Page 34 of One Night of Scandal
Dean’s amber eyes widened briefly. “Careful what you say there, Barrett.”
“It’s not an accusation at all. You know my feelings toward your organization.” He supported their ideas if not the vitriol of some of the members. He hated that they were being silenced. “Someone is trying to tiemeto the attack. Someone is putting it out that I was here at a meeting the night before.”
“Bloody hell,” Dean breathed. “You were here, but it was just you and I and a few other men discussing Watson and the others.”
Jack turned his head to Viola briefly. “Watson was one of those arrested in the Spa Fields riot.”
She nodded in response, then swung her gaze across the table to Dean. “Can you think of anyone who might have been here? Someone who would have seen Barrett and would want to link him to the attack?”
Dean frowned and stared into his tankard for a moment. When he looked up, his gaze was pensive. “I can’t think of anyone, but this is a large place. No one I know would seek to make trouble for Barrett.” He nodded toward Jack. “As long as I’ve known you, you’ve preached nonviolent protest and open dialogue.”
While that was good to hear, it didn’t bring them any closer to finding answers. “I’m glad to know you feel that way, but you can see why I’m trying to find the truth.”
Dean stroked his chin. “If it was a Spencean—and I don’t think it was—he acted alone. We didn’t coordinate anything.”
“I assumed as much,” Jack said. “Did any new members join late last year? Anyone behave in a manner that would suggest they might commit an act of violence?”
Dean shook his head. “I’m sorry I can’t help you. We’re rather scattered since Spa Fields. Our leaders are in prison.”
Four of them were awaiting trial. “I understand.” Jack picked up his ale and took a long draught to ease his frustration.
“When is your next meeting?” Viola asked.
Jack set his tankard down as dread curled through him. She wanted to go to a meeting. Did she have any idea how dangerous that was right now? He couldn’t let her go, and she was going to be furious with him.
“We aren’t really having meetings,” Dean said slowly, his eyes wary as he regarded Viola.
“Tavistock isn’t going to inform anyone of your meetings—whether you have them or not.Ifyou are having one, it might be helpful if I could attend.”
Dean blinked at him in surprise. “You’d endanger yourself? You need to be careful right now, Barrett.”
“We all do,” Jack said darkly. “But I also need to clear my name before someone tries to have me arrested.”
Dean pressed his mouth into a grim line. “The fourteenth at the Bull and Fox.”
“I know it well.” The small tavern was situated near Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Jack had spent plenty of time there when he’d studied the law. “Later in the evening?”
Dean nodded before taking another drink of ale. “There’s always a chance we don’t do it—we won’t endanger anyone.”
“Understood.” Jack looked over at Viola to silently communicate it was time to go.
“Will you be there?” Dean asked Viola.
“Er, no. I have another engagement that evening. My apologies.”
Jack lifted his tankard higher to mask his surprise, then swallowed another gulp of beer. He was more than shocked. He was impressed.
“Just as well,” Dean said. “Many of the men know Jack and won’t mind him being there, but you’re a stranger. That would make a few of them nervous.”
“I wouldn’t want to do that,” Viola said.
Dean inclined his head toward her. “You’re a good friend to help Barrett with his inquiries.”
That had been the reason Jack had provided as to why there would be an unknown gentleman at their meeting today. “I need all the friends I can get right now,” Jack said, standing.
Viola got to her feet, and Dean did the same. He reached across the table and shook Jack’s hand. “You’ve a friend here too.”
“I appreciate it, Dean.” Jack gripped his hand, then let go.
