The Silk Thief Read Online Free

Walter?’
    Friday stared at her. ‘God, Sarah, that’s a bit mean, even for you. She’d kill him. You wouldn’t really do that, would you?’
    Sarah took just a tiny bit too long to answer. ‘No. He’s a good lad, Walter.’
    ‘Though, actually, we could tell her,’ Friday said after a moment’s thought. ‘He’ll be gone soon and then it won’t matter. But do you think she’d believe us? A twelve-year-old boy murdering a brawny, handy cove like Furniss?’
    ‘Except Walter did kill him, didn’t he? Why will he be gone soon?’
    ‘He thinks he might have been seen leaving the burial ground,’ Friday said. ‘And he had bloody Clifford with him. Everyone knows Clifford. Leo’s trying to get him on the next ship back to England.’
    ‘Well, if Walter was seen, and he’s accused of killing Furniss, won’t we be in the clear as far as Bella’s concerned?’
    ‘Only if she believes he did it: but what if she doesn’t? He won’t be here to go to trial and be proven guilty.’
    ‘God.’ Sarah rubbed her hands over her face. ‘Who’s got the dosh now?’
    ‘I have. I’ll get Matthew to put it back in the bank.’
    ‘Will we pay it again?’
    ‘Bugger that. I’ve already handed it over once. It’s not my fault if it came back.’
    ‘Bella won’t see it like that, though, will she?’
    ‘So I should run up to Cumberland Street and shove it under her door?’
    ‘Don’t be stupid,’ Sarah snapped.
    ‘Well, what, then?’
    ‘I don’t know. Wait and see, I suppose.’
    Monday was Friday’s normal day off, so she went home for a sleep, then in the afternoon returned to Leo’s to find out if he’d been able to secure a passage for Walter back to England.
    Leo was putting the finishing touches to a sailor’s tattoo — a ship in full sail with Homeward Bound scripted beneath it — so she went through to the other room, hung the kettle over the fire, put her feet up and lit her pipe. There was no sign of Walter or Clifford.
    Leo appeared half an hour later, wiping his ink-stained hands on a cloth, smelling of fish oil and raw alcohol.
    ‘Is there any tea in that pot?’
    Friday nodded and poured him a cup. ‘Where’s Walter?’
    ‘With a friend. Can’t stay there, though. And he’s not safe here. Folk know this is where he lives.’
    ‘Do you really think he’ll be fingered? There was bugger-all moon last night.’
    Leo shrugged and pulled out a chair. ‘Can’t be too careful. This is the lad’s life we’re talking about.’
    ‘Did you get down to the wharves this morning?’ Friday asked.
    ‘I did, and I can’t get him passage before Thursday, not even with a hefty bribe. So I need somewhere to hide him till then. Any ideas?’
    ‘Well, that’s easy. My room at the Siren. He can sleep on the floor. Or Sarah might put him up at her house. She’s got a couple of spare rooms.’
    ‘No, lass. If you or Sarah are caught concealing him, you’ll be charged with aiding and abetting a murderer. You’ll swing beside him. Use your head.’
    Friday hadn’t thought of that, and made a face.
    Leo laughed. ‘You’ve swanned around pleasing yourself for so long you’ve forgotten you’re a bonded convict, haven’t you?’
    ‘I have not.’
    ‘You have. All it’ll take is one foot out of line and you’ll be back in the Factory as quick as you please.’
    ‘I’m sick of folk telling me that,’ Friday grumbled.
    ‘But both feet out of line — and harbouring a murderer would definitely be considered both feet — and you’ll be for the gallows.’
    Friday was also getting a bit sick of Leo. ‘You think of somewhere to hide him, then. You’re the one reckons you know this town inside out.’
    ‘Just the arse end of it, lass.’ Leo frowned and tapped on the table with a teaspoon. ‘Trouble is, I don’t want any of my friends caught hiding him. And anyone who isn’t a friend would sell him up the river for the reward.’
    ‘There’s a reward? Already? Bloody Furniss won’t