The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

Anouk tried to smile, but her lips quivered. “Thanks.”

“Vari and Fitzwil will be there too. It’s like that night when you came to my rescue at the harbour.”

Anouk took a deep breath and nodded. Yes, there was little difference. She had done her part as planned, so there was no reason why she couldn’t succeed here also. Only, then she had seven thugs from The Pits as her opponents. Now, she had Stalo, two of his henchmen, including Captain Biddulph, and an unknown number of others. Because of this, Nat had made a concession—he had agreed to involve the Royal Enforcers, but not without conditions. They would be alerted but only after he and Anouk were in and had a head start. Anouk would have preferred enforcers coming sooner, but she understood Nat’s point.

“Prostitution is technically illegal in this country,” he had said. “Because of that, Madam Valeria, like any other brothel keeper, has to deal with occasional raids, so has expensive and guaranteed exits for important clients, which Stalo and his henchmen may have access to.”

Yes, better not to risk it, not now, when she and Nat were so close to getting them.

Nat forced a smile on his face. It didn’t reach his eyes, though. “Good. So when you’re in, Vari and Fitzwil will alert the enforcers. It will take some time before they arrive. Meanwhile, I’ll enter via the roof, and when I’m in and have located the target, I’ll give you the signal.”

“Yes, the fire alarm.”

“Exactly. Use the electric prod Vari gave you to stun Madam Valeria, and if there is someone else in the room, stun them as well, regardless if you think them friend or foe. Then throw as many knockout gas balls as you need—don’t forget, put on the gas mask first though—and find me. Or, I’ll find you, if I get Stalo and his men subdued before that.”

“Got it. So I ask them politely to wait for their turn to be electrocuted while I’m dealing with Madam Valeria.” Nat gave her a flat look. She lifted her hands up apologetically. “Sorry, a bad joke. I’ll try to be as quick as possible. With luck, there won’t be anyone else but the madam… and perhaps Mr Sunshine… and Stalo and his lackeys. Okay, okay, I’ll zip it.”

Nat cocked his eyebrow. “Zip it?”

“Shut up, close my mouth, stop talking.”

Nat rolled his eyes. “Now, we have about twenty to thirty minutes before the enforcers arrive, so we have to make the arrest quickly.”

Anouk nodded in acknowledgement.

“Don’t take your katana with you. It’s impossible to hide it in your clothes, and they’d only confiscate it anyway. A gun is better. If they ask where’s your sword, tell them it got broken.”

“Alright,” Anouk said with reluctance. She understood Nat’s point, but the feel of the sword on her back gave her a sense of security, more so than her Phines. She was clumsy with the gun. Also, hiding the prod under her jacket made her nervous. Vari had assured her it was safe, but what if it switched on for some reason? She could stun herself. That would be catastrophic and… embarrassing. Another thought occurred to her, and she gulped, unnerved before sharing it. “What if the prod doesn’t work?”

Nat regarded her for a moment, his face unreadable. “Then you use it as a club.”

“Great,” Anouk muttered.

With the plan clear as a crystal in her head, she and Nat armed themselves. Anouk slipped her new Phines into the holster under her armpit and secured the electric prod under her other arm, making sure the latch touched nothing. Nat loaded his backpack with smoke bombs and knockout gas balls. He put his revolver into the holster and tucked his own electric prod under his belt.

The caravan halted with a jerk and Nat glanced out of the window. “Time to go.” He turned to face Anouk. “Ready?”

“No,” Anouk whimpered.

Nat stepped over and embraced her. “You can do this. I have faith in you,” he whispered into her ear. He pushed out to arm’s distance. “You all set?”

Anouk patted the gun and prod under her jacket. “All set.”

“Good.” Nat smiled. “Remember, we have twenty to thirty minutes before the enforcers are in.”

“Got it.”

With a sudden move, Nat pulled Anouk back into his arms and squeezed her tight against his chest. “I won’t let them hurt you. Not this time.” His whisper was thick and almost inaudible. Before she could say anything, he let go of her and stepped out, vanishing into the busy Roister Street.

Anouk stared at the door, her throat tightening and tears burning in her eyes.

Chapter 22

Anouk stood on Roister Street, staring at Madam Valeria’s brothel—red hued lights illuminated every window like glowing lures. An occasional shadow passed the light, telling Anouk the rooms were in active use. Assuming the girls knew who had murdered Shannah… What was it like for them now when their comrade had been murdered and the murderer was living with them, under the protection of their own boss? It couldn’t be easy. The knowledge they couldn’t trust Madam Valeria anymore must have had consequences. Anouk hoped it would work in her and Nat’s favour.

She wiped her clammy hands on her trousers and scanned the busy street. Prostitutes walked around, their bodices buttoned low, chatting with men who openly ogled their assets. High-pitched giggles, accompanied by hot mutters and guffaws, erupted now and then when a working girl and client found an agreement and were heading to God knows where to complete the business.

Anouk shuddered and turned back to observe the building. Carriages pulled up in front of the stairs and gentlemen in top hats stepped out. They came in different sizes and shapes, but two things they all had in common—impeccable suits and arrogant demeanours. Without exception the gentlemen strode up the stairs, vanishing behind the red door.

She should go inside too, but by the side entrance of the gambling room. She was stalling, and she knew