Free Khronos (Hanover and Singh Book 3) by Chris Paton Page A

if you would stay with us just a while longer. Until you find your way out of the city, of course.”
    “Honoured?” Lena’s face softened.
    “Yes.” Stepan took a breath. “We could use your help.”
     

Chapter 6
     
    Northfleet Gateway Port
    Gravesend, England
    May, 1851
     
    The bruised wooden gunwales of the Pride of London bumped against the greasy timbers of the freighter dock beneath the shadows of skeletal derricks swinging loads back and forth from the dockside to the steamjammers’ cavernous holds. Khaos balanced barefoot upon the gunwale, leaping onto the dock as the Northfleet men tied the mooring lines. She twirled between them, drawing stares and appreciative smiles from the men, damp and miserable as they were, in the wind and rain.
    Stepping onto the deck of the river freighter, Hannah waved a thin oilskin envelope at the Master in the wheelhouse. She waited for him to join her as Aether and the Germans climbed the steps from the crew quarters and disembarked.
    “Your payment,” Hannah pressed the oilskin into the Master’s hands. He opened it.
    “More than I expected.” Pocketing the sheaf of notes, he returned the oilskin to Hannah. “I didn’t make her fall in the river,” the Master flicked his head in Khaos’ direction.
    “More’s the pity,” Hannah sighed. “But that’s not what I have paid you extra for.”
    “No? What then?”
    Hannah stepped closer. “I need you to get a message to Wallendorf Industries in Frankfurt. Send a telegram to Luther Wallendorf. Tell him that I need to see him when we land. He must be at the dockside in Hamburg. There are more instructions in the envelope.” Hannah pressed the oilskin into the Master’s hand.
    “All right,” the Master turned to leave. Hannah gripped his elbow.
    “You’ll send the telegram, ja ?”
    “Yes,” he looked down at his arm. “Of course.”
    “Good,” Hannah released her grip and looked down at the Master’ boots. “I’ll give you a pound for your boots.”
    “My boots?”
    Hannah held up her high heels. “I can’t carry these around all day.”
    “You can have my boots for two pounds.”
    “Done,” Hannah pulled two coins from a pocket inside her corset jacket. The Master removed his boots. Pressing the money into his hands, Hannah tossed her heels into the river. “What?” she frowned at the Master. “You didn’t want them, did you?”
    “No,” he chuckled and handed her the boots. Padding across the deck in his thick brown socks, he stopped at the wheelhouse door. “Safe journey, Miss...”
    “Ense,” Hannah pulled the warm boots over her bare feet. “Hannah von Ense.” The Master waved one last time before entering the wheelhouse. The door rattled in the wind. Hannah tied the laces, walked across the deck and left the boat.
    “You were a long time,” Aether approached Hannah, Khaos tugging at his arm. “Everything all right?”
    “ Ja ,” Hannah buttoned her jacket, pulling the tight-fitting tails over her hips. “I had to pay for our transport.”
    “And you have money enough for the onward journey to Germany?”
    “ Ja ,” Hannah nodded.
    “Good.” Aether wrapped his arm around Khaos, drawing her close. He kissed her on the forehead. “I am looking forward to meeting your father, the great Luther Wallendorf.”
    “My father?” Khaos took a step back. “But, my father is...”
    “Romney, dearest,” Aether wiped the rain from her cheeks with his palm. “If we are to succeed with our plans, we really must stay in character. Isn’t that right, Hannah?”
    Hannah stared at Khaos. Hands at her sides, she clenched her fists. “Yes, Herr Bremen.”
    “See,” Aether twirled Romney within his arms. “Hannah will play her part perfectly. Everything will be normal and we will pave the way for our brothers and sisters to join us.”
    “Will they need bodies, too?” Hannah held her breath.
    “Yes, of course,” Aether leaned closer to Hannah. “Will that be a problem? There