“So,” I said. “Truman has the Soul of Albion. For that, he must have had the active cooperation of someone in the family. Any ideas, Sarjeant?”

“There are still members of the Zero Tolerance faction working openly within the family,” the Sarjeant said slowly. “Some could still be maintaining ties with Truman. There are those within the faction who see him as a means of reclaiming power and position within the family.”

“Including the Matriarch?” I said, and he nodded reluctantly.

“And where do you stand on the matter, Sarjeant?” said Harry.

He drew himself up to his full height, his scarred, disfigured face cold and forbidding. “I protect the family, against anything that threatens it.”

“The Matriarch . . .” I said thoughtfully. “Dear Grandmother Martha . . . she could have provided Truman with the necessary Words to unlock the protections around the Soul.”

“She could have,” said the Sarjeant. “But I have no evidence to that effect, or I would have done something. In my opinion, Truman sees the Soul as his ace in the hole, to protect him from the Invaders should they turn against him.”

“I’m getting more from Callan,” Strange said abruptly. “I really think you need to hear this, Eddie.”

“Okay, patch him through,” I said. “Callan, this had better be good.”

“Depends on your definition of good,” said Callan. “Truman’s found out we’re here. And rather then destroy us immediately, he wants me to pass on a message to you. Namely, that he is ready to destroy the Soul of Albion, unless the Drood family puts itself under his control. Specifically, he wants access to and control of the forbidden weapons held in the Armageddon Codex. Apparently he believes he can use them to force the Invaders out of our reality, once he’s used them to take control of the world. The idiot . . . I really would like permission to withdraw now, please. I don’t like him knowing exactly where we are. I can practically feel the vultures gathering.”

“You stay right where you are,” I said. “Talk to Truman, promise him anything; stall him. As long as he thinks there’s still a chance, he won’t do anything. I’ll get back to you as soon as we’ve made a decision. Strange, cut him off.”

“He’s still talking to the War Room,” said Strange. “Though shouting is probably more accurate. Dear me, such language . . .”

“First things first,” I said. “We have to find out who the traitors are in the family.”

“We don’t have time for a witch hunt,” said Harry. “Not when we have so many more important decisions to make.”

“Well, you would say that, Harry,” I said. “I think I’ll start by having a nice little chat with the Matriarch. I think she’ll talk to me, once I tell her about Sebastian.”

“You can’t see her,” said Harry. “She’s ill. She’s not seeing anybody.”