Page 66 of The Gift of Patience
“Carew here has seen Fagge with his friends at Inferno. We intend to do a bit of investigating there tonight and hope we uncover more.” With the recent close of Watier’s exclusive gaming club, men were finding other outlets for their habit.
“Rupert Fagge at Inferno?” From the look on his face, it was clear that his lordship did not approve of the place. “I suppose it can’t be helped. It is a dangerous place. Wise of you to take Carew here along. They would pluck the two of you bare within the hour.”
“Your confidence in our abilities is astonishing, Father.”
“It is not your abilities that concern me, but the lack of scruples of these men. Tell them, Carew.”
“’Tis true. It is not if they cheat, but how they evade detection. It’s a game of wits, you could say.”
“One that often leads to ruinous consequences, which is likely where the motive for stealing and murder lies,” Upton said on a heavy sigh as if he answered his own question as to the validity of their going. “Report to me here when you are done.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Now, eat and avail yourself of whatever you need for the evening. Chambers will be prepared for you.”
Once they’d had full stomachs, they were shown to their own chambers to wash and dress for their evening out. The plan was to go to a few clubs for the latest gossip before ending the evening at the gaming hell.
They did not bother with White’s or Brooks’s. Neither Layton nor Beckett would have been the hunting ground for the young pinks as Rupert was.
“I do not know if I have the stomach for Boodle’s,” Carew drawled. “I might sit this one out.” He inclined his head to an Irish pub across the street.
“We will find you after.”
As it happened, the two they sought were there, both names listed on the registry, and Ashley and Manners quickly bowed out, not wanting to be discovered. They returned to Carew, who’d just received his first pint. They sat and ordered one for themselves and then made sure they could see the door to the club.
“They were inside,” Manners said by way of explanation.
Carew nodded, not needing or requiring explanation. “I suspect it will be another hour or so before they head over.”
“At least the ale is good here,” Ashley remarked.
“Do you really expect it is one of these two you’re looking into?”
“We have to make the connection to Fagge. We have little else to go on besides Layton being the son of one of the five men with access to the classified information.”
“Then are you not putting yourselves at risk by being seen tonight?”
“Would it be that obvious for us to be seen?” Ashley asked.
“Inferno is not that big of a place. I am more likely to discover something without you there. I think whoever shot Mr. Fagge knows exactly who you are.”
Ashley exchanged glances with Manners, who inclined his head. “It is a fair point and my brother trusts you implicitly.”
“What, exactly, is it you want me to discover?”
“Well, Rupert had mentioned a scheme that made him rich. Perhaps exploring that angle might be of benefit.”
Carew nodded. “If I have an opening. The best way is to make them indebted to me. I stayed away because it was all too easy to fleece these young, wild bucks from their family fortunes. But tonight, I can do it without any guilt.”
“If nothing else, more information about Layton and Beckett.”
He finished off his pint and stood. “I will see what I can do. I think it best if I’m there first.”
They watched him sneak away into the night, unused to being the ones left waiting.
“I hope this is the right decision.”
“What other choice do we have besides risking our necks?”
