Death in St James's Park by Susanna Gregory

Author:Susanna Gregory [Gregory, Susanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Mystery & Detective
ISBN: 9780748121069
Publisher: Sphere
Published: 2013-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

It was still not fully light when Chaloner began to walk up King Street, and as it was too early to go to Newgate, he decided to visit the Rainbow. He did not need a draught of Farr’s poisonous brew, because his mind was already sharp with anxiety, but it was better than loitering in the cold, waiting for the gaol to open.

He was almost at Charing Cross when he saw Morland, strutting like a peacock in his splendid clothes. Chaloner strode towards him, grabbed him by the lace that frothed at his throat, and whisked him behind a booth that sold cabbages. The stall shielded them from the road, while above their heads was a large tarpaulin, heavy-bellied with an icy slush of snow and rain. It was somewhere they would not be disturbed.

‘You are alive!’ A gamut of emotions flashed across Morland’s small face, the most obvious of which was astonishment; relief and pleasure were certainly not among them. ‘Thank God! I feared they had not listened when I urged clemency, and I am glad I had a hand in saving your life.’

Chaloner released him abruptly. There was something so unpleasantly greasy about Morland that he was disinclined to touch him. ‘What were you doing at the Post Office last night?’

‘I was on an errand for Gery. We are investigating the place, you know.’

‘What goes on in that secret chamber?’

Morland scowled. ‘I was on the verge of finding out when you appeared. Your antics brought Smartfoot and Lamb running, so I had to leave. You were a nuisance, to be frank.’

Chaloner had no idea whether he was telling the truth, and was not sure how to find out, so opted instead to pursue a subject that might stand a better chance of producing reliable answers.

‘What do you know about Clement Oxenbridge?’

Morland’s eyes widened fractionally. ‘No one knows anything about him. He just appears when he pleases, and then vanishes again. He is a sinister devil, though.’

‘What is his connection with White Hall?’

‘Well, he is friends with Monsieur le Notre. More than that I have not discovered.’

Le Notre again, thought Chaloner. ‘What is—’

He turned quickly when he sensed someone behind him. It was Gery and Freer, both holding handguns. With a squeak of relief, Morland slithered towards them.

‘He was quizzing me about the Post Office,’ he bleated. ‘He asked dozens of questions, but I told him nothing. At least, nothing that is true. However, he represents a serious nuisance, so lock him in a dungeon until this matter is over. It is for the best.’

‘Or I could shoot him,’ said Gery, the barrel of his gun unwavering.

‘In King Street?’ asked Chaloner archly. ‘At its busiest time of day? Even the Earl will not be able to protect you from the noose if you commit murder in so public a place.’

Gery gestured with his free hand. ‘You chose to bully Morland somewhere that is concealed from the road. When witnesses arrive, Freer’s dag will be in your hand, and he and Morland will back my claim that you drew first.

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