“If I tell you, I am afraid you will not see past it, and I am not positive. I do not have a motive,” Graham offered sadly. “We are no further than we have been.”
“I respect your logic, Graham, but I am not happy. This person may not be finished and not knowing who to watch may harm someone else.” Annoyance laced Slade’s voice.
“I realize that, brother.” Graham took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I also want Father’s killer.”
“I have a person or two to discuss,” Slade said.
“Let us retire to the library and talk,” suggested Graham. “Wortle should come back soon. He can join us.
“That reminds me. Wortle said Fellows was here, but I have not seen him,” Slade commented.
“I sent him home just before you arrived. The man had been here for days, and I sent him home. Once I felt human again, I thought food and company would do much to bolster me,” his brother said with a lopsided grin.
Slade shared what he and Latham had learned about the spot where they suspected the men targeting the older duke had waited, as well as the information about Lady Evers and the debt she had accrued while in Brighton. The look of consternation on his brother’s face spoke volumes. There was obvious concern there. Slade was convinced he was not on the wrong track. “There is no evidence of gambling, yet she has enormous debts. Wortle quoted me thirty thousand pounds.”
“I would bet her parents know nothing of this,” Graham murmured.
“Her father would take care of her vowels if he were aware. That she has not shared it, adds suspicion,” Latham supplied.
Slade wanted to bring up the letter his brother left him but decided not to. Graham’s interest level and his facial expression told him everything he needed to know.
When he felt he had weighted his brother with all the information they could share, he told Graham about the acquisition of Gracie, and her connection to the investigation. “My feeling is we have a witness in Gracie,” Slade said, grinning. “You must meet her soon.”
“Soon,” Graham agreed. The three of them talked about Mother and Tabetha’s affection for the animal, as well as vivid and colorful descriptions, dissolving the table’s occupants into guffaws.
“I cannot wait to meet this animal. I do not recall Mother having a pet. Gracie sounds like exactly what we need to help us through our mourning,” Graham said.
“I still have two important questions, Graham—well, one question and one statement,” Slade said slowly.
His brother nodded. “Go ahead.”
“I realize you are tired, but it would have been easier if you had told me Wortle was part of Intelligence.”
“You are right. I am so sorry. I did not want to predispose you favorably toward anyone and forgot myself. I should not have been so vague with you, brother,” Graham replied remorsefully. “In my effort to help, I made things more difficult.”
Slade nodded. “I understand—even though the way I found out was embarrassing. It placed us both in a difficult spot. This leads me to my second question. You told me I could trust Dorset.Who is Dorset?”
Graham opened his mouth and closed it. “I can only plead I was not making sense because of the injuries I had suffered. I should have made sure Wortle told you. We have a spy operating with the East India Company. He was told to signal to you if he found evidence the EIC was involved with Father’s death.”
“Does he have red hair?” Slade asked.
“He does. Did you meet him?” Graham asked.
“We did not, but he tried to reach out to us. Now I believe he was telling us the EIC had nothing to do with the accident. I would have been deduced it more easily had you told me who Dorset was, or gave at least a better clue,” Slade said, trying not to laugh. “I want to be upset, but I cannot.”
Graham grinned. “I am truly sorry. I will get word to Dorset that it was my screwup. Just know, he is embedded. He will try to contact you or Latham should things go bad. He will do his best, but he is under orders to get out of there if he thinks he has been discovered.”
“Good to know.” Slade was relieved his brother was on the mend. He regarded his brother and noticed his fatigue. “Graham, we should be going. I promised Mother we would return by dinner. Hurry up and get better, brother. I do not relish wearing your title for even a few days. I have no aspirations to be the duke.” He laughed. “Although there might be a few short-term benefits to it.”
Graham smiled. He was too tired to banter. Slade wondered if his brother might heal better at home. Until they discovered the killer, he needed to stay there. It was one more incentive to uncover the truth.
“Say hello to Lady Bella, when you see her, brother,” Graham said, clapping him on the back. “I am pleased to see you have finally come to your senses with her. The girl went around with moon eyes whenever you visited her parents’ home, or they came to ours.”
“Yes, well, I am trying to find time with her. Maybe tomorrow.” Slade smirked.
The two men said their goodbyes and walked toward the mews, where their horses had been fed, watered, and brushed. As they trotted toward Mayfair, Slade felt the hair on the back of his neck stand. He turned and saw a man with a dark mustache who, while he looked in their direction, did not appear to be looking at Slade or Latham. He was arguing with a street vendor. “What do you make of that, Latham?”
“I have been watching as well,” Latham said. “He does not appear to know your brother is just beyond him. Do you think he is the one?”
