From The Ashes (The Ministry of Curiosities #6)(51)

"Miss Holloway, sit," the inspector said, indicating a chair. He was a middle-aged fellow with a sagging face and unhurried movements. His eyes, however, darted over me. I got the feeling he missed nothing. "I just have a few questions and then you may go."

Lincoln squeezed my hand. I hoped my answers matched his. I sat at the desk with the little wooden name plate telling me that the saggy faced policeman was Detective Inspector Donald.

"Tell me about that fellow you met, Mannering," the inspector said.

"Is that his name?" I asked in my most innocent voice. "Dr. Bell said it was, but he didn't introduce himself to me. Mr. Fitzroy and I were minding our own business walking past Barts and that ghastly fellow approached us. He said he'd harm us if we didn't go to Dr. Bell's office and question him about his work. We did, but Dr. Bell told us nothing. That man was furious and demanded we help him break in during the night. Very reluctantly, Mr. Fitzroy hired a coach and drivers, then we returned to the hospital. He made us wait for him." The story was so weak, it barely held together. I hoped Inspector Donald was a dull-witted fellow easily intimidated by Lincoln's scowls.

"Can you describe him to me?"

I did, but in vague terms so that the description would most likely match Bell's but could be attributed to many men.

"The thing is," Inspector Donald said, "Mannering's dead."

"Then it couldn't have been him, could it? Dr. Bell must have been mistaken."

"The other thing is, I don't believe you." He turned to Lincoln. "Either of you."

Lincoln went very still. I wanted to reach for his hand again, but I dared not move. The inspector might see it as a sign of guilt.

Inspector Donald stood and buttoned up his waistcoat. "However, I've been ordered by my superiors to release you. I don't really care why. It's one less thing on my plate. Good day to you both. You may collect your things from the constable on your way out."

I was too stunned to move until Lincoln stood. "Good day, Inspector. Thank you for your time."

Inspector Donald's face sagged even further, but he didn't say another word as we left. Neither of us spoke as the constable handed over my reticule, gloves and Lincoln's belongings. I didn't want to say something that might have the inspector revoking his decision.

Lincoln stopped at the door and wordlessly handed me his coat. He didn't ask where mine had gone.

"Miss Charlie! Miss Charlie!" Betty waved at me as we exited the police station. She stood in my coat, clutching a dirty hessian sack to her chest as if she were afraid someone would snatch it. "Ain't it grand to be free," she said, smiling.

"It is," I said, smiling back. "I hope we both manage to stay that way."

Her smile faded. She nodded and went to walk off.

"Betty, wait." I opened my reticule, then thought better of it, and handed her the entire thing. There was nothing in it of personal value, only some coins, a handkerchief and the bag itself. "Take this, and do be careful."

Her eyes brightened. "Are you sure?"

I nodded.

"Thank you, Miss Charlie. Thank you, thank you." She grasped my hand and kissed the back of it. Her fingers were freezing. I gave her my gloves and was about to tell her of a place to go when Lincoln got in before me.

"There's a woman on Broker Row near Seven Dials named Mrs. Sullivan," he said. "If you need a place to stay or some food, find her and tell her Charlie sent you. She'll take care of you."

Betty nodded eagerly. "Thank you, sir. I'll go there now. I don't want to go back to me old digs. The only thing waiting for me is my pa and he'll just have me doing more of the same as got me in here."

I fared her well then fell into step beside Lincoln. Despite the cold morning and his lack of coat, he didn't shiver. "We need to send more money Mrs. Sullivan's way," I said. "Her house must be full to bursting."

"I plan to talk to her about getting bigger lodgings," he said. "If she's amenable to the idea, she can take in more girls and get some help too, if she wants it."

Sometimes, he surprised me into utter speechlessness.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yes. You?"

"Fine."

"Good."

We headed away from the station and into the swell of morning traffic. Lincoln walked very close to me, our arms touching, his face a picture of sharp concentration.

That's when it finally sank in. We'd been released because Inspector Donald's superiors had ordered him to do so. But who'd ordered them?

"The committee members knew we were in there, didn't they?" I said, scanning the vicinity. If the committee knew, and one of the members was our murderer, then my life was once again in danger.

"It would seem so."

I pulled out my necklace with the imp enclosed inside the amber orb and clasped it hard.

"I'll keep you safe," Lincoln said, without looking at me. His little finger touched mine. He wasn't wearing gloves and I no longer had mine so the feel of skin on skin came as a shock. I moved my hand away.

"It's not just me, is it? Dr. Bell is also in danger now. Our killer doesn't like loose ends. Loose ends tend to talk."

Lincoln said nothing. No doubt he'd already come to the same conclusion.