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Viggo passed him the note and watched as his friend scrutinised it.Solomon had forged many a document forNightshade’s missions.

“Are we certain this is his handwriting?”Solomon said with a frown.

“Alas, I do not believe I have anything in my possession that could help determine that,” Fairfax replied, chagrined.

Viggo doubted Emma Simmons would either.

“Did Katie’s resignation letter follow a similar pattern?”he asked.

Fairfax nodded.“It was almost identical in tone and brevity, according to Hampton.”He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, his frustration clear.“I should have insisted on reading Tom’s note.I might have found it suspicious enough to begin making inquiries into his disappearance.”

“Neither Tom nor Katie gave any indication they were unhappy or planning to leave?”Solomon pressed, unable to completely mask his suspicion.

“None whatsoever.In fact, both had recently expressed enthusiasm about their futures.”Fairfax hesitated.“There is one other detail that may be relevant.Katie recently mentioned feeling watched during her walks home.I dismissed it as the natural wariness a young woman might feel in London after dark, but I now wonder if I was mistaken.”

Viggo stiffened.“When did she speak of this?”

“A fortnight ago.She came to one of my weekly gatherings,” Fairfax said.“I host dinners for promising thralls to network with potential employers and mentors,” he added at Viggo and Solomon’s puzzled expressions.His eyes clouded with regret.“I advised her to vary her route and to consider arranging an escort if she became more concerned.I should have taken her concerns more seriously.”

“Did Katie and Tom know each other?”Viggo asked.

“Not to my knowledge.They moved in different circles despite my patronage of both.”Fairfax shrugged.“Though I suppose they might have encountered one another at this residence at some point.”

“Two thralls connected to you, both disappearing within days of each other.And both leaving suspiciously similar resignation letters.”Though Solomon kept his tone neutral, his implication was clear.

Fairfax met his gaze directly, giving no sign that the silent accusation rankled him.“I assure you, Mr.Barden, I am as troubled by these disappearances as you and Mr.Stonewall are.”

“We’re not suggesting otherwise, my Lord,” Viggo clarified smoothly, shooting a warning glance at Solomon.“But the connection can’t be ignored.”

“Indeed not.”Fairfax rubbed his chin thoughtfully.“An idea comes to mind.Let me contact my associates and inquire if they know of similar cases among their staff.”

Viggo’s stomach fluttered with surprise.“I was about to suggest the same thing.”

“You would do that for us?”Solomon asked somewhat incredulously.

A tired smile curved Fairfax’s mouth.“Of course.We are on the same side, are we not?I shall send you a note if I find anything.Would you like to see Katie’s resignation letter?”

“Please,” Viggo said with a firm nod.

“I’ll draft messages this afternoon,” Fairfax said briskly.“My associates share my views on thrall rights.They will assist however they can.”

Viggo and Solomon thanked the nobleman and took their leave.

“The timing of these disappearances is worrying,” Solomon said as they emerged from the residence and descended the steps to the pavement.“Could this be connected to the increase in theNoctis Bloomtrade we’re seeing?”He shot a worried glance at Viggo.

Viggo frowned as he flagged down a passing hansom.“I have a feeling we’ll soon find out.”His tone hardened.“In the meantime, we should conduct our own investigation into missing thralls throughNightshade’s channels.”

The journey back to the guild was tense, both men lost in their own thoughts as the hansom cab navigated the crowded streets of central London towards the East End.

Viggo popped his head intoNightshade’s main office when they arrived at the guild and called to the young woman organising correspondence.“Harriet, I need someone sent to Emma Simmons’s residence immediately.We need samples of her brother’s handwriting if she has any—letters, notes, anything with his signature, if possible.”

“Right away, sir,” she replied, already reaching for a message slip.

“And see if there are any reports of thralls going missing in the past fortnight or so,” Solomon added.

“Oh.”Harriet blinked.“We already have some.Hawk came in an hour ago with news of several people disappearing under strange circumstances.He intended to mention this to you.”

Viggo’s blood ran cold.“Where’s Hawk right now?”