Page 107 of Beauty and the Thief

“There have been deaths.” Baron nodded. “And you didn’t hear about them because we kept them quiet or called them accidents. No need to worry the public.”

“It seems to me there might be every need.”

Baron gave him a severe look. “Then it’s a good thing you don’t make the policy.”

Cal stepped back. “If we assume the blue or black are the next targeted locations, how can we know where Innishfree will strike?”

“You’ve already answered that yourself, Mr. Kelly.”

Cal furrowed his brow.

“You said Sean MacDonald wanted to do something big. And you said he wanted you for the job, even though he didn’t trust you completely.”

“He didn’t say where.”

“You are the key to where. You came from London.” Baron pointed to the black dot over London. “That’s where they’ll strike.”

Cal shook his head. “How can you be sure?”

“Oh, a little bit of instinct and some piecing together of information gathered over the last year. Donnelly said Innishfree was planning something big. What’s bigger than London? York and Lincoln—those won’t garner the attention an explosion at Westminster or Buckingham Palace will. They can wait, as can the ports, if that’s the idea behind the blue markers. No point in obstructing your exit before your big mission.”

“If this is true, then I need to go to London. Now.”

Baron raised a brow. “You need to go? I didn’t think you cared about the Crown, only the blunt.”

“It’s personal now. MacDonald tried to kill me, and his men almost did kill Miss Murray.”

“Then you’d like to continue working for the Royal Saboteurs.”

“I’d like to finish me mission.” Our mission, he corrected, thinking of Bridget.

Baron smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that. I already have another agent ready to go. He’s only waiting on you because, though he is an expert in explosives and sabotage, you have an advantage he doesn’t.”

“I know what the members of Innishfree look like.”

Baron nodded. “The train is waiting for you, if you are well enough to travel.”

“I’m fine.” His thoughts flickered to Bridget again, sleeping upstairs. She should have been the one to go with him, but at least he could finish what they’d started.

“Good. Then I’ll have the coach take you and Mr. Cummings to the station.”

Cal started out of the room, but Baron cleared his throat. Annoyed, Cal turned. “By your leave, my lord.”

“You have it, but I thought you might want this.” He held out a satchel. It was brown and drab, the sort a clerk would use to carry papers and documents.

Cal took it.

“Your payment,” Baron said. “You’re free from my service when you walk out the door, though I think you want to stop Innishfree as much as I want you to. After that, you are under no obligation to return.”

Cal clenched the satchel. Here was his freedom. His new life. He could start over now.

“You never wanted to be an agent. I know that, though I stand by my assertion you’d be a damn fine Royal Saboteur. Your choice, of course.”

His choice. He’d had very few choices in his life.

“Thank you.” Cal slung the satchel across his chest and left the farmhouse without looking back.

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