Seabrook’s face was red, and he retreated another step. “The devil I did any of this. You have no evidence. None.”
“I know,” I said.
Thompson wore a grin of delight, an expression I’d never seen on him before. “Never mind that. I’ll be happy to spend time talking with you, Seabrook. We can discover much about the deeds you’ve done before I hand you over to the magistrates. Why don’t you come with me now, and we’ll have a chat?”
Seabrook tried to run, but he was hemmed into the room behind his wall of papers, and we were between him and the door. He moved to the window in a flash, but the sash was stiff, and Brewster was on him before he could budge it.
Mr. Thompson grabbed my hand and pumped it up and down, happier than I’d seen him in a long while. He let Brewster help him take Seabrook out, the man protesting his innocence all the way.
THE CLERK BRISTOW’S true shock when Brewster and Thompson dragged Seabrook away told me he was innocent of his superior’s machinations. The other clerks gained great entertainment watching Brewster strong-arm their overseer down the stairs.
“He is not going quietly,” Grenville remarked. “The other agents involved will be forewarned, and attempt to flee.”
“True,” I said. “But I imagine Seabrook will give up his accomplices to Thompson, and I trust Pomeroy to resolutely track them down. Catching a gun smuggler will be a large feather in Thompson’s cap, and I’m certain the reward for the many convictions will be enough to satisfy even Pomeroy.”
I led the way down the stairs, through the interested throng in the crowded room, and out to the damp, chill air.
“Why the devil did you believe it was him and not Kingston the boys saw?” Eden asked once we’d emerged. The two lads, excited by the encounter, began to run about the wide space before the Custom House, causing men and women to shout curses at them. “I had concluded it was the irritating Kingston murdering these gentlemen, if it wasn’t Fitzgerald.”
“I believed it was Kingston as well,” I admitted. “Until I reasoned out the easiest method for transferring the weapons. The customs clerks took them from the ships and hid them, and either sent the weapons on to the Continent or received the payment from the buyers, or both. Ordinary customs agents would be hard-pressed to run this scheme without being caught, but if a supervisor were in on it, things would run much easier. Kingston is quite tall and thin, but so is Seabrook. Much more probable that a customs official who was always near the wharves ran a weapons-smuggling operation than a missionary from Lambeth, who’d be instantly noticed as out of place. Seabrook knew where Warrilow and Laybourne were housed, as his men had questioned both of them before they left the ship, just as they’d questioned Eden. And then I told Seabrook my suspicions of Laybourne smuggling weapons.” I sighed. “Which I suspect is the main reason Laybourne was killed. Seabrook knew that if Laybourne went up before a magistrate, he’d confess all,” I finished glumly.
I’d blithely told Seabrook that Laybourne was a threat to him, believing myself to be helpful.
“Well, at least you saved me from the noose.” Eden settled his tall hat. “Now, shall we return these lads to their homes?”
I let out a whistle that I’d used to signal my troops across the battlefield—the boys ceased their games and came running. This time, I let them sit up top with Jackson as we trundled our way to Wellclose Square.
“I suspected you were doing a good deed, Eden,” I said as we rolled along. “I simply didn’t know what good deed.” I sent him a look of exasperation. “Why didn’t you tell me what you were up to?”
“Because I’d promised the boy’s mother,” Eden said simply. “She was terrified that her only child would be snatched up and either sent back to Warrilow’s plantation, or far worse. So I gave her my word I’d tell no one until I was absolutely certain Robbie was safe. You must also realize that Mrs. Davies and Robbie had motive for murdering Warrilow—what if Warrilow had discovered where Robbie was? Living just around the corner from him? Juliet is a strong young woman. She could easily have hefted a pitcher at the back of Warrilow’s head. I did not want you and Pomeroy rushing in and arresting the poor lady, Lacey. She’s had a hard enough life without landing in Newgate on a charge of murder.”
“I see.” I stretched my knee, which was beginning to cramp. “You and your damned honor. I begin to understand why others find mine a nuisance. You could have trusted me completely, but I suppose you could not know that.”
“I soon realized you were a stickler for justice,” Eden countered. “You always have been, Lacey. But if you believed that Juliet, or even Robbie, who’s a wiry lad, had killed Warrilow, you’d have had them in the dock.”
“Perhaps,” I conceded. “But I am just as pleased they had nothing to do with it.”
“Juliet?” Grenville asked, his lips twitching.
Eden’s color rose. “Mrs. Davies’s Christian name. Lovely isn’t it?”
“So is the lady,” Grenville said.
“A lady who gazes at you with great admiration,” I put in. “You have given her back her son, on top of freeing her from a life of servitude.”
“Is there a Mr. Davies?” Grenville asked.
“No,” Eden answered quickly. “I confess, I am not certain who fathered young Robbie.”
“Warrilow?” I asked gently. “That would explain why he was so adamant about not selling the lad to you.”
Eden shook his head. “I do not think so. I believe she would have told me that, and Robbie does not have the look of him, thank heavens. No, I suspect she loved his father and that he is dead or out of her reach. As you point out, Lacey, Juliet’s life was not her own. I won’t hold that against the poor woman.”
“I am certain you will not.” Grenville let his smile come. “Mixed marriages are not uncommon these days, you know. I followed my heart, and it has brought me great happiness thus far.”
Eden’s brow furrowed, and he gazed from Grenville to me in bewilderment. Then he let out a hearty laugh.
“Good Lord, gentlemen. You believe me smitten? I am fond of Mrs. Davies, it is true, and young Robbie, but marriage?” He laughed again, the sound deep and loud. “I have told you many times, Lacey, I am an avowed bachelor.”
To the rumble of his laughter, we rounded the corner into Wellclose Square and to Robbie’s and his mother’s home.
WE SPENT another pleasant hour with the lovely Mrs. Davies in her parlor, explaining to her what had happened. She applauded in delight when we described the villain being taken away.
“You should have no more worries, dear lady,” Grenville assured her.
I would not be as sanguine until all parties were locked away. I would ask Sir Montague to either send patrollers to guard her house or contact his cronies in the Tower to do the same.
Eden decided to remain behind with Mrs. Davies when we departed. We pried Harry from the rear yard where he was teaching Robbie the boxing moves Brewster had showed him and returned him to his grandmother. Mrs. Beadle was surprised to learn the identity of the killer, but relieved he’d been arrested.