Garnet looked at him with growing contempt. 'You cannot possibly imagine some business associate of Sir Lockwood's would commit such an outrage! You should be combing the streets, looking for witnesses or something, not standing here warming yourself by the fire and asking damn-fool questions!'
Pitt remembered the shock and perhaps grief that must be afflicting him, even if for his sister rather than himself, and his temper dissolved. 'All that has been begun, sir, but there is only a certain amount that we can do tonight. Now, can you tell me something about Sir Lockwood's career, in business and in Parliament. It will save time, and the unpleasantness of having to ask Lady Hamilton tomorrow.'
15
The irritation smoothed out of Garnet's face, leaving only tiredness and the dark, smudged shadows of exhausting emotion.
'Yes-yes, of course,' he conceded. He took a breath. 'He was member of Parliament for a country constituency in Bedfordshire, but he spent nearly all his time in London; he was obliged to when Parliament was sitting, and he greatly preferred city life anyway. His business was fairly commonplace: he invested in the manufacture of railway carriages somewhere in the Midlands, I don't know where precisely, and he was a senior partner in a firm dealing in property here in London. His chief associate is a Mr. Charles Verdun, whose address I cannot give you, but no doubt it will be simple enough for you to find.
'His Parliamentary career is a matter of record. He was successful, and all successful men make enemies, even if mainly of those less able or less fortunate, but I was unaware of Sir Lockwood's having any of violent disposition or unbalanced mind.' He frowned, staring past Pitt towards the closed curtains at the window, as if he would see beyond them. 'Of course there is a certain instability in some quarters at the moment, among a section of the community, and there are always those ready to foment dissatisfaction and attempt to gratify their desire for power by exploiting restless people with little moral sense or knowledge of their own best interests. I suppose this could be political-the work of some anarchist, either acting alone or as part of some conspiracy.'' He looked at Pitt.' 'If it is, you must apprehend them rapidly, before we have panic in the streets, and all sorts of other elements seize their opportunity to create civil unrest. I don't suppose you know fully how very serious this could be? But I assure you, if it is anarchists, then we have grounds for grave concern, and it is our duty, those of us with sense and responsibility, to take care of those less fortunate. They rely upon us, as they have a right to. Inquire of your superiors and they will confirm to you that I am correct. For the good
16
of everyone, this must be stopped before it goes any further.'
These thoughts had already crossed Pitt's mind, but he was surprised that Garnet Royce was aware of the unrest in the vast slums and docklands of the East End, and the whispers of riot and revolution over the last few months. He had thought Parliament largely blind to such things. Certainly reform was hard and slow, but perhaps that was not what was desired by the agitators Royce was referring to. There was no power to be gained from a satisfied people.
' 'Yes sir, I am aware of the possibilities,'' he replied.' 'All our sources of information will be tried. Thank you for your help. Now I shall return to the police station and see if anything further has been learned, before I report the matter to Mr. Drummond.'
'Is that Micah Drummond?'
'Yes sir.'
Garnet nodded. 'Good man. I'd be obliged if you would keep me informed, for Lady Hamilton's sake as well as my own. It is a very dreadful business.'
'Yes sir. Please accept my condolences.'
'Civil of you. Huggins will show you to the door.'
It was dismissal, and there was no point in trying to pursue anything further here tonight. Barclay Hamilton, white-faced and drained of all vitality, sat on the couch as if drugged, and Jasper had come downstairs again and was in the hall waiting until he could decently leave. He could prescribe sleeping drafts, tisanes for the nerves, but he could not alleviate the grief or the inevitable pain that would come with the morning when the first numbness had worn off.
Pitt thanked them and walked out into the hall, where the butler, still with his jacket a trifle crooked and his nightshirt tucked into his trousers, gave a sigh of relief and let him out
with barely a word.
* * *
