The other fellow smiled and gestured with his knife. Try the maple syrup. Its from Vermont.
This was quite possibly the most surreal experience Jasper had ever hadthe threat of violence delivered in such a friendly manner. Still, he wasnt lily-livered nor was he stupid, so he ate Daltons food and drank Daltons coffee and waited.
Once Dalton had finished his own food, he set his silverware on the plate and leaned back in his chair, his fingers lazily curled around his cup of coffee.
My men found you at the Duke of Greythornes home. Jasper shrugged. So?
A sharp, dark brow arched. Would you say you and he are ... friends?
He forced a bark of disbelieving laughter from his throat. The last thing he wanted was to involve Griffin in this mess. Me and a duke, all friendly-like? Those Limeys would lynch you for suggesting such a thing. Naw, I took care of a delicate situation for him, thats all.
So its just a coincidence that His Grace has come to town?
The bottom of Jaspers stomach fell, but he kept his poker faceand his breakfast. Reckon so. I cant imagine that arrogant dandy coming all this way for a fellow he wouldnt let enter his house through the front door. That was a lie, of course, and he felt dirty saying it, even though it was to protect Griff.
Daltons eyes narrowed. Youre lying to me, Jasper. The duke was at the Tombs earlier this morning.
Tarnation. He shrugged. Could be he noticed a knickknack or two that might have been liberated from his household.
Such as?
He seized the first things that came to mind. Couple of silver candlesticks. A gold snuff box. I reckon its the ring hes after, though. Coulda saved him the trouble of coming all this way. I pawned it in Whitechapel.
Dalton stared at him for a moment, his icy gaze searching Jaspers face for any sign of a lie. But Jasper was a good liar when he needed to bea trait hed never been proud of until now. The other man laughed. No wonder hes here. Id hunt you down myself.
Jaspers smile was thin. You already did.
More laughter. Then Dalton gazed at him with something that looked like respect. It is good to have you back.
Does that mean I get to come and go as I please?
Why would you want to do that? When theres no one in the city youd call a friend?
And there it was. Dalton wasnt calling him a prisoner, but they both knew there was no reason for him to wander about the city unless he planned to visit someonesuch as the Duke of Greythorne. One wrong move on Jaspers part and Mei would be dead faster than he could blink.
Dalton continued, Youll collect my device today. Do this and perhaps Ill liberate Miss Mei.
Its impossible to get it in one day, Jasper informed him. Its not in just one spot.
Dalton scowled. You took it apart?
In case anyone found itthey wouldnt know what it was. Jasper didnt even know what it was, but he knew it was dangerous, otherwise Dalton wouldnt want it. Hed also known that breaking the thing down would buy him more time if Dalton ever caught up to him.
Too bad he hadnt thought that all the way through.
Dalton considered this. Im not sure whether I should commend your intelligence or put a bullet in your brainpan.
As he scooped up yolk with a bite of steak, Jasper shrugged. At least no one else has gotten their hands on your device. No one that he knew of, at any rate.
That cold blue gaze pinned him to his chair. Where is the first piece?
ODooleys, he replied. It was a sporting club on the barest fringe of the underworlda place where workingmen and fancy gents could enjoy an evening of bloodshed and brute violence.
He could see that Dalton approved of his choice. Theres a fight tonight. Well take in some entertainment, and youll collect whats there. Wheres the rest of it?
Jasper shook his head. The only guarantee I have that you wont hurt Mei is the fact that Im the only one who knows where the pieces are.
Dalton leaned forward, all traces of goodwill gone from his features. I could kill her just for spite.
The thought made Jaspers stomach turn over on itself. You could, but then youd never get your gadget back.
I could make you tell me.
No, Jasper assured him. You couldnt. Because Dalton would be dead if he hurt Mei.
Dalton opened his mouth, but Jasper cut him off. Theres no negotiating to be done. I get your machine back, and you let me, Mei and my family alone. Give me your word or shoot me now. His heart punched hard against his ribs as he waited for his former friend, now his enemy, to respond.
Fine. Dalton offered his hand. But for the duration it takes you to get the device, youre part of my gang and you do whatever I tell you to. Idle hands do the devils work, after all. You try to burn me again, and Ill slit her throat myself.
Jasper swallowed the rage threatening to send him over the edge and accepted the handshake, sealing the bargain. He could drive a fork into Daltons neck before the screw drew his next breath, but then hed just bring more trouble down on himself. No, he had to do this right if he wanted Dalton out of his life for good.
And now Griffin was in town. The thought both worried him and gave him hope. If Griffin was here, it meant he was still his friend. But he didnt want to risk Griffins safety, especially if Sam, Miss Finley and that pretty little Miss Emily were with him. Then there was the fact that if they tried to help him they might very well get themselves killed. Still, if anyone could help him get out of this mess and save Mei, it was Griffin King and his friends.
Relax, he heard himself say as he reached for another biscuit. Youre in charge here. Im not going to burn you.
But if he could find a way to save his loved ones and destroy Reno Dalton, hed do it. Even if it cost his own life.
You know Griffin is going to pitch a fit when he finds out what youve done. Emily chewed on a fingernail as she spoke.
Finley shrugged before taking hold of her friends hand and pulling it away from her mouth. Not if we bring back information on this Dalton fellow, which is exactly what were going to do.
Did we have to go to the worst part of the city to get it?
Shed shrug again, but that might seem facetious, as though she didnt take Emilys fears to heart. They were in the worst part of townFive Points was a lot like the slum areas of London, but with a tad more pridelooking for information on a criminal. There were bound to be those who took offense to their snooping about.
Finley was fairly certain she and Emily could look after themselves, and if Griffin was angry that they had taken matters into their own hands, that was his problem. She was still a little angry at him for last nightmore because he hadnt kissed herand he hadnt spoken to her since. How was she supposed to react to that? How was she to know when he acted all interested one moment and then walked out on her the next?
It wasnt her fault Jack had sent her flowers. She hadnt asked for them. In fact, the prat had probably sent them knowing it would irk Griffin.
It wasnt her fault Jack had sent her flowers. She hadnt asked for them. In fact, the prat had probably sent them knowing it would irk Griffin.
It was enough to make a girl wonder if there was something wrong with herand Finley had had quite enough of that already, thank you. So if Griffin wouldnt acknowledge her on his own, shed make him.
People stopped to stare at the two of them as they strolled down the dusty sidewalk, putting Finley on her guard. It was a sunny day with a light breeze, which unfortunately carried the smells of this part of the city on it. Behind run-down buildings, clothing fluttered on battered lines. Some of those items were so grimy they barely looked washed at all.
Someone here had to know how to find this Dalton fellow, who was apparently a friend of Jaspers. When Griffin had returned from the Tombs that morning, hed said hed run into a lawman whod claimed that Jasper may have returned to his former lawless ways. That Jasper might have been responsible for a mans death in California. Finley didnt believe it. Oh, she had no doubt Jasper had his own sense of right and wrongjust as she often didbut he wasnt a killer. Not without reason. If Griffin was going to give up just because of a murder suspicion, then he should have tossed her out when Scotland Yard believed she killed Lord Felix, a fellow who had attacked her.
Finley and Emily defended Jasper, much to Sams chagrin. It was no secret Sam was jealous of how the cowboy flirted with Emily. Couldnt the brute see how much Emily adored him? Finley didnt understand it, but it was obvious to everyone but Sam that Emily loved him.
Regardless, when Griffin had said that he and Sam were going to see what they could find out about Dalton, Finley had taken his attitude and the fact that hed refused to make eye contact with her to heart and decided to do a little detective work of her own. Emily, of course, had refused to let her go alone.
Do you think the lads are here, as well? Emily asked, glancing about.
Finley was busy trying to catalog everyone watching them. Dunno. Im more concerned with us at the moment, Em.
Her friend glanced at her, face even paler beneath her freckles. Do you think were in danger?
I think wed be idiots to assume otherwise, she replied, oddly calm. This was one of the things she had to accept when Griffin began the process of helping her merge the two aspects of her personality. She thought things now, did things that she wouldnt have before. So being cocky yet anxious in the face of potential danger was new to herand most inconvenient.
Slowly, she nudged her small friend toward the center of the square. Shed rather be out in the open than risk being hauled into a building or alley. These people werent the sort to shoot someone in cold blood; they were fist-and-blade sort of peoplethe kind that took killing personally. There was more honor in meeting a foe toe-to-toe than picking them off from a distance.
She could respect that. She was also thankful for it.
You girls dont belong here came a thick Irish brogue. Both Finley and Emily turned toward the voice. It belonged to a young man, not much older than themselves. He was tall and thin, his dark auburn hair glinting in the sun. His shirt and brown trousers had been washed so many times they were both a muddy color and mended in several spots. Still, he stood there like he owned the place.
Cheeky bloke, Finley thought. Were looking for someone, she told him.
His eyebrow jumped at her voice. There be no one you want here, English, he informed her in a mocking tone.