The Troublesome Apprentice (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 1) Read online

  The Adventures of

  Xavier & Vic

  –

  Book 1

  The Troublesome Apprentice

  By Liza O’Connor

  ∞

  Cases to be solved:

  The Key to Aunt Maddy’s Death

  The Missing Husband of Mrs. Wimple

  The Disappearing Scarlet Nun

  The Clever Butcher’s Wife

  The Rescue of Lady Anne

  All rights reserved.

  Any reproduction of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, electronic copying, or recording is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

  In other words: if you buy this book anywhere other than Amazon, it’s a pirated copy. Please support Authors instead of Pirates, who often carry viruses.

  We are much nicer.

  All characters in this book come from the imagination of the author and while some are inspired by real historic people, the characters are fictitious and the product of Liza O’Connor’s strange mind.

  A Note on Punctuation:

  When it comes to quotes within a sentence, I use the English Logical punctuation, rather than the illogical American punctuation. We’ve long given up the shoddy printing presses that caused us to always place fragile punctuation within dialogue tags, logic be damned. Being of sound mind and rebellious nature, I say enough of the denial of logic. I’ll put the quote tags where they belong!

  Table of Content

  The Troublesome Apprentice

  All rights reserved.

  A Note on Punctuation:

  Table of Content

  Interesting Historical Facts

  True story of a woman who lived her life as a man.

  Inventions that show up in The Troubled Apprentice:

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Other books by Liza O’Connor

  HISTORICAL

  The Adventures of Xavier & Vic

  Untamed & Unabashed

  CONTEMPORARY

  A Long Road to Love Series

  White Oak Mafia Series

  Requires Rescue Series

  Ghost Lover

  SCIENCE FICTION

  The Multiverse Series

  Artificial Intelligence Series

  Interesting Historical Facts

  True story of a woman who lived her life as a man.

  I realize for some, it is hard to believe a woman could successfully pretend to be a man in the 19th century, but I give you a well-documented case of one woman who became a physician, (making her England’s first woman doctor, although no one realized it at the time.)

  Standing less than 5’ with a high pierced voice, Mary Ann Bulkly, took the name of a dead relative, James Barry, dressed as a man to enter medical school, and became a physician. She then JOINED THE ARMY, where she remained for 44 years of service. She acquired a Jamaican male servant who remained with her throughout her long career. Each morning he would lay out six towels that she would use to disguise her curves and broaden her shoulders. She had a reputation as a lady’s man, no doubt to disguise the truth. During her time in Africa, she performed, on a kitchen table, the first ever successful caesarian in which both mother and child survived. She rose in the army to become the HIGHEST RANKED DOCTOR they had.

  Forced to retire, she returned to England where she died during an epidemic.

  She attempted to hide her gender even upon death, asking no post mortem be done and to be buried in the clothes she wore. However the charwoman, paid to prepare the body, discovered the truth. Dr. Barry was a woman, and she bore the stretch marks from having a baby in her youth.

  The first doctor who examined the body declared her a hermaphrodite. However, upon further investigation they acknowledged the truth, which the British government kept hidden until recently. The high-minded Victorians would have been most upset to know their finest doctor had been a woman.

  Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Barry_(surgeon)#Career

  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-528926/Dr-Barrys-deathbed-sex-secret-The-extraordinary-truth-great-war-hero-medical-pioneer.html

  Inventions that show up in The Troubled Apprentice:

  It is not uncommon in the 19th century for inventions of the same type of item to occur all over the world by different inventors. This is because the underlying need, the ideas and the technologies to create something new was more available to those who wished to improve their world. Telephones, light bulbs, carburetors, batteries, typewriters, and cars all fall into this category.

  Sometimes, however, early works were created, but failed to take off, and thus remain unknown to most of the world until a different person comes upon the idea and creates their version which they patent and successfully market. The aspirin is a perfect example of this. Buffered aspirin was first developed in 1853, but the inventor decided not to market it. In 1899 a scientist for Bayer rediscovered the miracle drug, and this time it was patented and marketed properly. In a couple of situations in this book, when all technologies needed are known to create a product, I take the license of possibility and let Vic’s Oxford science professor create a prototype, which he loans to Vic for temporary use.

  The typewriter

  Over fifty different ‘typewriters’ were built in the 19th century. In Europe, the Hanson Writing Ball, invented in 1864, was the first to be commercialized in 1870. However, an American model, the Shole-Glidden, manufactured by Remington is the device that resembles modern typewriters and the one my sleuth, Xavier Thorn, buys for his office. Since over half the Remington typewriters sold went to England, his purchase is perfectly reasonable. And to make matters confusing, the person operating the typewriter was not called a typist, but a typewriter. Thank God, we later straightened that out.

  Sources: http://www.officemuseum.com/typewriters.htm

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typewriter

  The Particle Counter

  Radiation had been studied since the early 1800s. Yet the Geiger counter, a particle detector to measure ionizing radiation, did not become a popular instrument until 1928. However, the original operating principles for its development were known before 1908. Due to the base knowledge being available in 1983, Vic borrows a prototype particle detector from her Oxford science professor. The device is later
confiscated by External Affairs and never seen again, leaving Geiger & Rutherford to develop the device 15 years later.

  Portable Electric Incandescent lights

  The Dry Cell battery was invented in 1886. While the first modern battery powered flashlight with a miniature light bulb came out in 1899, the ability to create portable lights existed once the dry cell battery arrived in 1886. Thus, I have Victor’s Oxford Science professor build a portable lamp in 1893. It was no doubt the easiest task I’ve given the professor.

  Electromagnets

  Electromagnets were invented in 1827 when it was discovered a magnet could be made much stronger by running an electrical current around it. By the time clever thieves in The Troublesome Apprentice use an electromagnet in their misdeeds, battery supplied electricity and electromagnets were easy to procure.

  Condoms

  By mid-century, vulcanized rubber was invented which allowed the development of the first condoms called ‘rubbers’. Having the thickness of a bicycle tube, they were advertised as reliable and reusable. Originally, they were small caps that fit over the tip, which had to be measured by a physician for a custom fit. Unfortunately, even tailored to the gentleman, they were constantly coming off. Thankfully, by the 1890’s factories were mass-producing, longer, one-size-fits-all, reusable condoms so Xavier and Vic can practice safe sex

  Blurb

  While investigating the death of a friend and client, Maddy Hamilton, Xavier Thorn (reputed to be the greatest sleuth in England) is greatly impressed with Maddy’s nephew, Victor, and offers him a job as his secretary. Aware of Xavier’s history of firing secretaries, Victor garners a promise that for three months he cannot be fired.

  Vic then proceeds, in Xavier’s view, to be cheeky and impertinent at every turn. Xavier endures the impudent pup because Victor is most skilled in extracting the truth from clients and intuiting facts with little evidence to assist.

  As they solve a string of cases, Xavier discovers a few more important details about his troublesome apprentice, such as her true gender, and the realization that she has awakened his long dormant heart.

  Chapter 1

  London, England, Spring 1893

  Xavier Thorn rarely attended funerals since he had no family and only a handful of friends. Mostly what he had were clients, and he tried very hard to keep his clients from dying. He failed with Maddy Hamilton, who had been both friend and client. Thus, he presently stood in the cold, miserable rain, watching those who loved Maddy mourn her.

  Once the service ended and the crowd thinned, Xavier stepped up to her grave. He knelt and spoke in a soft whisper. “Forgive me, Maddy, for not protecting you. I will not rest until I find the person who ordered your assassination and send him to Hell. I give you my word. Justice will be served.”

  He rose and approached her family, ready to face his guilt head on. Because of him, Maddy’s nephew and niece were orphaned a second time at the ages of twenty-two and twenty. They stood together, receiving condolences for the insurmountable loss of their aunt.

  Victor Hamilton, wearing a double-breasted coat and homburg hat, reached out and took Xavier’s hand. The young man was tall with blond, cropped hair and intense blue eyes so like Maddy’s. Xavier hoped he possessed her strength, as well.

  “I am Xavier Thorn. I know you are grieving just now, but there are matters that cannot wait. I am sorry, I wish they could, but the sooner we talk, the better.”

  Upon hearing his name, Victor’s grip tightened upon Xavier’s hand. “I am honored you have come, sir. I feared I would have to abandon my sister on this day to find you. But you are here, and you are most correct. It is imperative we speak as soon as possible. Will you return to our house with us?”

  Xavier blinked once as he stared at the earnest young man. Of all probable replies he might have expected, Victor’s response was not remotely one of them. “Of course. I will leave now and be there when you arrive. Your servants have already left, I assume, to open the house for guests?”

  “Yes,” Victor said. “If you do not wish to wait with the others, tell our butler, Gregory, your name. He will show you to the library and ensure you are not disturbed.”

  He gave the young man a nod and turned to the beautiful miss at his side. Her eyes were also Maddy’s, but in a face much softer and more delicate. Blonde curls peeked out from the black netting of her mourning wear.

  Gads! Xavier did not envy Victor his role as guardian. He imagined many suitors would vie for this young woman’s hand. Even now, filled with such immense grief, she remained strikingly beautiful.

  When she gazed up at him, she did not smile, but sincerity lit her eyes as she spoke. “Mr. Thorn, we are honored by your presence. My aunt thought the world of you. I hope sometime in the future we can talk and perhaps share happy memories of her.”

  “I would enjoy that as well,” he replied, and left them to the mourners who remained.

  As he hurried to his carriage, he reviewed their words in his mind. Victor had spoken with a great deal of urgency. He could not help but wonder if the murderer had made his or her presence known to them. He hoped it the case. If not, it might take months to discover the culprit.

  ***

  Without even the mention of his name, the butler, Gregory escorted him to the library and unlocked the door. As he entered, Xavier shivered from the cold, heavy dampness permeating the room. He breathed in, catching a faint whiff of fresh horse manure. Most odd.

  The curtain billowed in the far bay window, providing him the answer. The window was either open or broken. Recalling Victor’s words at the funeral, he suspected the latter. With any luck, the intruder was also Maddy’s murderer and had left clues.

  Gregory followed him inside, closing the door until it was only an inch ajar. The somber, dark-haired butler turned towards Xavier with a stern expression. “As you can no doubt observe, sir, someone broke into the library last night. Nothing has been touched or altered since Victor discovered it this morning. It is most kind of you to advise him in this matter. He is determined to discover Maddy’s killer, and I would feel better if he had a knowledgeable mentor so he comes to no harm in the process.” Then Gregory stiffened, as if remembering his position. “May I bring you tea or coffee? Or if you do not think it is evidence, perhaps pour you a brandy from the decanter.”

  There were so many unexpected declarations in the butler’s statement, Xavier hardly knew how to respond. In the end, he simply declared tea would be fine.

  When the butler left, he heard the key turn. Had the man locked him in the library? He reached for the handle to verify the matter, but stopped and studied the oily brass knob. He leaned down and sniffed, detecting an odd, fruity smell.

  He left the door alone and moved towards the source of the cold, damp air. With care, he pulled apart the drapes and studied the broken windowpane just above the latch. Shards of glass littered the window seat. One piece was tinted red, and the cushion bore the stain of blood, as well. Xavier smiled at a muddy footprint, very distinct and well formed in the middle of the cushion.

  More prints stained the carpet. Their path about the room perplexed him.

  Upon the sound of a key unlatching the door, he pondered if he should chide Gregory for locking him in. Remembering Maddy’s affection for her butler, he decided against it.

  Gregory entered with the tea tray. “Is it safe to place the tea on the coffee table, sir?”

  Upon studying the table for a moment, he shook his head. Perusing the room, he declared the other window seat to be safe enough.

  “To use it, I shall be required to open the curtains and I would rather not do that with all the people coming and going.”

  “Right…well the end table…” A hint of soot marred the otherwise clean surface. “Never mind, Gregory. I do not require tea.”

  “You shall have your tea, sir,” Gregory insisted, and left the room. He returned a moment later with a portable tray stand tucked under his arm. The tea was promptly poured and
handed to him. “May I presume you will be at this for some time?”

  “A fair assumption,” Xavier said. “Has Victor not yet returned?”

  “He has just done so, sir, but is besieged by well-meaning guests until I can rescue him.”

  “Then do so with all haste.”

  “Yes, of course. May I also save your driver from a dreadful cold and send him on his way? We will gladly see you home when you are finished, sir.”

  The boldness of the man stunned Xavier. Maddy had once told him she had the finest butler in England. However, he’d not have lasted five minutes if she could not overlook a bit of cheekiness. When Xavier expressed his surprise she would put up with impertinence in her house, she had laughed and said, “When you find the very best of employees, you simply have to live with the fact they frequently believe they know better than you as to what is required.”

  Moreover, his driver, Davy, was indeed coming down with a cold. “I have no objection to your suggestion, Gregory, but I rather doubt Davy will take your word on the matter, so ask him to come to the library window and watch his step.”

  “I could bring him to the door,” Gregory offered.

  “I never thought otherwise.” The butler was far too brazen for his taste. “Send him to the window. It will save me from taking cold as well.”

  ***

  Vic Hamilton stood in the morning room, enduring the death grip of a young woman’s embrace as she wept dramatically over the death of Maddy. While Vic commiserated with the sentiment, there remained a great need to escape the young’s lady’s grasp before she realized Vic’s chest seemed a bit softer than most gentlemen’s. She had just lost her Aunt Maddy; Vic was not about to lose her manhood, as well.