Aunt Bea’s eyebrows shot up. “Ben?”
Botheration again.
“Hadleigh, I mean.” Livy’s face flamed. “Since he is, after all, a grown man, I think it is best to trust his judgement.”
A pause. “Is there something you are not telling me, Livy?”
That Ben is infiltrating a drug enterprise? That I’m protecting him while participating in a secret investigative agency? That you and I may soon be related?
Livy shook her head lamely.
“Well, I hope you are right about trusting Hadleigh.” Aunt Bea heaved out a breath, her eyes worried. “Because my brother has a history of being his own worst enemy.”
34
After Aunt Bea’s departure, Livy acted on her instincts and scribbled a brief note to Ben. Knowing discretion was paramount, she kept the message as brief and free of particulars as possible.
Your sister paid me a visit. She is concerned and may try to help, even though I tried to dissuade her. I thought you should know.
Instead of signing her name, Livy drew a little crown. She hoped that Ben would receive it before he headed off for a planned night of revelry at Bollinger’s.
Shortly after Livy sent the note, a mudlark arrived. The girl, who didn’t look a day over thirteen, introduced herself as “Fair Molly.” She had a dirt-smudged cap crammed over her profusion of curly hair, and her amber eyes sparkled with intelligence as she relayed the message from the leader of her group.
“We found the scene in the picture. The Prince o’ Larks says I’m to take you lot there personally.” Her little chest puffed up with pride. “Since I’m the leader o’ the team wot found the spot.”
“We are much obliged to you, Fair Molly,” Charlie said.
The sun was dipping into the horizon by the time they arrived in Limehouse. Here the squat brick buildings were crammed jowl to jowl, homes and businesses piled atop one another on the narrow streets. The dockside community was home to residents from all over the world, and they passed groups of Chinese, Lascar, and Spanish sailors talking in their native tongues.
They arrived on a street on the banks of the Thames. Fair Molly pointed out the carriage window at a building; even though Longmere had painted it from the opposite side of the river, Livy recognized the structure, as well as the open field next to it. From the front, the small, shuttered edifice looked like it might have been a shop at some point, with a living area on the second floor.
“A job well done,” Charlie said warmly. “Thank you, Fair Molly.”
Fair Molly shrugged. “It were the old ropemaking field next to it wot pinpointed the location. Otherwise, it’d be like finding a needle in the ’aystack.” She opened the door, jumping down. Turning, she said, “I almost forgot. The Prince says to tell you this job is gratis.”
Charlie frowned. “That is kind, but I am not in the habit of accepting favors.”
“’E said you’d say that. ’E didn’t become the ’ead o’ the mudlarks from being stupid.” Fair Molly’s smile reflected her pride in her leader. “The Prince says it ain’t a favor if you’re doing somefing for ’im in return.”
“And what am I expected to do for your prince, precisely?”
“You’re to bring the villain wot killed that toff Longmere to justice.”
Livy cocked her head. “The Prince has a connection to Longmere?”
“Ain’t my place to question my leader’s connections. I just be passing along the message. Good day, ladies.” Fair Molly dipped her knees and disappeared in a blink.
“That was odd,” Fi said.
“Undoubtedly. But let us concentrate on the task at hand.” Charlie’s gaze homed in on the building. “We’ll make our move when the sun sets. Until then, we’ll monitor the building.”
Shadows bled through the sky and onto the street. No light leaked from the shuttered windows of the house, and Livy hadn’t seen anyone enter or exit. Charlie led the way from the carriage, the darkness and their disguises as male dock workers allowing them to blend in.
They circled around to the back of the building, where the property abutted the Thames. The rickety dock shown in the painting was presently empty. Charlie and the Angels scaled the fence at the back of the building, landing softly in a small courtyard.
No light shone from the back windows. They found the door locked.
“Allow me,” Fi said, taking out her lock picks.
