The Darkest Days (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 6)

by Liza O'Connor

  “Good point,” Barns stated and then glanced at Xavier.

  Xavier smiled and patted the boy’s back. “It was an excellent point. Just because they were meant to die, doesn’t mean they weren’t involved.”

  “One of them did fail to lock the back door,” Vic observed.

  “And another resisted leaving this wagon,” Barns added. “Tubs had to physically remove James.”

  Vic shook her head. “No, Tubs said James and Tom were shocked by the attack. Only include the hard to read guy. What’s his name?”

  Xavier threw up his hand. “I don’t remember. To be honest, I’ve never met a more boring fellow in my life.”

  “Could be an act. Let’s call him Dull and put him on the list with Powers for this job.”

  Xavier nodded. “Powers should definitely be on it. He did not want us to ride in the wagon, which is odd because he seemed to have no problem with the plan the night before.”

  “Yes, but had we arrived when he told us the carriage would leave, we would have been an hour late and the carriage would have been gone,” Vic pointed out.

  “What about the driver?” Barns asked. “He pulled the wagon over and no one shot at him. And he knew the path he’d take.”

  Vic shook her head. “Tubs checked him out. I didn’t get any details, but he said he was all right.”

  Barns huffed as if her objection was senseless. “He should be on the list.”

  Xavier sighed. “We’ll put him on it, but once I speak to Tubs, I may remove him. So let us move on to the final theft. The key in the back door.”

  Vic wasn’t thrilled that Xavier gave in to Barns but understood the boy couldn’t be shot down constantly or he’d give up. So she moved on and focused on the Worst Robbery Ever Planned. “For stupidity, I want to include Powers, but he looked truly horrified—almost terrified—when he discovered we had stopped a break in.”

  Barns snorted. “Sign of guilt if you ask me. Probably figured we had his partner in crime in jail already.”

  “No…” Vic said. “He didn’t calm until he entered the storage room and ran directly to the Rembrandt. Once he ensured it was in good condition, he relaxed and checked the others. He also used a silver key to enter the storage room.”

  “So?” Barns challenged.

  Xavier gripped the boy’s neck. “So, the key which opened the back door was copper, which means Powers’ surprise that the backdoor opened the secure room as well could have been genuine.”

  Vic nodded in agreement. “I don’t think he was part of this attempt. I believe his look of shock and horror was real and motivated by the fact that he had promised to have the Rembrandt transported to the other museum to enable the transport theft or the Renoir theft to occur.”

  Xavier moved his hand over to Vic and ruffled her hair. “I like your theory. So who remains for the stupid burglary?”

  “Tom and James? It would explain why they were so put out with me this morning,” Vic suggested.

  “But one of them may have left the back of the carriage open,” Barns challenged.

  Vic rolled her eyes. “They might have concocted a Plan B when A failed so miserably. They certainly did not wish us to come. Perhaps we should assess whether the Rembrandt could be stolen out of the back of the carriage somewhere in the delivery process.

  Xavier rapped his fingers on his leg. “Certainly worth investigating.”

  “It seems a stretch to me,” Barns grumbled.

  Vic glared at him. “I’m sure your perfect memory will seem a stretch to me if you ever find a use for it.”

  Barns turned to her. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but so far you haven’t used your skill at all on this case. The only time you might have done so was finding an opening into the storage room, but you’ve no idea how you got where you were and thus, I’m presuming, no way to replicate your success, even though if you truly had perfect memory, you should remember every turn along the way.”

  Silence answered Vic’s observation. To her surprise, her challenge hadn’t angered Barns. He simply seemed to be lost in thought.

  The carriage finally came to a halt and the driver opened the door. He sighed with heavy relief. “We are here. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I was sure they were going to shoot me and drive off with the carriage.” He met Xavier’s eyes. “Any reason why they didn’t?”

  “Well, it’s possible they didn’t have a driver and needed you.”

  He smiled. “Oh, yes, that must be it.”

  “Or it could be they died before doing so,” Vic offered.

  The man gulped and nodded.

  “Or you were working for them,” Barns added. “I’ll be bringing you in for questioning.”

  The man’s eyes rounded, his fear clearly evident. A moment later, he ran full speed to the open doors at the far end of the large enclosed building.

  “Tubs,” Xavier poked his head out and yelled to the second carriage. “The driver is getting away.” Tubs burst from the carriage at amazing speed. He caught up with the man in five bounding steps. The man spoke with Tubs the entire way back.

  When Tubs returned with the fellow, he shared the driver’s situation. “Kendel ran because Barns wanted to take him to Scotland Yard for questioning. He’s spent half his life in prison for crimes he didn’t do, so he’s a bit gun-shy when it comes to finding justice at Scotland Yard.”

  Barns snorted. “All criminals claim they’re innocent.”

  Tubs nodded. “Most do, but sometimes they’re telling the truth. I know for a fact, Kendel didn’t do the crimes he went to jail for.”

  “And how do you know this?” Barns challenged.

  Tubs ignored Barns and looked at Xavier. “I know who ordered the crimes done and who did them. Kendel was innocent. However, once he got a record, the bizzies couldn’t be bothered finding the real criminal, so they’d grab the fellow up for any crime they had open, solely on the belief that once a thief always a thief.” Finally, he focused on Barns. “And don’t bother asking who did these old crimes, because I’m not telling you. It’s the past and it’s done. Nothing you can do will give Kendel back his life and family. But just know, this time, you have to have real proof to convict him, which you don’t because Kendel is not the law-breaking type.”

  Xavier pulled Barns away from the carriage for a private discussion. Vic intended to join them, but Tubs gripped her arm and whispered in her ear. “You might want to keep an eye on the painting. I don’t trust those workers. They turned nervous once we arrived here.”

  Vic didn’t know if this was just a ploy to keep her from interfering with Xavier’s ability to control Barns, but she climbed back into the carriage and stared at the Rembrandt.

  Tubs chuckled from the door. “I didn’t mean you had to glare at it.”

  “No, you’re right. I’m pretty sure they’ve concocted some stupid Plan B when stupid Plan A went awry.”

  “Here they come,” he whispered.

  “We’ve got it from here,” James said. One of the other two pulled on the back door, clearly expecting it to be open.

  A moment later, Tom opened the door on the opposite side of Tubs, evidently planning to sneak in and release the door. He stared at Vic smiling at him. “Why are you still in the carriage? Your job is done.”

  “Oh, we’re going to see it into the museum,” Vic assured him.

  “I told you it wouldn’t work,” Dull grumbled. “Now everyone, do as I say and no one gets hurt. Get the annoying kid out of the carriage.”

  Did Dull think Barns was in here with her?

  Tom gripped her by her arm and yanked her out.

  She yelped in pain when her shoulder slammed onto the concrete floor. A moment later, Tubs came around the back and hit Tom on the side of his head before he had a clue he was in danger. The idiot went down like a sack of potatoes. Xavier arrived soon after, both helping her up and causing her to yelp.

  “What happened?” Xavi
er demanded. “Are you hurt?”

  Tubs found the problem by raising her left arm.

  Vic yelped again.

  “Sorry,” he muttered as his fingers felt about her shoulders.

  Vic growled the entire time to ensure he knew he was still hurting her.

  Finding the problem, he stood before her and settled her arm to her side. “Relax,” he said. He then bent the arm at the elbow and turned it so it pressed against her stomach. He then bent it in the other direction, away from her body, his other hand keeping her upper arm from moving.

  After repeating this two times, a loud pop followed with a heavy sigh of relief from her.

  “Thank you,” she said and then looked at Xavier. “I’m fine now.”

  He leaned forward to kiss her, but she stepped back, noticing Barns had joined them.

  “Barns, who is watching the criminals on the other side?” Xavier asked.

  “Tubs knocked them both out cold.”

  Vic glared at him. “Maybe they were just pretending. I’ve nearly died over such a ploy.”

  Barns rushed to the other side of the carriage. Xavier winked at her, then looked down at Tom. “Tubs dump this fellow with the others while I go find someone to receive our precious cargo.”

  “I want to go as well,” Vic said.

  “Of course, you do,” he chuckled and waved her along.

  “Wait! Where are you going?” Barns demanded.

  “To find a curator to claim the Rembrandt. Stay with the criminals, Barns. If they wake you can arrest them…or while they remain sleeping perhaps you can locate a policeman to retrieve Inspector Stone. We don’t have room to carry everyone in Vic’s carriage.”

  “I’ll do both…and keep anyone else from stealing the Rembrandt,” he said with determination.

  “Good man,” Xavier stated and continued to the door on the side of the large room.

  Vic turned back to ensure Tubs still had control of the situation. “It is very odd that no one was here to greet us.”

  Xavier pulled his gun from his shoulder strap. “Very odd, indeed.”

  Chapter 26

  The museum door proved to be locked.

  “Let me,” Vic said.

  Xavier nodded and stepped back. The pup loved to use her skills. In less than a minute, the lock tumbled and Xavier took the lead.

  “Hold on,” Vic whispered, and ran back to Tubs. The giant pointed to her carriage and she ran to it, poking her head inside. Then she returned to Xavier.

  “Socializing on the job?” he asked.

  “I didn’t know where Casey was. I had to make sure he was alive and well.”

  Xavier frowned. “So while you were being attacked, Casey sat in your carriage taking a nap?”

  “No!” she slapped his arm for even suggesting such a thing. “He’s watching over poor Kendel, who is still very upset. I promised him we would not let him be falsely accused again.”

  “Those were your exact words?” Xavier challenged.

  “Yes.”

  “And what was his response?”

  “He burst into tears and thanked me.”

  He gently squeezed the back of her neck. “Now that you’ve acquired another friend for life, shall we determine why no one wishes to retrieve their Rembrandt?”

  “Well, they are either all being held at gun point, or they didn’t know we were coming.”

  “Or Powers never arranged for an exchange,” Xavier added.

  “That would be highly foolish. Scotland Yard would have discovered the recipient wasn’t expecting a painting and the whole theft falls back into his lap.”

  They’d made it to the end of the hallway when they heard clapping and cheering. Xavier re-holstered his gun as they approached the room holding what sounded like a celebration.

  When they entered, an old man stood before a photograph of the Rembrandt painting which waited in the carriage. “It’s the purchase of a lifetime and will be a fabulous draw for our museum.” The happy, distinguished gentleman finally noticed Vic and Xavier.

  He immediately rushed to them with several fellows following. “Are you the press?”

  “No,” Xavier replied.

  “How did you get in here? This is a private meeting.”

  “I gathered as much. This is your staff I presume?”

  “Who are you?” the gentleman demanded.

  Xavier pulled out his card. “Xavier Thorn and this is my partner Victor Hamilton. We were charged to protect the painting you seem so pleased to acquire.”

  “Oh…I apologize. I am Dr. Simon. I was not aware such precaution was being taken, but I am pleased to know you will be accompanying it when it is delivered.”

  “When did you expect delivery?” Vic asked.

  The man’s eyes narrowed. He then whispered into a young man’s ear and the fellow literally ran from the room.” He then focused on Vic. “Shouldn’t you know? Given you are meant to accompany it.”

  “We have delivered it today. When were you expecting it?”

  “What do you mean you’ve delivered it today? I received a note the delivery was delayed until tomorrow. And we’ve received nothing!”

  “Who was the note from?” Vic persisted.

  He pressed his hand to his chest. “Dear God, don’t tell me it was stolen!”

  “Why would you think that?” Xavier challenged.

  “Because it should have been delivered hours ago, only I received a message this morning from Powers saying the delivery would occur tomorrow.”

  He turned and stared at his staff, all watching him with worried faces. “It was to be our premiere artwork.”

  “Well, despite several attempts to steal it, we have managed to keep it safe. If you will be so kind to send a few—”

  Xavier stopped talking because the gentleman had him in a hug. “Thank you, Mr. Thorn and you…”

  “Vic.”

  He tried to hug Vic, but she stepped behind Xavier.

  He turned to his worried staff. “Carl, Richard come with me. The Rembrandt is here.”

  The entire staff followed them to the warehouse. However, they stopped short at the sight of three bodies lying on the floor.

  Dr. Simon ordered everyone but Carl and Richard back inside. “Are they dead?” he whispered to Vic.

  “No, they’re just unconscious. They fared much better than the first group, which are mostly dead now.” She patted his back. “It’s been a most troublesome morning. Two attempts were made to steal this painting.”

  Dr. Simon did not calm until he followed the painting back into the museum and uncovered it from its wrapping. He sighed with pure pleasure. “Edward, would you see the Monet to the carriage?”

  A sharply dressed fellow nodded and hurried off.

  Xavier frowned. “I’m sorry, but you will need to locate your own transportation for the remainder of the exchanges.”

  “Does that mean you will not be accompanying the Monet?” Dr. Simon asked.

  Vic paused, but then remembered the more interesting ghost case. “Sorry no, we were only hired for this leg.”

  Xavier perused the staff gathered around the painting. “Any chance you have an employee named Hendrickson?” he asked.

  “Yes, Edward. He’s my assistant curator.” He crinkled his brow. “If you could not mention that to Dr. Powers, I would be most grateful. They did not get along. To be honest, I find Powers most annoying myself and understood why Edward wished to leave. While this may be a small museum, I pride myself on having the best of employees and treating them accordingly.”

  Vic shook her head slightly, evidently fearing he planned to share their suspect list with the man. “Vic, you might wish to ensure no one from Scotland Yard mistakenly arrests the driver,” Xavier suggested.

  Her eyes rounded in outrage and she rushed out of the room.

  He refocused on the curator. “I don’t expect to be dealing with Powers in the future. Minimally, he should be removed from his post, possibly arrested. Can
you locate the letter you received this morning telling you the painting would be delayed until tomorrow?”

  “Yes, of course…Oh, Director Stone. I apologize for calling you. I had never met Mr. Thorn before and his inquiries as to when I expected the Rembrandt delivered gave me great concerns that he was not who he claimed, but an art thief attempting to collect information.”

  Xavier frowned at the man. “If anyone ever claims to be me, I wish to know about it at once.”

  Stone spoke behind Xavier. “I gathered the Rembrandt arrived safely.”

  Xavier frowned at the group around the painting. They could be ripping it apart and he wouldn’t know. “Yes, it’s presently being mobbed by the staff; some are actually touching the canvas.”

  “What!” The curator rushed to his treasure, scolding everyone back.

  Stone smiled at him. “Two theft attempts?”

  “There’s a third one as well. Two are mostly solved, the latter will probably require Barns to remain here lurking in the shadows all day.”

  “Is he up to it?”

  “He is.”

  Stone sighed heavily. “How does he get along with Vic?”

  Xavier shrugged. “The pup keeps him in his place. Oh, the driver Kendel was not part of the theft, he only ran when Barns accused him of being a thief because he has had very bad luck with Scotland Yard sending him to prison three times for crimes he didn’t commit.”

  “And how do you know he didn’t commit them?”

  “Tubs knew all three crimes and who actually did each.”

  “I would like to know who—”

  “Sorry, you had your chance and got it wrong. And you’ve ruined most of the poor man’s life. Vic has already promised him that we will prove his innocence if he is charged yet again. Given the appointments in our book, I really don’t have time proving innocent men didn’t commit a crime.”

  Stone sighed. “I’ll set him free.”

  “If you do so now, he can probably earn a day’s keep driving the additional paintings about.”

  Dr. Simon returned with the letter and handed it to Xavier. He read it and handed it to Stone. “You should retrieve Powers from the utility closet of the British Museum and take him in for questioning. He’s a potential for two of the attempted thefts.”