Page 29 of Ashes To Ashes
Right now, it didn't matter. It wouldn't help Lincoln locate the killer. What he needed to know was whether Gillingham was outraged enough by his wife's true form that he would kill other supernaturals. He had already sent Gus out to track the baron's movements, and Seth would relieve him later. They weren't to let him out of their sights.
Seth deposited Lincoln at the front of the house and continued on to the coach house. Doyle took Lincoln's hat and coat.
"There's a fellow to see you, sir." The look of disgust on Doyle's face told Lincoln he'd likely find this fellow in the service area, not the parlor. "He refused to give his name, but he's rather scruffy and thinks he's a lark. Cook almost chased him off with his meat cleaver and one of his frightening glares, but I convinced him to stay."
It sounded like Billy the Bolter. "Thank you. Send him into the library."
Lincoln headed there himself and poured a brandy. Billy swaggered to the doorway then stopped, cap in hand. His jaw dropped as he took in the rich velvet curtains, the walls of books and the heavy furniture that Doyle had polished to a high sheen.
"Nice digs." Billy continued into the room, his swagger not quite as pronounced.
Lincoln handed him the glass. "Well?"
"Right to it, then, eh?" Billy sniffed the brandy then drank the lot. He wiped his sleeve across his mouth and held the glass out for a refill. Lincoln obliged, and Billy drank that too. "Got me money?"
"I'll pay you if your information is worthwhile."
Billy considered this. With a nod, he said, "I heard something 'round the traps about the gunman. I think I know who he is."
"Go on."
"After you and me spoke last time, I got it in my head to ask around here and there. All quiet, like. Just some as I could trust." He held up his finger and smiled a yellow-toothed smile. "I ain't stupid."
Did the man expect affirmation? "Go on."
"My sister told me 'bout a bloke who's been hangin' round Osborne Street, where some doxies do business. She ain't a street worker, but she got some friends who are. Well, one of 'em said a fellow's been splashing the ready 'round to all the girls in the last week. He's been there before, but never had no money until now. My sister's friend asked him where he got the ready from, and he said it were a secret but it involved his barker. She didn't believe he had one, so he showed it to her."
"She saw his gun?"
"Aye, she swears she did. He reckons he stole it from some toff, and ever since then, he put word out he'd use it for the right price."
"Do you know this fellow?"
"I knowofhim. Name's Jack Daley, and he's a mean blighter. He'd kill a man, sure enough, if he wronged him."
"Or was paid?"
"Aye."
"Do you know where I can find him?" Lincoln asked.
"He lives in a lodging house on Flower and Dean Street. Don't know which one."
"Anything else?"
"Aye. When you get 'im, don't tell 'im how you found 'im."
"That goes without saying."
"No, it don't." Billy turned serious. "He'd hurt me sister and her friend bad if he knew they ratted. He don't need more reason than that to slash their throats."
Lincoln fetched Billy some money and told him to pass some on to his sister and her friend. He almost fetched some clothes that Charlie had left behind, but decided against it. That would require him to enter her room.
"Thank you, sir. Been good doin' business with you again." Billy tugged on his forelock and left through the front door as Doyle looked on disapprovingly.
"Would you like luncheon, sir?" Doyle asked after shutting the door.
"Bring something to my rooms. And send Seth in when he's finished outside."
