Chapter Twelve

It was still light when we pulled up outside my block of flats. That made a pleasant change these days. I didn’t unclip my seatbelt immediately and I could feel Winter’s curiosity growing.

‘Is everything alright?’ he asked. ‘You should probably get inside and get out of those wet things.’

‘Yeah,’ I agreed. ‘I should.’ A shadow passed across the dashboard and I looked up, counting seven magpies wending their way over us towards the small copse of trees on the other side of my estate. No choice, then. I took a deep breath. ‘There’s something you should see first.’

‘I’ve already seen quite a lot, thanks to those wet pyjamas,’ Winter deadpanned.

I managed a weak smile. When I didn’t immediately return a saucy remark, Winter’s gaze grew more serious. ‘What is it, Ivy?’

‘It’s easier if I show you.’

We headed inside. As a measure of how guilty he was feeling for what had happened in the depths of the library, Winter didn’t comment when I veered towards the lift. Instead, he simply waited until it arrived. I had a feeling that his sudden amiable temperament was about to change dramatically.

Rather than heading for my own flat, I led him towards Eve’s. Winter raised his eyebrows but said nothing. I took out her keys and placed them in the lock. Before I turned them, I faced him. ‘This happened after that first day,’ I informed him. ‘Maybe I should have told you earlier but they’re from the Order and I wasn’t sure if I could trust you. One of them was carrying the same combination of herbs that you used in the library to evoke the past.’

Winter didn’t move a muscle. ‘Ivy,’ he said, his voice sounding strained, ‘have you killed someone?’

‘It’s not quite as bad as that,’ I replied with a nervous laugh. I unlocked the door and let Winter enter in front of me.

Harold, apparently surprised to have yet another unfamiliar intruder in his home, let out a soft growl and darted for the underbelly of the sofa. Winter paid the cat no attention; his focus was on Bell End and Fairclough. They’d obviously been trying hard to free themselves, judging by the mess they’d created as they’d shifted around in a bid to break their bonds. All the same, they remained as trussed up as before.

‘Adeptus Minor Fairclough,’ Winter said. He looked at me. ‘This is why you were asking whether I knew her or not.’

I nodded. For her part, she angled her head away as if the curtain of her hair would be enough to hide her. Bell End took a different approach. He struggled violently against his bonds, an urgent expression in his eyes. I walked over and loosened his gag.

‘Help us!’ Bell End burst out to Winter. ‘This crazy woman attacked us and is holding us hostage!’

Winter walked round, stood beside me and stared down at him. ‘Matthew Bellham.’

Bell End nodded vigorously. ‘Yes, yes! That’s me. Have I been reported missing? We’ve been held here for days against our will.’ He held up his wrists. ‘Untie me!’