Page 57 of Molly Boys

“I ain’t telling’ you nuffin’.”

Archie sighed heavily. “Jack, lad. Tell me what you did with it.”

“Why, so you can arrest me?” Jack tugged again at his collar, but Archie held fast.

“I promise you won’t be punished, but I want that watch back.” Archie’s voice gentled. “I understand you steal to survive but that watch… it’s important to me.”

“Why?” Jack stopped his struggle and glared belligerently. “You’re some fancy detective, you can just buy another one. It was all banged up anyway.”

“It was my father’s,” Archie said simply.

Jack studied Archie. “I ain’t got it,” he finally replied in a more subdued tone.

“I assumed that, but what did you do with it? Did you sell it?”

Jack shook his head. “It was taken.”

“By who?”

Jack shook his head again, this time more frantically. “I ain’t gon’ tell you. You don’t wanna cross paths wiv ‘im.”

Archie reached out with a gentle hand and grasped the boy’s chin, turning his head to see a huge bruise covering the side of his face next to a partially swollen ear.

“Was it the same person who did that to you?”

Jack clamped his lips together and Archie took that as a yes.

The boy’s condition had worsened since Archie last saw him. Jack was even skinnier than the last time their paths crossed. His skin was chalky white, his eyes had deep shadows under them, and his lips were cracked and looked sore. Now that the boy had stopped struggling, he swayed, almost falling forward. Archie steadied him.

“When was the last time you ate, lad?” Archie frowned when Jack blinked at him silently. “Don’t lie to me.”

“Dunno, I had some bread a few days ago.”

Archie heard Stanley’s sharp intake of breath behind him. Keeping a tight grip on the boy, Archie stood to face him. “You don’t have to stay, you can return to Bloomsbury if you want. I’m sure we’re keeping you.”

He looked at Archie and then down at the boy.

“Oh I wouldn’t miss this.” Stanley shook his head with a smile tugging at his lips.

“If you insist.” Archie grabbed the back of Jack’s threadbare jacket and lifted him off the ground until his arms and feet dangled helplessly. “What?” he asked when Stanley’s brows rose.

The other man cast his eyes meaningfully at the boy.

Archie shook his head. “You have no idea how quick he is. They don’t call him Lightfoot for no reason.”

“Well, lead on then.” Stanley grinned.

Archie turned and began walking briskly, carrying Jack at his side as Lord Stanley fell into step beside them.

“Where you taking me?” Jack said indignantly. “You said you wasn’t gonna arrest me. You’re a dirty liar.” He sulked for a moment. “Is it warm in prison? Is there food?”

“I see your mouth runs as fast as your feet.” Archie sighed at Stanley’s almost-concealed smile. “Do you ever shut up?”

“No.” Jack frowned. “Pol says I’ve got the devil in my tongue. I dunno what that means.”

“Who’s Pol? Does she take care of you? Because she’s not doing a very good job.”

“I ain’t hers, she knew my ma.”