Page 49 of The Journal of a Thousand Years
Alex grabbed her and stopped her from making a scene in public. The last thing we wanted was for her to be arrested.
Mr. Jakes put up the hand that held the cigarette. “I’m suggesting you should look to the Hobson women if you want to find Glass. Not me or my department.” He plugged the cigarette between his lips and sauntered away.
Willie blew out a long, ragged breath. “I can’t stand that smarmy smile of his. Next time I see it, I’m going to wipe it off his face with my fist.”
Alex headed back the way we’d come, a determined set to his jaw.
I hurried after him. “Where to now?”
“We should go home to see if Gabe returned. Our best chance of finding him is there, not running over the city chasing our tails.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because he’s more than capable of escaping imprisonment.”
Willie agreed. “If you can do it, Sylv, then it’ll be easy for Gabe.”
“I escaped because my captors didn’t know I was a magician. In Gabe’s case, they do, or they suspect. They’ll be more prepared. He also can’t use his magic at will.”
It was a sobering thought, one that kept us silent all the way to Park Street.
Gabe had not escaped.He was not at home, waiting for us with a smile and warm embrace. The concern on Bristow’s face when he opened the door was enough to tell us that.
I burst into tears.
It wasn’t Alex, Willie or one of the servants who comforted me, however. It was Daisy. She drew me into a hug and stroked my hair until my sobs subsided. Then she led me into the drawing room.
I looked up to see Huon and Petra had joined her. Huon handed me a handkerchief. I’d never seen him look so grim.
Petra clasped my hands. “We couldn’t settle all morning. We arrived a little while ago. Mrs. Bristow has been kind enough to serve tea.”
Daisy directed me to sit on the sofa, then sat beside me. “Mrs. Ling made cake. Do you want a slice?”
“I can’t eat,” I muttered.
“Me either.” Her gaze lifted to Alex. “Can I do anything to help?”
Alex sat on a chair and rested his elbows on his knees. He dragged a hand over his head but did not look up from the floor. “No.”
Daisy pressed her lips together as her eyes welled with tears. I suspected she wanted to go to him, but the distance he’d maintained since meeting her parents made her hesitant. She obviously didn’t know how she’d be received.
Willie cut into the cake. “I love lemon drizzle.” She placed a slice on a plate and sat in another chair before taking a large bite.
“Shouldn’t you be at work?” I asked Daisy.
“It’s my half day on Saturdays. I worked this morning.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “After reading the note you’d slipped under my door, I couldn’t concentrate anyway.” She tucked my hair behind my ear. “I am glad you haven’t disappeared, but I wish Gabe’s kidnapping wasn’t the reason why you changed your mind.”
“I’m glad you’re here, Daisy. I doubt I’m the only one happy to see you.” I looked pointedly at Alex, who was trying so hard not to look at Daisy that it was obvious that he really wanted to. “And you?” I asked Petra, seated on my other side. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”
“My mother sent me home when I kept making mistakes. I returned to Huon’s place, then we met Daisy when she finished work. We updated her on Gabe’s abduction and decided to come here. If we can’t help search, then at least we can offer support.” She took my hand again and gave me a wan smile.
Bristow had been hovering in the doorway and now cleared his throat. “Detective Inspector Bailey informed me he wouldreturn at intervals throughout the day. He asked me to inform you that if you returned before him, you are all to remain here.”
“We have no reason to leave at this point,” Alex said. “We’ve reached a dead end.”
Willie flopped back into the chair with a sigh, like a restless boy told to play indoors.
Bristow narrowed his gaze at her.
