“Helsford’s informant made mention of a conversation between two gentlemen yesterday in St. Giles.” Danforth poured them both a drink before lowering himself into a chair. “Although both wore disguises, they could not completely ‘shuck off the stench of quality,’ or so his informant said.”
“The rookeries are bulging at the seams, but they’re still a close-knit community and would be wary of strangers.” Sebastian pressed a hand against his throbbing thigh. “I take it the meeting had some significance to our present situation.”
“The informant believes Lord Latymer was one of the gentlemen,” Danforth said. “He had the same unusual height, lean build, and straight black hair as the under-superintendent.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened at the mention of his former friend and superior at the Alien Office. Latymer had plotted with the French to kill him in order to cripple the Nexus in a desperate attempt to protect Napoleon. He still did not understand why Latymer would turn his back on his countrymen and on such a promising career within the Foreign Office.
“Do we have his location?”
“No,” Danforth said. “He put his training to good use and lost his tail within ten minutes.”
“And the other gentleman?”
“Identity unknown. We have only a description—English, blond, and a peculiar tendency toward violence. If not for Helsford’s informant, the barmaid he took a liking to would no doubt be dead now, or wishing for death.”
Sebastian gritted his teeth, sending an arrow of pain through his skull. Men who preyed upon those weaker than they sank below the level of vermin in his estimation. They were nothing more than scavengers, afraid of their own shadow, though always trying to convince the world they were gods.
“Did the informant hear anything of note?”
The viscount’s gaze slid toward the door, his look pensive. When he turned back, he asked, “What do you know of your pretty neighbor?”
Dread slammed into Sebastian’s chest. “Little, besides the fact that she was Ashcroft’s wife and has a six-year-old daughter.” And she frees my soul with a single touch of her lips.
“The men spoke in low tones, so the informant was unable to glean the entire conversation,” Danforth said. “However, the gentlemen spoke of ‘the widow’ several times and there appeared to be a sense of urgency in their conversation.”
“Do you know how many widows there are in England?” Sebastian couldn’t keep the derision from his tone. The pressure inside his skull increased with each passing second, making it hard for him to concentrate and even harder to curb his impatience.
“Quite a few, I imagine,” Danforth said, unperturbed. “But not so many associated with you.”
“My name was mentioned?”
Danforth nodded, cocking his head to the side. “This is the second time Helsford’s informant has come to your rescue. Anything I should know?”
At a critical moment during their last mission, Sebastian had received an anonymous note of caution. If he hadn’t received the warning at the precise moment he had, Sebastian would have made a terrible mistake.
“Your question is better put to Helsford,” Sebastian said. “I have no notion as to who the informant is or why the individual would want to help me.” He considered his next words carefully. “But I am starting to question Superintendent Reeves’s sudden interest in our agents and his decision to banish me to the country.”
“You think Reeves is in league with Latymer?”
Sebastian shrugged. “Coincidences do occur, but I can’t ignore the logic linking the two men together.”
“Might explain some of what Helsford deciphered from Ashcroft’s letters.”
“How so?”
“Ashcroft spoke of his suspicions about a double spy in the superintendent’s office,” Danforth said. “In the last letter of the second packet you delivered, Ashcroft believed he had isolated the traitor and that the man was a liaison to Latymer.”
“Did he provide a name?”
“Not in the letters we have.”
Sebastian eyed the viscount. “You think there are more?”
“Possibly,” Danforth said. “Or the traitors learned what Ashcroft was up to and killed him before he had the chance to identify the double spy in a final letter.”
“Or a combination of both.”
“There is that.” Danforth angled his neck one way then the other. “Who else at the Foreign Office knew of Reeves’s request?”
“No one, as far as I know. Reeves gave me his word that he would be the only other official to see the list of operatives.”
“Damn me.” Danforth bolted back a drink.
“Indeed,” Sebastian said, rubbing his temple. “Find Latymer and expand your investigation to include Reeves. Be careful, Danforth. Reeves is a spy among spies, dangerous and cunning.”
“Yes, sir.” The viscount flicked something off his