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Gunning leaned forward. “So you admit you’d hurt someone you think isn’t innocent.”

Gideon shrugged. “I wouldn’t say no. You never know what you’re capable of until you’re tested.”

“Say,” Gunning began, casually walking around the foyer like a predator circling its prey, “if Lord Wrexham was involved in some kind of wrongdoing, would you have any problem murdering him?”

A bold question. Surely he wasn’t looking for an actual answer. Rather, he was fishing for Gideon’s reaction. Gideon gave him none. “Are you trying to make me confess to murder?”

“No, no. I wouldn’t do that.” Gunning shrugged. “I’m simply trying to solve it.”

“Well, I think this murder is connected to all the others,” Gideon said casually. “And you had a culprit in your grasp… until he escaped, of course.”

“I know it’s not William,” Gunning said directly.

“Right. Because of your witness.” Gideon let disdain creep into his voice. “The woman who was also a suspect? Not very reliable, wouldn’t you say? And she’s living with you now, isn’t she?” He tsked. “Scandalous.”

For the first time, Gunning’s composure cracked. He stepped toward Gideon. A warning. “You care how you speak about her. As a matter of fact, don’t speak about her at all.”

Gideon raised his arms in mock surrender. “I have nothing against the lady, only against your unsubstantiated accusations.”

“I am not here to accuse you of anything,” Gunning replied.

“Then why are you here?”

“To warn you that I know you did it.”

The words should have been terrifying. Instead, Gideon felt amused. “That sounds like an accusation to me. But even if you’re right, you’d have to prove it in court. To my peers. Unless you have more than one witness, you better hope that witness outranks me. And even then, it’s my word against theirs. If you had more evidence than your snide remarks, you would have arrested me already. Otherwise, you’re just wasting both of our time.”

“I’m not wasting time,” Gunning said. “I’m letting you know that if I figured it out, others will too.”

Gideon studied the thief-taker carefully. His words didn’t feel like a threat; they felt more like a friendly warning. He allowed a cold smile to settle on his face. “You’re being modest. You’re the best thief-taker in London. If you can’t find enough evidence, no one else will.”

Gunning stepped closer. “Some people don’t need evidence. They don’t want to catch the killer; they want to eliminate him.”

Hmm… Gideon’s instincts were correct. The thief-taker was not looking to arrest him, after all.

Interesting.

“They’re welcome to try.”

For a moment, the two men stared at each other in tense silence. Then Gunning stepped back and smiled.

“Enjoy your ball, Wolverstone,” he said, moving toward the door. “Do try to stay alive.”

Gideon tipped his hat.

I can’t make any promises.

Grace and Ford

Ford pushed through the front door of their modest lodgings, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders.

“Ford!”

Grace rushed toward him and flew into his arms. He could get used to this greeting. Except her face was pale and drawn, her forehead lined with worry.

He hugged her tightly and pressed a kiss in an attempt to smooth her worry lines. She melted into him, rubbing her head against his chin, purring like a satisfied kitten. Then, suddenly, she pushed against his chest.

“Where were you?” She looked up at him, fury blazing in her dark eyes.