“In the vision I had outside the Tompkins house I remember thinking, the man, he was wobbly,” Ellen said.
“As in on-a-boat wobbly or drunk wobbly like Alex gets?” Leo asked.
“I protest. I definitely do not get wobbly!”
“Drunk wobbly, I think. I don’t know,” Ellen said.
“Why is it your visions don’t simply say go here now and find what you’re looking for?” Alex asked Ellen.
“Well, your dead people are not very forthcoming either,” Ellen snapped. “And Leo is simply ignoring what he can do.”
“I am not ignoring it. There is nothing I can do,” Leo said in his best haughty tone.
“Is that why you studied the brooch Mrs. Tompkins gave you so intently?” Mungo said. Leo didn’t reply.
“There is none so blind as those who have no wish to see, brother,” Alex said.
“Could he have been outside some kind of drinking establishment?” Mungo asked.
“And he was wobbly from being inside?” Leo said. “That could make sense.”
“A tall wooden-sided public house with a four-paned window and lamp,” Alex mused. “Should be easy to find.”
“Is that sarcasm?” Ellen glared at him, and as they were inches from each other, he saw it clearly.
“Well, sister dear, it could be any public house.”
“Could it?” Ellen frowned. “I have not been in many.”
“And that is not about to change,” Leo said.
“I just feel the window is right there for all to see. The lamp too,” Ellen persisted. “Plus, wherever this place is, and if Penny is near, it must be close.”
“Hope and Anchor,” Mungo said suddenly.
Alex snapped his fingers. “By God you’re right, Mungo. It has a window that people sit in and watch the ships, but I’m not sure about the lamp.”
“Let’s go,” Leo said.
CHAPTEREIGHT
They hurried along the streets, ducking down alleys and weaving around people who stood in their way.
“I’m not sure this Barney Forge will have her here,” Ellen said. “Surely he couldn’t smuggle her inside. The place will be full of people drinking and the other things they do in such establishments like the Hope and Anchor.”
Leo made a choking noise, and Alex snorted.
“What?” Ellen demanded.
“Nothing. Sailors and drinking,” Leo said. “There will be a lot of noise.”
“Wonderful, just the right combination to create stupid men,” Ellen muttered.
“Not all who imbibe are stupid,” Alex protested.
“Oh please. I’ve heard you and Leo arrive home inebriated and singing or stumbling about the place. You turn into fools. One wonders why women don’t behave in such a way… oh wait, clearly, we are the inferior and therefore less intelligent sex, so we have no wish to make fools of ourselves.”
Mungo snorted.
