His mouth quirked in spite of himself at Imogen’s quick answer. She had a tongue on her, then, and an impish way about her, a canny little slip of a girl. He could sense that Mr. Fox would like her (for better or for worse). He liked people with wit. And, as Jay had both experienced and observed, the man understood the benefits of taking a child under his wing: the better to teach them skills, mould them as he chose. The more easily he could wield their innocence as a weapon.
He shook his head at her slightly, wishing that she would be warned by it. But if it were this or sleeping out on the street, he knew the lure... And he did feel a pang of pity for her, whatever he pretended.
“Have a start on the windows, then,” Jay said, making his tone stern as if that belied the fact he was giving in to a ten-year-old. “But you’ll be out by dawn if you know what’s good for you.” He’d let her have the shelter from the worst of it during his shift, and watch her in the meantime to see if she would be useful to Simeon Fox, and send her out until he was sure.
He shook his head at her slightly, wishing that she would be warned by it. But if it were this or sleeping out on the street, he knew the lure... And he did feel a pang of pity for her, whatever he pretended.
“Have a start on the windows, then,” Jay said, making his tone stern as if that belied the fact he was giving in to a ten-year-old. “But you’ll be out by dawn if you know what’s good for you.” He’d let her have the shelter from the worst of it during his shift, and watch her in the meantime to see if she would be useful to Simeon Fox, and send her out until he was sure.
![[Image: 4PrLtDw.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4PrLtDw.png)