Page 103 of A Devious Secret

“I was lucky,” Benjamin attempted.

“No, there is more to it than that,” Hawthorne said. “I came to the conclusion that you were working with the French.”

Benjamin shifted in his stance, looking deucedly uncomfortable. “That is rubbish.”

“Is it?” Hawthorne asked. “You avoided capture, avoided death, and then you go into hiding once Stephen returns to Town.”

“I was not hiding,” Benjamin declared.

“You were using an alias,” Haddington pointed out. “Only guilty men try to disguise their identities.”

“You are wrong,” Benjamin spat out.

“Then why kill Stephen, unless you want to tie up loose ends?” Hawthorne asked.

“My reasons are my own,” Benjamin responded.

“That isn’t good enough,” Haddington said. “If you don’t answer our questions now, the next time we ask we won’t be as accommodating.”

Benjamin glared at Stephen. “This is all your fault,” he declared. “Why did you have to come looking for me?”

“I needed answers,” Stephen replied.

“You should have left well enough alone,” Benjamin said.

“I couldn’t do that, not knowing the truth.”

Benjamin scoffed. “What is the truth, exactly?” he asked. “You and I can have a different version of the truth.”

Hawthorne interjected, “This is not a philosophical debate. Just tell us the truth and be done with it.”

“Why?” Benjamin asked. “So I can get transported? No, thank you.”

“It is better than being killed,” Hawthorne responded.

Benjamin lowered his pistol to his side. “I have done nothing wrong. I was merely a victim of happenstance.”

“Regardless, you tried to kill Stephen,” Hawthorne said as he came to relieve Benjamin of his pistol.

“I wouldn’t have killed Stephen,” Benjamin attempted. “I just wanted answers; same as you.”

“You think you are so clever but you will falter when we interrogate you at Newgate,” Hawthorne remarked.

Benjamin didn’t appear concerned. “I have nothing to hide.”

“We shall see.” Hawthorne handed over the pistol to Stephen. “Keep this on you when you are in the rookeries.”

Stephen accepted the pistol. “Thank you.”

Hawthorne addressed Haddington. “Will you join me in accompanying our new friend to Newgate?”

Haddington nodded. “I would be honored.”

“Can I come along?” Stephen asked.

Hawthorne exchanged a look with Haddington before saying, “I do not think that is a wise idea.”

“Why is that?” Stephen pressed.