Where had his feet taken him every night this week?
Demmed Irish sayings!
CHAPTER 13
Two days later
The Dog’s Bone
“Hope he got the worst of it,” said Ben, studying Roger’s colorful and swollen eye. “Are you all right?”
“Fine. Ma kept it from puffin’ up too bad.” Lynch took a drink of his ale. “Good news and bad news. What do you want first?”
“Bad news,” said Ben and Clayton together.
“The second traitor is dead.”
Clayton cursed. “And?”
“The toady who Rowlands sent to follow the traitor is now being held at the Brown Bear. The honorable Mr. Ruthven will personally be watching over him once Harry is done with the interrogation.” Roger grinned, winced, then gingerly patted his aggrieved eye. “And this canary will sing.”
The Brown Bear was a tavern on Bow Street across from the main constabulary. The cellar of the public house contained cells for the temporary holding of criminals. George Ruthven, a third-generation—and the present—constable for the district, had his own table at the establishment.
Clayton sat back in his chair, staring at Roger. “Devilish good job. So tell us!”
Roger explained how he followed the “canary” to The Grapes near the Limehouse docks. When the bloke came out of the tavern, he was tailing another man. Then who appears behind them? Rowlands.
“Both the scallywags moved up quickly behind the traitor, grabbed an arm on each side, and forced him into an alley. I caught up just in time to see Rowlands point a gun at a man’s head and pull the trigger.” Roger moved his hands excitedly as he spoke. “Rowlands’s toady spotted me, holding me at bay while his boss escaped.”
“That how you got the black eye?” asked Ben.
Roger nodded. “The lickspittle popped out of the shadow and got the first blow. Just enough time for Rowlands to run. I got the second punch, and it was over.”
Roger was known for his fighting skills, especially his right hook.
“You’re sure it was Rowlands?” asked Clayton.
“Without a doubt. His scar is very helpful,” said Roger, drawing a finger down the side of his face. “You’d think he’d be more careful. He’s as identifiable as Gus with his gigantism.”
Gus wasn’t afflicted with any disease. He was naturally large like Paddy, but Ben had to laugh. He would be putting a case together for Marshall. Not that the man being held could lead them to The Vicar, but the more knowledge they had, the closer they got. It was like a long chess game, putting each piece in the correct place.
“I’m curious to see what Rowlands has to say when we meet tonight. I’ve managed to stay with the counterfeiting duty rather than roughing up customers who aren’t paying their share for protection.” Clayton finished his ale and slammed down the bumper. “I’m happy not to be a party to that, but I’m also not seeing as much when I’m tucked away producing fake coins.”
Ben could hear the agitation in his best friend’s voice but was relieved Clayton wouldn’t have to witness innocents being hurt. The Peelers had decided against shutting down any more individual counterfeit operations since the outfits opened somewhere else within a few weeks. Rather than waste time finding the new location, Paddy hoped the remaining few would lead them to The Vicar.
“Do you think the Feltons are safe now?” he asked Clayton.
“Let’s see what Harry finds out. If Rowlands is trying to locate any witnesses—Lynch, here, excluded—we’ll know soon enough.”
“If they are still in danger, do you think The Vicar knows of Kitty?” This was his worst fear.
Clayton shook his head. “Rowlands wouldn’t want him to know of loose ends until they’re all tied in a tidy knot.”
Next day
Chancery Lane
Ben walked from his office to Holborn, searching the heavy traffic for a hackney. He gave the direction to Millard’s East India House at 16 Cheapside. Genie had told him it was the ideal place to purchase a few special supplies for Kitty. Items she would use for herself or someone special.
