A Thoroughly Compromised Lady by Bronwyn Scott Page A

murders. But this man had been beaten long before his throat was cut and whoever did the job left a piece of identification on him. Either the murderer was not cautious or simply didn’t care. I think it was thelatter, suggesting that the man didn’t live in England but was only visiting. The man was too far from home for anyone to come looking for him—’
    â€˜Well?’ Jack interrupted impatiently. Gladstone was a tyrant when it came to detail and it showed in the man’s storytelling. ‘Who is the man?’
    â€˜Señor Domenico Vasquez, who, we’ve discovered, rents warehouse space in Southwark.’ Gladstone paused to let the information settle.
    â€˜The warehouse I trailed Ortiz to.’ Jack’s insides roiled. He fought to keep his outer façade collected. ‘I doubt there are two Spanish importers renting space in Southwark.’ Jack spoke solemnly. ‘It appears we have a match. Calisto Ortiz is a murderer.’
    â€˜We have a likely suspect. I doubt he did the actual killing in any case,’ corrected Gladstone.
    Anger over Gladstone’s excessive caution fired Jack’s temper. ‘Make no mistake, Gladstone, this was not an accidental death. If he was beaten first, it was not a quick crime, done in the heat of the moment by a surprised cut-purse who didn’t mean for things to go so far.’
    Gladstone looked slightly offended. ‘No doubt you’re in a position to know such things with all your vast experience.’ His tone was not friendly and Jack knew he’d inserted a veiled jab at what he viewed as Jack’s inferior birth.
    â€˜Vasquez’s death confirms much, Gladstone,’ Jack said sharply, choosing to let the insult slide. ‘Vasquez was in possession of something dangerous, something Ortiz did not want disclosed. We cannot ignore this.’
    Gladstone scoffed. ‘I must caution you, Wainsbridge, not to be so hot headed. We don’t have any proof thatOrtiz committed the murder, only that Vasquez is dead and Ortiz visited the warehouse.’
    â€˜Connect the damned dots,’ Jack growled in disbelief. ‘The Venezuelan delegation comes to town followed by rumours of a potential land swindle and the importer is killed on whose ship the cargo in question was suspected of vanishing. The connection seems obvious to me.’
    â€˜Señor Ortiz is a Spanish nobleman, he deserves the courtesies one gentleman extends to another,’ Gladstone said severely. ‘We must tread care fully here in order to avoid creating an international incident. Of course, I don’t expect you to know anything about such a code.’
    â€˜It sounds quite similar to honour among thieves,’ Jack ground out. ‘At the very least, we should have Ortiz questioned.’
    â€˜Definitely not, it would expose our hand. Then the delegation would know we suspected unfair dealings on the land negotiations.’
    â€˜They’ll know eventually when we confront them.’ Jack thought of the map, but now was not the time to tell Gladstone. He would wait until everyone met together tomorrow to share the map. ‘Besides, there’s a chance that knowledge could be leverage with Ortiz. The others in the delegation may not know he’s attempting to pass off a forgery as the real thing.’
    Gladstone’s voice was solid. ‘Wainsbridge, we do not take chances. That is an uncalculated risk at the moment.’
    Very well. If Gladstone would not take action, Jack would take his own measures. ‘Then our conversation is over, Gladstone. Thank you for your news.’ Jack gave him a short nod and left the room, his strides long as he hurried his return to the ballroom and Dulci. Gladstonewas an over-cautious fool. All evidence pointed to Ortiz’s guilt and Gladstone was more interested in extending gentleman’s courtesies. Such courtesies made no sense when they put a murderer on the dance