Page 58 of Leafpoint Lighthouse

“No.”

“But you put people in there,” Avery challenged.

“No, it’s called a camera, and it captures people’s reflections. These are known as actors, and they create records called films. Like theatre shows, only these cameras make a moving record so viewers can watch it over and over. They’re called movies. Here, look.”

I picked up my phone, opened the camera, switched to video, and recorded William as I moved around the room. Both William and Avery crowded me to see the playback.

“Do it again,” Avery gasped. I did, and ten replays later, I managed to calm them both down.

I stuck on a popular superhero movie and beckoned William to follow me. Entering the kitchen, I put the kettle on.

“It’s a good job you failed in making me run,” I immediately remarked.

“Somehow I knew you’d lead with that,” William commented, but without any heat.

“What type of monster kills a child and then enslaves his spirit?” I spat furiously.

“Men. I’ve seen plenty of bad ones,” William said. “Life, back then, was harder. Boys like Avery were often snatched as cabin boys or for unpaid labour.”

“That’s vile!”

“Lyra, I didn’t say I agreed with it. Numerous men and boys vanished along the coast. Kidnapped onto ships to work for free. Even the Navy did it. It is simply how things were,” William elaborated.

“Avery’s eight!” I seethed. “That child was forced into a situation that was harsh and cruel before ending up murdered.”

“There’s nothing we can do about the past, but we can protect him now. Avery needs to stay far away from the trapdoor. I don’t know if the Master can pull him back through.”

My horrified look showed my inner feelings.

“What do we do?” I demanded.

“Research. Avery gave us some clues, although he failed to realise that. He mentioned men on the beach; they had to be wreckers. And the only gang operating in these parts was the Damerell Gang. Everyone recognised them for what they were. It was catching them in the act that mattered. Nicholas and Charles wouldn’t hang a man without irrefutable evidence. Rumours and suspicion didn’t cut it. Avery’s statement could have hung the lot of them,” William replied.

“So, they killed him?” That was hard for me to grasp.

“That’s what makes me hesitate. Many in Damerell’s Gang were young. Some Judd and George recruited off the streets. George would have looked to recruit Avery. Kids like that, understood the importance of keeping their mouths shut, and their life expectancy was very short. Which means that Avery saw someone he shouldn’t have.”

I was still scowling at the short life expectancy. “Like who?”

“Somebody important. If Avery fingered them, they’d lose a lot. A rich merchant, a person with power or minor aristocracy. Killing Avery protected them and their lifestyle.”

“Were there many around here like that?” I asked.

“Aristocracy, no. Just the Jaspers. Charles had two sons, both over twenty, although one was in London and the other at Oxford. There were a couple of local barons and some middle-class merchants who did very well for themselves.”

“Did anyone else disappear that night?” I considered.

William’s head snapped up. “That is something I am unsure of.”

“Then how about we start there?” I suggested and opened my laptop.

“Lyra, go to bed and relax? I’ll keep Avery entertained. Nothing can happen until morning,” William pushed the laptop closed.

“I’m not tired.”

“You will be. You’re still recovering from being ill. Lyra, you need rest. If you relapse, that won’t be conducive to defeating the Master.”

I felt a sharp pang in my chest. That actually hurt. “Wow, I thought you cared for a moment, but I guess I was wrong.” William wasn’t worried about me, just my ability to defeat Master.