Page 45 of From the Ashes
"Hypnotized!" Gus snorted. "Gillingham's a tosspot if he thinks we'll believe that. Mesmerizers are all quacks."
"I've never met a true hypnotist, but there is an account of mind control in the ministry records. It's vague and the mesmerist died before Marchbank so it couldn't have been him."
Seth rubbed his chin, no longer so cocky. "Are you telling us that Marchbank's father wastalkedinto ending it all?"
"Hypnotized," Gus said with a roll of his eyes. "Not talked. It ain't the same."
"I thought you said they were all quacks."
"They are."
"Do you think Gillingham was lying?" I asked Lincoln.
"I couldn't tell."
"No, I don't suppose you could. You're not very good at that sort of thing."
He arched his brows ever so slightly.
I'd gone this far, I saw no reason not to continue. "Empathy is not your strong suit. I believe Gillingham pointed that out to you earlier."
His brows rose even further. Gus and Seth studied the fireplace with intensity.
"Do stop looking so surprised, Lincoln. It's true and you know it. So, the question now is, how will we determine if Gillingham is speaking the truth?"
"I'll ask Marchbank," Lincoln said. "I need to know more about the hypnotist, whether he was involved in the death of Old Marchbank or not. He must be recorded in our files."
"I don't understand," I said. "If Gillingham knew about the hypnotist, and Marchbank too, presumably, why is the fellow not in our records already?"
"The hypnotist ordered Old Marchbank to erase his ministry file. The current Lord Marchbank only knew about him because he found references in his father's diary, but no name or description. Gillingham doesn't know how Marchbank the younger knew the hypnotist killed his father, however."
"Diabolical," Seth murmured.
Gus threw up his hands. "They ain't real. You're too gubbillil, Seth."
Seth pulled a face. "And you're an idiot if you think that's a word."
"Let's not dismiss the possibility that hypnotists exist," I said. "Real ones. But are we to believe the hypnotist had Marchbank kill himself all because he didn't want his name listed in our records?"
"There must be more to it," Lincoln said with a nod. "For now, the key question is, why wasn't I informed?"
"It's also important to know if this is enough for Lord Marchbank to be angry with all supernaturals. Enough to kill."
Doyle entered and collected the dishes. None of us spoke, not because we didn't want Doyle to hear our conversation, but because we were still digesting Gillingham's news. If he was right, then we had an entirely new and dangerous type of supernatural on our hands. One capable of doing great harm. If a past committee member had succumbed to a hypnotist's powers, even after knowing what he was capable of, then the general public could be in even greater danger.
"So what now?" Seth asked. "Are we taking the day off to celebrate Charlie's birthday?"
I laughed. "I'm sure you can find something better to do than spend the day here with me. What about the other names from the Brooks's ledger? Did you write them down, Lincoln?"
He nodded. "I'd like to start with Andrew Buchanan and his brother, Lord Harcourt. Considering our prior associations with them, their knowledge of the supernatural, and access to our archives, they're our most likely suspects."
"Want us to travel to Harcourt's estate?" Gus asked. "A bit o' fresh air will do us all good."
Lincoln shook his head. "Not yet. See what Buchanan has to say first."
"I know you prefer the direct approach," I said, "but I think we should tread softly."
"I can tread softly." Was he offended? It was difficult to tell.
