Page 71 of The Duke and Lady Scandal
“I beg your pardon?”
“Likes disguises, he does. Might ’ave already left you something that will tell you ’is name too.” Demming turned, took a step closer. “A game, Drake,” he whispered gruffly. “Never forget the rotter’s playing a game.” He raised a fist and Ben clenched his own hands, ready to defend himself.
Instead, Demming raised the fist to his mouth and seemed to be overcome. “Amos. Me. You. We’re all just pieces for ’im to move about.”
“Then help me stop him. Lead me to him. Give me anything.”
The thief’s eyes were bleak and glassy, as if the grief had come back sharp. “The devil’s already circling. Sooner or later, ’e’ll come to you.”
The boy came into Princes a quarter of an hour before Allie would usually begin turning down the gaslights. Mr. Gibson was already busy with the day’s-end tidying of his workshop.
“Are you Miss Prince, then?” the lad asked, his forehead bunched in concentration as if he’d had to search a crowd for her in the empty shop.
“I am indeed.” Allie strode toward the boy, who rocked and shifted as he stood before her. He exuded a palpable energy, like a bird alighting for a moment but eager to take flight once again.
As soon as she drew near, the boy shoved a folded and sealed square of paper at her.
“Message from Detective Inspector Drake, miss.”
Allie’s pulse ticked up as she retrieved the folded paper. Was Ben hurt or in trouble?
The boy watched her with fierce intensity, and she realized he intended to wait until she’d read the note.
Allie unsealed the wax and found a short message that immediately put her mind at ease and brought a smile to her face.
Could you call around at Hanson Street this evening?
—Ben
“Any reply, miss?” At the boy’s expectant look, she dug into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a coin.
“No reply, but please take this for your trouble.”
“Thank you, miss.” He polished the coin on his lapel and slipped it into his pocket.
Allie expected him to run out the door to expend some of his pent-up energy, but he shocked her by lingering.
“Least it made you smile,” he said, gesturing to the note. “Duke’s messages often don’t.”
“Oh?” She’d have to ask Ben about his nickname. The sergeant at Scotland Yard had used it too. “Is the inspector very fierce?”
The boy immediately shook his head. “Not unless you’ve crossed the law, so see that ya don’t.” He gave her a cheeky wink and lifted his cap. “Good day to you, Miss Prince.”
“And to you, good sir.”
This time, he did fly. He was through the door and out of sight before she drew her next breath.
“Anything amiss?” Mr. Gibson had donned his coat and hat and approached the main store counter.
“Not at all.” Allie closed her hand around Ben’s message.
“A message from Inspector Drake?” He asked the question lightly, as if he wasn’t sure of the answer, but she knew as well as he did that conversations in the front of the shop carried to the back.
“I’m going to visit him this evening.” Allie watched for the older man’s reaction.
In true Mr. Gibson style, he gave nothing away.
“I suppose you think me scandalous.”
