And he gets the fuck out of the Palace.

The Provocateuse awaits him.

"The prodigal returns. How went your quests?"

"Apparently there's a Vake-tooth going around that's probably in the hands of someone who likes cutting people's faces off. Also His Lordship paid me tenpence to deal with the cider he spilled all over his floor."

"A profitable evening!"

She bumps him with her hip, and there's a slight tug at the pocket where he has His Lordship's papers.

He grabs her wrist, mostly on reflex.

(There's—something—not quite a memory—a familiarity, to grabbing someone like this—)

Her other hand twitches in the direction of her own pocket, but she stills it and puts it back by her side.

"My apologies. May I have those."

There's a moment where he's holding on to her and he looks... confused, and perhaps also something other than confused...

But then he lets go, and hands her the papers.

"Thank you."

She flicks through the papers, sighing with pleasure. "What I wouldn't give for this man's resources! If only he'd listen to me when I suggest a collaboration. Well, it's his loss."

He laughs.

She folds up the research and tucks it into her pocket. "I'll finish reading that later. So, the Vake tooth is in the hands of a Snuffer. Do you know which one? Presumably not the Bishop of St. Fiacre's, though I'd be very amused if it were."

"I didn't even know there was more than one!"

"Many people don't. But there's rather a lot of them, actually. They all call each other 'cousin,' and they wear the faces of those they've killed. I've done some research on the subject - they're terribly unpleasant creatures, but they don't age, and that makes them a topic of some interest to me. Do you know where this particular Snuffer is, at least?"

"He mentioned New Newgate and I think he meant all the tooth stabbings were there."

"Oh, you do keep getting into interesting situations. I could get you into New Newgate... and I can even get you out again, if you're willing to do me another favor."

"What is it this time?"

"A Wretched Recidivist currently enjoying New Newgate's hospitality decided that he feared me less than he feared the law. He gave the Constables information about my activities and connections that I prefer they not possess, in exchange for a reduced sentence. I want you to make him aware of his mistake. You don't need to kill him permanently, but I want you to hurt him very badly."

"Huh," he says. "All right. Should I tell him why, too?"

"I think he'll get the idea, but if the spirit takes you, feel free. When you've done that and found your Vake tooth, ask the Mirthless Gaoler if she knows the Seventh Letter, and she'll arrange for the relevant authorities to discover you were wrongly imprisoned."

"Huh. All right," he repeats, in a more thoughtful tone. "—also, if you want me to keep secrets you should tell me what I shouldn't say to who, I don't think I'm much good at them otherwise." He also thinks if she wants him to keep secrets she should not threaten him but he does not know how to deliver this insight in a non-counterproductive way.

"You don't strike me as someone who speaks to Constables with any regularity, but if you do, don't mention me. You don't know the kind of things the Recidivist did, anyway, and I plan to keep it that way."

"I expect I can manage that!"

"Excellent. Then, in six hours, you will be arrested and brought to New Newgate. I recommend you leave your mandrake with a friend, or at least an accomplice; it will be confiscated, otherwise, and the odds are not good that you would get it back when released."

"I'll find somewhere to put him." He can ask the Singer, and if she's not interested maybe he can introduce Edward to the Widow.

"Then I will bid you adieu, for now. -if you ever need me in the future and I don't happen to be lurking conveniently nearby, you can ask around for the Soulless Provocateuse at the University campus, and I'll hear about it and see what's up. But I think I'll be watching you for the foreseeable future. You've got interesting goals."

He laughs.

"Be seeing you, then!"

All right, how does the Singer feel about watching Edward for a bit while he goes and gets himself arrested?