“I Just Need Food and a Place to Sleep,” He Said—Then He Saved Her Restaurant’s Busiest Night
Chapter 11
The next morning, Justice Harper returned to the Bell & Hearth.
He carried a sealed document.
“The governor has read the papers.”
Margaret poured him coffee.
“What will happen?”
“Several arrests.”
“And Lord Wentworth?”
Harper shook his head.
“He fled.”
Thomas looked up.
“Where?”
“England.”
Thomas sighed.
“Then it’s not over.”
Harper nodded.
“Perhaps not.”
He placed another document on the table.
“This was found among Richard Bell’s belongings.”
Thomas opened it.
His expression changed.
Margaret watched.
“What?”
Thomas handed her the paper.
At the bottom was a signature.
Edward Hale.
Margaret’s face went pale.
“My father?”
Harper explained.
“Your father was approached years ago.”
“But he refused.”
“Yes.”
“Then why is his signature here?”
“It isn’t his signature.”
Thomas examined it.
“Forgery.”
Margaret looked relieved.
But Harper wasn’t finished.
“Your father kept records.”
“What kind?”
“Payments.”
“To whom?”
Harper looked at Thomas.
“To the man who arranged the smuggling.”
Thomas’s eyes narrowed.
“Who?”
Harper answered quietly.
“Governor’s adviser, Jonathan Pierce.”
Margaret stared.
“But he’s one of the most respected men in Boston.”
“Exactly.”
The conspiracy reached higher than they thought.
Pierce had been using merchants, smugglers, and corrupt officials to control trade routes.
The Bell & Hearth sat beside one of those routes.
Margaret’s father had discovered it.
He had refused to cooperate.
And someone had eventually silenced him.
Margaret’s voice trembled.
“You think my father’s death wasn’t an accident.”
Harper looked at her.
“No.”
She closed her eyes.
Thomas took her hand.
“We’ll find the truth.”
That afternoon, Pierce arrived in Ashford.
He came alone.
He entered the Bell & Hearth wearing an expensive coat.
“Mrs. Hale.”
Margaret stood behind the counter.
“Mr. Pierce.”
He smiled.
“I’ve heard you’ve had difficulties.”
“I have.”
“I may be able to help.”
Thomas appeared from the kitchen.
Pierce looked at him.
“Mr. Reed.”
Thomas’s expression hardened.
“You know me.”
“I know many people.”
Pierce sat.
He ordered wine.
Then leaned toward Margaret.
“Sell me the Bell & Hearth.”
“No.”
“You’re surrounded by danger.”
“I can manage.”
“You don’t understand what you’re involved in.”
“I understand enough.”
Pierce smiled.
“Your father understood too.”
Margaret froze.
“You knew my father?”
“Of course.”
“What happened to him?”
Pierce’s smile disappeared.
“He was stubborn.”
Thomas stepped forward.
“What did you do?”
Pierce looked at him.
“Be careful.”
Thomas placed his hand near his pistol.
Pierce laughed.
“You think courage makes you powerful?”
“No.”
Thomas’s voice was quiet.
“Truth does.”
Pierce stood.
He left without another word.
That night, Thomas discovered something.
Pierce had left behind a handkerchief.
Inside was a coded message.
Thomas deciphered it.
MIDNIGHT. OLD MILL. BRING THE PAPERS.
Margaret shook her head.
“It’s a trap.”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t go.”
Thomas looked at her.
“I have to.”
“Why?”
“Because if we don’t finish this, he’ll keep coming.”
Margaret took a breath.
“Then I’m coming.”
Thomas smiled.
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
