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“I know, but I do believe I can get those trade unions to disband,” Guy said.
“How would you do that?”
“None of those men are rich, and they struggle each day to put food on their table,” Guy shared.
“Their plight is no different than most of the people in London.”
Guy nodded. “Which is why they don’t want to go to jail,” he said. “I will go back to Anmore and explain that the Crown has caught wind of their trade union. I do believe that will end all future meetings.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Then they have been sufficiently warned.”
Corbyn frowned. “We are not in the business of warning criminals that we are informed about them.”
“I am well aware, but you didn’t see what I saw when the pit collapsed,” Guy said. “Ten people died that day, mostly children. I heard the wailing of the women as they sat next to the bodies.”
“That would be hard on anyone,” Corbyn acknowledged.
“The people of Anmore are good people, and they are just trying to help the coal workers, nothing more. They have no nefarious intent towards the Crown.”
Corbyn tapped his finger on the desk as he watched Guy. “This isn’t like you, Stewart,” he said. “You have arrested hundreds of criminals over the years, and you didn’t blink. Why now?”
“I am beginning to see things differently,” Guy admitted. “Not everything is black and white.”
Corbyn turned his attention towards Hawthorne. “Is there a woman involved?”
“There is,” Hawthorne confirmed.
“Now this is starting to make sense,” Corbyn acknowledged. “Did you tell this woman the truth about yourself?”
He winced. “After we saved her from an abduction—”
“An abduction?”
“Yes, a fortune hunter abducted her to force her into an unwanted marriage at Gretna Green.”
“I see, so this young woman is an heiress.”
“She is,” Guy said. “Once we returned her home safely, I told her the truth about why I was there, but I did not reveal I was a spy.”
“How did this young woman react to the news?” Corbyn asked.
“She asked me to leave.”
Corbyn looked at him curiously. “Even though she rejected you, you still came to my office to defend the members of the trade union?”
“I did, because it was the right thing to do.”
Rising, Corbyn walked over to the darkened window and looked out. “You had one job, Agent, and you failed at it. Why shouldn’t I dismiss you?”
“It is your right,” Guy said, “but I won’t apologize for doing what my conscience dictates.”
Corbyn turned around and leaned back on the windowsill. “Perhaps you weren’t ready to go out into the field alone.”
“I can assure you that is not it,” Guy insisted. “Any agent who went out to Anmore would have reported the same thing.”
Corbyn crossed his arms over his chest and he remained silent for a long moment. Finally, he spoke. “You’d better be right about this, Stewart,” he said. “If these trade unions grow in strength, then I will personally hold you responsible.”
