by Kristi Jun
He could imagine a young orphan being rescued off the street. It would be enough to give a hopeful girl a reason to fall in love. The puzzle seemed to be coming together. “Why did she run away?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t there. It happened after I got married. We were in Scotland after the wedding when I heard the news from my mother that Kate had left them.”
Roberts shook his head. She said she didn’t care for this man. Was she telling him the full truth?
“It was my mother’s idea to find her and bring her back,” Johnathan confessed. “Kate hurt her deeply by leaving without a word, not even one fucking ‘thank you.’”
“So, all this,” Roberts said, “for some gratitude, is that it?”
Johnathan glared at him again. “Why are you here? Don’t you have something to do besides question me? A murderer to apprehend?”
Roberts didn’t answer. Instead, he stood and started to walk away, then stopped. “Sober up. I will need your help to find the murderer.”
Then, Roberts went straight to his own home in Marylebone and proceeded to drink an entire bottle of gin in the darkness of his townhouse…
CHAPTER 21
“I don’t understand,” Amelia, the Countess Blackthorn, said to Roberts. “What do you mean Kate is missing?”
Missing wasn’t the exact word for it, but he didn’t know how else to tell her. The truth would devastate her, as it had shaken him deeply. Even now, the effects of alcohol were still running through his veins. It took every ounce of his energy to remain focused and on task, reminding himself he was doing this for Kate.
When he returned to Blackthorn Hall the next day, Roberts discovered that the Lord and Lady Blackthorn has decided to return early from their holiday to support Lady Blackthorn’s friend.
Kane had a meeting with Lord Blackthorn prior to discussing this with the countess. They both agreed that the best course of action was to tell Amelia the truth regarding the matter.
“How could this happen?” she barely let out. “Are you certain about this?”
Roberts reluctantly continued, “There’s more and you won’t like it.” The Countess Blackthorn looked up at him. Blackthorn was silent, taking it all in and trying his best to support his wife.
“I am sorry to inform you that we discovered a female body in the Thames. We think it may be Kate.”
Shaking her head, she sobbed, “No.” Wiping the tears with her hand, she said, “How could this happen? We weren’t gone a fortnight.”
Roberts said, “I will make sure the perpetrator pays for what he’d done, you can be sure of that.”
~ ~ ~
Kate sat on the armchair near the fireplace and attempted to read. Attempted was the key word, and it was not working.
Instead, she had paced the carpet for nearly an hour. Then attempted to write her friend a letter, perhaps explaining the situation. Realizing that wouldn’t help anyone, she stopped. She felt the tension mounting, and she was beginning to doubt herself.
She had kept the curtains closed since she arrived here. She no longer wanted to see London. She no longer wanted to be reminded what she was leaving behind. Instead she planned her future, what she needed to accomplish, which seemed to keep her spirit up.
The owner, a plump woman in her fifties who operated the rooms with her young daughter, was happy to get her what she needed. The few things she asked for were food and necessities that she would need on her journey.
How did we get into this predicament, Ethan?
She closed her eyes and recalled the last conversation she had had with Ethan the night he was murdered.
“Promise me you will stop running, Kate,” Ethan said, sitting next to her in the carriage.
“Ethan,” she started.
“At least try.”
He had the softest brown eyes that reminded her of his mother. Johnathan and Ethan were nothing alike. Johnathan was fierce, determined, and he went after what he desired. Ethan was gentle and kind. Too kind, she concluded.
“When you get to Scotland, promise me you will stop running.”
“Why is it so important for you that I make this promise?”
“Because I want you to be happy. You can’t do that by running away from everyone who cares about you.”
“I don’t think Johnathan would agree with you on that.”
“My brother is hurting right now, and he’s gotten so angry since his wife’s death and the…baby,” Ethan continued. “Give him time.”
Kate didn’t know if she could ever make that promise to anyone, but if she did, it would be to Ethan. “I promise. Once I get to Scotland, I will endeavor to find happiness.”
“And someone to share your life with?”
“Ethan, you know I can’t promise that.”
“If I can find love, so can you.”
Ethan was certainly in love, and initially she had been hesitant. But who was she to dictate his life? If Ethan was happy, she was happy for him. Truly, she was happy for Ethan and Daniel. As for her, she had resigned herself to a quiet and single life in Scotland, a life in the country to enjoy peace and quiet; then she met Amelia.
Somehow every time she tried to build a life somewhere, it never seemed to work out for her. Perhaps living alone was all she was capable of doing. Plus, no one would ever get hurt.
CHAPTER 22
“Good to see you sober,” Roberts said.
“Who said I was,” Johnathan blurted out.
Johnathan had reached out to him late yesterday to ask him to join him at Southampton for the arrival of his so-called witness. His name was Harris. “Thanks for letting me join you,” Roberts said.
The ship the witness was on had arrived just in time and it had just started to sprinkle. The darker clouds slowly rolled in.
“You never explained how you came to know this witness,” Roberts said.
“I didn’t seek him out, if that’s what you mean,” he said. “I ran into him soon after Ethan’s death. When we got to talking, he mentioned Kate.”
“So, you took his word for it?”
“Do I look stupid to you?” Johnathan said. “I did my background search on him.”
“And?”
“And,” the American said, “you will find out in due time.”
What was this block up to now?
“Look, we have our differences,” Johnathan said. “But I want to catch the bastard who did this as much as you do. Kate has been involved in shady deals and stealing since I first saw her in the streets. But Harris was the only man who knew Kate was in London besides me. She was not involved in anything dangerous here, was she?”
Roberts shook his head. God, why didn’t he keep a closer eye on her. Damn it. This was all his fault. He didn’t keep her safe as he had promised and now she was dead.
Both men stood on the dock, watching the clipper ship dock. For two days, Roberts attempted to track down this individual who had delivered the letter to Kate at the Foundling Hospital. There was no trace of this man. Not even a name.
Once the ship was docked and the crew secured the ship, several passengers walked down the plank. About ten minutes later, a lanky man in his sixties walked down the plank donned in a top hat with a decorative walking cane. As soon as he saw Johnathan, he waved his hands and rushed over to him.
So this was the bloody witness. Roberts wanted to run over there and beat the hell of out of him.
“Ready?” Johnathan said to Roberts. Both men walked to the bottom of the plank and approached the man.
“Right on time,” the man said to Johnathan.
“Mr. Harris, this is Mr. Kane Roberts, a Bow Street Runner. He has been assisting me in London.” He seemed to ignore Kane’s glare.
Assisting him? Robert thought with a grunt.
Nodding, the witness said, “A Bow Street Runner, you say?”
“Think of it as the London Police,” Johnathan said.
“I see,” he said. “Well, I’d like to get this over
with. I need to return to Boston as soon as possible to meet with a business partner.”
“Shall we?” Johnathan pointed toward the waiting carriage.
Mr. Harris walked ahead of them and stepped into the carriage as if he owned the damn thing.
“Why didn’t you just tell him about Kate?”
“I thought about it, but I have some questions for him first.”
“Didn’t you do that in Boston before bringing him here?”
“I did, but I have a few more.”
The ride back to Blackthorn Hall was a quiet one. Meanwhile, Roberts had been observing the witness. He seemed tense. Perhaps it was due to the long journey here. Either way, he was beginning to think he may be hiding something. After all, why would he travel all the way here just to identify a killer. Why waste his time?
The carriage drove up the gravel driveway and stopped at the grand entrance of Blackthorn Hall.
“Why have you brought me here?” the old man said when he saw the estate. “I thought we were going to identify the woman who murdered your brother.”
“We will get to that,” Johnathan said.
All three men entered the estate and entered the study where Blackthorn had been waiting. His wife had taken the children to their private parlor upstairs with Miss Quinn and Emily.
Mr. Harris looked around the parlor. “Well, where is the woman?” He looked at each man, then again at Johnathan Hawk.
“Ms. Kate McBride is dead,” Johnathan said carefully.
Roberts watched Mr. Harris’s reaction as Johnathan said this.
The man seemed…well, relieved, but then again, he could be a great thespian.
“She got what she deserved,” Mr. Harris said.
Roberts approached, ready to sock him one, and Johnathan didn’t stop him. “Did you know Kate was a former jewel thief?” He suspected maybe this man might be framing her for something she had done in the past. Maybe he had sent men ahead of him and murdered her in cold blood.
Mr. Harris grabbed his jaw in agony. “Are you mad?” Harris shouted. “You let this lunatic touch me?” he directed to Johnathan.
“Would you like to take your turn?” Johnathan said to Blackthorn.
“Perhaps later,” Blackthorn said, watching in amusement.
“I will ask you one more time,” Roberts said. “Did you know she was a jewel thief?”
“All I knew was she was in the room and my jewel was gone. Who else could have taken it?”
“Interesting,” Johnathan said, patting Harris on the shoulder. “I made a visit to Vincent G. Feuerkasse Insurance Company before departing for London.” Mr. Harris’s face went ghostly white. “Why didn’t you tell me you collected the insurance money?”
“Why is that relevant?”
“If you knew who it was, you should have told the insurance company and the police. They could have easily investigated the matter.”
“Why am I the one being investigated?” he blurted out. “I am the victim here. She murdered Ethan, your brother. I am only here because you begged me to come.”
“I don’t beg,” Johnathan said. “You were more than happy to volunteer. And it matters because it was the whole reason Kate shot my brother, according to you. You said they were arguing about the jewelry she had stolen that night.” Johnathan watched him. “You said Ethan told her if she didn’t return the jewel, he’d inform the owner.”
All three men watched Harris fidget in his chair.
“Or would you like to change your story now?”
The man was nearly sweating now.
“This is unacceptable.”
“How did you know that’s what really happened?” Johnathan said.
“Damn it. I already told you.”
“Mr. Roberts here didn’t get the full story. If you, please…”
“When I saw her leave my study and discovered my jewel missing, I had her followed.”
“Who were these men that followed her?” Roberts asked.
“They work for me and help me in my business dealing.”
“I see,” Roberts said. “And what is it that you do, Mr. Harris?”
“I’d rather not delve into that.”
“All right, Mr. Harris,” Johnathan said before Roberts could interject. “Why don’t you think on it. We will speak again.”
Mr. Harris was irate and that was being kind. He stomped out of the parlor and demanded a carriage be ready for him.
The butler, Andrews, came into the parlor a few minutes later after he had calmed the guest down. “Shall I ready the carriage for Mr. Harris’s departure?”
“No, actually,” Roberts said. “Put him in the morning room. Make sure he doesn’t leave.”
“Very well, sir.”
Once the butler left the parlor, Roberts approached Johnathan. Outside, he heard the witness shout at Andrews, demanding he be allowed to leave.
“Why didn’t you tell me you have this information?”
“I didn’t think it was relevant to my brother’s case. After all, it wasn’t the first time she took something that didn’t belong to her.”
“Well, it’s clear he is lying. I discovered that this wasn’t the first time he claimed stolen jewelry. About five years ago, he purchased a rare ring from an auction house, and that too had been stolen. The ring had once belonged to George Washington’s family. It was worth a fortune.”
“Clearly the man can’t be trusted,” Roberts said, walking over to the fireplace to warm his hands. It had started pouring outside.
“I was angry,” the American admitted. “All I cared about was getting to the truth.”
“So, you admit you were wrong?”
“Not wrong…misguided.”
Roberts had a hunch. “Tell me, are you here on an official business? Or on leave.”
Johnathan didn’t answer that straightaway. By his expression, Robert assumed his hunch had been correct.
“Like I said, I was desperate.”
“Well, your desperation cost us an innocent life.” Roberts tried to keep his anger in check. It wasn’t going to help anyone now.
CHAPTER 23
Andrews, the butler, knocked twice and came into the parlor where everyone had gathered. His expression was pale, and he seemed to be lost for words.
“What is it Andrews?” Blackthorn said, curiously looking at the butler.
“My lord, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Hawk… I believe…um, well, Ms. McBride has returned.”
The three men looked at each other in disbelief, then back at Andrews.
“She is waiting in the foyer and wishes to speak with you, Mr. Roberts.”
The two men looked at Roberts. His first thought was to gather her in his arms and kiss her, keep her safe, followed by a compulsion to demand an apology for turning his life upside down, not to mention a good spanking on the arse for putting him through hell.
Johnathan chimed in. “Andrews, bring Mr. Harris in here.”
Before Andrews could respond, Kate walked passed him and entered the room. The butler walked away to retrieve Mr. Harris.
Roberts stood bolted to the floor for fear of what he might do next in front of Johnathan and Blackthorn. He didn’t trust himself to speak, so he kept his mouth shut. Her eyes looked sunken in and red, and her face was pale. She wore a dark blue dress that almost looked black, as if she were in mourning. How ironic, since she was presumed to be dead. Bloody hell, he wanted to demand an apology this instant.
“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Johnathan said.
Kate gazed at Roberts, but he made no attempt to reveal anything. “I know.”
“I knew it,” Mr. Harris shouted as he entered the room. “What kind of game are you playing? You had her here the entire time.”
“So, you are the witness,” Kate said, quickly assessing the situation. She approached the witness. “These men didn’t know my whereabout, Mr. Harris.” Kate said, “Yes, I know who you are. You have a quite a reputation as well in my circle.�
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“What is going on here?” Amelia demanded as she walked into the room full of people. Then she saw her friend. “Kate?” Amelia looked at her, her eye tearing up. She rushed to her friend and embraced her.
Clearing his throat, Blackthorn said, “I think it’s time we gave my wife and Ms. McBride some privacy. Gentlemen, follow me.” As everyone stepped out of the room one by one, he walked over to his distraught wife and kissed her on the forehead. “I will see you later.”
Once the room was cleared, it became uncomfortably quiet. Kate hadn’t expected to see Amelia again, so when she did, she nearly burst into tears. She had to gather her strength and get through this moment. “I won’t be staying long,” Kate confessed. “I have betrayed your trust.”
“I thought you were…dead.”
Kate didn’t have the words to remedy what her friend had revealed. “I know.”
“What is happening, Kate?” Amelia asked. “I came home to return to Boston with you, to support you in this inauspicious time, and I find out you are…dead.” Amelia paused. “What happened?”
“Much,” she said. “I came back to explain. You’ve been so kind to me. I thought you deserved the truth, so I came back.”
“Go on,” Amelia said.
“I am not who you think I am,” Kate said, watching Amelia’s alarmed expression. This was going to be harder than she imagined. Kate didn’t have to heart to look at Amelia. “I am a thief, a liar, and someone not to be trusted.”
Amelia remained quiet, her expression turning sour. “I don’t understand?”
“I don’t recall my parents. Most of my childhood was spent in the streets. I had nothing, no one to rely on but myself. I decided I was never going to feel hunger again, so I did whatever it took to survive. Even steal and lie.” She paused.
Amelia said nothing still, so Kate continued.
“I made my fortune stealing rare jewels and investing the money. I was good at it. And I suppose that was my only choice at the time. I gave up that life years ago. I vowed never to do that again. So, I moved to Scotland to start anew, and that’s when I met you.”
