“So you admit you’ve been researching this?”
“What point is there in denying it when you’re sitting there with the proof in your hand?”Wentworth scowled with displeasure.
“Where did you conduct your experiments on Miss Griffin and Mr.Booker?”
Anger flared in Wentworth’s eyes.“I already told you.I would never administer that concoction to humans.”
Peter wasn’t sure he believed him and was about to press for more answers when Miss Hastings asked, “Then why experiment with it at all?”
Wentworth turned to her and blinked as though he’d forgotten her presence.“I beg your pardon?”
“If you never meant for your findings to aid you in your work, why put in the effort?”She stared at him as though he were a puzzle she meant to solve.“I mean, I assume you wanted the tincture to be a success and that making it so was your ultimate goal.So why not push for it to be applied?”
“Because the likelihood of being able to do so during my lifetime is equal to nil.I’m three and sixty years old.It would take years for me to find the perfect balance between the ingredients.”Regret tugged at the lines creasing his brow.“All I can hope for at this point is to leave the research for someone else to continue.”
Peter absorbed every word and the way in which it was conveyed.Wentworth sounded sincere but that could be an act.Nevertheless, one of his comments stood out among the rest.“Concerning your point about leaving your research to someone else, have you considered a possible candidate whom you would trust with what I presume to be your life’s work?”
Wentworth slumped against his chair with a sigh and waved his hand dismissively.“Melroy would be my only choice.”
“Have you discussed your research with him or anyone else?”Peter asked.
“No.It’s not ready to be shared yet.”
Peter wondered if it ever would be.Indeed, it was starting to look more and more like the sort of personal project Wentworth wished to perfect on his own.
A point that was cause for consideration.Maybe Wentworthwasthe surgeon they sought.Preordian and Islington could have sent patients to him without knowing what would happen to them.They might simply have run when Peter began asking questions, because they feared he’d accuse them of being involved in the disappearance and subsequent deaths of patients whose last known locations were at their practices.
The theory wasn’t too ridiculous.
“Is there anything else you wish to share with us regarding this matter?”Peter asked.When Wentworth shook his head, Peter said, “Then it falls upon me to place you under arrest for your involvement in the deaths of Miss Polly Griffin and Mr.Francis Booker.”
“But that’s preposterous,” Wentworth exclaimed.He leaned forward in his chair as though preparing to stand.Jackson and Lewis stepped forward, their firm hands on his shoulders keeping him seated for now.A wild look entered Wentworth’s gaze.“I had nothing to do with that.”
“A stance I intend to investigate thoroughly.You have my word.”
“I’m a physician,” Wentworth complained.“My job is to heal people, not harm them.”
“And yet there is no denying the damning evidence your own notes provide.Since you’ve made it clear you never shared them with anyone, there’s no one else for me to consider but you.”A thought did occur to Peter at that exact moment – a point he’d ignored.He raised his chin.“What is the chance you’re not the only surgeon exploring ways in which to sedate patients properly during surgery?That someone else may be trying to replicate this long-lost method using the same exact ingredients as you?”
“Sedation is an extremely popular subject within the medical community,” Wentworth said.“I’m sure I’m not the only one trying to find a solution.Whoever does so first will be remembered.Their discovery will make history and have a lasting effect on the surgical practice as a whole.It will determine not only the extent of an operation’s invasiveness but how long it can last.This will allow surgeons to help patients with complications that cannot yet be treated.”
“So what you’re essentially saying is that someone else could be trying to duplicate this ancient technique.”
Wentworth pressed his lips together.“It’s possible but highly unlikely.My research is based on translations of obscure texts, and while I suppose others may be aware of their existence, the rarity of it makes it improbable.”
“You leave me no choice then.”Peter nodded toward Jackson and Lewis.“Please escort Wentworth to one of our cells.”
“I’m not a criminal,” Wentworth repeated, shaking the Runners’ hands off as he stood.“You’ve got the wrong man, Constable.”
Peter got up as well.“If you give me the name of your solicitor I’ll be sure to contact him on your behalf.”
Wentworth sighed.“Mr.Douglas Greene.You’ll find him at Number 6 Milford Lane.”
Jackson took hold of Wentworth’s arm and steered him toward the door.Wentworth muttered something incoherent before preceding both him and Lewis into the hallway.Peter watched them go, all the while pondering whether or not he had indeed caught the killer.
“It’s a wonder he didn’t agree with you more readily,” Miss Hastings said, her voice soft and pensive.
Peter turned, his gaze catching hers.“What?”
