Page 49 of The Gift of Patience
“Surprisingly, yes. It seems Mr. Fagge does occasionally slip out from under his mama’s overbearing thumb.”
Westwood snorted.
“And Layton?”
Renforth shook his head. “While we have not been able to obtain records of his finances, he does play very deep.”
Ashley paced as he thought. “It seems too coincidental for there not to be a connection. Layton is one of the few with accessto the information, Layton’s son and Rupert are friends, at least one of them has recently come into funds, and Layton’s son must lose a great deal of money on the tables if he plays deep.”
“I agree. We must keep looking. Manners sent word to his father about arranging the trap, but it would be much better if we knew who we were trapping ahead of time.”
“Most assuredly.”
Manners entered the room and held up a letter. “I’ve just heard from my father.”
“There’s another East India vessel already scheduled. It’s the perfect set up, exactly like last time. Only the same people will know about it, excepting us, of course, and this shipment will not really be ammunition and arms, except for lining the top of the crate.”
“If they are on to us, they might not take the bait,” Ashley pointed out.
“Maybe not, but it is worth a try.”
“In my experience, once people taste a little success, they become greedy,” Westwood added.
“I am afraid whomever it is will simply hide behind Devil’s gang—and potentially Rupert. How can we draw him out?” Renforth asked.
“If they know we’ve got Devil, they will have to get a message to the others. Therein lies the potential to hook the big game,” Manners added.
“Let’s hope your father makes the shipment sound too enticing to pass up.” Renforth tapped his glasses against his temple. I’m keeping men watching Layton. Hopefully, they will discover something—if we are on the right track before it’s too late.”
“We have one week from tonight,” Manners added.
“Devil needs to be moved.” Ashley had almost forgotten that small detail.
Renforth scowled at him. “Whyever for?”
“When Rupert questioned me on why we were keeping him here, I had to reassure him. There was no good reason I could give other than to say he was leaving immediately. That we’d had some delays in transporting him.”
Renforth looked at the ceiling, exasperated.
“We can make a show of him leaving, then sneak him back in.”
“I suppose so. We still need to keep watch to see if someone else tries to signal. They must know we have been doing it, but they will need to message them somehow. As far as the others know, Devil is still operating as usual. If we arouse their suspicion, the whole operation is in jeopardy.”
“If someone signals twice, we will know they received the message.”
“Assuming they know Devil’s system.”
“There is always the risk they will abandon this gang altogether and use another.”
“True, but the notice is short and the more people involved, the greater the risk.”
“I haven’t any better ideas and we have to try something.”
“Well, the bait should be out there by now. Chum and I will keep an eye on the gang. Please just send word on what the plan is. I’ll be off.” Manners turned and left.
“Should some of us return to London to help there?” Ashley asked.
“If this fails, then that would be the next option. As we are almost certain Taywards is only being used for its vantage point. And possibly for storage or transfer.”
