“Exactly.”
“Is there at least a starting point for us to find Miss Khatri?” Nathan asked.
“I have been told that she is an exceptionally beautiful young lady.”
“And this has bearing because?” Gabe asked.
“For some time, we have been monitoring the actions of a man called the Merchant. He is powerful, wealthy, and ruthless. He has killed many. Crew on his vessels have plundered and murdered to obtain cargo.”
“Which sounds like many out there on the seas,” Nathan drawled.
“But this man has risen above all. Even the most dangerous pirates are concerned about him. The English can’t seem to get near him, because they have no idea who he is,” Geraint continued.
“But what does this have to do with Miss Khatri?” Zach asked.
“There have been rumors swirling that the Merchant loves women of beauty, and will do whatever it takes to obtain those that he shows interest in. His men, of which there are many, will keep an eye out for women that may interest their employer.”
“And you think he or one of his men, may have seen this Miss Khatri and decided to take her?” Nathan asked.
“Yes.”
“Would he be that foolish to turn the king against him in such a way?” Gabe asked.
“It’s likely he may not know who she is, and even if she told him, he is arrogant enough to believe his power and wealth will ensure our monarch never finds him. From what I have learned of the man, he sees himself as someone who can never be caught.”
“So, we are to look for this Miss Khatri and return her to the king?” Zach said. “And that maybe she has been taken by this Merchant. It all sounds a bit murky.”
“There is more.” Geraint looked down at his hands before he answered. “We believe the Merchant is abducting young ladies and selling them as sex slaves to the wealthy. Rumor also reached us that he runs a brothel somewhere. Now that Miss Khatri has been abducted, the king wishes for you to investigate this.”
“But only now because of her?” Nathan sounded angry.
Geraint did not acknowledge or deny that claim, instead saying, “A member of Alexius had a conversation with a peer in a club four nights ago. The man was drunk and bragged about bedding a beautiful young Indian woman. He rode to a location, where someone met him. He was blindfolded and taken somewhere else. Apparently, the place he arrived at was a large house, and filled with, as he put it, whores enough to please any appetite.”
“Christ, just when I think I cannot be shocked or disgusted by my fellow man, I hear something like this,” Gabe growled.
Forrest felt rage at those who would prey on the vulnerable.
“Apparently men only have to state their wishes before they arrive, and their desires are met,” Geraint continued in a cold voice.
“And you believe Khatri’s daughter has been abducted and put into this house, or whatever other underhand deeds the Merchant is doing with these women?” Forrest asked.
“She has disappeared completely; we can find no other answer. With the king’s resources we should have found some clue as to where she has gone but haven’t.”
“No doubt he is also feeling humiliated that his friend’s daughter, who was under his care, has gone missing.”
Once again Geraint ignored Zach’s words.
“He wants them found and the Merchant stopped. We also believe either the Merchant himself or someone he works closely with is part of society. It is he who is luring the peers to this brothel.”
“And Alexius is now to find Miss Khatri, and the Merchant?” Gabe asked. “And shut down the brothel.”
“Yes. We cannot discount the fact that he is also preying on those arriving in the country. Immigrants,” Geraint said.
“But how would he know who was on board?” Nathan asked.
“That I do not know, but he is a powerful man with many contacts. You know what needs to be done. Good evening, gentlemen, and welcome to Alexius, Mr. Howarth.”
And that, Forrest realized, was that. They were dismissed.
