Kendrick picked up some papers on his desk and shuffled them. “Were you able to ascertain who Lord Chester’s accomplice is?”
Roswell winced, knowing they didn’t have much to go on at this time. “We were not able to.”
“Yet you had time to dance the waltz with Miss Bolingbroke?” Kendrick asked.
“I did, but that was to ensure my cover wasn’t compromised,” Roswell said. “Dare I ask if you were spying on us last night?”
Kendrick gave him an amused look. “You were not the only agents at the ball. I have eyes on Lord Chester at all times since we know he is using his position in the House of Lords to sell secrets to the French.”
“Do we not have sufficient proof to arrest him?” Caleb asked.
The amusement left Kendrick’s expression as he replied, “We do not intend to arrest him. To do so would mean that he would have a trial and we cannot risk that.”
Caleb bobbed his head. “I understand, sir.”
Kendrick leaned back in his chair. “I want you two to continue to work together and try to find out who Lord Chester is working with. Once we can determine that, then we will move in on them and end this threat.”
“We can do that,” Roswell said.
“Do not disappoint me on this assignment,” Kendrick remarked gruffly. “Keep your heads down and get the job done.”
“You can count on us,” Caleb said.
Kendrick picked up the quill from next to the ink pot and responded, “I am glad to hear it. We have far too much work to grow complacent.”
As they started to exit the office, Kendrick’s voice stopped them. “How is your mother, Agent R?”
Roswell turned back around and attempted to keep the emotion out of his voice. “She seems to have forgotten me.”
In a rare showing for the spymaster, his eyes held compassion. “I’m sorry to hear that. Your mother is a good woman.”
“Yes, she is,” Roswell agreed.
“If you need time off…” Kendrick started.
Roswell spoke over him. “That won’t be necessary.”
Kendrick looked as if he wanted to press the point further, but thankfully he didn't. He spoke in his typical gruff manner as he said, "Don't let it take your focus away.”
“I won’t,” Roswell assured him.
“Now, off with you two,” Kendrick said, dismissing them.
They departed from the spymaster’s office and didn’t speak as they went to exit the building. An agent was standing guard by the back door and tipped his head as they left the building.
Once the door closed behind them, Roswell hurried up the steps and walked through the alleyway as quickly as he could. The smell of excrement was horrific and he had no desire to lollygag.
Caleb caught up to him and matched his stride. “Do you have any guesses on who Lord Chester’s accomplice is?”
“I don’t, but we should start by seeing who he is closest to in the House of Lords.”
“You think it is another lord?”
“I don’t rightly know,” Roswell admitted. “It could be anyone at this point.”
“That is a comforting thought,” Caleb muttered.
Roswell put his hand up to hail a hackney. “I think it would be for the best if we did a thorough search of Lord Chester’s study again.”
