Stealing Jake Read Online Free Page B

hold on the smaller child. Grady’s free hand wrapped around the boy’s neck, fingers flexing, an evil grin spreading across his face.
    The boss flicked a small piece of apple peel toward Grady. “Easy. No need to get carried away.”
    They could use the kid in the factory, but it was more important the others knew who was in charge. “Now, Bobby, you want to tell me what happened in the warehouse?”
    “A boy, an older kid, pried the lid off and let us out.”
    “What’s his name?”
    Something flickered between the two boys.
    Interesting. Did they know more than they were letting on?
    “Grady.” The boss spoke the name quietlike, but Grady knew what to do. His fingers tightened on the kid’s neck. The dark eyes widened with fear, and a whimper gurgled up the small throat.
    “He said his name was Luke. That’s all I know.” The words rushed out of Bobby in his haste to protect the younger boy.
    The boss motioned to Grady, and the ex-prizefighter loosened his grip.
    “Luke, huh?” Settling on the corner of his desk, he smiled at the youngsters. This little episode might turn out for the good. These kids were so afraid him and Grady, they’d do anything. Anything at all.
    “Grady, take them to the back. Bobby can run one of the sewing machines. I think he’s more than up to the task.”
    “Yes, sir.” Grady opened the door. “Come on. Let’s go.”
    The youngsters followed Grady through the door, meek as little lambs. Just the way the boss liked them. Grady slammed the door shut, locking it behind him, and the boss settled behind his desk and reached for a cigar.
    Luke.
    Must be one of the kids who’d gotten away the night one of the crates fell off the train and burst open. The four boys inside had scattered like rats down the alleys of Chestnut.
    He’d watched them go. There was no way to link them to him, and they were criminals after all. The last place they’d go was to the cops. He lit his cigar and took a puff, eyes narrowed in thought.
    But why would this Luke risk his life to save the others?
    Now there was a question worth pondering.
     
* * *
     
    Boards creaked under Jake’s boots as he made his midnight rounds. A scuffling sound came from a nearby alley, and he paused. Were those street kids prowling around again? He eased into the shadows and followed the noise. Ten yards into the passageway, a familiar humming wafted toward him.
    What was Gus doing out so late?
    Augustus P. Jones lived in a shack outside of town. He did odd jobs for people but didn’t mingle with many. The old man had risked his life to pull Jake out of a tight spot a couple years ago, and Jake made a habit of checking on him as often as he could.
    “Gus?” he called out, careful not to startle him. “Augustus?”
    A loud clattering and banging ensued, and Jake winced. So much for not scaring the old feller. It didn’t take much to send Gus into a panic.
    “Whaddaya want? I ain’t got nuthin’.”
    “Gus, it’s all right. It’s me, Jake.”
    A nervous laugh shot out of the darkness, followed by the shadowy form of a round, little man leading a donkey hitched to a cart. “You scared the bejeebers outta me, Mr. Jake.” He wiped a hand across his whiskered face.
    “Sorry, Gus. I didn’t mean to. What’ve you been doing today?”
    “Nuthin’ much.” Gus shrugged and dropped his head, tucking his chin against his chest.
    “Help McIver any?”
    He shook his head. “No, sir.”
    Why was he being so evasive?
    Gus eased away, signaling the end to the conversation.
    Jake scratched the donkey behind the ears, then swiped at the snowflakes clinging to the animal’s back. “It’s starting to snow again. You’d better head on home before it gets real heavy.”
    “Yes, sir, me and Little Bit was just about to do that.”
    “Take care of yourself, Gus. Are you warm enough? Got enough coal to keep your fire going?”
    But Gus and his donkey were already shuffling down the alley, Gus humming a tune that sounded