But as they approached the house, his mood became serious again. Carlos said, “I’m going back down to the beach. I intend to retrieve some of the opium as evidence. That deputy seemed willing enough, but for all I know the magistrate told him not to go the instant I left.”
“Is it wise for you to go?” she asked, worried.
“It’s still daylight. If I see anyone, I’ll make myself scarce.”
“What should I do if you don’t come back?”
Carlos smiled wryly. “If I’m not back in an hour, send a note to Norbury.”
“Why? So he can avenge your death?”
He got an odd expression on his face for a moment, but then said, “Norbury’s not that honor-bound. However, as a viscount, he’ll be able to get you back to London and protect you if any of the gang discovers who you are.”
She shuddered. “Oh, don’t say that.”
“Fear not, querida. I have no intention of dying.”
“If only it were so simple. Please be careful.”
He gave her a mocking salute. “I’ll report back as soon as possible, General St George.”
After Carlos went down the steps to the beach, Poppy sat on the low stone wall and waited for him to return. She shouldn’t be so concerned about him. It was full daylight, and there was no reason to think that he was in danger. But she worried anyway.
“Because I’m an idiot,” she muttered. And perhaps slightly enamored.
Carlos trudged up the steps about twenty minutes later.
She rose from the wall and walked with him.
“Did you get some?” she asked eagerly. “Will you be able to press the magistrate now?”
“All the crates are gone,” he said in a low voice.
“What? All of them? Who could have…?”
“I almost thought I dreamed seeing them, except you saw them too.”
“Of course I did! But what does it mean?”
“This is a clever operation. The sailors unloaded the cargo at midnight last night, and the goods were removed from the caves within half a day.”
“Another ship?” she guessed hesitantly.
“Maybe. Though that doesn’t make much sense. Why have one ship unload simply so another can take the cargo right away? Wouldn’t you simply have the first ship deliver the goods to the final destination?”
“The first ship might not be able to go all the way to wherever the goods are destined,” said Poppy.
“That’s possible,” Carlos said cautiously. “Don’t mention anything to anyone, Poppy. And don’t ask questions.”
“But we could help uncover a crime.”
“Let me worry about crime,” he told her. “I didn’t sail all the way over here just to let you take charge.”
Chapter 11
“Excuse me?” Poppy asked coldly, her previous worry for him evaporating into irritation at his high-handed words. “I don’t recall you being in charge of anything, let alone me. I thought you’d accepted that we were equals in this. Honestly, if I hadn’t gone into that cave first, you’d never have seen that contraband at all!”
He seemed to realize that he’d hit a nerve, because he stepped back and put his hands up to quell her. “All I meant was that I want you to be circumspect. We don’t know who or what we’re dealing with—though I have a few guesses—and it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
