Ripples in Time by Julie McElwain

Author:Julie McElwain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seshat Books
Published: 2023-01-19T19:14:36+00:00

24

Sam Kelly stared at the black-painted door with something approaching trepidation. The tavern’s name was Ye Olde Beelzebub—appropriate, he thought, considering it was one of the most notorious flash houses in London Town. It was not the kind of establishment that would welcome a Bow Street Runner such as himself.

He could feel the comforting weight of the four-inch Sheffield blade he’d tucked inside his boot, and the double-barrel flintlock pistol inside the pocket of his greatcoat. But neither weapon would protect him for long against the vicious cutthroats on the other side of that black door.

Which was why he’d sent a street urchin inside with his message.

Of course, he didn’t know if staying outside was much safer, not in this section of London. The back of his neck itched as he noticed the pinched expressions of the folks walking past him. Hostility burned in their eyes, like they knew he was from Bow Street.

He kept his back to the wall, and carefully dipped his hand into his pocket, feeling marginally better when his fingers closed over the polished wood stock of his weapon. The action was instinctive, and made him think about Lord Craymore riding alone that night. Kendra Donovan was right. The earl would have reached for his weapon, just as Sam was doing now, if another rider had approached. He most certainly would have brought the barking iron out to protect his person, his purse, and the valuable bauble that he had on him.

Unless he’d recognized the other rider. Recognized him and felt no threat.

Sam straightened when the door swung open, and the boy reappeared. Looming behind the child was an enormous man, so tall that he had to duck his head in order to clear the doorway.

Sam fished out a shilling and tossed it at the urchin. Grinning, the boy caught the coin midair and darted down the street, disappearing into the crowds shifting around them. Sam barely noticed; his gaze was fixed on Bear.

The crime lord smirked at him. “Afraid ter come inside, are ye?”

Bear’s gold earring winked in the sunshine and his bald head gleamed. The scar puckering the flesh near his left eye wriggled like a fat pink worm. Sam wondered fleetingly how he’d gotten it. He couldn’t imagine anyone having the temerity to attack the giant.

Sam said coolly, “Let’s just say, self-preservation is a keen interest of mine.”

Bear laughed, a big, booming sound that drew the eyes of pedestrians. And because Sam wasn’t the only one who had a keen interest in self-preservation, he noticed how quickly they averted their gazes from the crime lord.

“Seein’ how this ain’t likely a social call, what do ye want?” Bear asked, folding his arms across his massive chest as he surveyed Sam with flat brown eyes.

Sam had no interest in drawing out the conversation with the criminal, so got right to the point. “Have you heard about anyone wantin’ ter sell a valuable sparkler?”

Bear raised his eyebrows. “If I have, why should I tell ye?”

“It may be connected ter the murder of a nobleman.

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