Chapter 5
Heat crept up Evander’s neck. Of course Winterbourne already knew. The commander made it his business to know everything that occurred within his sphere of influence. And he had allies in Parliament despite his distaste for the place.
“Lady Farrington was quite descriptive in her report,” Winterbourne continued. He picked up a letter and made a show of perusing it. “She mentioned the temperature drop. The frost forming on Lord Beckett’s papers.” He glanced coolly at Evander. “The way the windows rattled in their frames.”
Rufus drew a sharp breath. “You didn’t?!” He pinned Evander with an accusing frown.
Evander swallowed a groan. “Lady Farrington exaggerates, sir. I may have accidentally caused the ambient temperature to drop, but there was no frost and most definitely no window rattling.”
Winterbourne’s stare turned pointed. “But the chair did rattle, correct?”
Evander sighed. There was no getting out of apologising it seemed.
“Yes, it did. I’m sorry, sir.”
“Are you truly sorry?” Winterbourne narrowed his eyes slightly. “Because from what I heard, you barely kept your temper in check. I warned you Beckett would conduct an inquisition and you nearly gave him exactly what he wanted—proof that you’re too volatile to be trusted.”
Guilt churned Evander’s stomach. The rebuke stung precisely because it was accurate.
“With all due respect, sir,” Rufus protested, “the committee was out of line. They were trying to provoke a reaction out of him.”
“I’m well aware of that, Inspector. And that, as unfortunate as it is, is the game we must play in politics.
” Winterbourne’s expression softened a fraction as he studied Evander.
“While I appreciate your restraint in not freezing the minister solid, the fact remains that we’re under scrutiny.
Every slip, every loss of control, every failure, gives Westminster ammunition to either shut us down or take us over.
” His gaze bored into Evander. “You’re better than this, Ravenwood. Act like it.”
Evander’s hands clenched on the chair arms. However much he hated to admit it, Winterbourne was right.
“Understood, sir.”
“Good.” Winterbourne pulled another file across his desk, this one considerably thicker than Lady Farrington’s letter. “Which brings me to the European investigation.”
Evander’s pulse quickened. “You’ve received approval?”
“I have. Though it comes with conditions.” Winterbourne lowered his brows. “The Ministry is assigning an observer to accompany your team.”
“I heard.” Evander’s voice came out flat.
Winterbourne gave Rufus a jaundiced look. “Eavesdropping, Grayson? Really?”
“I can’t exactly control my hearing, sir.”
Winterbourne rolled his eyes at this weak protest.
“So, who’s the watchdog they’re sending?” Evander asked impatiently.
“Can you please not refer to the man as that when you meet him?” Winterbourne said testily.
“His name is Hector Fairbridge. He’s former military intelligence, currently attached to the War Office.
” The commander removed a document from the folder and slid it across the desk.
“His file is surprisingly sparse, which tells me he’s very good at what he does. ”
Evander picked up the document and scanned it. The details were indeed minimal: basic biographical information and a list of commendations that revealed nothing about actual operations.
“He’ll be accompanying your team to Europe. Officially to provide reports and ensure proper protocols. Unofficially—”
“To watch me,” Evander finished bitterly.
“Precisely.” Winterbourne’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “I’m telling you this now because I need you clear-headed, Ravenwood. Fairbridge will be looking for any excuse to recommend your removal from the Met. Don’t give him one.”
“We won’t,” Rufus said, giving Evander a hard look.
Evander suddenly had the feeling he was going to have two watchdogs scrutinising his every move on this upcoming mission.
Winterbourne ignored his mood. “You leave for Paris in three days.”
“Three days?” Evander blinked. “That’s hardly enough time to prepare—“
“Which is precisely the point,” Winterbourne interrupted.
“The Ministry wants this investigation moving quickly. They’re concerned about the political ramifications if word spreads about what Musgrave and his associates were attempting.
” He paused. “Particularly the forced magical transference.” He examined the paperwork before him.
“Count Beaulieu will serve as your initial contact in Paris. From there, I’ve arranged relevant connections in Brussels, Vienna, and even Berlin, depending on what you uncover. ”
Evander’s chest twinged at his former lover’s name. He kept his expression neutral.
“What’s the scope of the investigation?”
“Broad.” Winterbourne drummed his fingers on the desk.
“We’re looking for any connection to the experiments conducted in London.
Similar disappearances, unusual magical disturbances, research into magical transference or blood magic.
And of course, your ultimate goal is to find the Crimson Codex, if it does indeed exist, before our enemy does. ”
Evander was pretty certain the tome existed at this point. “And our undercover story?”
“Officially, you will be fostering relations between international Arcane Divisions with the goal of forming a European Taskforce that can deal with criminals and incidents that cross borders.” Winterbourne’s gaze sharpened as he studied Evander.
“You’ll be leading the investigation. Select your team—six in total, including yourself and Inspector Grayson. ”
Evander considered Winterbourne’s words carefully.
He’d known this was coming for a while and had already made up his mind as to the people he wanted along with him on this mission.
“Viggo Stonewall and Lady Hartley. If there’s a criminal network supporting these experiments across Europe, they’ll identify it. ”
Winterbourne’s eyebrow rose fractionally. “The underworld angle proved crucial during the Institute investigation and the Renwick affair,” he conceded. “And Lady Hartley has connections among the European nobility that might prove useful. Anyone else?”
“Constable Shaw. We all know what she’s capable of and I could do with someone with her skills on this mission.” Evander paused. “I’ll need time to consider the sixth.”
“You have until the morning two days hence.” Winterbourne gathered the documents back into a neat pile. “Briefing packets will be ready at eight o’clock sharp. I want your entire team assembled and prepared to board the train to Dover by nine-thirty on the day of departure.”
“Yes, sir.”
Winterbourne’s gaze lingered on Evander for a long moment.
“I have faith in you. But faith won’t protect you if you give the Ministry grounds to sideline you.
” His voice gentled slightly. “You’re the only one who can unravel this conspiracy.
Don’t let Beckett’s theatrics cost us this investigation. ”
Evander nodded curtly.
Winterbourne stood, signalling the meeting’s end. “One more thing. Watch Fairbridge carefully. The War Office doesn’t assign just anyone to oversee international investigations. Whatever his file says, he’s dangerous.”
Evander and Rufus nodded briskly and rose.
“Evander,” Winterbourne called out quietly as they made for the door.
Evander paused and glanced back.
The commander’s expression was unreadable. “You have three days. Make them count.”
Evander grasped the hidden meaning behind Winterbourne’s words. He and Viggo wouldn’t have much time for one another once they embarked on their trip to Europe.
The administrative offices outside felt cool after the intensity of Winterbourne’s office. Evander exhaled slowly, the weight of the coming investigation settling onto his shoulders like a heavy blanket.
“Well,” Rufus said as they headed across the busy floor, “that could have been worse.”
“Could it?” Evander’s lips quirked despite himself. “I just got dressed down like a green constable.”
“At least he didn’t sack you,” Rufus grunted, though his tone held no malice. “Winterbourne’s right.” He glanced at Evander. “You’re better than letting Beckett get under your skin.”
“I know.” Evander grimaced. “It doesn’t make it any easier.”
They descended the stairs in silence and headed into the main fortress building.
Around them, the Yard hummed with its usual activity—officers bringing in grumbling civilians protesting their crimes, administrative staff rushing about with reports, forensic mages carrying samples to be analysed in their respective labs— the constant background noise of London’s law enforcement machinery in motion.
“You going to be alright with this?” Rufus asked as they reached the main foyer. “Leading an international investigation whilst being watched by a Ministry spy?”
Evander carefully considered the question.
The truth was, he wasn’t certain. The pressure from Parliament, the responsibility of leading such a crucial investigation, the presence of a possibly hostile observer shadowing his every move, and now the added weight of Tom Simmons’s deteriorating condition—it all felt like a noose slowly tightening around his neck.
“I don’t really have a choice in the matter,” he finally said.
“That’s not what I asked.”
Evander met his friend’s concerned gaze. “I’ll manage, somehow.”
“You won’t be doing it alone.”
“I know.” Some of the tension eased from Evander’s shoulders. “Thank you.”
“Save your thanks for when we’re back from Europe in one piece.” The inspector’s dry humour drew a genuine smile. “If we’re leaving in three days, there’s a considerable amount to prepare. And you need to tell Viggo he’s coming with us after all.”
Evander’s smile turned dry. “He’ll be insufferable about it. He’s been insisting for days that he should accompany us should our mission get approved by the Ministry.”
“Insufferable is putting it mildly,” Rufus muttered. “I bet he’ll still be gloating by the time we leave London.”