See No Evil (Anthony Lockwood)

chapter 18

Violet sat on the loveseat by Lucy, her hands freshly cleaned of blood. She watched as DEPRAC took the body outside, bagging up her bloody jacket and taking that away too. Luckily she had been able to sneak out her letter beforehand. That was the second jacket that she'd lost in the past couple days. She'd have to shop for more now since she only had her red leather jacket left. Now they had to spray down the front hallway and clear it.

"It's a Mughal dagger," George said as he handed the bagged up knife to Barnes, "Indian, 16th century. They usually come in pairs, so if we find the other one, we find who killed Carver."

Barnes shook his head, "No. You've had your shot. You made yourselves too conspicuous. Bickerstaff's mirror, the bone glass, it's Fittes' business now."

Lockwood stood up straight, "You can't be serious."

"But they'll screw it up. It'll get into the wrong hands," George argued.

"It's not your problem anymore. I mean, look around. You've got no safeguards, no supervision. And I don't have the time or resources to protect you."

"Look, Inspector, I know you don't like us-"

"I never said-"

Lockwood spoke over him, "Or our methods, and that's fine. But they work. We found Annabel Ward's murderer. No one else knows that, but you do. Come on, we're good. Now, i'm begging you, just give us this chance to find the mirror."

Barnes turned to the two girls on the couch, "What about you two? You're unusually quiet."

Lucy sighed, "I think we should finish the job. We're better placed than anyone else. It's our choice, and we know the risks. You should let us."

"You agree with that Summers?"

Violet sat back, sharing a short look with Lockwood, "We've already gotten this far and went through a whole lot of trouble. Might as well follow it through to the end. I'm no quitter. I'm sure you can at least appreciate our tenacity. Right, Inspector?"

Barnes huffed, "Fine. But i'm not asking you, i'm telling you, be smart. You're dealing with real-life criminals here. Flesh and blood. So you stick to the psychical side. Locate the bone glass. Leave the rest to DEPRAC."

Violet had to bite her tongue to keep in her retort. Fat chance of that happening with Lockwood. But she had a feeling Barnes already knew that one.

Another inspector came in, "Sir. Critical incident in Kilburn."

"Don't let this be the last time I see the four of you alive," Barnes said on the way out.

Violet laid her chin to rest on her intertwined hands. This case was getting to be a handful. Even Violet was wondering how far she was willing to go to get it done. It was one thing pushing herself to deal with nasty ghosts, but real criminals. Hardened ones. Murderous ones. That's a different ballgame. One that not even Violet's dirty hands had touched before.

As soon as DEPRAC left, Violet got to her feet and was the first one to start towards the stairs.

"Vi..." Lockwood called after her.

Violet turned to look at him, "Anthony, I'm tired. Whatever you want to say to me is gonna have to wait until morning. Please...just...let me rest."

Lockwood's face fell as he watched her go up the stairs. He knew that what had happened tonight had only driven a wedge between them. And he knew it was his doing. None of the blame could go on her. She had been trying and trying and trying and all Lockwood had done in return was pull her in each and every direction. He didn't know how to stop it.