Daggett did as he was told.
“You’ve a great deal of explaining to do,” added the earl, after kicking it deeper into the niche.
“Actually, I’d rather not.” A pause. “You’re a damn nuisance, Lord Wrexford.”
“I’m more than a nuisance,” he shot back. “I’m the fellow who’s going to make sure you don’t elude justice for your dastardly crimes. However, depending on how forthcoming you are about your plans and your accomplices, I may be able to help you avoid the hangman’s noose.”
“I assume you spotted me at DeVere’s conservatory.” Daggett heaved a martyred sigh. “That was terribly clumsy of me.”
The American’s mordant sangfroid made Wrexford bristle. “Ruthlessly killing two men in cold blood is no laughing matter. However unsavory they were, they didn’t deserve to die in such a brutal way.”
“I didn’t kill them,” said Daggett flatly.
“Oh, come now. I told you that I’m in no mood for games. If you didn’t do it, who did? The Man in the Moon?”
“As a matter of fact, Idoknow the killer’s identity.” Daggett paused, as if considering his options.
Tiring of the American’s infuriating drawl, Wrexford gave him another hard shake. “If you’re contemplating what bargain you might strike . . .” He slowly centered the cold steel snout of his pistol on the captain’s forehead. “Keep in mind that I don’t give a rat’s arse whether you live or die. If I were you, I wouldn’t waste any more time with such ploys, but would simply throw yourself on my mercy.”
Two can play at theatrics.He cocked the hammer. “I’m a reasonable fellow, unless I’m goaded into a temper.”
To his credit, Daggett didn’t flinch. “You’re putting me in a damnably difficult position, milord. On one hand, time is of the essence. On the other, I’m sworn to secrecy.”
A low growl rumbled in Wrexford’s throat.
“Before you twitch your trigger finger, might I show you several documents?”
A ruse?
“They are in an inner breast pocket of my coat,” said Daggett. “You’ll have no trouble finding them.”
“Put your hands on your head,” ordered the earl. “One false move and your brains will be spattered over the already-filthy wall.”
“Do hurry, milord,” replied the captain. “We’re wasting precious seconds.”
Wrexford quickly fished out a packet bound in a thick red ribbon and then indicated that Daggett could lower his hands. “Open it,” he said, thrusting it at his prisoner. “Slowly.”
Paper crackled—though in truth the sound was the more refined whisper of official parchment—as Daggett unfolded the top sheet, revealing several ornate wax seals.
The American held it up for Wrexford to read.
Hell’s teeth.The earl frowned as he studied the signature. “If this is a ruse, you bloody well don’t do things by half measures.”
“It’s no ruse. As you see, it’s signed by Viscount Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty,” said Daggett. He unfolded the second document. “This one is from the Foreign Office, and corroborates that I’m here on an official, but secret, joint mission undertaken by both our governments.”
Wrexford took a moment to read it.
“And if I don’t move quickly, milord . . .”
He hesitated. They both appeared genuine—he had seen enough official documents during his military service on Wellesley’s staff to be familiar with them. Still, the American was no doubt cunning . . .
“I would like to believe you, but unless you can give me more details, I’ll have to insist that we go to the Admiralty together and have one of Melville’s secretaries confirm your story.”
“We don’t have time for that,” growled Daggett. He expelled a harried oath. “The Foreign Office said you would be too distracted by your upcoming nuptials to get involved in a murder mystery. Think of your soon-to-be bride—and leave this sordid case to our two governments.”
“My soon-to-be bride has an even more finely honed sense of justice than I do. She wouldn’t thank me for dropping the case.”
“I suppose she follows that rabble-rousing fellow Quill, who seems so popular in Town, and allows his commentaries to stir her conscience,” muttered the American. He swore again. “The Foreign Office seems to think you’re trustworthy, so I’ll explain why I’m here—but only if you’ll promise to keep it in strict confidence.”
