Vow of Deception: Ministry of Curiosities, Book #9

by C. J. Archer

  Lincoln's arm tensed beneath my hand. I squeezed it hard, partly to hold him in check and partly because I needed to cling to him. I felt all at sea suddenly, as if my boat had been cast adrift with me in it.

  "Get on with it, Fullbright," Mr. Yallop said. "I haven't got all day."

  "Search the house," Inspector Fullbright said to his constables.

  "Search the house!" I cried. Seth and Gus echoed my surprise.

  "There's no need for a search," Lincoln said, sounding far calmer than I expected. His rigidity told another story, however. "I will answer your questions and cooperate fully."

  "As I would hope," Mr. Yallop said with a sniff. "But Inspector Fullbright has a job to do." He nodded at the detective who in turn nodded at his men. They filed out of the drawing room.

  The records! We hadn't completely finished making a copy of them all. Letters V to Z were still sitting on the desk for anyone to see. Once the constables found those, they would realize what we were doing and demand to see the other files.

  I swallowed heavily and gripped Lincoln's arm harder. "Charlie?" he said. "Are you unwell?"

  "It's a little hot in here," I said, flapping my hand in front of my face. "I think I'll retire to my room to lie down."

  "No," both Fullbright and Yallop said.

  "You will remain here while Fullbright's constables perform their search." Mr. Yallop's lips pinched into what I suspected was an attempt at a placating smile. "Can't have you hiding the files, can we?"

  "Files?" Lincoln asked.

  Mr. Yallop's smile widened. "So we've been told."

  "You're mistaken. There are no files pertaining to the ministry. I keep none."

  "We shall see. There are another two constables checking the outbuildings as we speak. We'll leave no stone unturned."

  They didn't need to turn any stones, simply open the attic door.

  "Are we all prisoners in here?" Seth demanded.

  "In a sense," Inspector Fullbright said. "Sit, Miss Holloway. This could take some time."

  Lincoln directed me to a seat and I gladly took it. If none of us could leave, how were we to hide the files? We couldn't even pass on a message to Cook, Alice and Lady Vickers. There was still Doyle…

  "May I order tea?" I asked with a nod at the bell pull.

  "I'll find your butler and ask him to bring refreshments," Mr. Yallop said. "Can't have you communicating with him now, can we?" That pinched smile again. He knew what I planned to do.

  My stomach plunged. I wanted to scream in frustration but managed to act the demure hostess instead. "Please do not upset the servants. It's so difficult to find good ones nowadays." Lady Vickers would be proud of me.

  Mr. Yallop left and some of my anxiety left with him. Inspector Fullbright didn't seem quite so unreasonable, merely a man doing his duty. He pulled a notebook and pencil out of his jacket pocket and settled on the sofa.

  "What does the ministry do, precisely?" he asked.

  There followed a series of questions that Lincoln answered honestly. Perhaps too honestly. He told the inspector about the types of supernatural abilities that existed, although he didn't mention necromancy, other realms, or portals. It was just as well. Fullbright seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the prospect of mediums, shape changers, seers and fire starters existing alongside ordinary folk. However, he didn't once scoff and tell us we were mad for believing in fairytales. He simply noted everything in his little book and asked another question.

  Mr. Yallop returned carrying a tray with teapot and cups. He closed the door with his foot and set it down on the table near me. I poured and handed out the cups, eyeing the bell pull with longing.

  Inspector Fullbright sipped his tea, dampening his lengthy mustache. He licked it only to take another sip and do the same again. "Who in the city has supernatural powers?" he asked. "I want names and abilities."

  Gus scoffed. "We ain't telling you that."

  Fullbright sat with his pencil poised over the notebook and arched his brow at Lincoln.

  "As Gus told you, I can't divulge that information," Lincoln said. "Many wish to remain anonymous and I have promised to abide by their wishes."

  "Dangers are afoot, Mr. Fitzroy. You cannot protect those who wish us harm or you'll be arrested for hindering a murder investigation."

  "Arrested!" I cried. "You cannot arrest him! He's done nothing."

  "He is colluding with these supernaturals," Mr. Yallop said. "And at least one of them is a murderer."

  "There is no them and us in this equation," Lincoln said. "We all live in this city together. We will find the murderer without your interference."

  "Being supernatural doesn't mean they're evil," Seth added. "We've met many who are as normal as we are."

  "Yet one has committed an evil act," Mr. Yallop said. "Perhaps more. I suspect you are not telling us about those because you wish to protect them from our justice system. Why? Why are you protecting them?"

  Seth took a long sip of his tea so Mr. Yallop focused his attention on Lincoln again.

  "Some have committed crimes," Lincoln admitted. " I have meted out justice as I saw fit and will do so again when I catch the one responsible for the recent mauling deaths."

  "So you're a vigilante too?" Yallop declared. "Or does your justice allow them to get off lightly?"

  "No."

  Inspector Fullbright cleared his throat. "The police need to know who to suspect when an atrocity of this nature occurs. It's always easier when we have a list of suspects to question at the start of an investigation."

  "I am not here to make your work easier," Lincoln said. "I will not be giving you any names. They are not suspects any more than you are."

  Mr. Yallop set down his teacup with a loud clank. "Of course they're suspects, man! One of them killed those poor devils in the Old Nichol! Who is it? Well? Who is one of those shape-changers you spoke of? Stop this pissing contest and just tell us!"

  "No."

  "Why are you are protecting them?" Mr. Yallop's gaze shifted to me. Did he suspect?

  Or did he already know?

  My blood ran cold. My throat dried. Too many times I'd been wanted for my necromancy. I'd been a magnet for madmen intent on raising an army of dead, and I'd been kept prisoner to keep me safe from them. Their deaths had bought my freedom.

  And now that freedom might vanish again.

  I looked to Lincoln, but he did not look at me. His gaze bored into the politician's. "I am protecting someone," he said. "Myself. I'm a seer." He spread out his hands. "I cannot predict the future, but I can sense lies on some people, and the presence of others."

  I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  Mr. Yallop and the inspector both stared at Lincoln. Finally, Inspector Fullbright spoke. "Why attempt to keep that a secret from us?"

  "Because I suspect Mr. Yallop doesn't believe that I can't predict the future since that is, after all, the public's perception of a seer. He'll want me to work for him in some capacity, perhaps to predict elections or the way people will vote. I hoped to spare myself his attention. I have no political leanings and no intention of assisting him, even if I could."

  His temper was fraying again, his tone growing more and more abrupt. He needed to maintain calmness or risk angering Mr. Yallop and Inspector Fullbright.

  The detective flipped his notebook closed. "Tell me or not. It doesn't matter. My men will find your files."

  Indeed they would, and the copies we were in the process of making. At least we still had Lincoln's formidable memory to reproduce them. He could probably recall most supernaturals listed in our records, but not all. But the police would still be in possession of the information, and use that to persecute some good people. I heard footsteps overhead, going through the bedrooms, and a woman's voice, but not her words.

  Thank goodness I wore the amber orb necklace at all times. Not that the police would know a creature lived inside, but I felt better having it on me where they wouldn't search. I resisted t
he urge to touch it now and feel its reassuring shape.

  Inspector Fullbright continued with more questions, asking about particular traits each type of supernatural showed. He also asked about crimes committed by or against supernaturals where Lincoln had solved them, and Lincoln gave what information he could without giving away the particulars. The detective seemed impressed with his honesty. I hoped it was enough.

  From Mr. Yallop's scowl, I suspected not.

  Finally the constables returned. They carried no filing cabinet drawers or pieces of paper. "We found nothing, sir," said one. "We checked top to bottom."

  I didn't move. Didn't dare, lest I give something away. How could they have found nothing? Did they miss the attic altogether?

  "As I already told you, there are no records," Lincoln said. "Now, my friends and staff have been inconvenienced enough. Kindly leave."

  Inspector Fullbright stood, but Mr. Yallop huffed out a breath and shook his head. "Inept," the politician muttered.

  "My men are thorough," Inspector Fullbright told him. "If they found no files then there are no files."

  "There must be! My informant tells me that meticulous records are kept. Damn it, man, send them around again. We must find them or we have nothing to show for our efforts."

  "Not today," the inspector said, striding to the door. "I have other lines of inquiry to follow anyway." He held Lincoln's gaze. "This investigation is not over. I intend to find out who committed those murders."

  "As do I," Lincoln said. "We can work together, Inspector."

  The detective merely grunted and left, his men trailing behind him.

  Mr. Yallop came up to Lincoln and stood toe to toe with him. He was shorter but wider, his flushed face a red beacon. "I don't trust you, Fitzroy. You're hiding those files, I know it."

  "Perhaps your source knows where they are," Lincoln said.

  Mr. Yallop's jaw worked then he stormed off. "I will find evidence that you've been keeping information from us and when I do, you'll be arrested for conspiracy to murder."

  "Murder!" I blurted out.

  Mr. Yallop did not stop and Lincoln held me back from chasing after him.

  I searched Lincoln's face. "Could he really do that?"

  "Unlikely."

  Unlikely still contained the word likely in it.

  "What an arse," Gus said. "I hope his coach overturns and squashes him."

  "Yallop's an eel," Seth said. "But he's dangerous. Select committees have a lot of power. If he recommends we be shut down then we'll be shut down."

  "We'll go underground if that happens," I said.

  "If he wants to arrest someone, then he'll be arrested," Seth added with a speaking glance at Lincoln.

  "This is absurd." I threw my hands in the air. "We are on their side. We want to find the killer too."

  "Someone wants the ministry abolished," Lincoln said, heading for the door. "And they are using the most powerful means at their disposal to do it."

  "Their influence," I said heavily. "He must have a lot of it to have a select committee formed so quickly. I don't think the public's fear is the entire reason."

  "Swinburn," Gus and Seth said together.

  I nodded. It had to be. Lincoln stopped in the doorway then stood aside for Lady Vickers and Alice to hurry in. They both sported grins.

  "They're gone," Alice announced, shutting the door.

  "We did it!" Lady Vickers grasped Alice's hands in her own and shook them. "Well done, Alice, you brave thing. Well done."

  "You were brave too. Seth, your mother was a marvel. She acted her role brilliantly, and with no rehearsal or prompting required."

  Seth stared at them both, his mouth ajar. "You removed the files, didn't you?"

  They both nodded.

  "All of them?" I asked.

  "Give us some credit, Charlie," Lady Vickers said. "We may not be able to raise the dead, see into the future, or strike a blow with fists, but we are not entirely useless."

  "Then do tell how you managed it."

  "I suspected what the police wanted," Alice said, taking a seat on the sofa. Lady Vickers sat next to her, quite close. They both still sported smiles. "As soon as I realized you were all in here being interrogated, I went up to the attic to hide the records. I removed the filing cabinet drawers and carried them out of the attic to my bedchamber. I even remembered the ones on the desk. It took three trips but I retrieved all of the records before the constables searched the attic."

  "They searched the attic before the bedchambers," Lady Vickers said. "Indeed, they left those to last, and the attic second last."

  "It gave me plenty of time," Alice went on, "and I was able to use the service stairs to quickly navigate between floors. By that time, Lady V was delaying them."

  "I also knew what they were doing, but not Alice's activities. I thought only to slow their progress to give you time to convince them to leave, Lincoln. I carried on and on about violations of privacy and the like, and I even pretended to faint at one point."

  "Faint!" Seth snorted. "Poor man who had to catch you."

  "Indeed," his mother said with a laugh. Seth chuckled too.

  "But they did search your room, Alice," I said. "So where did you hide the files?"

  "I stripped the sheets from my bed and tipped the contents of the drawers into them. I then pricked my thumb with a needle from my sewing basket and gathered up the linen with the files inside the bundle. Of course some of the blood from my thumb got on the sheets. I stacked the drawers inside the cupboard where they did not seem out of place and waited until I could hear sounds of activity in the corridor. I opened the door and pretended to have just woken from a sleep and needed to urgently take the soiled linen to the housekeeper."

  "And they just let you pass?" Gus asked.

  "I pleaded the women's curse," she said, avoiding his gaze. "The young constable turned as red as a radish."

  Gus suddenly didn't know where to look. "I don't blame him."

  "He did," Lady Vickers said. "I'd followed them upstairs and performed quite the hysterical show, begging them not to violate us poor women. I saw Alice and realized what she was doing and went along with her story. I convinced them that her courses are a source of difficulty for her and they ought not embarrass her over it. She blushed on cue and hurried past them, her head bowed. It was quite the performance."

  "As was yours, madam."

  Lady Vickers touched Alice's hand. "We made a good team."

  "What did you do with the files?" Lincoln asked.

  "They're in the basement," Alice said. "Still wrapped up in my linen."

  Lincoln strode off, but paused at the door. "Thank you, ladies. Your quick thinking and bravery saved us. Those records go back a very long way. The information they contain is invaluable to the ministry, both now and in the future."

  "Invaluable and dangerous if the wrong hands get a hold of them," Alice said darkly.

  I leaned down and hugged her. Like me, she had a lot to worry about if the government learned what we were. Our every move would be tracked to the end of our days, at the very least.

  I suppressed my shiver and kissed her and Lady Vickers on their cheeks before picking up my skirts and racing after Lincoln. I thought he would go to the basement, but he went to his rooms. He slid the painting that hung on his wall aside and checked the safe behind it.

  "Has it been opened?" I asked.

  He shook his head but turned the dial several times and opened it anyway. He swiftly checked the contents then closed the safe door and spun the dial. "They didn't find it," he said, straightening the picture.

  "That's a relief."

  The safe contained several documents, the most important of which were details of a secret deposit box at the bank. As well as the ministry's financial documents, the deposit box contained a codebook that mapped all the codes Lincoln used when noting information about supernaturals. Since his memory was formidable, his notes were generally meant for the rest of us in the
ministry. I was the only other person who knew the wall safe's code so if anything happened to him, I could access it. If the police had found the safe and the deposit box details, the ministry's secrets would be exposed.

  "Shall we move the files from the basement?" I asked.

  "Not yet. We'll do it under cover of darkness tonight. Wear something you don't mind getting dirty."

  We left his rooms and met with Seth and Gus on the staircase on their way up. "Seth, find out everything you can on Yallop. I want to know why he wants to close down the ministry."

  "You think he has a personal agenda?" Seth asked.

  "I'm not sure."

  "He did seem vehement in his enthusiasm," I said.

  "Like it were more than his job," Gus agreed.

  * * *

  Gus, Seth, Lincoln, Cook and I buried the files in the walled garden at midnight while most of the household slept. We did not use lamps but moonlight to guide our path, and we didn't speak until we entered the secluded area and only then in whispers. Not only did we bury the files, we also buried the copy we'd made, but in a different location. After spreading manure over the entire area to obscure the freshly turned earth, we returned silently to the house and went our separate ways.

  I got no further than my bedroom door. A male voice came from Alice's room. A voice I recognized.

  Lincoln heard it too and pushed me behind him. He barged inside before I could stop him.

  Alice sat up in bed, awake. The white rabbit from Wonderland stood near the window, his nose twitching violently.

  Chapter 8

  The rabbit's paw tightened around something in his hand. I couldn't see it, but I suspected it was the pocket watch he used to help him travel between realms.

  "Wait!" Lincoln said, hands up in surrender. "Don't leave yet. We just want to talk."

  The rabbit glanced between Lincoln and me, then back to Alice. He held out his hand to her. "You didn't give me your answer, Miss Alice."

  "Answer to what?" Lincoln asked.