Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(22)

He leaned forward and closed his hand over mine. "The question is, did his source leave that piece of information out deliberately, or did he or she not know?"

The answer to that would change the list of suspects.

"The Society for Supernatural Activity is an organization that had entanglements with the Langleys," he said.

"Are you implying the Langleys are Salter's source?" I shook my head. "Surely not. Jack Langley is a demon himself, and there is a portal on his property. He didn't like discussing the supernatural with us at first. Despite all that, I can't believe it of them anyway."

"Why not?"

"I liked them."

His features softened. "That isn't a good defense."

"And this is not a courtroom."

He stroked my wrist with his thumb. "There's another possibility. Someone I expect you to defend."

I snatched my hand back. "You are not going to accuse Alice or Lady Vickers! Who's next? Seth or Gus?"

He sat back and folded his arms. His eyes banked with a coldness I didn't like. "You think I'd do that?"

I bit my lip. "No. You're right. You wouldn't. I'm sorry, Lincoln. Who do you suspect?"

"The royal family."

I stared at him for so long my eyes watered. "You think your father is the source? I cannot believe it. He likes you, and his brother the duke likes him. They wouldn't talk about you to anyone. Besides, the royals are not the sort to trust newspapers. They dislike that sort of attention."

"Unless it helps them."

"How does telling a reporter from The Star about you and the ministry help them?"

"I don't know yet."

"It's a working men's daily anyway, and far too left wing for the royals. They'd probably go to the The Standard. No, I still think it's Swinburn."

"Then if Swinburn is confiding in newspapermen, we have another problem." At my raised brow, he added, "He could tell Salter who my father is."

I considered that a moment then shook my head. "The risk is too great. He wouldn't want to offend the royal family, and he knows he'd be our number one suspect, since so few are privy to that piece of information."

"Whoever it is knows about Harriet being a shape changer. Salter mentioned the ministry harboring one. That can only mean her."

"Then we can rule out the royal family," I said.

"Unless Swinburn has informed the prince or duke."

"Could Mr. Salter be referring to Gawler and the fact you have not held him accountable for these murders?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "That is a very good point."

I sighed. We were not getting any closer to answers, only more questions. "So what do we do now?"

"I look through that notebook from Salter."

"Oh! Yes, the one he placed in his desk drawer. Why hide it from us if it's not important? It probably contains the name of his informant." I rubbed my hands together. "Shall we break into The Star's office tonight?"

"I will do the breaking in without you. That is not negotiable, Charlie, so don't attempt to change my mind."

"But—"

He lunged toward me, planted his hands on the seat either side of me, and pressed his mouth to mine before I could say anything more. The kiss sent a thrill through me, right to my toes. It was full of ferocious desire, of a need that came from deep within him. I could not push him away. Didn't want to. I clung to his shoulders and deepened the kiss.

He finally sat back opposite when the coach turned a sharp corner. I was gratified to see that his cheeks had colored. He looked as flustered as I felt.

"You are diabolical," I said.

He flashed me a wicked grin.

"But you can't silence me forever," I said.

"Seth and Gus will come with me. There's no need for you, too."

I didn't bother to contradict him. It would only end in an argument.



* * *



I slept through the night and missed Lincoln's nocturnal excursion to The Star's office and his subsequent visit to Mr. Salter's lodgings. It was a pity, as I would have liked to scramble through windows like I used to. It turned out that he didn't take Gus or Seth either. I did not admonish him for it in front of them as we all sat in his study in the morning, but planned to do so later.

"Did you find the notebook?" Seth asked.

"No," Lincoln said. "It wasn't in his office, and I couldn't find it in his rooms. I didn't check his bedroom for risk of waking him."

"You never used to worry about that," Seth said with a laugh.

Lincoln glared at him and Seth gulped.

"Might be worth going back when he ain't there," Gus suggested.

"I disagree," I said. "I suspect he keeps the notebook close, perhaps even on his person."

"My money's still on Swinburn being Salter's source," Seth said. "Or Julia. Perhaps both together."

I no longer felt so sure. Lincoln was right; Swinburn wouldn't jeopardize his pack by drawing the ire of the public. Imagine if Salter's articles led to vigilantes roaming the streets at night or an extra police presence. At best, they would be seen during their runs, and at worst, they'd be shot at.