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Corbyn turned to face him, his face stern. “You should have anticipated that.”
“How was I supposed to do that?”
“An agent always expects the unexpected, especially from criminals who are desperate to avoid capture.”
“I could have shot him, but I didn’t,” Guy said. “That should count for something.”
“It does, but we don’t negotiate with criminals.”
Guy huffed. “I wasn’t trying to negotiate with him,” he argued. “I just wanted to ensure that the woman walked away with her life.”
“That she did, but only with my assistance.”
“You don’t know that.”
Corbyn lifted his brow. “It matters not,” he said dismissively. “What matters is that we arrested the suspect and all his conspirators.”
“That we did.”
“You and Hobbs have worked well as a team,” Corbyn commented. “It took you only a couple of weeks to root out those rebels.”
“I prefer to work alone,” Guy muttered.
“Most agents do, but you have only been working at the agency for a little over a month now,” Corbyn said. “It is best if we ease you into your new role.”
“That isn’t necessary,” Guy replied. “I was a Bow Street Runner for ten years before I became an agent.”
“Yes, but your experience as a Bow Street Runner makes it even harder to train you.”
Guy was well aware of Corbyn’s animosity towards the Bow Street Runners, but he decided to press the point anyway. “That is not true,” he defended. “I am more than capable of working my own case. I used to do it all the time.”
Corbyn frowned. “Being an agent is much more complex than working as a Bow Street Runner.”
“I am well aware.”
“Are you?”
“I am.”
Corbyn watched him for a long moment, his expression giving nothing away. “I do have a case that I wouldconsiderallowing you to work.”
“Which is?”
“There is unrest in a village called Anmore,” he shared. “There are talks that the coal miners are starting to form a trade union.”
“Trade unions are illegal.”
“I am well aware,” Corbyn remarked dryly, “but the people are feeling desperate. The working conditions at the colliery are known to be rather brutal.”
“Why send in an agent?”
Corbyn glanced over his shoulder before saying, “Someone is attempting to unite the various unions in the region, which would make them quite dangerous. If we don’t do anything, the miners could unite and stage a revolt.”
“Do you have any leads on who wants to unite the unions?”
“I do not.”
Guy bobbed his head. “I will take the case,” he said. “I have gone on a lot less.”
