Page 35 of Grave Expectations
"Look on the positive side, Gus. We're not dead."
He grunted.
"That means Mrs. Webb isn't the one going around killing supernaturals, or I probably wouldn't have made it out of Lichfield alive. Nor would she have taken you."
"Why did she take me?" he asked.
"I don't know, but I hope Cook and Doyle are all right."
He grunted again and twisted around. "I can't see what I'm doin'."
"Here, let me try."
But it was hopeless. The knot was too elaborate and, without seeing it, I couldn't untie it. I let out a string of vile words that had Gus admonishing me.
"You can't talk like that now you're mistress of Lichfield Towers."
"I don't bloody care about that right now." I drew up my knees. How long had we been unconscious? Did Lincoln know I'd been abducted yet?
"You make a habit of this," Gus said.
"It's not my fault everyone wants a necromancer for their evil plans."
"Fitzroy's plans ain't evil."
I sighed. "I know. But you're right, I do get abducted an awful lot. It's no wonder the committee want to send me away and not tell anyone where I am."
"Don't think like that. You ain't goin' nowhere. Lichfield wouldn't be the same without you.Wewouldn't be the same."
Tears welled and hovered on my eyelids. I tipped my head back until I touched his shoulder. "Thank you, Gus. I'd miss you all enormously." And I couldn't leave Lincoln. Not ever.
"He won't let 'em take you away," he said, as if he could read my thoughts. After a few moments’ silence, he added, "So what'll we do now?"
"Wait for Mrs. Webb, convince her to untie us then overpower her."
He chuckled without humor. "Nothin' can go wrong with that plan, Charlie. Nothin' at all."
I got off the bed and hopped awkwardly around the room. I didn't know what I was looking for, but it felt better than sitting. After a moment, Gus joined me. He hopped to the bottom of the stairs and gazed up at the door.
"You'll hurt yourself if you fall," I warned him.
"Then I won't fall."
"You'll probably find the door is locked."
"I have to try."
It was a good plan, but I had a better one. "I could summon a spirit and then ask it to go to the mortuary, find a dead body, and rescue us. Do you remember Gordon Thackery? He helped us capture Captain Jasper."
"Aye."
"He's a nice fellow and I'm sure he'll help again."
"It might work, but what if we're a long way from a mortuary or cemetery? What if Thackery don't reco'nize where we are and gets lost on his way back?"
"Hecanread street signs."
"What if someone sees him, all decayin' and disgustin'." He pulled a face and shivered. "We don't want to frighten the public."
