Tristan nodded at Douglas' suggestions. It sounded reasonable, though he still believed they should at least talk to the police.

And then Pippa dropped another bomb.

He stared, mouth lightly open, eyes blank. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? He closed his mouth into a thin straight line and turned his back on them, setting the empty glass down. Then he topped up Douglas' glass and his own with a double portion in light of the new developments. Had the ad not stated 'no followers'? And he had believed Pippa to be a sensible and well-bred girl...

He returned to where they were seated, handed Douglas a glass of brandy, and sat down with his own. "Well..." he said, still processing what he had heard. Did Pippa not realize the danger she had put herself in, especially given her circumstances? And even though she hadn't be killed, she could still... Yeah, actually, he really should look into her physical ailments. He sank further down into the chair, put a hand over his brow and squeezed it, and brought the glass to his lips.