at his temerity, the newcomer lowered himself on to the opposite bench and rested the handle of the cane against his knee.
“That so?” Sawney’s eyes narrowed warily. “An’ who might that ’ave been then?”
“Thomas Butler.”
Sawney tried to keep his face neutral.
He knew he hadn’t succeeded from the half smile that played along the lips of the man seated opposite, who continued: “A gentleman who is currently employed as head porter at the dissecting rooms at St Thomas’s Hospital.” The smile faded. “But then, you knew that; after all, Butler is your middleman, is he not?”
Sawney stiffened. It was as if the dark eyes were boring into his soul. Over on the bench by the hearth the two whores had begun to stir, perking the interest of the Smithfield boys on the next table who were nudging one another at the prospect of some early-morning exercise. The women’s faces were pink from the heat of the burning logs.
Dodd’s voice broke into Sawney’s thoughts.
“I see my words have unnerved you. Forgive me. Though, were I in your shoes, I suspect I would be just as circumspect. Indeed, your friend Butler suspected this might be your response. It was his suggestion that I furnish you with a snippet of information only the two of you would know, to prove that I have his trust. Can I assume such a gesture would vouchsafe my character?”
Sawney said nothing. He picked up his mug of porter. It kept his hands occupied and, more importantly, it provided him with several vital seconds in which to think.
The newcomer did not seem at all intimidated either by Sawney or the nature of the surroundings. In fact, it was Sawney who was experiencing disquiet. Somehow, this Dodd, as he called himself, seemed to have gained the upper hand. As if to emphasize the subtle shift in authority, the man leant close. Sawney felt himself trapped in the dark gaze. “He told me to tell you that he would have paid another five guineas for the Chinaman.”
Sawney took a sip of porter and slowly lowered his mug to the table.
“He also suggested, should you be in further doubt, that I address you as …” Dodd paused and his voice dropped “…
Sawney’s fingers tightened around the handle of his mug. The silence stretched for what seemed like minutes. A sudden crackle of laughter from the two whores eventually broke the tension.
“Nobody calls me that,” Sawney breathed softly. “Not now, not any more.”
Dodd held his gaze for several seconds before sitting back and nodding in brisk acquiescence. “Quite so, quite so. A man’s history is his own affair. It does not behove a person to dwell on the past. Let us say no more about it.” He placed his hands palm down on the table. “So, now that the tiresome introductions are over, do I pass muster?”
Sawney’s pulse began to slow. He frowned; not at the question, nor the lingering tone of condescension, but at the interesting use of words.
“All right,” Sawney conceded, “so you’ve proved it was Butler who sent you. What’s it you want from me?”
Dodd hesitated, as if formulating his reply. Finally he said, “I wish you to procure a certain item for me.”
There was an expectant pause. “You mean a thing?” Sawney said.
“A thing?” Dodd frowned at the term, then nodded in understanding. “Ah, yes, of course, that’s what you call them, isn’t it? How original. I suppose that’s one way of distancing yourselves from the nature of the merchandise. Yes, I do indeed wish you to procure a
Perhaps it had been the note of sarcasm, Sawney could not put his finger on it, but Dodd’s knowing manner was beginning to grate.
“Retrievin’ don’t run cheap.”
“I did not suppose otherwise.” The corner of Dodd’s mouth twitched. “Which is why I’m prepared to offer generous remuneration.”
Sawney frowned. “Come again?”
“You will be well paid.”
“And just so we understand one another,” Dodd continued, “you may address me as
Sawney’s ears pricked up. “What sort of work?”
“I will require you to provide me with several … specimens …
Sawney did not respond. He could tell from the doctor’s tone that there was more to come.
“I have but three stipulations …” Dodd paused, and then said, “They must be fresh, female, and young.”
“Young?” Sawney asked.
“Not mature. Ideally less than twenty-five years of age.”
Sawney considered the brief. He had no qualms about fulfilling the order. The doctor wasn’t asking for anything out of the ordinary. Over the months he’d been in business, Sawney had had far stranger requests. But it didn’t do to let the customer know that.
“Stealin’ to order’ll cost you,” Sawney said.
Dodd’s expression did not alter. “It would also be on the understanding that our agreement is mutually exclusive.”
“Eh?”
“You are to work solely for me.”
Sawney raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “Sorry, squire – er, Doctor. That ain’t possible. I got other commitments.”
“It would be for a limited period.”
“Don’t make no difference,” Sawney said. “I got my regular customers.”
Dodd nodded gravely as if sympathizing with Sawney’s dilemma. “Loyalty to one’s clientele is an admirable quality, and I commend you on it. But perhaps I could persuade you to reconsider …?”
He reached into his pocket. When he opened his hand and laid the cross on the table between them, Sawney stared at it.
The doctor spread his arms in a gesture of apology. “I regret that I am unable to access my main accounts at the moment. However, I trust this will suffice, at least for the time being.” Dodd laid his hands open, as though presenting an offering. “It is not without sentimental value to me. However, I’m sure a man of your talents should be able to realize its monetary worth in some form or another. Perhaps you’d allow me to offer it as a token of – how shall I put it? – my good
Sawney looked up sharply, searching for a glimmer of humour in Dodd’s face, but despite the obvious play on words, none was apparent.
The cross wasn’t very big, no more than three or four inches in length, but the silver hallmark was clearly visible. Sawney picked it up and ran the grubby ball of his thumb over the tiny indentations. Despite its size, it was probably worth four or five retrievals. Not a bad return for a few days’ work. And just because he might agree to work on an exclusive basis didn’t mean it had to be so. There were bound to be opportunities to earn a little extra on the side; stood to reason.
It was then that another thought leapt out at him: the prospect of killing two birds with one stone. He placed the cross back on the table and fixed the doctor with a speculative gaze. “Suppose I was to agree, how many … things … would you be wantin’?”
Dodd shrugged. “I am not certain at this time. Two or three, possibly more. It would depend on the quality.”
Sawney sucked in his cheeks as if he was giving the proposition some serious consideration. Finally, after