Gilded Hearts (The Shadow Guild Series) (21 page)

Samuel was forced to wear his radiation goggles as they made their way along Regent Street to the iron walk. Even though the sun was setting, the sky was cloudless, making the burn and brightness too much for him to handle. Timmons forewent his, but did slip on his gloves before holding on to the worn metal rail.

They’d lost a day, precious time they needed to find out where Jack was and put a stop to his killings. With the guild now forcing their involvement with the investigation, it would be almost impossible to keep Piper from falling back into their care.

Timmons kept his voice low. “Do you think he planned this? Getting the Archives involved?”

Samuel could still hear Jack’s gravelly voice whispering in his ear.
I used to watch you, Sammy-boy.
Instead of the anxiety the killer had intended, Samuel felt only rage. This bastard was trying to taunt him, instill fear into Samuel so he would either botch the investigation or put his focus in the wrong place. He wasn’t watching closely enough if he thought he could affect Samuel that easily.

“He’s cocky. He probably assumes I want to keep as far away from the guild as possible. Their arrival is most likely a bonus.”

Timmons grunted, succinctly summing up how Samuel felt.

The crowds were heavy and the streets crowded. Two officers from the King’s Sentry commanded a certain amount of respect, and people gave way as they stepped off the iron walk and onto the road to the Tower.

Despite what he’d said to Timmons, Samuel couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them. Looking as subtly as he could, he scanned the faces of those around him. No one stood out as being a possible match for Jack.

“What’s wrong?” Timmons’ metal fingers grabbed his shoulder to halt him. “Sam?”

Closing his eyes, Samuel reached out and tried to find the lull in the emotions coming from the group around him. A void that screamed the wrongness of the person to whom it belonged. It was difficult to filter through the cacophony of feeling breaking against him.

There was something… vague.

“The alley,” his hoarse whisper betrayed his discomfort. “I think—”

Timmons didn’t wait for the rest, bolting in the direction Samuel had indicated.

Alone once more in the sea of bodies that comprised New London, Samuel battled with himself for control. Alone in the dark, alone with no one to love, to care for, to touch. Samuel had hated those nights when he’d been confined to his quarters, locked away from Pip and everyone else. Left to dwell in his dark, spiraling thoughts.

Had Jack been there, too? Locked away in another room in the pit of the Archives? Samuel had tried, but with the arrival of Piper, he’d given up on finding Jack and turned his attention to her. To the possibility of a future out in the daylight. Could he blame Jack for being angry, for wanting to kill him?

It all made sense, and yet none of it did.

Timmons returned moments later, out of breath and flushed. “Nothing. If he was there, he’s disappeared into the ether.”

“Shit.” They were back to where they were. There was no guarantee that the person following them was Jack. The poison, lack of sleep, all of it was wearing on him. “Let’s get back to the Tower. I think the only way we are going to get anywhere is to see that letter.”

Samuel should have been concerned about returning to the one place where the Guild Masters knew he’d eventually show up. It was no surprise they’d taken a direct interest in the letter, given how desperately they probably wanted to get their hands on Piper. He could count on Timmons not to say anything, but he couldn’t be certain the rest of their circle of men were as loyal to him and not swayed by the promise of serving the greater good.

As they walked up the path leading to the Tower, the men and women of the Sentry they passed stared openly. “Who sent the message about the letter arriving?”

“The note was unsigned. Think it might be a trap?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. If it is, let them take me. Only go back for Piper when you know things are safe.”

The lights inside the Tower surged; a burst of steam rattled the pipes as it rolled through the stone structure. The moment they set foot inside, a steady stream of his men homed in on him. Orders, directives, direction on the case. He’d been neglecting his duty, so focused on Piper and Jack, that the simplest of his tasks had been forgotten.

“Make sure the boys expand their inquiries to the neighboring districts.” He quickly scratched his name on the orders and shoved them into the hands of the waiting man. The moment he was out of earshot, Timmons grabbed Samuel by the shoulder and pulled him away. “You’d think I’d been gone for a month.”

“I kept them busy as I could, but they always want the boss’ approval.”

“Too late to ask for a demotion?”

“No fucking way. That would put me in charge.”

The hallway leading to Samuel’s office was empty, but the distinct sound of voices echoed loud. He picked up his pace, turned the corner to come face to face with Master Ryerson, Dennison, and General Collingworth. As he stepped into the room, a fourth man caught his attention. He was short of stature, and his face wore deep lines and a dark expression. Without being told, Samuel knew he was an Administrator.

He shouldn’t be here. The second Samuel stepped foot into the room, he knew this was wrong. The air was too cold, too still. As if the door was a gateway to another place, rather than a strange room in the Archives.

A soft beeping from a console drew his attention. It wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look around. It’s not like anyone would know he was here.

Letting out a huff, Samuel bolted across the room directly for the console. A light flashed red, and he could tell there was something wrong. His instincts were rarely off when it came to the Archives machine. Finding the release, he opened a side panel, kneeling down to get a better look.

“Oh.” The lead had come free from the circuit, getting tangled and wrapped around the main gear. It took him only a few minutes to free the wire and reconnect it. The beeping immediately stopped. “Easy.”

Samuel jerked when the sound of someone clapping filled the room. “Well done. I don’t think I could have done that any faster.”

Getting to his feet, Samuel turned to face the man. He wasn’t much taller than Samuel was at fourteen, though what he lacked in size the man made up for in intensity. He wasn’t wearing the black suit of a Guild Master. The long black tunic and trousers were the clothing of an Administrator.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Shit, he shouldn’t be here. There was no excuse he could come up with that would be remotely believable.

“I’m not. You saved me from having to fix that.” The man closed the distance between them and laced his hands behind his back. “What is your name?”

“Samuel.”

“And why are you in my workspace, Samuel?”

“I heard a noise.”

The man cocked an eyebrow.

“I was exploring. I heard a beeping and thought I’d take a look. I’m good at fixing things.”

The man studied him and Samuel found it impossible to maintain eye contact. Finally the man stepped aside, clearing the path to the door. “I suggest you go back to where you come from.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Samuel? Thank you for fixing my problem.”

The Administrator acknowledged him with a single nod. Samuel returned it, but gave the other men only a cursory look before approaching the general. “Sir. I was called here because of a letter.”

“General, I want this man arrested and turned over to the custody of the Archivist Guild.” Ryerson stood so straight, Samuel swore he could hear the man’s bones creak.

“I’ve already told you, I shall do no such thing. While the archivists might have jurisdiction over a body while memories are being gathered, the King’s Sentry is still in charge of investigations. Law enforcement is not your business, sir, and neither are you a magistrate or gaoler, to speak of taking custody. Furthermore, Sergeant Hawkins has performed his duties to the best of his abilities. Correct, son?”

There was no mistaking the general’s tone—regardless of the truth, there was only one answer he wanted to hear from Sam.

“I have done everything in my power and within the limits of the law to solve the triple murders. It appears New London has a serial killer.”

“I don’t care about dead whores.” Ryerson’s nostrils flared. “You are responsible for the abduction of one of our archivists!”

The Administrator stepped forward, commanding everyone’s immediate attention. “Sergeant, this is a serious accusation. You of all people understand the importance of following archival procedure.”

Unlike when he was a boy, Samuel kept his gaze locked with the Administrator’s. “I merely assisted a witness to get to safety until such a time as she was able to make her statement.”

“Miss Smith was no witness.” Ryerson surged forward, crowding Samuel.

“No, but Annie was.” Samuel stepped back, shrugged off his coat and hung it up while he calmed himself. If he were to lose his temper now, he could forfeit the general’s support and give the Administrator reason to demand Piper’s return. “Miss Smith carried the active mind of a direct witness of her own death. I have now had an opportunity to interrogate the woman and she has been wiped from Miss Smith’s mind.”

Dennison stepped forward. “How did you do that? You didn’t take her back to the Archives?”

“No. She is recovering at another location.”

“Where?” Ryerson turned once more to the general when Samuel didn’t immediately answer. “Miss Smith belongs to us. He has no right to do this sort of thing to her. God only knows what barbaric means were used to do this. It should have been done two days ago, and only by those trained in the process.”

“Guild Master, please.” The Administrator held up his hand, silencing the other man. “Is this true, sergeant? Is Miss Smith’s life in danger from your actions?”

Even the idea of hurting Piper accidentally was enough to turn his stomach. “I can guarantee there was no barbarism involved. The procedure was performed by a trusted individual who is even now monitoring her recovery. And Miss Smith has not been made to do anything against her will. She volunteered her assistance.”

“She volunteered to go against protocol?” The man cocked an eyebrow. “Well, that is a different matter.” The Administrator turned to Master Ryerson. “I believe I am no longer required.”

“
What
?”

“I shall return to the Archives and allow these men to continue their investigation. My report will be filed before your return, Guild Master.” With a sharp bow, the Administrator left.

One mark in their favor.

Now impotent to stop them, Ryerson fell into the closest chair and could only glare.

A single long glass tube sat in the middle of Samuel’s desk. Walking past the others, he picked up the cylinder, letting the cool weight of its casing settle into his hands.

Dennison nodded toward the item. “I was in the middle of my own investigation when I heard of this. I wanted to see it for myself.”

The tube was not the standard normally sent through the pipes. Instead of the usual copper stopper filling the end, this one was comprised of cork and sealed with red wax. Samuel accepted the penknife from Timmons and peeled the wax free, letting it fall in a red coil to the desk.

The paper was yellowed, the edges worn and torn. It looked as if it had spent a great deal of time tucked away in a coat pocket, forgotten about over time. The red ink had bled into the fibers, and the hand that had penned the words was clumsy, making it difficult for Samuel to read. The opening was clear enough, however. It set his skin crawling.

Licking his lips in a vain attempt to moisten them, Samuel took a breath and began to read.

He dropped the letter to the desk and fought to keep his stomach contents where they belonged. Dennison picked it up, scanning it quickly before handing it carefully over to Ryerson. “He’s going to kill again.”

“I’m certain.” Jack now knew about Piper. Samuel had no doubt she was on his targeted list. “We need to lay a trap. Did you learn anything?”

Dennison looked quickly over at Timmons and the general, then to Ryerson again. “I’m not sure this is the most appropriate—”

Rage drove Samuel forward, and he shoved Dennison against the wall. Ignoring the shouts from the others, he pressed his nose so close to Dennison’s that he could have rubbed the ends together.

“I don’t care any longer about the Archives or your games. We have a killer who is targeting women. He’s seen me, and he’s seen… He could be working for the French or against the Archives, or simply be a madman, but none of that matters unless we catch him. Either way we need every scrap of information we have to find this bastard and put a stop to him. So if you know anything, Emmet, you tell me right now!”