Of Night and Dark Obscurity

by Nicola Italia

  Chapter 15

  Lyle Bowler touched the sketch of Irene and looked up at Val and then back down again at the sketch. He touched it lovingly and then pushed it from him.

  “What do you want to know?” He asked begrudgingly.

  Val smiled. “Everything. And unlike your alter ego Mr. Sawyer from the Pickwick Papers, I’d prefer to hear Mr. Bowler’s story.”

  “Smart one, ain’t you?”

  “Possibly. But you did this to yourself by getting arrested. I’m sure you were down and out after running from Mr. Eastoft’s employ and leaving your lodgings.”

  “What could I do? I knew your lot was after me.”

  “Did you kill Irene Derry?” Val asked watching him closely.

  “Kill Irene? Of course not. I loved Irene!” He said vehemently.

  The last words were said with such emotion that Val didn’t doubt the feeling behind them. He looked over the non-descript man with brown hair and brown eyes and wondered how this had all begun.

  Val nodded. “All right. Let’s hear the story. From the beginning when you first met Irene Derry.”

  Lyle Bowler sighed and smiled. “She was lovely. I saw her for the first time when I had to deliver some papers from Mr. Eastoft to a neighbor of theirs. She was getting out of the carriage and she was laughing. I asked the footman who she was and he told me. Her name was Irene Derry. The youngest daughter of the physician Hubert Derry.”

  Lyle continued. “I wasn’t proud of myself but I followed her. I think it was love at first sight. And she was a lovely sight. Almost a balm for my soul.”

  Val cringed inwardly. Jesus! He had a pick pocketing poet on his hands.

  Lyle smiled. “I arranged to meet her accidentally at a coffeehouse I found that she and her friend frequented. When we met, she smiled at me and I knew then that I could never have her as I was. I was a measly clerk in a small office. I was nothing. So, I took on the persona of Simon Eastoft.”

  “You pretended to be him?”

  “Yes, and it was easy. Mr. Eastoft never went anywhere or did anything. He’s a quiet man and he lives the same. I knew I could pretend I was him and go to the parties and balls to catch a glimpse of her. She was charming. Little by little I became known to her and soon that blossomed.”

  “What happened?” Val asked.

  “There was an event at someone’s country estate. I don’t remember the name. There was croquet, canoeing, swimming. I slipped onto the property and pretended to belong. No one questioned me. Irene was there surrounded by admirers. She was able to get away later on in the afternoon when the older women were napping. We went down by the lakeside,” Lyle recalled.

  “Go on,” Val waited.

  “We became lovers. She was eager to please and very spirited. I realized too late that while I was falling in love, she was just passing the time.”

  “That must have made you very angry,” Val asked.

  “No. It wasn’t like that.” He argued.

  “How did the posing for the sketch begin?”

  Lyle nodded. “That was the beginning of the end.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I went to École des Beaux-Arts in France. I studied and wanted to be an artist but I could not make a living of it so I became a clerk. I had given up being an artist when I met Irene. She became my muse. I had to capture her in my art. I asked her to sit for me. Several times she came to my room and I sketched her. It was during this time that she became distant. We argued.” He shook his head.

  “What did you argue about?”

  “She had met someone that she wanted to marry. It had been at a ball. She claimed he was the perfect man to marry. Wealthy, titled.” He rubbed a hand across his forehead.

  Val listened, alert and waiting for the name.

  “It was after they met that we began to quarrel. She didn’t want me to sketch her anymore. She said it wasn’t the proper thing to do. We argued. I told her neither was our being lovers. She didn’t want to be with me anymore,” he said the last words quietly. “She wanted him.”

  “So, you parted.” Val said.

  “I loved her Inspector. I cared for her. I wanted to marry her. But our love, my love, such as it was, was based on a lie. It was never real to her. I was a fling to her.”

  “Did you know the man she wanted to marry?”

  Lyle shook his head. “I know he was the heir to an earldom. She told me that much. She actually flaunted his wealth and status in my face but she never told me his name.”

  Val nodded. Charles Lyttleton, he thought. As Caroline had suspected.

  Val cleared his throat. “Did Irene tell you she was expecting?”

  “Expecting?” Lyle asked. “As in a child?”

  Val nodded.

  “That’s not possible. We had not been intimate for at least two maybe three months before her death.”

  “I see.”

  “But the last time I saw Irene, she was happy. She said she had news.” Lyle nodded. “When I asked her the news, she had smiled and said it was a secret but that this would be the thread that tied her to her lord as she called him.”

  Lyle looked up at him and there were tears in his eyes. “I guess she had moved on while I was still holding on.”

  ✽✽✽

  Val placed his hat on his head as he entered the London streets. Bowler was not the murderer. He had loved Irene and wanted to marry her. If anything, from their conversation, he now believed this “lord” had a motive. Perhaps in their case, Irene had been the love sick fool and the lord had been using her. A young girl with visions of fantasies to live with her prince in a castle would not be taken well by a family that wanted an heiress and bloodlines for their son. For all that Irene seemed to come from a good family, she had neither pedigree nor a fortune.

  Perhaps the lord had discovered her state of being in the family way and had decided to end everything once and for all with her.

  Val made his way to visit Peter Davies to obtain the name of the person who owned the building where the opium den belonged.

  Knocking on the door, he entered and was greeted pleasantly by the clerk who ushered him into Peter Davies’ inner office.

  “Ah Inspector!” Peter Davies stood up and came across the table to shake the man’s hand.

  “Mr. Davies.” Val said cordially.

  “I’ll have my clerk get the information you were seeking,” Davies said nodding at his clerk.

  Val settled into the chair opposite the estate agent. “I thought you might help me on another matter.”

  “Of course. How can I be of assistance?”

  “I’m looking to make a change in my lodging. I currently rent a room but I believe the time has come for something more permanent.”

  “Indeed? You are absolutely right in wanting a change and it’s the perfect time to do so,” Davies smiled. “There are new buildings being built near and around Westminster and they are very elegant. You can give dinner parties and have guests over. Let me show them to you this week. You won’t be sorry.”

  Val nodded. “They sound very interesting.”

  “You won’t regret it! They are all the vogue. They have indoor plumbing and come with all the modern conveniences.”

  “Such as?”

  “A housemaid to clean and deliver meals, large rooms, as I’ve said very modern. You must see it for yourself.”

  They made an appointment at the end of the week to see the new homes just as the clerk came in and handed Davies a piece of paper.

  Davies frowned and handed the piece of paper to Val. “I’m not sure how helpful that’s going to be.”

  Val looking down at the piece of paper and read the name.

  “This can’t be right,” he said aloud.

  Davies shrugged. “I spoke to my clerk this morning before you arrived. That’s what was listed as the owner of the building. Perhaps they move goods about and are using the building as a warehouse.”

  Val nodded. “Perhaps. Well thank yo
u for taking the time and thank you for this.”

  Val shook the man’s hand and departed. Outside in the grey light of the morning, he took out the paper and read the name again of the organization that owned the opium den. The Association of Herbs. It made no sense at all. Hailing a cab, he went back to the office. It was time to regroup with Felix to see if he had discovered anything from the victim’s families.

  ✽✽✽

  Felix tapped a finger to one of Odean Barton’s patients. “This is absolutely Effie Whitson. The dates match and her lady’s maid said she often dressed her hair a certain way when she went to visit our deceased friend.”

  Val nodded and took the file.

  “Bessie Turner’s mother said she went for long walks and the walks coincided with the dates this lady visited the doctor. So, I’m certain this one is Bessie.”

  “Excellent work Felix.”

  “I’m also fairly certain this is Aida.” Felix said pushing the file to him. “Her mother said she used the excuse that she was with you but I don’t think that’s the case. I remember this date. You and I had to travel to Yorkshire and that couldn’t have been you.”

  “How do you remember that specific date?” Val asked.

  “It’s my Mum’s birthday,” he smiled.

  “So. That’s it. This is the thread that ties them together. But what does it help us?” Val shook his head. “So, they were all seeing him. It stands to reason they were taking the tonic and getting his massages,” he spit out the last word.

  “Yes.”

  Val blew out the breath he was holding. “Where does this leave us? I feel like we’re going in circles.”

  Felix looked back at his boss but said nothing.

  “And this name? The Association of Herbs. It makes no sense,” Val said, as he had shared the knowledge with Felix when he had returned.

  “We need to visit the opium den again. The key is that building,” Val nodded.

  “Back to the den?” Felix asked.

  “Back to the den.”

  ✽✽✽

  It was late at night when they met again. It had turned dark and the pub was poorly lit inside and reeked of urine outside.

  “That detective and his sergeant are asking questions,” Mr. Cedar told the others sullenly. “What do you intend to do about it?”

  “There’s nothing to be concerned about. The detective is on a wild goose chase,” Mr. Willow said soothingly. “The unfortunate matter of Mr. Cypress will be forgotten and we can continue on as before.”

  “And if the detective does find us?” Mr. Cedar asked.

  “He won’t.” Mr. Willow said.

  “How can you be so certain?” Mr. Basil asked.

  “Because there’s nothing to find. The women were all seen by Mr. Cypress. We know that. It was part of the understanding. Now that he’s gone, we move forward, minus one member.”

  “I’ve already discovered a new primrose,” Mr. Sage said smiling.

  “Do tell. We are anxious to hear.” Mr. Basil spoke up.

  ✽✽✽

  Caroline pulled on her gloves and checked that she had her small beaded purse. Her father had agreed to attend a dinner party at Lady Lyttleton’s, and though Caroline wasn’t exactly thrilled to be going she had a very important reason to attend. The dinner party was to be given in her honor. She and the Guild were to be honored for their housing project, and as one of the biggest contributors, Lady Lyttleton wanted to show off her new pet project.

  Caroline was pleased to attend and share the spotlight with her fellow Guild members, if only that it might attract other donors. Her father and grandmother were waiting down in the foyer for her. The carriage ride to the elegant manor house in Regent’s Park was only forty minutes from their Mayfair home. When they arrived, she saw the gas lights outside the home and a footman waiting patiently to escort them inside.

  “My dear Caroline!” Lady Lyttleton came forward and kissed her cheek while she greeted her grandmother and father.

  “Lady Lyttleton.” Caroline said smiling.

  “I can’t tell you how pleased I was to arrange this soiree. Even though you’re still in mourning dear, this is for a good cause. So please. Let’s honor your dear sister by the good works you do. Oh! Here’s my darling Charles,” she said smiling.

  Charles kissed Caroline’s hand and smiled at the three adults. “Caroline. You need some punch. This way.”

  He led her to the punch bowl and poured them both a glass, though Caroline suspected he might be on his third or fourth drink.

  “So, Mother has managed to bring you into her lair, has she?”

  Caroline smiled and took the punch. “Yes. A lair with a hundred other people.”

  He grinned and motioned for her to follow him. “I think I’m quite fond of you, Caro. We should marry. It makes sense.”

  “This again?”

  “Of course.” He drew her into the dimly lit library and closed the door.

  “As much as your mother doesn’t mind investing in my projects, I don’t think I’m suited to be her daughter in law.” Caroline pointed out.

  “Nonsense.”

  “Besides. I thought you liked the younger Miss Derry.” She said boldly.

  “The younger Miss Derry!?” He frowned. Then suddenly he burst out laughing. “Do you mean your grandmother? Eh gods Caro! I mean that’s going it a bit, isn’t it? She must be a hundred if she’s a day.”

  Caroline steadied her irritation and smiled as to charm him to get information about her sister. “I said younger, Charles. Not older. I was referring to my sister. Irene.”

  “Irene?” He looked befuddled.

  “Didn’t you spend time with her?” She asked.

  “She was terribly young, wasn’t she? I don’t care for girls that are just out of the school room.”

  “What do you like?” She asked idly.

  “You,” he said suddenly and then burst out laughing. “You—that’s who!” He giggled at the rhyme.

  “Charles,” she tried to get him to focus but he seemed very drunk.

  He threw himself on the sofa and she sat next to him.

  “Should I call your mother?”

  “Please don’t. She’ll nag. She doesn’t like me to drink.” He said turning to her.

  “Well doing too much of anything is not a good thing,” she said.

  “I know,” he looked gloomily at the empty bottom of the glass. “I know.”

  “Why don’t you close your eyes? Rest awhile.”

  “Stay with me.”

  “I can’t. I must return to the party. Your mother has been kind enough to throw the party for me,” she explained.

  “But Caro—“ he pulled too hard on her arm causing her to fall against him on the sofa.

  Just as she was pressing on the sofa to right herself the door opened.

  “What goes on here?” Was asked by the man who was a stranger to her.

  Two gentlemen entered the room. One looked vaguely amused at having interrupted the lovers’ tryst, while the other looked like he had pure murder on his mind.

  Caroline blushed deeply. “Charles has had too much to drink—“ she began to explain.

  “No need to explain,” said the stranger. “My brother and I are intruding.”

  Caroline swallowed. “Brother?”

  Val looked coldly at Caroline and then spoke. “This is my brother Rowland. Rowland Pierce, allow me to introduce Caroline Derry.”

  “Caroline Derry. What a beauty you are,” he grinned.

  Before Caroline could say anything, Victoria Lyttleton entered the room and saw her son sprawled on the sofa.

  “Charles! What are you doing?” She said exasperated.

  “Leave me alone Mother. Caroline was just about to accept my marriage proposal before you interrupted,” he said slurring his words.

  Caroline began to shake her head but Victoria waved her away. “I’ll have the footman come to take you to bed.”

  “Caroline mu
st stay with me,” he whined.

  “Charles control yourself!” She said sternly. “I’ll go get the footman,” she told them and disappeared.

  Caroline could feel Val’s eyes on her as the footman was dispatched and Charles was taken upstairs to his room. Rowland had since returned to the party which left them alone in the library.

  “Well.” He said coldly. “Miss Derry. It seems while I was thinking you were joking about Charles; you were entirely serious.”

  “Then you’re a fool.”

  “Am I?”

  “He was drunk. Obviously. I was actually trying to get him to tell me about Irene. If he knew Irene. If he was the mysterious lover.” She told him hotly.

  “How hard did you try, Caroline?” He asked his eyes on her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean there are limits to what you can do before you’re called a whore,” he said softly.

  She slapped him hard and a second later she was pressed against the bookshelf. She squirmed against him.

  “Don’t.”

  “Let me go.”

  “If you only knew how many nights I’ve lain awake thinking of you.” He said suddenly.

  “I didn’t do that,” she said as she could feel his breath against her.

  “If not your delicious form, then who?” He said.

  “I came here to ask about Irene. Nothing more. I feel nothing for Charles.”

  “So, it was all for Irene. You came to talk about Irene.”

  “Yes.”

  He released her.

  “Why are you even here?” She asked. “I had the distinct impression you didn’t like Charles.”

  “I don’t like him. But my brother is friends with him and my brother invited me to the party.”

  “Did you know the party was for me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Am I the reason you’re here?”

  His blue eyes met hers but he said nothing.

  “We should return. People will wonder where we are,” she said.

  “Please. After you,” he waved a hand and they left the library to rejoin the party.

  “Ah, here you are, dear. I must apologize. Charles is abominable when he’s drinking,” Victoria said, leading Caroline into the large parlor. “You mustn’t give it another thought.”