“And here I’d hoped he’d drown.”
Clara smacked his arm, splashing coffee on the floor.
“Quit teasing your sister. We need to get to the station posthaste.” Lucian stepped forward, rigid as an iron gate. “Carson’s in a mood, and you’re the source of it.”
Abraham took two large gulps before passing the mug back to Clara and following Lucian to where a hack waited.
“Is he so angry that you had to hire a cabbie?” Abraham settled inside next to Lucian.
“He’s the one who ordered it. Said he’d have sent a patrol wagon if the city had one.” Lucian tapped the roof and then placed his domed hat in the space between them. His mussed blond hair indicated he’d been fretting the whole way here. “What’d you do last night? Take his missus out on the town?”
“I arrested someone I’m sure he thinks I should’ve released.”
“Awww, Hall. I know you’re as straight as a die, but can’t you bend to politics a little? I rather like having you around.”
“I didn’t have much choice in the matter. The circus owner wants to press charges.”
“Circus owner? Friend, I don’t know how you get all the fun chases, but I’m glad to have missed this one.”
“You have no idea.”
“So who was it?”
Abraham shook his head. He was no gossiping hen. Lucian was his best friend, but he wouldn’t reveal Miss Pelton’s identity or role in last night’s escapades.
When they reached the City Building, instead of taking the basement stairs to Central Station, they joined the mix of bureaucrats and civilians entering through the main doors. Unlike the rest of the force, who were relegated to the basement stink hole, Superintendent Carson conducted his business aboveground, with a window all his own.
Unfortunately that blessing appeared to do little in lessening his ire this morning. Carson’s rants carried to the tiled front foyer. Curious government officials and visiting citizens peeked from offices toward the noisy hall where the courtroom and superintendent’s office were housed.
Rather than join Abraham in his walk to Carson’s office, Lucian stopped beside the building directory board and doffed his hat to hold it over his heart. “Alas, poor Hall! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite nobility, of most excellent detective skills; and now, how I mourn his impending death.”
Abraham punched him on the arm. “Your Shakespeare stinketh.”
“Not as much as you will after you’re done sweating it out with Carson.”
Lucian dodged Abraham’s next shot, then saluted before disappearing out the front door. His shift was long over, and the newlywed was not one to linger more than necessary.
Abraham straightened his uniform before making his execution walk to the superintendent’s office. He’d done the right thing, but doing what was right didn’t always guarantee a fair result.
Civilians waiting their turn in court filled the hallway, either engaged in lively chatter or sitting in grim silence.
He halted outside the superintendent’s door and drew back his shoulders. Best to get this over with. He’d take his punishment and walk out with his head held high.
The door yanked open after his rap. The burly former butcher with a graying mustache as wide as a gun barrel shot a finger toward the punishment chair. The rickety thing had a split seat that pinched with blood-blistering force. Refusing to sit in it would only further incense Carson, so Abraham adjusted his jacket and sat as far back as possible.
“Did you arrest Lydia Pelton last night?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And did you know that she is Dr. Pelton’s daughter?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then why did you not release her at once?”
“Mr. Beadle is pressing charges for her part in stealing a goat from his menagerie.”
“The circus owner? That man will be out of town in less than twelve hours. He won’t be around to see those charges pressed.”
