Curiosity got its hooks in him. He knelt, stacking the books she passed to him on the floor. She reached to the back of the emptied shelf and extracted a small, cut-out piece of wood.
“Hell,” he murmured. “You made yourself a squint?”
In answer, she placed a finger to her lips. The peephole into Black’s study wasn’t big, and its view was limited. Nonetheless, the voices of the room’s occupants came through clearly.
“…one o’ the dukes is behind the attack,” Malcolm Todd’s voice was insisting. “Only they would ’ave the power.”
“I know it’s one o’ ’em. Didn’t get to where I am by being an imbecile,” Black’s voice shot back. “Question is, which bloody one? Ming’s been working on this since that bastard tried to off me at Nightingale’s last month.”
Someone tried to assassinate Black before this?
Frowning, Harry wondered if Inspector Davies was aware of this fact. His certainty in his mission had already suffered a blow when Tessa had explained about the medallion last night—that it was used as a symbol of protection rather than vendetta—and now to learn that someone had tried to kill Blacktwice?
Harry’s gut told him something wasn’t right. Yet as he took in Tessa kneeling beside him, her full pink skirts spread like petals around her as she spied like a naughty schoolgirl, he also knew his objectivity had been compromised. He wanted Black to be innocent because he wantedher.
“The assassin named John Loach.” That was Ming, succinct as always. “So far find connection between him and three of the dukes. Don’t know which one ordered shooting at Nightingale’s.”
“Who are the three suspects?” Todd demanded.
There was a pause; Harry guessed the loyal manservant was looking to Black for permission to answer. And he knew he guessed correctly when Black muttered, “Tell ’im.”
“Loach frequent visitor to tavern in the docklands. Owned by Francis O’Toole.”
Tessa’s hands balled in her lap.
“Loach has brother,” Ming continued. “Brother is one of Severin Knight’s men.”
Harry was not familiar with Knight. Seeing Tessa’s sharp intake of breath, he leaned closer, whispering, “Who’s Knight?”
“The Duke of Spitalfields,” she whispered back. “He oversees and gets a cut of most of the trade that happens there.”
“Finally, Loach owe money,” Ming said. “Five hundred quid to Adam Garrity.”
Garrity was a name Harry knew. The infamous moneylender was married to his sisters’ friend, Gabriella nee Billings. Harry had met Gabriella once, years ago before her marriage, and had the memory of a plump, redheaded chatterbox.
He’d never met Garrity, but he knew his sisters did not approve of their friend’s match. According to them, Garrity was a shady character, and they bemoaned the fact that they’d seen little of Gabriella since her marriage.
“Garrity is the Duke of the City,” Tessa murmured. “He’s a moneylender, and men from all strata of society are indebted to him.”
“Make me a duke,” Todd said suddenly. “With John Randolph dead, you need someone to take over Covent Garden. Give me that territory, and I’ll stand with you against all your enemies. I’ll mount an attack on O’Toole, Knight, and Garrity.”
“These ain’t men to cross, you stupid bastard,” Black growled. “Which is why I ’aven’t made my move yet. Got to ’ave evidence before I strike back. As to your allegiance, I gave you my Mavis. Made you part o’ my family. Ain’t your fealty already sworn to me?”
“Yes, o’ course. I just meant—”
“I know what you meant.” Steely warning threaded Black’s voice. “I ain’t making no decisions about Covent Garden until my enemies are vanquished. If you want a dukedom, then you’d best show yourself useful.”
“What do you want me to do?” Todd said sulkily.
“Give Ming your best men. ’E’s got a watch on the three bastards and could use extra sets o’ eyes and ears.” Black paused. “Whoe’er is behind this will feel the fire of my vengeance: ’e’ll pay for what ’e did to my guards this night. And to those under my protection at The Gilded Pearl.”
The truth plowed into Harry.Black had been protecting the bawdy house.The medallion found on the victim had been a symbol of his protection…just as Tessa had claimed.
“This enemy not fight with fire, Mr. Black,” Ming said somberly. “He usehellfire.”
“’Ellfire?” Todd let out a derisive laugh. “Your Chinaman’s got a screw loose.”
“Between you and Ming, one man knows what e’s talking about, and it ain’t you.” Disgust dripped from Black’s voice. “’Ellfire is what we’re calling this shite on my desk. Ming found the same bloody stuff at The Pearl.”
