Clocks and Daggers (The Thief's Apprentice Book 2) Page 5

  He took another step away from her, then the sound of two sets of footsteps echoed in the corridor. There was the sound of something spinning as Arhyen reached into his waistcoat then flung his hand in the direction of the corridor. Seconds later, smoke wafted out, followed by frantic coughing.

  Not wasting time, Arhyen ran into the smoke-filled passageway, just as Ephraim could be heard exiting the coal carriage, likely to determine the hold up.

  Dagger in hand, Liliana hurried toward the smoky corridor, but Arhyen was already dragging a struggling man out into the street in an armlock. “The other one rode away on a bicycle,” he explained, straining against the man’s struggles as Liliana and Ephraim approached.

  The smoke had cleared enough in the corridor for her to see another bicycle lying on its side. The man had likely been ready to escape with his comrade, but fell off the bicycle when the smoke bomb hit.

  Ephraim glanced up and down the street, then at the man held in Arhyen’s grasp. The boiler of the coal carriage rumbled behind them. “Who hired you?” Ephraim demanded.

  At first Liliana wasn’t sure why Ephraim would jump to the conclusion the man had been hired, and wasn’t working for himself, then she noticed the ratty state of his black coat and trousers. His face held several days worth of stubble, topped by a layer of grime. His dirty blond hair hadn’t seen a barber in ages.

  Likely sensing he would not break free any time soon, the man ceased his struggles and slumped in Arhyen’s grip. “No one hired me,” he growled. “There’s a price on his head,” he lifted his chin in a nod to gesture toward Arhyen. “Anyone with the guts can collect it.”

  Ephraim snorted. “Well that was easier than expected.”

  The man glared up at him. “Your reputation precedes you, Ephraim Godwin. I don’t want to end up naked and sliced up in a waste bin.”

  Ephraim’s face showed no signs of surprise, but Liliana knew he likely felt it. What on earth was this man talking about?

  “I see the rumor mill is still alive and well, at least,” Ephraim replied calmly. “Though if that is your fear, I’m not sure I comprehend why you would try to obtain Mr. Croft’s bounty while he was in my company.”

  “We was only following him,” the man grumbled. “Lookin’ for an opportunity.”

  “And what is his alleged crime?” Ephraim pressed. “Why would someone place a bounty on his head? It’s obviously fronted by someone from the underworld, else I would have heard of it.”

  The man spat onto the ground. “Allistair Walmsley says Mr. Croft killed his sister. He wants revenge.”

  Arhyen audibly sighed. “I wonder who could have started that rumor,” he grumbled.

  Liliana watched the scene silently. She recognized the last name from the listing of Viola’s businesses. Did Arhyen have some idea who would accuse him of killing Viola? They obviously didn’t know much, since it had actually been she who committed that particular act.

  “I’ve told you everything,” their captive groaned, “Can I go now?”

  “One last question,” Ephraim pressed. “How much is the bounty worth?”

  “Enough to feed my family for a year,” the man sighed.

  Arhyen loosened his grasp and shoved the man away from him. The man stumbled, but did not run.

  “If you hope to be around to feed your family in the future,” Arhyen sighed, “do not attempt to collect the bounty again.”

  “Yessir,” the man muttered, slowly backing away.

  They all watched as the man finally turned and ran back in the direction of the corridor where his bicycle waited.

  “Let’s retreat to the carriage,” Ephraim instructed. “It seems we have much to discuss.”

  “Too much,” Arhyen growled.

  He approached Liliana, gesturing for her to walk back toward the carriage first. She was not sure what to think of this new information. Someone was obviously setting them up, spreading rumors about Arhyen and Ephraim. She was not sure what the rumor-spreader’s goal might be, except to get Arhyen killed, and perhaps get Ephraim arrested.

  Regardless, this new information had her worried. She was not sure how many men would try to collect a price on Arhyen’s head, but there would likely be at least a few more. She guiltily wondered if the London Network could offer him protection. They were technically working for Hamlet now, would he not want to ensure their survival? She had a feeling she didn’t matter much to the automaton, but skilled men like Ephraim and Arhyen probably did.

  She wasn’t about to seek him out and ask. If she never saw Codename Hamlet again, it would be too soon.

  Chapter 5

  Liliana was able to stomach the carriage ride better the second time around. It seemed to help if she looked out the front window past Ephraim, though it was difficult, as she kept wanting to glance at Arhyen’s face when he spoke.

  “It doesn’t make sense,” he repeated. “The only witnesses to Viola’s death are the three of us, and Hamlet. Who would spread a rumor that I killed her?”

  He sat close enough that she could sense his body heat on her arm through their respective clothing. She hadn’t spoken much since Ephraim started the carriage again. In this area of knowledge she was lacking, as the workings of the criminal underground weren’t explained in any of her father’s books. She had no idea why anyone would want Arhyen dead, now that Clayton Blackwood and Viola Walmsley were both gone.

  “It’s likely based on speculation,” Ephraim replied, raising his voice to be heard above the boiler. “Though no one else was present for her death, anyone could have witnessed us entering the building. It was likely just luck of the draw that you were blamed, and not I.”

  They were traveling at a slower speed than before, taking the time to determine whether or not the meeting at London Bridge was simply a trap to collect the price on Arhyen’s head. Liliana was now entirely against the meeting - information was not worth the risk to Arhyen’s life - but the men would prove difficult to convince.

  “I suppose it doesn’t matter,” he sighed. “Viola’s brother will likely not be swayed if we approach him on the matter. If he’s anything like his sister, he’d still have me killed just on the off chance I really did murder her.”

  “So what do we do?” Liliana blurted, unable to maintain her silence any longer.

  Arhyen shrugged. “Nothing. The only way to stop this would be to kill Allistair Walmsley. I don’t know much about the man, but he’s from a wealthy family. He will not be easy to access, nor do I relish the thought of assassinating someone.”

  While Liliana was glad Arhyen did not relish that thought, she almost wished he’d reconsider. If murdering this man was the only way to ensure Arhyen’s safety, there really was no other choice.

  Ephraim guided the carriage around another bend and bright lights came into view. “We’ll need to stop and hide the carriage soon. London Bridge is only a few blocks away.”

  Liliana’s mechanical heart skipped a beat. She’d expected the ride to take at least a little longer. She’d had no time to convince Arhyen against attending the meeting.

  Ephraim parked the carriage facing a dark storefront, with several vacant carriages behind him. The other carriages seemed the horse drawn type, but camouflaged in the dark, it was hard to tell. Given that, their carriage would likely go unnoticed, unless it was examined close enough to view the Watch emblem on the door.

  Ephraim began flicking the various switches to shut down the carriage, while Arhyen pawed through his satchel, as if to assure himself that all its contents were present.

  “I do not think we should go to this meeting,” Liliana blurted as Ephraim rose up in the conveyance, slightly hunched over, to check the boiler. Even with his back bent, his hat caressed the carriage ceiling, though he didn’t seem to notice.

  Arhyen patted her hand where it rested on her lap in reassurance. “We cannot risk losing what might be valuable information. We’re in the dark enough as it is.”

  “I think she’s ri
ght,” Ephraim interrupted before Liliana could argue. Still on his feet, he turned away from the boiler and twisted his body around to face them. “Liliana and I will attend the meeting,” his eyes met Arhyen’s, “while you follow us out of sight.”

  Before Arhyen could inevitably argue, Liliana stood, coming nowhere near the ceiling of the carriage. “I agree,” she stated quickly. “We’ll all be in less danger if Arhyen remains out of sight.”

  Still seated, Arhyen peered up at her. “I suppose you’re right,” he admitted after a few seconds of thought. “I will follow in the shadows.”

  “It’s settled then,” Ephraim announced, moving away from the now silent burner toward the carriage door.

  Arhyen stood beside Liliana, hunching slightly like Ephraim had, even though he was a few fingers shorter than the detective.

  Ephraim opened the door and hopped out into the dark street, followed by Liliana and Arhyen. All was still and silent around them, but the hum of a sparse crowd could be heard not far off, presumably travelers crossing London Bridge.

  Liliana craned her neck to hear a little more, but was startled by a gentle tug on her arm. Ephraim peered down at her in the moonlit darkness with a pale eyebrow raised.

  She glanced around them, but Arhyen had disappeared.

  “Do not search for him as we walk,” Ephraim whispered, leaning toward her shoulder as they moved down the street. “You don’t want to give his position away.”

  “What if someone saw us arrive?” she whispered back, glancing around at their dark surroundings, despite Ephraim’s warning.

  “Then we’ll deal with the threats as they come,” he replied blandly.

  Their conversation abated as they hurried onward. The scent of coal was thick in the air, becoming more pronounced as they neared the lights of London Bridge. Arhyen’s note had not given a specific location, so Liliana was not entirely sure how they would find whomever they were supposed to meet. She supposed that was the point. Those who wanted to meet would want to find them first.

  She sighed, growing increasingly nervous as they neared the bridge dotted with travelers, illuminated by street lamps. The road leading up to the bridge was three times wider than a normal street, and protected by officers of the Watch milling about. A train was chugging in the distance, likely coming by to drop passengers off on the other side of the bridge, where they would either walk or ride carriages across, evidenced by the current traffic.

  Ephraim had stopped on a cross-street, just before they would have entered the glow of numerous street lamps. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder to keep her from moving forward.

  “What are we waiting for?” she whispered, keeping her gaze on the wide street and distant bridge.

  “A clue,” he replied softly, his hand remaining on her shoulder. “Someone else lingering about at this late hour with no intention of crossing the bridge.”

  Her eyes continued to scan the street. “There,” she pointed.

  She glanced up at Ephraim to see him squinting his eyes in the direction she’d pointed. “I don’t see anything,” he muttered.

  She looked again. “He is there where I pointed. That young man in oversized clothing waiting in that cross street, way over there on the other side of the road leading up to the bridge. He seems to be searching the crowds.”

  “Hmm,” Ephraim pondered, still obviously unable to see the man.

  She blushed, suddenly realizing why Ephraim couldn’t see him. “Automatons have superior eyesight to humans,” she explained sheepishly.

  “Aha,” Ephraim replied, accepting her at her word. “In that case, you will be leading this mission. Guide us to this man, preferably without letting him spot us.”

  Exhilaration filled Liliana, mingling with her nerves. She would finally be leading a mission, not tagging along while just trying to stay out of trouble. She glanced at the man in the distance again, then nodded.

  “This way,” she whispered, turning to back-track down the street, away from the main thoroughfare.

  Though she did not know this part of the city, most of London seemed divided into squares. It should not be overly difficult to find a route that would lead them in a roundabout way to the other side of the brightly-lit main street.

  Ephraim followed her silently. She still saw no sign of Arhyen, but knew he would be near. There was no way he would abandon them.

  She hurried down the street, mentally navigating their course, while listening for any sounds that might indicate they’d been spotted by those who awaited their arrival. She’d grown wise enough to assume the one visible young man was not the only one waiting. They could be spread out all around the bridge, and the street leading up to it.

  It wasn’t long before they’d circled around to where she’d spotted the young man. There he was, still peering out into the main street. Liliana was about to approach him when Ephraim put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

  With his free hand he pointed to a low roof above the man. Another figure stood there, gazing out toward the street. He was barely visible in the darkness above the street lamps. Before she could decide on a course of action, a second figure darted across the low roof and grabbed the first, pulling him out of sight. A gentle thump sounded on the roof, causing the young man to glance around warily.

  “That’s our cue,” Ephraim whispered.

  Liliana nodded. The second figure on the roof must have been Arhyen, clearing the way for them. She hurried forward, her boots silent on the asphalt, quickly reaching the young man. Not giving him a moment to react, she grabbed him from behind, placing one gloved hand over his mouth, and pulled him further down the alleyway. She didn’t know any of the skilled choke-holds that Arhyen and Ephraim both favored, but fortunately she was stronger than most humans and had no trouble keeping hold of the young man.

  She reached Ephraim, who looked down at her and her captive. “I had been planning on doing that part,” he nodded down at the boy in her grasp, “but I must say, I admire your enthusiasm.” He met Liliana’s eyes with a soft smirk.

  “Are you going to question him, or not?” she asked, attempting to hide her embarrassment. Perhaps she’d been overzealous, but she’d simply been excited by the opportunity to prove her worth.

  His smirk still in place, Ephraim replied, “I think you can let the boy go. I don’t believe he’ll run.”

  It was only then that she noticed the slight tremble running across the young man’s body. She recognized it as a sign of either fear or over-exposure to the cold. She abruptly released him and stepped away, leaving him to awkwardly regain his footing. He took a cautious step away from her, turning to keep her in his sights.

  She tried to hide her surprise. The young man’s eyes were wide with fear, and his shoulders hunched in submission. He was afraid of . . . her. It was a new and unusual feeling, and she couldn’t say she cared for it. Now that she saw him more clearly, he was probably only fifteen, though she was no keen judge of age. His curly red hair stuck out in all directions, with no sign of a beard to match.

  Ephraim stepped forward, drawing the youth’s gaze away from Liliana. “We were invited to a meeting,” Ephraim explained to the boy, which was a lie, only Arhyen had been invited, but Liliana decided against pointing it out.

  The youth straightened his back from its hunch with an air of relief that he’d not be harmed. “I was just waitin’ to take you to her,” he explained. He looked Ephraim up and down. “You’re Mr. Croft?”

  “Yes,” Ephraim answered immediately.

  The boy didn’t inquire who Liliana was, simply nodded to himself and began backing down the alleyway.

  She tensed, ready to grab him again, but he gestured for them to follow. He wasn’t trying to run.

  Ephraim glanced at her, then followed the boy. Without thinking, Liliana darted her eyes around for Arhyen, then quickly corrected herself. There could be more men waiting on the rooftops, and she didn’t want to accidentally give away Arhyen’s presence. Keep
ing her gaze forward, she followed Ephraim’s tall back, away from the bright lights of London Bridge.

  “Who are we meeting?” Ephraim demanded as they walked.

  The boy nearly tripped on his own feet. “Uh-um,” he stammered, turning to face Ephraim. “I’m not supposed to tell you.”

  Liliana sighed. She was beginning to think the possibility of an ambush unlikely. This boy did not seem the type to involve himself in such a nefarious scheme . . . unless he didn’t know about it.

  “Then tell me where we’re going,” Ephraim pressed, his expression mildly menacing.

  “To a warehouse over on Twenty-first,” the boy answered, as if confused why Ephraim would ask such a question.

  Ephraim nodded and patted the boy on the head. “We’ll take it from here.”

  “B-but I’m supposed to get paid!” the boy protested.

  Ephraim reached into his waistcoat pocket, then tossed the boy a coin.

  The boy caught it, then looked down at the small hunk of metal in his palm. His eyes widened, and he nodded a little too quickly. “T-thank you sir!” he blurted, looking down at the coin again. His glance shifted between Ephraim and Liliana, then he turned on his heel and ran.

  Liliana stepped up to Ephraim’s side. “Will he not run ahead to alert those we are to meet of our presence?

  Ephraim snorted. “He’ll be running off to put that coin someplace safe. It’s more than a boy like him would see in three months.”

  They began walking again, leaving Liliana deep in thought. They took a right at the next dark intersection. Ephraim seemed to know where he was going, even without street lamps.

  They continued on in silence for several minutes, when Liliana’s pondering generated a question. “Why would that boy not see such a coin in three month’s time?”

  Ephraim’s face was expressionless. “Because the disparity of wealth is great in this city,” he explained. “The boy likely has no gainful employment currently, and will eventually end up in a coal mine, or working at a mill. Even with such a job, he will rarely ever handle enough currency at once to equate to that single coin.”