Page 53 of Molly Boys
His backside began to protest at the hard, unforgiving pew, making him wonder why the church insisted that parishioners suffer while they worship. Would a cushion really be too much to ask in return for blind faith and devotion?
Ev pushed himself to his feet and, with one last glance to the crucifix above the altar, he turned and walked out of St Mary’s. Suddenly feeling the need to put as much distance between himself and the white church as possible, he hurried down the building’s front steps with his head down, not aware of his surroundings until he collided with a body at the foot of the steps.
“Inspector Franklin.” Ev’s eyes widened at the man holding onto his arms to stop him from falling.
He seemed equally startled to find Ev in his arms. “Lord Stanley.”
At the same time, both men registered how close their bodies were. They pulled back sharply, glancing around as they made sure no one had noticed.
“We seem to keep running into each other.” Ev cleared his throat. “I suppose I should be grateful I’m conscious this time.”
Franklin’s mouth twitched with an almost smile. He glanced up at the church then back to Everett. “What brings you to Whitechapel?”
Not wanting to share why he’d been at the church, he shrugged. “After laying abed for days recovering, I felt the need for the fresh air and a brisk walk.”
“In Whitechapel?” The corner of Archie’s mouth curved even more.
Ev shouldn’t have been charmed by the man. He was gruff and blunt, he rarely smiled, and even then it was never a full smile, just a little amused tilt of his lips. But the man was fascinating to Ev, despite his common accent. Franklin’s mind was sharp and intelligent, and those eyes… those eyes missed nothing.
“I must be keeping you from your duties.” Ev cleared his throat yet again when he realised he’d been staring at the inspector, too long lost in his thoughts.
“No.” Franklin shook his head. “I was just headed to the docks this morning. Would you… would you like to walk with me for a bit?”
He should have said no, but god help him, he was weak. He wanted to know everything about the man, what he was thinking, where he was going. Unable to help himself, Everett nodded in acceptance.
The inspector began walking and Ev fell into step beside him.
“Why the docks?” Ev asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
“Charles Wakefield worked as a clerk in a shipping office, I’ve been trying to find which one. I’ve been told the name might be a flower of some sort.”
“Do you mean The Black Orchid Shipping Company?”
The inspector turned to stare at him. Ev wasn’t about to tell him he only knew about that particular one because, back in the beginning before he found a more reliable supplier, Francis had purchased a quantity of raw opium that one of their more industrious captains had managed to smuggle into the country.
“That could be it.” Archie scratched his jaw thoughtfully; even this early in the morning, he seemed to have a permanent stubble. “What do you know of them?”
“Not much,” Ev replied. “Their flagship is a clipper called The Black Orchid, and there’ve been stories of that ship.”
“Stories?” The other man lifted a brow.
“That it’s haunted.”
Franklin scoffed. “Haunted?”
“What’s the matter, Inspector?” Ev smiled. “Don’t believe in ghost stories?”
“Hardly.” He stopped dead and turned to face Everett. “I’m a simple man, Lord Stanley. I believe in what I can see and what I can touch.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong,” Ev said as he studied the inspector’s face.
“Is that right?”
“I don’t think there’s anything about you that’s simple,” Ev muttered.
They stared at each other, the words hanging heavy in the air between them, until Franklin jolted as someone hurried past, breaking the moment.
Shifting uncomfortably, they both resumed walking.