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“Agreed, but instead of waiting out in the open, I know of an inn nearby, the Chuckling Hen. The landlord knows me. If you get there before me, tell him you’re meeting me, and you need our usual room. He’ll hide you and get us transport.”
“All right.”
They walked through the small group of trees, keeping an eye out. When they got to the other side and the coast was clear, they again sprinted but were quickly greeted by their would-be attackers.
The duo raced through the marketplace, splitting up once more. It was about fifteen minutes later when Andrew found the inn. He went in and spoke to the innkeeper, who said Phillip had already arrived. He led Andrew to a small room where Phillip was having a drink. The innkeeper said he would get a cab to meet them out back. Andrew was offered a drink while they waited.
He plopped onto the seat beside Phillip, exhausted from running around town. “Good thing I’m in decent shape, although I don’t know how much more I could have taken.”
“Were you followed?”
Andrew shook his head. “I doubled back a few times and didn’t see anyone. I’m sure it’s not a coincidence someone was watching the house. No one knew I was here in town. It makes me wonder if someone at the estate is in on this and told Vance about me leaving.”
“You think it’s truly him?”
“Who else would want to do both our families harm? If it was just me, they wouldn't have followed you. It has to be him.”
Shortly after, the carriage arrived to take them to Thorne’s office, where they arrived with no further interruptions. Andrew told Thorne of their escapades. He agreed it couldn’t have all been by chance. As the pieces were falling into place, the danger was becoming greater.
“My men came back this morning and are fairly certain they have found your Mr. Herr. He’s staying at an inn near Cheapside. They were told he’s there almost every night drinking since he is renting a room, so it shouldn’t be too hard to watch for him and have a private word.”
“We’ll wait until nightfall. Phillip and I can’t chance being seen again, and we don’t want to endanger you, Thorne. Your services have been invaluable, and you will be well compensated.”
The men settled in to wait. They spent the next few hours talking and playing cards until it was time to leave. During that time, they devised a plan. Phillip would approach Herr at the inn, since Herr didn’t know him, and strike up a conversation to keep him distracted. Andrew would then come and confront Herr. They would have a private chat before taking him to the police. A letter was sent to Sir Darnley, letting him know of the preparations.
A response arrived from Sir Darnley. Nothing new had happened with Vance. He appeared to be going about his normal routine.
Evening came, and it was time to go. The men made their way to the inn. It was crowded that night, making it more difficult to move about the place. Andrew hung back when they entered, not wanting to be discovered by Herr too soon. Phillip and one of Thorne’s men went up to the bar. Thorne’s man asked the barmaid, who he had spoken to earlier in the day, if Herr had come in yet. She said she hadn’t seen him, but sometimes he didn’t come in until later.
The four men took a table in the corner with Andrew keeping his back to the crowd so as not to be recognized. They waited another two hours with no sign of Herr. Of all the nights for the man not to show. Andrew slammed his fist on the table.
“Bloody hell, where is he?” He slumped back in the chair.
“Perhaps we should see if he is in his room. He might have gone out earlier and found some company for the night.”
Phillip’s suggestion made sense.
“It’s worth a try,” Andrew agreed.
They asked the barmaid where Herr was staying, and she motioned to the stairs. He was in the last room on the left. Phillip, Andrew, and Thorne went upstairs while Thorne's man stayed below, to catch Herr in case he came in.
They approached the door and knocked. “Excuse me, sir, I work for Lord Vance and was told to come fetch you,” Phillip said.
There was no response. Phillip tried the knob. It was unlocked. He opened the door, the hinges squeaking in protest, announcing their entry.
The room was dimly lit by a single candle on a table by the bed. Andrew surveyed the area when his gaze came to rest near the far side of the room. A body was lying on the floor face down. He rushed over, turning the body over to see it was Herr, stabbed in the chest. Blood was still oozing from the wound. Someone had killed recently him. Had the killer walked right past them downstairs? He heard Thorne and Phillip come up behind him. Phillip let out a curse.
“I’d better go summon the police,” Thorne said. “Don’t want us being accused.”
“I’ll get Sir Darnley,” Philip said. “This may be the doing of Vance, and we may need Darnley’s help.”
Andrew stayed in the room, waiting for everyone to return. He sat on the bed and put his head in his hands. Herr had been the most important piece of the puzzle. It was Andrew’s word against the accusations brought against him. No one knew where Miranda was hiding, but now their efforts had to switch to finding her. He had prayed the nightmare would be over so he could marry Tabitha and put this all behind him. But that wouldn’t be the case yet.
As time passed, his frustration grew. What was taking everyone so long? At least Thorne’s man was downstairs, making sure no one saw the body before the police came. The last thing Andrew needed was another murder he hadn’t committed pinned upon him. No longer able to sit, Andrew paced the room.
Thorne arrived first with the police, and both men gave their statements. As they finished, Phillip returned with Sir Darnley who had additional agents with him, including a solicitor. They informed the police this was now a matter for the ministry of defense and they would not be needed.
“Vance is more lethal that I thought,” Sir Darnley exclaimed once the police had left.
