“But how can we communicate with him? We’re stuck with these … people,” Saffron whispered back, nodding toward the cab and the bruiser leaning against it, trails of smoke obscuring his face.
“One of us will have to get away. Considering you know where Simpson has been staying and I do not, it’ll have to be you.”
“But they need me to get into the lab.”
“That is a problem.” Elizabeth blew out another steaming breath on a sigh. “Now would be an excellent time for Nick to show up out of the blue.”
As if in answer, a sleek red motorcar slowed on the road and came to a stop behind theirs.
Saffron gave Elizabeth a look. “If that worked, I’ll have to take back everything I said about that phony psychic in the 5tharrondissement.”
“Darling, if it’s Nick in that motorcar, I’ll take up as a performing psychic myself.”
The occupants were hidden behind the glare of the windshield. One emerged, the other remained inside. The one who came out was not Nick.
“Guess no one will be calling me Madame Elizabeta,” Elizabeth grumbled. “That is Alfie Tennison.”
Colin stepped out of the cab, smiling grimly at Saffron and Elizabeth. “Ladies, come meet your new employer.”
Alfie Tennison approached the cab. He walked with a slight limp, as Elizabeth had reported he would, and wore a brown pinstripe suit with a bright yellow and green striped tie beneath a rather luxurious fur-collared overcoat. His face was ruddy and worn, and its age didn’t match the too-even muddy brown color of his hair. He held out his hands as he approached them.
“Miz Hale and Miz Everleigh,” he said with an exaggerated bow. His accent matched his broad smile. “A pleasure. Coulda knocked me over with a feather when one of my boys told me one of you had managed to sneak into my office the other night. I should skin the pair of you, but I love a woman with gall, I do.”
“Perhaps your fondness for bold women will extend to the favor of letting us go,” Elizabeth said with a charming smile.
He smirked. “Not even if you were willing to put that pretty mouth of yours to good use. Heard you could, but, ah, no time for that.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “More’s the pity.”
Saffron elbowed her. She didn’t trust Alfie’s cheerful demeanor for a moment.
Alfie chuckled. “Indeed. Now, my friend has some information he’s in need of. Not pleased at all by the delay.” He jabbed a finger at Saffron. “You’re the one been in that laboratory. You’re the one to go in to get what I want.”
He paused, looking almost expectant. “Usually, this is the part when folks get their backs up and say stupid things like, ‘And if I don’t?’”
Elizabeth and Saffron exchanged a look. Saffron cleared her throat. “We like to avoid saying stupid things.”
“It’s clear you have my brother,” Elizabeth said. “I assume you’re going to use that to make us do as you like.”
“If I was making you do as I like, luv, we’d be in that motorcar going somewhere a bit cozier than a laboratory. No, you and your friend will be getting me what I’m due. My first scientist failed to get me all the pieces and parts for my associate. Once you’ve collected for me, I’ll let you collect your friends.”
“What friends?” Saffron asked at the same time Elizabeth said, “You said you have Nick.”
“Didn’t say nothin’ about who I had,” Alfie said with a twinkle in his eye. “But I will say I’ve got two strappin’ young men in my care who are none too pleased with my hospitality.”
A sudden suspicion dropped into Saffron’s stomach like a brick.
“I might be offended,” Alfie continued, “but I’ve seen the place they’re being kept, and I’d surely be unhappy with suchaccommodations myself.” He sighed melodramatically and patted his paunch. “And the state they’re in, I hope you ladies can be quick about it. Anything could happen if you dawdle.”
“Who do you have?” Saffron asked.
Alfie turned the full weight of his gaze on her, and in his gray eyes, she saw no hint of the charm of his smile. “Pretty sure you already know, luv.”
Alexander. Alexander was trapped along with Nick, and one or both of them were hurt. Her knees went weak.
Elizabeth’s arm came around her shoulder. “So we go into the lab, find … something, and then we all go free? I somehow doubt that’s how things are going to go.”
Alfie’s brows rose. “I am offended you’d suggest I’m not a man of my word.”
