Page 19 of The Housebreaker's Assistant
Once they were relatively clean, the thoughts that had been fomenting in Greer’s expression finally made it out into the open.
“My friends who want you to do this job with me might be able to make arrangements for your sister,” he said.
Penny finished pulling a reasonably clean shirt over his head, then glanced at Greer in surprise. “Surely not,” he said. The sort of people he figured wanted him to accompany Greer to Cornwall were almost certainly not the sort who would shelter an innocent woman in his absence.
“They might,” Greer repeated, scrubbing his face with clean water. “They’re…different from the ordinary criminal gang.”
A shiver shot down Penny’s spine. He wasn’t keen on handing his sister over to any criminal gang, even a different one. “I can’t take that risk,” he said.
Greer grunted and frowned. “You could always ask them,” he said.
Penny snorted. “Ask them how? You still haven’t identified them to me. How am I supposed to ask them for a favor in order to work for them?”
“I could take you to them,” Greer said. “Tonight. Right now. I could introduce you, and you could ask whatever questions you have.”
“At this time of night?” Penny gaped at him.
“They keep odd hours,” Greer said with a wry grin.
More understanding dawned over Penny. A criminal gang who operated in the shadows at night. Greer wanted to drag him under. But if there was even a slight chance someone other than Mrs. Hunt might have been able to help Helen, did he not owe it to himself and her to investigate? Selling his soul just might be worth it if these people could guarantee Helen’s safety.
“Alright,” he said at last, though he wasn’t pleased with his answer. “Take me to your friends. I’ll ask them everything I need to ask, and if I like their answers, only if I like their answers, I’llthinkabout going with you to Cornwall.”
Greer let out a breath that might have been relief. “Alright, then,” he said. “Come with me.”
Chapter Six
Greer did not fancy himself as the sort of man who could be moved by the bonds of family or sentiment. He’d been hardened against the idea of family from the first time his father had beaten him to a bloody pulp at the tender age of six while his mother looked on, doing nothing to help.
Despite that, or perhaps because of it, as he watched the care and affection which Penny lavished on his sister, Greer’s usually stony heart softened.
“Be prepared to be denied entrance,” he warned Penny as the hack he’d hired at the edge of Whitechapel deposited them in front of The Zagreus Den deep into the darkness of the night. “I did not forewarn anyone that you would be coming, and as you will see, my friends are strict about who they admit to this club.”
“I see,” Penny said with a nod, glancing up at the ordinary brick edifice of the club.
Greer could tell by the confusion in Penny’s expression that he had already underestimated the world Brutus and Titus had built. He even sniffed a little as he looked up toward the upper floors, then all along the street. He did not say anything, however, which Greer took as a positive sign. Penny would do well to reserve his judgment until they were inside the club.
As Greer expected, they were only admitted into the foyer at first.
“Are Brutus and Titus expecting your company?” Caius asked Greer, failing to offer to take either his or Penny’s coats and hats.
“They are not expecting anything,” Greer said. “But if you tell them I’m here and that I’ve brought Percival Frey with me, I think you’ll find we will both be admitted.”
“Very good, sir,” Caius said, then left them there as he ventured deeper into the house.
Penny glanced quickly at Greer with a slightly bemused look as Caius turned a corner. “Percival?” he asked.
Greer smirked at him. “That’s your given name, is it not?”
“It is,” Penny said, his smile warming. “I wasn’t aware you knew that.”
Greer stepped slightly closer to him. “I think you’ll find that I know a great deal more about you than you realize,” he said, brushing his fingers down the length of Penny’s sleeve. “Such as what you sound like when you come.”
Penny sucked in a breath, staring at Greer’s mouth. If Brutus and Titus refused to allow Penny into the Den, Greer had every intention of taking the man back to his rooms to fully have his way with him at last.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately in the grander scheme of things, Caius returned shortly with a mild smile.
“Mr. Frey has been granted permission to enter,” he said. “Brutus and Titus await you in the banquet hall. Though you may want to advise your friend on the sort of entertainments the Den offers before you reach the hall,” Caius added, blushing, then cleared his throat. “It is a very busy night.”
