Page 26 of A Devious Secret

Hawthorne looked unsure. “Why is it important that you find this man?”

“Benjamin was my first lieutenant aboard my ship, and he was presumed dead after the French defeated us,” Stephen explained. “But, somehow, he made it out alive and evaded capture. I just want to know what happened.”

Hawthorne looked reluctant but, eventually, he sighed. “I will help you. But if you value your life, you will never return to the Scarlet Lady,” he said.

“Surely you exaggerate.”

“I’m afraid not.” Hawthorne uncrossed his arms and walked over to the door. “Come along, then.”

As Hawthorne opened the door, the sound of riotous laughter could be heard from within. He disappeared inside and Stephen hurried to follow him. He didn’t quite know what to expect, but he reminded himself that he had been in worse situations than this- most notably, a French prison. Surely a gambling hell couldn’t be as heinous as Hawthorne described.

Stephen stepped in the gambling hell and his steps faltered. The place was filled with round tables that were surrounded by men and the smoke from the cigars wafted low in the room. Women, wearing scantily made clothing, walked around with trays in their hands, providing drinks to the men. A few of the women were sitting in the men’s laps as they played cards.

Hawthorne came to stand next to him. “Do you see him?”

Stephen’s eyes scanned over the room before replying, “I do not.”

“Have you ever been in a gambling hell before?”

“I have not,” he admitted. “My father always told me that gambling was a vice that could bring down the mightiest of men.”

“Your father sounds like a wise man.” Hawthorne’s eyes scanned the room. “This place has earned the distinction of a ‘gambling hell’ because impropriety is flaunted here.”

“I can see that.”

A young woman with blonde hair walked up to him in a gown that had a provocative neckline. “Would you care for something to drink, handsome?”

“No, thank you,” Stephen replied, hoping she would leave him be.

She stepped closer to him and asked, “Do you want me to help you join a game?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

The young woman frowned. “Pardon me for asking, but why are you here?”

“I am looking for some information.”

“That is going to cost you.”

Stephen removed a coin from his waistcoat pocket and extended it to her. The young woman looked down and said, “You will have to do better than that.”

Hawthorne spoke up from next to him. “We will gladly pay more, once you have answered my friend’s questions.”

The young woman shifted her gaze back to him. “What is it that you are wanting to know?”

Stephen leaned closer so she could hear him over the noise. “Have you heard of a Benjamin Heathcote?”

“Sure, we all have,” the young woman replied. “He was a regular here. Although, he lost more than he won.”

“Do you know where I can find him?”

The young woman shook her head. “I’m afraid I haven’t seen him in days, but he usually sits at table six.”

“Where is table six?”

“It is the table in the center of the room,” the young woman responded as she gestured towards the table. “He would sit there for hours upon hours.”

Stephen’s eyes shifted towards table six and saw that there were two seats open. He retrieved a few coins and handed them to the young woman. “That will be all.”