Page 21 of Wake Me Most Wickedly
“Pardon me,” a deep voice bellowed through the darkness.
Blood pounding in her ears, Hannah forced herself away from the wall and into the middle of the alley, widening her stance even though the ground still spun. “Who’s there? Don’t come any closer, I have a knife.”
“If you had a knife, it’d be lodged between your former associate’s shoulders with a constable ginning up testimony from your neighbors,” the voice said. “A scenario that would probably make many people happy. Getting rid of two birds with one stone.”
“I’m not a murderess,” she retorted, despite the fact that it would probably be best if she were one in the current situation.
“Anyone can kill under the right circumstances,” the stranger said, stepping toward her. Through the dim light, Hannah could make out the form of a very tall man, with fine, polished boots and a thick wool midnight black cloak, a large hood completely engulfing his head in darkness. Almost like a phantom.
Except phantoms weren’t real. And far less frightening than humans.
The stranger wagged a finger, encased by thick, black leather gloves, at her. Expensive gloves. “And with you and your temper, Hannah Moses, I think those circumstances are more plentiful than with most.”
Her heart stopped at the mention of her name.
“What do you want from me?” She breathed the question, not that the answer could be anything good.
There was a pause, as if the man was contemplating her, though she could not be sure as his face was still completely hidden.
“My employer is interested in hiring you,” he said finally.
“For what?” she asked as calmly as she could, even if all her warning senses, the ones that had kept her alive in places so many others didn’t survive, were telling her to run into the house as fast as she could and bolt the door.
“For what you did for Mr. Phyppers—to find information,” he told her. “However, not all of us are certain you’re right for the job.”
“I’m not even certain I’m interested in the job,” she retorted, her shoulders sagging a touch with relief.
A gust of wind swept in, raising moisture from the mud as it rapped against the crumbling plaster of the buildings sheltering her and the man.
“What does it pay?” she couldn’t help but ask. Because, while it was clear that this man was trouble, she still needed the money, sooner rather than later. And circumstances being what they were…
“More than double what your previous employer paid,” he said. “If you’re good enough.”
“He wasn’t my employer, just someone I did jobs for from time to time,” she mumbled, before the rest of thestatement washed over her senses. “That much just for finding information?” she asked, her heart skipping a little, despite herself.
She shouldn’t even be considering this. She had no idea who she was dealing with, even if she was good and finished in all her usual channels. Even if she was being offered an opportunity, here and now.
“It will be important information,” the man said, breaking her thoughts.
“Will be?” she asked, peering again, in vain, through the darkness.
“The job we’d need you for isn’t ready quite yet,” he explained. “But my employer’s interested in having you, on his staff, so to speak.”
“Who is he?” she asked. Because if she knew that, she might be at least able to protect herself a little bit. And hopefully hide Tamar completely.
“That’s not something you need to know.” The stranger’s voice was a touch sharp. Hannah frowned as she worked to analyze his voice. He wasn’t young, certainly older than her, but not by too much. And he was clearly more educated as his accent was almost posh. Not from these parts, and yet he’d come upon her nearly undetected. How?
“Here.” The man reached out and shoved a small, dark velvet bag into her hand.
“What is—”
“We’re going to do a little test job,” the stranger told her. “This is half a very fair sum, and just a taste of what’s to come, as well as your instructions. If you succeed in a discreet and thorough manner, you’ll get the rest. And a spot for future jobs. How does that sound?”
“Too good to be true,” she retorted. And yet… Sheturned the small sack over in her hand before fiddling with the tie.
The stranger pointed a finger at her. “You’re a clever one,” he said. “That’s why my employer is interested,” he added, and she shivered a touch.
How exactly did his employer know her? Had he been watching her? She’d need to proceed with care. She pulled out the instructions and squinted through the darkness before starting. “This is a fancy location.”
