A Despicable Crime

by Liza O'Connor

“Without question, they can cause great harm. But what if there was a nice mesmerist who could calm a person and make her happy again? Would you be willing to try it?”

  David’s eyes widened. “Is that possible?”

  “I don’t know for certain. But the doctor that cured Ben does seem to know a lot about mesmerism. I haven’t asked Xavier to ask him yet, because this has to be your decision. However, it would mean you would have to commit Claire to the asylum he works at and only he decides if she can be released. It’s not in London either. But on the positive side, it’s nothing like Bedlam. The doctor seems to be a very kind man. And the patients are never harmed.”

  “And he might be able to help her?” David asked.

  “The doctor was able to undo the damage done to Ben by taking him back to an earlier time. So, I’m hoping he can take Claire back to a happier time, before she became so angry.”

  David sighed heavily. “I have contacted a great many doctors, trying to find anyone who might be able to help, but they insisted the only solution for true madness is leaving them in an asylum. And if you don’t remember the doctor’s name, how will I find him?”

  Vic gripped his hand. “Xavier knows his name.”

  “Is Xavier available?”

  “He wasn’t here the last time I looked for him. Let me see if he has returned.”

  ***

  Vic located Xavier eating dinner alone at the table. She sat beside him and stole a piece of meat off his plate.

  “Do you wish to lose a finger?” he asked.

  “No, but I have an idea about Claire. I’ve already discussed it with David, and he’s willing to go meet the doctor who cured Ben, if you will give Casey instructions upon how to get there.”

  Xavier shook his head. “What exactly is your plan.”

  She explained the possibility that the doctor knew mesmerism and that he could mesmerize Claire into being happy again.

  “Was Claire ever happy?”

  “Yes. In fact, she was always happy as a child. She only became cranky when she reached puberty. And even then, she remained nice more than half the time. Then Aunt Maddy died. We thought we were poor and an uncle would take Claire away, unless I took a job at a bank. Then you came and saved not just the day, but made my life perfection...well, all but Claire. Looking back, I realize that since we first moved in with Aunt Maddy, Claire started to change.”

  Xavier reached over and ruffled her hair.

  “Your hand had better be clean,” she warned.

  “The only miscreant eating with his fingers was you,” Xavier said before resuming his meal.

  “So, what do you think about my plan?”

  “This will require David, you, and myself to leave London for minimally two days. While I do see a potential value in doing this, the timing could not be worse. I’m to retrieve Stone tomorrow. You should be having a meeting with the building inspector, and David has teeth to fill.”

  “Have Jacko pick up Stone and place him in the library. Then have Pete create a sign saying all inquiries should go to the house across the street and have him post it on the door. I’ll ask Luke to do the walk through with the builder on the creation of a second office first, and if the building inspector seems reasonable, then let him know I just bought a printing business and ask him if he would like to do that one as well. What else was on your list?”

  “David. He’s a dentist, you know.”

  “He closed his office for two weeks. Clare has him too upset.”

  “Then my only objection is... Never mind. Stone will no doubt sit at my desk in the library. I’ll ask Gregory to find two uncomfortable chairs for clients to sit in.”

  “Xavier, we won’t be there. Allow Stone to do what he wants. If he asks someone to leave and they refuse, he can always call in Casey and have the client tossed out. Or he can bellow at them to leave. I don’t believe he requires painful chairs to get rid of people.”

  Xavier chuckled. “All right then. Tomorrow, we will awaken and begin the long and painful five-hour journey to the asylum.”

  Chapter 12

  The moment Vic ran upstairs to tell David of their plans for the next day, Xavier located Gregory. “This is quite embarrassing, but I need to use your phone.”

  “My phone?”

  “Yes, there are no others in this house.”

  Gregory smiled and led him to the phone.

  Xavier stared at the massive suite and the museum quality paintings on the wall. “Your room is most impressive,” Xavier stated.

  “I take immense pleasure in improving it.”

  “I’ll say. These paintings are exquisite.”

  “They are indeed. And you are pondering how I can afford them.”

  “If you wouldn’t mind telling me.”

  “It has all come from my telephone stock.”

  “Ah, yes. That makes perfect sense, or it would if you had sold all your telephone stock.”

  “I did and bought these beautiful paintings instead.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “Well, I believe, sir, that I now can claim to have the finest butler’s room in London.”

  “Does that include the Queen’s butler?”

  “He’s not allowed to put anything on his walls. The Queen believes servants, even the butler, should never step out beyond their station.”

  Xavier laughed softly and gripped Gregory’s arm. “I am so glad you decided to live with us, Gregory.”

  “As am I sir, as am I.” Gregory replied, growing nearly an inch taller with pride.

  Xavier frowned at the phone but had yet to pick it up.

  “Shall I call the number for you, sir?”

  “Yes, if you wouldn’t mind,” Xavier said.

  A moment later, he handed the telephone to Xavier. “When you are done with the call, simply place the handle back on the catch and the call will disconnect.”

  “Thank you, Gregory. You may stay and hear my side of the conversation. This is about Claire.”

  Gregory nodded once and stayed.

  “Frederick, this is Xavier Thorn. I may have an interesting case for you. However, I must forewarn you that this case hits close to home. It’s Victor’s sister. She appears to be going mad. Victor believes you might be a mesmerist, but of the good kind, and perhaps you could take Claire back to when she was happy and remove whatever is slowly driving her insane.”

  Xavier expected a negative response. However, to his shock, Frederick agreed to try and requested he bring Victor and whoever else was close to the lady.

  “I’ll bring the husband, Vic, and myself. We should be there around eight or nine in the morning.”

  “And the lady?” Frederick asked.

  “We thought it best if we came first without her.”

  “Why?”

  “First, Vic’s sister is beautiful and smart, and I know how you fall for those. Secondly, her husband needs to believe you can help her before he will place her in your care.”

  “Sounds like a caring husband.”

  “He is, personally, I cannot stand Claire, but both Vic and David adore her. So, if it is possible to fix her, we need to do so.”

  “Actually, I’m rather intrigued by Vic’s suggestion.”

  “So, you are a mesmerist?”

  “I know exactly what a mesmerist does, so technically I guess I could be a mesmerist, but I won’t be able to say for certain that this will work until I meet the client. Is she coming willingly or by force?”

  Xavier sighed heavily. “I expect the latter. Which is why Vic wants to speak to you first. He will provide you with excellent insight and possible triggers that has caused her madness.”

  “I recall he assesses matters very well,” Frederick replied, then added, “Triggers are always good to discover before talking to the mentally ill. I look forward to seeing all three of you tomorrow.”

  Instead of hanging up the phone, Xavier handed it to Gregory. Gregory placed it on the catch. “Did he agree?”

>   Xavier nodded. “He thought Vic’s idea was rather clever, and he is willing to give it a try. But before anything occurs, he will have to convince David he can help her. I expect that to be more difficult.”

  “I imagine it will be difficult. However, allow me to say that in this situation, Vic will be reluctant, if not more so than David to actually allow this doctor to tamper with her sister.”

  “This is Vic’s idea, not mine.”

  “I understand. But do you remember Clair’s reaction when I repeated what Claire said about the young boy who was shot with the toxic Rupert’s Drop?”

  “That the young man deserved to die.”

  Gregory nodded. “Yes. It was a very odd declaration from someone who should have not known the young man at all.”

  Xavier sighed heavily. “You still believe Claire killed the young man.”

  “I do. Had you been there and heard the pride in her voice as Claire spoke of his death, you would be convinced as well.”

  “I was convinced when I pointed out it couldn’t be Claire because she didn’t know how to shoot a gun. The guilt in Vic’s eyes was unmistakable. He had, without my knowledge, taught Claire how to shoot and a part of Vic does know Claire is a murderess.

  “And that,” Xavier concluded, “is exactly why this attempt will almost certainly fail. Vic would have to be absolutely convinced that the attempt will work. However, no one can give such a promise. Mental illness has proven almost impossible to cure.”

  ***

  Xavier went in search for Vic. He first tried the library, but only Vivian and Charlotte were there. Next, he went upstairs and checked their room. Then he tried David’s room. No one was there, not even baby Danny.

  He returned downstairs, and now he couldn’t even find Gregory. This worried him immensely. He hurried back to Vivian and Charlotte in his library. “Do either of you know where Vic might be?”

  Vivian spoke up, “I suspect he’s with Gregory.” She then turned to Charlotte. “Always refer to Vic as a ‘he’. This is very important.”

  “And where is Gregory?” Xavier snapped in worry.

  “Try the parlor. Since no one ever uses the room, the children have taken it over. I believe they are building something.”

  Charlotte smiled and nodded.

  Given the young age of the boys, Xavier was concerned. Thus, he steeled his nerves and entered a room he had sworn never to enter: The Lady’s Parlor.

  There he found all his missing family. The furniture had been moved to the edges of the room while the children sat in a wide circle building what had to be the world’s largest block castle. The younger boys, which included little Davy and two of Jacko’s boys, were building the stone gate around the nearly finished castle.

  Ham and Cannon were putting finishing touches on their most impressive towers. Pete would help out when the boys needed someone that required longer arms and Maddy was painting all the doors.

  David smiled at Xavier. “They’ve done this all on their own. No adult other than Pete has touched this amazing masterpiece.”

  Xavier smiled. “I am most impressed!” He then caught the eye of Jacko and motioned him to leave the room.

  Once Jacko joined him in the hall, Xavier asked, “Would you mind picking up Stone tomorrow morning and bringing him to our house, so he may use our library? Then have Pete create a notice that anyone wishing to engage our service should go to the house across the street.”

  “And where should Pete stay?”

  “In the office, since most clients will ignore the sign and will require guidance to find the correct house. Also, he can watch over the building inspector if he arrives, but he probably won’t, since I don’t believe Vic had the time to fill out the building inspection request.”

  “You do realize that most people just build what they damn well please,” Jacko said.

  “I do, but given my relationship with the Parliament, I need my office to be approved. Otherwise, one of the many members of Parliament who actively dislikes me will take up the cause with vengeance.”

  “And what will Vic be doing?”

  “Vic, David, and I will be out of town.”

  “Sounds secretive,” Jacko teased.

  “Vic hopes that Dr. Frederick Block will be able to improve Claire.”

  “Good luck on that,” Jacko muttered.

  “I hear you, but this is important to Vic, so keep those comments to yourself.”

  “Of course,” Jacko said. “And I will gather up my former arch nemesis and bring him to your home. Then I’ll probably hang with Pete in your office.”

  “Not my private office,” Xavier warned. “While I know you can open any door if given sufficient time to work, I’d prefer it remained locked.”

  “Not a problem. Pete would get upset if I tried. He knows that office is only to be opened by you or Vic.”

  “I like your son a great deal.”

  “Yes, I have to say he does me proud. His mother raised him well. I wish I had met her, but there is no way she would have had anything to do with a thieving pirate.”

  “That is true,” Xavier agreed.

  “I noticed Vic’s carriage left about an hour ago. I hope he’s not going to tell Claire of his plan to make her nice again. It might get him shot.”

  “Well, that explains why I can’t find Vic,” Xavier grumbled. “I doubt he went to see Claire. He’s smarter than that.”

  “Well, maybe he went to find someone to build Stone’s office,” Jacko suggested.

  “Vic planned to have David create the blue prints.” Xavier opened the door to the parlor, marveled at how much detail the children were putting into their castle, then gestured for David to leave the room.

  Once the door was closed, Xavier asked, “Did Vic ask you to create some blueprints?”

  “Yes, he did. He left nearly an hour ago in hopes of getting them approved.”

  “Not a chance,” Xavier huffed.

  “Well, I gave him a note from me. I’ve a friend and patient who is a building inspector. It is possible he will approve the plans before he leaves work tonight. Then Tubs and Luke can probably have it built this evening.”

  “If only. I suspect the matter will take a month,” Xavier grumbled.

  David laughed. “Would you like to put a small wager on that?”

  Xavier shook his head. “Vic would not appreciate me stealing you blind.”

  “I’ll take the wager,” Jacko offered.

  “I’ll not have Jacko stealing you blind either.”

  “Oh, please! Take advantage of me,” David said, throwing his hands out most theatrically.

  “Can you afford a hundred pounds?” Jacko asked.

  “Indeed, I can.”

  “Then I will bet you a hundred pounds, that you cannot receive a stamped work order in less than three days.”

  “You are taking advantage of Vic’s best friend. Five days would at least give him a chance.”

  “All right, five days. But the time starts now and ends exactly five days from now.”

  “I accept those conditions,” David assured him. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on Maddy and see how many doors she has painted.”

  All three men returned to the parlor and complimented all the children on their efforts.

  Maddy smiled up at her father. “I’ve finished painting all the doors, so I am helping Danny paint flowers and grass on the bottom blocks instead.”

  David knelt and kissed them both on their heads as he admired their work.

  “Danny had been helping to build the wall, only we ran out of blocks to make the stone wall go around the castle,” Maddy explained.

  “Well, hopefully by tomorrow, I can afford more blocks, so the castle walls can be finished,” David said.

  That had all the children celebrating.

  Jacko laughed. “You are not going to win this bet, so I’ll go to the store and buy more blocks tomorrow.”

  An hour later, when Gregory announ
ced dinner was ready, he was most put out to discover Vic had left the house, nor would the children leave their castle. While he could do nothing about Vic, he could put a stop to the children’s mass rebellion. “I will lock the door, so no one can touch your castle while you partake in dinner. However, if you are not seated at the children’s table by the count of ten, I will take apart your castle myself.”

  That had all the children running to their tiny table.

  When the adults sat down at the grown-up table, Gregory discovered another missing person. “Is Tubs with Vic?”

  “He’d better be,” Xavier replied as he cut into his meat.

  Gregory hurried to the kitchen and asked Sara if Tubs had gone with Vic.

  “Yes, sir. They are going to get a building permit.”

  “At this hour! No one will give them a permit so late.”

  “Well, they did leave at four,” Sara replied.

  Gregory shook his head and returned to the dining room. “It appears Tubs, Casey, and Vic have gone on a fool’s errand. But they should be back soon enough.”

  When everyone had finished their meal, and the missing remained missing, Xavier became worried. Instead of upsetting the children, he asked Jacko to have Davy ready his carriage and accompany him.

  Jacko nodded and deftly disappeared through the kitchen and out to the carriage house. While Davy got the horse ready, Jacko, noticing the lights on across the street, ran over to ensure Pete was the person inside.

  When he glanced through the window, the tall blonde fellow was certainly not Pete. Pulling his gun, he eased the door open and stared in shock. He slipped the gun into his vest holster. “What the hell are you doing, Vic?”

  “It’s peach. How can such a pale color offend you?” Vic challenged as she held up her paint brush.

  “Forget the color! You can’t build anything until you get a building permit! All this will have to be torn out.”

  “We have a permit,” Vic assured him.

  “That is not even possible.”

  “It is when David has a friend who provides permits.”

  “Well, it can’t be a real permit. Those guys take forever.”

  “It’s a real permit, given by a real employee, who happens to think David is the greatest dentist in the world.”