Chapter Sixteen
Ridge sat in anofficeacross from an empty deskand tapped an impatientfinger on his thigh.Logan wasseatedbeside him and shot Ridge a sideways glance, followed by a scoff, which Ridge promptly ignored. His fellow agent might not be as eager as he was to return to the cutter and check on Isabella’s welfare, but Ridge was anxious to get this meeting over with so he could grab Pierce Rutherford and get back to the ship.
There weren’t too many times when Ridge gained a sixth sense that something was extremely off, but when he did, they generally didn’t steer him wrong. Ever since they’d been escorted here to wait for the man in charge of negotiations to arrive, the fine hairs on the back of his neck had been standing on end in warning.
Unfortunately,evenwith the concealed knife in his boot that the guards had failed todiscoverupon their arrival, he was sadly outgunned, a fact he was highly uncomfortable with, for he’d always been prepared when it came to fighting. Then again, when it came to talking their way out of a situation,that was Logan’s territory. Ridge preferred to take care of things with brawn and muscle.
Herotated his neck to remove the kinks, grateful for the few cracks that followed. “You really need to calm down,” Logan murmured. “You’re starting to annoy me.”
Ridge snorted. “That would be a shame now, wouldn’t it? I should very much hate it if I were to put you out. It might ruin my whole day.”
Logan didn’t have time to retort as the door was opened and a man who was impeccably dressed in a blue and white uniform and wearing a rather impressive tall, black hat, entered the room.
“I’m sorry to keep you gentleman waiting,” he said inFrench-accentedEnglish. “My name isCapitaine Francois Caron, formally of His Imperial Majesty’s Guard.”
Ridge hoped that wasn’t supposed to impress him.
As the man took a seat behind the desk, he removed his hat and sat down. “I understand you gentlemen are here to exchange coin for the release of a prisoner by the name of Pierce Rutherford.”
“That is correct,” Ridge replied.
The Frenchman turned to look at him, a slight smile about his mouth. “Your reputation precedes you, One-Eye. You are the captain of the British cutter,Malice, yes?”
“For the moment.”
Capitaine Caron eyed him carefully. “The French could use someone of your rumored skill, One-Eye. You should consider switching sides in this war.”
Ridge smiled tightly. “I go where the profit is, and right now it’s not on theContinent.”
“That is an error that will soon be remedied.” The captain adjusted the cuffs of his jacket. “But let’s get down to business. My time here is very valuable.”
With that, Logan withdrew the purse from inside his jacket, and tossed it on the desk. “One hundred and fifty gold coins in exchange for the prisoner.”
The captain didn’t even reach for the pouch. He merely threaded his hands together. “This man is worth so much to your government, no?”
“He ismore than an asset to theCrown,” Logan returned smoothly. “We have reason to believe that he’s been playing both sides of the coin.”
Of course, that was completely false, but it was the most compelling argument that Lord Liverpool had decided they should go with. It certainly wouldn’t do to let the French Army know that Rutherford wasparticularly valuable, as well asresponsible for thebringing aboutnegotiations forthe Sixth Coalition, which saw Prussia, Sweden, Austria, and Germany re-enter the war, causing Napoleon to work on building up his forces for defense.
“Ah, I see.” The captain appeared to consider their request, but in the end, he took the pouch of coins and tucked it away in his jacket. “I fear, gentlemen, that your request shall be denied. Rutherford has become rather useful in easing strife among the British soldiers that have been captured on the battlefield. He will have to remain.”
As he rose to his feet, he settled his hat back on his head and prepared to depart. Ridge stood up as well. “What of the coin?”
Capitaine Caron patted his jacket. “It will be well taken care of.” He grinned. “Consider it safe passage back to your ship.”
As he exited, Logan bent over to Ridge and murmured, “I suppose it’s time for Plan B.”
“Indeed.” Ridge ground his teeth as two soldiers returned to escort them away. He sized up his opponents and said. “I think the one on the left looks to be your size.”
With that, Ridge withdrew the knife in his boot and held it up to the soldier’s neck before he had a chance to bat an eyelash. Logandidn’t hesitate to dothe same to the other man. “Now, listen very carefully,” Ridgesaid quietly,deadly.“Your commanding officer might not have given us what we came after, but youare.” He glanced down between them. “Strip.”
The man’s eyes bulged, but when he started to utter a string of curses rather than do what he was told, Ridge cuffed him on the side of the head. He fell to the ground in an unconscious heap.Theother manopened his mouth,butbefore any sound emerged, hemet the same fate as his comrade.
Ridge looked over at Logan. “Can’tanyonejust do as they’re told?”
Logan shook his head as he bent down and began removing the man’s boots. “You should know by now that we always have to do things the hard way.”
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