Of Night and Dark Obscurity Read online

  “Well enough.”

  “Thea mentioned a Mr. Eastoft. Do you know this gentleman?”

  “Sure.”

  “How do you know him?”

  “Miss Irene sent him notes and he sent ones back. I usually was to wait for the reply.”

  “Do you know what the notes contained?” Felix asked.

  Wilmot gave the sergeant a quizzing look. “What do you think they were about?”

  “Tell us what you saw or heard and no cheek.” Felix said sharply.

  “She was sitting for him. Some painting,” Wilmot told them. “He was sweet on her.”

  “We were to understand Mr. Eastoft practices law.” Val said.

  Wilmot shrugged. “I think she said that. But I recall there was a painting of some sort and she didn’t want it anymore. I don’t know all of it.”

  “And Miss Derry and Mr. Eastoft. They were engaged? A secret engagement?” Felix asked.

  “I don’t know nothing about that.”

  “Are you holding something back?” Val suddenly asked the footman.

  “If I tell you, I need this to not get back to the family. I don’t want to lose my job.” Wilmot said. “I’ve got a good, easy place here.”

  “It depends on what it is you tell us. Anything illegal or—“ Val began.

  “It’s nothing like that.”

  “Tell us. We’ll be the judge.”

  “Miss Irene. I liked her well enough I did. A pretty sort of girl. Lively and fun but she—“

  “Yes?” Val asked.

  “She was a tart.”

  “What?” Felix asked.

  “I’ll tell you this,” Wilmot said softly. “There were times when she was sending out notes and others were sending her notes. She had many admirers. I’m not sitting in judgement just telling you the facts as I saw it.”

  “How many would you say?” Val asked. “Admirers?”

  “Three, maybe four.”

  “Do you know where they lived and their names?”

  Wilmot shook his head. “She would often go out to meet them. She would take hansom cabs mostly but once or twice I drove her.”

  “Where?” Felix asked.

  “Different places. Sometimes I would drop her off at a public house or a tavern. She was a wild girl. I’ll tell you that. She didn’t cater to the rules and norms and the more her grandmother tried to rein her in the more she pushed the boundaries.”

  “And Miss Caroline? What was she like?” Val asked suddenly.

  “The opposite. Quiet, kind. Not that she hasn’t had admirers too but she never gave them the time of day,” Wilmot shrugged.

  Felix seemed to be watching Val until Wilmot spoke again.

  “I think it’s a tragedy what has happened to Miss Irene. A real tragedy. But someone killed her and it might have been one of those men. So, I’m telling you it all,” Wilmot said.

  “Thank you.” Felix said. “We do appreciate your honesty. A killer is out there and needs to be caught.”

  Wilmot nodded and wrote down the names of the men he remembered delivering notes to in Val’s notebook before he left.

  Felix watched him leave and then turned to Val. “It seems Miss Irene had a few secrets.”

  Val looked at the names he had been given and gave a start. “Yes. And it seems like someone else we’ve talked to had some secrets of his own.”

  He turned the list to his sergeant. Two of the names on the list were familiar to them; Simon Eastoft and Odean Barton.

  After they spoke to the Cook who had nothing new to tell them, they set out for Simon Eastoft’s office.

  Felix let out a low whistle when they entered the cab. “So, our list of suspects just grew.”

  Val shrugged. “Perhaps. The fact that Irene seemed to be living a double life no one in her family knew about complicates things. But people see things and they talk. At least now we have names.”

  “Interesting that the sisters are so different,” Felix added.

  Val gave him a look that silenced him further. When the cab pulled up to the modest two-story building Val didn’t know what to expect. When they were ushered into the room, a short balding man with a large red nose greeted them.

  “Hello. My clerk told me you were from the Metropolitan Police Service. I’m Simon Eastoft. How can I help you?” The older man said blowing his red nose.

  “Ummm,” Val looked over at Felix then back to the solicitor. “I’m Detective Chief Inspector Pierce. This is Sergeant Felix.”

  “Gentlemen,” he nodded. “How can I help you?”

  He directed the two men to the chairs opposite his desk and they both took a seat.

  “We need to ask you some questions in regards to an inquiry we are investigating. It’s a murder inquiry. I understand you are a solicitor.”

  “I am,” he nodded.

  “How long have you been a solicitor?”

  Simon appeared to give this some thought and then replied, “At least forty years.”

  “Would you be so kind as to draw a small bird on the piece of paper in front of you,” Val said.

  “Excuse me?” Simon asked.

  “Please.” Val said.

  Simon looked at the two men before him and then picked up his pencil. He drew a rather awkward and silly looking bird and when finished handed the paper to Val.

  Felix stifled a laugh and Val looked down at the page. “Thank you. Have you ever known a woman by the name of Irene Derry?” He slipped the drawing inside his jacket pocket.

  Simon frowned. “I don’t think so. It doesn’t sound familiar and I have a good memory for names.”

  “Do you have any other relatives?” Val asked.

  “I have a brother. He lives on the coast. Our parents are dead.”

  “Thank you for your time Mr. Eastoft. You’ve been most generous.”

  “Is this investigation ongoing?” He asked.

  “It is. But I believe we’ve been given the wrong information. Thank you for your time, Mr. Eastoft.”

  “Please allow me to have my clerk Mr. Bowler see you out,” he said kindly.

  Once outside, Felix stared back at the small modest building while Val pulled his gloves on.

  “What do you make of that?” Felix asked.

  “Very interesting,” Val responded.

  ✽✽✽

  Caroline looked about her at the assembled group of women. They had each brought their knitting or sewing and some had already begun their projects. She smiled at Prudence who sat stiffly by the fire knitting. Victoria, Lady Lyttleton, was seated close to the fire with her knitting in hand.

  “Thank you all for coming. I have such exciting news. My father’s estate agent and I visited one of the properties this week and I think it will work. I have decided that even though I cannot own the property I will be the manager. I would like to start a Guild, possibly the London Housing Guild. Once the property is renovated, the people we choose to live there will need help and we can—“

  “What sort of help?” Cleo Goodey asked.

  “Well. We will collect the rents, visit with them, talk to them and see what they need,” Caroline said excitedly.

  “What sort of people will they be, these tenants?” Cleo wondered.

  “They’ll be chosen by the Guild, but they will be people in need. People who require our help, people—“

  “Prostitutes?” Cleo demanded.

  “If that’s who has a need for housing,” Caroline nodded. “Then yes. Prostitutes will be housed.”

  Cleo shook her head. “Caroline. Good, decent people can’t be around those kinds of people. What would my husband think? And you!? You’re unmarried. What sort of man will want to marry you when you consort with streetwalkers?”

  Lady Victoria Lyttleton tasted the tea and then set her cup aside. “My dear Caroline. I have far too many charities to take on one more. The meetings alone are exhausting. But I will support you financially. I believe in you and what you are doing.”

  Car
oline smiled at the older matron. “Thank you Lady Lyttleton.”

  “I think it’s a marvelous idea,” said Stella Oakley. “I absolutely want to be a part of this. The people in the slums need a second chance.”

  Gladys Clifton shook her head. “I agree with Cleo. It isn’t seemly for you to be around those women and you have your reputation to think about.”

  “Bother my reputation,” Caroline said firmly. “This is about offering people safe, clean housing. What’s more important than that?”

  “Marrying into the right family and bringing up your children in the right circle,” Gladys said smugly as she picked up her bag with Cleo following her. “I’m sorry Caroline. But I can’t be a part of this.”

  “Me as well, Caroline,” Cleo said. “Our families matter more.”

  Caroline watched as both ladies left the room. She turned back to the three that had stayed.

  “Prudie?” Caroline asked her friend who had been silent until now.

  “I support you, Caro. You always were a bit of a revolutionary. You’re ahead of your time is all. Some people don’t understand that.”

  “Then our Guild has begun!” Caroline said excitedly. “Honorary member Lady Lyttleton, members Stella Oakley, Prudence Finch and Caroline Derry. Come to order!” She said smiling.

  ✽✽✽

  Caroline was pleased that the Guild was finally coming together. She had the financial backing of her father, Lady Lyttleton, Mr. Davies and now she, Stella and Prudie would be the ones to help move the Guild forward and to choose the tenants. It was an exciting beginning.

  Upstairs in her room after the women had left, she began to write a simple outline of the next steps they needed to make the building livable and then to let the rooms. She was certain that Peter Davies would be able to help her with what work would be needed and also procure the workmen for it. She had thought that once completed, the decoration and furnishings might be chosen by Lady Lyttleton, who didn’t want the burden of the meetings, but would surely enjoy decorating the homes.

  She wrote a simple note asking Peter Davies to meet with her in the morning and gave it to Wilmot to deliver.

  She paused to think about how the Guild should go about choosing the families to live in the rooms. She thought about the reasons to choose housing and she realized she wanted much more than just to house them. She wanted to change their lives. She wanted to offer the women trade to get them off the street, and Stella could help teach the children and adults who wanted to learn.

  The first eligibility was they must be a family. An adult with at least one or more child. They must be living in a deplorable arrangement to have the need to move. Caroline assumed the majority would fit that description. They must have an income, or if no income, they must be willing to work in a legal capacity and gain income through schooling and apprenticeship.

  Caroline decided that with her father’s consent she would like to be able to pay the first six month’s rent to give the family time to acclimate and find gainful employment. She knew with the resources she was collecting it would be achieved.

  It was dark outside as night had settled but she felt a sense of calm. Irene would be happy for her. This was something good to have come out of all this sadness. She already knew the name of the first house. She wrote it down and circled it. The Irene Derry House.

  ✽✽✽

  Peter Davies was seated across from Caroline.

  “My father wants to purchase the building you showed me,” she said smiling.

  “With you as its manager?” He asked.

  “Yes. The Guild is coming together. I have several on board already and you will be the fifth member of the Guild if you haven’t changed your mind.”

  “Not at all Miss Derry. I’m quite intrigued to see where this all goes.” He smiled lightly at her.

  “Hopefully to housing the needy and putting them on the path to better lives,” she pulled out a piece of paper. “My father asked that all the necessary papers be drawn up. I also wanted to discuss the renovations with you.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “You come prepared.” He said admiringly.

  “This means a lot to me. This isn’t some petty project that will take up my time between my embroidery and croquet. This is important to me,” she said passionately.

  “I can see that. It’s impressive. I deal mostly with men as you can imagine. The ladies I do interact with want to know how big the parlor is or the kitchen. You are a rarity,” he told her.

  “I wanted to meet with you this morning to discuss the renovations. What you think needs to be done, how long it will take, how many men to do the work and how much.” She looked down at the piece of paper reading off her list.

  Peter nodded. “I can draw up an extensive list for you and your Father to review. I have men that work on such projects and they are reasonable. I think you are looking at least two to three months. It shouldn’t be more than that.”

  “Excellent. I want to start drawing up a list of possible tenants. The Guild will interview them and see if they fit the requirements.”

  She stood up and reached across the desk to shake his hand. “You’ve been very helpful Mr. Davies. I’m very grateful to all you’ve done.”

  “And you, Miss Derry, are a breath of fresh air in this London soot.”

  She smiled as he walked her out. She breathed in the London air and smiled again recalling his compliment. It was coming together. She walked a little bit down the street and found herself outside the café where she and Inspector Pierce had shared a meal.

  She opened the door to the café and was greeted warmly. She asked for a table near the window to watch the passing traffic. Seated at another window seat by himself was the Inspector. She watched as he sketched absently and when she drew nearer to him, she saw it was a scene of the street.

  “Inspector Pierce,” she greeted him.

  He looked up and when he saw it was her, he smiled. “Miss Derry. What brings you here?”

  “I was visiting my estate agent nearby. I happened upon the café. This was the one you brought me to wasn’t it?”

  “It was. Sit with me.”

  She glanced up at the waiter and nodded as she sat across from him. “You’re sketching the passerby’s?”

  “There’s always something to see in London.” He placed his small sketchbook away. “What would you like to eat?”

  “Nothing too much. Soup and bread,” she said and the order was duly placed.

  When the soup arrived, she ate slowly as he sipped his tea.

  “It was a surprise to see you here. Sketching as you always seem to do.” She said.

  “It clears the mind.” He told her. “I am headed to the British museum after to view the print and drawings of the late Felix Slade.”

  “Who was Felix Slade?”

  Val added more milk to his tea. “He was a solicitor and collector. He never married and devoted himself to the law and collecting antiquities. He supported many different charities including the Nightly Shelter for the Houseless.”

  Caroline smiled. “He sounds like a good man.”

  “He died in 1868 and bequeathed his entire collection to the museum. It’s quite a collection. You might enjoy it.”

  “I might,” Caroline said impulsively.

  “Then you’ll come with me?” He asked expectantly.

  “I will.”

  Chapter 8

  Caroline had been to the British Museum numerous times over the years. She had always admired the grandeur of the building and her father had delighted in showing her and Irene his favorite parts of it.

  Her father had always admired the Assyrian discoveries of 1857 by Charles Newton. Newton had discovered the 4th century BC Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

  “My father took us here often,” Caroline said as they wandered the halls of the great museum. “He loved the ancient civilizations, especially the Assyrians. He found them to be an ex
ceptional people.”

  “They were,” Val agreed as they walked to the Felix Slade exhibition.

  Unconsciously Caroline tugged on her gloves and placed a hand to her hair to pat it down.

  “You look fine,” he whispered to her as they joined the group of people at the exhibit. “Perfect, actually.”

  She glanced up into his blue eyes and realized again how handsome he was. He was a quiet man but there was an underlying sense of surety in him that was attractive. Caroline blushed at the thought.

  “There seem to be quite a few people here,” she remarked.

  “He had a superb collection, or so I’ve read.” Val said as he led Caroline to the glass cases which contained the rare books Slade had collected.

  Inside one case was La Cyropedie, which had once belonged to the royal library of King Edward VI of England, son of the infamous Henry the Eighth. The leather binding was sixteenth century English calf with Edward’s arms painted in gold.

  “It’s beautiful,” Caroline breathed out as she saw the cover of the 300-year-old book, her fingers lightly touching the glass.

  He agreed. “It is.”

  There were other books that were equally striking in their intricate cover designs, and Caroline enjoyed seeing them and the other drawings in the Slade collection. They were walking into another room when someone called her name.

  Caroline turned to see Lady Victoria Lyttleton and her daughter Rachel coming towards them. She groaned inwardly. She shouldn’t be here with Inspector Pierce, and to anyone seeing them together, it would seem like they were out together.

  “Caroline, my dear. How are you? Enjoying the exhibit? You remember my daughter Rachel. Rachel this is Caroline Derry.”

  “Yes, Lady Lyttleton. I am enjoying the exhibit very much. Please let me introduce you to—“ she stopped suddenly. What should she call him? Inspector? Mister?

  “Caroline?” Victoria was looking at her oddly as was Val.

  “I’m sorry. Lady Lyttleton this is Inspector Pierce. Inspector Pierce, Lady Lyttleton, Rachel Lyttleton.”

  Lady Lyttleton looked over the young man, then at Caroline and then back to Val.

  “Are you the Earl of Banham’s youngest son?” Victoria asked.