The Darkest Days (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 6) Read online

  She smiled but refused to look at Xavier because her love for him would be too easy to read. Tubs patted her hand. “He is most amazing.”

  Barns smiled at Tubs. “I understand he’s the one who turned you from a life of crime to keeping England safe.”

  Tubs nodded.

  “Brilliant move,” Barns stated and smiled at Vic with clear admiration.

  The boy was growing on her. “What did you study at school?”

  “Pretty much everything. My main interests were chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, and engineering.”

  “How long were you there?” Vic challenged.

  “Five years.”

  “And how many of those fields did you complete?”

  “All of them…I have perfect recall. I need only to read something once to remember it forever.”

  Vic leaned forward. “Really? That is a useful skill.” If real, she added to herself. “May I test you on the matter?”

  “Certainly.”

  She asked for Alice’s letter. Xavier handed it to her, and she handed it to Barns. “Read this once and hand it back to Tubs.”

  She watched his eyes to see if they returned to the top for a second read through. In less than two seconds, he handed the letter to Tubs.

  “What was the name of the constable?”

  “Ott, but that is hardly a fair test since Stone asked me to pull his file. Shall I repeat the letter verbatim?”

  Without waiting for permission, he repeated the letter, which Tubs confirmed was exactly what it said.

  “What else can you do?” Vic asked excitedly.

  “I can remember what people say as well, and can speak fifteen languages and about a hundred dialects.”

  “Really?” Xavier said. “Give me a Scottish accent from Greta Gable.”

  Barns chuckled and twisted his face in a grimace. “Ey ken merry ya if ya wish, but I gitta shoo the herse ferst.”

  “Was that English?” Vic asked.

  Xavier laughed. “No, it was Scottish. Well done, Barns. You were spot on.”

  Barns blushed and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Thorn.”

  “Call me Xavier.”

  Barns grimaced. “Maybe in time, but right now, my tremendous respect for you prevents me from doing so.”

  “Do you plan to respect him less sometime in the future?” Vic teased.

  Barns eyes rounded in horror. “No, that is not what I meant. I hope with time I will be more worthy to call him, oh…I should mention I have an amazing talent for putting my foot in my mouth.”

  Xavier patted the boy’s back. “We all have our foibles. Vic is prone to growling.”

  Vic almost growled, but stifled it, refusing to prove him right. “And what, pray tell, is your foible?” she asked Xavier.

  Unfortunately, the carriage stopped at a mansion, precluding Xavier from stating his flaw, not that her partner would ever admit such.

  Before Barns could get out, the butler and two footmen exited the house. The footmen had a trunk, which they added to the other two trunks on the back of the carriage. The butler opened the carriage door and presented Barns a large basket, eyeing Tubs with caution. “I only prepared enough for three. If you can wait five minutes, I can rectify the situation.”

  “A man’s life is hanging in the balance. We will do with what you have. We cannot wait,” Vic said.

  “I see.” He stepped back, nodded at Barns and closed the door. A second later, Casey pulled away.

  “How did your butler know to pack your clothes and us food?” Vic asked.

  “I’ve no idea,” Barns admitted.

  “Your father is a member of Parliament, ergo you must have a telephone in your house.”

  “We do.”

  “Then I suggest Stone called your father and let him know of your assignment and your father called the butler.”

  “But how did he know you would stop. That was left to your discretion and you did not decide until we were at the carriages.”

  “What do you think, Vic?” Xavier challenged.

  “His father probably assumed we would stop, since making Barns wear the same clothes for days would have been inconceivable to him.”

  Xavier dramatically turned his palms up. “And the mystery is solved.”

  Barns grinned. “That’s the first time Jewels has ever given me a nod of respect. I like it a great deal more than being boxed on the ears.”

  Vic laughed as she passed out the food. “I still remember the first time my butler saw me as a man with purpose instead of a troublesome child. It was a fabulous day from beginning to end. It started with Gregory’s respect and ended with me saving Xavier’s life and hiring Tubs.”

  “My word, that was a grand day,” Barns agreed. “I can only dream of such achievements. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you allowing me to work with you. Inspector Stone has had me evaluating old cases, reviewing what was done correctly and what the officers did wrong. I must say the assignment is making me very unpopular with the other officers.”

  “What is his purpose?” Vic asked.

  “When he discovered half the police force in Lower London had accepted payoffs from Black Harry, he wanted a better method of revealing bad officers other than waiting for a new crime lord to hand him a list of bizzies on the take.”

  Xavier snorted. “Being handed a list is probably a once in a lifetime event.”

  “So what have you found?” Vic asked.

  “I’m looking for improper behaviors that do not show up in good officers. The problem is that my pool of good officer behaviors most likely includes some bad ones as well, thus making the distinction between the two less than certain.” He leaned forward. “I am hopeful to get a better insight between the difference of a corrupt officer and an incompetent one. I also suspect there should be a third pool for idiots.”

  Vic sighed and leaned back and gnawed her braised duck leg. “You are probably right about the incompetent pool. However, my gut says Ott is corrupt.”

  Barns tilted his head. “Do you have further information other than the letter, or is this from your intuitive skill? Inspector Stone says you are most impressive, and Captain Meyers calls you magical.”

  Vic smiled. How could she not like Barns? While he possessed significant skills himself, he seemed far more impressed with hers. To reward the fellow, she shared her reasoning as she’d done with Meyers so Barns would succeed in his career choice.

  “How incompetent would an officer have to be not to talk to the wife and butler of a potential suspect?”

  Barns frowned. “Procedure requires these testimonies. However, a wife’s testimony is lessened by the fact she will protect her husband.”

  “And a butler?”

  “Butlers are normally considered most reliable. However, in a situation where no other employment would be available, his dependency on the master’s income would lessen his credibility.”

  “But the testimony should be taken?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “So failing to do so could be because he is corrupt?” Vic clarified.

  “Or he’s simply lazy.”

  “Then what of the horse theft? Jacko was in Ott’s presence when his horse followed Jacko’s horse back to the barn?”

  Barns frowned. “I don’t believe we have all the facts in this matter. To charge a man because your horse wandered into his barn for food and water would be absurd. It honestly sounds vindictive and quite frankly an abuse of power.”

  “And what will you do if it proves to be the case?”

  “Hopefully, there will be more details when we arrive, but if what we know is the whole of the story, I will remove him from his office and throw out the horse theft charge.”

  “And if there is no evidence indicating Jacko murdered the young girl?”

  “Then I will release him,” Barns stated as if he thought the question odd.

  Vic held out her hand. In the palm rested a chocolate mint. “A reward for being a prop
er officer.”

  “Here, here,” Xavier said from his unusually quiet corner.

  Barns took the mint and nibbled it. The young man resonated happiness as he stared out the window.

  Chapter 6

  It was dusk by the time the two carriages arrived at Alice’s family estate. Vic had raised her fist to knock on the door, only it flew open and Alice threw her arms around Vic. “Thank God, you’ve come. It’s worse than when I wrote. Constable Ott says Jacko will hang in the morning unless I pay him five thousand pounds. He’ll arrive any moment, but there is only three thousand in the safe.”

  Xavier returned to the carriage and a moment later he entered with Cannon and Arroo in his arms. “Davy and Casey are moving the carriages into the barn so they will not attract attention. We will retrieve our luggage later. Right now, we need to get the pups and Diana upstairs. Victor, you and Tubs should assess the rooms to determine which is best for Alice to meet the constable.”

  Alice released Vic and regained control. “Thomas, show Diana, Cannon and the dog to the nursery.”

  Vic and Tubs left to assess the rooms, leaving Alice, Xavier, and Barns in the hall.

  Xavier spoke at once. “Alice, this is Officer Barns from Scotland Yard…highly recommended by Stone.”

  She gripped his hand firmly. “Thank you for coming. You won’t let Ott hang my husband, I pray. He is innocent of all charges.”

  “Do I understand Constable Ott is requesting five thousand pounds not to hang your husband tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  “Rest assured, your husband will not be hanged tomorrow. If Ott requests money in my hearing, he will be in jail and I will release your husband. However, that will not be a declaration of your husband’s innocence. It only means he was improperly arrested. The murder case will then be investigated properly.”

  Alice hugged him. “Thank you! That is all I want.”

  Just then someone knocked on the door.

  “That’s him!”

  Vic snapped her finger at Barns and gestured for him to follow her into the parlor. Once the fellow rushed inside, she led him to a closet. He nodded and stepped inside, pushing the coats to the back of the rack. Vic shook her head, pulled him out, pulled the coats forward and placed him behind them, then placed several shoes in front of his.

  “They will either come in here or the library on the other side. Whichever, you should be able to hear them from this closet.”

  He nodded in agreement as she closed the closet door.

  She rushed back to the hall, motioned Xavier to follow her to the sitting room on the other side of the parlor. Once inside, she pulled him into a closet built against the parlor wall.

  He gathered her into his arms and kissed her. She returned his passion, always finding these forbidden moments of love most exhilarating.

  A moment later, they heard the door to the parlor opened. “Sir, if you will follow me,” Thomas snapped. “Madam, Constable Ott is here.”

  They pressed their ears against the wall and listened.

  “Well, will your husband be hung tomorrow?” Ott demanded.

  “I need more time to get the money,” Alice said in an anxious voice.

  “So he will hang.”

  “No! Please. I found three thousand in the safe. However, I’ll have to go to London to get the rest.”

  “Why did you not go today?”

  “There was no time. You said you’d be back by six. It would take me a full day to go there, withdraw money from the bank, and return. I could not risk not being here when you arrived.”

  “No, that would have been very bad indeed.” After a pause, Ott spoke again. “This is a very fine painting. How much is it worth?”

  “I don’t know, ten thousand pounds, perhaps.”

  “I doubt I could get more than a thousand for it.” He sighed heavily. “Very well, I will accept the three thousand and three of your paintings. However, tomorrow, you must go to London and withdraw fifteen thousand or he’ll die two days from now.

  “I will. Just don’t kill him.”

  “Give me what you have now,” Ott demanded.

  “It’s in the library. Here are the paintings. I’ll get your money.”

  “No, I’ll go with you,” the constable insisted.

  “Where’s Tubs?” Xavier whispered as he slipped from the closet.

  “Library,” Vic answered as she hurried to the hall door and listened for Alice and Ott to leave the parlor and enter the library.

  Upon hearing the second door open and close, Vic and Xavier moved into the hall. A moment later, Barns stepped out of the parlor. Vic pointed for him to go to the kitchen. He shook his head.

  Xavier snapped his finger, then pointed to the kitchen. The boy went at once.

  Vic glared in annoyance. Why won’t people obey me?

  With guns drawn, they eased into small alcoves in the hallway. A moment later, the door opened and Tubs spoke, “Got him.”

  Vic slipped past Tubs holding an angry constable and went to Alice. “It’s over.”

  Alice threw her arms around Vic again. “Thank you.” She kissed Vic’s cheek. “I’ve never been so frightened in my life. To know your husband’s innocent but his life is dependent upon a corrupt constable, it just seemed hopeless.”

  When Vic released her and turned, she noticed Barns watching them. She smiled. “You heard everything he said?”

  Barns nodded. “May I speak to you in private?”

  Alice excused herself from the library. Vic closed the door and turned to him.

  “Why was I sent to the kitchen?”

  “Several reasons. First, you appeared to be unarmed. Second, we had no idea how well you could shoot. Third, we knew for certain Tubs could capture Ott without endangering Alice, but you were an unknown factor. Thus having you involved would have increased the risk to Alice.”

  “Yes, that is most logical. I apologize for not following your signal right off. I’m not used to working with others and I thought I should arrest him since none of you are police officers.”

  “Oh, you are required to arrest him. Tubs has simply assisted in securing him for you. We would do no less for Meyers or Stone.”

  That caused Barns to smile. “Well, all right then. The truth is I don’t have a gun, and I’m ashamed to say, I had never considered the danger to the lady. Do you think Ott carried a gun?”

  “This is a great learning situation. Let’s go see how many weapons Ott possessed. I’m guessing, at least, one gun, a knife and possibly a garrote. He seems like the garrote type.”

  When they stepped into the library Tubs and Xavier were kneeling over the now secured unconscious body of Constable Ott.

  “How many weapons does he have?” Vic asked.

  Xavier stood. “I thought Officer Barns might like the honors of frisking his prisoner for weapons. This is an important skill to learn.”

  Barns nodded and began at the legs, removing his shoes.

  “Good boy,” Tubs muttered.

  Barns smiled and located a knife. Tubs took it from him, frowned, and handed it to Xavier.

  “Barns, we need to cut short this lesson and get to the jail now. Tubs, remove his weapons while I get a carriage ready.”

  “What’s wrong?” Alice demanded.

  Vic sighed wishing Alice hadn’t returned so soon, but trusted her not to panic when she explained their concern. “The knife has fresh blood on the blade. It doesn’t mean he’s killed Jacko. More than likely he’s just tortured him.”

  “Let me find Davy, we’ll need two carriages,” Vic said.

  “I’ll get the carriage ready,” Alice’s butler, Thomas, said as he hurried outside.

  Xavier returned a moment later. “Two carriages is a good idea, Vic.”

  “I’m going with you,” Alice said.

  Barns shook his head. “You should stay here, madam.”

  “I’m. Going. With. Vic.”

  “I said she could,” Vic added. “She has
experience with bandages.”

  “Vic, go! Jacko could be dying.” Xavier barked.

  With a glare, she replied, “We’re going now.” She stormed out, certain Alice and Tubs would follow. Neither disappointed. Nor did Thomas. Alice’s carriage waited by the door with a driver.

  “To whatever this town calls a jail.”

  “To the old flour mill,” Alice corrected.

  Tubs sat in the middle of one bench and Alice and Vic sat on the other. “Why didn’t the officer want me to come?” Alice asked.

  “Because he doesn’t know you’re a rational and sane woman. I guess when you hugged him earlier, he concluded you were overly emotional.”

  “Well, this has been a horrible day. First, someone murdered Daisy. Next, the incompetent constable arrested Jacko for horse theft and then returned an hour later, declaring Jacko would hang in the morning unless I gave him money. All my hopes were on you coming to our rescue, only the footman we sent never returned and I began to fear something had happened to him and you never received my letter.”

  Vic gripped her hand. “Is your footman still missing?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’ll add him to our investigation. Can you tell me about the fellow?”

  “His name is Elwood. He’s Thomas’ grandson. Thomas is teaching him the skills of a butler.”

  “So, I gather he’s reliable.”

  “Very much so. I fear something has happened to him to keep him from returning.”

  The carriage pulled to a halt. Alice stuck her head out. “Daniel, what is it?”

  “Don’t know. The horse is spooked and refuses to go forward.”

  “Well use the whip. My husband could be bleeding to death.”

  “I’ve been using it. She just won’t go.”

  Vic stuck her head out the window and cringed at the foul stench. It reminded her of something. “Tubs, do you recognize the odor?”

  He leaned to the window and breathed in. “Yeah…I’ve smelled it before.”

  “Why does it make me think of Bedlam?” Vic asked.

  Tubs chuckled. “Because it smells like the wolfman.”

  “Right. How close are we to the flour mill?” she asked Alice.

  “A mile, perhaps.”