He tied off the horses, jumped from the carriage, and ran to the road. The riders had already passed by, but he released a loud whistle that caught their attention. They pulled to a halt, turned around, and waited, as if unable to make sense of the matter.
Jacko waved for them to return. The men slowly moved forward, unsure of what was happening. Jacko gripped his head and returned to a log in the field. Samson and his driver were no longer in the carriage. But he had no idea where they were.
Finally, his friend entered the patch of grass. “Took you long enough,” Jacko declared. “I felt as if I were herding cats!”
Now that they recognized Jacko, the men were off their horses, greeting him with hugs and playful shoves.
“We planned to rob you, but then you bloody well disappeared!” Sever complained.
“Which is why I called you back. But would you return? No, you just sat on your horses staring at me.”
“Well, no one whistles to be robbed, so we thought it was a trap,” Sever laughed.
Just then a couple of the horsemen came through the woods with Samson and the driver walking before them. “These two claim to be friends of yours.”
Jacko grinned. “They are.”
“Well, I hope you have money to feed us, because we wasted the whole damn day following you.”
Sever spoke softer. “Some of these men haven’t eaten for three days.”
“Well, let’s take care of that. Know of any inns on the nearby roads?”
“Yeah, but the innkeeper will shoot us on sight.”
“Not if you stay here and my friends, who thankfully you did not harm, retrieve the food. But first let me introduce them. This is Samson. He’s one of the top Crime Lords in London. So be very glad you didn’t attempt to rob him.”
The men all waited patiently to shake his hand and claimed it an honor to meet him. Then Samson introduced his driver and they whistled in appreciation at the quantity of guns he wore.
Sever gave the driver directions to the inn. He then sent five of the men to follow them to ensure no other highwaymen caused them trouble. “This area is thick with starving men.”
“Why’s that?” Jacko asked.
“Well, take that fancy house you passed. All that field used to be farmland, but now it’s nothing but weeds. The master of the house decided he didn’t like the smell of dung and sent all the farmers off his land.”
Jacko snorted. “Not surprised to hear that. While the man holds a fancy title, he’s the worst of men. It’s why I’m here. He kidnapped a good man and I think he hid him in the far tower. Only someone else stole the fellow away. I’m going to break in tonight and see if I can find any clues to help determine who took him.” He noticed some of the men had turned nervous.
“Since when are you cozy with Scotland Yard?” Sever asked.
“We’ve all had our share of bad policemen. I was damn nearly hung last year for a crime I not only didn’t commit, but I even had proof I didn’t commit it. So, I hate bad bizzies as much as the rest of you. And four years ago, I had issues in the past with the officer who was taken. But over the years I’ve worked for Xavier Thorn, I’ve come to respect Stone. And he’s learned to respect me.”
“You been working for Sherlock Holmes?” Sever asked.
“Yeah, but don’t ever call him that. He doesn’t like being compared to Doyle’s silly character. Xavier Thorn is the best man I’ve ever known.
“When I stepped off my boat and ceased to be a pirate, the only men who would hire me were men looking to steal something. I had to eat, so they would tell me what they wanted and I would steal it. Then one night I stole a briefcase from a parliament member and when I returned to my carriage, Xavier Thorn sat inside, waiting for me. His gun was aimed at me, but his true weapon was his compelling reasons why I should give the briefcase to him rather than the man who hired me to steal it.”
“I appreciated that he spoke to me man to man, rather than treating me like a stupid pirate who couldn’t grasp rational logic.”
Several of the men nodded, having too often dealt with the assumed superiority of those who thought themselves better.
“When he explained the harm it would do to Britain if those documents fell into the wrong hands, I did not wish to be the man who destroyed my country. We’ve more than enough people doing that. So I gave him the briefcase. He thanked me, and then offered me a job, working for him on special cases requiring my unique skills. And I have worked for him on and off ever since.”
“Not a regular job then, eh?” Sever observed.
“Well, that was my choice. I fell for a lady he asked me to save. Followed her to America, even. But in the end, she settled her heart on a true gentleman, and I returned to England with a great deal of money, but with a broken heart. Xavier helped set me up with a business and taught me how to invest my money, so by the time I met the perfect woman for me, I was a wealthy man. I still did not believe a real lady would consider the likes of me, but I adored her on sight. She was far more practical and honest than most grand ladies. We had our courtship in Spain and I almost lost her due to a maid in my house.”
“Too pretty not to touch?” someone asked.
“Not at all. I had no interest in the young chit, but that didn’t mean the crazy girl had no interest in me. She bludgeoned my beloved and hid her away and said she would only tell me where she put Alice if I married her.
“I agreed because I saw no other way to save Alice. Fortunately, my fabulous lady saved herself, despite her being blinded by the blow to the head and came to the church to halt my marriage to the chit.”
“This is a grand story, Jacko, but is it true?” Sever laughed.
“It is. And you may come and meet her yourself if you like. We have an estate with farmers outside of London, but presently, she and my four boys are in London, helping to find where they have taken Stone.”
“You have a house in Spain, an estate outside of London, and a house in London?” a young man asked. “And you were born poor like us?”
“Yes. And I did not get them from stealing. I got them for doing good deeds.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I received the Spanish house for safely securing a young woman from some evil, powerful men. Then I rescued Alice’s mother from Bedlam, where her husband had sent her to die. And the London house I bought with the money I invested with Xavier’s guidance after I gave him the briefcase.”
Just then the carriage returned and soon they had a picnic beyond anything these men had ever experienced, although some of the men complained about the lack of hard liquor.
“I could use your help on this case,” Jacko admitted. “Especially if some of you know who took the man in the tower. I fear he will not live much longer if we do not find him soon.”
A man further back replied. “He was in bad shape when they took him.”
“Do you know who took him?”
“Aye, but it could cost me my life if I tell you.”
“Your life has value, so I will not push you further.”
Samson spoke up. “Can you tell me if it’s a crime lord?”
“You could be right, but I can’t say,” the man replied.
Samson stood. “May I suggest we check the tower for clues that could lead us to which Crime Lord took him, then head back to London? You seem to be good men. I can always use more good men, so if you don’t mind working for a new breed of Crime Lords, one who deals fairly to those who work for him, you are welcomed to return with me to London. But right now, we could use some sentries while we look about. Let us say a pound each for an hour’s effort?”
Everyone but the man in the back raised their hand.
One fellow led them through the dense weeds to the tower’s door. By the crushed path, it had clearly been used recently. Once inside, Samson pointed to where the sentries should stand, then he followed Jacko.
To his surprise, Jacko found several notes hidden in crevices and under rugs. He di
d not read them, he just stuffed them in his pocket. He paused when he noticed blood on a mattress lying on the floor. He touched it. The blood had not yet crusted. As he stepped out of the tower, he picked up a pristine bird feather on the ground.
Once he returned to the carriage and paid each man their pound, Samson searched around for the man who knew the Crime Lord that had taken Stone. But the fellow had disappeared. Either his or Jacko’s offer had intrigued the rest of the men, because they all lagged behind the carriage far enough to follow, but not so close as to be obvious that they followed.
Sitting in the carriage, they began reading the bits of paper.
MISSING DIAMONDS – PAYMENT FOR BARRINGBARN’S FINANCIAL TROUBLES?
TWO PARTNERS ARE INVOLVED. POSSIBLY HANDLING NEGOTIATIONS. MINISTERS?
BARRINGBARN’S ESTATE-BANKRUPT?
The last item Jacko had found was a long white feather.
“It could have come from the mattress,” Samson observed.
“Possibly, but it’s very long and well-shaped. Also, it called to me,” Jacko replied. “Any chance you know about birds?”
“Sorry.”
When they stopped for lunch and enjoyed another meal with the men, Jacko asked if any of the men knew what type of bird the feather belonged to.
A young man asked to see it. “It’s a herring seagull. I find these feathers all over the upper docks.”
That would be Big Mason’s Territory. But why would he have a grief with Stone? It didn’t make sense. The old man traded in pirated goods. He never started trouble in London or kidnapped people. All his misdeeds occurred in other countries.
Yet, the dead body was shot in front of a warehouse in Big Mason’s Territory. Jacko had just thought it a coincidence, since the Parliament and Barringbarn’s London home were both nearby.
After they resumed their journey back to London, he discussed the matter with Samson. The young Crime Lord wasn’t as quick to dismiss the possibility that Mason was involved as Jacko had been.
“Mason’s ships are well fortified given they often carry diamonds and stolen antiques from the Middle East.”
“Does he have warehouses?” Jacko asked.
Samson shook his head. “He only has the one warehouse for auctions of legitimate products like rugs and spices. He keeps his expensive treasures on his ships. All potential buyers must schedule time on the calendar to see the items they want to purchase.”
“Any chance I could get on his calendar?”
“None whatsoever. Your connection to Xavier would probably result in you being shot the moment you stepped foot on the dock.”
“Would he let you in?” Jacko persisted.
Samson chuckled. “Hell no! He ignores the other Crime Lords, unless one of us tries to come aboard his ships. Then he’ll shoot to kill. When I first became a crime lord, he stopped by my house for a visit. A short visit. He let me know if I or any of my men ever stepped foot on his ships, they’d be killed. Then he walked out of my office, ignoring the drink I had offered him.”
“Access to diamonds, owns the warehouse where the dead body fell… I think I need to check the warehouse and ships out. How many ships does he have?” Jacko asked.
“I’m not sure. Most of them will be sailing to or from Africa or the Mid-East.”
“How many in the dock?”
“I’ve seen as many as five and as few as one. But I noticed yesterday that he had a boat hanging in the channel, unmoored. I thought it odd. Wouldn’t it require a full crew to keep a boat in the middle of the channel?”
Jacko smiled. “It would indeed. Keeping a ship straight in the channel requires firm handling. But if their cargo were prone to make noises, it would prevent anyone from hearing him.”
Once they arrived at Xavier and Vic’s home, they shared their discoveries with the team.
Vic hugged them both for their fine analysis. “But before we go bounding on boats and getting ourselves shot, I’ll take Aaroo and see if he can scent which boat has our missing Director Stone.”
Xavier shook his head. “Better take Cannon. Arroo’s howls could alert Mason and get you killed.”
He then eyed his son sitting at the table. “You’ll smell, but not howl.”
Tubs huffed. “Mason knows I work for you, so I won’t be much use.”
Samson sighed as Xavier focused on him. “From our one conversation, he says he’ll shoot me on sight as well.”
Xavier growled, then turned to Jacko.
“Once we determine which ship holds Stone, I’m getting on it, one way or another,” Jacko assured him.
Everyone at the table relaxed.
It was then that Xavier realized Vic and Cannon were gone. “Where’s Vic and Cannon?” Everyone seemed as surprised as him.
“Fagan, check to see if both carriages are here.”
Fagan ran through the kitchen to the carriage house, and quickly returned. “They’re both here.”
“Vic!” Xavier bellowed.
Vic and Cannon entered from the servant’s corridor. His boy wore an old suit of Ham’s. It was a bit small on Cannon. Vic kissed her sulky son and ran upstairs.
Xavier studied his annoyed son. “The suit is a bit small for you, but if you and Vic were once wealthy but you’ve fallen on hard times, then it’s a perfect disguise.”
Cannon grinned. “I’m perfect!”
Vic came downstairs wearing one of Aunt Maddy’s gowns and wigs. Despite the gown being four years out of fashion, she took Xavier’s breath away. In fact, all the males rose to their feet and admired her. Gregory even had tears in his eyes, but Xavier expected that was due to how much she resembled her Aunt Maddy.
She grabbed her son’s hand. He smiled up at her. “We’re in disguise.”
“Yes, but we don’t tell people that,” Vic explained.
“That would be silly,” Cannon replied.
She asked Fagan to drive her. Gregory ordered Casey to join her inside the carriage with firm orders to keep her safe.
“There is no need to worry. I am armed.”
Xavier gripped her hand. “May I have your word that the moment Cannon identifies which ship Stone is on, you will retrieve Cannon and return?”
“Yes, of course,” Vic agreed. “Time is of the essence here. Given the blood on the mattress, I believe Stone’s in a very weakened state.”
“I agree. I don’t want you or Cannon in the same condition.”
“We’ll be fine, right Cannon?”
The boy gripped his unbuttoned suit jacket and nodded.
Once Vic, Cannon, Casey, and Fagan left, Xavier rushed upstairs and returned five minutes later as an old man.
Tubs waited at the door. “I’ll stay in the shadows, but I’m going.”
“I need to check the place out anyway,” Jacko stated.
“Well, damn it all, I’ll go as well.” Samson declared. “Mason spent so little time in my company, he’s probably forgotten me entirely.”
Xavier studied him a moment. “Don’t count on it. Wait here,” he ordered, then hurried upstairs. When he returned, he handed Samson a thick silk vest.
“I am wearing a vest,” he replied.
“Is it bulletproof?” Xavier challenged.
“No. Are you saying this one is?”
“Yes. There was an incident in which an American doctor reported that a man’s silk vest stopped a bullet. He shared the matter with Connors who shared the matter with me. I, of course, asked David to see if he could create such a vest, and here it is.”
“Has it been tested?” Samson asked, doubtful that silk could stop a bullet.
“It has. In fact, several men in the parliament wear them now.”
Samson smiled. “Thank you for sharing this. I would be most willing to buy my own—”
“David hand-makes them, and he is a bit busy at the moment, so just enjoy my vest.”
“That is very kind of you. Does this mean you are starting to like me?”
Xavier chuckled.
“Not at all.”
Chapter 8
When Vic arrived at the dock, she realized it had to be the dock she’d heard the whistles from the night they followed the “spy”. If she had correctly translated the subtle conversation between Xavier and Dr. Connors that Barringbarn only hired ‘fine specimens’ of young men, then the fellow who died was not just an employee, but more than likely, Barringbarn’s lover.
She waited for Fagan to open the door, but for some reason he remained on the driver’s seat. She looked to Casey sitting beside her. She couldn’t ask him to open the door, for he wasn’t even supposed to be in the carriage. His job was to protect her in case there was trouble.
Finally, losing her patience, she suggested Cannon escape from the carriage and start scenting for Stone. Her boy put his nose to the shoe and breathed deeply, then he scurried out the door. That gave her the excuse she needed to let herself out. “Daniel Alexander Mayfair, you come back here right this moment.” Naturally, her son ignored her. She stared up at Fagan. “Will you keep an eye on him please?” Then she headed to the shipping station window.
The young clerk’s eyes opened wide upon seeing her. “What can I do for you, Miss?”
“I was wondering…” she then turned and watched her son literally run circles around Fagan while he scented the ground.
“Ma’am” the man said, evidently realizing the boy was hers.
She turned and leaned in, so he could hear her whisper. “Is it possible…” She paused then sighed, “No, I expect not.” She pressed her hand to her forehead and once again watched her crazed son, drawing this foolishness out to give Cannon a chance to sweep the entire area.
Hearing the young clerk clear his throat, she looked up into his eyes, which meant he was either very tall or he stood on a box. “You are very tall,” she stated.
“Yes, ma’am. How can I help you?”
Toxic Diamonds (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 8) Page 6
