A Kiss In The Dark by Kimberly Logan Page A

“It’s ’is own fault for doing business wiv the likes of Barnaby Flynt.”
    Deirdre froze, her heart skipping a beat. “Barnaby Flynt?”
    “Mmmm.” Though even Lilah didn’t know everything that had occurred, most especially the incident with Tristan’s mother, she’d been around when Deirdre had been part of Barnaby’s gang and was well aware of her aversion to the man. It was an aversion the prostitute shared, as Flynt had once tried to force her into his own private stable of doxies, an attempt she had fought tooth and nail. “I suppose you know ’e’s back.”
    Deirdre slid a sidelong glance at Tristan, whose eyebrows had lowered in a frown, before taking a step closer to her friend. “What does he have to do with this?”
    “Everyone knows Baldwin was acting as Flynt’s receiver. If the man ’imself didn’t do it, one of ’is boys did, sure enough.”
    “What does the law have to say about it?”
    “The law?” Lilah snorted. “The law don’t care what goes on in ’ere unless it’s worth their while. You know that. They’ve made sure the body was removed, and that’ll be the end of it as far as they’re concerned. ’E’s just another poor blighter what no one cares about. ’E’d ’ave to be a titled gent before they’d lower themselves to try and catch ’is killer.”
    It was true. Deirdre knew better than anyone that Bow Street tended to turn a blind eye to the rookeries unless they were compelled by either money or personal gain to do so.
    Barnaby Flynt. Already the man was leaving a trail of mayhem in his wake.
    As if reading her mind, Lilah reached out to pat her shoulder sympathetically. “It’s a good thing you went and married that fine gent of yours and you’re not around ’ere so much anymore, luv. It looks like we’re right back where we left off eight years ago.”
    “Who’s Barnaby Flynt?”
    Tristan’s question was so unexpected that for a moment Deirdre was stunned. Knowing him, she supposed she should have realized that it was too much to hope he would remain silent the entire time. He was far too accustomed to taking the lead. After all, it was his sister who was missing, and he must be champing at the bit to be a more active participant in the search. But the question he’d chosen to ask came far too close to the one subject Deirdre wanted most to avoid.
    “Someone we’d do well to stay away from,” she finally answered, then turned back to Lilah, hoping to forestall any further queries. “I suppose we’d best be on our way. But before we go, I couldn’t help noticing your … guest.” She paused, trying to think of a way to phrase her next inquiry delicately. “Are you short on funds, Lilah? Do you need anything?”
    The prostitute gave her head a firm, negative shake. “Oh, I couldn’t take anything more from you, luv. You’ve done enough for me already, what wiv giving me them dresses and talking ’arry into letting me ’ave a room ’ere at the tavern. ’E pays me what ’e can for ’elping out downstairs, and the rest …” She reddened. “Well, I make out all right.”
    “But you don’t have to—”
    “I know I don’t. But it’s me job, Deirdre. It’s all I know ’ow to do and do well. I earn me own way.”
    Deirdre sighed and reached out to hug her friend. “You are so stubborn.”
    Lilah gave her a gentle squeeze in return. “I’ve just got me pride. Something you should understand.”
    “That’s the trouble. I do.” Deirdre took a step back and smiled at the woman. “I don’t suppose you have any suggestions as to where to continue my search?”
    “’Ave you tried Mouse yet?”
    “Mouse? No. Do you think he might know something?”
    “Mouse knows everything. It’s the getting it out of ’im that’s the problem. ’Course, ’e’s fond of you, so you might not ’ave any trouble at all.”
    Deirdre nodded. “It might be worth a try.” She leaned forward to give her friend a swift peck on the cheek. “Thank