“So how does Sharpe know?”
“Unfortunately for us, he’s even smarter than Blackwood, and apparently still had people he trusted involved.”
Jonny was silent for a moment, unsure of whether to tell her the rest, but they had come this far now. He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair.
“I have a feeling it was Will.”
“Your brother?”
“When I saw him on the docks, I realized that he knew I was involved. I thought I was careful, but I must have leftsome clue behind, and he figured out it was me who had broken in. He’d know my work better than anyone.”
“Why is he still loyal to Sharpe?”
Jonny shook his head, his lips pressed together grimly. “I wish I knew. Some sense of loyalty, I imagine.” He snorted. “You think that loyalty would be to his brother, but he thinks I’m the one who broke the trust by leaving.”
“What now?”
“Now, I have to get the ledger back.”
“Can you ask Inspector Finch?”
“I thought it would be easier to steal it back than have to explain myself.”
“Steal it from the police office?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “This is the problem with you. You just dig yourself in deeper. You need to get away from all of this. Tell the police the truth, try to get Sharpe off the streets.”
“It never works like that, Ada, and you’re naive if you think so.”
“No need to be rude,” she said, practically sneering at him.
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, don’t come to me for help if I’m so naive.”
“Most definitely never asked for any help from you.”
They stared at one another, tension simmering between them. For a moment, Jonny wasn’t sure whether he wanted to shake some sense into her or kiss her until she had no caustic words left for him. She had more fire in her than any woman he had ever met. He was drawn to her, appreciated her, wanted to be close to her – and she hated him.
“You still have your pistol out, don’t you?” he said wryly.
“I do.”
“Going to use it?”
“Still haven’t decided.”
The door beyond them opened, and from the corner ofhis eye, Jonny saw Sharpe standing in the entrance, his gaze perusing the room.
They could run.
They could crouch under the table.
Or they could hide in plain sight.
Before Ada even realized what was happening, Jonny wrapped his hand around the back of her head, pulled her body flush against his — and then descended his lips upon hers.
