Dorian pinched his brow and muttered a curse.“There’s no denying that men sat up straighter whenever George Croft entered a room.He conveyed power and an underlying hint of aggression.His fortune was substantial.Have you tried following the money?”
Kendrick nodded.“There’s a country estate – Deerhaven Manor – a good three hours’ ride from the City.It’s on the shore, near Worthing.Apparently most of the Croft earnings come from fishing and the barley Deerhaven grows in its fields.”
“Sounds reasonable.”Dorian drank some more coffee.“Have you considered the possibility that there may be nothing to find?”
“I don’t believe that.They’d need a fleet of boats, not the three I’ve got on record, and a hell of a lot more land for fishing and grain to support their lavish lifestyles.Besides which there’s also the schools they’ve sponsored and the almshouses they’ve opened.”
“You do truly make them sound perfectly horrid.”
“My point is, their fortune comes from somewhere other than where they claim or it wouldn’t be large enough to cover these huge expenses.”
Dorian knew Kendrick was likely correct, yet he was compelled to make another suggestion.“Secret investments, perhaps?”
“Maybe, but there’s something else going on as well.I’d stake my career on it, Harlowe.Grown men don’t look like they’re ready to piss themselves at the mention of somebody’s name, unless they have cause to fear that person.”Kendrick’s eyebrows dipped.“Last time I mentioned Croft to a smuggler we’d apprehended, he said the smuggling was nothing compared with the killing he’d done.That’s how terrified he was – he was willing to hang for a murder I doubt he committed, just so Croft wouldn’t come after him for thinking he’d spilled information to Bow Street.”
“And did he?”Curiosity hung in the hair.“Hang, that is?”
“No.I released him, hoping he’d lead to more information.Three days later, some dockworkers fished him out of the Thames.”
“In other words, it looks like you’re on to something.”
“Truth is, the chief magistrate needs a win and so do I.”
“You probably shouldn’t go around mentioning that.Doesn’t instill much faith.”He chuckled when Kendrick blanched.“If what you suspect about Croft is true, Samantha will find out.But she can’t do so in the space of one week.She’ll need time – lots of time – so the acquaintance she builds with Croft appears natural.”
Kendrick leaned in.“How much time are you thinking, exactly?”
“A month or two at least.”
The other man sat so utterly still, it was clear he’d hoped for a much shorter time-frame.He finally nodded.“Very well, but I want regular updates on her progress.”
Dorian agreed to the terms and saw Kendrick out before returning to the terrace.Resuming his seat, he allowed himself a peaceful moment to mull over their meeting while finishing off the last of his coffee.
He had every faith in Samantha’s ability to see this mission through even though he feared the impact Adrian Croft might have upon her.
6
Abothersome ache gnawed at Samantha’s left inner thigh.Despite being in excellent shape and preparing herself for today’s challenge, she’d still managed to put too much strain on her body.
Lounging in one of the armchairs that stood in Harlowe’s study, she stretched out her legs and crossed them at the ankles.Still dressed in the breeches and shirt she’d worn while exercising, she sipped her hot tea while waiting for Harlowe to broach his reason for summoning her.
“Chief Constable Kendrick came to see me today.”The words were bluntly spoken, the lack of emotion adding weight to the statement.“The chief magistrate wants your assistance in taking down Mr.Adrian Croft.Are you familiar with the man?”
Samantha tapped her nails against the side of her cup.“If memory serves, I read his father’s obituary in the paper last September.Beyond that, I know nothing about him.”
Dorian nodded.“Rumor has it the family’s been involved in a number of illegal dealings for several generations.Providing aid to criminals and foreign agents, smuggling, counterfeiting, forced prostitution… You get the idea.Unfortunately, no real evidence of this exists, and until it does, we’ve got nothing to go on but unverified rumors and suppositions, which is hardly enough to convict a man of his station.”
Samantha could sense where this was going.“You want me to infiltrate his life and find the proof that will get him arrested?”
“Precisely.”Approval turned Harlowe’s grey eyes a shimmering shade of silver.“We need you to gain access to Croft’s inner circle.Find out exactly where his family’s wealth has come from and what sort of dealings Croft himself has been involved in.Documents will be required if we’re to build a solid case that can’t be refuted in court.”
“That’s quite the challenge,” Samantha murmured, eyeing Harlowe.“Getting close enough and gaining the kind of trust such a task will require is going to take time.Especially since I was never meant for English Society.He’ll be bound to question my past, my connection to you, and my reason for suddenly showing up at all the events I’ll have to attend for our paths to cross.”
“We’ll create a reasonable story – one that’s close to the truth.”
It wouldn’t be easy, but she was happy to take on the task.Her pulse already raced with the thrill of testing her abilities in the real world.
Focusing, she narrowed her gaze and told Harlowe, “For starters, I’d like to assemble a dossier on him.If I’m to come up with a workable plan that will lead to success, I’ll need every piece of information you have at your disposal.”
