Page 44 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)

Stella stepped down from the carriage and stared up at the manor.

A small smile curved her lips as she considered the next hour.

Her thoughts that morning had leaned toward giving Hensley a stern lecture, but then she had her first cup of coffee and sanity returned.

Although the moment would have been satisfying, it would have accomplished nothing. Hensley lived for the long game.

When boots hit the ground behind her, she didn’t bother turning around.

She was still irritated with Beckworth. Though their talk had cleared the air, he’d remained distant.

He’d cuddled when he’d finally come to bed, but he was up early for his morning ride.

And though he’d made sure to hang the pot of coffee by the fire to keep it warm, he’d been aloof when he’d returned just in time to leave for Hensley’s.

She had no idea what was bothering him or what to do about it, and it had put her in a foul mood.

“The women will be anxious until you meet us for lunch.” Eleanor stepped beside her, jarring Stella out of her dark thoughts.

Barrington had taken Mary, Elizabeth, and Flora, along with their trunks, to Hensley’s earlier that morning. Hensley would see Elizabeth and Flora home after their luncheon. The manor would be quiet without them. Well, except for Bart.

“I doubt they’ll have to wait long. I’m sure Hensley will dismiss me as quickly as he deems it proper.”

Eleanor snorted. “You know quite well how it feels to be caught doing something wrong.”

Stella took Eleanor’s arm in hers and grinned as they mounted the steps. “I can’t remember the last time anyone caught me doing something wrong. Although one or two might have blamed me for simply helping an unfortunate soul.”

Beckworth, who followed them up the stairs, released a long sigh he didn’t bother hiding.

The two women glanced at each other and chuckled as they entered the manor. Mary was waiting for them, so Stella didn’t hear Beckworth’s response, which was probably for the best. She hugged Mary, promised her a thrilling adventure story, then turned toward Beckworth and straightened her dress.

“Let’s get this over with.”

A brief smile lit his lips before he remembered his irritation, which quickly reappeared along with a creased forehead and squinty eyes. He waved toward the hallway. “After you.”

She didn’t hesitate as she marched toward the study.

He had no reason to be more annoyed than her.

The women’s investigation into the thefts shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Not in the beginning, especially when she’d uncovered the connection with the stolen items, but he’d been distracted. She huffed. Now she knew why.

She stopped at the study door and waited for Beckworth, who had lagged behind. When she glanced back, it appeared he was lost in his own thoughts until he finally looked up. His gaze was unfocused, almost as if he’d forgotten where he was, but he recovered with a grim smile before nodding.

Her lips quirked when she considered pounding on the door as if it were a raid, but she gave a dainty knock instead.

“Come,” Hensley called out.

Stella strolled in and smiled at the usual group of suspects.

Jamie, Lando, and Fitz relaxed in chairs, each with a glass of whiskey in hand.

Smoke from Fitz’s pipe curled over the group, giving the room a hazy overtone.

For a split second, she pictured them around a poker table, the tallest pile of chips sitting in front of Fitz, and the second highest next to Hensley’s elbow.

Her grin grew larger at the thought, and Hensley’s stern expression softened.

“Excellent timing.” Hensley moved a piece of paper to the side and closed the inkpot. “Have a seat and let’s discuss the events of the last few days.”

Lando stood and waved Stella to his seat. “I’ve been relaxing far too long.”

She squeezed his arm as she sat and noticed Beckworth affixing the stopper on a decanter. He picked up his glass and, rather than find an open seat, leaned against a bookcase.

“It appears we have two investigations that have intersected.” Hensley leaned back and set his hands over his well-fed belly. “The question is, what do they have in common, and how does it fit into our primary mission?”

Stella watched Hensley, who returned her stare. She wouldn’t have questioned it under these circumstances until she caught the glimmer in his eye. She’d seen it before when they played chess. It usually meant he was planning a surprise move.

“You’ve been monitoring the progress of the jewelry thefts.” She treaded carefully in her inquiry, never knowing where Hensley might have planted a landmine.

“I had a brief discussion with Inspector Littlefield after he interviewed you. I wasn’t impressed with his motivation and had planned on giving the case to one of my men.

That was before I discovered I already had someone working on the investigation.

Someone who had better access to information with a tenacity difficult to replicate. ”

“You knew Stella was investigating the theft and encouraged it?” Beckworth stood straighter, his temper rising.

“Come now,” Hensley said. “You were aware she was gathering information. She was the one who suggested there was a connection between the stolen items and then pulled a team together to investigate.”

“You were kept updated by pumping Mary for information.” Stella released a breath to calm her growing annoyance.

“Pumping?” He thought about it. “If you mean discussing the status of the operation, then yes.” His gaze hardened a fraction. “Elizabeth is my friend, too.”

The bluster seeped out of Stella. Of course, he’d try to help.

“Apparently,” Hensley continued, “your initial assessment of the thief being a sailor appears closer to the mark, considering his friends.”

“If this thief is working for someone in McDuff’s network,” Jamie interjected, “why would they bother stealing jewelry off the neck of aristocrats when there are easier ways to fund their operations?”

“Didn’t I hear someone mention all the pieces were specially designed by a Frenchman?” Lando asked.

“Yes.” Stella didn’t wait for Hensley. She wasn’t going to be pushed into a corner, especially since Hensley had been the one who declared her the lead in the investigation.

“Elizabeth mentioned it was one-of-a-kind, and when we learned that the first item had been stolen in a similar manner, it piqued my interest. Once we learned the brooch had been made by the same designer, Louis Pierre Deschanel, the women mentioned other jewelry known to have been created by him. It was a hunch, but it paid off. It would have taken longer to track down the thief if we didn’t have the use of Chester’s urchins. ”

“You used Chester’s crew?” Fitz puffed a stream of smoke and almost choked on his laughter. He pointed the pipe at Beckworth. “Right under your nose? That has to sting a bit.” His grin didn’t waver under Beckworth’s glare.

A trickle of sympathy ran through Stella, but her team of women was on the verge of either being given a larger role or being shut down.

She wasn’t willing to risk it by diminishing her efforts.

Besides, Beckworth had thick skin and would get over the razzing, which at this point, she felt was rightly deserved.

“Let’s remain on track.” Hensley pulled another sheet of paper over, and Stella stretched her neck to see writing on it but wasn’t close enough to make out any of the words.

“We’ve been able to identify who we believe to be the highest-ranking member of McDuff’s network currently in London.

John Leclair, also known as Le Renard, was seen on the Tidewater during the mission to locate McDuff.

We first thought he might be the first mate on the Tidewater , but whether he worked his way up the ranks or we were wrong about his role, he’s now the captain of the Nighthawk , which is the origin of our current investigation.

” He cleared his throat, took a sip of whiskey, and let his gaze sweep the group.

Stella didn’t know if he was expecting someone to correct the information or ask a question.

When the men remained silent, she did the same as Hensley continued his report.

“We know he’s been meeting other Frenchmen at what we assume to be a members-only club.

We’ve also identified the pub from which most of the men leave before going to the clubhouse.

Based on our surveillance, the majority of the men who come and go appear to be regular members, but the team has spotted several new faces. ”

“Which, for now, we assume to be new recruits,” Jamie added.

“I’ve kept a random group of sailors taking shifts in the pub, which thankfully caters to all sailors, French or otherwise.

All the reports have been consistent. There are two to three men, the number varies, who keep a table in the back.

A handful of sailors stop by during the course of a day and night, but every once in a while, one of the men will leave with a sailor.

They’ve all been tracked going to the clubhouse. ”

“Are these all Frenchmen?” Stella asked.

“From what we can tell,” Lando responded. “I believe that’s why our little man decided to bring in André.”

Beckworth ignored the jibe, his expression almost one of boredom. “We needed a Frenchman if we hoped to learn more. And while we could have found one in Hensley’s network, I believe McDuff’s men to be more cunning than your average smuggler.” He glanced at Jamie and said, “Nothing personal, mate.”

The men chuckled, and he continued. “I knew André could be a risk, but he’s naive, down on his luck, and while previous acts might have reflected otherwise, I believe him to be trustworthy. He’s been cautious, still feeling the sting of his family’s betrayal. His performance will be truthful.”