Free The de Vere Deception (David Thorne Mysteries Book 1) by Loy Ray Clemons

his tender yeeres. Cagney when visited upon by the man who spoke in private of his family tree and records. He did shew these to Cagney and he marveled. He did also shew his writing of playes and poetry and giveth them to Cagney. They bespoke of strange things of highe importance of Court and suche. They bespoke also of a Venetian merchant, a high-borne and sad Denmarke prince, a violent Moor and others. The man de Vere asketh Cagney for the safekeeping of suche and saith a gentleman cannot offer suche and would suffer damage at Court. He taketh another name. Upon arrest and debtors prison for Cagney he doth leaveth all his goodes and de Vere papers behind in the manor and de Vere papers may be used for oure benefitte when needes be to  seeketh the Queene’s favour. I have builded her a castle and a Keepe and these treasures are kept safe where the poesies doth welcome and should I pass you will fynd such upon your safe return from the Newe World.
     
    Thorne re-read the transcript of the letter. Moldar was writing to his son, Bascomb, about their business venture in America. Apparently, they had bribed William Cecil, the First, Baron Burghley, father-in-law to Edward de Vere’s, for a Patent of Monopoly. This gave them the exclusive right to import tobacco and corn from the New World.
                The letter also told of de Vere’s visits to Moldar Manor where he met with Warren Cagney, tutor for Moldar’s son, Bascomb. Cagney had also been a tutor of de Vere and was a confidant. De Vere evidently left his family records and work on plays and poetry for safekeeping with Cagney. Cagney and Moldar seemed to think it wasn’t proper for a gentleman to write plays and poetry, so they assumed de Vere had written under a pseudonym.
                The Venetian merchant could be construed to be The Merchant of Venice; the sad prince of Denmarke as Hamlet; and the violent Moor as Othello . Cagney had been arrested and sent to debtor’s prison. He left the de Vere papers at the manor house where Moldar found them. Moldar kept them to threaten de Vere with exposure when it might be helpful to Molder and Bascomb. As Moldar continued to think it wasn’t proper for a highborn to be writing plays, he wasn’t above blackmailing de Vere to intercede with the Queen on Moldar’s behalf,
                “Where the poesies welcome” reference, obviously marked hiding places of the “treasure” in Kilshire Castle. To Thorne, poesies described a bouquet of flowers or a nosegay and appeared to be representative of flowers—possibly a painting or plaque.
                His curiosity was aroused that the one-page letter hadn’t been signed. Perhaps it was of such a personal nature; Richard Moldar didn’t consider it important.
                Still, it seemed unusual that Moldar didn’t end the letter with affectionate closure.
     
    Freddie was waiting for Thorne when his plane landed at Heathrow. “Good trip I hope,” he said as he loaded Thorne’s luggage into the car.
                “Long, but I slept and had a chance to read the files at length. I took medication for jet lag before I left. We’ll see if it works.”
                Freddie flagged a bellman when they arrived at the May Fair Hotel. “Take your time and relax. We can discuss what you read when you feel like it. Check in. I’ll see your luggage gets to your room.” Thorne checked in at the front desk and glanced around the newly designed lobby as he waited for the elevator.
                The May Fair was opened in 1927 by King Edward V, and had recently undergone a seventy million pound remodeling, turning it into an elegant, contemporary-styled five star jewel. Sparkling Baccarat chandeliers, Fendi sofas and chairs, paintings from St. Petersburg, and a white marble floor said it all—the May Fair was indeed the new contemporary grand hotel in London.
                When he