“He’s putting our rent up again,” he heard one of the Amble sisters say.
He’d deal with that later. Right now, they had to find Adam.
“Everyone be quiet!”
They all looked at him. Ruby was nowhere in sight.
“Has anyone had any word on Adam’s location?”
They all shook their heads.
“We have searched everywhere nearby,” Mrs. Chen said.
“Do it again. Ask anyone you see even if you’ve approached them before. But do not get lost or venture too far. And always go in pairs.”
They nodded.
“Where is Ruby?”
“She went inside,” one of the Amble sisters said.
He ran up the stairs and then checked every room on the first and second floors. When he did not find her, he took the stairs to the third floor. He found her on the floor searching through the hat box he’d seen her with that night many months ago.
The room was tiny. Two narrow cots, a small fire. Two old chairs, and little else. Forrest tamped down the anger that her father had forced her to this.
“Ruby, we need to go now.”
She rose, and in her hand was a small purse.
“I have money, should it be required.”
“I have saved this. If money is needed to bring home my brother, it will be used.” Her chin rose.
Pale, terrified, but still defiant.
“Come, then.”
They ran down the stairs and back to the carriage.
“We are going to look for Miss Knight’s brother, Sam. I am unsure how long we will be, but if we do not return within the hour, wait for Hogan, and then return home. We will get a hackney.”
Sam nodded.
“Your neighbors have gone in twos to search once more, Ruby. I scared your landlord away.”
“He is a nasty, mean little man. But it is his wife who has the control.”
They walked, stopping to speak to anyone they passed. No one had seen Adam. He could feel Ruby’s despair, but she did not let it show in her words or actions.
“In a city as big as London, with so many people, I fear ever finding him.”
He took her hand in his.
“We will find him. If, as I now believe, it is to do with those who blackmailed you into watching us, Nathan or Zach will get news from an informant soon.”
“Psst.”
Forrest knew that psst. Looking around, he saw a narrow lane. Towing Ruby behind him, he made for it and found Nix in a doorway.
