Hamilton laughed outright. ‘You see what I mean, Badger? He has been singing Stanley’s praises for weeks. He has lost his senses.’
Hamilton’s expression hardened. ‘Idiot—he is deceiving you.’
‘The Order comes first—not friendships. You know that,’ Boulton said evenly.
‘Has it occurred to you that I do not wish to do this any more?’ Wolverton’s voice cracked.
Charlotte leaned in for a better view, intrigued by the sudden shift in his manner. Was Lord Wolverton developing a conscience? What had brought about this change? Surely not affection for Lord Stanley.
‘Falcon gave the orders. One way or another, we must rid ourselves of him. The decision is final,’ Hamilton replied coldly.
‘But, Hawk, he could be turned—he could be an asset!’ Wolverton pleaded.
‘That may be, but we cannot trust him. He is unpredictable,’ Boulton replied.
Charlotte shifted slightly, a thought striking her with sudden irritation.Hawk. Badger. Falcon. Even now, they continued addressing one another by coded names.
‘Then keep me out of it. I will not do your dirty work any longer. The boy was not ready—you all knew it. Yet you made me persuade him... and I was the one left to deal with the consequences. I am tired of being your henchman.’
Charlotte’s chest tightened. He was speaking of Matthew Stanley, of course.
‘When you joined us, you accepted the rules,’ Boulton stepped toward him with quiet menace. ‘Disobedience forfeits your life.’
‘Is that so?’ Wolverton said bitterly. ‘After all I have done for the Fellowship... this is my reward?’
‘Keep your voice down,’ Hamilton warned.
‘Or what? I know all your secrets.’ He sneered. ‘I have Frederick’s black book.’
So, Frederick Bainbridge... had he been an Odd Fellow too?
Hamilton gave a short, humourless laugh. ‘So—you concealed the book from us and now mean to threaten us with it? You are playing with fire.’ He stepped closer to Wolverton.
‘We are all friends here,’ Boulton interjected, though strain lurked beneath his civility. ‘It is time you relinquished that black book, Wolf. Where is it?’
‘I think not,’ Wolverton replied. ‘I would rather keep it... as insurance. I wish to leave the Fellowship, gentlemen, and you will oblige me.’
‘How about we release you from the Fellowship, and in exchange you return the book?’ When no immediate answer came, Boulton added with quiet severity, ‘We cannot permit you to leave with it, and you know it.’
‘Very well. I shall hand it over tomorrow—as I depart—unharmed. What say you, gentlemen?’
A glance passed between Hamilton and Boulton—a silent exchange, decisive and chilling.
Charlotte saw it.
Wolverton did not.
They no longer trusted him.
‘We are in agreement then,’ Hamilton said at last, his voice low. ‘We shall release you. I believe you have served your purpose, Wolf. Now you will serve another.’ He lowered his voice further. ‘Falcon gave us additional instructions today... should matters fail to proceed as planned.’
A violent struggle erupted. Furniture crashed across the floor.
‘Do it,’ Boulton ordered sharply.
Charlotte pressed both hands over her mouth. She could not see—but she did not need to. The sounds told her everything.
Wolverton was being murdered.
