“He stepped out,” Luna said. “To . . . to get us a late dinner.”
“What’s open and serving dinner at this hour?”
“I didn’t press for details.”
“And you expect he’ll be back soon?”
“Probably. Quite soon. Why?”
“Just thought I’d ask him a few questions, that’s all. Maybe he saw something of this fellow I tailed.”
“I doubt very much that Mr. Grimm knows anything about the doings down in the warehouse district, Ward.”
“You sure about that?”
“Quite. Why, he doesn’t pay attention to anything outside this shop!”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed he’s a bit of a square like that. Makes a fellow wonder . . .”
“Wonder what?”
“Why you stick up for him the way you do.”
Nigel heard Luna’s sharply indrawn breath. “I . . . don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I think you do. You’re very loyal to the old man. Won’t hear a cross word against him. Someone might start to think you hadfeelingsfor him.”
A rush of heat churned in Nigel’s gut. He shouldn’t be listening to this. He shouldn’t be privy to this conversation. But what could he do? Cover his ears?
“Mr. Grimm has been very good to me,” Luna answered slowly. “He gave me work when no one else would. You know, Ward, with my, um, with thisthingon my wrist, it’s not always easy.”
Ward snorted. “Oh, yeah. That makes sense. I can see how that would inspire a lot ofgratitudefrom a hardworking girl like yourself.”
Luna’s voice dropped by a few degrees. “If you want to say something to me, I wish you’d just say it.”
“I don’t want to say anything. Why? Do you want me to say something?”
“I want you to leave. I’ve had a . . . a long day. And I want to finish up inventory and get home.”
No!Something inside Nigel screamed.No, she can’t go home!He’d invited her to stay, and she’d said she would, and anyway, she’d missed curfew, hadn’t she? If she set out for home now, she’d end up freezing outside overnight. He needed to get up. He needed to stop her from leaving. Nigel opened his mouth, but nothing more than a little gurgling sound emerged. His tongue tasted like acid. Gripping the arms of the chair, he pushed a little harder, and this time nearly managed to get to his feet.
“I’ll go, I’ll go,” Ward said, his voice placating. “But do you mind if I take a quick look around first?”
“Why?” Luna snapped.
“Just to make certain this goon didn’t sneak in and hide somewhere. I’d never forgive myself if I walked away now, only to find out later you and old Grimm had been murdered.”
“Oh, really, Ward, don’t be ridiculous! Ward!”
“What’s back here?”
The wardsman’s footsteps sounded in the passage, and Nigel’s heart jolted against his sternum. He could hear Luna’s voice from farther away, saying, “It’s just a storage room!”
“And this?”
“Water closet!”
“What about this?”
