Page 85 of One Wicked Secret
The landlord, a broad man with a barrel for a belly, his face weathered like driftwood, stopped wiping a tankard with a grimy rag and beckoned them to the crude counter.
“There ain’t nothing to see here,” he called to his patrons, waiting for their rough laughter to fill the dingy room. “What can I do for you gents?” He leaned closer. “Take my advice and keep the lady close.”
Daventry reminded the landlord of their previous meeting. “I want to inspect the room.”
The man’s hewn features tightened. “The room?”
“Grafton’s room. I paid a month’s rent.”
The fellow shifted uncomfortably. “As to that, there’s men what needed a bed for the night. A problem with customs fees had the officials grounding a ship. It was all unexpected like.”
Daventry’s tone turned dark when he said, “You let a rabble of sailors sleep in my room.” He slapped a note on the counter. “Here’s proof I paid you in good faith.”
“Things change like the tide in these parts.” The landlord firmed his tone. “After months at sea, I can’t let men sleep out in the elements.”
“Then we have a problem,” Daventry said coldly.
“There ain’t no problem if you leave now.” The landlord flashed his blackened teeth. “There might be a problem if I have to turf them fellows out onto the street.”
“We’re investigating a murder on your premises,” Daniel growled, though he felt like grabbing the fool by his stained neck tie and dragging him over the counter. “We’ll be happy to kick everyone out onto the street, including you, for obstruction of justice.”
“Threaten me all you want. How do I know you ain’t working for them river pirates, and you’re looking for a place to lie low?”
“Then allow me to introduce my friends.” Daventry gestured to Daniel. “Dalton owns Imperial Shipping, and the Marquess of Rothley owns most of the land from Islington to Rochford.”
Rothley grinned. “I assure you, I’m no pirate. Although people say I’m an opium addict, a murderer, and keep a harem of women imprisoned at my estate.”
Undeterred, the landlord slapped his meaty paw on the note. “Then you can afford to turn a blind eye. A man has tomake a living. And if I cross this rabble, I’ll end up trussed in a sail and dumped in the Thames.”
Before anyone could breathe, Elsa drew a small pocket knife from her reticule and drove it into the counter, between the landlord’s spread fingers. “You’ll struggle to make a living with a severed thumb. We have a few questions. Answer them to our satisfaction, and we’ll forget about the room upstairs.”
Daniel froze, though his pulse thumped hard in his neck.
The landlord’s eyes widened as the tavern fell into a sudden silence. Seconds stretched before the brute glanced at the blade—and laughed. The room erupted, the sailors raising their tankards to the brave missy, showing more courage than most men in these parts.
Elsa pulled her pocket pistol on one toothless mariner. “I’m equally skilled with a pistol if anyone wishes to make a wager.”
The men laughed until they were mopping tears from their weather-beaten cheeks and wiping spilt ale off the table. Even the mangy terrier in the corner howled.
While Daniel felt a rush of pride, as powerful as the surge of lust flooding his loins, Daventry addressed the landlord. “You lied to us. You know who killed Grafton and why the lord was hiding out here.”
“I ain’t no snitch.”
“I would rethink your position. The four of us can take every man in here. Where would that leave your thriving business?”
Elsa turned to the landlord. “The fellow who killed Lord Grafton likely shot me. I can show you the wound if you’d like. Or we can come back tomorrow night with more men.”
After pouring himself a shot of rum and swallowing itdown, the fellow said, “The lord wanted somewhere to hide. Somewhere his fancy friends wouldn’t find him.”
“Except someone did find him,” Daniel countered. “You must have heard a commotion.”
“With this lot singing about wind in the sails and a heart full of strife? Half the time, I can hardly think straight.”
“Did Lord Grafton join them?”
“He mostly kept to his room.”
“Did he have any visitors?” Elsa reached across the counter and touched the brawny man’s arm. “It’s important. Surely you won’t turn your back on a woman in need?”
