Simon stared at it. “What is that?”
“It’s all the money I have. Take it for now. I can get more.”
“You can get morewhen?”
“Soon. Very soon. I’ll come back next week—”
“You’ll come back tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Mr. Benson gulped. “But… but I don’t know if I can get more money by tomorrow.”
“I daresay you can,” Simon said. “What about that wristwatch? That will be worth something.”
“My wristwatch?” Mr. Benson withdrew his arm, as though worried Simon might be about to snatch the watch right off his wrist. “But—but this belonged to my father, and to my grandfather before him. It’s been in my family for years. I can’t possibly part with it.”
“I would reconsider that,” Simon said. “If you can’t bring yourself to part with your wristwatch, my associate may be forced to part your head from your shoulders.”
Mr. Benson shuddered. Simon knew he must be picturing the tall, burly man who had shown him into this room, and realizing how badly injured such a man would leave him.
“I can sell the watch,” Mr. Benson said. “I can pawn it.”
“Good,” Simon said. “That’s good. See that you do. And come back tomorrow and bring me what you get. Perhaps you have something else you can pawn as well.”
“I don’t know—”
“See what you can figure out,” Simon said. “I promise you, it will be to your advantage. You don’t want to cross me.”
Mr. Benson nodded vigorously.
“Very well,” Simon said. “Keep your pocket change, then. I have no need of those coins. Pawn what you can, and I will see you tomorrow, when hopefully we will be able to settle this once and for all.”
Mr. Benson got to his feet and scurried out of the office like a frightened animal.
Simon relaxed and pulled out his ledger again, flipping to the most current page.
He ran his finger down the column of names until he reached Mr. Benson’s. Carefully, he penned in today’s date, followed by a sum of zero dollars. The man still hadn’t paid back any of what he owed.
It was satisfying to intimidate people. Simon had enjoyed that meeting. But it was also frustrating, because now he had no reliable income.
He frowned at the ledger.
A knock came at the door, and his associate entered again, this time holding a folded piece of paper.
“For you, Mr. Crowle, sir,” he said. “It was just dropped off.”
Simon frowned. “By whom?”
“A messenger,” his associate said. “I don’t know who it came from originally. I haven’t looked at it.” He handed Simon the note.
“Thank you,” Simon murmured, and unfolded it.
Mr. Crowle,
You and I have spoken on one previous occasion about the debts owed by the Baron of Woodsford, a gentleman who has for far too long been able to escape repayment of those debts. Though I am aware his financial obligations were inherited from his father, that seems no reason to allow him to get away with refusing to pay. You in particular, Mr. Crowle, stand to gain a great deal of money if he is forced to settle his debt.
I have it on good authority that the Baron plans to marry soon. It seems to me that he must have money available, if he is making such plans.
I shall be in touch with you soon, but in the meantime, I would advise you to pursue this course of action.
