Samantha (Barrett 2)

"I was unexpectedly detained. I apologize, gentlemen." Rem slid into his chair, addressing Boyd, Templar, and Harris.

Boyd's eyes narrowed on Rem's face, but he did not pursue the subject. "Another British ship went down."

"When?" Rem was instantly alert.

"The Admiralty got word late this evening. They couldn't locate you, so they delivered the message to Boydry's."

"What details did they provide?"

"Not many. Their information is still sketchy. Apparently, the vessel was en route to Canada. It was last seen in the far waters of the English Channel. As for its cargo—it was varied in content and belonged to several different merchants."

"I'll get that data for you," Harris chimed in. "You'll have the names of the merchants and exactly what each one was transporting by morning."

"The ship was part of Anders's fleet," Boyd continued. "Evidently, it was one of his prize brigs."

"Judging from his records, he's hurting pretty badly. This loss is going to cripple him," Templar added.

Boyd cleared his throat. "The missing brig was built by Barrett Shipping."

A muscle tightened fractionally in Rem's jaw. "I see."

"Harris and I are going directly to the docks from here, Gresham," Templar informed him. "We've reached a dead end everywhere else. Maybe we can learn something useful from the wharf rats."

Rem frowned. "You checked out the other companies we discussed?"

"Yes, all of them. The merchants, too."

"And?"

"Nothing was amiss in any of their records."

"All right." Rem nodded. "Do as you suggested. Poke around at the docks and see what you can find out. In the interim, I'll have a chat with the Viscount Anders and the Duke of Allonshire."

"Is there anything else or should we get started?"

"Get started."

Harris's chair scraped the floor. "We'll be in touch."

Boyd waited until the Bow Street men had left Annie's before he spoke. "Don't assume the worst, Rem. The fact that Barrett Shipping built the missing brig doesn't implicate them. There's no evidence that the ship's construction had anything to do with its disappearance."

"I know that. I just wasn't anticipating a discussion with Drake Barrett at this particular time. It's going to be damned uncomfortable, given the circumstances, for me to face him. Hell, I'm not even sure I can look the man in the eye."

"Your conversation won't pertain to Samantha or your relationship with her."

"Unless her brother brings it up. Aren't you the one who told me how rampantly gossip travels?"

Boyd weighed that possibility in his mind. "What will you tell him?"

"As little as possible."

"Nothing tangible has actually occurred ... has it?"

Rem met Boyd's questioning look. "Not yet."

The inference sank in.

"Moreover," Rem continued, "with Alexandria about to deliver a child, I'm not even sure Allonshire will see me."