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“Over the last few months, there have been many occasions when our so-called clandestine operations have been thwarted. We have met with men, Sayers’ men, already in position and waiting for us.”
“Someone told Sayers where you were?” She was appalled that someone could be that ruthless with human life.
“Yes. We arrested a man several months ago now who told us we had one. At the time, we thought it was just one traitor, but when he died, he told us that there was someone else. We didn’t know who then. Over time, various people have been ruled out because they have been working with colleagues in the shires and couldn’t possibly have double-crossed us. It left a handful of trustworthy people who could be counted on to remain faithful to the Star Elite.”
“That man in the kitchen, Reg, is it?” Marguerite asked.
“I am not saying that he is. God, I hope he isn’t, but he might be. I wouldn’t put your life in his hands, Marguerite. Not until I know for certain he can be trusted.”
“You don’t trust him,” Marguerite murmured. She knew from the look in his eye that Joe had no trust in Reg at all.
“I hate to think ill of anybody, but he always wants to put himself in situations that might aide Sayers. If he had looked after you, I have no doubt Sayers would have, by chance, turned up and found you.”
The weariness in Joe’s voice was alarming. “I am sorry.”
“I thought he was a friend and could be counted on. It appears I am wrong,” Joe said quietly.
Marguerite snorted. “Well, at least he isn’t your father,” she retorted flatly.
Joe looked at her, his brows lifted. His lips twitched in spite of himself.
“There is that,” he murmured.
He didn’t think about what he was doing when he drew her into his arms. It was instinct to hold her close while he allowed the tumultuous emotions to tumble through him. Strangely, this time there was no anger, just a deep sense of disappointment that over-rode everything.
“Do you think he has been the one behind Marcus’ and Ben’s kidnap?” she asked.
“I don’t know if Ben has been kidnapped yet. He could be at the surgeon’s house like he said he would be. I don’t know what to think anymore. The only thing I would ask is that you don’t talk about this in front of Reg. Don’t discuss your father, and don’t tell him anything about us. Until we have evidence to the contrary, we have to consider him our traitor.”
“How are you going to go about capturing him? I mean, you have to have proof, don’t you?”
“Yes, we do, and we will get it, Marguerite. It would help, though, if we could catch the man red-handed as it were. You know, doing something ridiculous like talking to Sayers.”
“Like you did, you mean?” she mused.
Joe snorted and looked down at her. “You are far too sharp, do you know that?”
“Well, I am just saying,” she replied.
“I know, but our suspicions haven’t just fallen on Reg because he was nearby, Marguerite. There are plenty of reasons,” Joe sighed.
“Can’t you just arrest him first and then find out?”
“It doesn’t work like that,” he replied. “We have to have evidence that he has actually been involved in crime. That is the reason why we have been unable to arrest Sayers. Until we can catch him either carrying stolen goods or in the process of stealing something, we cannot arrest him. We just don’t have enough evidence to put before a judge. It’s the same with Reg. Until we have definite proof he is our traitor, we have to involve him. We just can’t trust him.”
Marguerite had no hesitation in sliding her arms around Joe’s waist and returning his embrace. She felt sorry for him. His work was dangerous. He needed to be able to rely on the people around him. She was confused and doubtful of everyone as it was, and she didn’t have to work with them. For the first time in her life, she was glad of the London smog. While it still swirled and protected them from the gazes of people on the street, it had lifted enough for them to be certain that nobody was standing close enough to overhear them.
“I am sorry. It isn’t right that you cannot trust even one your colleagues.”
“It happens, I suppose,” Joe replied.
She looked at him. “You sound as if this has happened to you before.”
“No, well, not outside of the Star Elite, anyway.”
Marguerite froze. She slowly and carefully put some distance between them.
Was he married? Does he have a wife and children somewhere?
