Page 61 of The Gift of Patience
Baines let out a low whistle. He and Fielding certainly understood how it complicated matters. “Westwood has agreed to delay the inquest as long as possible so we may try to root out who is behind this.” Ashley turned towards Devil, who was unusually subdued and looked deep in thought. “Any thoughts on what the plan will be now that the gang knows you are a prisoner? I imagine they may not be waiting for signals from you.”
“I’ve been wondering meself.”
“Where will they go at night if not waiting for you?”
Devil squirmed restlessly in his seat, looking reluctant to answer.
“We will not harm Billy. You have our word,” Baines promised.
“Did any of you ’appen to see ’im? Is ’e alright?”
Ashley shook his head. “Everything happened so quickly, but I only counted four men. I can ask our men for an accounting.”
Devil nodded. “I’ve been thinking the whole day that maybe the toff would try to kill all of us. If he knows I’m captured, he won’t want to risk using us again.”
“But there are also risks involved in finding someone new and in a very short time,” Ashley pointed out.
“True. Shorty and Smith work at the docks—that’s how we got in the first time. But with the coin he offered, it’s more than a year’s wages for the company.”
No one could keep his morals when it came down to them having a roof over his head and food in his belly. It was hard not to be sympathetic. Ashley knew what he was saying was true. A drive through one of the rookeries was enough testament to the fact that most of London lived in abject poverty.
“We can only hope his mightiness will decide to take the risk on your gang again, Devil. If there is anything at all that you recall about the man you were in contact with that might help us narrow down who he is, now is the time to tell us. If he killed Rupert off for knowing too much, then chances are he may try to execute your entire gang when he is through with you.” He knew they’d questioned him a hundred times and for hours on end, but Ashley could not give up. They were desperate.
Devil closed his eyes and let out a slow breath through his nose.
“You said he spoke in a deep voice and he would not let you see his face.”
“We always met in the shadows.”
“Where did you meet?”
“Sometimes he would sneak up on me in the clearing—always behind me, mind you. He was very particular that I never turn around. Or at first, we would meet at a warehouse by the docks.”
It was the same thing he had been saying all along.
“Is there anything else at all? Did he wear a scent?”
“Aye, but I couldn’t name it. One of them fancy smells only Lunnoners wear. It was strong as though ’e was trying to mask the smell of tobacco on ’im.”
“What about his hands? Did he ever pass anything to you?”
Devil squinted his eyes. Then Ashley saw a change pass over his face. “You remembered something.”
“’E wore a ring. One of them what you call a signet. It ’ad a big dark stone in it. I could not tell the colour, but it looked black in the dark.”
Ashley exchange glances with Fielding and Baines. Both gave little shakes of their heads. At least half, if not more, of the gentlemen in England wore signet rings. There was no immediate connection to anyone they could think of. But it was certainly a lead.
“Our time searching might be better spent in London,” Fielding said.
“None of us belongs to that set. Perhaps Renforth knows which club Rupert frequented.”
“I’m not certain much more will happen here anyway. At least until we spring the trap.”
CHAPTER 16
Peter was walking Xander whilst Patience was drinking her cup of coffee alone the next morning. She was reliving the kiss she’d shared with Ashley when Armstrong announced Lord and Lady Rotham.
“Armstrong, if his lordship is awake, can you let him know that Lord and Lady Rotham have arrived?”
