Honor nodded, her face unreadable. “I knew her when she was a girl and I was only a little older, though I can’t say we’ve stayed close. She came to me after her sister was taken. She thought, in my business, I might have information that could help.”
“And you knew,” Vivian said, her hands clenching the edge of the table. The music hit a downbeat, and she waited for the trumpet to raise its brassy voice before she continued. “As soon as you saw that Wilson was dead, you knew she had done it.”
“Yes.”
There was nothing like apology or regret in Honor’s expression—there was nothing at all, in fact. She watched Vivian’s face, impassive, waiting. A wave of fury rose in Vivian’s chest.
“Then why ask me to get involved?” she demanded. “If you wanted to help her cover it up, why risk me finding out what happened?”
“Because of your Mr. Green.” Honor took another drink, her gaze drifting out to the dance floor. Vivian followed her gaze and saw thatLeo had arrived and was dancing with two baby vamps in bright lipstick and brighter silk at the same time—though Vivian thought he might be keeping an eye on her also. “He appeared right after Wilson’s death. As careful as he was with his questions, I could guess he was interested in what had happened. I hoped you’d find out which side of this he was on. And you did.”
Vivian thought about that for a moment. It didn’t take long to see. “Leo thought it was a secret, but Danny knew about the uncle.”
“And Danny told me. He and I have a hell of a partnership, you know,” Honor added, glancing proudly at the bar where Danny leaned on one elbow, chatting with a blushing girl while her friends looked on and giggled. “We’re both risking our lives any time we walk out into the real world. But here, we watch each other’s backs.”
“And I’m guessing Danny told you that Leo seemed to take a shine to me? The morning after the raid?”
“He’s a clever one, our Danny boy.” Honor lifted her whiskey again and smiled over the edge of the glass. “If I liked men, I’d have snatched him up long ago. Yes, he told me. Mr. Green was so clearly smitten with you, I thought you’d be able to help me keep an eye on him.”
“To protect Sadie.”
“And the Nightingale. Yes.”
“And what about protecting me?” Vivian’s voice shook. She knew she should stop talking, that she was giving away too much, but she had to know. “You didn’t mind putting me in danger? Taking the risk that I’d find out something important?”
“I didn’t expect you to end up at Wilson’s home,” Honor said. “I didn’t think you’d be in so much danger. You didn’t know anything about Sadie. I thought, if you were just getting cozy with Mr. Green…” She closed her eyes briefly. “I hoped you’d keep him distracted until the trail went cold. But when you started suspecting Roy Carlton, I thought, this could work too. Maybe you’d convince him that someone else did it, and he’d convince his uncle.”
It was time for the final trumpet solo, a long, intricate river ofimprovisation and inspiration. The dancers were swept up in it, moving faster and wilder every moment, and everyone in the dance hall cheered and clapped, egging the trumpet player on.
Vivian couldn’t help it: even though it wasn’t actually funny, she laughed, head dropping into her hands, then falling back as if looking at the ceiling for inspiration or answers or just someone to laugh along with her. “So you were using me, too.”
When she lowered her gaze, Honor was watching her, one elbow propped up on the table and her cheek lying in the cradle of her fingers. “I never hid that I wanted something from you.”
“You said you wanted me to find out something about Wilson.”
“And did you trust me?”
“No.” Vivian crossed her arms, chin tucked as she eyed Honor from beneath lowered brows. The band finished the song with a flourish, and while everyone was applauding loudly, she added, “But I did believe you.”
Honor’s smile was heavy with possibility and regret. “You shouldn’t have done that, pet.”
“No.” Vivian looked away while the band leader raised his hands. The trumpet began alone, crooning a plaintive rhythm that made her shiver. “You put me in danger. I could have been… My sister killed someone because of you.”
“I never would have asked if I’d known what would happen,” Honor said. “And, if you’ll forgive me a moment of real honesty…” She tilted her head, her voice growing soft. “I liked having the excuse to spend time with you.”
Vivian took a deep breath. “Would you have chosen the Nightingale over me?” she asked, her voice cracking. She was afraid of the answer, but she had to know. “If it came down to it?”
“I don’t know.” Honor was as tense as Vivian had ever seen her. “Is this when you walk away from here forever?”
“Is that what you want?”
“It would keep you safe.”
Vivian wished Honor would tell her to leave or beg her to stay. But in the end, it could only be her choice.
“I’ll take that drink now.”
Honor’s eyes widened in surprise. But a moment later, the vulnerable expression was gone, her cool self-control firmly in place as she looked toward the bar. She must have caught someone’s eye, because she raised two fingers and nodded.
