Page 115 of The Moonstone Pirate
“I suppose not. Then you suggested my caves as a replacement? Bloody arse, you might have mentioned it to me, or asked me first.”
“You would have refused if I were the one to approach you. Yes, I raised the possibility with Eldridge, but also leaked word in the hope that Crown agents would learn of it and enlist you. You are quite predictable in your loyalty to the Crown.”
Draco nodded. “Aye, you’re probably right. Very well, I’ll get you out. You ought to forget gunrunning altogether. It isn’thealthy for you. Blast, we have company.” He glanced at two men who had just walked into the tavern and intended to take a table close to them, giving each a murderous look.
The pair caught his expression and immediately turned around to shoulder their way through the crowd that had now gathered at the bar.
Satisfied they would not be disturbed, Draco turned back to his companion. “What more do you know about Eldridge’s scheme? Where has he been storing his arsenal? Who else is involved?”
McTavish hesitated, then shook his head and sighed. “Will you let me reach into the breast pocket of my jacket? I’m going to withdraw a piece of paper. That’s all it is. Just paper. You will find it useful.”
Draco arched an eyebrow. “You were prepared for this day to come.”
McTavish nodded. “I knew Eldridge’s plans would be discovered the moment you agreed to receive the smuggled guns. I know you better than you think, Draco. You are a loyal fellow and never would have agreed to a rebel scheme unless urged to do so by Crown agents. It all went just as I hoped. However, your knowing Eldridge’s involvement surprised me. How long have you been suspicious of him?”
“A while,” Draco lied.
McTavish shrugged. “Perhaps you and I will deal in silks and laces, or perfumes and wine, at a later date. What are your thoughts on gold or diamonds? Tea? Vanilla beans? Salt? Spices? Never mind. You are frowning and taking this all too seriously. We’ll talk again soon. I’ve written out a full list of names and places. You’ll find all you need on that paper. Do we have a deal? My naming names in exchange for my freedom and that of my crew?”
“Yes.” Draco nodded. “Get word to Gray and Sewell that I have agreed to the terms and they are to contact me to finalize payment arrangements.”
“Why? Are we to continue as originally planned? I dare not deliver the goods to your cave.”
“All I need is for you to pretend you are proceeding with the plan. At the last moment, make up some excuse to delay delivery by two weeks. We ought to have everything wrapped up by then. Have you been paid for those guns?”
“I always require payment in advance of each shipment.” McTavish flashed him a triumphant grin. “Sewell transferred the funds into my account just before I came here to meet you.”
Draco laughed. “You always manage to come out smelling like a rose. Just keep up the pretense for these next two weeks so the Home Office can round up the last of the rebels. I’ll leave it to them to discover the whereabouts of Healey and Burke, as well.”
“Assuming they are alive.”
“Well, if theyarealive, they cannot stay in hiding long. McTavish, you need to do something else for me.”
“What is it?”
“Do me a favor and dump those guns into the ocean.”
“Sure, Draco.”
By his smarmy smile and heavy Irish lilt, Draco knew McTavish would not do it. Still, he felt better for asking.
They reviewed several more details, then rose to leave.
“McTavish,” Draco said, casting him a warning look. “Your list had better not be a feeble jest. I’ll come after you and kill you myself.”
The Irishman raked a hand through his hair, and this time cast him a sincere but wry smile. “It isn’t, Draco. I swear it on my mother’s grave… And before ye ask, yes, she is dead going on ten years now. The sainted woman would not have been proud of what I’ve become.”
“Nor mine,” Draco admitted, thinking of his own mother and how poorly he and Nolan had turned out. “All right, then, round up your men and sail out of Moonstone Landing as fast as you can. I’ll stall the Crown agents as long as possible.”
“Bollocks, do you have men waiting on your signal?” McTavish shook his head and groaned. “I knew it. Those first two you nodded to earlier as they walked into the tavern? And those other two you chased away from the table next to ours with your glower? Crown agents?”
“You know I am always prepared,” Draco said as they walked out of the tavern, not about to tell him that his assumptions were utter rubbish.
McTavish turned to him. “And what about that Walter fellow you mentioned earlier? He’s in charge, isn’t he? He’s the Crown agent you are working with. Has he been watching us all the while?”
Draco shook his head in mock regret. “You know I am not at liberty to reveal anything.”
“C’mon, Draco. Be square with me.”
