“Was there blood covering her face?”
“Of course not. The body was cleaned before Mr. Carson arrived.”
“Then what did you attribute his mistaken identity upon?”
Stone turned his glare toward Carson. “I believed he mistook the identity because he had paid five thousand pounds to have his wife killed with a gunshot to the head, and therefore did not bother to actually look at the corpse.”
“Two thousand to commit his gentle wife to Bedlam, an unknown amount to have her starved, and now five thousand to have her murdered. When you investigated the man, did you find any reason to account for such animosity towards his wife?”
“Only that he wished to marry another woman while keeping his wife’s fortune.”
“Who did he wish to marry?”
“A Margaret Miller, who is pregnant and claims she carries his child.”
“Was this Miss Miller of his social class?”
Stone’s eyebrows arched. “That depends on which class you mean. Mr. Carson was born Elijah Joseph and grew up in an orphanage.”
Mrs. Collins gripped Alice’s hand. “My God,” she whispered.
Pandemonium broke out in the courtroom and the jurors were visibly angered. Mr. Carson slammed his fist upon the railing that surrounded his stand. “That’s a damnable lie.”
Stone remained unfazed by his outburst and focused on the jury. “With no inclination to hard work, Elijah Joseph climbed his way up from his meager roots by being pleasing. A Scottish country gentleman named Irwin Carson took such a liking to the good-natured and, dare I say, obliging young man, that the gentleman left Elijah his home and modest wealth upon his death.“
Mr. Ebbs looked at the jurors and frowned. “A convenient death. Are you investigating it?”
“The death occurred outside our jurisdiction. However, I believe if Mr. Carson does not meet justice in London, the Scottish officials may have just cause to extradite him.”
The solicitor for the prosecution huffed. “I dare say our fine jurists of London can deliver justice without assistance from the hinterlands.”
Jacko shook his head. His words were a clever warning to the jury of lords not to fail to find the man guilty or lesser Scottish men would step in to prove their worth. That warning plus the revelation Carson wasn’t a true gentleman was sufficient to guarantee a hanging. Comparatively, the actual evidence was almost immaterial now.
Mr. Ebbs continued. “So what did this fortunate orphan do with his country home and modest income?”
Stone addressed the jury. “He sold the home and its belongings and then moved to Hampshire. There he claimed to be the nephew of his deceased benefactor and with his charming manners soon became engaged to a young woman of modest fortune.”
“Then Mrs. Carson is not his first wife?”
“No, she is not. Although what exactly happened to his first wife remains a mystery.
“Yet, you have no proof he has harmed this lady.”
“No, we do not. In the earlier case, we have neither corpse, nor hired assassin. All I can say with certainty is that he married a young lady, but she had disappeared by the time he met and courted the recently widowed Mrs. Collins.”
Mr. Ebbs shook his head in disgust and gave way to the very depressed solicitor for the defense, Mr. Smithstone.
The hapless solicitor stared at his notes a long moment and then glared at the inspector. “You have no proof Mr. Carson killed either the old man or his first wife.”
Stone nodded. “That is true. But I have solid proof he hired the man who killed Ethel James.”
The solicitor for the defense pounced on this. “But who is Miss James? She is no one. The woman had been in Bedlam for over twenty years. Killing her was probably a blessing.”
Stone’s eyes narrowed. “She was far from no one. Her actions alone proved she was a good woman. She shared her meager rations with Mrs. Carson for a month. Had she not, the lady would had died in the place her husband had her falsely committed.”
The solicitor threw his arm out in gesture of exaggerated outraged. “You are not a doctor. You cannot declare she was falsely committed.”
Stone’s eyes narrowed, but otherwise he seemed untouched by the scolding. “I am merely reminding you of the doctor’s earlier testimony. He admitted he was paid two thousand pounds to commit a rational woman to Bedlam.”
Smithstone shuffled through his papers, seemingly at a loss of how to proceed. He finally looked up at the judge. “May I have a recess, your honor?”
The judge leaned down. “No, you may not. We have heard enough. Finish your questioning so we can conclude this trial.”
Mr. Smithstone sat down and muttered he was done with the witness.
Next, Mr. Ebbs called the assassin to the chair.
A small, boney thin man wearing all black, and looking remarkably like a shrunken harbinger of death took the witness chair. He stated his name was Lyle Little.
“And you murder people for money?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And your fee?”
The man shrugged. “Depends on the buyer. If they can pay, I charge ‘em more.” He nodded at Carson. “I charged that bloke more than ever before.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t like ‘em. I knew he’d try to cheat me. So I charged him double what I hoped to get, and demanded half up front.”
“Did he pay you the second half?”
The man snorted. “No. He told me to complain to Scotland Yard if I felt cheated.”
Mr. Ebbs scratched his head. “So he didn’t actually pay you five thousand pounds then.”
“Five thousand was the half payment. The full bill was ten thousand pounds.”
“So why did you shoot Ethel James instead?”
The man sighed. “Look, that place can age a woman real fast. So when I get to Ward 3 and see only one old skinny gal I figure it’s her. He told me he’d paid them to starve her to death, but she weren’t cooperating. To my eye, the old gal looked good for the money. Honestly, if the real Mrs. Carson had still been there, I’d have shot ‘em both just to be sure. I take me job seriously. This is the first time I’ve ever failed in a murder.”
Mr. Ebbs slammed his hand upon his desk in contempt. “Oh, you murdered someone. You put a gun to a good woman’s head and pulled the trigger, because that man…” His finger jutted towards Mr. Carson, “Paid you five thousand pounds in advance with the promise of five thousand more.”
Lyle shrugged. “True enough.”
Mr. Ebbs threw up his hands in disgust. “No more questions.”
Mr. Smithstone stood. “Why would you admit to murdering the woman? Have you made some agreement with the solicitor for the prosecution?”
Lyle nodded.
The solicitor for the defense snorted and turned to the jury. “So he is willing to let the true murderer go free just to hang an innocent man?”
Lyle’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Who’s the innocent man?”
“My client, who you have falsely accused to escape punishment. No more questions,” he yelled and threw up his hand in a mimic of Ebbs.
The judge slammed his gavel. “I will not abide theatrics in my courtroom. Another outburst and I will see you sent down, never allowed in court again.”
“My apologies, Your Honor,” Smithstone said and took his seat.
Mr. Ebbs stood. “If I may redirect and clarify this issue.”
The judge nodded.
“Please explain the agreement I have made with you.”
“You’ve promised me at my trial for the murder of Ethel James that you will petition the Home Office and request I be guillotined rather than hung.”
“And why is this important to you?”
“Because I don’t weigh but ninety pounds, and I don’t think that’s enough to make a clean hanging.”
“Thank you.” He then nodded at the guards to lead Mr. Little away and then spoke with authority. “The prosecution rests.�
��
The judge glared at Mr. Smithstone. “I don’t want to waste any more time on this case. So wrap up your defense before the day is out.”
The solicitor for the defense stood and shook his head. “We have nothing further to present, Your Honor.”
Carson glared at the man. “What do you mean you have nothing? Bring forth my character witnesses!”
“They all backed out.”
The judge slammed his gavel. “Then this case is now turned over to our most capable jurymen.”
The head juror stood up. “Your honor, I believe we can come to a verdict quickly in this matter.”
The judge smiled at him. “Good man! This court will re-adjourn in one hour.”
Once much of the crowd had dispersed, Mrs. Collins stood, and Alice did the same, holding onto her mother’s arm. Jacko followed close behind, with his hand resting on Alice’s back, so she would know he was with her.
When Mrs. Collins turned right instead of left, Alice objected. “Mother, where are you going?”
“To thank the solicitor for the prosecution.”
Alice smiled. “A fine idea. He was most extraordinary.”
Jacko had been on the opposite side of this solicitor once. He knew the man was not beyond using every dirty trick in the book. However, today, all his tricks had managed to support justice.
When Mrs. Collins approached, Inspector Stone and the man were having a serious conversation. Their discussion ended upon sight of the ladies.
Mr. Ebbs smiled at Mrs. Collins. “You were magnificent. Never have I had a better witness.”
Stone cleared his throat and the man looked his way. “Except for you, Inspector Stone, but you are an old hand at testifying. Whereas Mrs. Collins…”
Stone smiled at her. “Was most calm and collected.”
Mrs. Collins nodded at Stone. “And it is a pleasure to finally meet you, Inspector.”
Stone seemed perplexed why she should want to meet him, but then recognized Jacko beneath his gentlemanly garb.
“Have you been complimenting me, Jacko?”
Jacko coughed to cover the laugh that jumped out of him. “Sorry, no. Must be Victor.”
Stone arched his brow and returned his focus to Mrs. Collins. “That’s right. You and Victor’s aunt were good friends.”
He then glanced at Alice. “Is this your daughter?”
“Yes, and this is Jacon Bienora, my daughter’s fiancé.”
“Indeed?” Stone’s eyebrows rose with surprise. “Sounds foreign.”
Jacko smiled. “Spanish.”
“And do you plan to live in Spain or England?” Stone’s eyes bore into his.
Since he saw no reason why Stone should object to his new identity, he answered. “England. I pray you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. And where will you be staying?”
Alice spoke up. “At my country estate. I would also like to thank you, Inspector, for your diligent work in finding so much about Mr. Carson. I believe stripping him of his gentlemanly pretense will go far to ensure justice prevails.”
Mr. Ebbs chest bowed out with pride. “I believe that is a certainty.” He then frowned at Jacko. “Have we met before, sir? Your face is familiar.”
Jacko laughed softly. “Now that you mention it, you do look rather like a fellow who stole a horse from me.”
Stone, Mrs. Collins and the prosecutor’s eyes all rounded in shock. Only Alice laughed and turned to face him. “Jacko, don’t tease the poor man, he does not know your sense of humor and will think you are serious.”
Jacko pulled her into his arms. “My apology, sir. Everyone constantly asks me that, and upon further investigation, the fellow I resemble is either a pirate, a gypsy or a horse thief. So, I on occasion, feel compelled to return the favor.”
Mr. Ebbs laughed. “Well, now that you mention it, I was thinking you resembled some fellow I had pinned for a robbery.”
Jacko’s eyes narrowed. “Did you get the devil?”
“No. His attorney convinced the jury someone else committed the crime.”
Alice turned back around. “Well, then he must have been innocent.”
The solicitor struggled to repress his anger. “Why would you say that?”
“Because you are most convincing when the facts support your case. If the man had been guilty, you would have won.”
Stone coughed. “Yes, Lawrence is remarkably adept at swaying a jury.” If you ladies will excuse us, Mr. Ebbs and I have a few matters to discuss.
Jacko led Alice and her mother to the café where they enjoyed another cup of tea. Mrs. Collins remained lost in her private thoughts for a long time. Finally, she spoke. “I have a job for Victor? May we go there now?”
Jacko sensed a deep anger beneath her calm words and he suspected the cause. “Is this about the aunt who convinced you to marry Mr. Carson?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Alice’s hand worked around the edge of the table and reached for her. Mrs. Collins noticed and grasped her daughter’s hand. “I have always known she was paid by Mr. Carson to ensure I married him, he threw that revelation in my face the day after we wed. But I need to know if she was aware of his background.”
Alice sighed. “I will add that to Victor’s lists. As to finding the horrid woman, I gave him the task and another before I set off to Spain.”
Mrs. Collin’s brow furrowed. “What was the second request, beyond finding her?”
“To come up with a way to make her life long-lived but miserable.”
“Alice!” her mother softly scolded.
Alice grimaced. “I’m not saying I would do it, I just wanted to know my options.”
Mrs. Collins gently stroked her daughter’s face. “Leave this to me. Vengeance does not come without a price. I do not want your beautiful soul scarred with this.”
Jacko kissed Alice’s other hand. “Nor I.” He then smiled at her mother. “We should return now and claim our seats. I expect the courtroom to fill with reporters.”
Mrs. Collins frowned. “Is it necessary for me to attend?”
“No. But don’t you wish to hear the verdict?”
Her hand fluttered against her chest. “No. I would rather return to Litchfield, and focus on the preparations for the wedding.”
Jacko understood. Mrs. Collins probably wished to avoid the reporters. She would prefer if no paper ever mentioned her name again. But Alice needed closure, so he searched for a compromise. “It will not take long for the verdict to be read. Perhaps you can wait in the carriage while Alice and I return to the court?”
Alice squeezed his hand in appreciation. “Yes, that is an excellent idea. I would like to know for certain that this part of my life is safely behind me.”
***
Stone sat in the back of the courtroom. Upon seeing them, he bullied several reporters off the back bench so they had a seat close to the door.
True to prediction, reporters filled the courtroom to the brim. When the jurymen entered, the cacophony dropped to eerie silence.
The judge sat at his podium and stared down at the slumped over Mr. Smithstone and the preening Mr. Ebbs. “Bring in the prisoner.”
Two guards led Mr. Carson to his stand.
“Mr. Elijah Carson, born as Elijah Joseph, you are charged with the murder of Ethel James and the attempted murder of your wife, Mrs. Victoria Carson.” He turned his stare to the jury. “Lord Bradford, how does the jury find the defendant on these charges?”
The juryman on the corner stood and held his chin up high. “We find the defendant guilty on the charges of murder and attempted murder.”
The judge nodded. “I thank the jury for their excellent judgment.” He then turned to Mr. Carson. “Elijah Carson, born as Elijah Joseph, do you have anything to say as to why the death sentence should not be placed upon you?”
“I did nothing wrong. A man has a right to discipline his wife.” Carson screamed. “It’s she who should be put to death not me.”
The judge placed the traditional black square of cloth on his head and glared at Mr. Carson. “Elijah Carson, born as Elijah Joseph, you will be taken hence to the prison in which you were last confined and from there to a place of execution where you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead and thereafter your body buried within the precincts of the prison and may the Lord have mercy upon your soul.” He then looked at the guards. “You may return the prisoner to Newgate. Court dismissed.”
“And may you burn in hell,” Alice whispered.
Jacko hurried her from the courtroom, before the crowd became too thick. To his surprise, Stone stayed by Alice’s other side the entire way to the carriage. Jacko didn’t complain, because the inspector’s presence kept both reporters and pickpockets far away. Once he had his beloved safely in the carriage across from her mother, he turned to Stone. “Good to see you, again.”
“The same. Will I be seeing more of you?”
Jacko shook his head and smiled. “As pleasant as your company may be, it is nothing compared to my fiancée’s. Do not expect to see or hear from me for many months.”
Chapter 31
Alice felt the silk gown slide up her legs and over her hips. With her mother’s help, she eased her hands through the sleeves and the bodice fit into place.
“A perfect fit! Alice, you look beautiful.”
She forced a smile to her face. The most important day of her life and she remained blind to it all. The same would be true when their child was born. Tears welled in her eyes as she cursed her blindness.
“Dear, don’t be nervous. I believe you have made a very fine choice in husbands.”
“I have no doubts about Jacko. I just hate being blind. It is stealing this special day from me. I cannot see my dress, I cannot see the guests filling the church, and I will not be able to see Jacko’s smiling eyes during our vows.”
Her mother pulled her into a hug. “I know, my love. You lost something important, but what you still have is more than most women ever experience in life. You have a man who understands you to perfection, and loves you with his whole heart. That is more than I ever had.”
Alice frowned. “But you said Father loved you.”
A Right to Love: Romantic Spinoff From The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 2.5 Page 28