Vow of Deception (The Ministry of Curiosities #9)(52)

"Good lord," Mr. Yallop said on a breath. "Your bravery and presence of mind are to be commended."

Swinburn smiled. "Those two gentlemen saw everything," he said. "Mr. Fitzroy and his companions did not, but no doubt they heard the gunshot."

"Do you have anything to add, sir?" Inspector Fullbright asked Lincoln.

"No," Lincoln said.

Fullbright looked to Seth then me. We both shook our heads. To Swinburn, he said, "Do you always carry a loaded gun when you go about your daily affairs?"

"These are dangerous times," Swinburn said. "I've carried a gun ever since the Ripper murders."

"It seems a little extreme."

"I'm not the sort who does things by halves."

"Quite right." Mr. Yallop nodded with enthusiasm and studied Swinburn anew. "No one becomes advisor to the royal family by treading lightly." So he was aware of Swinburn's importance to the palace.

Inspector Fullbright closed his notebook. "Thank you, sir. I'll be in touch if I have more questions."

"We will indeed," Mr. Yallop said. "Although I'm sure there'll be no need to trouble you again. You've told us everything you could. May I applaud you once again, sir. Your actions have saved this city from further chaos and fear. The public can breathe easier now that the murderous creature is dead."

I almost walked off in disgust. I was only glad the spirit of Gawler was no longer around to hear so many lies spewing from Swinburn's mouth. My ears couldn't cope with more screeching.

The detective inspector signaled to his remaining constables that it was time to leave.

"What will happen to Gawler's body?" Lincoln asked him.

"Why?" Mr. Yallop sneered. "Does the ministry want it? I can assure you, you won't be allowed anywhere near it. You are still under investigation—"

"An investigation that may prove the ministry is necessary," Seth cut in.

Mr. Yallop huffed out a humorless laugh.

"Scientists and doctors will want to study it," Inspector Fullbright told Lincoln. "They'll seek to understand these creatures in the hope that will help them develop a way to stop them in the future."

"Quite right," Swinburn said. "It's the only way." He didn't sound worried at all. Why wasn't he concerned about what they may discover about the body? Perhaps he knew they'd discover nothing of importance.

"I'm not convinced Gawler committed the Old Nichol murders," Lincoln said.

Fullbright studied him, his face blank.

"Don't be absurd," Mr. Yallop scoffed. "Of course he did it. You saw that beast!"

"There are others?" Inspector Fullbright asked Lincoln.

Lincoln's gaze locked with the detective's while Swinburn went very still. I didn't dare move, didn't dare glance at him, or anyone. I couldn't decide on the best course of action—let Fullbright know that Swinburn was a shape-changer, or keep his secret?

Somewhere in the distance a dog barked and Mr. Yallop jumped. He tried to hide his nervousness with a cough and stroking his waistcoat at his chest. "If there are, we'll catch them. Now that we know Gawler was one, we'll find the rest. All we need to do is find his associates."

We must warn Harriet. And yet it may have been her that set these events in motion, either accidentally or on purpose.

Inspector Fullbright walked off to his waiting coach. Mr. Yallop watched him leave out of the corner of his eye then stepped close to Lincoln.

"You've got a nerve suggesting it wasn't Gawler," Mr. Yallop hissed. "You ought to be locked up for defending him."

"We look at the evidence," Seth said when Lincoln offered no explanation. "And the evidence doesn't point to Gawler."

Mr. Yallop wrinkled his nose at Seth as if he smelled something foul. "Stop your bleating, Vickers. I asked my colleagues in the House of Lords about you. Laughter followed every mention of your name. If half the stories are true, I wouldn't show my face around London if I were you."

"Luckily I don't have your face. As to your colleagues in the House of Lords, I suspect some of their laughter was nervous. I know as many secrets about them as they do about me. But I'm not a tattler, Mr. Yallop, so don't bother asking me for information."

Mr. Yallop blinked owlishly, clearly unsure of what to make of Seth and his retort. He returned his attention to Lincoln. "I'm warning you, Fitzroy. If you don't hand over the ministry files, you will be arrested for hindering our investigation."

"I already told you, there is nothing to hand over," Lincoln said.

Beside him, Swinburn shifted his weight, catching Mr. Yallop's attention. "I do apologize, Sir Ignatius," Mr. Yallop said. "This discussion is irrelevant to you. Thank you for your time." He turned and strode off to his own conveyance.

"Nicely done, Fitzroy," Swinburn said as he watched Mr. Yallop drive off. "You're willing to risk arrest rather than betray those recorded in your files."

"No thanks to you," I said. "You told your cronies about us and that led to Yallop's committee being formed. You've put many lives in danger, Sir Ignatius. I hope that gives you want you want."

"Why would I do that? My name is in your files, as are those of my friends.'"