“How old is this child?” Barns wearily asked.
“She’s just a baby,” Claire insisted.
“Maddy will be three years old in July,” Vic replied.
“We should start the search at your house,” Barns stated.
“I told you she isn’t there. David has taken her.”
David spoke at once, “Claire, I swear to you, I have not taken Maddy.”
“How can I believe a word you say?”
“You don’t have to believe me, Claire. However, I am returning home with you to ensure my daughter is safe and secure, and I pray to God this is just one of your irrational hoaxes.”
Claire responded by slapping David in the face.
“Claire, stop it!” Vic yelled, then turned to Barns. “We need to go and check her house now.”
“I have already told you she is not there! And that house is mine, and none of you will step inside.”
Barns rubbed his temple. “Vic, I can’t enter the house without the owner’s permission.”
“Not a problem. I’m the owner of the house.”
“Liar!” Claire yelled and began slapping at Vic.
Vic escaped her slaps and hid behind Barns and Xavier.
Barns spoke to David. “Who owns Claire’s house?”
Gregory answered like God from above. “Victor is the legal owner of the house, since it can only be passed to a male heir.”
Vic expected Claire to insist Vic was a woman and thus could not be a male heir of anything. Oddly, she remained quiet. Evidently, she realized that if she disqualified Victor, some god-awful uncle could take claim to the house. Or perhaps she recalled Xavier’s threat to put her in an asylum if she ever claimed Vic was a female again, after she had filed a lawsuit to steal Vic’s son.
“Then let’s take a look,” Barns said.
Jacko, David, Xavier, and Vic climbed into Barn’s carriage, leaving Claire to ride alone in her carriage.
When they arrived, Claire declared David must have stolen her key, so Vic pulled out her key and opened the door. That caused Claire to go into yet another rage. “How did you get a key to my house! I had the locks changed!”
Barns knelt beside her. “Claire, if you do not calm down, I will have to constrain you. Please, just let me do my job.”
By the time Claire was calmed, Jacko, David, and Vic were gone. “Where did everyone go?” he asked Xavier.
“I suspect to Maddy’s room.”
They hurried upstairs and found David hugging his daughter. “She’s fine,” David assured Barns.
“You should have waited for me, before you came up here,” Barns scolded.
“You were tending to my wife. I had to ensure my daughter was safe,” David stated and stepped into the hallway with Jack, Xavier, and Vic.
***
Barns knelt and spoke to Maddy. “Maddy, did you hide from your mother today?”
“No, sir, but Mommy sent me to bed really early, only I wasn’t sleepy, so I read books.”
“And where did you read the books?”
“At my desk.” She pointed to a miniature desk.
“And did you stay in here the whole time?”
Maddy tilted her head for a long moment. “I had to go to the water closet once, but I came right back.”
“And you were never frightened or harmed by anyone?”
Maddy hugged herself.
“Maddy did someone frighten or hurt you?” Barns asked.
“There was a man with my mommy. I didn’t like him.”
“Why not?”
“He was touching my mommy. I want my father.”
“I need to talk to him first, but then I’ll send him in.”
Barns stepped out to four worried faces. “Maddy is fine. She’s been here the entire time, Claire had sent her to bed early, so she could entertain some fellow.”
“This fellow didn’t hurt my daughter, did he?” David asked.
“No, according to Maddy, the only one he touched was your wife.”
David closed his eyes and said nothing, but pain was etched on his face.
Barns spoke softly to him. “Maddy says she wants to live with you, and frankly, you have just cause to take custody of your daughter.”
“I don’t know what to do,” he whispered. “There is something wrong with Claire, but I am certain she loves Maddy and would not cause her harm.”
“Well, if Claire continues to make false allegations, she will end up in jail. And, your daughter wants to go home with you. I realize you are torn, but in this case, I believe your child would be safer with you.”
David entered his daughter’s room and gathered her into his arms. “Would you like to live with me in Vic and Xavier’s home?”
“Yes, please. I want to be happy.”
“Then let’s pack up some clothes,” he said.
Maddy scurried about collecting her favorite toys.
David turned to Vic. “I should have asked you and Xavier first.”
“Nonsense! You are family. Maddy should be with you.” Just as Vic spoke, the little cherub returned and nodded her head in agreement.
David knelt before his daughter and grasped her tiny hands. “I expect this to be temporary.”
Maddy’s smile dimmed. “Does that mean you don’t love me anymore now that you have Danny?”
David pulled her to his chest. “Not at all, Sweet Pea. Why would you even think that?”
“Mother keeps saying you no longer love me,” she whispered.
“Did she truly say that?”
“She says it all the time, but I wouldn’t believe her.”
“Thank you for not believing her.” He lifted her into his arms and stood. “Vic will you pack her a trunk of clothes. I fear all she selected were toys.”
“Of course, I will.”
Vic opened her closet only to discover tiny size evening gowns. “Oh, for the love of God!” she slammed the door closed and stormed from the room.
David frowned upon seeing no trunk, just a box of toys.
Vic rolled her eyes. “We’ll buy her new clothes. Clothes that she can play in.”
Maddy smiled at her declaration.
Vic kissed her forehead. “Let’s go.”
When they returned downstairs, Claire was weeping on poor Barns. He immediately detached himself and hurried them out the door.
Claire ran after him. “You cannot allow David to take my child!”
Barns turned and focused on her. “Madam, given the circumstances, your husband has every right to take the child.”
“What circumstances?”
“You accused your husband of stealing your daughter, when you had her locked in her room while you entertained a gentleman downstairs.”
“That is a lie. Did Vic tell you that?”
Barns sighed heavily. “It really doesn’t matter. The father is the head of the household and it is his right to take his children.”
“But he doesn’t live here anymore.”
“It does not matter. No judge will ever choose the mother over the father. Your best option is to make up with your husband and ask him to bring both his children home.”
“Both? I only have Maddy. I have nothing to do with the baby that Vic dangled before David.”
“I am aware of the entire situation, and it is up to you to change, not your husband. He is completely within his legal rights.”
Claire attempted to slap his face, only Barns caught her wrist in time. “Striking an officer of Scotland Yard is a crime. Do you truly wish to be arrested?”
She stepped back. “Get out of my house. Now! You are useless. I’ve no idea why I bothered telephoning you at all. You claim to serve justice, but you don’t. You serve the Parliament as they destroy our country. You are as guilty as they are for the diseases and deaths in the streets. And while the members of Parliament spend whatever they need to keep themselves safe, I doubt they care so much about you.”
Before he could pursue what s
ounded like a threat, Claire stormed into her house and slammed the door shut.
Regretting he had bothered trying to help the woman at all, Barns hurried to his carriage and climbed in. Since the child sat in David’s lap, playing a game of where’s the pebble, he refrained from sharing his opinion of Claire. Once they returned to Xavier and Vic’s house, everyone but Barns left the carriage. Barns wished them a good night, then ordered his driver to take him home.
Chapter 10
While Vic didn’t have any girls clothing, she suspected some of Cannon’s earlier outfits would fit the girl. So, she hurried upstairs to the attic and searched through the boxes. She had located five outfits that might fit, when Maddy entered the attic.
Instead of scolding the girl, she waved her over. “Let’s see if any of these fit you.”
Maddy grinned and pulled on the first pair of pants and top. She strutted about like a proud pony. “This doesn’t itch me at all!” She then wrapped her arms around Vic. “I love you Aunty Vic!”
Vic returned her hug. “I love you too.”
Just then David opened the attic door. “There you are,” David said as he joined Vic and Maddy. “Why are we in the attic with the spiders?”
Vic laughed. “Well, I had planned to find some outfits that would suit Maddy, then bring them down so our little Sweet Pea could show off her new old clothes. Except everyone seems to be following me into the attic.”
Before she could complain further, the attic door opened, and Xavier entered.
“I have the clothes. Let us go downstairs,” Vic declared, and led them down the narrow attic stairs.
When they arrived downstairs, Maddy smiled at Cannon. “I’m wearing your clothes.”
Cannon stared at Maddy and shook his head. “Those aren’t my clothes.”
Maddy placed her hands on her hips. “Are too!”
“I was never that small!” Cannon insisted. “I was so big that I couldn’t come out of my mother the proper way. I had to be cut out of her tummy.”
Maddy focused on Vic who was softly talking to Cannon. After her quiet words, Cannon sighed deeply. “I apologize. Victor says those are my baby clothes. And they do look like clothes I once wore, although I don’t recall being so small. However, Victor says I was and that I just don’t remember.”
Ham, Tub’s son, patted Cannon’s back. “Do you remember a time when I was smaller than you?”
“No,” Cannon admitted. “I do know you were born after me, but I don’t actually recall you ever being small.”
“Sure, you do!” Ham insisted. “Don’t you remember biting me? You and Arroo thought I was really made of ham.”
Maddy laughed at Ham’s statement. “You’re funny.”
“No, I’m serious,” Ham insisted, then turned back to Cannon. “How come you don’t remember that?”
David spoke up. “It is quite rare for a child to remember much about their early years.”
“Then why do I remember?” Ham asked.
“Maybe you made it up,” Cannon suggested.
“Ham did not make that up,” Vic assured the children. “In fact, I seriously scolded Cannon and Arroo for biting Ham.”
Cannon frowned and stormed out of the room, headed downstairs and entered the library, where two old ladies sat before the fire. He had been hoping to find his father, but they would have to do. “Did you know I bit Ham?”
Both ladies stared at him in confusion.
“Victor says I bit Ham, and Ham says I bit him, but I don’t remember doing that.”
Vivian smiled at the boy and motioned for him to come closer. When he stood by her chair, she took hold of his little hands. “I gather you are not referring to the food we call ham.”
“No, I’m talking about Tubs’ son, Ham. Vic says I bit him, but I like Ham. Why would I bite him?”
“And how old were you at the time?”
“I don’t know!”
Vic suddenly rushed into the room. “Oh, thank God! I feared you had gone hunting for your father.”
Cannon huffed. “Well, that is what I hoped to do, but my father isn’t here, so I asked this nice, ancient lady if she knew that I had bitten Ham, and she can’t remember either. So, I don’t think it’s true. Ham and I are best friends, why would I bite him?”
Vic sat down and pulled Cannon upon her lap. “Well, Ham was a little baby at the time, and the consensus is you and Arroo bit Ham because you thought he would taste like ham.”
“That would be stupid, and you keep telling me I’m smart.”
Vic laughed. “You are very smart, but when babies are first born, they don’t remember much, which is probably a good thing since their parents can make a great many mistakes in their early years.”
“That is very true,” Charlotte said.
Cannon focused on the slightly younger but still old woman. “Do you believe I bit Ham?”
Charlotte smiled at Cannon. “It’s in the past. I cannot imagine you biting him now.”
“No, we’re best friends now.”
“Then all is good,” she promised the boy. She then smiled. “He reminds me of Xavier, but better behaved.”
Vivian laughed. “That is true.” She then focused on Cannon. “Your father was a bright fellow, but at times he could be a bit of a terror.”
Cannon smiled with pride. “Gregory says I got the best of both my parents.”
“Where is his mother?” Charlotte asked.
Vivian cleared her throat to get Charlotte’s attention, then shook her head.
“Oh, how did she die.”
“My mum’s not dead!” Cannon declared in outrage.
“No, she’s not.” Vic stated and hugged Cannon. “Why don’t you go back and make sure all those boys aren’t terrifying poor Maddy.”
“Good idea. Jacko’s boys are a bit wild.” Cannon then ran from the room.
Once the door closed, Vic explained her story to Charlotte.
Once she finished her reasons for becoming a man, Charlotte hugged her. “And just look at all you’ve achieved! I am convinced the reason why men refuse to let us do anything is because they know damn well we’d do it a hundred times better than they ever could.”
Vivian laughed. “Indeed, we would. And Victor has proved it so!”
Vic stood up. “I had better get back to the children. I don’t want Maddy to be overwhelmed with so many boys, especially Jacko’s three youngest. Cannon’s correct. They are a bit wild.”
“I’ll say. One of them attempted to steal the shoes off my feet while I was resting my eyes this afternoon.”
Vic laughed. “I gather he failed?”
“Indeed, he did! He fell on his rump, then rolled back in utter shock. Then, I ordered him to report to Gregory and confess his sins.”
Vic wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. “I’ll have to see if the scamp did as he was told.”
Chapter 11
Vic found Gregory in the parlor, standing in the corner, with arms crossed as he watched the children build a castle from wooden blocks.
Vic stood next to him. “I used to have blocks like that.”
“You still do.” He then spoke in a loud voice. “And if anyone misbehaves, you’ll get your blocks back.”
The children glanced up with worried eyes, then returned to their very fine building efforts. She finally realized she was missing a child. “Where’s Maddy?” she whispered.
“She’s feeling a bit conflicted. If she stays here tonight, she fears her mother will never forgive her, but she desperately wants time with her father. So, she and David are evaluating their options.”
“I wish Claire could be happy.”
Gregory sighed heavily. “After Madeline died, I can’t help but feel that I should have taken a firmer hand with Claire. In truth, I was not comfortable with Madeline’s decisions for the girl, but I didn’t believe it was my place to intervene.”
Vic sighed heavily. “It’s not your fault, Gregory. There’s just something
wrong with Claire. I am very worried about her. I fear if she escalates further, Xavier will have no choice but to put her into an asylum. He knows a nice one with a very good doctor.”
“The one who cured Ben?”
“Yes.”
“Would not curing the insane be better earlier than later? Ben was in there for a very short time.”
Vic objected. “Ben was not insane. He was mesmerized. The hideous woman that Xavier was once expected to marry turned out to be a powerful mesmerist.”
“I never believed in mesmerism until I saw Xavier under its thrall.” After a long pause, Gregory spoke. “Do you think mesmerism could be used to make Claire nicer?”
Vic stared at him in shock. “All the female mesmerists I’ve known are horrible people, but the doctor who cured Ben might know if mesmerism could be used for good.” She would have hugged Gregory, but with so many children in the room, she just gripped his arm. “I will talk to David at once, and if he agrees, I will ask Xavier to write the doctor a note and ask if such a feat is possible.”
***
Vic found David and Maddy sitting on the floor of his room. Maddy yelled “Auntie Vic!” causing David to turn around.
Vic knelt next to Maddy. “Cook is making you hot chocolate,” she whispered. Maddy squealed and ran downstairs.
Vic reached over and gripped his hand. “I know this has to be hard on you.”
His eyes watered at once, and his breathing sounded raspy.
“I still love Claire, and I know you do as well,” Vic whispered.
David nodded and covered his face. “I don’t know what to do,” he admitted.
“What if she were sick? What would you do then?”
“I would take her to the very best doctor I could find,” he replied. “But neither of us believe she has a curable disease.”
“I think there’s a chance,” Vic whispered.
“What are you saying?”
“You know Xavier and I have run into a couple of mesmerists.”
His face contorted in confusion by her statement, but he remained quiet.
A Despicable Crime Page 10
