Saving the Scientist (The Restitution League #2)(52)

Backstage, the door to the alley slammed shut, making Ada start.

“That’ll be the actors heading across to the pub,” Nelly said. “I’d knock back a pint or two if I had to work with that ape’s head.”

Edison remained seated, drumming his fingers on the seat in front of him as if his nerves were getting the better of him.

Out of nowhere, she imagined the feel of his hands cupping her, teasing her, stoking a wild hot passion. She bit her lip and dragged her gaze away from those wicked fingers. Now was not the time to indulge in such thoughts.

She made her self focus on the stage, peering deep into the shadows, trying for the hundredth time to locate her tormentor.

“We best move on.” Nelly murmured. “That set of stairs could use some sweeping.” She jutted her chin toward one of the aisles running along the wall of the theater. “I’ll take a dust mop up to the stage, in case our bloke is hanging about in the curtains.”

Ada tossed her brush back into the water pail and sat back on her heels. The scar on her cheek itched. She dug her fingers into the threadbare fabric of her skirts so she wouldn’t accidentally scratch it off.

Legs stiff from so much kneeling, she had to struggle to her feet. Just as she grabbed her broom, Edison stood. He squinted up at the clock, then plunged a finger down the back of his high collar, as if nervous energy choked him. He pushed through the swinging doors to the lobby with such force that they slammed back into the walls.

Now that the great space was silent, Ada could hear him stalking back and forth across the empty lobby as she swept.

It was taking too long. Anyone serious about finding her would have shown up by now.

What if he had?

The thought froze her. When it came to the art of deception and disguise, Edison and his league possessed the most amazing skills, but what if they’d missed one small detail?

What if their man had shown up, only to detect something that sent him running?

It made no sense. They had the theater surrounded. No one coming in or out went unnoticed. Still, Ada couldn’t shake the feeling that something was dreadfully wrong.

It took forever to sweep off every step leading from the bottom of the theater to the lobby doors. By the time she finished, the clock read half past five.

As if on cue, the group began to gather. Edison, walking with his normal, confident gait, pushed through the doors from the lobby. Spencer stuffed his rag back into his pocket and came up from the stage area while Nelly worked her way down the aisles from the far side of the room.

As the actors filtered back onto the stage, Edison jerked his head to the side, indicating that they should regroup in the lobby.

“Something’s off.” Spencer was the first to voice what they all must be thinking.

Edison and Nelly both nodded.

The slight girl pushed her ragged head cloth out of her eyes. “I’ll nip outside and get the ladies.”

Ada slumped onto a horsehair sofa. Disappointment mingled with an odd sense of relief. The combination sucked the last of the energy from her legs.

Edison laid a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll try again tomorrow.”

Ada tried to smile, but she feared her acting skills were not up to par.

Why would tomorrow be any different?



*

Deflated as an old balloon, Ada let Edison steer her out of the lobby.

Once out on the street, she had to duck her head away from the late afternoon light that pierced her eyes, making them water furiously.

Nelly and Spencer followed them out. Though disappointed, neither seemed as utterly drained. They must be used to the wild emotions elicited by this sort of danger, she imagined.

As her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw Meena and Briar coming down the pavement toward them. Their youthful, confident energy contrasted with the worn, tawdry gowns, like ripe, beautiful fruits wrapped in scraps of old newsprint.

“Police! Police!” A man’s voice yelled from across the busy street. “There’s been a murder.”

Spencer and Edison exchanged some sort of silent signal and bolted off toward the commotion.

Before stepping off the pavement, Edison turned to face her. “Stay here,” he ordered.

Meena and Briar must have heard the cries as well. Skirts held up above their ankles, they hurried along with the surging crowd.

Bodies rushed past, pushing Ada against the side of the building, as every person on the street rushed to investigate.

Her heart knocked against her ribs. It couldn’t be him. London was famous for crime. A robbery gone wrong. A falling out between thieves. It had to be a coincidence.

Please, she prayed, let it be a coincidence.

Beside her, Nelly sniffed. “Don’t know about you, but I don’t take well to be ordered about like a dog.”

“Nor do I.”

Nelly turned to Ada, a mischievous little smile curving her lips, and held out her arm.

Ada took a deep, bracing breath and hooked her arm through the smaller girl’s. With a final nod, they plunged into the crowd.

Crossing the street proved an easy task. The curiosity seekers threading their way between the omnibuses and carriages had brought the traffic to a stop.

Making their way down the narrow alley at the far side proved more difficult. The narrow space was crammed shoulder to shoulder with gawkers. Ada could see nothing but jackets and silk hats and bustles.