They all stared in utter surprise. It was Alastair Carstairs, striding into the room like he always did—as if he’d bought the place and sold it at a handsome profit. He wore a black suit, and his weapons belt glittered where it was visible beneath his jacket. James could see Eugenia in the doorway, looking after Alastair with a thoughtful expression.

Why did she let him in?

“Dear God,” said Matthew. “Could this day get worse? What the hell are you doing here, Carstairs?”

“Alastair,” said Charlotte, “I’m afraid I must ask you to go. These are private proceedings.” She frowned at Gideon. “Has the front door become unlocked?”

Alastair’s chin was up, his expression haughty. A terrible tension knotted James’s stomach. He could see Thomas looking at Alastair with an expression almost of panic. After Elias’s death, James had begun to think Alastair had changed—he loved his sister, at least—but was he actually here to gloat?

“No,” Alastair said. “The door was not unlocked, at least not when I came in. Which was some time ago. You see, I followed Thomas here and came in with the Inquisitor and his patrol. I witnessed Miss Highsmith’s death—the entire incident.”

Matthew came to his feet. “Alastair, if you’re lying, I swear on the Angel—”

“Stop!” Charlotte held up a commanding hand. “Alastair. Say what you mean. Now.”

“As I said.” Alastair’s lip was curled, his head back; he looked every inch the arrogant bastard he’d been at the Academy. “I was in Golden Square when Thomas was passing through. I also heard Lilian Highsmith scream. I saw Thomas run to help her. She was already dying when he got there. He never harmed her. I’ll swear to it.”

Matthew sat back down with a thump. Thomas stared at Alastair with a dazed expression. Gideon looked pleased, if not a little bit baffled by everyone else’s stunned expressions.

“Er—what?” said Christopher—speaking for them all, James felt.

Bridgestock sneered. “So it’s coincidence on top of coincidence, then. Tell me, Carstairs, what possible reason could you have had to be in Golden Square at the same time as Thomas Lightwood?”

“Because I was following him,” Alastair said, raking the Inquisitor with a disdainful gaze. “I’ve been following Thomas for days. I knew he was going out on these insane night patrols by himself, and I wanted to make sure that he was safe. Cordelia is fond of him.”

“You’re the one who’s been following me?” Thomas said, astonished.

“You knew someone was following you?” Matthew demanded. “And you didn’t say anything? Thomas!”

“Everyone be quiet,” said Charlotte; she didn’t raise her voice, but something in the pitch of it reminded everyone why she’d been elected Consul.