The Future of Scotland Yard

by Liza O'Connor

  Then Tubs headed to Parliament. Instead of parking in the mass of carriages waiting for their owners to leave, Tubs drove to the docks. He parked the carriage with the horses facing the river. He then secured a cabby and went home.

  He retrieved Vic from the basement and returned her to their home.

  “Did you kill the bad guy?” Vic cheerfully asked.

  “No, I did not. I just drove around long enough that he missed the vote on whatever those five wanted to stop.

  “That was a very good idea...as long as it worked. What were they voting upon?”

  “No idea,” Tubs admitted.

  Vic almost complained, but then smiled. “Xavier will know.”

  “I imagine so.”

  Vic chewed her bottom lip. “Are you angry with me?”

  “No, it’s just been a frustrating day. However, I may have scared the man who planned to shoot you sufficiently, that he will leave you alone.”

  “How?”

  Tubs chuckled. “I told him that you were my meal ticket, and I would kill anyone who killed my meal ticket. That made him reconsider if your slight insult warranted pissing me off. Then I joined the driver up top and took the reins. Upon realizing the driver was very ill, I drove him home. Only after he was settled into bed did I take the fool to Parliament. By that time, all the carriage spaces had been taken, so I drove to the docks nearby instead and secured the horses there. Then I returned home.”

  “You walked all the way?”

  “No, I took a carriage.

  “Well, I see why you didn’t care for much of your day. I’ll ask Gregory to ask the cook if she’ll make an apple pie for you. I know how much you love them.”

  “I do, but right now, I think I need a nap.”

  Well, that will give the cook time to make your pie,” Vic assured him and gave him a hug.

  AT SEVEN, WHEN DINNER was called, someone pounded on the door.

  “Better put another plate on the table,” Vic suggested.

  “Shouldn’t we see who is pounding on our door first? I must assume they are angry, or they would not be so noisy,” Xavier suggested.

  “That is true. Gregory, an angry fellow is at the door.”

  Xavier frowned at Vic and stood. “I’ll handle the angry person.”

  “Sir, opening the front door is my responsibility. Please return to your seat.”

  “Tubs you might want to get your gun...just in case they are truly unfriendly,” Vic suggested.

  “I suspect it is Barns. He does not approve of me having a gun at all.”

  Sure enough, when Gregory answered the door, an angry Barns stood on the other side.

  Vic smiled. “Would you like to join us for dinner? Gregory always cooks more than we need to eat.”

  “I am here on official business. Tubs, where were you an hour ago?”

  “That’s a bit personal,” Tubs grumbled.

  “Answer me!”

  Tubs studied the young children, all focused on Barns. “Can we send the children to a different room?”

  “Just answer the question!” Barns barked.

  “Sara!” Tubs yelled. “I need your assistance.”

  Soon everyone could hear the pitter-patter of Sara’s shoes. “Is something wrong?” Sara asked.

  “No, I just need you to send the kids to the playroom.”

  “But we haven’t eaten yet,” Cannon objected. “We are growing boys!”

  “And I’m a growing girl,” Maddy declared. “We have to eat, or we’ll stop growing!”

  Barns closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. “Tubs, where were you an hour ago?”

  Ham laughed and raised his hand. “Mommy and Daddy were playing in their bed.”

  Tubs stared at his son. “How do you know that?”

  Ham giggled. “I can hear you when you and Mommy play.”

  Tubs focused on David. “David, can you thicken the wall, so Ham does not hear us?”

  David grinned. “I’ll get to it once we’ve finished dinner.”

  “And where were you, Vic?” Barns demanded.

  “When exactly?”

  “Just go through your day?” Barns demanded.

  “Well, let’s see. A whole bunch of rude carriages pulled up in front of our office. It’s a good thing no one wanted our help today. For the jerks who left those carriages had the gall to tell us to leave our office.”

  “And who were these men?”

  “I’ve no idea what their names were. They didn’t offer their names. As far as I could tell, they just came to bully Stone into doing something he didn’t want to do. Then I got in trouble for being sassy to one of the men.”

  “What exactly did you say?” Barns asked.

  “I didn’t say anything to him. Tubs warned them to leave in five seconds, so I counted down and kicked the door closed at the count of five.”

  Barns looked up at the ceiling. “Tubs, would you like to elaborate?”

  “It was the five men who cannot be touched,” Tubs admitted.

  Barns rubbed his temple. “What happened?”

  “Four of the men left, but the last guy who nearly fell, moved a block down and appeared to be waiting for Vic. So, I entered his carriage and explained to him that Vic was my meal ticket and I would be most upset if I lost my meal ticket. After giving the matter consideration, he agreed that he could let the door incident slide. Then I climbed up by his driver, who was seriously ill, and took the fellow home. Then I dropped the carriage with my passenger at the docks closest to Parliament.”

  “Why didn’t you drop him off at the area in front of Parliament?”

  “It was plumb full! And to be honest, the man was incoherently drunk by the time I arrived. So, I just left him in his carriage and hailed a cabby.”

  “And what time was this?”

  “About mid-day, I think.”

  “Do you know the name of the cabby who picked you up?”

  “In fact, I do. His name is Sammy Tong. He’s Chinese, so if you want to interrogate him, you’ll need to find a translator.”

  Barns glared at Tubs, then focused on Gregory.

  “Gregory, I expect the total truth out of you. When did Tubs come home?”

  Gregory gave the matter great consideration then replied, “It was at 3:02 p.m.”

  “And where did he go then?”

  “To his bedroom. And if you need further details, may I suggest the two of you find an empty room to discuss this matter. The children do not need to hear about what went on next!”

  “I agree!” Vic stated. “Barns, we’ve been very open with you. Can you just tell us why you are so angry with us?”

  Barns glared at Vic. “The man who wished to kill you today appears to have run his carriage and horse into the Thames River.”

  “Dear God, did the horses die?”

  “No, the horses survived, but the fact they did makes me suspect foul play.”

  Vic pondered the matter, then smiled. “Because the carriage should have pulled them under, which means someone who loves horses must have jumped into the river and cut them free. If you find out who saved the horses, let me know so I can give them a reward.”

  “Vic, do you swear you had nothing to do with this?”

  Vic raised her hand. “I swear, I had nothing to do with saving the horses, but had I been there, I would have certainly tried to help save them. And I am serious about the reward.”

  Barns sighed in relief. “I am very glad you nor Tubs were anywhere near the dock when this disaster occurred. And I am glad as well that the horses survived.”

  “Where did the horses go?” Cannon asked.

  “I’ve no idea. I suspect whoever saved them took them. Mind if I check your carriage house?”

  “You are very untrusting tonight. In fact, I am close to sending you home without food. However, if you stop being so bad once you check our horses, then you can have our leftovers, if any exist.”

  “To hell with it,” Barns muttered and
took his seat. “By the time I get home, dinner will be put away, and my butler will be asleep.”

  “Then you, sir, need a better butler,” Gregory scolded.

  “Well, if you are offering your services, I would gladly accept.”

  Everyone at the table, but Barns, objected vociferously.

  Finally, Gregory yelled at them to stop their nonsense.

  “I’ve a mind to send you home, sir,” he warned.

  “So how exactly did this man die?” Vic asked.

  “We aren’t sure. Witnesses said the man was highly intoxicated. He also was furious that he had no driver. It appears that he climbed upon the driver’s seat and tried to take the reins, only the horses were confused by his actions. When he grabbed a whip and began slashing at them, they panicked and jumped in the river, with his carriage in tow.”

  Vic glared at Barns. “What in that mass of ineptitude did you think we were involved with?”

  “I apologize to both of you and Tubs. It’s been a very hard day for me, and I’m clearly not thinking well.”

  Vic patted his arm. “I have days like that too, so Tubs and I will forgive you for slandering us with incompetency this time. Just don’t do it again.”

  “I give you my word!” Barns assured Vic.

  Chapter 6

  EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, Cannon carried Arroo to Vic’s bed. “Something’s wrong with Arroo. His tummy is lumpy. He’s not going to die, is he?

  Vic took hold of the puppy and studied it, then kissed its head. “No, your pup is healthy. Only your pup is a she, and she will be having puppies soon.”

  “No! Arroo is a boy dog.”

  “Nature says Arroo is a girl dog.”

  “I don’t want a girl dog. I want Arroo to turn back into a boy dog.”

  “Sweetheart, Arroo has never been a boy dog. But she’ll still love you. I promise.”

  “No! I want her to become a boy dog again like she used to be.”

  “Well, first, she will need to birth the little puppies inside her. Then after she weens the pups, she can return to her normal self.”

  “Will she only have girl babies, or will there be boy babies?”

  “There will probably be both.”

  “Then I could get a boy pup.”

  “You can, but you cannot stop loving Arroo. That would be like you not loving me just because sometimes I dress like a girl.”

  “I see. Will we have to get dresses for Arroo?”

  “No, sweetheart. She’ll be the same fabulous dog that you have always loved.”

  “You promise?” Cannon asked.

  “Arroo is your best friend for life, Cannon. Nothing will change that.”

  “All right then. We can work through this.”

  Vic hugged her son. “That’s a very good attitude.”

  Cannon sighed. “Maybe Arroo will be happier in here with you and Daddy. The younger children might accidentally hurt the puppies.”

  Vic studied her son. “Did something happen?” she asked.

  “I don’t know for certain, but Arroo is now hiding from Maddy.”

  “Thank you for letting me know. We’ll keep Arroo up here until she has her babies.”

  “How many babies will she have?”

  “I have no idea. We’ll just have to wait and find out.”

  “But what if she has too many?”

  “Then we’ll offer them to other people once you get them trained.”

  “I have to train them?” Cannon pouted.

  “You don’t have to. I just thought you would like to.”

  Cannon huffed. “Arroo didn’t need training. Why will these puppies need training?”

  “Well, first of all, I trained Arroo, and it takes a lot of time, but it’s also great fun. But if you are not up to training your puppy, maybe Pete will have time to train his puppy and yours.”

  “Pete doesn’t like his dog.”

  Vic laughed recalling the obnoxious screecher Pete used to have. “Pete gave that dog back to its original owner. So, Pete has already requested a puppy from this litter.”

  “I get my choice first!” Cannon demanded.

  “You have Arroo, which may be the finest dog in the world. So, allow Pete, who you like a great deal, to have first choice. It will mean so much to him.”

  Cannon pouted and sighed, then agreed Pete could have his choice as long as he didn’t want Arroo.

  “Arroo will always be your dog.”

  “Then Pete can have first choice. But I get second choice!” Cannon insisted.

  “I’m certain any pup of Arroo’s will be a fine pup to love.”

  She kissed her son’s head and sent him downstairs as she fixed Arroo with an old blanket in the corner of the bathing room. She knelt and petted the dog. “If you need anything, just bark and let me know. I expect you’ll be birthing those pups very soon. Would you like me to stay and help, or would you like to do this by yourself? Bark once for ‘yes’ or twice for ‘no.’”

  Arroo barked twice, so Vic kissed her forehead and left the room.

  Chapter 7

  FROM THE MOMENT VIC woke, she felt something had gone bad. What something, she hadn’t a clue. She sat up in bed and shook Xavier. He was still in pain from his torture by both Anton Popov and his vicious wife. So naturally he snapped at her.

  “Don’t snap at me! I’m sensing danger, which I intend to root out. However, you should stay in bed, since you are clearly still in pain.”

  He pushed himself up so he could rest against the headboard. “If you dare leave the house without Tubs, I will lock you in the basement for a month!”

  “I’m not certain where the danger is, but I sense a grand storm coming.”

  “Poetic, but not the least bit useful,” Xavier snapped. “Do you have any hint as to what has gone wrong?”

  “None-what-so-ever.”

  “Then perhaps we aren’t in danger at all.”

  Vic paused. “I think you’re right. It’s someone else in our house that is in terrible danger.”

  “Well, when you figure it out, wake me up. I’m still recuperating.”

  Vic ran to the hall. First room she checked was Jacko’s room. She stared at the empty bed. Had someone kidnapped him?

  Just then Jacko entered from the bathroom. “Bloody Hell, Vic! Why are you always barging into my room? It’s highly annoying!”

  “Why don’t you wear pajamas, instead of sleeping in the nude,” Vic countered and ran from the room.

  Taking no chances, Vic tapped lightly on David’s door and waited for him to answer. Just before she was about to pound on the door, it opened. Instead of him inviting her in, David stepped into the hallway and closed the door softly behind him.

  Vic frowned. “Is there some reason we can’t talk in your room?”

  He sighed. “Both my son and daughter had nightmares last night.”

  “What were the nightmares about?”

  “You don’t want to know,” David assured her.

  “Actually, I need to know,” she insisted, “because I think something bad is really going to happen.”

  “I sure as hell hope not,” he whispered. “Maddy had a nightmare in which Claire shoots Danny and me in the head, then steals Maddy away to the asylum where she lives.”

  “I promise you that we will not let that happen.” She then hurried down the hall bellowing for Gregory. When she finally ran into him at the door of his room, she asked to use his phone.

  “It’s five in the morning!” Gregory snapped. “Who are you going to call at this hour?”

  “I’m hoping someone at the asylum will answer. I need to confirm Claire is still locked up at the asylum.”

  Gregory quieted. “What has you worried?”

  “When I woke this morning, I felt we had a very serious problem on our hands.”

  “Is Xavier all right?”

  “He still needs more rest, but the danger isn’t towards him. Maddy and Danny both had nightmares throughout the entire nig
ht in which Danny and David are shot in the face by Claire and Maddy is taken back to the asylum.”

  “Oh dear! That is quite possible.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I failed to mention the matter because I feared you would demand to go the asylum, and I honestly don’t believe you and Claire should ever speak to each other again. There is simply too much animosity between you.”

  “I agree, which is precisely why I haven’t visited her. So, what important event happened that you failed to tell me about?”

  “She has married the doctor, and he has declared her completely cured. Which means she is no longer considered an inmate. She has free rein to go wherever she wishes.”

  “Bloody Hell! Wake up Tubs and make sure this place is locked down. I’m going to move David, Maddy, and Danny to Vivian’s house.”

  “Have you asked her permission to do so?”

  “No, but once I explain the situation, I have no doubt they will help. They are both very good women and their ability to shoot intruders is well-established. And in the meantime, I need you to ensure this house is locked down solid!”

  “Don’t you dare tell me how to do my job!”

  “I apologize for suggesting any such thing. We cannot forget how clever Claire is. It’s very likely she has been planning this since she was first incarcerated.”

  Gregory nodded and sighed. “I agree they would be safer at the other house. Claire shouldn’t know of any connection to that home and ours.”

  “Let us pray she doesn’t,” Vic stated and hurried back upstairs.

  David had evidently returned to his room to console the children. Then a different scenario came to her thoughts. What if Claire was in there already? What if she had cut a hole in the roof?

  She ran to her and Xavier’s room and loaded two guns.

  Xavier was up at once, getting himself dressed. “What’s happened!” he demanded.

  “Possibly nothing yet, but we need to get David, Danny, and Maddy to Vivian’s house, now.”

  Now carrying five hidden guns, Vic knocked lightly on David’s door. He opened it and said, “The children are still frightened. I’ve tried to calm them, but I’m having no luck.”