the horrible creaking filled the air. The solid black mass of the elevator car was rolling down the narrow shaft, its descent labored and sluggish--but relentless. It kept coming, sinking lower and lower on its time-worn runners and ancient cables. The advancing monster was less than two meters above them now and still dropping. There was nothing they could do to stop it....« less