Daniel wondered if they were doing it so that he would leave as soon as possible, and they could count the gold coins. Whatever the case might be, it didn’t look like the men knew anything more.
It was not a surprise, but it was still disappointing. Moses Gordon was a cipher, but at least Daniel knew where to go next.
He nodded at Theo, who had fallen silent during the exchange. The Marquess certainly seemed more serious when his tongue rested from restless talking.
“Go home,” Daniel told his friend as they left the gambling den and braved the chilly air outside. His lungs thanked him for leaving the stuffy, moldy room, but the stench outside was not much of an improvement. “I will handle this.”
“I am certainly not leaving you now. I want to know more about this Moses Gordon,” Theo responded.
“One person can do the questioning, and that will be me,” Daniel retorted. “You may go home. This is my mission.”
“Your mission? You are entering a tavern possibly full of drunks,” Theo said. “If Moses Gordon were there, then everything could even be worse for you.”
“Worse for me, all right,” Daniel muttered.
“I am going with you, and that is final. I did not follow you all the way from Mayfair to be dismissed so quickly.”
Daniel huffed and marched into the nearby tavern. He could no longer wait for his friend to agree with him. The man was a damned adult who could decide for himself—barely, but he was a good friend. Not wise, but good.
“Huh,” he muttered as they entered the tavern.
It was not quite what he had expected. While the gambling den was loud and full of activity, the tavern seemed abandoned.
“Wait here. Let me see what else is in there,” he told Theo in a tone that brooked no argument.
He headed inside to find a group of men huddled around a makeshift bar. The tavern did not seem to be a place of business anymore, at least not the kind of business he expected. It was merely a place where certain men met to plan notorious crimes.
“Do you know Moses Gordon?” he asked anyway.
“And what is it that a Fancy Pants like you needs with a man like him?” one of the men asked, showing three missing front teeth and yellowed molars.
“Why are you here? Are you not afraid to dirty those fine clothes?” another sneered.
“They think they can order everyone around here,” a third one added. “We are not servants, boys. We are the men of the world, and we are not afraid of your deep pockets.”
Daniel ignored the insults and insinuations and stepped forward. He was not afraid of them either, and when two blazing fires met, it was never a good idea.
Chapter Ten
The first thug lunged at Daniel, his fist flying in the air. Without flinching, Daniel dodged the punch. With ease, he caught the man’s wrist and twisted it hard. A sickening crack echoed in the empty room, followed by a loud scream. The thug fell to the floor, writhing in pain, and Daniel kicked him in the stomach.
“Look out! Behind you!” Theo shouted, ducking as a glass bottle flew inches over his head.
Another thug lunged at him, gripping a rusted blade. The man’s face was contorted with anger.
Theo did not look like he was ready to back down, even though his lips were pale and his eyes were anxious. Focused on the thug in front of him, he was able to deflect the first swing of the knife. However, the thug seemed eager to attack him at a deadlier angle.
Daniel could no longer watch. He grabbed a chair and smashed it on the man’s back, sending him crashing to the floor. Instinct told him to turn around and kick the one right behind him.
The other thugs did not look amused anymore. Not too long ago, they were laughing at Daniel and Theo for looking too fancy for the tavern, but now they stood trembling, their eyes wide. They were much too aware that their rough companions were easily bested by twoFancy Pants.
Daniel stood in front of them, not flinching. Not shielding himself in any way. He watched them with disdain. He could feel and smell the smear of blood across his cheek. He almost felt like he belonged in this world, the violent slums in the worst neighborhoods of London.
“Who does Gordon work for?” he demanded. His voice did not rise, but it was commanding nonetheless.
The man with the missing teeth, who seemed to be the group’s leader, groaned as he rose. He watched Daniel with a mix of contempt and fear, but he still tried to straighten himself.
Daniel could respect that. However, it looked like they were on opposite sides of a brewing war, one that was becoming clearer in his head.
