“What debt is that?” Gabriel said hoarsely.
“Loyalty I owed to you—to the comrades I’d left behind. Normandy has continued to niggle at me over the years, like a pebble in my boot. Or, more aptly, like a snake in the grass. How did the Spectre know our group’s inner workings well enough to set such a trap?” Marius’ eyes narrowed. “There was only one answer, of course. When I got word of Octavian’s death followed shortly by your own carriage ‘accident,’ I knew unfinished business had risen. As much as I tried, I couldn’t ignore it. So I came back. As it turns out, my apparent death has given me a great advantage when it comes to spying. I’ve been monitoring events for the past fortnight with no one the wiser. And I was able to step in when needed.”
“The shooter in the alley,” Gabriel said suddenly. “That was… you?”
Marius nodded. “I followed you and Pompeia to the market that day. And when it looked like you could use a hand, I gave it.”
“You always were a crack shot.” Swallowing, Gabriel said, “Why didn’t you reveal yourself to me then?”
“Because at the time I still didn’t know who the Spectre was. I needed the benefit of obscurity to watch things unfold. To see who would finally show themselves as the guilty one.”
“You know who the Spectre is?” Gabriel said.
“Yes.”
He read all he needed to know in the other’s somber expression. What his gut had been trying to tell him all along. “It’s not Heath.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Devil take it.” Anger blazed through him. “Davenport.”
Marius gave a grim nod. “Cicero always had the cunning of a fox, and he’s suspicious by nature too. Several times I followed his carriage from his offices—only to discover later that it had been a decoy. He’d hired another to pose as him, running errands on Bond Street and the like, whilst he was off God knows where making trouble. Only by accident did I catch his true scent. I was also watching Heath, the other viable suspect, and who should show up at Heath’s place but Cicero. Heath wasn’t home, but Cicero let himself right in. I knew he was up to no good; I just didn’t know what exactly. Then three nights later, you ‘discovered’ the Spectre’s plans at Heath’s home, and I deduced that Cicero had framed our mad friend.”
“Why didn’t you come forward then?”
“Because I wanted tangible proof. Not just speculation. And I got it finally. Two nights ago, Cicero, believing that he was in the clear after Heath’s capture, was finally careless. I was able to follow him all the way to a cottage in Camden Town where I found the missing link.” Marius took a key from his pocket. “I’ll show you—if you vow not to waste time trying to kill me.”
The past was done. Gabriel found he no longer gave a damn. What mattered was that Marius’ explanations and revelations made sense and pointed a way to the future: to ending the Spectre’s evil reign once and for all.
“Unlock these damned chains,” he said.
After the manacles fell, Marius said, “Follow me.”
Gabriel trailed him down the hallway to a closed door. Marius unlocked it. “After you.”
A woman sat on a bed, her hands chained, her mouth gagged. Her pretty features were pale, her hair dyed a lighter shade, but Gabriel would recognize her anywhere.
His hands balled at his sides. “Devil take you, Fournier or Fontaine or whoever the hell you are.”
Her words were muffled; she shrank back against the headboard.
“She happens to be Davenport’s mistress as well, but you can hear her confession later. Come, my friend.” Marius ushered him out and locked the door. “We haven’t much time. If Cicero discovers she’s missing, it will send him into a panic. He may strike out.”
Freddy. Thea.An icy hand gripped Gabriel’s insides. “I have to get back.”
“Yes. Do you want to take—”
A loud crash cut through the house. In a flash, Marius drew out a pair of pistols, tossing one to Gabriel. They moved in the old pattern, Gabriel going high, Marius low, both of them aiming at the figures storming down the dim hallway. As the intruders rushed closer, their faces became clear.
Gabriel shouted, “Hold fire. Everyone.”
“Tremont, are you safe?” Kent came forward, his gun aimed at Marius. “Drop your weapon, whoever you are. We have the place surrounded.”
“Everyone put down your guns,” Gabriel said. “This is Marius… a friend.”
Slowly, Marius lowered his firearm.
Kent followed suit, muttering, “You’ve interesting friends, my lord. Do all of them abduct you in broad daylight?”
