Chapter 1 Zaria #2
Pritchard leaned forward. His smile was a brittle, ingenuine thing.
In that moment, the polite, amicable demeanor slipped away, and Zaria realized she was looking at a man who could be very dangerous indeed.
“We’re aware of your relationship with Kane Hunt, Miss Mendoza.
And although he may try to maintain a low profile, we know he holds a considerable amount of influence among Ward’s crew. ”
“Then why don’t you ask him to spy for you?” Zaria bit out. “Why don’t you ask one of the other crew members? Why me?”
“Because Mister Vaughan doesn’t want Mister Hunt or any of the other members. He specifically requested you, and there’s a reason you might want to please him.”
That made Zaria’s insides turn cold, as if ice water had been shot into her veins. When she replied, it was through a dry mouth. “And that reason is what, exactly?”
Maisie rolled her eyes, and Pritchard surveyed Zaria in a way that suggested he thought she was being purposefully obtuse. “Why, he could reveal your culpability in what happened at the Exhibition today. Am I correct in assuming you don’t want that?”
The necklace in her pocket suddenly seemed to weigh a ton. “You don’t have any proof.”
“Do you truly believe we need it? Mister Vaughan is a powerful man in London. And you? You’re a girl who lives in a slum and deals in illegal items.” Pritchard’s lips twisted. “Whose word do you think the authorities will give more weight?”
Was it possible, Zaria wondered, to so thoroughly detest a man you’d only just met?
Either way, she couldn’t let Pritchard’s ultimatum rattle her.
She had a primateria source. And although that was the only thing she’d taken from the Waterhouse exhibit in her haste, she and Jules still had plans to leave this city behind.
All she had to do was appease Pritchard in this current conversation, then get the hell out of London before Vaughan could wise up to the fact that Ward was dead, Kane hated her, and this entire scheme was moot.
Still, she made one last-ditch effort. “Look, I just really don’t think I’m the best person for the job.”
Maisie pivoted her entire upper body to face Zaria. Her dark eyes were disdainful, and one hand still clutched the gun in her lap, barrel facing outward. “When Vaughan wants you to work for him, you say yes. There is no other option. You take the job, and you thank God for the opportunity.”
“Is that what you did?” Zaria demanded before she could stop herself.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Pritchard tsked, unclasping his hands. “Miss ó Coileáin, if you can’t learn to adopt some patience, I’m going to request we aren’t partnered again.
God help us.” He turned back to Zaria coolly.
“Here’s the bottom line, Miss Mendoza. Your options are twofold: You can accept Vaughan’s offer and rise alongside him as he wrests command of the dark market.
Or he can tell the authorities and the Exhibition’s Royal Commission what he knows of your involvement in today’s events.
Perhaps you and your friends can get a row of cells at Newgate Prison.
Assuming you manage to escape execution, of course. ”
Zaria felt the blood drain from her face.
Threatening to turn her in was one thing, but the rest of them?
Kane might escape arrest, slippery as he was, but what about Fletcher?
If she and Jules ran, would Vaughan go after the two of them?
Did she care? That was something she would need to decide, and quickly.
“What kind of information is Mister Vaughan looking for?”
“For now, collect as many names as you can of those associated with Alexander Ward. Not only his lackeys, but clients he frequently works with. Aristocrats who consider him an ally. Coppers under his thumb. That sort of thing. I’ll expect a report…
oh, shall we say by Monday? That gives you an entire weekend. ”
“That’s not very much time.” It sounded like the words had been shaken out of her. Zaria’s mind, though, was elsewhere. Trying to decide on a course of action. Trying to imagine how quickly she and Jules could get out of London.
Pritchard gave that empty smile again. “I think you’ll be able to make it work.”
“We know full well that your loyalty to the kingpin runs shallow,” Maisie said, her posture suggesting she’d been about to rise but decided against it.
“Surely you must be paying him dues, and no doubt he threatened you to gain your compliance in the first place.” Perceiving Zaria’s guarded expression as affirmation, she added, “I think you’ll find Vaughan is a much better man to have on your side.
Besides, prison is hardly your only concern.
In the meantime, do you really want people to know you sold a paying client a faulty explosive?
That could really damage one’s reputation. ”
Zaria met the other girl’s malicious gaze and held it. “I’ve proven my reputation through my work. It’ll take more than idle gossip to ruin it.”
“So you hope,” Maisie said coolly.
“Enough,” snapped Pritchard. “Bring us quality information, and you won’t need to worry about such things.” He indicated the door. “Now, get out.”
Zaria didn’t need to be told twice. She scrambled to do so, awkwardly contorting her body to avoid Maisie’s tall form.
“Oh, and Miss Mendoza?”
This was Pritchard again. Zaria turned, half-hunched where she stood framed by the stagecoach door. “Yes?”
His eyes held a warning behind their icy amusement. “Don’t try to skip town.”