“And what of the women?”
“I didn’t say that justice wouldn’t be done. Just…just let Gabriel handle it.” She took another step forward, her fingers spreading. “Please.”
The faith in him, when she didn’t even know what he would do…he could just let John go. His closest friend, his brother in all but blood…he could let him walk through the door. Marietta trusted him not to allow Kenny to take the blame, when it would all be so much simpler for him in this one, singular aspect to do just that.
“Mr. Alcroft needs to be tried and punished,” Dresden said.
John wasn’t looking at the Runner, he was looking at Gabriel. Gabriel stared back, thinking through plan after plan. John tilted his head, then nodded, tired eyes never leaving Gabriel.
Pain ripped through him. Gabriel stepped forward, at Marietta’s shoulder. “He will. I will take him,” he said, barely above a whisper. He cleared his throat. “Someone fetch a rope and a male servant’s outfit.”
“Why do you need—”
Gabriel held up a hand. “It will be easier this way.”
No one responded to that, though Marietta looked up in confusion. Lord Dentry disappeared to retrieve the items.
“John, the letter opener.” He held out his hand. John opened his palm, the long blade resting on top, and looked at the weapon for a long moment before giving it to Gabriel. Gabriel slipped it into his inside pocket, the cold steel pressed against his ribs.
“If you betray me, I will destroy you,” Dresden whispered, his voice low and even behind him.
“I know,” Gabriel said.
Lord Dentry returned and Gabriel handed John the coat, simple shirt, trousers, and shoes. “Put these on.”
“Something for prison, Gabriel?” John asked. “How thoughtful.”
He put on the borrowed garments and removed his pocket watch, slipping it inside his new trousers.
“No. Your watch.” Gabriel held his hand out. “And your signet.”
John raised a brow, but removed the objects and handed them to Gabriel. “Robbing me?”
“No. Keeping them for you,” Gabriel said simply.
John narrowed his eyes, searching Gabriel’s, then nodded. “Very well.”
“Come.”
They exited the house in a knotted formation, Dresden and Gabriel’s father in front, Gabriel and John in the middle with Jeremy and Marietta at their sides, Lady Dentry clasped uncomfortably against her husband, bringing up the rear. Dresden and Gabriel’s father spread to the sides and Gabriel entered his carriage, then motioned John inside. He could see Marietta’s wide eyes and bitten lip.
He moved his eyes from her and nodded to Dresden, whose face was dark, shoulders tight. Gabriel understood the need for people in the law to view the world in terms more black and white than his own shades of gray. Although a softening of Dresden’s edges would be more than welcome.
“You came by horse? Stop by the White Stag for a drink on your way back,” Gabriel said. Dresden’s eyes narrowed and darted between them. Gabriel wondered if he would go to the tavern or if he would follow behind, just in case.
His father handed him a strong rope surreptitiously, so that any curious servants would be unable to see. They had somehow kept the entire debacle within the two rooms and behind the thick walls of the manor, the servants none the wiser. Gabriel motioned for John to hold out his hands. He did so with another raised brow, though his eyes were resigned, haunted. Gabriel tied the knot.
His eyes connected with Jeremy’s, which were as haunted as Alcroft’s, but strength lurked behind the uncertainty. Gabriel nodded to him, held his gaze, tried to communicate everything he could in that one glance. Sorrow, apology, love, trust. Jeremy’s face broke for a minute, then he nodded back, shoulders firm, head up.
Marietta’s hands curled around the door’s frame. “Gabriel,” she hissed, trying to get him to lean out. “What if he does something to you in the carriage?”
“He won’t.” The sand was slipping through the hour glass, his tongue unable to reveal his plan. Marietta understood honor. She’d understand later. He needed her to.
“But—”
“He won’t. I’ll see you back at the house.” He touched her chin. “Everything will be fine.”
Everything wouldn’t be fine. But they all had to believe it to be.
