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“Likewise, Griffiths.”

They took the stairs to the fifth floor and headed for Winterbourne’s office.The men and women seated at their desks in the main administrative quarters cast curious glances at their group as they crossed the open floor space.

Winterbourne’s secretary’s eyes widened when he saw them.

Evander stopped in front of his desk.“Please inform Commander Winterbourne that we request an immediate meeting,” he said briskly.

The secretary recovered his composure.“Yes, your Grace.”He stood up and disappeared inside Winterbourne’s office.He reappeared after a moment.“He will see you now.”

Evander nodded curtly and knocked on the door.

Winterbourne rose from behind his desk when they entered.If he was surprised by their unexpected visit, he masked it well.

“Mr.Stonewall, it is good to see you again.”

“Commander,” Viggo replied with a courteous nod.

“It seems something serious has happened.”Winterbourne indicated the chairs arranged before his desk.“Please, take a seat.”

Leon took the chair farthest from Viggo, a sign Rufus seemed to note with a faint frown.

Evander knew the inspector would have questions for him later.

“Let’s hear it,” Winterbourne ordered once they were seated.

“Recent developments have led me to believe that the disappearances of Professor Whitley, his student James Thornfield, and Professor Chevalier are connected to something much larger.”Evander gestured to Viggo.“Mr.Stonewall brings information that could be crucial to our investigation.”

Winterbourne turned his sharp gaze on Viggo.“I’m listening.”

A muscle jumped in the Brute’s cheek as he spoke.“Nightshadehas been tracking a disturbing pattern of disappearances among the thrall population.At least eighteen individuals have vanished from their places of employment over the past three weeks.”

“Eighteen?”Rufus interjected, his eyes widening.

“Cor blimey!”Shaw mumbled.

Leon lowered his brows, his attention focused wholeheartedly on Viggo.

“Yesterday morning, the body of one such individual—James Harker, a thrall who worked for a bookbinder in Mayfair—was found in the Thames,” Viggo continued.“We tracked down and interviewed one survivor two nights ago.A man who was nearly kidnapped under the same circumstances the other thralls went missing.He described monstrous apparitions that matched the description of the shadow creatures Duke Ravenwood and I fought in that warehouse where we faced Renwick.”

His words hung heavily in the air.

Though Winterbourne’s expression remained neutral, the way he tapped a finger against his desk relayed his irritation.“And why hasn’t this been reported to the authorities?”

A shadow crossed Viggo’s face.“It was.Multiple times, by multiple families.They were all dismissed.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room.Rufus fidgeted in his chair.Winterbourne’s mouth tightened into a grim line.

“The thralls who disappeared all worked for nobles or in establishments frequented by the magical elite,” Evander said quietly.

Shaw narrowed her eyes.“Just like the bookbinder in Mayfair.”

Evander nodded.

Leon, who had been uncharacteristically silent, leaned forward.“And you believe these disappearances are connected to our missing professors?”

“I do,” Evander confirmed.

Winterbourne frowned.“Why so?”