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both.”
    “Us?” Inez found the plural pronoun disturbing. She retreated a step, as if physical distance would dispel the grammatical embrace. “I don’t see where our interests intersect.”
    “Besides in keeping State Street from burning to the ground, you mean?” A corner of Flo’s mouth quirked up momentarily, then the smile disappeared—a small light blown out with the slightest puff of breath. “Let’s just say that it occurs to me that this particular cloud may have a high-grade silver lining. In the morning, but not too early, I promise, I’ll send Danny around and find out if you might have a moment to talk. Somewhere away from here. Somewhere discreet. Away from prying eyes and ears.”
    Without warning, she reached out and gripped Inez’s wrist, exposed between glove and half-rolled jacket sleeve. Flo squeezed, then released. As Flo and her girls turned to go, Inez glanced down, almost expecting to see the skin blotched red from the intensity of Flo’s grip. Instead, her wrist was encircled with soot, as if she was already manacled to Flo by an as-yet unspecified, dark oath.

Chapter Six
    “What was that all about?” Reverend Sands asked Inez.
    Inez rubbed her wrist absently. The soot imprint would only be dispelled by a good scrub with soap and water. They were walking slowly up Harrison, from pool to pool of gas light from the street lamps.
    They passed the Clarendon, the front of which was now deserted, the grandstands empty. The crowds had dispersed except for numerous late-night revelers who seemed intent on celebrating the arrival of the former president and the first train into the dawn hours.
    “Flo’s invitation to talk? I have no idea. I suppose if I want to find out, I’ll have to meet her.” Inez’s wrist felt as if the morning sun would find it bruised. “I’m not inclined to follow her dictates, however.”
    Inez and Reverend Sands strolled side by side. As a concession to her disguise, they forwent walking arm-in-arm. Even so, the sleeve of his coat occasionally brushed hers. When the reverend posed his question to her, Inez was contemplating how the various passersby had no idea of the frisson that jolted through her from that briefest and most accidental contact.
    “If she’s in search of charity, perhaps the church could help,” said Sands.
    Inez snorted. “You are one of the most gifted silver-tongued devils I have ever met, but even I have doubts that you could talk the church’s board into offering a leg up, so to speak, to the owner of a house of prostitution.”
    “Let those without sin…” Reverend Sands didn’t finish. He didn’t need to. Instead, he added, “Flo has been very generous in her contributions to the church in the past. It’s not Christian to accept such gifts and turn a blind eye on the givers, no matter what their station or state of their soul.”
    “Stated like a true politician, Reverend. I think you missed your calling.” Inez spoke lightly, trying to stave off the exhaustion that seeped into every corner of her being. She was glad to turn the conversation away from Flo’s disturbing proposition. Even though she’d denied knowing what Flo’s offer might be, Inez had an inkling that she did indeed know what it concerned. Only a couple of weeks before, Flo had unexpectedly popped up at the back door of Inez’s saloon, hinted that she intended to move to a better part of town, and wondered aloud whether Inez might be interested in providing some financial backing.
    It would have to be a most profitable deal for me to contemplate entering the flesh trade, even at a distance. Although, as the good reverend said, Flo is a most astute businesswoman. I’d probably add more to my bank account in league with her than I’ve accumulated through some of my investments in the local mines.
    Return had been good until the recent miner’s strike in May. From thence forward, it had been a rocky ride, and Inez continued to watch, breath held, as