Jacko scowled at the men scurrying away. “I’m Jacko B. Goodnow,” he muttered softly.
Finally, Stone came out and climbed up next to him. His action shocked Jacko to the core. He had always thought Stone exceedingly proud, far too vain to sit by a gypsy driver.
“You were right in coming to me. I doubt another doctor in England could have saved him this late in the game.”
“But this one did?”
“Connors is hopeful. Xavier’s survived the purging of the wound. If he was willing to die, that should have coaxed him over, but he stayed with us, so now we have reason to hope.”
Jacko sighed with relief. “Thank you for coming out here and telling me. I didn’t dare leave the horse.”
Stone frowned at the men gathering in the shadows. “We may have reason to fear for more than the carriage. Take me back to Scotland Yard if you don’t mind. I would like to secure this area.”
“How did I become a driver? Where’s Davy?”
“Glued to Xavier’s side. However, if you’ll take me back, I’ll get this block secured so that you can leave the carriage safely on the street.”
Jacko slapped Marybell’s rein. “You’d need a damn army to make that happen.”
“That’s exactly what I intend to ask for.”
Chapter 12
Stone kept his word.
The Queen’s Royal Rifles removed all other tenants from the building and blocked off the road with armed soldiers. Vic’s butler, Gregory, soon brought a carriage load of servants to transform Xavier’s filthy tenement hovel into a scrubbed and sanitary hovel. He also brought food.
Since Jacko had failed to eat before leaving Litchfield this morning, he appreciated the invitation to an early dinner. The dining guests were perhaps the oddest mix ever assembled. Victor, Inspector Stone, Dr. Connor, Victor’s butler, Davy and Jacko. Vic had invited Tubs, but thankfully the man declined. Jacko had no desire to watch the gargantuan eat with his foul rotted teeth. Two square tables were placed side by side and the guests sorted to their levels.
The presence of good food and the knowledge that Xavier was alive and recovering put everyone in grand spirits. Jacko and Davy were talking about horses when Stone asked Vic if any of the rescued servants had shown up for honest employment.
Beaming with pride and perhaps feeling left out of the table conversations‒being too superior to converse with a gypsy or a driver, but beneath the gentlemen‒Gregory jumped in and answered the inspector. “I interviewed eighty-nine, and accepted eighty-four.”
Stone’s brow furrowed as he poked at his food. Jacko knew exactly what was bothering him. Vic’s butler hadn’t rejected nearly enough. Alice was probably losing valuables by the minute.
His mind turned to Alice. His attraction to her was even stronger than he’d felt for Lady Anne. The thought of his romantic disaster with Lady Anne doused his warm feelings. In the end, she would choose a gentleman instead of a gypsy.
“So what did you do with the eighty-four that passed muster?” Stone asked.
“I secured five wagons and sent them off to Alice Collins’ estate so she, Claire, and Mrs. Carson could find them good homes.”
Cursing beneath his breath, Jacko stared at the butler. Damn fool! Why would Vic tell his butler confidential information? Up until now, Stone thought Mrs. Carson was dead.
“Mrs. Carson?” Stone turned and looked at Vic.
Vic glared daggers at her butler.
Realizing his misstep, Gregory tried to undo the harm. “Victor had nothing to do with the murder at Bedlam. He only caused the riot so Jacko could rescue Mrs. Carson.”
Now the damn fool had incriminated him and Victor in the riot.
Vic slammed her palm on the table. “Gregory, stop talking!” She then turned and faced Inspector Stone. “I am sorry I did not tell you the truth right off. I could not risk it. I had several critical cases on my plate and could not afford to lose the time your men require to interrogate me. I needed to save those servants and find Xavier. However, once I see to Xavier’s recovery, I will come in for my torture. I will also determine who Mr. Carson really killed.”
Stone glanced at Jacko. “I know your part in this, but…” He returned his focus to Victor. “How the bloody hell did you cause an entire asylum to riot?”
As Vic explained how the riot got out of control, Jacko pondered how much grief Stone intended to give him. To his count, the Inspector owed him a favor, but honestly he didn’t wish to waste it on saving a person’s life. By all that is rational, his rescue should be considered a good deed.
Vic’s attempt at contrition almost made him laugh. “I am sorry the riot spread out of control. And I’m sorry Mr. Carson sent a murderer after Mrs. Carson and some poor woman died for it, but I do not regret saving Mrs. Carson. If any of your officers were hurt, I deeply regret it, and I will apologize to them personally if you wish. However, I do not care if the gentlemen on tour were harmed. They deserved whatever they got.”
Stone’s stern eyes fixed on Jacko. Naturally the gypsy takes the fall.
He met the inspector’s gaze, and made certain he didn’t blink. “You’ll get no apology from me. I gave my word to Xavier that I’d look after Vic. If I hadn’t helped, then Vic and the assassin would have arrived at the same time. The assassin would have shot Victor and without our clever young sleuth, Xavier would have died long before we found him.”
“Not to mention a hundred young men and ladies would be on a boat to spend the rest of their lives in harems,” Vic added.
The Inspector huffed. “That is all very well. However, we intended to charge Mr. Carson with the murder of his wife on Monday.”
“He still murdered a woman.”
“Well, unless she’s a reputable lady of society, no jury will find him guilty.”
Vic leaned forward, her fingers tapping on the table. “What if the mistake in Mrs. Carson’s identity is not found until after he’s hung?”
The inspector would never go for it, but Jacko liked Vic’s thinking.
“Victor, I am a man of the law!” Stone snapped, clearly angered by the boy’s suggestion.
The feisty pup refused to back down. “Well, I am more concerned with the intent of our laws and true justice. The law does not differentiate between murdering rich and poor, only jurymen do. However, if the idea of turning a blind eye so the law can be upheld and justice served offends you, then I withdraw my suggestion.”
Stone’s look of shock would be etched in Jacko’s memory forever. He doubted anyone had ever given him such a set down before.
After a long moment, the inspector found his voice. “God, you are beginning to sound just like your master.”
“Employer,” Vic growled and stabbed her quail in irritation.
Jacko liked the pup. She was a perfect match for his honorable friend. His thoughts turned to Alice. He needed to determine if he had a true chance to win her heart. Standing, he focused on Stone. “If you will excuse me, I have other matters to address.”
Stone frowned, but had the courtesy not to demand details.
***
Jacko hurried out of the room. Tubs sat in the corridor, still armed and as deadly as ever. He glared at the man, and Tubs nodded almost amicably in return.
Opening the door across the hall, he entered the room that held Xavier. While the bare wood walls hadn’t changed, the room smelled different. Instead of the sickening odor of putrid flesh, a heavy scent of alcohol filled the air.
He approached the single bed. The one-eyed beggar was gone. Instead, the familiar face of Xavier lay before him. While the skin around the wound remained red and puffy, the wound itself was no longer oozing puss, lined with rotting flesh. All that remained of the previous gaping wound was a finely sewn line of living flesh.
Dr. Connors was a damn magician.
Confident his friend was in the best of care, and protected better than perhaps even the queen herself, he left the room.
Tubs looked up at hi
m. “How’s the boss?”
The man really believed Xavier was going to hire him. No reason to say otherwise. He’d rather have Tubs on their side then against them. He’d seen twenty men jump the thug at once, and the giant still came out the winner of the scrap, while only two of the other men lived to regret their attack.
Jacko considered reminding Tubs what would happen if he turned on Xavier and Vic, but decided to let it be. Vic trusted the giant for some reason and the pup’s instincts had proven to be solid.
Instead of a threat, he decided to reinforce Vic’s promises. “You’ll never have a better boss than Xavier, I promise you that.”
Tubs smiled, at least he gathered the show of blackened teeth was supposed to be a smile. God, his mouth alone was a weapon. It made one feel as if they stared into the gates of hell.
He shook off the chill running down his spine and hurried downstairs. He had a far more beautiful smile he wished to experience.
***
Jacko left the protection of the Royal Rifles and entered streets that were dangerous on a normal night, and downright deadly presently. Unfortunately, he traveled on foot, since he had stabled Alice’s horse across from his office. After passing two potentially lethal knife fights, he stayed to shadows and moved fast. His route was far from straightforward, but given the angry mood of the London docks just now, he preferred to travel the safer streets, even if they weren’t the most direct.
Nearing the end of Lower Thames, the hairs on the back of his neck rose, a certain sign of danger. He moved to a shadowed wall, and tried to discern the source.
Despite his excellent night vision, he couldn’t spot the trouble he sensed. A drunk lay passed out on the opposite sidewalk. Heaping piles of trash formed like mountains in the narrow alleys between the buildings. The stench of rotting fish and urine overwhelmed his normally keen sense of smell, so it was of no help. He could hear the scurry of rats nearby and heavy breathing across the street, possibly from the drunk.
Seeing nothing, he debated whether to run full speed, or to remain in the shadows and move with caution. His instinct said run, so he took off. A gun fired and he heard the bullet hit the wall he had just left.
He had no idea from where the shot originated but he thought it was behind him and across the street. Not many men could outrun him, but a bullet fired from a gun was a different matter.
A second shot fired. The bullet whistled by his ear. The thumping of feet echoed behind him alerting him his attacker followed. He pulled both guns from his shoulder holster, slowed his speed a touch. Focusing on the heavy pants of his pursuer, he dropped, turned, and fired both guns in the direction of his attacker.
The grey silhouette of a large body fell with a thud. High piercing screams of a police whistle sounded from the east. Returning his guns to their holsters beneath his jacket, he stood and continued at a brisk walk towards Cornwell. He hoped to reach the street before running into any crushers. Then, if he was lucky, in his suit he might be mistaken as a gentleman and left alone.
Once he reached Cornwall, he breathed a sigh of relief. He would have loved to know who tried to kill him, but he would have to wait for the list of the dead found and sent to the morgue. Somewhere on the long list would be his heavy breathing assassin.
When he arrived at the stable, the place was locked up solid. He rapped on the door, but no one answered. “Mr. Goodnow wants his horse,” he declared loudly.
He heard Thunder neigh inside the barn. Well, at least the horse was there. Worse case, he could break into the barn and steal the horse away. However, he really didn’t wish to do that.
The newly built barn would be the devil to enter. He’d probably have to break a hole through the roof, which might take an hour of hard labor and more noise than he wished.
He sighed in exasperation. He wanted to be good and play by the rules …if only others would cooperate.
Rustling inside the barn was followed by a voice quivering in fear. “Mr. Goodnow?”
“Yes. I apologize for my late return.”
The boy opened the barn door and let him in, re-bolting the door. “I’ll see to your saddle, sir.”
“I’ll do that,” Jacko insisted, spotting Alice’s saddle in front of Thunder’s stall. He reached into his vest and pulled out a twenty-pound note. He placed it in the boy’s hand. “Thank you for staying.”
The boy rubbed his eyes and frowned at the note. “I don’t have fifteen pounds to give you in return, sir.”
Jacko laughed softly as he bridled Thunder and led him from the stall. Picking up the saddle, he placed it on Thunder’s back. “I never thought you did. The twenty is yours, for staying when most would have gone home and forgotten their promise.”
The boy continued to stare at the money. “I must still be dreaming.”
Upon tightening the cinches, Jacko mounted the horse.
“May I suggest once you let me out, you remain in this barn with the door bolted? It’s not a safe hour to travel on foot.”
The boy nodded. “I’m not leaving until daylight. I didn’t realize how dangerous this place gets at night. There was shooting and police whistles down by the Thames not ten minutes ago.”
“You’ll be fine in here. The barn is new and quite sturdy.”
***
Jacko wasted no time getting out of London. His senses told him whoever wanted him dead was still out there and would send more assassins.
If Xavier were well, he’d hire him to ferret the man out, but no way would he give Victor such a task. His thoughts turned to Sonny Tubs. Now Sonny could safely poke about…
Maybe Xavier should hire Tubs. The man had his uses.
He was almost to Litchfield when he realized he’d be arriving three in the morning. He cursed softly. What was he thinking?
His need to see Alice trampled all his good sense. He didn’t care that he was dead tired or it was three in the morning. She pulled him to her. Her sweet smile and honest desire were like opium to his heart. She was everything he could ask for in a woman, and this time, he seemed to have a chance.
He knew her heart was his. He had seen it in her eyes. She had no protective father to object to their match, and fortunately, he had rescued her mother from madness and death—which surely must count for something.
***
When he opened the barn door, he frightened a stable hand, but Dom soon woke and welcomed him.
Dom looked over the horse. When he finished, he frowned. “Well, Thunder looks just fine. Only you seem to have come out the worse for wear.”
Jacko followed his stare, and noticed his quick drop and turn had ruined the knees of both pants legs. Additionally, the building he had pressed against had been covered with soot, a shade darker than his suit.
“I left Thunder safely in a barn for the exciting part of my evening.”
Dom stroked the horse’s neck. “I appreciate that. Miss Collins loves this horse.”
“I know.” He frowned at his clothes. He couldn’t let her see him like this. “Do you have a creek nearby so I can wash up?”
Dom shook his head. “I’m not risking my job sending you to a creek. Come with me. I’ll turn you over to Thomas and he’ll see you cared for properly.”
“It’s three in the morning,” Jacko protested.
“Yes, but I ain’t blind to Miss Collin’s feelings for you. So you’re going to have to settle for a warm bath.”
“A bucket and a cloth, then,” Jacko bartered.
Grabbing his arm, Dom led him to the house. They entered through the kitchen entrance. The groom told him to have a seat, while he went to find the butler.
Thomas came out a moment later, pulling on his robe. He frowned when he saw Jacko. “Are you hurt?”
“No. I just wanted a creek to bathe in, but Dom decided to wake you. If you’ll tell me where a creek might lie, you can go back to bed.”
“Dom was absolutely right to wake me. While I am certain you are capable of bathing in a creek, I
am equally certain I am capable of seeing your bath drawn.” He paused. “As well as finding you clean clothes.”
Appreciating the determined offer, Jacko smiled. “In that case, I am greatly in your debt.”
***
Alice woke at the soft tap on her door. She recognized Thomas’ knock, but why would he be waking her in the middle of the night.
Groaning, she pushed herself out of bed. One of the servants in training must have run off with the silver. She pulled on her robe, unlocked her door, and opened it. Thomas certainly didn’t look as if anyone had stolen their goods. In fact, he seemed well pleased with himself.
“Excuse me, Miss, but I thought you would like to know that Jacko has returned‒without additional rescued persons, thankfully‒and is presently enjoying a much needed bath.”
Fear clinched her heart. “Is he hurt?”
“No, but his clothes are beyond repair. Would you mind if I provide him a suit of your father’s? They look to be of similar size.”
“No…not at all.”
“He will be out of fashion…”
Alice laughed at such a silly concern. “I cannot imagine he will care.”
A faint smile came to his face. “No, miss. Nor will you, I dare say.”
She kissed his cheek. “Where is he?”
“In your library. I thought it unwise to have the servants carry water upstairs while your mother and Miss Hamilton sleep. I hope you do not mind.”
Alice smiled and headed for the stairs.
“Miss, you are in your night clothes!” Thomas scolded.
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” Alice replied and hurried downstairs.
***
Alice entered the library just as one of the servants-in-training stepped out with his empty bucket. She believed her arrival had gone unnoticed by Jacko, presently relaxing in his bath set up next to the crackling fire.
She approached, careful not to cause a single board to creak and reveal her presence. Stopping three feet behind him, she admired his body partially visible beneath the soapy water. She could not believe this beautiful man was hers. Her heart swelled with happiness.
A Right to Love: Romantic Spinoff From The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 2.5 Page 13
