Page 121 of A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets 2)

“That may be true, but you can’t go off at half-cock every time someone breaks the law.”

“I am not going off at half-cock,” he replied.

“No?” the constable asked. “It is normal for you to interrogate constables?”

“I just needed to discover the truth.”

“And did you find what you were seeking?”

Oliver nodded. “You are not crooked.”

The constable smiled. “I am happy to hear that.”

“After we left, did you speak to anyone about the smugglers?” Oliver asked.

Constable Philmont shook his head. “No. I received the order of produce I’d been expecting from Mr. Vincent, and then I closed up the mercantile to call upon you.” He paused. “Have you considered that someone in your household staff might be working with the smugglers?”

“I had not.”

“It is entirely possible,” the constable said.

“That it is.”

The constable picked up a few pieces of paper and shuffled them before placing them down in front of him. “Unfortunately, we may never know the truth.”

“Why is that?”

“Because someone tipped off the smugglers, and I doubt they would use our shores again.”

“That’s possible, but it is foolhardy to assume.”

Constable Philmont lifted his brow. “What would you have me do, milord?” he asked. “I can’t organize the local militia because of one report of smugglers. It would have been different if we had retrieved the smuggled goods. Then, at least, I could have pointed to the barrels as proof of the smugglers.”

“I see your point, but I refuse to give up and let the smugglers win.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“I will investigate,” Oliver announced.

The constable blinked. “You?”

“Yes.”

“I mean no disrespect, milord, but you are not qualified to investigate smugglers,” the constable declared. “They are ruthless men who will kill you without hesitation.”

“I am well aware.”

“Why would you put your life in danger?”

Oliver shifted in his seat, then said, “It is a slow week for me, and I could use some excitement.”

The constable groaned. “You are going to get yourself killed.”

“I don’t believe that to be the case.”

“This is not a game, milord,” Constable Philmont asserted. “You would be a fool to pursue these smugglers.”

Rising, Oliver replied, “I have been called worse.”

---