From The Ashes (The Ministry of Curiosities #6)(53)

"Yes," he said without turning around.

"Your seer's senses know that much?"

"Yes."

We passed the north wing then doubled back on the other side, out of sight from the main gate and the porter. We hurried up the stairs, although I suspected Lincoln slowed his pace for me.

We heard the voices of Seth, Dr. Bell and Dr. Fawkner before we reached the top step. "You don't understand." Seth sounded exasperated. "You have to come with me."

"Don't be absurd," Dr. Bell shouted.

"Calm down, sir," Dr. Fawkner said. "Tell us why you think he's in danger."

"It's none of your bloody business," Seth growled.

"Unhand me!" Dr. Bell cried.

Lincoln and I raced along the corridor as other doctors and nurses emerged from offices and laboratories to see what the commotion was about. "Seth," Lincoln barked. "Let him go."

Seth looked like he wanted to faint with relief at seeing us. He let Bell go and moved away, hands in the air, only to step on Dr. Fawkner's foot. Poor Dr. Fawkner yelped.

"Sir!" Dr. Bell rushed up to us. He looked as if he were about to grasp Lincoln's jacket but thought better of it. "Where is he?" he blurted out. "Where's Mannering?"

"I don't know. Dr. Bell, may we speak with you in your office?"

"This way."

"Go back to work," Lincoln told the onlookers, including Dr. Fawkner.

We followed Dr. Bell into his office and shut the door. Seth remained near it, his arms crossed, scowling at Bell.

"Why didn't you tell me you worked for Mr. Fitzroy," Bell said to Seth.

"I didn't think that mattered," Seth said with a shrug.

"Of course it matters! My God, man, he knows how Mannering came back." Bell turned his wild gaze onto Lincoln. "Don't you? You know why a dead man broke into my laboratory last night and stole my papers."

"We work for a secret government organization that monitors threats to our national security," Lincoln said. "You and your research came to our attention recently through another investigation. We're concerned that you may be creating a serum or medicine for an unscrupulous person or persons who are operating against the interests of crown and country."

"Firstly, I know of no such government organization."

"Hence the secret part," Seth said with a shake of his head.

"Secondly, my patron has only England's best interests in mind. I wouldn't have accepted the commission otherwise."

"How can you be sure?"

"From the letter he wrote me. He swore that my medicine would be used only by the government to keep the nation safe."

"It's true," Seth said. "I read them."

"You said 'he' just now," Lincoln said. "Are you certain it's a man? Have you met him?"

"No. I'm not certain of anything regarding my benefactor's identity."

"Is there anything else you can tell us about him or her? Anything that may identify them? Think very hard, Dr. Bell."

Bell shrugged. "Nothing. You've seen the papers. There is no name, no monogram, no letterhead, and the signature cannot be made out. Money was left in a bag in here for me. I don't know who put it there. No one does."

"And you didn't ask for proof of his identity considering the medicine would be dangerous if it was used by an unscrupulous person?" I asked. "That's very unwise."

"It must have been a lot of money," Seth muttered.

"It wasn't the money!" Bell snapped. "It was the challenge. Only a genius could succeed in creating such a medicine."

"Shame you couldn't do it," Seth sneered.

Bell ignored him. "I have questions for you, Mr. Fitzroy. How did Mannering come back to life? Was it a serum based on the analysis of his own blood, or something else entirely? Is my research into hematology important at all? Please, I've been floundering without getting close and now—"

"Enough," Lincoln ordered. "We have to leave. Now."

"Don't be ridiculous. I can't leave like this. I have work to do."

"It's not negotiable."

"Dr. Bell, please," I said. "You have to leave London and go into hiding until we catch this man. He's incredibly dangerous. He lied to you. He doesn't want the serum for good."

"How do you know?"

"He's murdering people to keep them quiet. Do you know any murderers out to do good for the nation?"

Bell fell back into his chair. He looked like an old man, worn down by years of hard physical labor, not scientific work in a laboratory. He lifted a shaky hand to stroke his beard. "Then what does he want it for if not for national security?"

Lincoln rounded the desk and pulled Bell to his feet. "We have to go. Now. Do you have family?"

Bell shook his head.

"I'll give you money to buy new clothes at your destination. Are there any personal effects from here that you wish to take?"

Bell simply stared at him as if he couldn't quite see or hear him.

Lincoln gripped his shoulders and shook him. "Move."

"But you managed to raise Mannering."