The Apothecary's Poison (Glass and Steele #3)(46)

"You seem to have missed my point. What I'm trying to tell you is that there may not be any grandchildren of magicians because this generation will be wiped out."

Mr. Barratt stilled. I hardly dared to breathe. Hearing it put so baldly shocked me, although I couldn't say why. Perhaps because I didn't truly believe such a thing could happen. Matt, however, did. That mattered. It mattered very much.

"You have a lower opinion of your fellow man than I do, Mr. Glass," Mr. Barratt said.

"Perhaps because I've seen more of the lowest form of man than you."

"Having reported on the Ripper murders, I respectfully disagree." He looked as if he was about to say something else to Matt, but instead turned to me. He once again covered my hand with his. "We're frightening Miss Steele."

I withdrew my hand. "A little heated discussion doesn't frighten me," I assured him.

"You are made of stern stuff. You're braver than most females I've met." He smiled. "Another point of uniqueness in your favor."

"You ought to meet Matt's cousin, Willie. I'm weak compared to her."

"Hardly," Matt muttered. "Was there a reason for your visit, Barratt, or did you simply stop by to drink tea with India?"

"I came to warn you both that Detective Inspector Brockwell from Scotland Yard questioned me about you, among other things."

"Thank you for the warning," Matt said. "His questions are merely form."

"What sort of questions?" I asked.

"How well I knew you, mostly. He mentioned you were ill, Mr. Glass, and that's why you claimed to be interested in Hale and his medical miracle. Nothing serious, I hope."

"No," Matt bit off.

"Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Barratt," I said quickly. "It was good of you to warn us."

He stood and took my hand. "Thank you for the discussion and tea. It was most enjoyable, at least for a little while."

Behind him, I caught Matt rolling his eyes.

"I'll see you out," I said.

I walked him to the door, and Matt followed. Mr. Barratt climbed into a waiting coach and gave the driver orders. He waved as the coach rolled away.

"He can afford to keep his own horse and conveyance," I said. "That's surprising for a journalist."

"Family money," Matt said. "His brother is one of the most successful ink producers in the country, remember?" He shut the front door and indicated I should walk ahead of him back to the sitting room. This time, Matt sat and sipped his tea. "What did he say to you before I came in?"

"We were discussing my family and where my magic came from." I considered stopping there, but I knew I'd feel guilty for withholding the most important detail. "Now…don't get mad."

He set the teacup down with a clank and glared at me.

"I told him about my watch saving my life."

He took two deep breaths, letting the last one out slowly. "It's your choice to tell him that if you wish."

"I know. Of course it is. But I knew you wouldn't like it."

He picked up the cup and sipped his tea. Mine had gone cold. We ought to have some cake, too. That would keep our mouths full and stop us from saying things we regretted, and by the time we'd finished eating, he might be calmer.

But without cake, I ended up saying what was on my mind. "Don't be angry with me, Matt."

"I'm not."

"You are. Your features are hard, and you can't even look at me."

He looked at me and his jaw softened but not his eyes. "I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at him. I don't like him, and I don't like his ideas. They're reckless."

I couldn't argue with him, not when he had my safety in mind. Besides, part of me agreed with him. The other part of me agreed with Oscar Barratt, but I wouldn't let on as much.

I refilled both our teacups. "Let's focus on the matters at hand and not Mr. Barratt's ideas. We have two tasks and two tasks only. Find Chronos and find Dr. Hale's murderer to clear your name."

"There's been no word from The Cross Keys," he said. "As to Dr. Hale, I'm at a loss. We have several suspects but no good leads."

"We could speak with Abercrombie and find out what he told Mr. Clark of the Apothecary's Guild."

"He won't tell us."

"Then we should concentrate on finding out which of our apothecaries is a magician. That's all we know for certain about our murderer."

"Agreed. A little spying is in order. But first, this afternoon, would you like to help me pick out a new watch?"

My heart rose, and I couldn't stop the smile creeping over my face. "Yes, please. We could visit the Masons. I'd like to give Mr. Mason your custom. Although he might get in trouble from the guild if Abercrombie finds out I visited. I don't want to cause him any difficulties. On the other hand, every respectable watchmaker in London knows who and what I am now. None will want me in their shop." I slumped back in the chair with a deep sigh. "Perhaps I shouldn't go at all."

"Since we questioned all of the prominent watchmakers, I don't think it matters if I go alone. They'll remember me anyway and may refuse to serve me."