“Tr-treason?”
Seeing the blood drain from the woman’s face, Gabriel surmised her surprise was genuine.
“Didn’t Davenport tell you?” he said in lethal tones. “He’s a spy. He’s been selling British secrets for years. He’s been using his position in Parliament to facilitate his trade in treason.”
“I know nothing about that,” Fontaine gasped.
“Do you think anyone will believe you? You impersonated a governess and tried to abduct an innocent boy. You plotted to assassinate me in my carriage,” Gabriel said ruthlessly.
Her chest rose and fell in panicked waves. “I swear I know nothing about an assassination.”
“No one’s going to believe you. You’re going to swing for your crimes—unless you help us now. Unless we plead leniency for you.”
He saw reality sink into Fontaine, the fight leaving her.
Her shoulders sagging, she said in a low voice, “Davenport, he trusts no one. He never told me the plans, where we were going, only to be ready when he came for me.”
“That’s not enough to save you from the noose.” There was no time for her blasted dithering; Thea and Freddy’s lives were at stake. “If you have nothing better, you can rot in Newgate until you hang,” he snapped.
“No. Wait.” Fontaine licked her lips, her gaze darting around the room. “Perhaps… perhaps I do know something.”
Gabriel waited, his heart beating furiously.
“Davenport sent word to me to wait for him in that cottage in Camden Town. He told me to prepare for a journey by water. He was supposed to send for me at half-past eleven tonight.”
“Where is he taking you?” Gabriel demanded.
“I don’t know. I swear that is the truth.” Fontaine’s hands clasped in her lap. “All he said was to pack lightly and take only what I needed as there were to be several legs to the journey.”
Finally, a lead. Gabriel exchanged swift glances with the other men and saw his own hypothesis reflected in their pensive expressions. Fire lit in his belly.I’m coming, princess. Tell Freddy not to be scared. Wait for me.
He gestured to one of Kent’s men. “Take the prisoner out of here. Keep her secure.”
“You’ll keep your word about clemency?” Fontaine said.
“If Miss Kent and my boy are returned safely,” he clipped out.
When the door closed behind her, Kent said, “He’s going to use the Regent’s Canal.”
Gabriel’s thoughts exactly. Davenport had chosen Camden Town for its location by the canal. From the lock, he could take a barge to reach the Thames and, from there, get out to sea. If he got that far… there would be no finding him. Gabriel’s gut clenched. He had to get to Thea and Freddy before they were put on a damn boat.
“My guess is that he’s got Freddy and Thea tucked away somewhere in Camden Town. Not far from Fontaine’s cottage,” Gabriel said tersely. “Sneaky bastard took the precaution to keep them and Fontaine separated in case the latter was found.”
“Do you think he knows we have her?” Strathaven said.
“He’s not supposed to come for her until half-past eleven. We have four hours yet, so he might not know. But there’s no time to lose.” Gabriel parsed out the strategy. “We’ll need three teams in Camden Town. One to monitor the cottage, one to comb the area for Thea and Freddy, and one to set up watch by the lock.”
“My men and I will take the cottage,” McLeod said.
“I’ll send word to my old colleagues at the Thames River Police,” Kent said. “They can help keep an eye on the lock and the barges along the canal for any sign of Thea and Frederick.”
“I’ll search the town,” Gabriel said.
“I’ll come with you,” Strathaven offered.
“And I as well,” Marius said.
Gabriel gave a curt nod, his hands curling. He was going to get Thea and Freddy back safely. After that, he’d deal with the Spectre—and deliver the justice the blighter deserved.
