A Madness So Discreet

by Mindy McGinnis

  “I apologize,” she said, fanning her face. “I think some of the perfumes may have overwhelmed me for a moment.”

  “Quite all right,” he said, eyes rooted on the counter, cheeks still flushed red in her presence. He cleared his throat and seemed to steel himself before he raised his gaze. “What can I help you with, Miss . . . ?”

  “Madeleine Baxter,” Grace said. “I’m in town visiting an old friend and her mother has run out of her favorite scent. Since they’re putting me up for some time I thought I’d try to make a little gesture of thanks by refilling it, but you don’t seem to have anything with quite the same fragrance.”

  She set the bottle on the counter and he removed the stopper, sniffing it. “Seems to be a simple compound of rosewater, although there may be a touch of bergamot as well.” He held it up to the window, the tiny blue of the glass nearly lost in his hand. Grace watched him as he sniffed again, dabbing his palm with the stopper, all confidence restored when he was lost in his work. The bottle went back to the sunlight, followed by the stopper, and he frowned.

  “I can’t make out any manufacturer’s mark on the bottle, so I won’t be able to order a replacement, but I can mix up something similar for you, Miss—” His eyes returned to her. His voice dropped off and there was the slightest tremor in his hand when he set the bottle back on the counter. He cleared his throat again. “Miss Baxter,” he said, nodding toward the ground as if to confirm that he’d finished his sentence.

  “That would be lovely, thank you,” she said. “Have you been away? I couldn’t help but overhear the gentleman in front of me saying how glad he was that you’ve reopened, and I must say I’m rather pleased myself.” She smiled, hoping to put him at ease.

  “No, no, not closed up entirely,” he said, eyes drifting over her shoulder. “My mother was feeling poorly at winter’s beginning, so I spent a few days with her every week. She lives down in Pomeroy, so I wasn’t able to keep regular shop hours.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Beaton,” Grace said, waiting to see if he’d correct the name she’d picked up from the first customer. “I hope she’s quite recovered,” she added when he didn’t. “When should I return for the scent?”

  He avoided her eyes, looking to the ceiling as he stammered for an answer. “I—I can prepare it in about a day, but I’ve been returning to Mother over the weekends. Could you come back on Monday?”

  Grace was set back for a moment herself, all days of the week having no meaning to her in the asylum. “Is it—” She broke off, her indecision evident. “Is it Friday today?”

  Her broken composure seemed to stream into him, and he managed a small smile as he held her gaze. “Yes, Miss Baxter. Today is Friday.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, feeling her blood rising to her cheeks to match his. “One loses track of time when on a holiday.”

  “I understand.” He nodded, his smile wider at the sight of her blush. “I will see you on Monday then, Miss Baxter.”

  “Monday,” she agreed, eyes still locked with his.

  THIRTY-TWO

  Thornhollow was not in his office when she returned, so Grace went to work at the blackboard alone, filling in the missing pieces. The puzzle fell together with ease, holes neatly filled. She heard the office door open behind her, and Thornhollow’s step as she continued to scratch away with the chalk.

  “Grace, why are you wearing your town dress?”

  “Doctor, come here,” she said. “I’ve found something.”

  “Grace,” he said more slowly. “Why are you wearing that dress?”

  She turned to face him, chalk still in hand. “It hardly matters,” she said. “I’ve found our killer, seen him face-to-face. It’s just as you thought—a large man, definitely flustered interacting with women, he even mentioned his moth—”

  “Grace!” Thornhollow pulled the chalk from her hand. “Why are you wearing that dress?”

  “I . . .” She felt her shoulders sag under his scrutiny, and she corrected her posture before answering him calmly, her tone icy. “I went into town, Dr. Thornhollow.”

  “For the love of—” He walked away from her, flinging the chalk across the room.

  “I won’t say I’m sorry,” Grace said, following close behind. “When you hear what I—”

  “When I hear what, Grace?” He turned to face her, fuming. “When I hear that you left the grounds without telling anyone, I’ll jump for joy? When I hear that you came face-to-face—your words, Grace—with our killer, a man who knocks women senseless and then—” He broke off, his face contorted against emotions he never allowed himself to feel. “Dear God, woman, please tell me what is the point of keeping track of your father when I can’t even keep you in the building!”

  He threw himself into the wing chair, hands buried in his hair.

  “Doctor,” Grace said. “You must hear me out.”

  “And you must not tax my nerves,” he muttered to the carpet.

  Ignoring him, she continued. “You were right in most respects, Doctor. He’s a large man, easily capable of crushing a rag against a woman’s face and holding her against her will until she succumbs.”

  “Which he could have done to you.”

  “In broad daylight in his own shop?” Grace countered easily. “Doubtful.”

  “A shop?” Thornhollow asked, drawn in despite himself. “What kind of shop?”

  “Chemist,” Grace said. “With the tools and the knowledge to mix ether, no doubt.”

  “A chemist.” Thornhollow groaned at the floor, stamping his foot. “Damn me for a narrow-minded fool. Why were you in a chemist’s shop in the first place?”

  “I was getting some perfume for Lizzie. He’s going to match the scent for me.”

  “Oh, of course. How foolish of me not to assume that. Go on.” He waved a hand in the air. “I might as well know it all since you’ve gone and learned it.”

  “As to his feelings toward women,” she continued, “there was a marked difference in his behavior with me as opposed to the male customer I saw him interact with. He’s definitely nervous around women, although when I showed some hesitation myself he seemed to gain strength from that.”

  Thornhollow glanced up, one hand still buried in his hair. “Interesting. Perhaps he feels more confidence around women he perceives as weak-willed. A positive alternative to his mother, perhaps.”

  “Whom he mentioned,” Grace said. “He said she’s been feeling poorly this winter and he’s been giving her care in her home, leading to him only having the store open certain hours.”

  Thornhollow rose from his chair, hair standing on all ends as he surveyed the notes Grace had added to the blackboard. “Abandoning his business solely to see to his mother seems a bit extreme.”

  Grace nodded. “Leading one to assume that the mother is rather demanding.”

  “And”—Thornhollow held one finger in the air—“also confirming that he’s an only child, as I said.”

  “Only possibly confirming that,” Grace said, eyes narrowed. “I didn’t ask.”

  “No man would weaken his livelihood to care for a parent if there were other siblings capable of taking on that load,” Thornhollow insisted.

  “He very well could have a sibling who lives farther away than Pomeroy and can’t offer assistance,” Grace said, irritation heating her words.

  “Now you’re arguing for the sake of argument.”

  “As are you.”

  “Nonsense. How does Pomeroy come into it?”

  “That’s where the mother lives,” Grace said, moving to his desk and a map she had spread out before his arrival. “I checked, and the road—”

  “To Pomeroy passes right through where the kitchen girl was found,” Thornhollow interrupted.

  “Where Jenny Cantor was found,” Grace amended.

  “Regardless, I’ll make a trip to Pomeroy over the weekend, ask a few questions. I think it’s safe to say that they’ve seen at least one body like ours, no doubt thei
r deaths occurring during our lulls.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Grace said, still leaning over the map.

  “You won’t.”

  She looked up. “Excuse me?”

  Thornhollow sighed heavily. “Grace, there’s no plausible reason for you coming with me, beyond some base conclusions that the staff would readily jump to for the sake of gossip.”

  “Then let people think base things,” Grace said. “I’m past the point of caring what others think.”

  “I do,” Thornhollow snapped back. “How would it reflect on me, on my career, if the staff believes that I’m . . . I’m . . .”

  “Having sex with your patient?”

  “Yes!” he burst out. “That kind of thing can end a man, you know.”

  Grace closed her eyes, hands flat on the map. “You’re right,” she said. “I can’t help but be upset, though. I’ve been unable to accomplish anything at all these last few months, and now I’m being left behind.”

  “Left behind?” Thornhollow nearly laughed. “You’re traipsing about in the snow at the crack of dawn and smiling at killers across counters while I’m dead to the world in my bed. Who’s the one left behind?”

  Grace rolled up the map, her heart still low. “So what now? When will you inform the police?”

  “Inform them of what?”

  “That we’ve found the man guilty of three murders here and who knows how many in Pomeroy.”

  “Guilty is a very strong word, one that we have no plausibility for.”

  “What are you saying?” Grace asked, confusion furrowing her brow and a familiar defeat brewing in her chest.

  “What shall I show the police, Grace? Our blackboard? It’s a sheer mess that only you and I can read. If I were to march George in here, he’d laugh and say I belong in the men’s ward, not an office.”

  “Davey would believe you.”

  “Excellent, a patrolman who can barely grow whiskers on my side. I’m sure the arrest will be forthcoming. Grace . . .” The doctor broke off, his tone losing all sarcasm. “Grace, I’m sorry. We’ve never pursued anything so far, and I haven’t prepared you for this part.”

  “What is this part?”

  He sighed, eyes on the labyrinth of their shared writing that covered the blackboard. “This is when we know we’re right, and have nothing in the way of proof.”

  Grace came to his side, the weight of futility resting heavily upon her once again. “What can be done?”

  The doctor shrugged. “Nothing, I’m afraid. If I were in Boston I’d have the same men I trust to watch your sister tailing this man, but I have no contacts here that I know are discreet. If this chemist—did you get his name?”

  “Beaton.”

  “If this Beaton hears that the killings have been linked or suspects he’s being followed, he’ll be gone in an instant. A man with his intelligence and a trade as well can go anywhere, set up under a false name, and begin anew. Go to a fresh town with women who won’t meet the gaze of men and whose disappearances matter little to skulk among. No, Grace, we must be very careful now. I’ll go to Pomeroy this weekend. You must promise me that you’ll behave yourself while I’m gone.”

  “I will,” Grace said.

  “Good. When will he have the scent ready for you to pick up?”

  “Tuesday,” she lied.

  The snow fell steadily all weekend, giving the grounds a pristine covering that Grace despised. She wanted to maul it with her footsteps, hook up an asylum carriage, and beat a path to Pomeroy, where she would watch over Beaton from a distance, protecting other women like a vengeful dark angel.

  Instead, she played checkers with Elizabeth, who seemed depressed by the weather. Her head kept pulling to the right, String whispering things to her that she wouldn’t share as her countenance became more troubled. Grace won every match easily, despite starting at a disadvantage with three fewer pieces.

  She knocked the table to gain Lizzie’s attention and raised an eyebrow, gesturing at the board.

  “No, I don’t think I’ll play again,” her friend said. “I may go and have a lie-down, actually.”

  Grace watched her go, then packed up the board. Time stretched before her, and she returned to the west turret, where the quiet was so intense she could hear the snow falling. She pushed inches of snow from the three chairs and sat watching the flakes reclaim them. The sun sank and lights in town appeared one by one. Grace sat alone in the dim until night fell completely, the two empty chairs sentinels on either side of her.

  Janey intercepted her in the hall, and she curled her fist around the key for the turret, eyes wide with innocence.

  “Don’t you look at me like a babe in the woods.” Janey shook a finger at her good-naturedly. “I know you didn’t take any dinner. This weather’s got us all in a bit of a mood, but not eating won’t do you a lick of good.”

  Grace nodded and Janey went on. “Dr. Thornhollow’s sent a telegram, says Ned won’t take the horses out in this weather and he’s stranded in Pomeroy until sense returns to the man. Which, we may never see the good doctor again if that’s what we’re waiting on.”

  Janey handed a telegram to Grace. “This one’s meant for you. I can’t make head or tail of it.”

  Have found at least two STOP Am delayed by Ned’s sentimentalism STOP will return whenever possible STOP Elizabeth smells fine without improvements END

  Janey watched Grace’s eyes flick over the message. “I guess you know well enough what he’s saying?”

  Grace nodded, thanking Janey with a pat on the shoulder.

  “All right,” the nurse said. “Now I want to see you head to the kitchens instead of to your room, you hear? Joanna’s chewed the laces through on one of her mitts, and I’ve got to see if I can’t mend it before she tears into someone. But the kitchens may have a bite or two left, if you get down there.”

  Grace moved as if in a fog, the familiar veil dropping between herself and reality as she walked, body in the present, mind working furiously toward a point in the future and all the elements required to make it her own.

  He was startled when he saw her, as she opened the shop door just as he’d been about to lock up for the evening.

  “Miss Baxter,” Beaton said, nearly dropping his keys. “I had thought perhaps the weather delayed you.”

  “Not the weather, but my own disarray,” Grace said, raising the carpetbag she’d pulled from under Lizzie’s bed, her asylum clothing inside. “Packing for a journey always leaves me in a fuddle. I’d hoped to catch you on my way to the depot. Is the scent ready?”

  “It is,” he said, returning to the counter with his head down. “If you’d like I can deliver it to your friend’s mother with your compliments, since you are leaving town.”

  “That’s very nice, but I’d rather send it along myself with a thank-you note for their hospitality.”

  Beaton produced the bottle and Grace took a whiff, the familiar scent of Lizzie’s perfume reinvigorated with the bloom of freshness. “That’s . . . really quite extraordinary. It will mean a lot. Thank you,” she said honestly.

  He blushed at the compliment, and Grace hesitated as she paid with the money she’d stolen from Thornhollow’s desk, the moment before her now if she chose to take it. “I . . .” Her voice broke as she deliberated, the tentative manner of a well-bred young lady conveyed all too easily in her tone.

  “I hope you won’t think me too forward, Mr. Beaton,” she went on, her voice gaining strength. “I delayed much more than I meant to and have missed my train. I’m sure I can catch the next, but I’m wary of walking to the depot alone now that night has fallen. Would it inconvenience you greatly to accompany me? I’d feel so much more confident with a man of your size alongside me.”

  It was easy to read the thoughts flickering behind his eyes, his own scale of indecision weighing the opportunity versus the risk. In the second before he accepted her proposal, his gaze raked her body and the freely offered sacrifice was too tempting to
deny.

  “Of course, Miss Baxter,” he said with a true smile. “If you’ll give me a moment I just need to lock up the back room.”

  He returned with the barest scent of ether on him, and they stepped out into the darkness together.

  THIRTY-THREE

  “Grace, wake up. Grace.” Janey was shaking her roughly as she came into consciousness, rolling to face the nurse. “Thornhollow’s just now got back. The horses weren’t even unhitched before he got a message from town. There’s another body found, and the doctor’s wanting you.”

  Grace dressed quickly and climbed into the carriage to find an exhausted Thornhollow facing her.

  “I was looking forward to my bed, but that’s a comfort that will have to wait,” he said. “I’m sorry for my delay, Grace. Ned refused to take the horses out, and I didn’t want to upset him needlessly. Though if it’s another doll we go toward it’ll be on my conscience for not insisting we return sooner.”

  “Don’t borrow trouble,” she said coolly as they rattled into town.

  They traveled in silence to the park, where Davey and George waited, gas lamps raised. “Not a woman,” Thornhollow said as they approached, eyeing the form of the corpse. “There’s that relief, at least.”

  Grace didn’t even nod, the practiced mask of insanity appearing the moment she exited the carriage.

  “Well, if it ain’t our pleasure to see you again,” George said the moment they came into the light. “Oh, and you too, Doctor,” he added, tipping a wink.

  “Yes, the joy of your company cannot be overstated,” Thornhollow said, removing his gloves to lean over the body in the snow.

  Davey moved to stand next to Grace. “Are you warm enough? It’s been some bitter cold we’ve had here lately. I can stand it, though, if you need my coat.”

  His sincerity was wasted, all her attention focused on Thornhollow. Her nerves steeled for what was to come, her vision tunneling to include only him and the blood congealing in the snow.

  George stamped his feet, breath fogging in front of his face. “Seeings as we’ve got to stand here and freeze our balls off I’d appreciate you explaining how your voodoo is so much better than our regular police work.”