“Are you sure about this?”
That had been a question that rang in Amelia’s ears a few times. It’s argued that there is never a good time. The only time she has down here is the one she’s managed so far with luck. But it seems something new has arisen. One she can take advantage over.
With Neddy men and shouts in the streets, there’s a chance that one abode would be empty. A usually high security place that she wouldn’t dare enter before.
“You’ll be the next they want,” a squeak reminds her. “Be a shame if you strike too fast and end up the next publicly executed.”
There’s a pause as she looks away. The streets are still pouring out with cries. Urchins have taken the roofs with loud patters above. So many different searches as the tension rumbles about in the air. It’s hard to ignore even from closed doors and shuttered windows.
“Thar won’t be ‘nother opportunity like tis. Better now than never.” She looks to the Rattus Faber, his beady eyes full of concern.
“What about the lad?” He asks her.
“He’ll live.” There’s a pungent gasp like squeak that causes her to chuckle. “Lots o’ theatrics bout yet no clear execution. If tha lad were supposed ta be dead, thay would haff killed ‘em long fer I knew ‘em.”
“Than what is this-”
“Sniffing supporters out,” she interrupts the rat. “I guess… could be somefing more than tha. But I won’t be ta first too test tha out. Got a ghost ta bag, remember?”
There’s a twitch of a whisker and a sigh but the rat nods. “If this doesn’t work, you’ll have nothing left but the breadcrumbs to work with.” He climbs up her right shoulder and gives it a gentle pat.
“If’n fings get chaotic thar be nofing else. It’ll be over.” There’s a wince but she allows him to stay there. “Just do yer end o’ it ‘n fings should go well.”
The two set off in the opposite direction of the crowd and supporters. Their target is nothing more than a strange sort of abode. A mysterious place, always with shuttered windows and a few constables by the door. But tonight is different. Tonight there would be no constables in front or any security known.
Tonight they strike.
–
It’s easy to break inside. Combing the house itself is harder. Darkened hallways, sleeping dogs, several strange noises that could keep a babe awake long past midnight. There’s a lot of waiting and watching before a door is found.
Five padlocks.
A kifer and another set of small hands help. It’s a slow process. One that takes more than a few minutes to break down. But when all the locks have been dealt with and handled, they are greeted with-
Nothing.
There is absolutely nothing here but a single box and a mirror. There’s a look shared between the bandit duo before they look to the box. All they find from it is a few moon pearls and scraps of silk. But it is nothing. Not the prize they sought after but a confirmation of a fake lead.
They leave like the way they came. But with disappointment and knowledge knotted in their throats.
[ My small contribution to the current storyline from here in drabble form. Alternative title: Jerk@ss goes back on search. Ends with disappointment. ]