Page 10 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“Father was wise to have ingrained that into us at such a young age,” Baldwin said, rising.

Oliver’s voice grew reflective. “That he was.”

Baldwin walked over to the settee and sat down next to Oliver. His next question was directed towards Corbyn. “What brings you by this morning?”

Corbyn grew solemn. “I must admit that I come bearing bad news.”

“Is that so?” Baldwin asked cautiously.

He paused. “Hannity was killed last night.”

Baldwin’s brow shot up. “He was?”

“I hadn’t received an update from him in a few days, so I went to investigate, and I found his body,” Corbyn shared. “He had been shot and pushed out of the window of his rented room.”

“Do you have any leads?” Oliver asked.

“The bystanders were useless,” Corbyn said, “and no one saw anything.”

Baldwin frowned. “That doesn’t surprise me. They usually are.”

“Before the constable arrived, I went to his room, which was in shambles,” he revealed. “It was evident that a fight had occurred.”

“But no one heard anything?” Oliver pressed.

“There wasn’t enough time for me to speak to his neighbors, but I intend to seek out the magistrate over the case and ask to review the notes.”

Baldwin leaned forward in his seat. “Who would want to kill Hannity?”

“I can think of a lot of people,” Corbyn said, “but Hannity was clever. I am sure someone ambushed him because he wouldn’t have accepted his fate willingly.”

“Was he on an assignment?” Baldwin asked.

“He was,” Corbyn confirmed, “but he had determined the radical group was not a threat to England. So there were no pending arrests.”

“What about his past assignments?” Oliver questioned.

“Possibly,” Corbyn replied, “but I found a note addressed to me in Hannity’s room.”

Baldwin furrowed his brows. “Who was it from?”

“It was unsigned, but it said that Hannity deserved to die, as do I,” Corbyn said. “I must assume that it was from Hannity’s killer.”

“I would agree,” Baldwin stated. “Although, I am baffled as to why the murderer would leave a note for you at the scene of the crime.”

“I don’t know either, but I am going to find out,” Corbyn replied.

Eyeing him closely, Baldwin asked, “How are you handling Hannity’s death?”

Corbyn stiffened. “I’m well enough.”

“Are you?” Baldwin prodded.

“I do not like to be scrutinized,” Corbyn said firmly.

“Neither do I, but you and Hannity were rather close.”

With a shake of his head, Corbyn muttered, “He was one of my agents, and I don’t like when anyone dies on my watch.”

---