The Wolf's Pursuit Read Online Free PDF Page B

the codes taught to him
by his mentor. The cipher is then given to Viscount Redding. Every
Tuesday at precisely four o'clock in the afternoon he takes a
carriage ride down Rotten Row, where he meets with the Earl of
Trehmont. They discuss the weather and if a certain phrase is
exchanged, they shake hands and the code is given to Trehmont to
post." Wilkins bit his protruding lower lip, another tell of the
man's nervousness.
    "And if the phrase is not exchanged?"
    "Each man goes on his way, a sure indicator
that a code does not need to be delivered. The process is
flawless."
    Hunter thought about this for a moment. "So
one of these men is a traitor."
    "A dangerous traitor, Haverstone. We've
followed each of them for weeks and come up with nothing." Wilkins
looked down. "The war is not yet over. Wellington is forcing
Napoleon's Imperial forces to retreat, but the emperor remains
dangerous and if he defeats Wellington, the war could drag on for
another decade. France cannot afford to lose and we cannot afford
to let them win. We need our people to be behind us, to believe us.
If not, our fate will be the same as theirs. We both know what
happens to single-minded people when they lose their leaders. They
become like sheep, and are easily led astray. We are at a critical
moment in our country's history. You will enter into society with
Red and eliminate the moles if necessary."
    "And our only suspects are Trehmont, Redding,
and Hollins?"
    "All of those gentleman are of high priority,
but their help in the War Office has been outstanding. Part of your
mission will be dependent on entering into these men's lives
without appearing too obvious."
    Hunter cursed. "Is that all, then?"
    Wilkins coughed and looked away. "There is
one more person we are investigating; however, it is much more..."
Wilkins paused. "Delicate. We need to be sure he or she is not able
to communicate any more with Napoleon's elite."
    "He or she?" Confused, Hunter leaned his full
weight on his legs as he pushed forward out of his chair, closer to
Wilkins.
    "Your partner, Red. Though it was not our
fault that she was with Napoleon as long as she was, she suffered
tremendously under the pressure of the assignment. Although we have
no reason to believe she changed sides, we are concerned that she
may be tempted to. Too long on the field and all that."
    Gwen? Surely not! Hunter laughed aloud. "A
woman?"
    "It is no laughing matter."
    "A woman?" he repeated, and shook his head.
What was the world coming to? A woman was not intelligent enough to
pull something like this off. Yet his heart clenched at the
thought. For he used to know a woman who was more intelligent than
the ton combined, but she was no longer breathing. Her smile was
gone as was her soul.
    His heart twisted painfully in his chest.
    "I refuse to believe it."
    "Be that as it may. We need you to help stage
a debut. We believe if we set her up in society that the chips may
fall precisely as we like. Not only will she be the center of
attention given her certain reputation, but the men who you are
investigating are all single and in need of wives. It has been
blatantly suggested that they begin their search. Gwen is very
capable of making a man want her."
    Everything suddenly made sense to Hunter as
he looked into his old friend's tired eyes. "And if she is not
truly a traitor?"
    "Then she is the perfect bait for who is. Not
only will she be serving her country in picking out the mole, but
she will draw him out," Wilkins finished.
    Hunter couldn't remember a time he'd felt the
need to be loyal. Dominique had been his only friend, and now that
he was married, Hunter felt quite like a fish on land, flopping
around without proper hydration. Gwen, however, spoke to him in
ways he'd thought long dead. Ways that quite honestly scared the
devil out of him.
    If she was a traitor, she needed to be
brought to justice. Even if it made him sick to think of it.
    And if she was innocent…
    "When shall I begin?"
    "Tonight.