"Go on," Gavin said.
"I 'eard you and 'im talkin' 'bout your past. 'Bout the hulks and the flash house owned by some fellow named Grimes. And 'ow you planned to get your revenge on Nicholas Morgan..."
Gavin's head throbbed as the boy continued to mumble out details. Bloody hell, Davey's ears were clearly more than just for show. The question was why Magnus wanted all this information... and how the bastard planned to use it against Gavin.
"... and I also told 'im about Miss Fines," Davey said, his eyes filled with misery.
Gavin's pulse thudded faster. "What did you say about her?"
"Magnus asked me all sorts o' questions. And I answered 'em." Tears spilled down the boy's cheeks, and he dashed them away with his knuckles. "I didn't want to. She was nice to me, but he said my brother would swing from the gallows if I didn't tell 'im everything."
"What did you say about her?" Before he realized what he was doing, he had Davey by the arms; the boy's frail muscles trembled in his grasp.
"I told him..." The boy shut his eyes. "I said you was in love with 'er. I said you'd do anything for 'er, only you tried to 'ide it."
The boy's words held a mirror up to Gavin's soul. The reflection dazzled him. Of course he loved her. Loved her more than anything. Her soft pleas rang in his head.We can be happy, I know we can... Prove that you love me as much as I love you.Even with the truth of his revenge revealed, she'd been willing to give him a chance.
And like a fool, he'd run her off. He'd been so torn up that night... so confused... he hadn't been able to sort past from present. To act as he should have.
Another realization hit Gavin. Something Fines had said about the assailants.Said you'd been keeping company with a pretty miss who could be my twin... said her name was Persephone.Had Magnus been behind that attack?If Magnus had identified Percy as the weak link in Gavin's armor, then the old whoreson would not hesitate to strike out again—ather.
"Please sir, don't 'urt me."
Davey's whimper reached through Gavin's panic. He released his grip, shoving the boy aside. He ran for the door.
"Where are you off to, Hunt?" Alfie called. "What should I do wif Davey?"
He didn't stop to look back. "Keep him here. We'll figure out the business with his brother later. Right now, I've got to find Percy."
* * *
Percy studied Mr. Kent from across the carriage. Dressed in dark, well-worn garments that hung from his rangy frame, the investigator looked a bit like a scarecrow. Yet his pale eyes had an intelligent gleam and his thin features an air of sadness that made her wonder about his life's journey. At any rate, she couldn't blame Mr. Kent for following her around like a terrier; he was merely doing his job.
"I am sorry to inconvenience you for naught, sir," she said.
Somber eyes studied her. She was certain she'd never seen Ambrose Kent crack a smile. "'Tis no inconvenience, Miss Fines," he said.
"You must have better things to do. Criminals to apprehend, ships to search, that sort of thing." She wrinkled her nose. "I can't imagine that the Thames River Police typically concerns itself with the errands of a middling class miss."
"The Thames River Police owes much to the patronage of the Marquess of Harteford," Kent said simply.
Ergo, Nick's orders were to be followed. Which meant she had better get used to having an escort. Sighing, she brushed her fingers against the brooch Gavin had given her; she'd pinned it next to her heart, wanting to keep him close as she fought for their future. She cast the policeman a considering glance; perhaps she could turn the situation to her advantage.
"Mr. Kent, might I solicit your advice on a matter?"
Though he looked surprised at her request, the policeman nodded.
"I'm wondering how one might locate the whereabouts of a criminal," she said.
Mr. Kent's brows climbed. "Are you indeed?"
"It's for my novel," she improvised. "One of the characters is, um, a detective. And he needs to search out a villain from the past."
"Ah," Mr. Kent said.
"Now the detective doesn't know the villain's name, and he is working from a single clue." Percy paused. "The man he is looking for has a missing eye."
"Physical characteristics are helpful in a search. How long ago was the suspect last seen?"
