The rest of the instruments were slowly joining the trumpet, the tempo of the music rising into something exciting and wild. Soon, it would drown out conversation again.
Honor turned back to Vivian, leaning forward. “You surprised me again, you know. I thought if you were distracting Mr. Green, Sadie and I would have time to find her sister. Sadie was following Wilson’s boys around, hoping they’d lead her to where Elsie was being kept.” For a moment, her expression smoldered with rage. “Apparently it took over a week before it occurred to them to tell their new boss about her.” Honor took a breath, then let it out slowly and gave Vivian a small smile. “Because of you, we got there first. I never thought you’d be the one to learn where she was.”
“Leo found it,” Vivian said, though she had no idea why she felt the need to be so honest.
“But only for your sake,” Honor pointed out, her husky-honey voice curling through the air between them. “So in spite of everything, I was glad that I’d asked you to keep going. I still am. Who knows what would have happened to Elsie otherwise.”
The two women stared at each other, and Vivian had the feeling that they were caught out of time. Around them, the club was wild with laughter, light reflected from a hundred thousand spangles, the smell of smoke and booze and sweat making her feel light-headed. Someone arrived with their drinks, but Vivian didn’t look away as an anonymous hand slid them onto the table in front of her and Honor nodded whoever it was away.
“Why not just tell me what you wanted?” Vivian picked up her glassand drank far too quickly. Clearing her throat, she met Honor’s eyes. “Why feed me a line in the first place?”
“If I had explained why, would you have kept quiet? Or would you have turned her in?”
“Who’s to say I plan to keep quiet now?” Vivian said, her voice dropping. “Leo’s right over there. He’d believe me if I told him Roy wasn’t the murderer. One word from me, and you and Sadie are both in jail before the end of the night. So what am I getting out of it for keeping my mouth shut?”
Honor’s brows shot up. “We had a deal, Vivian. I already told you about your delightful boss’s illegitimate daughter. You’re a smart girl, I assume you can make good use of that.”
“But now there’s more to consider,” Vivian pointed out. One hand was still wrapped around her glass; she clenched the other one in her lap to keep it from trembling. She had felt sick playing this game against Miss Ethel that morning. Playing it against Honor now was terrifying. “You gave me that information in exchange for my help. Now you’re also asking me to keep a pretty big secret.”
Honor crossed her arms. “Fair enough, pet. What’s your price for staying quiet?”
“A job.” Vivian put her elbows on the table, propped her chin on her laced fingers, and smiled as if she knew what she was doing. “Miss Ethel and I came to an agreement this morning. I’m going to have a little more free time, and I want a job here, at the Nightingale.”
Honor looked surprised, but Vivian thought she was trying not to smile. “Doing what?”
“I’m not asking for anything special, I’d be happy as a waitress. I’d be good at it, too.”
“I’m not saying you wouldn’t be.” Honor propped her own elbows on the table, considering. “But I’ve got all the staff I need right now.”
“You’ll need someone to replace Bea.”
For the first time, Honor looked genuinely startled. “And where is Beatrice going?”
Vivian took a deep breath. “You’re going to give her a job as a singer. Your band could really use one, and she’ll be dynamite.”
Vivian held her breath while Honor looked thoughtful. “I assume she can sing, or you wouldn’t be suggesting it,” the club owner said at last.
“She’s got pipes like you wouldn’t believe,” Vivian said, watching the floor where Bea, on a break, was dancing a quickstep with Danny. “And you won’t have to ask her twice.”
Honor nodded slowly. “All right then. You’ve got yourself a deal, and you and Beatrice have new jobs.” She leaned forward. “If you’re sure you want to work for me.”
Vivian stood, hoping her trembling hands wouldn’t give her away. Honor was smiling, and Vivian wondered for a moment if she hadn’t come out quite as far ahead as she had expected. But Honor was always smiling, she reminded herself. “We’re square, then?”
“We’re square,” Honor agreed as she stood. Vivian was about to walk away when Honor caught her arm. She lowered her voice, though there was no chance anyone could overhear them. “Shall I tell you a secret? Since we’re finally being honest with each other?”
Vivian nodded, barely breathing.
“I’m happy to hire Beatrice to sing, and I’ll be even happier to have you working here. But that’s just out of the goodness of my heart.” Honor gently pulled Vivian toward her. “Because you know what Wilson was. And I know you don’t blame Sadie or me at all for what we did.”
“How do you know that?” Vivian said hoarsely.
“Because, pet,” Honor whispered. “I know you.”
She leaned forward, but before their lips touched, Vivian stepped back, her fingertips resting against Honor’s collarbone to stop her from following.
“No,” she said quietly.
They stared at each other, neither one moving. Vivian could feel her own heart pounding, feel Honor’s heartbeat shivering through her fingertips.
