By Grace Alone (The Death Dealer Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

Guard’s sights, and waiting out the storm would be the safest route. Grace knew that guards would be poking around the Angel, they’d all be questioned, and life would be upside down for a while. But the silver lining was that the Death Dealer could return to helping people, rather than doing a thief’s bidding.
    Others were less optimistic. Ridley, distraught over her adoptive father’s absence, spent the morning haranguing Thom for information.
    “This will be trouble for us,” Jim said softly and leaned his belly on the front counter. He, Rosemary, and Grace watched Ridley’s tantrum with interest. The young woman’s hands were thrown up in anger while she stamped her feet. Her face was a bright, tomato red.
    “Why?” Rosemary asked. “None of us have done anything.”
    “Moore wants Marcus, and the whole city knows he spent most of his time here. Even if he runs off, where do you think Sergeant Moore is going to come first? I never should have let the Guild stay here.”
    “They paid fairly,” Grace reminded him. “The Angel was able to afford those repairs this past spring because of the rent Marcus paid to conduct business here.” Anger at Marcus aside, he had brought in most of Jim’s business and kept the inn from becoming too dangerous to occupy.
    “But what of it when trouble comes knocking at my door? Then where is he? Gone to visit a sick mother? Nonsense!”
    Ridley stomped over to them; her face still red in frustration. Her hair was disheveled where she had pulled at it and she glared at Jim and Rosemary. “Leave!” she snapped.
    “This is my inn, missy. How about I tell you to leave!” Jim said.
    “Grace, come with me!” she said, her eyes shooting daggers at Jim.
    “Better do what her highness says,” Rosemary joked. In response, Ridley kicked her in the shins. “Ah! What?”
    Grace turned Ridley around, leading her by the shoulders. “Come on, you.”
    In the stables an old, crotchety man mucked out the only stable currently occupied. He frowned at seeing the women. “You leave to be a serving wench for Jim, but you’re always hanging around here!” Mayhew barked with a scowl.
    Even in the heat, with the almost nauseating stench of muck, she missed her work in the stables. Work was easier inside the tavern, but less fulfilling. She even missed cranky old Mayhew.
    “Can we beg a moment of privacy?” Grace asked.
    “What nonsense is this?”
    Ridley continued to fume under Grace’s hands. “I’ll clean the stalls tomorrow in exchange.”
    “You’ll clean it twice tomorrow!” When Mayhew left to plot Ridley’s destruction, Grace noticed he had been more pleasant than usual.
    “Marcus just left! He didn’t even tell me where he really went!” Ridley moaned. “He’s been so closed off since Constable Taylor’s death, and now this. Sick mum? Bah! His mum has been dead for years!”
    Grace wasn’t sure what to say. Hiding out was the best decision Marcus had made recently and she was relieved to see him gone for the time being, but this wasn’t something she wanted to share aloud. Grace released her grip on Ridley’s shoulders and the young thief turned to face her. Her face was now a dull pink and tears trailed down her cheeks.
    “Thom says I’m to be his right hand man for now.”
    Grace overturned a bucket and bid Ridley to sit, but Ridley fiddled with her hands and paced instead of taking the offered seat. “You need to calm down, please.”
    “This is all that Sergeant Moore’s fault!” Ridley fumed and kicked an empty stall door. “He isn’t respecting the order of things in this city! Only a fool with a death wish would harass the Thieves’ Guild like this!”
    The door that led back into the tavern opened and Grace looked up as Ridley continued her tirade. Sergeant Moore stopped his descent into the stables and leaned his body against the doorframe, arms across his chest. There was bemusement on his face as he listened.
    “Ridley…” Grace tapped