Page 16 of A Dream of Redemption
Just then Richard, one of the men Mr. Brown had sent, entered the room.
“We should go soon. Boon is outside the hovel Glover ran to; he’ll alert us if there is any movement but we should get there in case he goes out tonight and we lose him.”
Clary nodded. “I want Boon back here too. I don’t want him involved in this, he’s too young.” He picked up his greatcoat. “Have you positioned the men on the doors?”
Richard nodded. “This building is well guarded, even got a man near the cellar.”
“Let’s go. If we find them tonight—good. If we don’t, it may already be too late.”
Chapter 5
It did make Helen feel better knowing that the building was so well guarded that no one could get in. But it meant she also couldn’t get out. She knew Clary was going after Glover. He and Richard had been talking softly early in the evening and she’d heard Clary say “look out.”
One of the boys named Boon was also missing.
She had not bothered to change into a night rail and robe and set about pacing her room, knowing it would be foolish to venture out. She wanted to help Clary, but that would be madness. Dangerous too. Clary would be furious with her, as would Marisa. She did not know these streets, and dressed as she was, she would be a beacon of light in a stormy sea.
However, she could not sleep. She kept picturing Anne’s face and her sorrow about her friend. Then she kept picturing what could be happening to Claire, and all Helen wanted to do was rush out into the night and find her.
Opening the door she decided to go to the kitchen and get a glass of warm milk to help her sleep and see if she could find some cooking brandy to add a dash to the milk—a big dash.
The fire in the kitchen still burned bright but Mrs. Thorn had long gone to bed. Instead, she saw a young lad eating a plate of cheese and meats as if he’d not eaten in a year. He jumped to his feet when he saw her.
“Please sit, you look hungry.”
“Yes, my lady.” He sat and continued eating.
She studied the young urchin. “And you are?”
“Boon.”
“Oh, so you’ve been keeping an eye on Mr. Glover.”
He nodded in between mouthfuls.
“Did Mr. Homeward relieve you?”
Again a nod.
“Did you see any of the missing children?”
“Nah. He’ll be holding ’em somewhere else. Mr. Homeward is hoping to follow Glover tonight and see where he goes.”
She hoped Clary hadn’t gone alone. “Who else is with him?”
“Richard went too, but he has gone to where that bit…where Nancy has run to. She might lead them to Glover’s treasure cove too.”
She sunk onto the bench next to Boon. “So Mr. Homeward is alone?”
Boon looked at her as if to saySo?
Just then another young lad came tearing down the stairs into the kitchen. “Boon, we got to warn Mr. Homeward. Glover had some men watching the door. He knows they are out on the streets searching for him, and he’s sent his team after Mr. Homeward.”
Helen’s blood ran cold. Clary was alone. “We have to warn him. Can you take me to where Mr. Homeward is?”
Boon looked over her clothes and shook his head. “Mr. Homeward would tan my hide if I took you out, let alone looking like that. A lady who looks like she has plenty of coin and other treasures.”
She narrowed her eyes. “But I could stop them. They would never touch a lady. Their punishment would be hanging. That should make them think twice.”
