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Ford raised his brows. “I am impressed you are familiar with Greek Gods.”

Colette waved a hand. “Grace has books. Some of them have pictures in them. It’s quite boring hiding from everyone, being stuck in this house with nothing to do. I might even learn how to read soon.” She let out a cackle.

Ford couldn’t help but chuckle alongside her. He knew a lot of people who struggled to find a place that would teach them to read. Aside from a church, few places offered that luxury for the poor. Those people strived to learn, and here a harlot was making fun of resorting to learning to read in her boredom, as if this was a punishment.

A memory swiftly appeared in Ford’s mind, Triss telling him how they earned enough to eat and have a roof over their heads, to buy gowns and enjoy the opera once in a while. No job that required a person to read and allowed a former harlot to be hired would pay as much. Although many people enjoyed reading at leisure. Eloise did. She even used to read to Ford.

His eyes misted over. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his younger sister. He had to shake off the memories. He had a job to do.

Once more, the golden-haired woman peeked around the door frame. This time, Ford sprung to his feet and dashed after her. “Miss, miss?” She paused on the staircase. “Would you like to join us for a conversation?”

“I don’t think so.” She didn’t even turn toward him, her fingers gripped the banister tightly, until her knuckles grew white.

“It seems you’re quite curious about my presence here. You might as well ask your questions.” And answer mine.

She turned toward him slowly, worrying her lower lips between her teeth. “Are we in trouble?”

“No, you’re not in trouble. On the contrary, I am here to help you.”

She looked down. “Grace said we couldn’t trust you.”

Ford couldn’t blame her. “You have to trust someone. And I am your best bet. I am one of the few people who is not looking to give you up to the Brotherhood or the Crown. I am looking for the truth.”

“The truth?” She timidly met his gaze once again.

“Yes, about the night that man was murdered in the brothel.”

The woman flinched.

“Do you know anything about that?” Ford pressed.

Colette appeared behind him. “You don’t have to talk to him, Harmony, dear,” she said gently.

Harmony swallowed audibly. “I saw him, the dead man. It was terrible. I don’t want to see anything like that ever again.” Then she added in a terrified whisper, “I don’t want that to happen to me either.”

He took a step closer and stretched out his hand, trying to soothe her like one would a spooked horse. “My job is to help you, to keep you safe. I promise.”

With a good amount of hesitation, Harmony finally stepped down the staircase and eventually joined them in the kitchen.

“Colette,” Ford addressed the other woman. “Would you mind giving us a private moment?”

Colette glanced between Ford and Harmony, looking uncertain.

“Just for a moment,” Ford assured her.

“Harmony?” Colette arched her brow until Harmony gave a little nod.

“I will be just outside the door,” Colette said and left the room. Everyone was protective of each other in this house, distrusting intruders. He supposed they had no other choice.

“You can ask me anything you want,” Ford said, his voice gentle but firm. “Just like I promised.”

There was a beat of silence. “I heard that there’s a price on our heads,” Harmony said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Is that true?”

Ford nodded slowly, understanding the weight of her question. “Yes,” he admitted, “but I am not one of the people looking to catch you, or I would have done it already. I don’t work for the criminals. I work for the law.”

Harmony’s brow furrowed, her grip on the edge of the table tightening until her knuckles turned white. “The Crown has also put out a reward for the brothel owner’s head.”

Ford leaned forward, his elbows on the table, trying to project an air of calm reassurance. “That’s true,” he acknowledged. “But the difference is, the Crown doesn’t want the owner dead, only arrested. They want to find answers, just like I do.”