Read Anne Perry's Christmas Vigil for Free Online Page A

her.
    â€œD’yer think they done ’im in, too?” Her voice wobbled a bit, and she could not help it.
    â€œI doubt it,” he replied, but there was not even the ghost of a smile on his copper-colored face. “But be very careful, Gracie. It sounds to me as if it is possible that Minnie Maude’s uncle sawsomething he was not supposed to, or picked up something that was intended for someone else. You are quite sure you have the details correct?”
    She nodded, her eyes not leaving his steady gaze. “ ’E done Jimmy Quick’s round fer ’im, an’ about ’alfway, or more, ’e died, an’ Charlie an’ the cart, an’ everythin’ in it, were gone.”
    â€œAnd which streets were Jimmy Quick’s round?”
    â€œI dunno.”
    â€œBut you said you and Minnie Maude went there, at least some of the way.”
    Gracie looked down at her boots. “We did. I know where I went left, an’ where I went right, but I can’t read the names.”
    â€œI see. Of course.” There was apology in his voice, as if he should have known she couldn’t read.
    â€œI could find ’em again … I think,” she offered, her cheeks hot with shame.
    â€œNo doubt.” He smiled now, very briefly, thenthe gravity returned. “But I think it would be wiser if you didn’t. Donkeys are patient and useful beasts. Only a fool would hurt them. Charlie will be miserable for a little while, but he will be all right.”
    He was lying to her, and she knew it. She had seen donkeys starved, beaten, shaking with cold and fear.
    He saw it in her face, and now it was his turn to be ashamed. “I’m sorry,” he said humbly. “You are right to fear. I will see if I can learn anything. But in the meantime, you should say nothing, and ask no further questions. Do you understand?”
    â€œYeah.”
    He did not look satisfied. “Are you sure?”
    She nodded.
    â€œWhat do you know about Uncle Alf?” he persisted.
    â€œÂ â€™E were funny an’ kind, an’ ’e made Minnie Maude laugh, and she said ’e knew about all sorts o’ places, and things. ’E saw things in like … brighter colors than wot most people do.” She took a deep breath, overcome with her own sense of the loss of something she had only imagined—a companion who’d had dreams and ideas, whose mind had been far away from disappointment and tired streets. She wondered what Uncle Alf had looked like. She saw him with white hair, a bit wild, as if he had been out in a great wind. He would have blue eyes that saw either very close or very far indeed, all the way to the horizon.
    Then a flash of memory came to her of what Dora Quick had said, and Jimmy had been angry about.
    Balthasar must have seen it in her face. “What is it, Gracie?”
    â€œMrs. Quick said as Alf picked up a gold-colored box that were special, real beautiful.”
    â€œHow did she know that?” he said quickly.
    â€œIt were someone called Cob wot told ’er. But Mr. Quick said ’e were talkin’ daft, an’ ter take no notice. An’ she never said any more.”
    â€œI see. I think that is extremely good advice, Gracie. Say nothing more either. Above all, do not mention the casket.”
    â€œWot’s a casket?” she asked.
    â€œA special kind of box to keep precious things in. Now go home and do your chores. I shall look into the matter.”
    She blinked, staring back at him. “ ’Ow’ll I know if yer do?”
    â€œBecause I shall send a message to you in Heneage Street.”
    â€œOh. Thank you … Mr.… Balthasar.”

    G racie completed her work as soon as possible, knowing she was skimping, and telling herself she would make a better job of it tomorrow. As soon as the cleaning looked finished, at the quickest glance, no rubbing fingers over things to