He nodded. “I didn’t get a clear look at the men, as I had to leave before I was seen. But I’ve been hearing rumors about the Merchant being connected to this.”
“You know who the Merchant is?” Gabe asked.
“Know of him, but not his identity. Right bastard. Treats those that work for him like scum. Imports things, and is involved in the opium trade. I know he’s also stealing those women for nefarious purposes.”
“And it matters not which vessel they arrive on; he’s just taking them?” Forrest asked.
“Flick told me he’d heard someone approaches the ships when they dock, and they ask if there’s any suitable women on board for the Merchant’s purposes. Money is exchanged if there is, and the women are taken to a warehouse, then moved on to where he wants them to go.”
Forrest felt his stomach clench.
“We must find this Merchant, Nix,” Gabe said.
“Lefty told me even them high up are concerned about him.”
“They are. Extremely worried.” Gabe pulled out some notes and handed them to Nix. “That should cover new shoes.”
“Mighty grateful I am, Lord Raine.”
“Just one more thing, Nix. We need a location for anything to do with a brothel, and anywhere we can track this man, the Merchant down. Anything at all, no matter how small. We have to find these missing women. It’s vital we get something soon. Tell anyone who will listen, we’ll pay large for information.”
Frustration flashed across the face before them.
“That’s just it, my lord, we can’t get anything on him, only the knowledge of what he’s doing.”
“And we’re grateful. But anything that will point us toward him will help.”
Nix nodded to Forrest and Gabe, then walked away.
“I am clearly a judgmental man if the thought of his children playing piano and violin was surprising.”
Gabe laughed. “He is a man of many hats, our Nix.”
“I know there are many who suffer, but to arrive in a strange country and then be kidnapped and put to work as a sex slave. Gabe.”
“It’s horrific, as are the opium dens.”
“Are there many here in London?”
“Not many, no, as I understand it, but of course the British in India sell most of the opium to China, in exchange for goods there to bring back. Clearly the Merchant wants a piece of that. I have seen men who are addicted to opium. It is not something I wish to see again,” Gabe said.
“Yes, I too know what it can do.”
“Did you see it in India?”
“I did, yes.”
“Someone you know?” Gabe asked him.
“My wife.”
Gabe stopped and faced him. “You never speak of her.”
Forrest wished he hadn’t now.
“What happened?”
“It is not something I like to speak of.”
