Page 75 of The Gift of Patience
“It is hard to think there is nothing at all here to help, though it all could be in the country. Was there not a case we had where a lady hid something in her shoe?”
“I do not recall such a one, but I did look in his shoes, ghastly things. I never could abide a man in pumps. With his physique, it’s a wonder he could walk in them.”
Ashley was already rummaging through the recently packed trunk.
There were four pairs of shoes, heeled pumps with brightly jewelled buckles. Ashley turned them over and worked at the sole of the heel. He tossed a pair to Manners, who did the same.
One slipped off more easily than the others and a small key slipped out. “Voilà.”
“Excellent, now to what does it belong?”
“I do not think we will discover that quickly. Let us return to Greenwich and perhaps Westwood can discover from Sir Horace where Rupert banked.”
They left instructions with the landlord for where to have Rupert’s belongings delivered, then rode hard and fast back to the village. They found Chum twiddling his thumbs at the tavern near the East India docks. His face brightened when he saw them. “I’m waiting for our fellows to gather here after work. You should try the pies. They are the best I’ve ever tasted.”
“I do not need convincing. I am a famished.” Ashley held up his hand and ordered pies and ale for himself and Manners did the same.
“Anything new?” Ashley asked, letting Chum talk while he chewed.
“One of the men was winged pretty good when Fielding shot the gun out of his hand. Unfortunately, that had to happen or one of our own men would be dead.”
“Was he the only one?”
“The only one I noticed. His arm is in a sling. He’s lucky he did not lose it. Yet, at least. The boy ran away, apparently. He hasn’t been seen since the hold up.”
“Do you think he ran away?”
“I couldn’t say for certain,” Chum answered thoughtfully. “Where would he go?”
“Maybe he chased after his father?”
“It’s possible. We will keep a lookout,” Manners said. “I think we should follow them from the docks today. The shipment information has been disseminated and if anyone is going to try to contact them, it will be soon.”
“Excellent. I am ready to catch this weasel. Did you find anything in London?” Chum asked.
“Very little. I cannot think Layton and Beckett at the helm on this. Neither did they seem to recognize us, nor did they seem to have anything on their consciences.”
“Some people are consummate actors.”
“The only thing on their mind was the cards. It gives me the creeps to watch a man possessed over the turn of a card or toss of the dice.”
“By the by, we ran into Singleton. We sought out Layton and Beckett at Inferno, and Carew played cards against him. He made up the fourth at their table.”
Chum seemed unsurprised by this knowledge. “Did he cheat his way to winning?”
“Carew bested him. If there was cheating, it was smoother than I could detect.” Not that Ashley had been looking too closely.
“I wonder what he had to lose since he already lost his unintended estate.” Chum’s tone was laced with well-placed bitterness.
“We found a key hidden in one of Rupert’s shoes. We have no idea what it belongs to other than possibly a bank box. Something to have Westwood ask about.”
Ashley drained the rest of his ale and stood. “I will be off to Taywards then. If anything changes, we will send word.”
Ashley found Caesar and made his way back to Taywards, trying to consider everything they had learned. It felt like they were vultures circling in the air waiting for their prey to show themselves. Unfortunately, time was running out, and if this trap did not work, he was afraid they might lose this one for good.
CHAPTER 19
Billy looked around wide-eyed as they pulled into the yard before the stables, as if he had never seen the like.
