Page 56 of Duke of Chaos

From within it he drew out some loose papers and passed them to Ezra.

“Notice anything in common about them?” Duncan asked as Ezra scanned the pages.

They were letters; twelve of them, and Ezra immediately noticed they were all written word for word by the same hand, including the date and signature at the bottom. The only difference in each letter was to the addressees: their fathers.

“Whittler?” Ezra asked, reading the name signed at the bottom. “That sounds familiar, but I do not recall a Lord Whittler.”

“That is because there isn’t one,” Duncan replied, “I already checked. I do not believe it is a true name, however, but a moniker.”

“Like a reference,” Ezra muttered. “Though what villainous measure can be performed by a man who is fond of whittling is beyond me.”

“Why this person calls themselves what they do is not important,” Ambrose interjected. “Each of these letters is an invitation to our fathers, and did you see the locations? These were not meetings in offices or homes, but in back alleyways and on wharves.”

He paused as a familiar address appeared in one of the copies of the letters and doubled back to read it correctly.

“This is an invitation to meet at the wharf on the day of the fire,” Ezra said aloud. “If George had these, that means he was able to get into our fathers’ offices and retrieve them before the investigators arrived.”

Duncan nodded.

“That is what I also thought, which is why I decided to take a page from his playbook and break into his offices. Trouble is, he is a terribly disorganized man,” Duncan said with annoyance, “has his information and documentation sprinkled throughout his houses. My men are bringing me new information daily, and we are hoping we can find a clue as to where he may be hiding since he has not turned up at any of his properties.”

Ezra nodded and looked back down at the papers, studying them closely. He needed to get back to Frampton and delve into his father’s old papers. George’s signature was on many, and he wanted to see if it compared to Whittler’s. If it did, that would be all the proof they would need to seek justice against him.

“I have an idea,” he stated, rising to his feet. “But I need to get back to Frampton before I can be sure it has any legs. I’ll leave word for my men to come and report here to you three while I’m gone. Let me know if George is found.”

“Take Colter with you,” Ambrose said, running to catch up to him.

Ezra stopped, eyeing up the mountain of a man that always guarded Ambrose’s door.

“You will need him. For a moment I thought it was only me he was after, but I was wrong. We all need to be on guard.”

“They may be coming for all of us,” Ambrose replied, “But you were obviously the first target, and they won’t move onto us until they take care of you. Colter, go with him.”

“If you wish to send your giant anywhere, send him to watch over your sister, wife, and young son. This is a dangerous time for all of us, whether I am the intended first target or not.”

Ambrose looked at him challengingly for a moment; an older brother grappling with admitting his younger brother’s wisdom. Then he turned his head toward Colter and nodded. Ezra watched as the massive man returned the nod and disappeared down the hall.

“Duncan, you may want to…”

“Excuse me,” Duncan said, cutting Ezra off as he hurried between him and Ambrose to catch up to Colter. They all knew where he was going.

“Morgan?” Ezra asked and looked back to see his friend rising from his seat.

“I have no lovely wife or child to protect,” Morgan said with feigned remorse as he strolled toward his friends with his hands in his pockets, “But I suppose I do rather like my life, andtherefore I do not wish to forfeit it just yet. I shall speak with my guard and ensure my home and staff are safe.”

“Ezra, where is Lydia?” Ambrose asked as the two were left alone.

“Hopefully in Frampton by now,” he replied, already regretting the decision of sending her ahead. Had he known he would be returning home so soon he would have instructed her to wait for him.

“It is late. If you leave now you’ll be traveling in total darkness. It puts you at risk of an attack, especially if you are insisting on going alone. Stay here and return to Frampton tomorrow in the light, at least,” Ambrose insisted.

“I appreciate your concern, old friend,” Ezra found himself saying, much to his surprise, “but I will be fine.” With a smirk, he shook Ambrose’s hand and added, “In case you forgot, the dark is where I do my best work.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Lydia tossed in her bed restlessly, caught somewhere between the hazy line of exhaustion and insomnia. There had been so much to think about today. Ezra’s mother: the assailant who wanted Ezra dead, and of course, Ezra himself.

Thoughts of their lovemaking in the park had kept her body warm and tingling with excitement during the carriage ride back to Frampton. She should be ashamed, she thought, of losing her maidenhood in a public place. And yet every time she reached for regret or penance, she found herself smiling and reaching for her neck instead.

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