Page 89 of His Improper Lady

Wells regarded him for a moment, then nodded to Tom. “Very well.”

Tom gave the other man a little nod in return, feeling as if he had been handed something significant, though he wasn’t exactly sure what.

“I’m going with you,” Desiree declared.

“Naturally you want to walk into the lion’s den,” Brock grumbled.

It was on the tip of Tom’s tongue to tell Desiree it was too dangerous, but after one glance at the glower Desiree sent her older brother, Tom wisely held back the words. “Of course. We’ll take care of Falk together.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

IN THE HOPES that they would better blend into Falk’s neighborhood, Desiree changed into one of her simpler, looser garments and sturdy walking boots and managed to dig up some older, rougher clothes of Brock’s for Tom to wear. Tom was leery of taking an elegant town carriage and matched pair of grays into the Whitechapel area, but Desiree pointed out that they would be unlikely to find a hackney willing to take them there, let alone hang about waiting for them to return. Besides, their experience last night had given Desiree a healthy distrust of any conveyance but her own.

Merriwell let them out well before they reached Falk’s headquarters. The streets were becoming too narrow to navigate successfully and the vehicle was too tempting a target. Desiree arranged to meet the carriage later, and she and Tom set off through the crowded, twisting streets.

Finally, Desiree stopped and nodded at a building ahead of them, where a set of outside stairs curled up to the second floor. “That’s where Falk’s headquarters are now. See the man hanging about at the bottom of the stairs? That’s one of Falk’s men.”

They walked up the street and turned toward the staircase. The man lounging beside it stepped in front of them. “Stop right there, mate. You can’t—”

Tom grabbed the other man’s arm, twisted it up behind his back and shoved the guard aside. He charged up the stairs, Desiree right after him. Below them, the big man bellowed. “’Ere! You can’t go in there!”

He ran up the stairs after them. Tom whirled and punched him in the mouth. The man fell and tumbled down several steps. Behind him, Desiree opened the door, and they darted inside. Desiree slammed the door and locked it behind them.

“Hey!” Falk jumped up from his chair behind the desk. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“This.” Tom grabbed the other man by his lapels and slammed him back into the wall. “Stop sending men after Desiree! The next time your men show up, I’m going to meet them with a gun.” He pulled Falk back slightly and slammed him into the wall again. “Then I’m coming after you! Am I clear?”

Tom released Falk and took a step back. Falk straightened his jacket with a jerk.

“Bloody hell! What is the matter with you?” Falk turned to Desiree. “I didn’t send anybody to attack you! Why would I do that?” He shrugged, turning his hands palm up in a gesture of innocence.

“Are you trying to tell me that wasn’t your man who tried to steal the box from us?” Desiree crossed her arms.

“Oh, that.” Falk shrugged. “Bert’s a fool. The envelope wouldn’t have been in your mother’s old house, now would it?”

“I don’t have your stupid envelope!” Desiree exclaimed. “I told you. I didn’t find it. I didn’t steal it.”

“Then who does?” Falk shot back.

“I don’t know. But it isn’t me.”

“Well.” Falk studied her. “Then what the hell are you looking for?”

“That is none of your business,” Desiree retorted.

A loud banging began on the door, accompanied by loud shouts to open up.

“Look.” Tom moved in closer, his face fierce. “I don’t give a damn about this bloody envelope. I’m telling you—don’t come near Desiree again. You hurt her, and I will end you.”

“Hurt her!” Falk widened his eyes innocently. “I wouldn’t hurt my little Dezzy.”

“No? Sending some ruffian with a knife isn’t hurting her?” Tom snapped.

Falk gaped at him. “What? What knife?” He looked toward Desiree. “What’s he talking about? I never did that.”

“I guess you didn’t kidnap us last night and chase us all over the docks, either.”

“Chase you! Hell!” Falk snorted. “Those were my men that saved your hides last night!”