“Who’s down there with you?” I set the jar on the floor and clambered down the steps, my shoes crunching over glass and a sticky substance.
“Mind the glass. I dropped a bottle. It’s a bit slippery.”
“Tessa, my love!” Charlie held up a jug of wine and grinned. “You’re just in time. Your neighbor has cooked me the most amazing meal. She’s a wonder.” He held up the wine bottle. “Does red go with fish?”
“Elderberry wine goes with everything.” Sylvia swung her cane, making Charlie do a little side-step.
I shook my head, unable to make sense of the scene. “Charlie, where have you been? I’ve looked everywhere for you. Last I heard, you were in hiding.”
Charlie scrunched his nose. “Never stiff a weapons vendor. When they get mad, they have weapons. I had to close up shop—temporarily, of course. I’m getting back on my feet thanks to this dove.” He gestured to Sylvia.
“What?”
Sylvia flattened her lips with impatience. “Charlie heard you were searching for him. I was minding my own business, looking out the window at your magic shop, when I saw him. You weren’t home, so I invited him over for breakfast.”
“She makes the most wonderful breakfasts,” Charlie added.
“He’s been staying with me ever since. Fuzzy adores him.”
“And I adore Fuzzy.”
“Hold on.” I ran my hands through my hair, digging my fingers into my scalp. “You’ve been next door the entire time?”
Charlie shrugged. “I’ve been meaning to come by, love, but Sylvia has been such a gracious host.”
My patience ran out. “Charlie, I’ve been to the market every day this week. I’m at my wit’s end! You’re the only person I know who’s heard of Ironhazel. Tell me you have new information.”
“Of course I do. That’s why I came by.”
Sylvia grunted. “The fish is getting cold. We should head back.”
“Wait!” I blocked the exit, holding up my hands. “You can have all the wine you want, every last drop, but not before you give me the details on Ironhazel.”
“You might as well tell her. There’s no stopping her when she gets like this. We’ll never get to eat,” Sylvia said, gathering wine bottles into her arms.
Charlie uncorked the bottle in his hand and took a deep sip straight from the jug. “I know where you can find Ironhazel. What is it, Tuesday?”
“Yeah, Tuesday,” Sylvia confirmed.
“There’s a ship docking on Thursday with a huge shipment of illegal contraband, and I heard Ironhazel will be there. It might be your only chance to catch him.” He slapped his stomach with the palm of his hand. “All right. Now, let’s eat.”
Chapter 26
The ship would dock in less than two hours.
I tucked my hair beneath my hood and tightened the belt at my waist. My hands were clammy, muscles aching with tension. Each hour that ticked closer to the rendezvous made it harder to concentrate.
This was the lead I’d been waiting for, but I couldn’t shake the hollow feeling in my stomach. All I had to do was lay low and identify Ironhazel. Maybe I’d get lucky and see an opportunity to apprehend him, but the plan was to track him, find out where he was hiding, and take him down there. Catching him would bring us closer to catching Ella’s killer and would help bring justice to the other victims.
Us.
When would I stop referring to everything with an us attached to it? There was no more us, only me, and maybe Vivian if she’d stop giving me a disappointed scowl every time I opened my mouth. She claimed I was being intentionally stubborn, even using the word pigheaded. Vivian might be the type of friend to follow me into quicksand if that’s where I led her, but she’d grumble the whole way and make sure her last words were, “I told you so.”
That was why she didn’t know about tonight’s caper. Tagging along while I visited with a loan shark was one thing, especially since she’d seemed to charm the scoundrel, but going after a potential killer? No way. I couldn’t risk it.
Ugh, I was turning into Derrick, the king of safety.
Regret wormed its way into my chest. Our last encounter had been playing on repeat in my mind. The way his hands had felt against my face, the deep, soothing tone of his voice, how there seemed to be so much left unsaid, and how his pain had broken my heart even more than his decision to push me away.
