Leviathan by L.S. Johnson

Author:L.S. Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L.S. Johnson
Published: 2020-04-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter X

Plots

I had expected Jo to be impressed by our discovery, but in that I was disappointed. She listened to Mr. Simmons and I as we recounted our adventure with a face devoid of expression. Once we had finished, she simply nodded and set to cutting up her meat. I was about to speak again when she said in a bland voice, “Well. There’s nothing for it now but to get Masterson’s keys. He is hiding something in those cabinets. With luck, it will be something we can swiftly arrest him for.”

“Force it?” my father offered.

“I would rather not put his guard up,” Jo said. “We want him arrested, not on the run.” She looked at me. “And I think I know a way to get them.”

I met her gaze, still bristling from her disinterest. “Go on,” I said.

“Madame Viart. If he stays true to form, he will be going to the brothel tomorrow for his various entertainments …” She trailed off significantly.

Mr. Simmons coughed and my father turned bright red. I just looked at Jo, trying to check my sudden nausea.

“It’s a large ring, full of keys of all sizes,” she continued. “If we can get to it while he’s about his business, it will be some time before he notices one small key missing.”

“You are going to a brothel.” I felt sick, sick inside and out.

“They also host card games and apparently their brandy is the best in Medby. I’m sure half the men in town will be there.”

“They don’t admit just anyone,” Mr. Simmons put in. When we all looked at him, he had the grace to look abashed. “I’ve heard it costs a pretty penny and if you try anything, there are a few handy lads who will do for you.”

“Which is why we’ll need that captain of yours,” Jo said.

“Oh, he’s my captain now?” I could not see, for everything was swimming. The food on my plate was suddenly a tasteless mess.

“A healthy man of rank, idling away in Medby? Unless he’s a saint, he’s been there—and he can get me in.” She took a breath. “Or us, if you prefer,” she added tonelessly. “My blue suit fits you well enough.”

At that my father made a choking noise. Mr. Simmons hurried to him and patted his back, giving Jo and I a disapproving look.

“What is so upsetting?” Jo asked.

“It’s a brothel,” I said.

“A bloody brothel!” my father burst out at the same time. He covered his face with his napkin, coughing into it.

“They are women no different than ourselves, doing what men and women have always done,” Jo said.

“That’s not the point,” I snapped.

“Then what is the point?” An edge was creeping into her voice. “We need to ascertain his purpose. That ship sails this weekend and apparently the beast is starving. We know the key will be available tomorrow night as it will not be at any other time. Besides, there will be so many going in and out we won’t even be noticed.”

“You mean you won’t be noticed,” I retorted.

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