Page 34 of When You're Lost

“That's the name and address of a company that supplies security for expensive antiques when they're getting moved around,” Leopold said.“All I'll say is you might find your answer there.”

“Thank you, Leopold,” Eleanor replied, sounding sincere.

“You can come back here any time, Ellie,” Leopold said, leaning back against the desk.“But not with your detective friend.”He aimed a dry smirk at Finn.“Sorry, pal.It’s nothing personal.But the clientele here… they’re very choosy about who they drink with.”

Finn shrugged, attempting a conciliatory grin.“Shame.I enjoy a card game now and then.”

Leopold let out a sharp laugh.“Every single person at that table cheats, Mr.Wright.You wouldn’t stand a chance.”Then his smile faded, replaced by a grim seriousness.“Besides, this isn’t your world.Best keep out if you value your safety.”

Eleanor exhaled slowly.“I appreciate the tip, Leopold.Truly.”

He gave her a brief nod, then tugged her into a surprisingly gentle hug.“Your dad was a good man.I promised him I’d keep an eye on you, but that’s hard to do when you don’t return calls.”There was a flicker of genuine hurt in his voice.“If you ever need help, Ellie, call me next time—don’t wait until there are bodies on the ground.”

She swallowed, nodding.“I’m sorry.I needed to step away from… Dad’s world.”

Leopold patted her shoulder.“I get it.If I were a younger man, maybe I'd have done the same thing, known what I know now.But we're all victims of fate, ain't we?Now, let’s get you out of here.I have a reputation to maintain.”He motioned for them to follow.

They returned to the card room, where the men around the table looked up briefly but said nothing.Leopold waved to Mickey, who was leaning against the wall with a half-empty pint in hand.“Mickey, see them out.And keep an eye on them.Make sure no one decides to… cause trouble.”

Mickey knocked back the rest of his drink, set the glass aside, and grinned at Eleanor.“Right you are, boss.”He gestured for Finn and Eleanor to follow him.As they stepped back into the bar’s main area, cigarette smoke curled heavily in the air.

Mickey led them through the scattered patrons, then angled toward the stairwell.On the way, he smiled, turning to Eleanor.“I can’t get over it.I can see your dad in you so much.What a bloke he was, eh?Best bare-knuckle fighter I ever saw, and never lost his cool in a tight spot.Real legend.”

Eleanor forced a small nod.“Yes, well… I knew a different side of him, Mickey.”Her tone was carefully neutral, but Finn sensed her embarrassment.

Mickey didn’t notice, rummaging in his memories.“I remember once in Dublin, your old man took on four men double his size.Took ‘em down like it was nothing!Eh, good times.The all or nothin' days.”

Eleanor tensed, her posture rigid.Finn gently placed a hand on her elbow to guide her up the steps, letting her know she wasn’t alone.She shot him a grateful glance.

At the top of the staircase, near the exit, Mickey turned.“Don’t be a stranger, Ellie.You ever need anything, you know where to find me—or Leopold.”

She offered a tight smile.“Thanks, Mickey.”

They emerged onto a quiet side street, numb against London’s skyline.The bar’s unmarked door closed behind them, the sounds of music and laughter sealed away.Amelia gave a discreet shiver—part from the cold, part from relief.

Finn exhaled.“Well, that was… an interesting glimpse of your father’s world.You okay?”

She shrugged, face shadowed by a streetlamp's glow."It doesn't matter.I just—I wasn't proud of what my father did or the people he associated with.But I guess it's part of me, too."

Finn paused, letting a wave of empathy wash over him.“For what it’s worth, I grew up in a small Florida town where everyone saw me as that kid from the wrong side of the tracks.But I don’t believe in the sins of our fathers.You’re a good person, Eleanor.You’ve achieved plenty—hold your head high.”

Something in her eyes softened.“Thank you,” she murmured.She withdrew the folded paper from her pocket.“Let’s see what Leopold gave me.”She handed it to Finn.

He opened it under the wan glow of a streetlamp, reading a scribbled note: a name and address.Possibly a warehouse location.He whistled.“So, a security firm outside London… that’s where we might find this forger, or at least their operation?”

Eleanor nodded.“Apparently.”

He stepped aside as she started down the street.“Up for a drive, Dr.Matthews?”he teased lightly.

She managed a genuine smile this time.“Delightful, Mr.Wright.Lead the way.”

And so they walked off together, the smoky bar behind them, gray day skies settling in overhead.Despite the tension, they had a lead at last—one that might unravel the killer’s connection to the forged paintings.If this forger truly was the key to stopping any more grisly murders, Finn and Eleanor would brave any seedy place to find them.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Finn pulled into the industrial estate in his red Corvette just after lunch, the Spring sun glinting off the car's hood as he turned down a lane flanked by wide warehouse buildings.The sky above was gray, and a light chill crept through the air.Next to him, Eleanor flipped through a notebook filled with scribbles about the case.

“This is the place,” Finn murmured, bringing the Corvette to a halt in a small parking area near a chain-link fence.Beyond the fence, rows of industrial units stretched in neat lines.Forklifts beeped in the distance, and workers in high-visibility jackets moved pallets around.

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