Queens of London by Heather Webb

Author:Heather Webb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks

24

Alice watched Hira accept a gift from the shopgirl and stepped back from the window, surprised at what she’d seen. How had the kid made a friend with the perky redhead who worked at one of the best department stores in the city? Alice wondered what else the little imp was up to when she wasn’t around. She looked from Hira to the redhead. Perhaps this budding relationship would prove useful in the future.

A few minutes later, Hira struggled with the heavy door and joined Alice on the pavement outside.

“Who is that woman you were talking to?” Alice asked without bothering to greet her.

“Miss Dorothy,” Hira replied. “She’s my friend.”

“How did you meet her?”

The girl hesitated a moment and then said, “I was running from the police. When I hid inside the store, Miss Dorothy gave me biscuits and chicken.”

“What for?” she asked, amused. It seemed everyone was willing to hide the kid from the police.

Hira shrugged. “I was hungry, and she was nice to me. Now I visit her once a week.”

“She gave you a book.”

“Yes.” Hira’s hand went to her satchel where the book was stowed.

This Dorothy seemed kind—and a perfect way in. Alice filed the information away to examine a bit more closely later. For now, she needed to pay a visit to Ruth. Ruth hadn’t shown up to a meeting in over a week, and after seeing her so busted up, shiners and all, Alice thought she’d better look in on her. She wanted to pay that cad Mike a visit, too. Make sure he knew he wasn’t only messing with Ruth, but with one of Alice Diamond’s girls, and that brought consequences.

“Where are we going?” Hira asked.

The kid was starting to smell bad. She’d need a bath again soon. Frankly, the mutt could use a bath as well. Alice didn’t know how Hira could sleep with him and his filthy, greasy fur. In all, having a kid around was a bit of a nuisance. But when Hira curled up with her teddy at night, Alice was reminded just how young—and obedient—the girl was. She was a good kid but still needed someone to look out for her. And though she was learning the ways of London street life, she hadn’t hardened around the edges yet. She seemed the tenderhearted sort. It would take some time for her to grow some calluses. At least she’d proved to be useful, and she never asked too many questions. When she did speak, somehow she always managed to make Alice think.

“To see about Ruth first,” Alice said. “After that, to meet with the Forties. I have a big announcement.”

“Is Ruth all right?” Hira asked.

“That’s what we’re going to find out.”

Her mind raced with every terrible possibility as she steered them toward Larcom Street and parked the car near Mike’s flat. Something was dodgy for sure. Ruth had been absent for over a week, and she wasn’t one to shirk her responsibilities.

“Let’s go,” Alice said, slamming the car door.

Hira scurried after her as she bounded up the steps.

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