Page 6 of Beauty and the Thief

But he also enjoyed breathing, and if he kept it, Surry would make sure Cal took his last breath tonight. Cal pocketed the ring and made his way down the stairs and out a back door of the theater. A block or so away, he turned into a dark alley and was not at all surprised when a large man stepped in front of him.

“We didn’t think you were coming.”

Cal laughed. “Oh, didn’t you now? I think what you mean to say is you hoped I wouldn’t come. You’d like nothing more than to squeeze me into pulp.”

“Surry is waiting for you.”

“Sure and let’s not keep him waiting.”

The large man—Cal knew his name, but he always thought of him as Oaf One—led the way further into darkness until he stopped before a door that would have been invisible to someone who didn’t know it was there. Oaf One knocked twice then opened the door. Oaf Two stood just inside. He and Oaf One didn’t resemble each other except they were both unusually large and slow.

“Where is he?” Oaf One asked.

Oaf Two grunted and jerked his chin toward a stairway. Cal knew where the stairway led. Surrey had an office above the gambling hell with a view of the floor below. There he could observe all that went on, see who was winning, who was losing, and who was cheating.

“I’ll not be needing an escort,” he said as he started for the steps. Oaf One put a hand out and smashed it into Cal’s chest. Cal let out a whoosh of air and wheezed in a breath. “Have it your way then.”

Oaf One started up the stairs and Cal followed, for once appreciating the bodyguard’s lumbering pace. At the landing, Oaf One tapped on the door then opened it.

“Kelly is here, Mr. Surry.”

Surry must have waved because Oaf One opened the door wider and stood aside so Cal could pass. Cal stepped onto the Turkey carpet, his feet sinking into the plush fabric. The room was a sumptuous green, the furnishings upholstered in velvet and the wood dark and highly polished. A chandelier hung in the center of the room, shedding light evenly over everything, but Cal knew from experience the windows had been angled or treated in some way so those on the gambling floor could not see in. Surry sat at his desk, surveying his kingdom. When Cal stood before him, he turned and folded his hands together. He had a ring on almost every finger and hoops in his ears. He wore his mustache long and slick, his beard trimmed and pointed. He looked like a modern pirate.

“Mr. Kelly, I didn’t think we’d see you tonight.”

“I pay me debts.”

Surry laughed. “Not unless you have to. Do you have it?”

Cal nodded.

“Marcus, leave us.” Surry waved to Oaf One, and the man left immediately. “Now that we’re alone, show me.”

“Before I do—”

Surry’s fist clenched on the desk. “You are in no position to make conditions, Mr. Kelly. Let me see it.”

Cal made himself feel the full weight of this moment. He was in this position because of his own weakness. He had no one to blame but himself. But after tonight he would be free. He could leave this life behind and start over.

Cal reached into his pocket, withdrew the ring and laid it on the black square of velvet in the center of Surry’s desk. Surry didn’t touch the ring. Instead he lifted a jeweler’s loupe to his eye and leaned down to peer closely. After a moment, he took a set of tweezers, lifted the ring and held it close to the loupe. Cal waited, unconcerned. He knew he had the authentic ring. Mrs. Benton now wore the duplicate. It might be months or years before she realized her ring was a fake, and by then, Callahan Kelly would be a distant memory.

“This is exquisite,” Surry said, voice low in reverence. Cal didn’t move. If he moved, he’d be tempted to snatch the ring back. Instead, he allowed his eyes to drift to the floor of the club. Men in evening wear and women in their finery stood at green baize tables, smiling and laughing. He could almost hear the clink of the die and smell the crisp new cards. His mouth went dry, and he stuffed his hand in his pocket. He could hide it, but he couldn’t stop his fist from closing as it would around a pair of dice. He could almost feel their weight in his hand, hear them rattling.

He had time to play a game. Just two or three rolls of the die. He’d have some blunt in his pocket for his travels.

“Mr. Kelly, did you hear me?”

Cal focused on Surry again. From the look on the owner’s face, he must have said Cal’s name several times.

“I said, this clears you of your debt.”

“I’d say it more than clears me.”

“I don’t disagree,” Surry said smoothly. “In fact, I could extend you a line of credit, say two thousand pounds.”

Cal felt fury bubble up in him. Two thousand pounds was paltry compared to the ring’s worth. He could have been extended ten times that and still been clear of his debt.

“You want more?” Surry leaned forward, like a fisherman who knows he’s hooked a fish and need only fit the net around him.

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