Master Hargreaves,
Much as I have enjoyed our little bouts in the Fog veiled streets of the Borough, I feel it is about time we stopped dancing around each other and behaved. For one, there are only too many windows one can replace before losing patience. Secondly, events in the Commons have accelerated the return of the Clockwork Project and brought the state of our relationship to a head; I fear I may have to forego the gavottes, the moonlight and roses and make fast with my proposals, so to speak.
Having placed me under scrutiny, and I know you have, you will have learned that I have the resources and the influence to have had you shut down by now and are no doubt questioning my intentions. I wish to make it perfectly clear that I harbour no desire to eradicate nor subjugate you at all. You are an interesting man, Mr Hargreaves with far more potential than your current operation truly allows you; therefore, I would like to offer you an opportunity. Think of it as a merger of sorts or at least, a partnership of convenience.
Very soon this country will go to war with itself; it will pitch rich against poor, clock against man, masters against servants and republicans against The Crown. In such chaos, as I’m sure you are aware, conditions are ripe for profit but they are also ripe for so much more. In these troubling times why victimize the forgotten of Whitechapel at all when more promising and lucrative marks lie in Westminster or the Fairfax Industrial Estates? In these troubling times it would be churlish not come to some arrangement.
It is my intention that we declare the East End a mutual protectorate and in exchange my senior Mayhems will guide you to newer and larger avenues of profit. You would also have limited access to The Network and be assisted with the political means to expand your operation further afield, out-with Sanctuary boundaries, of course. This is not an offer I make lightly; however it has become apparent that our respective areas of expertise compliment each other well and I hope that you might wish to participate in Mayhem projects in the future.
It is my pleasure to invite you to take tea with me at the site of our last confrontation. I thought you may appreciate the poetry of forging a treaty on a former battleground. While this is a peaceful business meeting, I would not dream of insisting that all sidearms be left behind: I never leave home without a concealed blade or pistol and would consider it foolish of you not to follow suit.
Should you or your party have any special dietary requirements I would advise you to let Mrs O’Neill at the Red Lion know as soon as possible, she does so hate learning such things at the last minute.
Wednesday afternoon, 4 o’clock for half past. I look forward to meeting you at last.
Mistress E Mayhem