“Stop this fuss. You didn’t win at the roulette.” The captain snatched the documents from William’s hand and dropped them on the low table. “In a safe William opened with impressive skills, we found evidence of Tucker buying large quantities of belladonna, arsenic, and lead. We have his recipes written down, letters, and his notes on how to keep the patients sick without killing them. He kept records of every patient he treated. Ever. We also found a few angry people willing to testify against him.”
William crossed his arms behind his head, a smug smile on his face. “We only have to inform the police. May I be the one? Please?”
“Wonderful.” Vivienne beamed.
Samuel rushed to go through the documents. The captain was right. There was everything to build up a case against Dr. Tucker.
“No offence, Mr. Lyon,” William said, “but I think I’ll work for the police from now on. The job seems more thrilling. There’s the excitement of the chase, the break-in, the tension, and all for a good purpose.”
Samuel’s excitement diminished when he went through the pages regarding Cade’s Circus. And Lion Boy. There was a long list of all the mixture of drugs he’d taken while at the circus. Each entry had notes on how his body had reacted to the drug and which potion was the best to make him aggressive.
Dr. Tucker had played with him, experimenting on him and on other circus workers to make them stronger or fearless.
A lump of emotion swelled in his throat as he remembered those dark days when he hadn’t been in control of himself. The walls closed in on him, and he couldn’t breathe. Anguished noises came out of him.
“Darling.” Vivienne closed her hand around his.
“Bloody hell, sir,” William said, turning serious. “I’ll stay here if you care so much. I must be the best footman you’ve ever seen.”
“Shut up.” Captain Jackson took William’s arm and dragged him to the door. “Mr. and Mrs. Lyon need a moment.”
When the door was closed, she wiped his tears with her delicate fingers. He hadn’t even realised he was crying.
“It’s over.” She caressed his face and hair. “He can’t hurt you anymore. You won.”
“He’s still here.” He pointed a finger at his head. “I’ll never get rid of him.”
“Yes, you will. Once the police take him into custody and lock him up, we can forget the past and move on. Think about all the people we’re going to save by catching him. He won’t be able tohurt anyone else.” She scattered kisses on his face. “Don’t let him be here with us. He isn’t welcome.”
He held her, hating Murdock’s power over his emotions.
“I trust you,” she whispered. “You’re strong enough to beat him.”
“I’m not sure.”
“Then you can borrow my strength.” She kissed him again.
“You’ll be left with none if I use it to defeat my fears.”
“I have plenty. Don’t you trust me?”
He hugged her. Just holding her slowed his quick pulse.
“You aren’t alone,” she whispered, caressing the back of his neck. “You have friends and a family that loves you. That’s more powerful than gold. Trust me. Trust us.”
He buried his face in the crook of her neck to hide from his fears. When he released her and stared at her face, he only found love.
She stroked his jaw. “I’m so proud of who you are and of what you’ve become. That’s a stronger victory than getting Dr. Tucker arrested. We’ll work on your fears, starting with you sleeping with me every night and not leaving after a nightmare.”
Well, that sounded like a bloody good remedy.
