Page 4 of Highland Sword
Aidan was certain the people working for Sir Rupert Burney, the director of Home Office activities in Scotland, had not taken the news too well. The decision to retire was not for an informer to make.
“Their response?”
“They told me to take the coach to Aberdeen. There’d be a packet sailing to Africa. To the new Cape colony. They were giving me land there. And money to make a go of it.”
“Why didn’t you go?”
“A friend sent word. Their plan was to punch a few holes in me and leave me under a dock.” He clutched the cane tightly in his fist. “So I bolted. Wrote to you.”
It was true that if the English thought there was a chance Sparrow would expose their underhanded actions, an assassin would cut out the double crosser’s tongue and then put a dagger in his heart. The Home Office didn’t look favorably on those who changed sides.
“Why did you write tome?”
“You’re the best.”
Aidan leaned forward, devouring the space between them. “Don’t you dare flatter me.”
Sparrow pressed against the wall and raised his hand in defense. “Sir, everyone knows who you are and what you stand for. For a decade now, you’ve argued for abolition, for better wages, for reform. You’re the best lawyer Scotland has. You’re the only one brave enough to stand up to Sir Rupert Burney.”
What Henry Brougham, the queen’s legal defender, was doing in Parliament, Aidan had been trying to do in Scotland. Both men wanted the same thing, a voice for their people.
“I also know the weavers’ leadership committee and their people sent for you to come represent the Chattan brothers in their trial.”
Edmund and George Chattan had been languishing in a cell, charged with planning an attack on the Lord Mayor’s offices in Elgin at the time of the Military Governor’s visit. The trial was not to take place in Elgin but in Inverness at the beginning of next month. Aidan had already met with the two this week. The brothers swore they’d been tricked by a fellow member of their reform committee… someone like Sparrow.
“You still haven’t told me why I should help you.”
“I told you in my letter. I have information. I can help you with names, places. I know the very one who was responsible for setting up the Chattans. He’s gone, moved on already. But I’m here, and I can testify for you.”
Robert Sparrow was a thief. An art forger. A villain who for years had committed his petty crimes with impunity by playing his part as an informer and an agent provocateur. His actions in entrapping leaders of the reform movement in Edinburgh had led to executions. He’d been moved north for a reason. Aidan had no doubt he hadfirsthand knowledge of government spying operations in the Highlands. His testimony could help Aidan.
It was impossible to ignore Sebastian’s imposing figure beside him. Aidan’s brother had been against coming here and listening to this viper.
“If I had one whit of assurance that you would help us, I would throw a rope around your neck and drag you to some safe house until the trial. But as my brother would no doubt remind me, you can’t put a leash on a snake.”
“I swear to you…” Another cough wracked Sparrow’s body, cutting off his words. “I swear that I’ll help you. No one knows what I know. No one has seen what I’ve seen. No one has done it as long as I have. I’ll tell you exactly who gave all of us orders and what those orders were. The Chattan fools were only one case. There are others being lured into traps right now.”
Aidan fixed his stare on the man with the same intensity he’d used on a hundred witnesses in scores of court cases.
“You still haven’t said one word that would help me convince a jury that you matter, or that you’re telling the truth, or that you were even working for the government as a provocateur.”
“March twenty-first. I called together the committee in Glasgow. Everyone was arrested at that meeting. My partner was John King, a weaver working for the Home Office. April fourth. My plan incited three score men in Germiston to seize weapons from the Carron Ironworks in Falkirk. You had clients that were part of that committee. The dragoons were waiting for them. I was sent to Elgin right after.”
Aidan exchanged another look with Sebastian. This was the kind of information that would influence a jury.
“We’ll take you.”
“I can’t stay in Inverness. I won’t be safe here.”
“I said we’ll take you,” Aidan repeated more sharply.
“I need to fetch my bag. I’m staying at an inn by the river. I’d feel safer if you came with me.”
Aidan heard knuckles cracking. He didn’t need to look to know it was Sebastian, squeezing his hand into a tight fist.
“Go ahead of us. And do it before we change our minds.”
The informer opened his mouth to argue but quickly snapped it shut, recognizing Aidan was done negotiating. He pulled up the collar of his coat and hurried along.
