been there.”
I couldn’t help the feeling of satisfaction that came over me at the acknowledgment of Uncle Mick’s skill. I knew how talented he was, but so few other people knew it. That safe was opened with a precision that not many people possess, but one can’t exactly go around bragging about such things.
“Was it you or your uncle who opened it?”
How did he know how Uncle Mick and I were related? I doubted my uncle had told him, but he had clearly learned it somewhere.
“I suppose I’d better see a solicitor before I answer any questions,” I said, blowing out smoke. I ought to have asked for one before, but Uncle Mick had always said it was best not to get drawn into their games at all if possible. Wait it out first.
Something told me, however, that this man was not likely to be as easily diverted as the irritating inspector had been.
“I’ve told you: we’re not the police. We’re not obligated to offer you the same courtesies.”
I felt the faintest hint of alarm, but it was quickly pushed away by irritation. He was trying to frighten me. As a young woman raised with two older male cousins, my instinctive reaction to attempted intimidation was stubbornness.
I crossed my arms, the ash from the cigarette dropping to the lovely parquet floor. “Well, I’m not going to say anything else.”
“That is, of course, your prerogative. You are, after all, young with a lot of life left before you. Your uncle, however, may not fare as well in prison. Prison can have … unfortunate effects on health.”
I felt myself go pale and clenched my teeth against this ruthless play on my emotions. I refused to let him see how his words had affected me.
“What is it you want?” I demanded.
He looked up at me, and those cool eyes of his settled on mine for several long seconds. At last, he spoke. “I have a proposition for you.”
My brow rose, though I went a bit cold on the inside. I hadn’t pegged this man as a lecherous blighter. Surely, with looks like that, he could have his choice of ladies. Of course, there was always the possibility he might be one of those degenerates who preferred his women unwilling.
He must have guessed what I was thinking, for something like disdain flickered momentarily across his face. I wasn’t sure if it was my assumption that he was having lascivious thoughts in general or that he might be having them about me in particular that disgusted him, but I rather suspected the latter. Though probably insulting, this set my mind at ease about his intentions.
“What sort of proposition?” I asked.
“An exchange of favors,” he said. “If you choose to help me, this matter will be forgotten, and you and your uncle will go free.”
As much as I hated to admit it, he had my interest now. I waited for him to continue.
“There is, in this city, a gentleman in possession of several papers that we have need of. Those papers are being held in a safe.”
I realized then what he was telling me, and everything began to make sense. If I hadn’t been awake so long, my nerves all in a jangle from sitting alone in this cold room, I might have worked it out sooner.
He needed a safecracker.
Suddenly, the absurdity of it all hit me. I couldn’t help but laugh.
If my sudden show of levity surprised him, he didn’t give any sign of it. He just sat and waited. I sobered soon enough, for I realized that he was dead earnest and that my answer to his proposal was what would mean the difference between prison or freedom.
But there were still a few matters that needed clearing up before I made any sort of commitments.
“Who is this ‘we’ who needs the papers?” I asked, eyeing his uniform. “I wasn’t aware the British Army was in the habit of nabbing civilians to do their job for them.”
“That’s not important at the moment.”
“It’s important to me,” I said, stubbing out the cigarette on the corner of the table for want of an ashtray. “I need to know what sort of people I’m getting in with.”
“You mean you’re afraid we might be involved in some kind of dishonest work?” There was a dry sort of mockery in his tone, and I realized that I was very quickly growing to hate this man.
“I like to know who I’m sticking my neck out for,” I replied coldly.
“This is a