“I was never close to Brown. He is a horrible man full of hate and vitriol.” He stared down at the silver flask, brow furrowed in consternation. “I am also sure that this won’t be easy, no matter if I have the support from the CS.”
“Indeed.” Silence passed between us for a long moment.
“It is young men like you who will hopefully change the department.” He drank from the flask once more before offering it to me.
“Thank you, no.” I shook my head and put up a staying hand. The words I had wanted to say for a while now but had suppressed were ready to come out. I wanted to be with Moran, not stuck chasing men with malice in their hearts. “I don’t say this lightly, but I am afraid I have decided to tender my resignation effective the end of the week. That should give me enough time to summarize my cases and hand them off to another inspector.”
Stark sat upright in his seat, eyes widening in surprise. “Do your reasons for leaving have anything to do with what we just discussed?”
“No and yes.” I tugged at my beard, trying to formulate my response in a way he would understand. “I joined the department because my family expected it. I know I am good at it, but just because I am competent doesn’t mean I should continue. I have other passions I would rather follow.”
“Not everyone is cut out for the position.” Stark pulled the file toward him and straightened the papers inside, a very Birdie thing to do.
“I am beginning to see that.” A burden was lifted off my shoulders, and I was restless to leave and seek out Moran. I owed him an apology for my actions.
A sharp knock sounded before the clerk opened the door without waiting for entry. “Detective Chief Inspector, we are getting reports of a large disturbance involving the Duke of Moreland and Reverend Brown. Apparently traffic is at a standstill and people are getting worked up.”
“Bloody hell.” Stark shot to his feet. “Gather every man available to go to the scene.”
I rushed after him, shaking my head at the turn of events. I wouldn’t put it past Moran to pummel Brown, he had a mean right hook. What had caused the ruckus was still up in the air. I had a good idea why. Perhaps I should resign today and join in the fray.
My sense of duty said not to. But if necessary, nothing would stop me from getting in a few good punches.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lord Tobias, Duke of Moreland
Fury blazed through every part of me, along with regret. The kiss Birdie had given me lingered on my lips, a poignant memory of a very unforgettable few weeks spent with her.
Men and women were holding signs, most of the writing laughable.Save our children from the corrupt. Immoral Moran.Yet the man on the crate preaching to passersby looked deadly serious.
“Oy! Brown!” I pushed through the picketers, earning glaring looks from them. I stared each of them down. Because of them, my relationship with Birdie had come to a close. Her words about not wishing to marry still rang in my ears, cementing my decision to call a halt to our association. To walk out the door had been torture, and everything inside me wanted to turn on my heel and walk back to her. That wasn’t possible.
“We must save our country from the immoral and safeguard our children. Books are the Devil’s tool and people like Mr. Moran are corrupting our children and endangering our freedoms.” Brown had positioned his pulpit so close to the road that drivers were forced to steer clear of him and slow down to avoid hitting the oncoming traffic.
I approached, shaking my head when I locked eyes with him. A maniacal light stared back from watery brown eyes. That morethan anything scared me. Able to hold my own in any fight, I wasn’t afraid in the physical sense. What concerned me was his fanaticism. And the way he’d threatened Birdie was inexcusable. “I’m doing no such thing. You’re creating a scene and impugning my character without having concrete information. The last time I checked, one needed proof before accusing another of wrongdoing.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, the infamous Mr. Moran defends his heathen ways.” Brown thrust out an arm, clearly undaunted by my statement. A passing horseman nearly clipped him before he corrected the animal.
The picketers began to boo and hiss, rather like rats in a pack ready to devour anyone in their path. I was made of sterner stuff. “I am here to tell you to get off my property.”
“This isn’t your property, but a public thoroughfare. We have every right to protest and bring attention to our cause.” He turned around and waved his arms, his black coat thrashing in the wind. Several people had stopped to watch what was happening, many whispering to each other. Down the street I saw the bobby monitoring the crowd for trouble.
Well, I was about to cause a hell of a lot, and I would not hold back. A year ago, Ash had been a bobby and now he was an inspector. Just thinking about him cut into my gut. He was still upset with me, but I knew eventually he would come around. Or at least I hoped so. Birdie was another story. Cutting our ties was for the best, lest we both suffer unduly.
