Anne Perry - Death On Blackheath

Kynaston stared at him, eyes hollow. He gave a minute shake of his head.

‘You are going to go on passing naval information to Sundstrom,’ Pitt continued. ‘We will find a way for you to do it. Clearly he will know that Ailsa has died, and that Edom Talbot killed her in a lovers’ quarrel. Seems she rejected him, and he couldn’t cope with it. He will be tried for murder and found guilty.’

‘But …’ Kynaston stammered.

Pitt smiled at him. ‘Sir John Ransom will give you the information we wish passed on, and you will be given a new contact, now that Ailsa is no longer available. It will come through Jack Radley. I know that he shall accept the position you offered him after all, because I have seen to it.’

‘But he’s totally loyal!’ Kynaston protested. ‘He wouldn’t-’

‘Yes, he will, if instructed to,’ Pitt told him. ‘I know him very well. He’s my brother-in-law, remember. He’ll make a very good job of sending all kinds of information to Sundstrom.’

Kynaston blinked. ‘You mean misinformation …?’

‘Precisely. You have done much damage. You will now do much good. That is how you will repay your debt.’

Kynaston sat back in his chair, tears filling his eyes. ‘Thank you,’ he said so hoarsely the words were hardly distinguishable. ‘Thank you, Pitt.’