Page 64 of One Wicked Secret
“What did the pirates take?”
Travers squinted at his list. “Three barrels of salt, five sacks of wool, two chests of indigo—amongst other things. I’ve not finished the tally.”
“And the silk, the casks of wine and French brandy?”
“All accounted for.”
He stared at the cargo master, pinning him with a sharp, knowing look. “Does that not strike you as odd? Pirates target high-value goods. The kind they can offload quickly.”
The man shifted under the weight of Daniel’s suspicion. “We put up a good fight. That must account for the odd range of items stolen.”
“Or you took a bribe, Travers.” He didn’t wait for him to protest. If he was wrong, he would apologise later. “A bribe from a man who doesn’t care about salt and sacks of wool. A man whose only mission is to make my life a misery.”
Travers paled. “Do you think I’d risk the men’s lives for a handful of coins?” Despite his sharp tone, his eyes darted intheir sockets. “You’ve no proof. You’re just looking for someone to blame.”
“Don’t take me for a fool!” Daniel snarled. “I know when a man is hiding something. Be warned. I’m not averse to beating the truth out of you.”
Travers recoiled, his hand trembling as he gripped the pencil. “There’s been other attacks on the river this week. Ask the constable. He’ll tell you.”
Daniel’s mind raced, searching for the one thing he could use to gain a confession.
“Let me make this easy for you. I’ve had people watching the docks for the last month.” It wasn’t a lie, though he’d received no useful information. “Give me the name of the man who arranged the attack. Don’t insult me by saying he’s a river pirate.”
Travers’ voice rose in protest. “I swear, I haven’t taken a bribe!”
“This is a test of your loyalty. I gave the constable the name of the person I think is responsible.”
“I wouldn’t risk my neck for a few sovereigns, not when I have a family to feed. But I agree there’s something odd about all this.” He paused, swallowing hard. “A man approached me yesterday. A gent who owns a shipping company. He offered me work, said he’d pay an extra shilling a day.”
Now they were getting somewhere.
“And?”
“I saw his lackey lurking near the winch. I thought nothing of it, but I reckon he tampered with the gears and that’s why the hoist broke.”
“I need the gent’s name and a description.”
Travers scratched beneath his hat. “Thirty or so. Slimbuild. Dressed like a man who knows the value of a guinea and likes flaunting it. A face that makes women drop their baskets.” He pulled a crumpled calling card from his pocket. “Hair like ableedingcherub.”
Daniel didn’t need to see the card.
He already knew the devil’s name.
It had to be Mr Charmers.
Chapter Twelve
Wood Street
Cheapside
Mrs Melville’s sister lived opposite The Castle Inn on Wood Street, a lane of narrow shops and houses, where the overhanging upper stories made the world seem dark and dim. The air carried the smell of freshly baked bread and the shouts of barrow boys hawking their wares.
Daniel had instructed Jarvis to park on Cheapside, a five-minute walk away. Now on foot, they moved through the cramped thoroughfare. An elegant carriage drew too much attention, and the street was difficult to navigate.
“Mrs Melville’s sister works from home as a millinery seamstress,” Elsa said, still gripping his arm when they were forced to walk single file. “She visited Chippenham once and stayed for a week.”
He kept his eyes peeled, steering her through the crowds,forcing himself to focus on today’s task when he wanted to lose himself in the memory of their amorous encounter beneath the oak tree last night. But whoever killed Lord Grafton and Carver was baying for Elsa’s blood.
