Garden of Lies(87)

“I don’t see why we can’t double our profits with greenhouses and distribution routes in both countries. I can handle the Continent and the Far East. You will have all of America under your control.”

“Where are your enforcers?” Cobb asked. “I saw no sign of them outside and you seem to be alone in here. Except for the boy, of course.”

“You’re here on your own, are you not? You murdered the one enforcer who could have covered your back.”

“So you came here alone.” Cobb snorted softly. “You bloody English. So damned arrogant.”

“You’re the stranger in town, Cobb, not me. We both know that from this distance and in this poor light, there is very little chance that you could even nick me, let alone get off a killing shot.”

Cobb tightened his grip on the gun. If only the bastard would step into the circle of light.

“Let’s discuss this bargain you’re suggesting,” he said. “You do realize that you lack what you will need to cultivate the plants successfully?”

“A few packets of seeds and the horticultural knowledge of how to grow the plants and process them into drugs? You’re wrong, Cobb. You see, Lady Fulbrook was not the only person who possessed that knowledge.”

“Yes, I know. The Clifton woman contacted me, or should I say, Mr. Paladin. Told me that she had observed Valerie for months and acquired the skills needed to cultivate the plants. She claimed to have packets of ambrosia seeds. Wanted to establish a partnership of sorts. But she is dead and the information died with her.”

“That is not true. Miss Clifton was a very fine stenographer. Do you know what that means?”

Cobb felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. “She was just a secretary.”

“Anne Clifton recorded every detail of how to grow and process the plants in her stenographer’s notebook. You may be interested to know that notebook is now in my possession.”

“Even if you’re telling the truth, you’d need the seeds or several specimens to grow a large quantity of the herb.”

“Ah, yes, the seeds. Presently they are in safekeeping along with the notebook.”

Cobb thought of Valerie na?vely allowing her secretary to observe her in the greenhouse and the stillroom. He wanted to crush someone—preferably Valerie. But if he got out of this situation he would need her, at least until he had established the plant in his New York greenhouse and set up the laboratory.

“The stupid woman,” he said. “I should have known better than to get involved in a business arrangement with a female.”

“Your hotel kindly informed me that the American businessman staying with them intends to leave tomorrow. I knew that you would not be able to resist returning here tonight to check on the body and pick up the crates.”

Cobb got a cold feeling in his stomach. “How could you know that?”

“You’re a crime lord operating on unfamiliar territory. That makes your actions astonishingly simple to predict.”

“You son of a bitch. You can’t prove any of it.”

“I don’t have to prove a thing, remember? I’m not from Scotland Yard. I’m just a businessman.”

The situation had deteriorated into a disaster, Cobb thought. He should have cut his losses yesterday. Coming here tonight for the crates of processed drugs had been a mistake. Roxton was right—he was operating on unfamiliar territory and that was dangerous. He had to get out of London. If he could just get on board the ship he would be safe.

He glanced toward the door. The carriage was waiting outside. He started making plans. The boy knew too much now. He would have to die. But meanwhile he would serve as a hostage long enough to force the father to drive him to a safe neighborhood.

Yes, that strategy would work. But first he had to get rid of Slater Roxton.

“You’re serious about a partnership?” he said.

“Why else would I be here? I could have taken the crates of drugs. You would never have known the identity of the thief.”

“Yet here you are, offering a partnership. I’m starting to believe that what Fulbrook said about you is true—you are a little mad. Something to do with having spent a year stranded on an island, they say.”

“I’ve heard those rumors about me, as well. Might be something to them. After all, how does one know if one is mad? But when it comes to arrogance, you take the prize, Cobb.”

“What are you talking about?”

Slater walked out of the shadows, moving a short way into the light. His hands were empty. Cobb breathed a sigh of relief.

Very casually Slater reached out to grip one of the hoist ropes that dangled from the loft.

“Some would claim that murdering a high-ranking gentleman like Fulbrook requires a breathtaking degree of arrogance,” he said.

Cobb smiled. “Killing Fulbrook was very easy.”

“Was it?”

“I waited for him outside his house in Mapstone Square. When he came down the front steps I followed him and cut his throat.”

“I see. Can I ask why you are telling me this now?”

“Because I am not looking for a business partner.”

Cobb raised the gun and prepared to pull the trigger.

But Slater was already tugging hard on the length of rope that dangled from the loft.