Settling his shoulders in the chair, Dalziel continued, “Which brings us to Swithin. His father was a merchant in the town. He’s still alive, but unlike Trowbridge, Swithin has cut all ties. Swithin the elder knows nothing about his son, not even his current address.”
“So Randall lost all ties to his past when his parents died,” Letitia remarked, “Swithin cut his ties, but Trowbridge didn’t.” She frowned. “Does that tell us anything?”
No one seemed to know.
“Why don’t we see what Montague’s sent?” Christian nodded to the packet in her lap.
“Yes, of course.”
While she broke the seal and spread out the sheets, Christian explained to the others what tack they were now following to locate the company’s customers. “Given that cash payments can’t be traced back to the payer, the direct approach is the only one left to us.”
Letitia was scanning Montague’s communication; from her expression it was clear the news was good. She glanced up, saw them all watching, and beamed. “Montague’s a wonder. He’s traced three of the large regular payments—all made on Mondays, one to each of the company’s three accounts—and all invariably made at the following three banks—Rothchild’s in Piccadilly, Child’s in Oxford Street, and Barkers in the Strand.”
Triumph glowed in her eyes as she lowered the sheet and looked across at Christian.
Tony leaned forward in his chair. “So on Monday, at each of those three banks, someone will come in and go to the teller and make a cash payment into an Orient Trading Company account?”
Letitia nodded. “On Monday, two days from now.”
“So”—Jack’s voice, too, held a note of anticipation—“if we’re there, at each of those three banks keeping watch—”
“And the tellers have been asked to tip us the wink when a particular payment is made to the relevant account”—Tony took up the evolving plan—“we can identify and follow the person making the deposit—”
“And learn what, exactly, their business is.” Tristan beamed back at Letitia. “Excellent!”
The sense of building excitement was pervasive; they were all, including Letitia and Justin, constitutionally better suited to action than waiting.
“We don’t even need to follow them, at least not far.” As ever, Letitia was inclined to directness. “We can simply ask them what they’re paying the Orient Trading Company for.”
“Damn!”
They all looked around at Justin’s muttered oath.
He looked at his sister, disgust in his face. “I can see where this is leading—while you all get to hunt, I’ll have to stay indoors and wait.” He glanced at D
alziel, a hopeful expression replacing the disgust. “I don’t suppose—”
“No.” Letitia uttered the single syllable in a tone that brooked absolutely no argument. “You cannot go out, not even in a much better disguise.”
She directed her statement not solely at Justin but at Dalziel as well. He held up his hands in a gesture signifying that he wasn’t going to get involved.
Satisfied, Letitia turned her gaze pointedly on her brother.
Justin looked mulish.
Christian caught his eye.
After a moment of inner railing, Justin surrendered. “Oh, all right.” He slumped back in the chair. “I’ll sit at home, safe by the fire, while you have all the fun.”
Entirely satisfied—sufficiently calmed—Letitia glanced at Christian. “So on Monday, how should we proceed?”
They made their plans, eagerness returning in full measure.
“So,” Christian summarized, “Tony and Jack will take Barkers in the Strand, Dalziel and Tristan will be at Child’s, and Letitia and I will keep watch at Rothchild’s. Having two pairs of eyes at each location should ensure we don’t miss our quarries.”
“It’s also easier to remain undetected when following someone if you’re walking with another and talking.” Tony grinned, and spoke for them all. “It’ll be good to be on the street again, rather than leafing through files.”
Feeling better—more buoyed and confident—than she’d felt since she learned of Randall’s death, Letitia stood. “Well, gentlemen.” She cast an appreciative glance around the circle. “On Monday we’ll learn what the Orient Trading Company actually does—and then we’ll approach Trowbridge, and hopefully learn a great deal more.”