A Rogue to the Rescue (The Rogue Chronicles #4) - Lana Williams Page 0,77

he’d tell her something helpful. But she had to think Sarah hadn’t been awake when she’d departed.

Mr. Johnson licked his lips nervously as he stared at Beatrice with suspicion. “She didn’t say anything.”

“Because you drugged her and carried her out yourself? Or did one of Finch’s men take her?” Beatrice did her best to remain calm and reached inside her reticule again for two more shillings. “As I said, I am happy to pay for information. You see, I’m considering starting something similar myself for my business if you know what I mean.”

He continued to study her as if weighing how much of a problem she might be against the temptation of the money she offered.

“The wife just added a bit of laudanum to her tea,” he said after a long moment. “It helps the more nervous ones to sleep.”

Bile rose in the back of her throat even as she gave an encouraging nod and put another coin on the counter. “How kind of her. Then what happens?”

“How did you say you know Finch?”

Beatrice smiled. “Surely you can guess.”

Mr. Johnson smirked. “I see how it is. You work for him too?”

She didn’t bother to answer. “I wanted to know how he comes across so many young women. So when the latest woman arrived at the brothel, I decided to find out.”

“He likes the inexperienced ones, he says.” Mr. Johnson nodded, the smirk still in place, making Beatrice long to remove it.

But her work here wasn’t done. She swallowed hard and held up the remaining shilling. “One of Finch’s men comes to collect the new arrivals during the night?”

“Yup. Quiet as a mouse. They take them away with no one the wiser.”

“Just like they did with me.” With anger making her movements jerky, she removed the spectacles and pushed back her bonnet.

“You!” A mix of derision and fear crossed Johnson’s expression.

Daniel stepped out of his hiding place and took her hand in his. “You should’ve heeded my warning, Johnson. I told you there would be hell to pay if you didn’t.”

The man’s eyes widened at the sight of Daniel, and he drew back a step. “I don’t know of what you speak.”

Thomas Hurdy emerged to join Daniel. “I need to see that book. Odd, but I don’t remember you mentioning any of this during my last visit.”

“Y-you’re the R-runner,” Johnson sputtered.

“Yes.” Hurdy smiled grimly. “And I have a warrant for your arrest.”

“But I-I’ve done nothing wrong,” Johnson protested, his chest heaving, threatening to burst the buttons of his waistcoat.

“You just confessed to drugging women and assisting in taking them against their will. However, the magistrate may take into consideration any assistance you can provide. Why don’t you tell us the whereabouts of Miss Ramsey?”

Chapter Seventeen

“Why don’t you wait here, Mr. Walker?” Hurdy leaned into the open door of the carriage where Daniel and Beatrice sat.

They were parked down the street from the brothel where they suspected Miss Ramsey was being kept, based on the confession Beatrice had managed to gain from Mr. Johnson.

“I think not,” Daniel advised, pleased he was able to keep his tone even. When Hurdy started to protest, Daniel raised his hand, palm out, to halt him. “Have no worry that I’ll interfere with your plan. I only intend to bring Miss Ramsey to Miss Linfield. Surely you can understand the wisdom of that.”

Daniel glanced at Beatrice, who sat across the seat from him, her face still pale from the ash and now pinched with worry. The small nod she gave expressed her agreement with his plan. She’d been especially quiet since the visit to the boarding house. No doubt she had nothing to say after learning just how inept Daniel’s efforts had been.

Hurdy scowled. “You mean if Miss Ramsey is inside.”

Why he continued to doubt the likelihood, Daniel couldn’t understand. While Johnson didn’t know for certain where the woman had been taken, chances were Finch hadn’t changed his practice.

“Yes, if.” Daniel reached out to touch Beatrice’s arm with the hope the gesture gave her some small measure of comfort. He had little else to offer her. Not after having failed so utterly in his attempt to stop Finch’s scheme. If Richard had been in charge, Finch would’ve already been arrested. Daniel was no one—he had no special skills, no clever tactics, no unique knowledge that made him a worthy adversary for Finch.

They’d already delayed looking inside the brothel too long as far as Daniel was concerned. Hurdy had found a constable to request additional assistance after Johnson