The Scarlet Spy Read Free Page A

you do not waste your time in social calls.”
    “You are right—there is a deeper, darker mystery here,” answered the marquess. “A web of intrigue that seems to spread from the slums of St. Giles to the mansions of Mayfair. God only knows where it goes from there.” Lynsley heaved a sigh. “Opium is only a small part of the mix. My informants have heard rumors of a sophisticated scheme of embezzlement, one that somehow siphons money from legitimate government contracts to a private consortium. Some shipments are diverted and sold for personal gain, while others are made with inferior materials, and the difference is simply pocketed as profit.”
    There was a small silence as he pressed his palms to the marble mantel. “Unfortunately, I have no other details as to what specifically is involved. But if it is true, essential services and military supplies are being compromised while a small circle of conspirators make a fortune.”
    “That certainly casts a different light on the duke’s personal tragedy.” Mrs. Merlin set aside her teacup. “If it is true.”
    “We can’t afford not to follow the thread and see where it leads,” he replied. “If there are high government officials tainted by corruption, it could have disastrous repercussions for the country. A scandal at this point in time would seriously weaken our efforts to stop Napoleon’s march eastward.”
    “Yet you seem reluctant to act.”
    “It is never easy to send one of our students into danger. Especially when the enemy is naught but a swirl of smoke and shadow.”
    “Of course it’s not easy, Thomas,” replied Mrs. Merlin. “Keeping England safe from all its enemies is a difficult, dirty business. That is why the Academy exists.” Seeing his fingers tighten on the polished stone, she added, “If it’s any consolation, the girls understand the risks and accept the challenge. They believe as strongly as we do that our freedoms are worth fighting for.”
    “An eloquent speech, as usual. So you think I should have a clear conscience?” The marquess glanced up at the gilt-framed portrait of Sir Francis Walsingham, but the stern features of England’s first spymaster offered little in the way of sympathy. “Even though I am considering putting one of our Merlins into a nest of vipers with little to go on save for rumor and innuendo?”
    “If you are asking for a second opinion, I would say you have no choice but to do so. I take it you do not feel it is a case that can be handled through any normal channels of investigation at Whitehall.”
    He shook his head. “Given the sensitive nature of the charges, I do not trust involving any of the other departments.”
    Mrs. Merlin opened one of the document cases on her desk and took out a sheaf of papers. “One of our operatives working on the East India docks recently submitted a report on the trafficking of illegal goods from India and China. It should provide some useful leads. Indeed, one item already comes to mind. There is a new source, as yet unidentified, of extremely potent opium coming in from the East. At the same time, the Levant Company has suffered the loss of a number of shipments, which has driven up the price.”
    Lynsley frowned. “I shall have one of my men take a closer look at the activity around Mincing Lane, as well as attend the next fortnightly auction at Garraway’s Coffee House.” He thought for a moment. “I shall also send a sample of the narcotic found next to Lord Robert’s body to Lady Sheffield for analysis. She may be able to identify its place of origin.”
    “Lady Sheffield?” Mrs. Merlin’s brow furrowed. “Isn’t she the one who was recently accused of poisoning her husband?”
    “Malicious gossip,” replied Lynsley. “The earl was a brute who drank himself to death. As for the lady, she is a serious scholar, a highly respected member of the Scientific Society, and a brilliant chemist. I’ve used her before, and her work is