Page 53 of From the Ashes
"You're very understanding." He chuckled and once again looked up the stairs. "You wouldn't believe it, but Dr. Bell has been sleeping in the laboratory lately. He's worried someone will attempt to steal his work if he's not there."
"Is that so?" That would make it difficult to peek at his paperwork. "It would help Mr. Humphrey if he has something to go on with while we wait for Dr. Bell to speak with Mr. Marshall. We'd like to interview the benefactors, and learn their reasons for funding such important work. Are you funded entirely by the hospital or do you also take on private work?"
"Both," he said.
"And the secret experiments are for the hospital or those private benefactors?"
"Private, but that's all I can tell you. They won't want to talk to the newspapers, but I'm sure the hospital will. The administrators are always looking for ways to increase funding and a grant will get them very excited. Your article would also go a long way in advertising our research to more private benefactors, not to mention the fame, of course. Imagine being mentioned in a feature article inThe Times!"
"We'll be sure to spell your name correctly," I assured him. "Thank you for your time, Dr. Fawkner. It's been a pleasure to meet you."
He sketched a bow. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Filmott. Mr. Humphrey."
Lincoln and I walked back through the Henry VIII gate and out to Gus, waiting nearby with the carriage. "Home," Lincoln told him, and we climbed in.
"That was enlightening," I said.
He grunted. "If any of my employees blabbed like Fawkner did, I'd dismiss them."
"Good to know."
"You're not an employee."
"It's a pity Bell wouldn't talk," I said before I found myself sinking into his warm gaze, unable to get out.
He ripped off his mustache and stuffed it into his pocket. "Perhaps next time you should do all the talking. You're better at it. You and Seth."
"Don't be disheartened. You were very good. I don't think the soft, subtle approach would ever work on Bell, no matter who spoke with him. Fortunately we had Fawkner. The question now is, was he implying that their research was the same as the serum Captain Jasper had been working on?"
"It's impossible to know without seeing the experiments and results."
"How would you know what you were looking at? Oh, wait, don't tell me. Your scientific knowledge is as thorough as every other aspect of your education. Ofcourseyou can read blood test results."
His eyes narrowed. "My education wasn't thorough in all aspects. Science and medicine were particular interests of mine. If I hadn't been destined to be the ministry leader I would have liked to become a doctor."
"Is that so?"
"What about you? What would you have become if things had been different?"
"You mean if I hadn't been a necromancer, abandoned at thirteen, and oh, a woman, what vocation would I have chosen?"
"Yes."
I thought about it a moment. "Medicine certainly seems like a noble profession, but I did enjoy myself today, asking Dr. Fawkner those questions. So perhaps a journalist."
"Or a detective inspector?"
I shrugged. "Is being the ministry's leader such a terrible thing?"
"Not always. Not in the last few months."
I felt my face heat and looked away. I wished he wouldn't be so…nice. "Being a necromancer isn't all that awful, either. Now that I'm used to it, I like speaking to the dead, on the whole. I've met some interesting characters. It would be even better if I didn't have to hide what I am, or if someone wasn't trying to kill me."
He suddenly leaned forward and captured my hand in his. With gloves on, it should have lacked intimacy, but it did not. It felt very real and earnest. A lump clogged my throat. "It will be over soon. I promise you, Charlie. We'll capture the killer and you'll be free to do as you please."
I smiled weakly and nodded. It was all I could manage. Then I pulled my hand away.
His hands hovered in mid-air for a moment before he settled back in the seat. "I'll return tonight and see what paperwork I can find linking Bell to a serum to reanimate bodies."
