The chatty man shook his head. “Lie better, little dressmaker.”
“It’s not a lie,” Vivian said, her voice shaking. “What do you think is in this box?”
“See, I think it is, girlie. Because our boss knows that you spend your time at a place called the Nightingale. That place had an awful lot of significance to poor departed Mr. Wilson. And you just happen to visit his widow?”
“Look, I don’t know who you are, or who Mr. Wilson—”
“And then there you are, and our boss finds out you were eavesdropping—”
“And I don’t know who your boss is either!”
“Don’t interrupt,” the chatty man snapped, and this time Eddie’s bulky hands shot out to knock the dress box from her hands and shove her against the alley wall.
Vivian gasped in pain as a broken edge of brick caught her head, just under her ear. For a wild moment, all she could think was that the dresses would be ruined and she’d have to pay for them out of her wages. Then the scrawny man’s face was suddenly in front of hers.
She could smell the cigarette smoke on his breath and see the water dripping off the brim of his hat. She tried not to move even as the rain sent shivers chasing down her arms and back. She tried not to look at the yellowing bruise on his temple, terrified he would somehow guess she was the one who had left it there.
“That’s unfortunate, because now our boss knows who you are, Vivian Kelly. So if you’re a smart girl, you’ll start talking. Because we’ve got our eyes on the Nightingale, and people who poke their noses into—”
“Hey!”
The shout cut through the alley. The weaselly man hesitated, cursing under his breath, then stepped back. He motioned to Eddie to follow, and a moment later the two of them had disappeared down the other end of the alley.
FIFTEEN
You okay?”
The concerned voice made Vivian jump, and she turned so quickly that she stumbled, tripping over the bundle of her coat that lay crumpled on the ground.
“Careful!”
Hands caught at Vivian’s arm, hauling her upright, and she muttered a thank-you even as she winced at the way the motion jarred her aching head. She glanced once more toward the end of the alley, checking that the two men really were gone, before turning to see who she was thanking.
The girl watching her, guarded but concerned, had dark hair and tired eyes. She was probably only a little older than Vivian, though grim lines were already beginning to etch their way into her forehead. And she was very familiar.
“How do I know you?” Vivian was unable to place the memory.
The girl let go now that Vivian could stand on her own once more. She had dropped an umbrella to help Vivian up, and now she hoisted itabove her head once more. “You sure you do?” she asked. “I just thought you could use a hand. I saw them grab you and haul you back here. Hope your coat’s not ruined.”
“My coat—” Vivian glanced down, then let out a frustrated breath as she remembered what she had been carrying. “Damn,” she muttered, hauling the dress box from under the coat to examine the damage. It was soaked, but the cardboard hadn’t started to fall apart, so the dresses inside weren’t yet ruined. She wrapped her coat around it once more.
The girl was watching her. “Something pretty in there, I’m guessing?”
“Pretty, expensive, and not mine,” Vivian said. “My boss’ll lose it if they get ruined.”
“You’re shaking.”
Vivian glanced down at where her hands were clutching the box so hard they trembled. “I’m fine,” she insisted. She didn’t want to think about how afraid she had been. “Just wet, is all. Thanks for your help.”
The girl grimaced in sympathy. She hesitated a moment, then suggested, “I live pretty close by. Why don’t you come inside and get a little dry before you head off? I’m Sadie,” she added. “Sadie Monaldo.”
Vivian’s memory had just clicked into place. “I thought I knew you,” she said. “I’ve seen you at—” She hesitated, then said carefully, “Honor’s place. I’m Vivian Kelly.”
Sadie had been staring at the other end of the alley where the two men had disappeared, her eyes narrowed and a hard look on her face. But at the mention of Honor’s place, she turned back, giving Vivian a sharp look. After a moment, she relaxed. “Been there a time or two,” she agreed. She eyed Vivian thoughtfully, then nodded. “I ruined your lipstick?”
“That was me.”
“Thought so.” Sadie glanced after the two men once more, then sighed. “Come inside,” she said again. “You probably need to sit down after a run-in like that.”
