Was the man insane? If he burnt his sources, he’d be out of business. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is rescuing Xavier.”
Stone sighed. “Well, it does matter to Scotland Yard. We cannot enter a building without a warrant and for a warrant we will need testimony from credible sources.”
In disgust, Jacko shook his head. “You have reasonable cause to enter the damn building any day of the month, given someone dies there nearly every night. Enter because you believe someone’s being buggered, that’s illegal and arrest the one-eyed beggar man for loitering. God knows, I’ve been pulled in enough times on such ridiculous charges.”
Stone rose and paced behind his desk. “I understand. However, we have no proof acts of homosexuality are occurring. Any entry into that particular establishment must be done legally.”
Even if Jacko were willing to give up his source, the man would not pass muster as a credible witness. “Damn you, Stone! Do you want to save Xavier or not?”
Stone glared at him. “Of course, I want to save him, as do many others above me. But without certain proof he is there, those with the power to approve a search will not act. Do you have any idea how many of my men will die in a raid on that building?”
Frustration coursed through Jacko’s body. Why had he even bothered? But he knew why. He could not steal Xavier from Dragon’s Cloud on his own. It would take a damn army.
Not Queen’s Men disguised as beggars, but Royal Rifles, in force and fully armed. Only then would the hired guns of the place run like hell.
He posed the idea to Stone, but the inspector only shook his head.
“While the loss of men would certainly be reduced by using the Royal Rifles, the public outcry of having British troops fighting British citizens might topple Parliament. And I would be relieved of my post for even suggesting it.”
“You would still have your life. The same might not be said for Xavier.”
Stone shook his head. “He’ll find a way out. He always does.”
“How? By floating? Rest assured he’s being fed opium five times a day. I doubt he can lift his head, nevertheless escape.” Jacko rose and headed to the door. He was wasting his time. Stone wasn’t half the man he’d hoped.
“Wait,” Stone said.
Jacko turned and glared at him.
“I will make the request. I will call you my source and fail to mention you have not actually seen a homosexual activity take place. I still expect a judge to refuse my warrant, and I doubt the First Minister will be any more successful convincing the Queen to set her army against British citizens, even if these particular citizens are the scum of the Earth. But for Xavier, I will try.”
Jacko had felt better when Stone first said he would try than after the litanies of anticipated failures, but still it was something. “Thank you.”
“Don’t. I expect nothing to come of this except my dismissal.”
“If that happens I will offer you a job copying maps.”
His offer resulted in Stone frowning as he stroked his chin. “I’ve pulled the past record of Jacko Black. By all appearances, you’ve turned yourself around, changed your name, your clothes, and your occupation. You’ve a fine office in a first class building selling maps.” He then approached him. “And a larger fortune in the bank than a year’s profit from map sales could bring.”
What the Inspector was saying was ‘once a thief always a thief’. Jacko met Stone’s hard stare. “I have been fortunate in the few men who dared to befriend a gypsy.” His eyes narrowed. “Which is why I must do everything I can to keep them from harm.” He opened the door to leave, but stopped dead at the sight of a sergeant of Scotland Yard leading Vic into an interrogation room.
He cursed beneath his breath and turned to Stone. “I am calling in the debt you owe me.”
“You’ve already done so with your last request.”
“Well, then I’m putting myself in your debt.”
“For what?”
“Your sergeant just pulled Vic in for interrogation. Xavier would never forgive me if I let him go through another torture.”
Stone frowned. “Or me.” He hurried to the door. “Let’s find out what the boy has gotten into now.”
***
Inspector Stone and Jacko entered the interrogation room to find nothing more than a tête à tête. Both Vic and Sergeant Meyers looked up in surprise.
“You are correct, Jacko. It’s Victor you saw.” Stone looked at Meyers for an explanation. The man popped from his chair.
“Inspector, we were just about to come to you. Mr. Hamilton has uncovered a major prostitution ring with unwilling participants.” He then hesitated. “Only it involves a gentry…”
“And timing is dire or it will be too late to save them,” Vic said as he stood up, as well.
Stone could not make sense of the matter. “The gentry need saving?”
Vic glared at him. “No, the victims! The young men and women who applied for honest work at a good house only to be made into sex slaves.”
Now he understood, but unfortunately, Vic was not going to like the answer. Hoping to break the news in a better environment than a room where the boy once spent hours under interrogation, Stone held open the door. “I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable telling this story in my office.”
***
Once Vic, Jacko and Sergeant Meyers had settled in Stone’s office, Stone asked Victor to tell the story again for his benefit.
“Mr. Robinson and his butler have run a prostitution business out of his house for at least eighteen years, possibly longer. I believe when I have the time to investigate Mr. Robinson’s past, I will discover he became much wealthier about the time he took Jonston on as his butler.”
Stone rubbed his temples as if he had a headache. “What precisely do you think he does?”
“Jonston hires a plethora of beautiful young maids and handsome gardeners. Presently, they have sixteen such maids, and ten young gardeners.”
“There is no law against having too many servants.”
“True, but hopefully, forcing them into prostitution is against the law.”
“Can you prove they were forced into their occupation?” Stone asked as he looked up from his note taking.
“Do you consider the testimony of the twenty-six victims as proof?”
Stone sighed. “The number of claims will help, but the law favors the gentry’s word over the poor.”
Victor slammed her hand down on the arm of the chair. “Well, if we had time, I would suggest that you send a policeman in plain clothes so he could be one of the fifty gentlemen who come to visit every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during business hours.”
Stone’s frown deepened.
“The neighbors across the street can attest to the quantity of visitors.” Vic stared at him a moment and then the pup literally growled her frustration. “Inspector Stone, if you do not do something soon, my cook’s niece will end up in some sultan’s harem. Now stop frowning and help me!”
Jacko laughed at Stone’s look of shock. Few people dared to yell at the man. Xavier would be proud of his pup.
Vic calmed before continuing the story. “Last week, Jonston removed a servant from the house who Mr. Robinson believes is his daughter, born to the prior housekeeper, Angela Campbell. Sergeant Meyers has confirmed this servant, Mary, now resides at Dragon’s Cloud with her mother, Angela Campbell.”
The sergeant sat up straight. “I’ve seen her with my own eyes.”
“Robinson’s daughter?” This bit of information perked Stone up.
Vic jumped on his interest. “Yes. While he is not willing to admit publically that she is his daughter, he is genuinely devastated to lose her.”
Stone lost interest upon learning Robinson wouldn’t acknowledge the truth. Jacko wasn’t surprised. The inspector, no doubt, hoped to rescue a gentry’s daughter, never mind the man ran a brothel.
Vic, fortunately, remained oblivious to these undercurrents and nev
er paused in her chatter. “He hired me…well, Xavier…to find her. His butler tried to convince me no servant named Mary existed, nor was there ever a housekeeper named Angela Campbell. Jonston insisted his master was losing his mind.
“I played along, but insisted on interviewing the staff, explaining I worked for an impossible boss who demanded complete interviews for all servants.”
Stone smiled at that. Jacko also thought it a clever way to use Thorn’s reputation to bully her way into a house.
Vic moved to the edge of his seat. “Yesterday, Jonston took two of the maids with him to the New Royal Exchange. I believe he took them to Macroni and Salem. They claim to be livestock agents, matching buyers to sellers, but to my understanding they actually sell human flesh.”
Jacko choked and looked at Vic in shock. How the hell had she learned that from a closed office? He closed his eyes at his stupidity. Dear God! He’d forgotten the pup knew how to pick locks.
Stone glanced at Jacko. “You disagree?”
He opened his eyes. “No, Vic’s right.” He then glared at Vic. “I just don’t know how he came upon the information.”
Vic returned his glare. “Well, thankfully, I don’t have to depend upon JB Goodnow for the total sum of my knowledge.”
Jacko shook his head and laughed softly. His name was not on the door, and he was certain his door was not so easily picked. How the hell did the pup sniff out so much information in so little time?
Returning his focus upon the inspector, Vic continued. “When Jonston left New Royal, both girls were visibly upset. I believe he took them there as examples of his merchandise, and they overheard that they would soon be sold and shipped away to a harem.”
Stone frowned again. “Is there more?”
Jacko knew he didn’t intend to do a damn thing about these servants. Truth was Scotland Yard worked for the gentry, not the common people.
Vic continued, “He did not return the girls to the house where they might tell the others. Instead, he took them up an alley to Dragon’s Cloud. Where, I believe they still remain.”
Stone leaned forward with interest. His reaction surprised Jacko. He had already suggested they go in under the guise of arresting people for acts of homosexuality. What made this any different?
“You are certain they are unwilling participants?” Stone asked.
“Yes. I wrote their words down verbatim if you wish me to retrieve my notes. The one named Laura begged me to save her from the hell her life had become.”
“That is helpful, Victor.” Stone’s fingers rapped excitedly on his desk. “Would you happen to know this girl’s background?”
“I took down the background of all of the victims,” Vic said with great pride. “Laura, age fifteen, had recently left St. Mary’s orphanage. She is a devout catholic and was a favorite of the nuns. She joined the Robinson household expecting a hard but decent life. Even though she has now been raped and defiled in every way imaginable, she remains strong in her faith and believes God will save her from her tribulations.”
“Perfect,” Stone said and wrote a few notes. “Anything else?”
“This morning, Mr. Robinson received a ransom note for the exact amount of a bond coming due this Friday. The note said to acquire the money by Friday and they would contact him then.”
“Now that has teeth. A jury would convict the butler based on that evidence.”
Vic glared at Stone.
Jacko knew she wanted Mr. Robinson imprisoned, not protected from blackmail.
“This ransom note concerns me greatly. I see it as a sign that Jonston is breaking his longtime partnership with Robinson. I think he plans to sell all twenty-six servants and however many he holds in Dragon’s Cloud into slavery. This means we have only a few days to act if we are to save these young men and women. By Friday, Jonston will have collected his money, sold all the servants, and disappeared from London.”
Stone’s eyebrow rose. “I believe the count is twenty-four since two maids did not return.” He seemed very pleased at finding a flaw in Vic’s story. The pup rewarded him with another glare.
“Naturally, I took the ransom event as an opportunity to return to Robinson’s house. Jonston had already replaced them, and abused two new young maids. The girls looked shaken to the core and frightened for their lives.
“The last girl I interviewed was Sara. I confirmed she was indeed the niece of my cook, Mrs. Jones. Sara begged me to give her aunt a message to come retrieve her from the house. I assured her I would rescue her on my cook’s behalf. I told her to have the girls ready to escape at four in the morning.”
This was why Xavier worried about the pup, Jacko realized. Despite all Vic’s natural talent, she still made beginner’s mistakes. Never tell hostages when they are going to be saved. He had thought the pup knew this, since she didn’t tell Mrs. Carson. And to tell a whole group of hostages—pure stupidity.
Stone scribbled furiously on his pad.
“Then I interviewed the boys and told one of them the same.” Vic sighed. “As I left, I felt I had made an error in doing so, which is why I came here.”
Stone assured her she had erred. “At least one girl and one boy will report to Jonston regularly for special favors.”
Vic grabbed her head and groaned. She looked up at Stone. “So I have moved up Jonston’s time table?”
“Possibly. It depends upon his opinion of your skills. From what you said, he might just plan to capture you when you arrive to rescue them and add you to his harem.”
“Thank God,” Vic said with relief.
Had Vic lost her mind? Why would she want to be sold into slavery? Meyers and Stone looked just as shocked by the pup’s response.
Vic noticed their stares and explained. “He does think I’m a fool, so I am very hopeful that he won’t move up his plans.”
Jacko chuckled. “For a minute, I thought you wished to see the inside of Dragon’s Cloud.”
“I would, actually, but I’d like Sergeant Meyers and twenty police accompanying me.”
“We’ll need more than that,” Stone said. “We’ll need an army regiment. However, if this maid, Laura, has the pristine background she told you, I believe she could inspire unusual intervention.”
Jacko now understood Stone’s line of questioning and smiled at the man’s cleverness. Prevent a public outrage of the army attacking British citizen by creating greater outrage of the defilement of an innocent young lady, fresh from the convent.
Stone rose and asked Jacko and Meyers to give him a moment with Victor.
The two left and watched the Chief Inspector through the glass pane speaking earnestly to Victor.
Meyers nodded at them. “The inspector thinks highly of the boy. You can tell. He don’t sit on the edge of his desk like that very often. Only time he’s done it with me was when he made me sergeant.” The man looked at Jacko. “He wouldn’t be offering him a job would he?”
Jacko laughed. “Better not. The pup is more than the inspector can handle.”
“He’s smart all right, but his temper…If I ever raised my voice like that, I’d be gone in a second. Inspector Stone don’t take to back talk.”
Soon Stone ushered Victor out and motioned for Meyers and Jacko to return. Jacko had no doubt Vic resented being sent out, but he was greatly relieved. While she’d been incredibly useful in providing the key to get inside Dragon’s Cloud, Jacko didn’t want the pup anywhere near the carnage this rescue would cause.
Stone was placing his notes into his briefcase when they entered. “I am off to see the First Minister. Hopefully, they will not dally, given a young girl’s life hangs in the balance. Meyers, you will be in charge of the station for the remainder of the day and evening. Keep alert, you may receive a notice for wagons later this evening.”
“Yes, sir.” Meyers grew several inches taller with his temporary promotion.
“Jacko, I know you will ignore any order to stay away, but since you are in my debt, I would ask two
small favors. If all goes well, we will strike tonight. Please do not enter until the men have secured the building and come dressed as a gentleman.” He then handed him a badge. “Also pin this to your breast pocket.”
Jacko almost argued that he wasn’t in Stone’s debt since Vic hadn’t been under arrest, but let it drop when Stone made such reasonable requests and a provided him a badge that might save his life.
Chapter 8
Alice was reading aloud to her mother when Thomas knocked on the door and entered.
“Miss Claire Hamilton here to see you, ma’am. She says it’s urgent.”
“Now?” Alice asked. It was nearly nine at night.
Thomas nodded. “I put her in the drawing room. Her manservant was pouring her a sherry even as I left.”
She stood and noticed her mother was doing the same. “Mother, stay in bed.”
“And miss this explanation? Not on your life. Something most dire must have occurred to send Claire out at such an hour.”
While Alice agreed, she feared Claire’s ‘dire state’ was that she and her manservant were running off to Scotland to marry. Her mother might use it as an example of imprudence when young ladies decided to marry beneath themselves. While she agreed Claire’s choice of men was very foolish and self-indulgent, Jacko was a far cry from a servant boy.
Glancing at Thomas, Alice said, “Ask May to fix a light meal for them. They are no doubt starved from their journey.”
Thomas sniffed. “I asked, and the manservant said he had brought along ample provisions.”
Who brings food when they come to visit? Now more than ever she feared an elopement. “Well then, ready a room for Claire and find someplace to put the fellow.”
“I somehow doubt our servant’s quarters will suit him.”
She could tell by her butler’s rigid stance he was most put out with the boy. “Then tell him to sleep in his carriage. Just see to Claire.”
With Thomas finally gone, she helped her mother dress in one of her gowns. “I cannot believe my gowns are too large for you,” she teased. “It is most unforgivable.”
“Yes, it is. But have no fear. I will fatten up soon enough. I do not like being brittle and thin.”
A Right to Love: Romantic Spinoff From The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 2.5 Page 8
