Honor lifted her brows. “Being surprised and showing surprise are two different things. I imagine you have to keep a pretty tight rein on things in your line of work. It’s the same in mine.”
“Hm.” Levinsky narrowed his eyes. “So you were surprised?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Did you?” he asked. But he didn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “You must have some theory, then, as to why he did that, after half a lifetime of pretending his bastard children didn’t exist.”
If she was offended, Honor didn’t show it. “I do, which, again, your colleagues have already asked me about.” She tilted her head to one side, her expression growing a little mocking. “Didn’t they share their notes with you?”
Vivian could tell what she was doing, making him dance in circles, making him defensive and uncomfortable. She bit her lip, torn between loyalty and suspicion and hoping no one could see the conflict on her face.
She didn’t want to tell Levinsky that Honor was lying. Her fingers clenched around the seat of her stool. People like her didn’t rat each other out. But she wanted, so badly, to know why Honor had done it.
“You’ve built quite a business here, Ms. Huxley,” Levinsky said, leaning pointedly on the title. “In certain circles, you might even be considered a powerful woman. The sort that ordinary folks need to watch their step around.”
Vivian’s hands clenched tighter, the wooden edge of the stool painful against her palms. She had known what he was getting at. She just hadn’t wanted to admit it to herself.
“I’m flattered you think so,” Honor replied, standing up straight at last. “But I’m just an ordinary businesswoman.”
“Far from ordinary,” Levinsky said dryly, looking her up and down. It was clear he didn’t mean it as a compliment.
“But still a businesswoman, which means I don’t have time to sit around chatting, pleasant though this conversation has been.” This time, Honor didn’t bother to hide her sarcasm. “Some of us have work to do.”
“How much do you have to pay each week to keep this place open?” Levinsky asked as she started to leave. “Must be a pretty penny.”
“You can check the numbers next time you’re the one sent to collect,” Honor said, not bothering to turn back. “Have a drink on me, Mr. Levinsky. And then get out. I don’t need you messing with my customers tonight. Or my staff.”
Levinsky glanced at Vivian and Leo once they were alone. “How good a liar is she?” he asked, flipping his notebook closed and tucking it back into his jacket.
The best,Vivian wanted to admit. “I don’t know,” she said out loud.
Levinsky sighed. “Well, she’s sticking to her story, if nothing else. Let me know if you turn up anything about her, though,” he added. “She’s damned suspicious, as far as I can tell, even if no one else at the station seems to think so.”
“I don’t know that I have much time left to keep an eye on anyone,” Vivian said, choking a bit on the words. She wanted to go after Honor. But she felt glued to her seat. She didn’t look at Leo, but she could feel his eyes on her.
“Well, do what you can.” Levinsky replaced his hat on his head. He nodded at them. “See you around.”
They were silent once he was gone, but Vivian could feel Leo’s eyes on her.
“Viv—” he began.
She cut him off. “I have to go. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t do this to yourself. She won’t—”
Vivian wasn’t listening, already off her stool and heading for the back stairs and Honor’s office. She didn’t even make it that far.
Honor was at the bottom of the stairs, in deep discussion with Benny and Saul, while she pulled on her coat. When she saw Vivian, she paused, meeting her eyes. Then she kept going, settling her coat and retrieving the hat that Benny was holding out to her.
“Got it?” she asked.
“Crystal clear, boss,” Benny said, nodding. Saul gave her a small salute, two fingers at his temple.
Honor dismissed them both with a flick of her fingers, then turned toward the back door, the one that led into the alley and the tangle of streets that would take her away from the Nightingale.
“Where are you going?” Vivian demanded, grabbing Honor’s wrist before she could reach the door.
“I have a few things to do tonight,” Honor replied, her voice cold as she pulled her arm away. “That a problem for you?”
