Good. I still had the power of intimidation on my side. I might need it if he refused to answer my questions. That he had shown up—even late—was a testament to some willingness to cooperate, though I suspected his arrival could be attributed to the bribe I offered via our letters rather than Cratchit’s moral compass. The man’s loyalties had always been easily persuaded. I should know, given his prior allegiances had resulted in me being thrown overboard and left for dead.
Cratchit slowly made his way toward me. I gestured to the empty chair on the opposite side of the table when he hesitated to sit down. He claimed the seat, still not meeting my eyes.
“You’re late,” I said.
His gaze finally snapped to mine, wide and uncertain. “Had to be sure I wasn’t followed.”
“And were you?”
He shook his head. “No, Lieutenant.”
“Then let us get straight to it. You have information I need.” Or so Cratchit had claimed in his letter. I wasn’t entirely certain I believed him, but if there was even a sliver of a chance he spoke the truth, I had to know.
Cratchit leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’ll pay me, yes? Like you promised.”
My jaw clenched. A life hung in the balance, and he worried about receiving payment? The lack of morality disgusted me, but I shouldn’t have been surprised by it. Nor could I let my anger scare him off.
“Yes,” I said through gritted teeth. “Now, tell me everything you know about Captain Hollinsby. Where did he go after we made port?”
Cratchit glanced around the room again, his fingers tapping against the table. “Maybe this is a mistake. I ought not say anything. He’ll have me hanged, so he will. How do I know you won’t seek my punishment, too?”
I could have sought justice for the misdeeds against me, but without proof of what occurred, it was my word against a revered captain. Cratchit would never confess to his hand in it all, thus sentencing himself in the process, and there was no one else who had witnessed the attempt on my life.
No one with a voice the courts would acknowledge, at any rate. A trial would lead to nothing but lost time. I didn’t have it to spare at present.
I leaned forward. “I give you my word as a gentleman that I will not pursue a case against you. All I want is information on Hollinsby.”
“Word of a gentleman? Don’t mean nothing to me.” Cratchit studied me for several long moments before his shoulders slumped. “Very well, but I don’t know much. I overheard the captain saying he planned to buy property. Some place called Willowbrook Manor in Kent, I believe. Was very secretive about it all.”
Property in Kent? It wasn’t much to go on, but it gave me somewhere to start.
I clasped my hands together on the table. “When you saw him last, did he mention traveling to this new property with anyone?”
Cratchit averted his gaze. “No.”
I had known Cratchit since I turned three and twenty and transferred to theHMS Freedom, the vessel captained by Hollinsby. Five years at sea with Cratchit had taught me a great many things, including his tells when he lied.
I slammed my fist against the table, and the man nearly fell out of his seat with a yelp. Eyes from around the room focused on us, and I withdrew my hand, willing myself to calm. “The truth, Cratchit. You’re fully aware of the captain’s malfeasance. I will not stop until his crimes are brought to light and his wrongs are righted. Whether you go down with him is up to you.”
Cratchit swallowed. “I do not think he left Portsmouth alone.”
“You do not think, or youknowhe did not?”
“He waited until dark to depart, Lieutenant. I cannot be sure, especially given the color…” His eyes lifted to the ceiling as he trailed off. “I am only half certain. Shadows have a way of playing tricks on the mind.”
A growl rumbled from my chest with the frustration swelling there. Cratchit had made it sound as if he had more solid information to offer. I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest. “That’s all, then?”
Cratchit nodded. The man was not trustworthy in the least, but he had given mesomething, even if it was far less than I’d hoped for. I reached into my coat pocket and tossed several crowns onto the table. Cratchit gathered them quickly, muttering his thanks.
“You will inform me if you hear from him,” I said. “Or if you come by more information. Payment will continue.”
Cratchit met my gaze, a greedy look filling his eyes. “Yes, sir.”
With our meeting concluded, I left The Nightingale and returned to my family’s townhouse. It was a relief to finally have a lead to follow, but I refused to allow my hopes to lift too high. This could easily go nowhere.
“Darling,” Mother greeted me as I entered the drawing room. She stood, and I crossed the room to kiss her cheek before taking a seat. She poured me a cup of tea. “You’ve been gone all morning. I must say, when you told me you had finished with your naval career, I hoped to see more of you.”
“Why? So you could find me a match and foist me off onto a poor woman?”
