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The dark-haired woman heads left along the street. The light-haired one turns down a side street across from the public house. McCreadie and I pause, giggling and swaying, as if we consumed far more than a half-pint of ale.
“Split up?” I whisper.
When McCreadie hesitates, I say, “Could you tell who was saying what?”
“No, but…”
“If you’d feel better with me to watch your back, just say so.”
He gives me a mock stern look. I take out Catriona’s switchblade. He rolls his eyes. Then he catches sight of something down the road and relaxes. I glance to see Gray half exposed between two buildings.
“Good,” I say. “You and Dr. Gray can follow the dark-haired one. It’s not the worst neighborhood, but you should still have backup.”
“To be quite honest, Iwouldrather have an officer at my side, but as I am currently without one, I will follow the dark-haired lass, who is walking toward a better area of town. You and Duncan shall follow the light-haired one, who seems to be heading into a neighborhood I would fear to tread alone.”
I sigh. “Fine. Be all reasonable about it.”
“You ought to thank me,” he says. “For putting you into a situation I suspect you will quite enjoy, even if you would not admit it.”
I follow his gaze to Gray and narrow my eyes. “Situation?”
“Why, an opportunity for danger and adventure, of course,” he says. “Whatever did you think I meant?”
He tips his hat and sets out after the dark-haired woman. I head down the darkened street the light-haired woman took. I make it about ten stepsbefore the cobbled lane ends and a narrow alley looms ahead. I slow and let Gray catch up.
“Going in there, are we?” he says.
“Apparently. We’re—”
He’s already striding down the alley.
We must enter a pitch-black alley at night? All right then. No explanation required.
I shake my head. I’m not the one who will enjoy this “opportunity for danger and adventure.”
Okay, I’m not theonlyone who’ll enjoy it.
FOUR
I hike my skirts and jog after Gray. As I catch up, he waves me closer without looking back.
“Yes,” he says. “Stay near. That’s safer.”
“Safer for me?” I say. “Or for the guy who marched into this alley without waiting for a reason?”
“I presume there is a reason. I also presume that it is a sound one. While you are rather overfond of courting danger, you are not reckless. Not unduly so.”
“Might I suggest, sir, that I take the lead?” I say. “As I possess a knife? And as I would prefer not to be grabbed from behind by someone who thinks I seem a delightful confection?”
“That depends,” he says. “Are you going to keep mocking me by calling me ‘sir’?”
“It’s not mockery. It is acknowledgment that you are my social superior.”
“In your guise of Catriona, perhaps. Would I be such in your world?”
“Mmm, hard call. You’re better educated, and your family is somewhat wealthier.”
“In other words, we would occupy the same general social standing.”
