“Are you suggesting we follow him to see if he leads us to Simmons?” Weston asked.
“I think we should take a far bolder approach.”
“Such as?” Lucas asked.
“From what Farley learned, Mikey is quite the businessman. I suggest we double whatever offer Simmons made him if Mikey shares where Simmons and the professor are.”
Something about the situation struck Lucas as being too easy. “This could easily backfire on us.”
“How so?” Ashbury asked.
“This Mikey might agree only to lead us into a trap,” Lucas suggested.
“That occurred to me also, but our hope is that one of the lads can follow Mikey over the next couple of days. If Mikey decides not to cooperate, mayhap his movements will tell us more.”
“Risky, but far better than any plan we’ve arrived at thus far.” Weston leaned back and sipped his ale. “I say we do it. Do the lads know how dangerous Mikey is?”
“Yes. Several have already started tracking his movements. They’ve been warned to take extra care. They’re switching places often with the hope Mikey won’t recognize them. He has a brutal reputation.”
“Why not simply follow him without offering anything and see where it leads us?” Lucas asked.
“From what Farley discovered, he and Simmons do not cross paths that often. We need something to force Mikey to seek out Simmons. Hence the offer of payment,” Ashbury said.
“So we wait here until he makes an appearance then make this offer.” Lucas wanted to make certain he understood the plan. Ashbury and Weston had more experience in these matters.
Weston shook his head. “It’s never that simple when it involves Ashbury.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Merely that you often end up in a physical altercation,” Weston replied.
Lucas sighed. “You didn’t tell me I needed to work on my fighting skills before venturing here.”
“Take this as fair warning,” Weston advised.
Ashbury ignored them both, choosing not to join in the discussion. In truth, that worried Lucas even more. Obviously Weston had a point.
They ordered another round as they waited. Lucas couldn’t help but watch a man whose aura was as dark as the night despite the healthy look to him.
“What is it?” Ashbury asked.
Lucas nodded toward the round-faced middle-aged man with long sideburns sitting at a nearby table by himself.
“Do you suppose it will be because of an accident?” Weston asked as he too watched the man.
Lucas rubbed his temple when his headache became more pronounced. “Who knows? I can hardly warn him and expect him to believe me.”
Ashbury scowled. “Damned if we do and damned if we don’t.”
“I can see that I clearly came out on the lighter side of that night,” Weston said. “Although I also see a dark aura on that man.”
Lucas turned to look at Weston. “So he’ll die at something he’s going to attempt to do but fail.”
“Apparently,” Weston said. “Shall we buy him a drink and see if we can figure out what his plans are while we’re waiting for Mikey?”
Lucas sighed and rose from the table. “Might as well.”
Weston went to the bar and ordered a pint. Lucas followed him to the table where the man sat.
“My friend and I are hoping you’ll settle a wager for us.” Weston set the pint down. “There’s a pint in it for you if you can.”
Lucas had no idea what Weston was talking about.
“Oh?” The man frowned up at him, obviously suspicious.
“May we?” Weston gestured toward the two open chairs near him.
“I suppose. What sort of wager?”
“I told my friend that you were obviously a clerk for a shipping company but he insists you must work for a law firm.”
Lucas stared at Weston in amazement, wondering how he came up with such a line. He turned back to the man to study his attire more closely to see if he could detect his occupation.
“I’m an accountant with a shipping company, so you would be closer to being correct.” He lifted the pint Weston had set down and took a long sip, revealing ink smudges on his fingers. “Thank you.”
“As I thought,” Weston said with a nod. “May I ask for which company?”
The conversation continued with Lucas adding little. He wasn’t certain what Weston intended. He couldn’t very well come out and ask the man what his intentions were nor could he ask if he planned on doing anything dangerous. Instead, Weston’s questions were more vague, asking how business was, how long he’d been with the company, and what merchandise they specialized in. They discovered he had a wife and young son. His face lit up when he spoke of them.
That information put Lucas in a foul mood. To know his family would soon be without him and there was nothing Lucas could do about it made him angry.
“Is it work as usual tomorrow?” Lucas’s question was as random as Weston’s had been, but the more they spoke with him, the more determined Lucas was to discover the problem, and therefore, save his life.
“Funny you should ask. I’m traveling to the country tomorrow to visit my parents.”
Lucas shared a look with Weston, certain they’d stumbled onto something.
“Taking the train, are you?”
The man frowned. “I say, why all the questions?”
“I am in need of an accountant tomorrow for the day.” The statement came out of Lucas’s mouth before he realized he intended to say it.
“I couldn’t possibly—”
“I’m willing to pay handsomely.” Lucas named an amount that had the man’s jaw dropping.
“Will you excuse us a moment while I speak with my friend?” Weston asked. He rose and took Lucas’s arm to pull him up as well. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to save a life.”
“Surely you don’t intend to spend that sort of money to save everyone who has a dark aura.”
“If there’s a chance, I have to try. What better use of money than to save a life?”
“You and Ashbury both.” Weston shook his head.
“Don’t try to tell me that you don’t do the same.”
Weston’s jaw clenched. “Finish your plans with this man and let’s return our focus to what we truly came here for.” Weston bid the man goodbye and walked away to sit beside Ashbury.
Lucas gave the accountant his man of business’s address and was pleased to see the man’s aura had already lightened. “It’s very important you meet him at this address tomorrow.” Lucas didn’t want him changing his mind after he’d had time to think about it, not when his plan was already working.
“I could certainly use the extra money.” He shook Lucas’s hand. “Thank you. You won’t regret it. I do excellent work.”
Lucas bid the man goodbye and returned to his friends, relief filling him.
Ashbury leaned forward. “At times like this, it almost seems more like a gift than a curse, doesn’t it?” His green eyes held Lucas’s.
“Perhaps,” Lucas admitted. “But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t walk away from it if I had the choice.”
Ashbury nodded. “I would as well. It’s far too much to ask of any person to be responsible for others’ well being.” He glanced over to where Farley sat.
Lucas noted Farley touch a finger to his chin.
“He’s here,” Ashbury announced.
Lucas frowned. “Do you have hand signals to pass information to each other?”
Weston chuckled. “They can hold an entire conversation from this distance.”
“Amazing.” Lucas glanced to the doorway to see several men enter. “Do we know which one he is?”
They watched the group as unobtrusively as possible. Even so, one of the men, a short, stocky fellow with the gait of a prize bulldog glanced over at them as though feeling the weight of their regard.
Ashbury immediately starting talking in a quiet voi
ce as though they’d been carrying on a conversation all along. “Wouldn’t do for him to know we’re interested. We don’t want our meeting starting off on the wrong foot.”
“Are we waiting to speak with him after he leaves? He could be here all night.” Weston sipped his ale, clearly displeased with the idea.
“He won’t stay overlong. Most evenings he proceeds to another tavern a short distance from here. Apparently he likes to spread the joy of his presence among several establishments.” Ashbury studied him from under the brim of his hat. “I’m not seeing anything bad tonight. Are either of you?”
Weston shifted to have another glance at the group. “Nothing here.”
“Nor me,” Lucas added. He couldn’t get over how odd it felt to be working together like this. Though he’d known about his friends’ abilities for several days now, he hadn’t really considered how their abilities might work jointly. The information from all three was quite helpful.
“Farley says our man is the shorter one.”
“The bulldog?” Lucas asked. “I can’t say as I care for the look in his eyes.”
“He’s a mean one for certain. We’d best be on guard when we speak with him.” Ashbury looked away to study the rest of the tavern.
“You blokes got a problem?”
Lucas looked up to see Mikey standing at their table, fists bunched, with his friends directly behind him. “Oh, Christ,” Lucas muttered. The evening had suddenly taken a turn for the worse.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Lucas remained seated, knowing all too well that if they rose, Mikey would see that as a threat. “No problem here.”
“None at all,” Ashbury added.
Mikey looked between the three as though uncertain what to make of them. “What has ye fine gentlemen gracin’ my tavern with yer presence this evenin’?”
“Yours?” Weston asked.
Lucas clearly heard the annoyance in Weston’s voice. Fortunately, Mikey did not. Lucas glanced at Ashbury, wondering how he wanted to play this situation. Brawling in a bar had not been on his list of desired activities this evening.
“Ye heard me. Mine.” Mike jutted out his chin as though daring them to argue.
“My compliments on your ale,” Lucas replied.
Mikey turned those flat dark eyes on him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I like the ale.” Lucas took a long draught to emphasize his point.
“What happened to yer eye?”
“Accident blinded me.” Lucas found it interesting that this man would simply ask whereas members of the ton chose not to, yet stared at his patch as though something might jump out from beneath it.
“I knew a man with only one eye once. He told me it took a long time for him to grow used to it. Couldn’t balance.” Mikey’s hands unclenched as he talked, easing Lucas’s worry.
“I had the same problem. Couldn’t judge distances, whether it was walking down the stairs or reaching for a glass of ale.” Lucas glanced at his friends to see how they wanted to proceed. Ashbury raised a brow as though waiting to see what Lucas might say next. Lucas took that as a sign of encouragement. “Actually, we’d appreciate a few moments of your time. In private.”
“What fer?”
“We have a business proposition for your consideration. It pays well.”
Mikey puffed out his chest. “Do ye now?” He looked back at his friends. “Did ye hear that boys? A business proposition.”
His friends elbowed each other, chuckling.
“Step into my office,” Mikey said, his head tipping toward the tavern door.
Lucas raised a brow at Ashbury who nodded ever so slightly. Weston only scowled. Clearly he did not like the way this was going, but he didn’t seem inclined to take action, so Lucas stood.
All three followed Mikey and his friends out the door into the street. The tavern scents were replaced the smell of soot and horse dung. A nearby gaslight did little to penetrate the dark, foggy night.
With another tip of his head, Mikey’s friends spread out, surrounding them in a large circle. The few passersby on the sidewalk gave their circle a wide birth. Mikey’s version of privacy was actually rather effective.
Mikey eyed Lucas as he hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “Let’s hear it.”
“We’re looking for someone, and we’ve been told you might be of assistance in our search.”
A variety of expressions crossed Mikey’s face. Obviously he wasn’t certain if he should be pleased or alarmed at the idea of his reputation spreading. “Who would that be?”
“Vincent Simmons,” Ashbury said, keeping his voice low.
“What’s he to ye?” Mikey asked.
Lucas tamped back his urge to tell the truth, that Simmons had murdered his brother. As though reading his mind, Ashbury gave a shake of his head.
“He is working with a scientist we’re interested in locating,” Ashbury explained.
Mikey pondered their request. “I’d need a good reason to locate Simmons. He’s never wronged me. Wouldn’t want to develop the reputation of bein’ a rat. No one would call on me fer other jobs if they thought I couldn’t be trusted.”
Lucas’s stomach tightened. Surely he could be convinced to aid them. He hadn’t expected the man to have a conscience. Yet why wouldn’t he? Every man had their own set of rules that determined how and why they acted the way they did. Simmons probably had rules as well.
“We would be willing to pay two hundred pounds.”
Mikey’s brows rose beneath the brim of his hat. “Just to tell ye where he is?”
Lucas nodded, pleased they’d caught his interest, but would he do it?
“Half now. Half when I give ye his address.”
“A quarter of the payment now. The rest when you lead us to him,” Ashbury offered.
Mikey scowled, obviously less than happy with the counteroffer.
“It’s still generous,” Lucas said then glanced at Ashbury to see if he could tell what Mikey intended. Then again, how could he? This was neither good or evil. It depended on whose side a person was on as to whether it was right or wrong.
“I’ll give ye his address, but I won’t be leadin’ ye to him.”
“Fair enough. We won’t deliver the rest of the payment until we know he’s truly at that location.”
They confirmed the details of the arrangement, paid him, then headed toward home. Lucas glanced back to see Farley had joined them as well. He was glad to be walking these dark, desperate streets with friends and not alone.
“Do you think Mikey will come through?” Weston asked.
“I couldn’t tell, but one can hope. It provides us with another avenue at any rate.”
“Unless the man decides to double cross us,” Ashbury said. “That could be a problem.”
“If that happens, we will still meet with the professor, but we will have lost the advantage of surprise. We need only make certain we are prepared for such an outcome.” And Lucas had every intention of being ready. He welcomed the chance to make certain both the professor and Simmons paid for their devious actions.
*
Moira looked up in surprise from her chair the next morning where she’d been sifting through correspondence when Lucas strode in.
He hadn’t come to her bed last night, and she’d been worried. Worried whether he was all right, and worried whether or not he still desired her. Silly when only one night had passed, she told herself, yet she hadn’t been able to shake her concern.
“Good morning,” he said.
“And to you.” She set aside the letters on the table, wondering what was on his mind.
“I’m given to understand you might be venturing to the British Museum today.” He sat in the chair next to her, doing his customary perusal of her hair.
“Is it a mess?” she asked, reaching up to touch her chignon.
“What?” He frowned as though puzzled by her question. “Not at all. Looks quite lovely.”
“Thank y
ou.” She studied him, still uncertain why he always did that. “Yes, I was thinking of doing so. I understand the antiquities displayed there are quite extensive. The girls are leaving soon to spend the day with Abigail’s sisters. They’ve declared they’re tired of museums for now.”
“But you’re not?” he asked.
“I want to visit as many places as I can while I’m in London.” After all, she didn’t think she’d return here any time soon after Lucas returned to Brazil.
“May I accompany you?”
Stunned at his offer, she could only stare at him. They’d been in London for nearly a week and he’d never suggested such a thing. “That would be lovely.”
“Perhaps we can have luncheon together and then depart?” He leaned back in his chair as though he had nothing better to do than visit with her.
“You’re certain you don’t have other plans today?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“My only plan is to spend time with you.”
Her heart sped at his words, more pleased than she should be. “I look forward to it.” She reprimanded herself to keep her emotions under control. This was her chance to show him that they could be friends and enjoy each other’s company as they used to do, many years ago. Visiting a museum was such a normal outing, perhaps it would help him see he could live a good life here; that he didn’t need to return to Brazil.
“Miss?” A footman appeared at the door. “The carriage is ready.”
“Thank you.” She rose. “I’ll see if the girls are ready for Abigail’s.”
“Very well.” He stood as well.
Abigail passed through the door to find Ingrid, the maid she disliked, lingering there. Had the woman been eavesdropping? “Is there something you needed?”
“No, my lady. I was…” she said, glancing about as though searching for an excuse, “going to add some water to the flowers.” She picked up the large crystal vase of fresh flowers. “Excuse me, my lady.” With a curtsy, she departed for the back of the house.
“Who was that?” Lucas asked from behind her.
“One of the maids.” She hesitated, wondering if she should mention her concern to Lucas.
“What is it?” he asked.
Secrets 03 - Shattered Secrets Page 23