“That’s our Penny. She’s not one to worry her mother, so this is out of character for her. She’d never do this to her family. It’s that scoundrel who’s behind it. I’m sure.”
“Scoundrel?” Alex asked.
“Barney Forge, he’s a young lout from Smiley Street. Lad has been bothering Penny. Said he likes her, but she didn’t feel the same. Five nights ago, he stood outside my Sally’s house and yelled at Penny. Said she’d be sorry if she didn’t pay him attention,” Mr. Douglas said.
“Is there a chance she could be with friends or went somewhere else, Mr. Douglas?” Ellen asked.
He shook his head, his hands worrying the brim of his cap. “Penny always comes home from work each day at the same time to take tea with her ma. She’d have told her if she wasn’t. I went to her work, and they were worried Penny hadn’t come in because it’s not like her, and she’s their best seamstress.”
The Nightingale siblings had found out quickly when they’d moved into their aunt and uncle’s house that the people in Crabbett Close didn’t keep to themselves. Residents had started knocking on their back door the day after they’d arrived. They’d been dropping off baking, meals, and other items ever since.
The week they’d arrived had also been the week the Samuel twins from 7 Crabbett Close had been abducted by their father, who had recently left prison. Desperate, the residents had taken turns going out to look for the boys, but no one had found them.
A vision had alerted Ellen where to start searching.
“Where else have you looked, Mr. Douglas?” Alex asked.
“I’ve been to his house, that Barney Forge. He wasn’t there, but his father was and told me to leave when I started accusing his son of harming my Penny. The man has two other boys. They were there too. Right intimidating the three of them, and I left before they made me.”
Mr. Douglas wasn’t young and could easily have been hurt by three younger men. The thought of anyone harming this lovely, kind man did not sit well with Ellen.
“We’re all worried. Her father has been out looking too but so far nothing.”
“Then we will come and help you find her, Mr. Douglas,” Alex said. “Is it possible to visit Penny’s house first? So we can start where she lives in our investigations?”
“Of course.” Mr. Douglas wasn’t surprised by Alex’s request. “We can collect something of hers from there for you, Miss Ellen.”
While that statement might seem odd to anyone not from Crabbett Close, it wasn’t for its residents. Mr. Greedy had called them the Notorious Nightingales once, and the name had not gone away. Their reputation had been embellished over time because they had helped many people in need.
Their neighbors knew they were different and had no issue with that. In fact, they embraced it and showered the Nightingales with support and love, plus taffy cake, a particular favorite of the entire family.
“’Tis a thirty-minute walk if you wish to call a carriage,” Mr. Douglas said.
“No indeed,” Alex said. “We love a good evening walk.”
“Since our little Sydney passed, it’s been hard on Sally. If Penny—”
“Sydney is your grandson who died?” Alex asked.
Mr. Douglas nodded.
“We will be with you shortly,” Leo said. “We just need to collect our coats.”
The siblings ran back up the stairs and to their rooms. Ellen grabbed her umbrella and pulled on her thick black wool coat. Tying her bonnet in place, she then picked up her gloves and left the room at a run.
Nightingales competed over everything these days, and beating her brothers back down the stairs was no exception. Jumping the last three stairs, Ellen ran to the door. Her brothers were already waiting for her.
“Ready?” Leo asked, smirking.
“What took you so long, sister dear?”
She elbowed Alex in the stomach as she passed him and out the door.
“That will do,” Mungo said, already dressed and waiting outside.
“Lead the way, Mr. Douglas,” she said.
“Stay alert,” Leo said falling in behind him. He swung his cane back and forth with every step.
