“Audrey Rose,” Nathaniel hissed, finally returning the firm shake, possibly a bit harder than necessary, as Blackburn subtly rubbed his hand afterward.

“It’s quite all right,” the superintendent said.

“My lovely sister’s a bit spirited. Your last meeting is a memory that’ll be burned into your mind for years to come, I’m sure.” Nathaniel’s tone implied teasing, but his eyes held no hint of humor. “Apologies, but were you calling on her regarding the awful murders in Whitechapel, then?” He shot me a worried glance. “No matter how strong her heart, I do not agree with bombarding her with this mess, time and again.”

“Afraid I can’t say much, as the case is still under investigation. But, yes. It has something to do with all that.” Blackburn pressed his lips into a firm line. He had a fine face for such a miserable human being. “I—I’m very sorry I was the one who took your uncle away. For what it’s worth, I think very highly of him.”

Nathaniel straightened his tie, but didn’t say another word. I feared he’d reach over and slap the officer with one of his discarded gloves should I show any more outward signs of being upset.

“Might I have a word with your sister now?” Blackburn held his hands up when I made to protest. “It’ll only be a minute. Contrary to what you both may believe, I don’t wish to disturb your evening.”

I couldn’t control the laughter from bubbling up my throat. “Oh, yes. Because you’re so concerned with disturbing people’s lives without due cause. How silly of me to forget. Arresting an innocent man and destroying his reputation is rather dull, now that you mention it. Why not ruin his niece’s evening as well?” I smiled sweetly. “Then you can add picking on innocent men and young women to your growing repertoire. Perhaps”—I tapped a finger against my lips in mock contemplation—“you should kick a child while you’re at it. Shall I help pick one out?”

A flash of pain crossed his face, rendering me almost sorry for having said it. Then I recalled he was responsible for holding Uncle in an asylum lovingly referred to as Bedlam—refusing him any visitors—and any trace of an apology fizzled away on my tongue. I lifted my chin, commanding myself to remain impassive.

From the corner of my eye, I watched Nathaniel fidget with his cuffs. He was getting more upset by the second, and that was something I did care about. His evening shouldn’t be ruined by this intruder. He looked at me, a silent question in his gaze, and I nodded. Might as well get this over with.

“After you, Sister.” Nathaniel stood, then motioned for me to do the same.

Gathering my skirts in my fists, I moved into the aisle, not waiting to see if Blackburn was following. Once we made it to the main room, Blackburn took my elbow, guiding Nathaniel and me into a smaller area sectioned off by elaborately painted wall screens, serving as the menagerie.

When we were no longer working our way through the crowd, I yanked myself free from his grasp, then crossed both arms over my chest. “I’m capable of walking from one room to the next on my own, Superintendent.”

His brows raised a fraction. I didn’t care if I was being petty. I didn’t care what he thought about me, and I certainly didn’t care he was fighting a smile that very instant. I scowled again, wishing on every last saint he’d be struck down for being so blastedly annoying. He coughed into his fist, then glanced at the oddities surrounding us, only succeeding in aggravating me more.

“Planning on getting to the point of your rude interruption soon? Or am I supposed to be swooning and batting my lashes at my uncle’s captor and my father’s enabler? If that’s the case, I’m afraid you’ll be waiting until your bones turn to dust.” I smiled. “Or, at the very least, until you perish and I’m tasked with dissecting your body to check for a heart.”

“Audrey Rose, please,” Nathaniel whispered, looking horrified. “Don’t aggravate the person responsible for holding Uncle under arrest and keeping Father’s secret.”

“It’s quite all right.” Blackburn nodded toward Nathaniel. “She’s got every right to be upset.”

Blackburn glanced around, making sure the three of us were alone, then drew in a deep breath. An uncomfortable feeling niggled the edge of my brain.

“Don’t.” I shook my head, begging him to keep whatever toxic words he was about to say to himself. “I don’t want to hear anything you’ve come to say. I’ve got more than enough to worry about as it stands.”

“Audrey Rose.” My brother reached for me. “You mustn’t—”

“I needn’t know a single thing more.” I cut my brother’s protest off. “Not tonight.”

It was childish and I knew Blackburn wouldn’t travel all this way only to leave without delivering the message. Still, I hoped he’d spare me an ounce of grief.

His eyes filled with compassion, which was so much worse than his pity.

“I thought it fair to warn you, Miss Wadsworth,” he said. “There haven’t been any more murders since your uncle’s been in the asylum. Some people are keen to find him guilty. They want this whole mess to be done with.”

He watched my reaction closely, but I was numb; incapable of responding. It was as if I’d left my body and was watching the conversation take place. Blackburn stared at his feet. “He’s tentatively scheduled to hang on the thirtieth of September.”

“That’s barely five nights from now!” Nathaniel said, ripping me from my shadowy haze. “How can they possibly hold a trial and execution so quickly?”

“Hardly seems legal,” I said, searching my brother’s face for help.

“That’s because it isn’t.”

Blackburn took another deep breath. “Your brother’s correct. There will be a trial but it’ll be far from fair. They’ll find your uncle guilty and hang him before the ink on his execution order is dry. The public is out for blood, members of Parliament have made proclamations… your uncle’s the perfect target.” Blackburn ticked off each of Uncle’s offenses. “He was in possession of bloodstained gears we found near the bodies. Someone of his appearance was seen with the last victim. He has no alibi for either murder. Worst of all, he possesses the skill it took to extract organs.”

“For goodness’ sake, is that all?” I waved a hand in the air. “I possess those very skills. Perhaps I’m the murderer.”

I paced in the sectioned-off room, my hands clenching at my sides. I felt like a wild animal, forced to dance around for people’s amusement, and loathed it. Maybe I’d free every last baboon, horse, and zebra in this circus before leaving this evening. Jumbo, too, while I was at it. Nothing should suffer so incredibly at the hands of another.

I turned my attention back on Blackburn. “Can’t you stop this madness? Innocent people cannot be hanged, it’s grossly unjust. Surely this can’t be the end.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, avoiding my eyes as if he’d contract some wretched disease simply from looking upon me. Maybe he could. Hatred was drenching my entire being with its oily residue.

“They’ve only just closed out the inquest of our former servant,” I said, mostly to Nathaniel. “There’s got to be some way of repealing this… abomination to our ruling system. They’ll have to finish the inquest of Miss Annie Chapman, at least. Shouldn’t that offer a bit more time?”

Nathaniel bit his lip, seeming uncertain. “I’m still learning the intricacies of the law. I’ll consult my mentor.” I stared at him, willing him to make everything better. My brother held his hands up. “I’ll call on him now, see if I can get this all sorted out. Try not to worry, Sister. I swear I’ll do everything I can to save Uncle. You believe me?”

I nodded. It was all I could do, but it satisfied my brother enough. He turned his attention on the superintendent, his voice cold. “Will you see my sister home? I assume you’ll give her a decent police escort, especially after dropping all this into our laps.”

It was useless telling Nathaniel I could hire my own carriage home or look for Aunt Amelia and Liza and travel with them, so I kept my mouth shut while he made arrangements with the superintendent.

When my brother was gone, Blackburn cocked his head, a movement showing a new calculating side I hadn’t noticed before but knew existed. “Did you say Miss Mary Ann Nichols was your former servant, Miss Wadsworth?”

Excitement radiated from him. I didn’t trust him or his new mood, and promptly pressed my lips together. Last thing I wanted was to give Scotland Yard another reason to point their spindly fingers at my family.

Undeterred, he stepped closer, filling the space with his enormous presence, forcing me to meet his inquiring gaze. I swallowed a coil of fear away.

There was something dangerous about him, though it could simply be because he held Uncle’s life in his hands.

“You do realize I may be the only person in London other than your family who cares whether or not your uncle lives. Won’t you help me solve this case?” Blackburn asked. “Miss Wadsworth… I’m entrusting you to help free your uncle and apprehend the murderer.”

He ran a hand through his fair hair, ruffling his already unruly locks. I wanted to help Uncle more than anything; I simply wanted to do it on my own, without involving the person who’d arrested him to begin with. Though it was flattering he respected my intelligence and amateur sleuthing enough to involve me at all.

When I still hadn’t uttered a word, he grabbed my elbow, spinning me about. “If you don’t want to assist me, let’s see someone you do want to help.”

“If you don’t let go of me this instant,” I said between clenched teeth, “I’ll be forced to employ a terrible fighting tactic my brother taught me upon your manhood.”

Wrestling against his grip, I realized too late he’d eased off because he was smiling. I huffed, tugging my arm completely away. Threats weren’t meant to be amusing. I imagine he wouldn’t be grinning if I’d actually committed my defense technique, and I wished I’d just done it. “Where is it you think I’m following you to?”