by Rebecca King
“His name is Terrence Sayers. He is the criminal the people I work for at the War Office are investigating. We think he is behind the recent spate of jewel thefts that have been occurring up and down the country.”
“I thought they were just happening in London?” Oscar murmured with a frown.
Connor shook his head. “They started off confined to London houses, mostly in Mayfair, but there are only so many houses they can rob in this area. They have had to widen their target area. Of late, we have received reports that jewels have been stolen from estates of the wealthy up and down the country.”
“So that’s what you do?” Tahlia asked incredulously.
She was stunned. This was something she had never expected to hear but, having witnessed the way he fought the assailant in the alley this morning, she didn’t doubt him.
“That’s why you fought like that,” she whispered.
“Like what?” Oscar asked curiously.
Tahlia looked at him with wide eyes. “Ferociously.”
Connor grinned. “It’s what I do, Tahlia. I usually have at least one of my colleagues with me, though. This morning was unusual for me, in more ways than one.”
He laughed huskily when her cheeks flooded with colour.
Tahlia rolled her eyes at his complete unrepentance for such brutality but, given that he had saved her life more than once, she couldn’t be angry. His presence in the house now meant that the War Office was involved in this little mystery her uncle had left her and that reassured her a lot.
“Let’s take a look at this second pouch, shall we?” she murmured when a stunned silence had settled over everyone.
Connor watched as Tahlia opened another pouch of much larger stones. They spilled into her hand and sparkled as effusively as the previous handful of gems. He had no doubt that they were genuine and not fake as well. His problems just seemed to escalate.
“I am glad you went to the solicitor as your uncle requested,” Connor murmured. “These could have remained in this safe forever if you had left London without acceding to your uncle’s wishes.”
“Assuming that whoever mugged me didn’t find the safe first,” Tahlia cautioned.
Tahlia’s eyes met and held Connor’s over the width of the open floor. The very thought filled her with horror. To think of something this precious, this valuable, sitting hidden for years was disquieting.
“Where do you think my uncle got them from?” she whispered.
“He was wealthy, wasn’t he?” Connor asked.
The evidence of Henry’s wealth was there in the size of the house located right in the heart of one of London’s most affluent districts.
“Yes, but nowhere near wealthy enough to afford jewels like these,” Tahlia protested. “Besides, Henry never mentioned them to me. Why did he not say anything about them?”
Connor shook his head.
“You need to read the papers he left for you.”
Oscar held out another note with Tahlia’s name on and waited for her to open it.
My dearest Tahlia,
Thank you for taking the time to find this safe. I hope you have not been too troubled by what you have found. I think it would be wise to say that these jewels are very expensive, and should remain under lock and key while you are in London. Please do not tell anyone about them.
The jewels in the red pouch have been purchased for you and Joseph. The receipts for them are in the pile of documents hidden in this safe. The larger gems in the second pouch are being kept safe for the Gem Society.
The Gem Society is a group of people who are mostly amateur gemmologists who collect rare and precious stones for their private collections. It is a clandestine group; not many people know about us because of the value of some of the stones we own. Given the recent burglaries in London, the Society members wish to keep the group a secret, so please don’t mention them to anybody.
If you have followed this trail of notes, it is fair to say that I have not had the time, or the opportunity, to hand the gems over to someone else in the Society to look after. I would now ask you to do so, but you must be careful.”
Tahlia broke off when Connor groaned and shook his head in disbelief.
“I don’t think he had any idea what he was asking of you, Tahlia,” he muttered in dismay. “This is far too dangerous for you to be involved in.”
Tahlia didn’t care about any of that. She was locked on the wording of her uncle’s letter.
“Do you think someone murdered my uncle?” she whispered in horror. She stared down at the letter and watched the words swim as she tried to absorb the possibility.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” Connor murmured. “But I intend to find out.”
He didn’t say as much but he suspected that Henry could have been murdered.
“How did he die?” Connor asked.
“The solicitor said he was found dead in his bed. The doctor put it down to natural causes,” Tahlia whispered. “I had no reason to think that there was anything amiss.”
Connor nodded. He needed to see the doctor who had signed her uncle’s death certificate to find out for himself. For now, he decided not to mention it. Tahlia looked distressed enough by everything as it was.
“What else does it say?” He prompted when she had seemingly forgotten about the letter in her hand.
Tahlia jerked out of her thoughts and realised everyone was staring at her. Taking a deep, fortifying breath, Tahlia refocused on the words and began to read.
“The gems belonged to a late member of the Gem Society; Rupert Balgravia. He was burgled not so long ago. Unfortunately, Rupert informed us that he was struggling with someone who was trying to blackmail him, but he didn’t know who and refused to pay up. Needless to say they claimed they knew he had the jewels and wanted them in exchange over some hidden family secret Balgravia didn’t want to become public knowledge. Balgravia was concerned that the jewels he and his father had collected over many years were at risk. He wanted them kept out of his house until the whole matter blew over. I agreed to put them in the safe as long as he didn’t tell anyone where they were. He was murdered a week later.
While I have no reason to believe anybody is aware I have Balgravia’s jewels, I don’t want them to remain in the house once I am gone. They are precious, and need to be handed back to his widow. I would therefore be grateful if you could take them to her. I am sure she will be pleased to have them back.
Finally, I would like you to deliver a very important message to a friend of mine. You must do so in person. Don’t write it down. Remember it. I have written the address down for you on a small piece of paper. Once you have memorised it, please destroy it. Tell Jeremiah that the mudlark diamond is in London and with Valentin. That is all you need to say.
Take care, Tahlia. Joseph needs you to return home safely to him. Sort out whatever you need to do with the house. Then you can rid the house of these cursed jewels, and pass the message on to Tate but, once you have done so, please leave London and return home. Don’t wait around, stop in the house, or even remain in London. It would be best if you delivered the note to Tate, and then left London for good. Don’t ask why. I can’t tell you any more than that. I have left you a portrait of a man called Valentin. Keep it. It may come in useful to you.
Stay safe, Tahlia. Give Joseph my love. I hope the inheritance makes up for the hardships you have been forced to endure as a result of my poor decisions. I have since met with a few close acquaintances who have confirmed that Connor Humphries works for a secret organisation within the War Office. It turns out that he is not so much of a scoundrel after all. There must be a reason for what happened back then. Maybe you should take the time to try to find him so you can both clear the air? I will leave it to your capable hands.
Best wishes to you and Joseph,
Yours,
Henry.”
“Heavens above, just what in the world have I stumbled into?” Tahlia murmured softly.
“Some
thing dangerous,” Connor replied bluntly. He had a bad feeling about this; a very bad feeling.
Tahlia searched through the papers and found the portrait. The haunting image was grotesque. She handled it warily as she studied the man’s face her uncle had drawn before she turned it to Oscar.
“He doesn’t look familiar to me,” she said with a frown.
“Count Anatoly Valentin,” Oscar murmured. “Never heard of him.”
Connor took the picture off her and studied it himself. The face that stared back at him could only be described as hardened. It made him wonder what history this man had. Determined to find out, he studied the name and then dropped the portrait back into the safe.
It was now evident that Tahlia was right in the centre of one of the Star Elite’s toughest investigations. It was probably the most dangerous position she could ever be in. If only he knew how to get her out of it. The morning’s events suddenly made a lot more sense. It horrified him to think of Tahlia in such danger, but knew she had had a lucky escape given who was after her. Sayers was ruthless; callous; cold-hearted; and about the worst kind of enemy anybody could have.
“Good Lord, Tahlia,” Connor murmured.
“Henry wouldn’t knowingly put you in danger,” Oscar offered.
“But he has, hasn’t he?” Tahlia argued. “You heard it. His letter is all about keeping things secrets, murder, and blackmail. How could he do this to me? Why didn’t he just get rid of the jewels himself when Balgravia died? Why did he keep them?”
“I know Balgravia’s widow went to stay with relatives for a while not long after the funeral. I think she was away from London for a long time. Maybe she wasn’t available for Henry to speak with, and there was nobody else he could give them to?” Connor offered. It seemed a reasonable explanation given the circumstances.
“What is the mudlark diamond?” Cecily asked.
“I don’t want to know,” Tahlia sighed. “I really don’t. Whatever all of this means has nothing to do with me.”
“Are you going to go?” Oscar asked.
Connor was already shaking his head but Tahlia ignored him.
“I have to,” she whispered.
“You can’t, it is far too dangerous,” Connor objected. “They know you have something valuable on you.”
“They who? Sayers? How does he even know I am in London? They wouldn’t waste several weeks watching the house, surely to goodness?” Tahlia protested.
“No, they would have burgled it by now. I need you to think carefully about who knew you were going to return to London,” Connor asked thoughtfully.
“Nobody, I have already told you. I didn’t even notify the solicitor. I have only been back two days,” she protested.
Connor had to concede she had a point. If nobody knew she was back then he had to reconsider what had happened this morning.
They looked at each other. He knew what she was thinking and studied the jewels on her lap.
“I think I need to speak to my colleagues. We need help with this,” he muttered.
“They were after you, weren’t they?” she whispered. “It wasn’t me they wanted to snatch off the street. It is why they left when they reached out for me. They realised it was me and not you and left. The shot at the door couldn’t have been aimed at me. You were in the doorway. It was you they were shooting at.”
There was a hint of accusation in her voice but he didn’t argue. He suspected she was right.
“Maybe the muggers wanted my bag and were working in the area this morning,” she offered hopefully. “It would explain why I got mugged in the alley by one man, while the one who tried to snatch my bag was different.”
Connor knew that muggers did take advantage of weather like this, and chose their victims well. Maybe they were so determined to steal her bag off her because she had very few jewels to steal. Maybe they targeted Tahlia because they thought she was alone.
But then Cecily was wandering around alone and nothing had happened to her, he reminded himself. However, it was clear from Cecily’s uniform that she was a servant. Maybe they didn’t bother with her because they thought she was working class.
Connor realised Cecily was still waiting for an answer.
“I have never heard of the mudlark diamond before. I suspect this Jeremiah Tate will be able to tell us more,” Connor replied.
“Us? You can’t go,” she protested. “Not if someone is trying to kill you. Why, you will take these people straight to the man’s door. It isn’t right. You can’t do it. You cannot put an innocent man at risk like that.”
Connor sighed heavily not least because he knew she was right.
“What?” she asked.
“You can’t do this yourself, Tahlia, it is far too dangerous. You don’t know these people,” Connor warned.
Frustrated at his lack of faith in her capabilities, Tahlia glared at him.
“Nonsense. Oscar can come with me. There is no reason for anybody to mean us any harm. After all, unless this Sayers person has had someone waiting outside of this house since my uncle died; how is he to know I have left the house? I mean, it is too far-fetched to even contemplate, isn’t it? I am sure you are just being a little nervous because of what happened, but there is no reason why anybody in London should wish me ill. I think it is safe to say that it is more likely to be you they are aiming at given the kind of work you do. I would be in far more danger being seen out with you than I would be alone, I don’t doubt.”
Connor tried to find a way to get her to see sense.
“But my being seen out with you has already put you at risk, Tahlia,” he announced quietly. “They know I have connections to you now because they have seen me in the house.”
“They must have followed you here,” Oscar warned bitterly.
“I am sorry,” Connor sighed.
“It isn’t your fault, is it? I mean, who was to know what these people were likely to do?” Oscar challenged. He pointed to the safe. “Nobody even knew they were there. If I were you, I would put the whole lot back and cover it up. While we remain in this house we need to pretend it isn’t there. If anybody does break in they are not likely to find it, are they?”
Connor nodded. “We need to put all of your uncle’s notes in here too so we don’t leave any hint about the safe’s whereabouts around for a burglar to find.”
“Oh, good Lord,” Cecily whispered. She looked at Oscar for reassurance but found none. Oscar was busy staring thoughtfully down at Henry’s last letter.
“I will go to see this Jeremiah Tate with you,” Connor said firmly.
Tahlia was having none of it though, and pushed angrily to her feet. He stared at her in amazement when she placed her hands on her hips in a challenging stance and glared down at him.
“No, you will not take over this, Connor Humphries. This message was left for me, not you. My uncle has asked me to see his friend, not you. There is no reason for you to get yourself involved in this. I am perfectly safe. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realise that I am in more danger with you around.”
“Now that you are in danger, Tahlia, you need to be protected,” Connor reasoned.
Guilt weighed heavily on him that he had put her life at risk, but there was little he could do about that now except protect her with his life.
Connor glanced at Oscar and Cecily and then turned his gaze on Tahlia.
“Is there just you, Oscar, and Cecily in this house?” he began.
When everybody nodded, Connor turned to Tahlia.
“So, who is Joseph?”
A deathly silence settled over the room that stretched to uncomfortable proportions.
When Tahlia looked him in the eye he read fear and secrets in her eyes and knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. He glanced at Oscar, who was trying to pretend he wasn’t there. Cecily’s face was, however, far too expressive to hide much.
Connor realised then that they were all hiding a secret about this Joseph, and he
wasn’t going to like the truth.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Tahlia knew she should tell him but daren’t, not yet. Not until she had considered the situation a little more. After all, telling him would change not just her life but Joseph’s too. She would bring her son so much more than she could give him alone; a father, a mentor, a protector, a guide, and another branch of the family. However, given the nature of Connor’s work, which seemingly took him up and down the country at a moment’s notice, he couldn’t bring stability, security, and a reliable mentor who would be around often enough to provide support when it was needed.
Torn, Tahlia threw Oscar a beseeching glance.
“Just someone at home,” Tahlia replied vaguely.
“This doesn’t feel right,” Oscar interrupted flatly, offering her a way to change the subject. “Your uncle has a safe in the study. Why didn’t he put these in there? Why go to these lengths to hide such wonderful gems that don’t belong to him?”
Connor sighed. “The organisation I work for, the Star Elite, are working on the jewellery thefts. Details of them have been all over the broadsheets. Most of the safes that have been broken into were located directly above fireplaces. He may have installed this with the intent of making himself less of a victim. He could put whatever he wanted in there. It isn’t the obvious place to look for a safe,” Connor suggested.
“Have you found any of the stolen items yet?” Oscar asked.
Connor shook his head.
“We think that the jewels are stolen to order. We have managed to track down several networks of thieves, couriers, and accomplices, who have worked together to transport the gems up and down the country. The jewels are taken to smelters and jewellery makers who re-cast the stones into new pieces of jewellery which are then sold on. Unfortunately, as soon as the gems are stolen they are recast, and are immediately unidentifiable. It is impossible to locate where they might be now. Most of the gems stolen so far have simply vanished.”