“It wasn’t,” Poppy said quietly. “Should we tell her?”
Carlos took a deep breath, considering, then said, “Among other things, this Dr. Drake seems to be in the opium business.”
“Opium?” Elowen asked, surprised.
“Specifically, opium marked with the East India Company’s name. And since he doesn’t sound like an agent of the company, it’s safe to assume the shipments consist of stolen cargo…diverted from where they’re originally intended to go.”
“A doctor would likely know where the need for such medicine was highest,” Poppy added.
“And therefore he’d know where to charge the highest prices on the product,” Carlos said. “Considering the quantity we saw in that single shipment, this is a very profitable operation.”
“I had no idea!” said Elowen. “He just said he wanted to avoid complications from Customs…”
“I expect so,” Carlos said dryly. “Does the name Peter Spargo mean anything to you?”
Elowen shook her head. “Who is that?”
“The leader of the largest smuggling operation around here.” Carlos paused, thinking it over. “Drake was clever. He broke up the communication chain so no one could point a finger at more than one other person. And there was almost no way to prove a connection.” He focused on Elowen again. “So the doctor would tell you to signal on a certain night whether it was safe to land a shipment…”
“Yes. He couldn’t trust a servant, he said. He wanted someone with a mind. If the household would be alert, or outside…if the law was mentioned, or any reason at all, I could signal no. Dr Drake is a very cautious man.”
“Evidently. But not cautious enough. We found you.”
She dropped her eyes. Even in the poor light, her shame was evident. “I knew it was wrong, but Elisa needed me. I was told that I’d never get into trouble for what I’d done.”
Carlos said, “You were lied to. The smuggling being done by this particular set is quite dangerous. If you were ever connected with the gang, you could suffer grave consequences.”
“And so you’ve connected me now,” she said in a defeated tone. “Will you take me to the magistrate?”
His impulse was to tell her that of course he wouldn’t. But her fear of exposure provided the leverage he needed. “I won’t…if you help me get them arrested.”
“And you’ll be able to continue caring for Elisa,” Poppy added.
Elowen’s eyes cleared again, and she nodded. “What must I do?” Her voice was much more decisive than before.
Poppy glanced at Carlos. It was up to him to tell Elowen what her role was.
He said, “The next night you’re to signal to land a shipment on the beach below Pencliff, you must notify me as soon as possible.” After a moment, Carlos added, “Or you may tell Poppy, if that’s easier. I’ll take it from there.”
How he would do that, he wasn’t sure. But Carlos felt that he was finally doing something worthwhile. And seeing Poppy smile at him made it seem even more so.
“Very well,” Poppy said to Elowen. “You said no more signaling is required tonight. Get to bed with you. We’ll talk tomorrow, but don’t worry. I won’t let any harm come to Elisa over this. You have my word.”
Elowen smiled at Poppy through her tears and left.
There was a beat of silence, then Poppy looked to Carlos. “Well? Shall we go?”
“Go where?” he asked, puzzled. It was a bit late to head to the magistrate’s office.
“To the beach! Elowen told us she signaled that it was safe for the smugglers to come ashore. That means we have another chance to identify them for certain…and maybe even stop them tonight.”
“We?”
She tilted her chin up. “You’re either with me or against me, Carlos de la Guerra. I’m going down there. And if you’re very nice, I’ll let you come along. Deal?”
He’d have agreed to anything she said at that point. “Deal.”
Once he agreed, Carlos insisted that she had to obey every instruction he gave, and Poppy (rather surprisingly) conceded.
