But with a little luck we might both prove wrong the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished.
After rubbing the sting from his knuckles, Wrexford pocketed the acid, drew his knife, and set to work on the lock.
CHAPTER 28
“Someone’s coming.” Raven tensed and shifted slightly, trying to peer through the heavy, muffling mist swirling around the wooden pilings. Charlotte heard it, too—the soft slap of steps on the muck-slickened cobbles.
“Don’t move,” ordered the boy, slipping a hand inside his boot as he tried to slither forward and shield her with his scrawny body.
Charlotte held him back. “Stay where you are,” she ordered. He had already taken far too many risks. “I’ve got a pistol, which is—”
Two short, fluttery whistles cut off the need for any protest.
“It’s Hawk,” said Raven and gave an answering signal.
A moment later, his younger brother darted out of the fog, shadowed by the wraith-like figure of a second boy, and found their hiding place on the wharf.
“We’ve found him! We found him!” said Hawk, his words tumbling out in a breathless rush.
Charlotte felt a fizz of heat surge through her veins and suddenly the ice was melted from her blood.
“And look who brought the news—”
“Skinny, ye little bugger,” cut in Raven, reaching out to cuff his friend on the shoulder. “We thought you was dead.”
“Oiy, I wudda been feed fer de fishes iffen we hadn’t diddled them scurvy bastards wot had us in limbo.”
Pulling the urchin into her arms, Charlotte gave him a fierce hug. “Thank God you’re safe, Skinny.”
The boy’s face—what little skin could be seen beneath the coating of filth—turned beet red. “Ain’t the Almighty ye gots te thank. It’s His Nibs, who be a wery clever cuffin.”
“He’s unhurt then?” asked Charlotte quickly.
“Oiy,” answered Skinny with a gap-toothed grin. “And God help them shamming cads when he tickles their ribs wiv his blade.”
She was suddenly cold again. “How many men is he up against?”
“Dunno exactly.” Skinny frowned in thought. “There be two leaders, an mebbe three or four brutes guarding the building.”
Six against one.And Wrexford had the nerve to accuseherof being reckless.
“We need to go help—”
Raven caught hold of her cloak as his brother darted out to the wharf and gave another whistle. “O’course we’re going te help him. Hawk says Mr. Sheffield will be here in a tic. He’s got Griffin with him, and a half dozen other Runners.”
Sure enough, a group of men, moving quickly and quietly, materialized from the mists. Reining in her impatience, Charlotte drew her hat down lower on her brow and took care to stay several steps behind Raven and Skinny as they moved out to join the others.
“More guttersnipes?” Griffin made a face. “Your band of informants appears to be more numerous than the rats that infest these hellhole rookeries, Mr. Sheffield.”
“And a good deal more useful,” snapped the earl’s friend. “So don’t bite the paws that feed you, Griffin. Filthy though they may be, they’re going to make you smell sweet as roses to your superiors.”
The Runner gave a grunt. “Let us hope they’re not just blowing stinking smoke up our noses.”
“We ain’t!” piped up Skinny, every bony angle of his body bristling in indignation. “So shut yer gob and prime yer barking irons.” The boy skipped a few steps toward one of the narrow streets leading away from the wharf. “Move yer pegs and follow me.”
* * *
The lock mechanism quickly yielded to the probing point of Wrexford’s blade. Pressing his palm to the age-dark oak, he slowly eased the door open. There was no sign of movement, save for the shadows, their sinuous slithers crowding out the weak aureoles of light cast by the widely spaced wall lanterns. He slipped into the corridor, keeping deep in the darkness, and crept toward the muffled sounds of life to his left.
