SGB Chapter 364

## Chapter 364: A New Turning Point

“You said that Miss Defina contacted you after she was interviewed by The Times with you that day?”

Harrison struck a match and lit his pipe, taking a puff before replying, “Mr. Hastings, it seems you are a very decent gentleman, not very familiar with this group of harlots, are you?”

Arthur borrowed a light from Louis, lighting his own cigarette as he replied, “I have had some dealings with them, but perhaps not as deeply as you have.”

Dumas also spoke in a serious tone, “Mr. Harrison, I’ve read your London travel guide booklet titled ‘Harrison’s Wonderful Journey.’ From my perspective, if it wasn’t for some sensitive content, it could almost be sold openly on The Englishman.”

Seven-spotted Ladybug Harrison blushed at these words. He said with a thick face, “If you say it’s just a London travel guide, then you are underestimating me. To tell you the truth, it covers the whole of England, including a lot of Mediterranean scenery and my experiences in Germany during my youth.”

“Germany?”

“Of course.” Harrison explained, “It seems you don’t know what the two main exports of the German states are. First, their highly qualified, tenacious mercenaries. Second, prostitutes from Germany.”

Arthur said lightly, “One sells their body, the other sells their life. It seems these two professions have a long history, and no matter what era, they will always find their place.”

Louis couldn’t help but tease, “Mr. Harrison, you’re lucky today. Thankfully, our friend Heinrich isn’t here today, otherwise he would strangle you.”

Harrison defended himself, “Actually, the things I said during the Times interview weren’t entirely fabricated. I really wanted to learn Polish, because I wanted to expand my company’s business to Poland, so to some extent, it’s very necessary to actively understand the needs of Polish women.

And the reason why Miss Defina aroused my interest is because she told me that she came from an upper-class family in Poland. She described the situation of attending banquets in the past, and I was captivated by her words. Our feelings naturally grew slowly, well… you know, it’s hard to resist…”

Louis listened and took notes, “So you’re saying, you’re not just attracted to Miss Defina’s beauty, but more so her talent?”

“More or less. Of course, besides talent, there’s also the scent of gold.”

Harrison emphasized, always remembering his original intention, “I really want to do business abroad, to create a cosmetics empire of my own. That way, I wouldn’t have to always be a mouthpiece for those big shots. Do you think I naturally enjoy saying those stupid things?

I tell you, no! The reason I say these things is because those so-called big shots are born with such stupid brains. They don’t want to speak up, so it’s left to humble people like me to speak for them!”

Arthur nodded slightly, “Everyone can see that. At least, since you were banished by the Tories, you even started speaking logically. But Mr. Harrison, these are not the key points. I’m more concerned about why Miss Defina came back to you.”

“Young man, you’re too young, you don’t understand the nature of these bitches.”

Harrison warmed his hands with a breath.

“Since they’re willing to become prostitutes, can you still have any moral expectations of them? Don’t be deceived by those tragic stories they tell. I admit, maybe some women are truly unfortunate. But most just want to make a fortune easily through this line of work.

Unless you can fill their bottomless desires, or open a crack in their hearts that have become as hard as stone, their betrayal is only a matter of time or money.

And it’s obvious that you haven’t satisfied Miss Defina’s appetite. Although she was also afraid of Scotland Yard’s power, in the end, her greed overwhelmed her fear. She finally discovered that I, the benefactor she framed, was the one who spent the most on her.”

Arthur took a puff of his cigarette, pondered for a moment, and suddenly asked, “Are you saying that the reason Defina came back to you is that she wants to continue doing business with you?”

Harrison snorted in disdain, “That’s right. But she probably didn’t dare tell you all this. You should know that Defina was involved in a lawsuit, right? Scotland Yard spent a lot of effort to help her settle it.”

Louis recalled, “You’re talking about those gentlemen who jointly sued Miss Defina? I remember their reason for suing was that Miss Defina used various tools to torture and beat them, well… or maybe the word ‘tool’ isn’t accurate, ‘prop’ would be better.”

Harrison laughed, “Yes, that’s right, it’s that case. I introduced those people to her. I first spent some money to regain her trust, then I told her that there are many gentlemen in London who like this kind of thing. Then, I introduced her to a few carefully selected friends, and that’s how the case happened.”

Arthur listened to this, rested his chin on his hand and thought for a moment, then said, “It seems Miss Defina has been hiding a lot from us.”

Harrison sighed helplessly, “Mr. Hastings, although there have been a series of conflicts between us. Our first conflict made me lose my seat in Parliament. After the second trial, you had people give me a good lesson. After I got beaten, although I wanted to get revenge on you, I wasn’t brave enough to hire an assassin to kill you directly. Or even if I wanted to assassinate you, I wouldn’t have chosen the time when you went to Liverpool. If you insist that I did this, then you are questioning my intelligence.”

Arthur heard this, his hand holding the teacup suddenly froze in place. He looked up and asked, “Mr. Harrison, the misfortune of you losing your seat in Parliament may have something to do with Scotland Yard. But about you getting beaten, are you questioning my intelligence?”

“That wasn’t done by you?” Harrison was also stunned, “No, that’s impossible! Those people had guns, and when they knocked me over with the butt of the gun, they specifically threatened me, saying not to think about calling the police. Next time I fall into the hands of Scotland Yard, it won’t be as simple as a gun butt.”

Louis heard this, he couldn’t help but look at Arthur, he lowered his voice and asked, “Could it be Miss Fiona and the others acting on their own?”

“Threatening a member of parliament? Even if it was a former member of parliament, they wouldn’t dare. But…”

Arthur pondered for a moment and replied, “Just in case, you should still send someone to confirm it later.”

Louis took a deep breath, “If it was really them…”

Arthur took off his hat and placed it on the table, “Then it’s unfortunate. Scotland Yard will never keep talented employees, she can choose to return to society and continue to make money with her intelligence.”

Dumas suddenly remembered the scene he witnessed in Liverpool, the French fat man joked, “Or she can choose to lift her skirt and come to see you.”

Harrison insisted, “If it wasn’t you, then it must be your people acting on their own. As I said just now, these dirty jobs are all fought over by your people. You may not be a big shot in the whole of Britain, but you’re still a figure of some importance in London.

If it wasn’t your people, did Defina call people herself? A Polish pauper, not long in London, how could she suddenly call so many strong men with guns?”

Arthur replied, “Regarding the possibility within, we will investigate it later. But I think my subordinates should not be as clever as you. Moreover, we have some details that you don’t know, which makes me more suspicious about what has happened to Miss Defina in recent months.”

“What details?”

Louis casually threw a document at Harrison, “According to our investigation, one of the assassins in the Liverpool assassination was Miss Defina’s husband. Mr. Harrison, if you don’t explain the specific details, we have sufficient reason to bring you to Scotland Yard for further questioning.”

“Ah?”

With a bang, Harrison was so startled that the teacup in his hand fell on the table.

The tea splashed everywhere, but at this moment, he couldn’t care less about cleaning his expensive clothes.

Harrison stood up and said, “Mr. Hastings, I assure you, I really have nothing to do with this case.”

Arthur took out his handkerchief and wiped the water droplets from his face, “I know, and I don’t want to wrong an innocent person. But you understand, someone needs to be held accountable. If you can’t explain the details, with your current status, you’re a perfect candidate to be that scapegoat.”

Harrison heard this, his shirt was soaked with sweat. He kept wiping his sweat with a napkin, his eyes darting around.

He thought about it left and right, and he knew that Arthur wasn’t lying to him.

A Tory traitor, a stubborn figure hated by the Whigs, and at the same time, a former member of parliament who was seen as a thorn in Scotland Yard’s side.

He was indeed a suitable candidate to be the greatest common divisor among all forces.

But as a member of parliament who had been talking about sacrifice and dedication for so many years, when the pen was about to fall on him and write him off, Mr. Harrison decided to resist.

He slapped the table and protested, “Mr. Hastings, this is a conspiracy, you’ve been tricked, and I’ve been framed! Before, I thought Defina beat me up to vent her anger, but now it seems like she was laying the groundwork for your assassination later!”

Louis also nodded in agreement, “Indeed, it’s all too perfect. When all the coincidences come together, it’s not a coincidence, it’s a conspiracy.”

Harrison racked his brains and thought, “That bitch Defina, I thought she came back to me for money. Now it seems like there are others behind her. Mr. Hastings, before she escapes, we have to catch her!”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Harrison.” Arthur said, “Defina disappeared as early as when the assassination in Liverpool happened. And not only her, but her children are also missing. That’s why I came to ask you when you last saw her.”

“The last time…”

Harrison recalled, “I… I can’t remember clearly, it should have been a few days after I was beaten. At that time, I went to Regent Street to attend the opening ceremony of a friend’s new store, and I happened to see her with a few men. At that time, she was dressed in jewels, and if it wasn’t for the two small red spots on her lips and shoulders, I almost wouldn’t have recognized her.”

“Jewels?” Dumas chewed on his pen and pondered, “It seems she really made a fortune!”

“It’s more than that…” Harrison sneered, “Although I was afraid of getting beaten again, it would be too spineless to leave directly. So, I had some thoughts of revenge on her. I deliberately walked forward, intending to tell her new lovers about my past romances with her when they separated.”

“What happened?”

“I followed them in a carriage for a while, and finally when Defina went to try on clothes in a store, I went up to them. I chatted with them casually, and only then did I find out that these people were actually military officers from the Russian embassy…”

Arthur heard this, and suddenly asked, “What month was this, do you remember clearly?”

Harrison said, “It should have been October.”

Louis heard this, he quickly flipped through the files in front of him, he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Arthur, “According to Miss Fiona’s statement, Defina should have entered the embassy to work on November 25th. If she was already connected with the Russians in October…”

Arthur held the document and looked at it again and again, he suddenly felt the seriousness of the situation.

The Russians did have the reason and motive to assassinate him, and using a Polish assassin with a pro-French background could indeed bring the greatest benefit to the Russians, and this even conforms to the current policy of the Foreign Office.

The only problem now is whether Viscount Palmerston knows, and whether others in the cabinet know about the Russians’ plan.

If everyone is pretending to be clueless, then this case won’t be as simple as finding out the truth.

Moreover, the Russians even thoughtfully prepared a backup truth for the investigation committee.

Arthur stared at Harrison for a long time, he already smelled something fishy.

“Louis.”

Louis looked up, “What’s wrong?”

“If the investigation committee issues an arrest warrant for Mr. Harrison later, remember to arrange him separately in the criminal investigation department’s prison.”

(End of chapter)