Miss Matilda Hayward and the Freak Show (Miss Matilda Hayward series Book 1)

by Helen Goltz

  ‘Oh, let’s see what is going on,’ Matilda said, and found no resistance – Alice was at the door before her. The three ladies made their way over to the gathering, staying far enough back not to attract the ire of the detectives and police force.

  *****

  Thomas took charge, looking completely calm and in control, Harry by his side. Mr Wilks greeted the detectives. The ladies moved a little closer to hear what was being said.

  ‘Detectives, may I assist you?’ Mr Wilks asked, his eyes travelling to the police party fanning out behind the detectives.

  ‘Mr Wilks,’ Thomas began. ‘We are here to make an arrest and to search your wife’s possessions again.’

  A small gasp rose from the viewing gallery – the artists and crew of the Exhibition had wandered out to see what the commotion was about. Present were Mr Jo-Jo, Elvira and Ella – the conjoined sisters who gave a discreet wave to the ladies on seeing them, Unzie the albino man, several crew members, and the chef, Chas, along with Teddy. The amassed group remained hushed, keen to know who the murderer was in their midst and riveted by the drama playing out before them.

  ‘You want to arrest Irina?’ Mr Wilks asked and turned towards his wife as though the concept of her being a criminal was outrageous.

  ‘Your wife,’ Thomas said, again with a nod towards her.

  Harry stepped forward along with a police officer and cuffed Mrs Wilks’ wrists in front of her body.

  ‘There must be some mistake. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation,’ Mr Wilks said and then he laughed. ‘Trust me, she would not have killed Alfred Burnham, she loved him.’

  Mrs Wilks looked at him, her countenance shocked.

  ‘Oh yes, my dear, I knew. I’m sure everyone did. You must think I’m an idiot if you didn’t think I could see what was happening under my nose, but I’m prepared to save your skin because I know you wouldn’t kill him,’ Mr Wilks said knowing he would truly own her after this admission and he had always wanted to own her.

  Thomas looked from Mrs Wilks to her husband.

  ‘You are correct, Mr Wilks; your wife loved Mr Burnham and did not kill him. However, she hired a Russian boxer – a wharf worker – to kill you.’

  Mr Wilks stepped back, shocked, and an audible gasp went up from the gallery. He glared at his wife, expecting her to be appalled. She was not.

  Thomas continued, ‘Mrs Wilks told her hired assassin your routine – what time you came out to check the grounds were locked – but unfortunately Mr Burnham appeared on that evening. The wrong man was slain.’

  ‘You were going to remove me and be with Burnham. Run this place together?’ he asked, spitting the words out angrily, his face reddening.

  Mrs Wilks was not at all upset by his anger. She stared at him coldly.

  ‘But what about Mr Tufton?’ Wilks asked and Thomas noted every eye turned to Anna, and then hastily away. He saw Matilda amongst the group, along with Alice, and momentarily frowned. Here, again, she’s managed to be in the thick of it when she should be at home away from this scene and the dreadful findings he was about to deliver. He shook his head slightly, clearing his mind and returned his attention to Mr Wilks.

  ‘Apparently, Mr Tufton was too smart for his own good,’ Thomas said, and with a nod to Anna added, ‘my apologies Mrs Tufton, I am now going to speak of your husband if you wish to return to your caravan.’

  Matilda took Anna’s arm.

  ‘Thank you, but I wish to stay, Detective,’ the giantess responded.

  Thomas turned and continued addressing Mr Wilks. ‘He knew of the affair and told Mrs Wilks that he would inform the police that she was the killer if Mrs Tufton’s increased fee and top billing was not actioned.’

  ‘He didn’t know the truth, he was bluffing,’ Mrs Wilks spoke for the first time. ‘But I couldn’t risk that. We were all better off without him.’ She glanced to Anna momentarily and then was warned to quieten down by the officer who had cuffed her.

  ‘So where is this hired killer?’ Mr Wilks asked.

  Thomas ignored him while he sent several of the uniform officers to Mrs Wilks’ caravan to ensure they had missed nothing that might serve as evidence.

  Harry responded, ‘We have him in the lock-up.’

  ‘Detective.’ A small voice spoke up from the crowd. Mr Jo-Jo said, ‘Why were my walking stick and Mr Burnham’s used? I heard you found them and that you believe them to be the murder weapons. How did that man get them?’

  Thomas then pulled off the second surprise for the morning and motioned to the constable, who moved behind Mr Wilks and cuffed him.

  ‘What? Unhand me! What are you doing?’ he protested.

  Again, the group gasped and tittered, but not one protest arose from the small gathering of onlookers.

  ‘Your act of genuine surprise was impressive, Mr Wilks,’ Thomas said, ‘but the cause of death for both men was a single blow to the throat, which collapsed the larynx and caused both victims to choke. A blow that an experienced boxer would know how to deliver.’

  ‘Then you have your man, the boxer,’ Mr Wilks said incredulously.

  ‘We do,’ Thomas agreed. ‘But when you found Mr Burnham, he was choking, but still alive. You delivered the final blows with Mr Burnham’s cane in revenge for the affair with your wife. Then, fearful that we might trace his death back to you, you stole Mr Jo-Jo’s cane and delivered another blow to the skull, hoping to incriminate Mr Jo-Jo. I can only hope that Mr Burnham was deceased by that stage.’

  There were gasps of shock and cries as the watching group became animated with anger; Matilda felt distressed for Mr Jo-Jo and Mr Burnham’s friends.

  Mr Wilks sneered at the group. ‘It’s not as if any of you have a future. What would it matter if Jo is behind bars in gaol or behind bars in a travelling show?’

  ‘I imagine it would matter a great deal to Jo, who is a free man,’ Harry snapped at Mr Wilks.

  Thomas continued. ‘You told your wife what you did and why, and she had no choice but to keep your secret. But she wanted to reveal where you had buried the canes. The day we saw her near them, she was checking to see they were still there. Your wife intended to deliver them to us.’

  ‘And she’d have lied and said she had nothing to do with it, and I’d killed the men because of her affair. Oh, you are good,’ he said, sneering at her.

  ‘Nothing would make me happier than to see you locked away or dead. One more day was all I needed, and that stupid woman writer ruined everything.’

  The group glanced to Matilda, with Alice standing beside her. Thomas also looked her way, and she gave him a small smile and a barely discernible shrug of her shoulders.

  He sighed. No doubt he would hear about how much of a help she was in time to come. Thomas motioned to the remaining officers. ‘Take them both away.’

  Harry sensed the rising panic amongst the remaining group. This was their livelihood, all they had, and now the owner and managers were gone. He held up his hands.

  ‘Ladies, gentlemen, please your attention.’

  The group quietened down.

  ‘Detective Ashdown and I know this leaves you without management. Can we suggest that this evening you gather and discuss what you wish to do? If you wish to continue in the Exhibition, I am sure Miss Hayward and Miss Doran could help you with running an advertisement seeking management or to sell the business as an ongoing concern.’

  ‘Of course,’ Matilda responded, and Alice nodded her agreement.

  ‘Or if you wish to depart, we will assist you with securing passage home,’ Harry added.

  The two detectives turned to depart – Harry with a quick word to Mr Jo-Jo to assure him that his cane would be returned – and Thomas with a doff of his hat to the ladies.

  Another case solved, and one of his most interesting ones, he mused. Not to mention that he and Detective Dart had both rewarded with a large bonus of five pounds for their recent results. He intended to i
nvest that in his house, to make it habitable for a lady. By choice, he had spent long enough as a bachelor, but it no longer held the same appeal, and he knew just the lady he wanted to inhabit with for the rest of his days.

  Chapter 38

  Harry shook his head. ‘Unless your face changes dramatically in the next two days, you can’t possibly go to the gallery exhibition looking like that,’ he kidded his younger colleague as he studied Thomas’s black and yellowing face wounds.

  Daniel agreed. ‘It looks worse now than it did on the night. I’m sorry, my friend, but they’ll throw you out for sure for street fighting.’ Daniel chuckled, and Teddy did his best to offer a sympathetic look to his uncle.

  ‘You are probably right,’ Thomas said, and sighed.

  He sat on the veranda of his house, which had not hosted guests for years or seen a paintbrush for about the same time. But now, with Teddy’s minor improvements, the timber Queenslander home with its corrugated zinc roof was starting to look respectable, and the neighbours were indeed pleased. The four men – Thomas, Daniel, Harry and Teddy – sat enjoying a lager at the end of a warm Brisbane day.

  They all had their own reasons for celebrating. Thomas and Harry had successfully closed another case; Daniel got the coveted court sketch artist job, and Teddy had secured himself a cook apprenticeship to finish his last qualifying year, thanks to Mrs Bloomfield – Aunt Audrey. The dinner he had cooked for Mr Jo-Jo had sealed the deal, as Aunt Audrey had sampled the wares that evening unbeknown to the other guests.

  Thomas put his feet up on the veranda rails and turned to Daniel. ‘You might have to take the ladies on your own.’

  ‘I have four tickets!’ Daniel complained. ‘I’ll have to find someone to fill in if you can’t go. Gideon will be angry if I waste them given, they are the hottest tickets in town.’ Daniel remembered his two friends and suggested, ‘I could ask William or George if they wish to attend. I know both gentlemen were keen to call on Matilda.’ He knew it would stir Thomas into action. He felt his friend stiffen next to him.

  ‘I would hate for you to miss out,’ Thomas said. He knew what his friends were up to, trying to get him to reveal his feelings for Miss Matilda Hayward.

  ‘If you were desperate, I could accompany you, Daniel, and escort Miss Hayward,’ Teddy offered.

  Thomas felt strangely relieved at this suggestion. At least Teddy knew how he felt about Matilda and with luck Matilda might think Teddy too young to form an attachment with.

  ‘That’s a good idea,’ Harry contributed. ‘After all, Teddy, you have come to Miss Hayward’s rescue once before.’

  ‘So gallant,’ Thomas added drily.

  The men chuckled.

  ‘I know what you are doing, so don’t think you are so very smart,’ Thomas said, emptying his glass and glancing at his guests who were grinning, enjoying their humour. ‘I’m sure by Saturday I will be presentable enough to attend.’

  ‘If not, Uncle, we could spread the story of your heroism catching a murderer, so everyone will admire your face on the night instead of running a mile,’ Teddy offered.

  ‘Let’s focus on that,’ Thomas agreed and accepted a refill from an amused Daniel.

  ‘Your house improves every time I see it.’ Daniel diverted the conversation.

  ‘Teddy’s work. It is returning to its former glory,’ Thomas agreed with a glance around.

  ‘Got to earn my lodgings,’ Teddy said with a grin, ‘and besides, I enjoy seeing it come to life.’

  ‘You are a creator – food, renovations, well done Teddy,’ Harry praised him. ‘This house might be fit for a lady soon if you keep this up.’

  All eyes turned to Thomas again, and he groaned as they laughed with fondness at his expense.

  *****

  Matilda read the advertisement a final time and with Alice’s agreement that it would do the job, she booked it to run in the daily paper and the Women’s Journal.

  Advertisement: For Sale – Freak Show

  ATTENTION THEATRICAL MANAGERS AND CIRCUS PROPRIETORS. SHOWMEN, SPECULATORS, AND OTHERS – FOR SALE, A FREAK SHOW COMPLETE.

  In good working order and condition, running requiring no money spent on it for some time, and with dedicated performers and crew. With little capital, a business owner and proprietor could make a fortune in a short time. The new owner undertakes to engage the artists under their existing employment arrangements at the same wages and favourable conditions.

  The artists number eight in total with other persons employed include three travelling crew, one cook and one maintenance man. An inventory of goods is available and includes four complete tents, sidewalls, wagons, caravans and tools.

  The Show put together cost the former proprietor over 1,000 pounds but will be sold below valuation.

  Bona fide purchasers only need apply and seller seeks haste. Apply with particulars to Mr Amos Hayward, Hayward & Bruce Solicitors, AMP Chambers, Edward Street.

  Chapter 39

  As required over the years, Harriet had assisted Matilda to dress, but tonight was different. Tonight, Harriet helped Matilda and Alice as they prepared to be seen with the men of their future. It was Alice’s idea to dress together – Matilda had not known the joy of dressing with a sister and sharing each other’s clothing and jewellery, and Alice’s two sisters were across the ocean.

  ‘You look so beautiful, the pair of you, you will be the belles of the art gallery opening,’ Harriet said, admiring them both, and putting a final touch to Alice’s hair.

  The two ladies wore evening dresses to complement their colourings – Matilda in blue accessorised by pearls and Alice in red with diamonds. Both wore a hint of fragrance and a touch of rouge, as the occasion required. It wasn’t every day they got to wear gowns for an exclusive art exhibition opening – it helped that Gideon was co-owner of the gallery and had generously allocated four of his opening night tickets. The ladies were well aware of his motive – he hoped Matilda and Alice might write a story for the Women’s Journal.

  ‘Are you nervous?’ Harriet asked Matilda.

  Her breathing gave her away.

  ‘I can’t wait to see him,’ Matilda said.

  ‘I can’t wait to see both gentlemen in their evening wear,’ Alice said, ‘especially Daniel.’

  The ladies smiled as Harriet went to the window, hearing the hansom cabs coming to a stop outside. She pulled aside the curtain and announced, ‘Daniel and Thomas are here.’

  Alice did one last turn in front of the mirror and sighed, satisfied. ‘Thank you for all your help tonight, Harriet, you’re wonderful. I was homesick for my sisters, we always dressed together.’

  Harriet flushed with pleasure.

  ‘You are wonderful,’ Matilda concurred. ‘Look at us, we’re stepping out after our fairy godmother has made us sparkle.’

  Harriet became sentimental as she looked at the tomboy who had now become a beautiful young woman. Mr Hayward’s voice carried up the stairwell.

  ‘Ladies, your escorts have arrived,’ he called.

  ‘Coming Pa,’ Matilda called back. ‘Shall we?’ she asked Alice, who smiled and nodded.

  Harriet opened the bedroom door and stepped back as the two ladies exited and descended the stairs. She stood at the top of the railing, watching as proud as punch.

  Daniel, Thomas and Mr Hayward waited in the foyer, the men laughing over a shared joke until the ladies came in to view. Thomas looked to the stairs, and Harriet watched him as his eyes settled on Matilda. He watched her walk towards him.

  Alice paused midway and said in her English accent, ‘Oh my, don’t you two look handsome?’ Her eyes lingered on Daniel.

  ‘Yes we do,’ Daniel said, and grinned at her, making the party laugh.

  Thomas cleared his throat but did not speak. Mr Hayward opened the door for the party.

  ‘Have a lovely night, be careful and please have the ladies home at a respectable hour,’ he said to Daniel with paternal sole
mnity, but gave a wink to Matilda. She kissed him on the cheek as she passed.

  ‘Goodnight, Pa, don’t wait up.’

  ‘I may not since you are in such excellent hands,’ he agreed. He closed the door behind them and invited Harriet to join him at the window to watch the young couples’ departure. She hastily descended the stairs to do so.

  *****

  Thomas studied the ease at which Daniel addressed Miss Doran, and his natural charm that made them both comfortable. Thomas acknowledged he did not possess the same skills. Whether it was his nature or the job that had made him more reclusive, he could not be sure, but he would do his best tonight to be the gentleman Matilda deserved tonight.

  When they arrived at the awaiting hansom cabs, Daniel moved to the first one and offered Alice his hand to assist her in. He instructed the cabman to wait so they could depart together.

  ‘You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Miss Doran,’ he said, and she laughed, delighted.

  ‘Thank you, Mr Hayward, that was the effect I was trying for indeed.’

  He saw her seated inside and followed, leaving Thomas to assist Matilda, into the hansom behind him.

  Thomas felt the need to compliment Matilda now, as they both overheard the conversation. He swallowed, offered his hand and said, ‘As do you Matilda, look beautiful, that is.’

  She gave him a nod and smile at his awkward compliment.

  ‘I can probably manage,’ she said, used to pulling herself in and out of cabs.

  ‘But you will take my hand because you are a lady,’ he said, continuing to offer it.

  ‘And because you are a gentleman?’ she asked.