Fire reignited in Richard.
“I’ll start with Wick’s cronies,” he said. “They were with him at the tavern. They might know who came in contact with the cider.”
“You do that, and we’ll go explain things to Kent,” Blackwood said. “Get him on board.”
Richard was heading to the door. “Thank you, my friends. I need all the help I can get.”
~~~
After going through the public rooms and seeing no sign of Parnell or Goggs, Richard went to the rakehells’ bedchambers. He didn’t find Parnell but cornered Goggs in his room. Goggs looked flustered, his thin brown hair disheveled; from the heap of clothes and open valise on the bed, it appeared he was attempting to pack.
“Thought I’d get a start on things. Everyone’s leaving on the morrow now that…” Goggs’ pudgy cheeks reddened. “I’m, er, sorry about Wick. I can’t believe he would… that is, if there’s anything I can do…”
“Today at the fair, I saw you with Wick,” Richard said without preamble. “At the tavern.”
“Me and some of the fellows, yes. We were having a few rounds.” Goggs wetted his lips. “To pass the curst dull time, you know.”
“When Wick left to speak with Violet, he took a cup of cider with him. Do you recall?”
Goggs blinked. “I, um, think so.”
“Who came in contact with that cup?”
“In contact? Don’t follow, old boy.”
“Do you know who was in possession of that cup? At any time.”
The other’s forehead wrinkled. “Why does it matter?”
Richard was losing his patience. “Just answer the bloody question.”
After a second, Goggs said, “Well, Wick had it.”
Damn and blast. I’m getting nowhere—
“But I think it was Parnell who bought it. Yes, I remember now,” Goggs said slowly. “He thought Violet might be thirsty and suggested Wick bring it over to her.”
Parnell.Richard wouldn’t put drugging—or murder and theft—past the bastard.
“Where is Parnell now?” he demanded.
“He, er, decided to spend the night in the village.”
Seeing Goggs shift uncomfortably, Richard said, “Spit it out.”
“If you must know, he was in the mood for some bedsport. Said he fancied sampling the local fare.”
Bloody hell. Back to the village then.
As Richard turned to go, Goggs said, “By the by—I’m sorry about what, er, happened with Violet.” He studied his muddy boots. “She’s a good sort, would have liked to say my goodbyes before she was packed off to London.”
Richard jerked his chin in acknowledgement and hurried off.
Chapter Thirty-Six
It took Richard three hours to track down Parnell. After carousing all night at the fair, the bastard had apparently taken off with some local rakehells to a neighboring village. There, he continued his rabble-rousing at the public house before going home with one of his newfound friends and a barmaid with a salacious reputation.
Richard now approached the address he’d been given by the proprietor of the public house. Raising his fist, he banged on the door until a groaning voice emerged from inside.
