“What about the circles in the middle?” Jules reminded her. “You said there’s only supposed to be one. What does the circle represent? And what does it mean if there are three of them?”
“From what I remember,” Zaria said, frowning, “the circle is meant to be the site of creation. The lines separating the quadrants represent how each is of equal importance, and they’re contained within this sort of… magical plane, I guess. The corners interact with one another, channeling energy and creating a field in which the Magnum Opus can occur. Again, it’s all highly theoretical. As for why the Curator has drawn three, I’ve no idea. I don’t see how you could have three sites.”
Kane rubbed at his neck, suddenly all too cognizant of his lack of sleep. “We don’t need to understand alchemological theory. We just need to know how it connects to the Curator, and I think you’ve made that connection pretty clear. We have to be on the right track. Ithasto be a member of the Royal Commission. They’ve got the means,they seemingly have the motive, and they definitely have grandiose ideas. They couldn’t have put together the Exhibition if they didn’t.”
“We must be missing something,” Zaria murmured. It was unclear whether she’d been listening to him at all. “First the fake primateria source, and now this symbol turns up?”
“Did we confirm the source was a fake?” Jules said, turning expectantly to Kane.
“No,” he admitted. “I went through a bunch of Ward’s files last night in the hopes I could figure out exactly what he planned to do with the source. Someone obviously tipped him off about the necklace being part of the Waterhouse exhibit, so I thought that same person might have told him how to use it. If they did, though, there’s no evidence of that.”
It was what he’d been doing in the hours before Zaria and Jules blew up his goddamned shed. Looking for something—anything—to indicate that Ward had known more about the necklace than he’d let on. Did Price or any of the other stakeholders know about primateria sources? If the necklacewasa fake, would handing it over in lieu of unmasking the Curator only cause further problems?
“Who tipped Ward off??” Zaria asked, gaze sharp despite the exhaustion still pinching her features.
“None of the documents stated it outright, but I have a guess. You know that chemist’s shop at the edge of Devil’s Acre?”
Jules sat up straighter as Zaria said, “The one run by the Hoffmans?”
Kane nodded. “That address kept coming up. It took me a while to realize what it was.”
“Hold on.” Fletcher held up a hand, frowning slightly. “Are these the same Hoffmans who also sell alchemology supplies?”
Zaria confirmed before Kane could. “Yes. I’ve always bought my soulsteel from them. I know Louisa fairly well.”
“But she’s not an alchemologist herself.”
“Not that she’s ever mentioned. She knows a lot about the study, though, given that she’s run in dark market circles for years.”
Kane briefly considered this. “Then we’ll question her. See if she was ever in contact with Ward, and whether she has any information.”
“Maybe Louisa can take a look at the necklace,” Jules suggested. “She must have seen a thousand alchemological items in her time.”
“No,” Kane said at once. “She can’t see the necklace. Have you forgotten where it came from?”
“The Hoffmans’ operation is also illegal,” Jules pointed out, irked.
Zaria was quick to come to her friend’s defense. “I’ve been buying from Louisa for years. She likes Jules and me. I doubt she would turn us in even if shedidrecognize the necklace.”
Kane wasn’t so sure about that.
“Images of it were circulated in the papers when it went missing,” Fletcher cut in. “Louisa might well decide the reward for turning you in is greater than the risk to her business.Or, if the source is legitimate, she could try to take it for herself.”
“Not if you’re there,” Zaria said. It took Kane a second to realize she was addressing him, her large dark eyes never wavering from his face. “The Hoffmans pay dues to you now, right? Louisa wouldn’t dare try anything with the kingpin present.”
That was true, he realized with a jolt. The chemist and her husbanddidpay him, now that Ward was gone. It still struck him as risky—he didn’t want Louisa Hoffman tying him to the theft—but she was unlikely to tell anyone if she knew doing so would result in mutual destruction.
“Fine,” Kane said. “We’ll visit Louisa Hoffman. But if shedoesgive any indication of not being trustworthy, you’ll let me deal with it as I see fit.”
Jules’s laugh was devoid of humor. “You mean we have to stand by as you kill her.”
“If it comes to that, then yes.”
Zaria swept her hair back, scowling. “That’s nothelpful, Kane.”
“Yes, it is,” he said bluntly. “You just don’t like it. Now, do we have an accord?”
Fletcher dipped his head, and even Jules was quick to voice his agreement. They all turned to Zaria. A beat passed, then two, before she gave a stiff nod.
