“If you want company, I’ll do it with you,” she offered.
“I would like that,” he said solemnly. “And thank you, Glory. For being here and being”—his eyes crinkled slightly—“a disrespectful pest.”
It wasn’t exactly a lover-like statement, but she was glad he could tease again.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re welcome, O Great Shifu.”
He smiled then, so warmly that her heart flip-flopped as helplessly as a fish caught on a line. She thought she could drown in his gaze…which was why she wasn’t prepared for his question.
“Now, what did you wish to speak with me about?”
Botheration. Panic set in. How can I tell him I’m falling in love with him when he just told me I remind him of his sister?
“Nothing,” she said quickly.
He tilted his head. “You came all the way to the clinic to speak to me about nothing?”
“I mean, it is nothing important. Nothing to concern yourself over. Not today when you have other matters—”
“Glory.” He cut her off with a stern look. “Tell me.”
“I…I…” Inspiration struck. “I wanted to tell you that the Angels have made progress on the case. Yesterday, we learned that Scott plans to stage dogfights at an old tannery on Jacob’s Island this Friday. While the dogs weren’t there, we found a large cage, and there were what appeared to be bloodstains on the floor.”
“The bastard,” Wei said, his jaw clenching.
Relieved that her distraction had worked, Glory nodded.
“We have a plan to rescue Sir Barkley and as many of the dogs as possible,” she went on. “At the tannery, Farwell showed up, wanting to speak to Bryant, Scott’s right-hand man. Farwell might not know where the dogs are being kept, but Bryant surely does. Mr. Devlin has started shadowing Bryant, and hopefully, the latter will lead him to the dogs soon. If Bryant doesn’t do so by Friday, however, the Angels will infiltrate the dogfight and rescue all the animals.”
“This plan is dangerous.” Wei drew his brows together. “If you must go Friday, I will accompany you.”
She thought about arguing. Yet they were short-handed, and given that their adversary was the Fancy, any missteps could lead to dire consequences. Hadleigh and Hawksmoor had already insisted on escorting their wives, and Charlie couldn’t object to one more male coming along. Especially one with Wei’s particular abilities.
“If you insist,” Glory said.
“I do. And after we make an offering to Ling Ling, you and I are getting to work.”
She canted her head. “What are we working on?”
“The basics of lightness kung fu.”
Her eyes widened, delight zinging through her.
“Hooray!” She clapped her hands. “You’re going to teach me here? Now?”
“Here and now.” He was once again her calm master, though his eyes held a trace of amusement. “Let me get dressed, and then we shall start by having my cheeky pupil demonstrate her progress with the breathing exercises.”
Eighteen
Over the next two days, Mr. Devlin’s surveillance of Bryant did not uncover the location of the stolen dogs. Thus, the Angels proceeded with their plan to infiltrate the dogfight. On Friday, Glory obtained Aunt Hypatia’s permission to stay the night with Livy, and she and Livy headed over to Charlie’s to get ready.
In the courtyard behind Charlie’s mansion was a carriage house that she had turned into a training facility. Inside was a sparring chamber and a newer room that the Angels had dubbed “Backstage” due to its resemblance to that area of a theatre.
Standing amidst the dressing tables and wardrobes was Vera Engle, the woman responsible for Backstage. The Angels had met the former actress during an investigation; impressed by her skills and character, they’d introduced her to Charlie, who’d brought her on board as mistress of disguises for the Angels. Vera had jumped at the opportunity to leave the shady theatre where she’d worked and proved both talented and exacting in her new role.
“You’re late, doves.” Curvy and raven-haired, Vera stuck her hands on her generous hips. “Disguises don’t put themselves on, do they?”
“It is my fault,” Glory said contritely. “My aunt had to stop at Hatchard’s before she dropped me off at Livy’s, which is why we’re late.”
