he did, Inspector Ottokar lost all interest in the Rykers. “Miss Cutler, you are the stage magician who calls herself the Lady of the Lake?”
Thalia drew herself up to her full height and gave Inspector Ottokar back look for unimpressed look. “I am.”
Officer Kelly, a wiry young Solitaire with a roses-and-cream complexion, produced a notebook and pencil. He wrote something down, but Thalia couldn’t tell what.
Inspector Ottokar continued. “David Nutall is your partner, correct?”
“Mr. David Nutall is my business associate, yes,” Thalia replied.
“You have arranged legal representation and bail money for your partner.”
Thalia stared at Inspector Ottokar until he snapped, “Answer the question.”
“You didn’t ask a question,” Nell protested.
“On Miss Cutler’s behalf,” said Ryker, “our family lawyers have offered to post bail for her business partner, Mr. Nutall. They also offered to provide legal representation. I have been informed that Mr. Nutall declined both offers.”
“Well, somebody bailed him out.” Inspector Ottokar stared at Thalia. “If it wasn’t you, who was it?”
Thalia stared at Ryker. “You got Nutall a lawyer?”
“I tried to.” Ryker gave Thalia a flicker of a smile.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Inspector Ottokar cleared his throat. “Whoever posted his bail, he can cool his heels with them until the trial. We’re busy preparing the case against him. On the night Von Faber died, Nutall gave the police false names and addresses for the pair of you. As his—business associate—you need to give us a statement. Depending on the content of that statement, it is possible you too will be detained in police custody.”
“No statement. Not without her lawyer present,” Ryker declared. “Rogers, please send someone to the practice to urge them to join us immediately.”
Rogers, who had been hovering outside the parlor door, withdrew.
“No statement?” Inspector Ottokar was incredulous. “Did I hear you right?”
Thalia, both heartened and astounded by Ryker’s support, lifted her chin. “No statement until I have a lawyer to represent me.”
Inspector Ottokar turned his glare on Thalia. “That’s Trader talk, but you’re no Trader. You’re coming downtown with us.”
Ryker stepped closer to Ottokar. “You may take Miss Cutler’s statement here, but she does not leave the premises. She is a Trader, contrary to all appearances, but she cannot yet control her Trades. A manticore attacked her just yesterday. It isn’t safe for her to go out. Our family lawyers are well-versed in the limits of your jurisdiction on Trader property, on that you may depend.”
“Let’s all have a nice cup of tea,” Nell suggested. “The lawyers will be here soon, I’m sure.”
“Keep your tea,” Inspector Ottokar told Nell. To Ryker, he added, “Keep your lawyers. Kelly, bring the girl.”
Officer Kelly reached for Thalia. Thalia eluded his grasp. “I’m not leaving with you.” To Ryker, she said, “Get the Skinner, please. If anyone can protect me from the manticore, it’s the Skinner of New York.”
Nell’s face lit up. “That will be exciting.” She left the room, calling for Rogers.
“Yes, it is.” To Ottokar, Ryker said, “I forbid you to take Miss Cutler from the sanctuary of this house.”
“That right there should be good for a charge of obstructing justice,” Inspector Ottokar informed him. “Don’t make us arrest you too. For now, we’ll just have the girl come with us, if you don’t mind.”
“I mind very much.” Ryker moved effortlessly out of Officer Kelly’s reach. “You are overstepping your authority, sir.”
“I think you’ll find that we officers of the law have greater authority than you think, even over Traders,” Inspector Ottokar replied evenly.
“This is reckless endangerment,” Ryker retorted. “Don’t you want her alive to make her statement?”
“I think the New York City Police Department is capable of protecting a suspect,” said Inspector Ottokar. “Kelly, bring her along.”
The walk from the front parlor to the courtyard of the Ryker mansion was not long, but it took a while, as Thalia struggled with Officer Kelly every step of the way. When they reached the front steps, Inspector Ottokar took Thalia’s free arm and hustled her along to the horse-drawn police van waiting in the street beyond the Rykers’ locked gate.
Thalia braced herself against her escorts’ urging and stayed on the top step long enough to draw in a deep breath. No manticore smell that she could detect. After so long indoors, Thalia found the fresh air enlivening. There was a light breeze that smelled of the city. Daylight was welcome. Thalia felt light and strong, nerves strung tight by her situation. She didn’t want to go with the police, but she could see no alternative. She thought she could trust Ryker to