“Does that satisfy your needs, sir?”
“I believe it does.”
“Excellent, excellent.” Stockton stepped aside with an unctuous bow and gestured for Wrexford to proceed into the inner sanctum. “Let us go into my private office, where we may discuss your needs with all due privacy.”
The earl took several steps and then turned, making sure to block the opening in the counter so the banker couldn’t slip past him. “Just a moment.” A wave to the window. “My partners in this transaction are joining me.”
Stockton wet his lips. “W-wouldn’t d-discretion be better served by a more intimate discussion . . .”
He fell silent as the bells jangled.
“Not at all,” said Wrexford. “I trust them wholeheartedly.”
The banker’s throat constricted in a sickly swallow as he eyed the untidy bulk of Griffin, flanked by Sheffield and Woodbridge, squeeze through the front door.
“Come.” The earl took Stockton’s arm. “Lead the way.”
The thud of their steps sounded unnaturally loud as they made their way through the dimly lit corridor. Wrexford could smell fear wafting off the banker as the man pushed open the door to his private lair.
“We needn’t take up much of your time, Stockton,” he said. “What we have in mind is actually a simple transaction. We simply need to close an account that we have with you.”
Stockton had scuttled behind his desk as soon as Wrexford had released his arm. He was now staring at the earl in confusion. “I fear there has been some m-mistake. You gentlemen have no—”
“Ah, did I neglect to mention the name of our enterprise?” interrupted the earl. “It’s Argentum Trading Company. Of which Lord Woodbridge is the sole proprietor.”
Woodbridge stepped forward and placed the official company documents on the desk, along with the account statement provided by Copley.
“B-but I’ve always dealt with someone else from Argentum,” stammered the banker. “He gave strict orders—”
“Never mind his orders,” snapped Sheffield. “He no longer works for the company.”
“B-but . . .”
“Be assured, you won’t be seeing the fellow again,” said Sheffield with a wolfish grin. “He’s dead.”
Wrexford gave Stockton a moment to digest the news. “As you see, the papers are all in perfect order. In fact, to ensure that all the legalities are followed to the letter, we’ve brought along our friend Mr. Griffin, the head Runner with the Bow Street magistrates.”
Griffin shifted his unbuttoned coat just enough to show a flash of his red vest and badge.
The flickering lamplight showed that Stockton’s face was now the same sickly shade of white as the underbelly of a dead codfish.
“Once this particular transaction goes smoothly, we’ll all be on our way.” The earl tapped the account statement. “We wish to withdraw these funds and receive a document, signed and witnessed by the present company, acknowledging that Argentum’s account is closed.”
“I-I haven’t anywhere near that amount of money here, milord. It will take—”
In one swift motion, Wrexford seized the banker by his soiled cravat and hauled him up from his chair. “On the contrary, you expected to turn the funds over tomorrow. So, you’ve conveniently converted all the various bills of exchange made out to Argentum that have been deposited here over the past three months into standard Bank of England letters of credit, which are negotiable anywhere.”
Stockton’s eyes were bulging.
“Yes, I know exactly how you do business with Argentum. Now, make your decision. Head to your safe now, and we’ll overlook your part in this scheme. Or head to Newgate Prison.”
A whimper as the earl released his hold, followed by a hurried scrabbling as Stockton unlocked his desk drawer and snatched up a ring of keys.
“And you will, of course, add the additional funds that have come in over this week from the daily arbitrage trades,” Wrexford called as the banker scurried from the room.
Woodbridge expelled a pent-up breath. “Thank you, Wrexford.”
“You’re welcome. But next time you’re tempted to make an investment, kindly consult your sister. She has a better head for business than you do.” He passed over a second packet of papers to Lady Cordelia’s brother. “I’ll leave the three of you to finish up here. Once you have the letters of credit, Woodbridge, go to the banks from whom you’ve borrowed and pay off your loans. Once you’re done, I imagine you’ll have a tidy sum left over for putting your estate back in order.”
