Dark Economy by M. Keedwell

Author:M. Keedwell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: m/m romance;mystery;historical;medical;grave robber;early 1800s;19th century
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2015-10-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Hands-on exposure really made one reassess one’s values. Cadell’s nose wrinkled as he took in the grotty walls, iron bars, and putrid, stale air of Newgate’s finest. Obtaining specimens for one’s studies, while very important, was perhaps not worth this. Luck did run out, in the end.

But if he called it quits, it would not mean that Breton had scored some kind of moral victory over him. It would be a decision based purely on practicality and self-interest. The self-interest of not having one’s neck stretched to terminal lengths.

One glance at the slouched shoulders of Archie Kidd told him that luck was something that Archie had found perpetually elusive. The man’s gaze lifted to stare at Cadell at his introductory cough, his face awash with bitter cynicism. Cadell heard Tom finish locking them in and settle against the wall. He cleared his throat.

“Archie Kidd?”

“Yes.”

He waited for more in vain. Oh Lord, this was going to hurt. “Listen, I was hoping you’d answer a few questions for me.”

“What about?”

“About the robberies. About Robert Treswick.”

Archie’s face soured. “And what’s in it for me?”

Cadell shot a quick glance to Tom, who, despite the conflict on his face, gave a short nod.

“One of the guards here owes my friend a favour. We’ve got a plan to help you escape, though it isn’t without risk.”

Archie looked sceptical. “How do I know you’re for real?”

He shrugged. “Can’t, really, but I’ve got no reason not to do as promised. It’s all the same to me what happens to you.”

“And this plan?”

Cadell handed over a half-empty bottle. “You’re to take this tonight. It’ll knock you out all right, and our friend will put it out that you’re dead and that you’re to be sold to a hospital.” He paused. “The dose in that bottle should be safe, but I can’t promise it. Also, there are those here who are more curious than others. If our friend gets questioned, he’ll save his own neck first and say he was mistaken. It’s your decision.”

Archie stared at him for a moment longer, then sat up straighter. “Why the hell not? Can’t hurt at this stage.”

“So, it seems you were a footman for the Billings household and you were implicated when they were robbed that night they hosted a ball?” Cadell asked.

Archie snorted. “Yes. I single-handedly wiped the place out, apparently.”

“But it wasn’t quite like that, was it?”

“’Course not.” Archie’s face crumpled. “Part of a team, I was. Supposed to be all right and tight. But I got grassed.”

“Who else was involved?”

“That night? Bertram Abbott and Rob. Robert Treswick.”

So he’d been right! Robert Treswick had been in it up to the eyeballs. But Bertram Abbott? Really? It seemed that the affable fop had hidden teeth. “And they sold you out?”

“Yes, the bastard.”

Cadell’s brow quirked. Archie’s rage and grief was focused on one of the men only. He tried to imagine Archie Kidd shaven, washed and well dressed. Yes, it could very well be so… “And this robbery was done on the ninth of November, was it not?”

“Yes.

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