Page 91 of The Time for Love
No newcomer to such strategic thinking, Oliver nodded. “So how are we to eliminate that threat”—he grinned understandingly at Martin, transparently sharing his inherited proclivities—“other than in the time-honored way?”
Martin dipped his head. “Indeed. In this instance, strength—physical, legal, or even political—won’t help us, because Blackwell knows how to either wield his own or circumvent such attacks.” He glanced around the frowning faces. “In the areas in which he’s established, his influence is extensive. His slum holdings become a hotbed of crime—unsurprising given how pressed those who live there are to make the money to pay his rents—and rumor has it that Blackwell himself gains through those criminal gangs, although that’s never been proved.”
“Not for want of trying,” Oliver observed.
Martin nodded. “In our case, of greater concern are the reports that Blackwell is very good at finding levers to pull to influence officials at all levels of local government. His typical modus operandi is to have several key officials in his pocket, certainly once he becomes a recognized landowner.” Martin glanced at Lady Bracknell, who was looking increasingly concerned. “It’s unlikely he’ll have set down roots in Sheffield as yet. Or so we can hope.”
Rather pale, Edward stated, “He’s definitely not the sort of ‘investor’ we need in our town.”
Frowning, Julia tentatively offered, “Can we somehow make him no longer want the steelworks?”
Lady Bracknell huffed. “Preferably make him rethink ‘investing’ in Sheffield at all.”
Martin nodded at both ladies. “That, I think, is the right approach, but we need him to make that decision himself. To Blackwell, this is like a chess game. In order to checkmate him and have him accept defeat and go away, we need to be cleverer than he is in moving the pieces on the board.”
“You mean,” Sophy said, “that we have to…manipulate things so that he decides it’s no longer worth his while to pursue purchasing the steelworks?” When Martin and Oliver nodded encouragingly, she focused on Martin. “Do you mean setting up as a workers’ landlord ourselves? Thus removing his advantage by acting before he does and satisfying the need he would otherwise prey on?”
Martin blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that, but removing the need that allows predators like Blackwell to establish themselves in a community is a thought for later on.”
“First,” Oliver said, “we need to find a way to persuade Blackwell that buying into Sheffield isn’t, after all, for him.”
“And much as it might go against our grain, we need to set things up so that he can retreat without losing face.” Martin glanced at the others. “With a man like Blackwell, that’s important. We don’t want to push him into any corner. If we do, he’ll dig in, grow more stubborn and aggressive, and fight even harder and with even less conscience. If at all possible, we need to avoid that.”
“Persuading Blackwell to leave Sheffield.” Edward looked at Lady Bracknell. “Given all we’ve learned of what he’s done, surely your friend the police commissioner and that inspector can drum up a case against him.” Edward primmed his lips, then stiffly offered, “In the circumstances, I would be willing to give evidence to identify him.”
Lady Bracknell looked at Martin. “I would be happy to return to the police station and see what’s possible. I’m sure I speak for all of Sheffield in saying we don’t want the likes of Blackwell here, not in any way, shape, or form.”
Martin inclined his head. “Be that as it may, no matter that we can all see that Blackwell’s our villain, without testimony from the Murchisons, which we won’t get, there’s no demonstrable link between Blackwell and the accidents, blackmail, or kidnapping. Nothing that would stand up in court. Without the Murchisons’ evidence, there’s nothing the police can—or indeed, should—do, no matter what we’d prefer. We need to remember what I said before, about men like Blackwell knowing how the authorities work. Direct confrontation, direct opposition, won’t get us were we want to go.”
Her ladyship huffed. “What you’re saying is that we’ll get no joy from any of the authorities.”
“Not in terms of restraining Blackwell,” Oliver replied. “They have no grounds to act against him. He’s far too canny for that.”
After glancing around at the dejected expressions, Martin said, “Sometimes, in order to counteract men like Blackwell, one needs to be as devious—or rather, more devious—than they.”
Charlie brightened. “Is this where Blackwell’s weaknesses come in?”
“So to speak,” Martin replied.
Charlie’s frown returned. “Then I ask again, what weaknesses does Blackwell have?”
Martin leaned back and glanced at Sophy, then at Oliver. “As to that, I think that overcoat of his is a very big clue.”
“Oh?” Oliver tipped his head, considering that.
“I have an inkling of a plan.” Martin proceeded to describe what he thought might, just might, succeed in persuading Cornelius Blackwell that setting up in Sheffield wouldn’t be worth his time.
As he spoke, understanding dawned on the others’ faces.
When he reached the end of his current thinking, he looked around again. “Obviously, we’ll need to organize and arrange everything down to the very last detail, but…what do you think?”
Enthusiastic suggestions rained down upon him, and together, united in clear and common cause, the company knuckled down to work on their plan to rid Sheffield of Cornelius Blackwell.
CHAPTER15
Consequent on Oliver being struck by sudden and quite brilliant inspiration as to where they might find some actual hard evidence as to Blackwell’s plans, Oliver, Martin, and Lady Bracknell made a covert dash to the Town Hall.
They took Edward’s town carriage, leaving Lady Bracknell’s traveling coach for the others to use in their equally surreptitious retreat to the house in St. James’ Street. Everyone had agreed that her ladyship’s house was the best appointed to be their headquarters as they worked to get everything into place for the face-to-face meeting with Cornelius Blackwell that formed the centerpiece of their strategy.
