AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There is one more thing, Your Grace,” Wortle said, pushing another paper his way. “I found that Lady Evers has been gambling.”
“Thirty thousand pounds? How does a woman lose so much money with whist?” He struggled not to cough at the same time he spoke and almost choked on his words.
“It seems to be a recent habit. We found she has vowels out and assumed she has been gambling, although we have not witnessed it. I have someone looking around to make sure there are no other large amounts.”
“Who does she owe?” Slade asked.
“It appears she owes the owner of a gambling establishment, although it is in a sizeable amount, and not smaller amounts as one would expect,” Wortle said quietly. He looked up as Latham walked back to their table. “What did Mercer and Ballard say?” he asked his friend.
“The usual,” Latham replied, taking a seat and signaling for another ale.
Annie looked up and smiled, grabbing a pitcher of ale.
“She is coming for you,” teased Slade. “Have you decided you are thirsty for Annie, Blondie?”
The plump brunette wove her way to the table with the ale and leaned over to show off her ample assets as she filled the glasses. “I can top off whatever you might need, milord,” she stated brazenly, staring at Latham’s lap.
Latham cleared his throat. “Thank you, Annie. Unfortunately, we have business to conclude and have another appointment. Perhaps another time,” he said judiciously, obviously attempting to spare the tavern maid’s feelings.
Slade arched a brow but said nothing. Latham never hurt a woman’s feelings, even a tavern wench’s—something to be admired. Neither of them accepted favors from the tavern women. “If Lady Evers is here in London, I would like her tailed. I cannot shake a feeling about her.”
“It is already being done, Your Grace. I have a Bow Street Runner on it,” Wortle announced proudly.
“Wortle tells me Lady Evers is in debt for almost thirty thousand pounds, an amount she rang up in Brighton,” he murmured to Latham. The last thing he wanted was to have anyone overhear that. “Is there anything else?” he asked Wortle.
“Not that I can think of now, Your Grace.”
“I need more information on Lady Evers. Will I see you when I visit Graham?” Slade asked, lowering his voice to an audible whisper.
“Doctor Fellows was with your brother when I left. I plan to go by my office and then back to your brother’s Henrietta Street apartment,” the shorter man whispered . “We have someone guarding the apartment at all times.”
Slade and Latham left the tavern and walked across the street to the stable. They made eye contact with Sully, who withdrew into the stable to gather their horses.
“’Ere they are, m’lords,” the young man said, stopping in front of them. “A man asked after ye when ye left me with yer ’orses.”
“What did he want?” Latham asked, reaching into his pocket for a shilling and handing it to the lad.
“He said to tell ye he was sorry for yer loss, m’lord,” Sully said. “Gave me a shilling to tell ye.”
Both men looked at each other.
An icy feeling struck Slade. “Did he give a name, or can you describe him?”
“Red hair, Oi think. He wore a dark hat and was about yer height,” the boy said, nodding to both men.
They both stood almost six feet tall.
“I couldn’t see much. The hat covered most of his face and he had a heavy black coat on,” the boy added.
“Which way did he go?” Latham asked.
“Toward that ship,” Sully pointed.
Slade squinted and looked in the direction where Sully pointed. Next to their ship sat an East India Company ship.What were they up to now?Until now, Slade had felt sure the East India Company’s activities were limited to their shipping company. Surely, he had not done something that would have caused his father to die. Eager to move on, he reached into his pocket and withdrew two shillings. “Thank you, Sully.”
The men mounted their horses and rode for a minute.
“I know what you are thinking, Slade. But I do not feel they had anything to do with your father and brother. Think about it. We were not here. Let us not react until we have more information. If we find out they are behind this, we will make them pay,” Latham said.
“You are right. We were not even here. I do not have a hard time placing blame on the EIC. Yet, I feel there is something I am not seeing. Graham mentioned the EIC and their activities towards me. He had intelligence watching them—but it was for my benefit.”
“I agree,” Latham said. “While they have limited their activities to economic problems and those that have embarrassed us, we should not discount them. We have only been a thorn in their side. The deal we struck with the Indian leaders could escalate things—although neither of us could have seen this when the deal was stuck. The East India Company will see it as rebellious and may fear it will ultimately lead to unseating them in the area.”
“Agreed. They are greedy bastards.” Slade said, adjusting his hat. He turned and looked back at the ship that sat alongside their ship and recalled Graham’s words.Things are not as they seem.Slade fisted his hands in frustration. Even with the information he had been given, something critical was missing. He felt no closer to finding out who had killed his father.“Let us go see my brother.”
