Pack of Trouble (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 5)
Page 23
Maddy’s tuff of red hair still stood on end, but Claire had captured it in a light pink bow. And while the ribbon clashed with the red hair, it matched exactly to the baby’s changed skin tone. “She’s got color,” Vic said, glad the child was no longer so deathly white.
“That may be terror,” Claire said softly and glanced up at her husband.
David shrugged. “Vic needed help. Since Xavier didn’t seem inclined to rescue her, I handed him Maddy so I could.”
Vic laughed at the absurdity of it all. “For the record, had I required help, Xavier would have come in a second, yelling out orders to all.”
“Then you didn’t fall and drop Cannon?” Claire asked, petting Maddy’s head, even as Vic held the precious baby.
“No. Cannon, Arroo, and I were playing hide and seek. They hid and I sought.”
“And found,” Xavier added, then opened the door. “Gregory, we need chairs…ah, you’ve anticipated my request.” He stepped back and Gregory brought in two chairs.
Gregory then stared at Claire. “If you wish tea, it will be served in the parlor.”
Vic noticed a flash of white going towards the door. “Xavier, Cannon’s on the roll.”
He reached down and snared the boy, who complained with a loud growl.
“He truly is feral,” Claire said, pulling Maddy to her chest and standing.
“I had finally broken him of growling. Then Xavier brings him a pack member this morning.”
“A what?” Claire asked.
Vic wanted to point out the dog that Claire had somehow failed to notice, but couldn’t find it. So she called, “Arroo?”
The pup’s response came from the other side of the door. Xavier opened it and the pup bounded in. Xavier set Cannon down and both the growling and strange barking stopped.
Instead, they were sniffing and licking each other.
“Xavier, make them stop,” Claire demanded and then looked at Vic
“They’re a pack. They were duking it out for top dog when you arrived. “May I show them Maddy?”
Her question resulted in Claire’s eyes rounding in horror. “She’d be terrified.”
“Nonsense, Maddy is a brave little girl. Let her meet her cousin.”
Claire sighed and stared at David. He gave the slightest of nods. Sighing again, she glared at the floor. “Is the floor clean?”
“Does Gregory run this house?” Vic countered.
With the heaviest sigh yet, Claire placed Maddy gently on the floor, her hands poised an inch above the child, ready to snatch her at the first sign of danger.
Cannon and Arroo stopped their cleaning and stared at Maddy as if some strange creature had appeared in their forest.
Arroo sniffed, then wagged its tail. Cannon held up his head and sniffed as well. Then the two pack members slowly approached, side-by-side.
When they pressed their noses against her tiny hand, a smile formed on Maddy’s face. Unfortunately, Claire lost her nerve and retrieved her baby to her chest. That resulted in both the pack howling ‘ar roo’ over and over.
Xavier frowned and snared them both. “Time to eat,” he said and left the room with the howling pack.
Claire waited for the door to close behind Xavier before she spoke. “Thank you for bringing me Maddy, we love her dearly.”
David nodded as well, and caressed Maddy’s tuff of red hair. “You were spot on, Vic. This child was exactly what we needed.”
Claire’s eyes widened with sincerity. “However, I assure you, had my foolish suit been successful, I would have realized my mistake and given Cannon back.”
Vic repressed her desire to burst out in laughter and even managed to pat Claire’s hand. “I’ve no doubt. Nor could Maddy ask for better parents.”
Her sister passed Maddy to David with a fleeting frown that no doubt meant ‘and this time, don’t give her to anyone else.’ Then she threw herself onto Vic, hugging her for dear life. “I’m so glad my foolishness didn’t kill you.
Vic had wisely pulled up her arms so they weren’t involved in the bone-crushing hug.
“So am I. Turns out I’m harder to kill than I thought.”
Xavier returned and ordered them all to the parlor as he showed his remarkable strength by lifting Vic into his arms and carrying her and her tonnage of plaster.
It was very gallant, but Vic suspected he had done so simply because he wanted them out of his library.
He placed her on the couch and sat beside her then gestured to the tea set. “Claire, perhaps you can do the honors.”
As they sipped their tea, Claire frowned at the room. “Vic, this room is a disaster. I can have it redone if you like.”
“I rather like it,” David said.
“You do?” Claire asked in shock.
Vic decided to come to David’s rescue. “It’s a man thing, Claire. We have enough excitement in our days; we don’t need our wallpaper fighting with itself at night.”
“Here, here,” Xavier said.
Claire remained focus on David. “Is that why you are always resting your eyes when we are in the parlor?”
He gently caressed her cheek. “It is a trifling matter. If the parlor makes you happy, then I’m happy.”
“But you like this one?” she challenged.
“I love you, Claire. As long as you are happy, that is all that matters.”
Claire smiled, first at Maddy, then David, then Vic. “I am happier than I’ve ever been. I have a purpose in life now.” She petted Maddy’s pink cheeks. “All thanks to my dearest brother and my beloved husband.”
Vic cleared her throat and once she had Claire’s attention rolled her eyes in Xavier’s direction.
“And a brother-in-law who keeps Vic safe and alive against all who are stupid enough to wish him harm.”
Chapter 26
One month later
Xavier was reading the paper in the quiet sanctum of his library, when Gregory announced Inspector Stone waited in the parlor.
“Alone?”
Gregory nodded.
“Is Vic still out on his training mission?”
“He is.”
“Then bring Stone to me,” he said and finished reading the article on their new First Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury, Robert Cecil. A change in the winds for England, and he hoped for a better sail.
The library door opened and Gregory announced, “Inspector Stone, sir.”
Xavier laid down the paper on the small table and stood to welcome his current intruder. “Stone, please be seated. Can I get you a drink? I’ve some very fine whiskey.”
Stone turned Vic’s chair to face Xavier’s and sat. “Coffee or tea would be more suitable for ten in the morning, I should think.”
Gregory nodded and left the room.
“You haven’t taken up drinking in the mornings, I hope,” Stone said the moment the door closed.
“There were a few days, after Vic’s near death, but if you are asking if I’ve been seduced by the bottle, rest assured I’ve not.” He studied the Inspector’s now relieved and relaxed face. “I gather England is settling down nicely?”
“Yes, thank you.” He leaned back and smiled at Xavier. “First Minister Cecil called me to his office this morning.”
“And how did you find him?” Xavier asked.
“A delightful change from his predecessor. He congratulated me on stopping the serial killer of London’s police and suggested Captain Meyers should be acknowledged for his service to his country by the Queen.”
“Well, that’s unexpected,” Xavier stated with genuine surprise. He had explained to the First Minister how difficult and dangerous the task had been. Still, he hadn’t expected a royal accommodation to come from his effort.
Stone continued. “And then I was warmly commended for raiding a warehouse and rescuing stolen boys before they could be sold into the ugly slave trade. For that, I am personally to receive a commendation from the Queen.” He eyed Xavier. “I almost told him that while
I protect London every day from harm, that I could take no credit for those boys.”
Xavier relaxed at the word ‘almost’. “But you did the hard work. All I did was provide you an address. Informants are a common tool of your profession.”
“You also gave me the assurance that these boys could be saved without outrage from above.”
“So, I’m a better informant than your common riff-raff. In the end, it’s of little consequence. You took information, acted upon it, and saved these boys from a life of hell. And you do this on a daily basis, taking in information, choosing the battles you can win, and fighting back the evil that would otherwise overtake London. More than anyone I know, Meyers included, you deserve an accommodation. However, for the record, I never suggested such a thing to a man I barely know. I simply relayed the facts. London could not have a better protector of justice than you.”
With the warning of a soft knock, Gregory entered with a tray carrying tea, coffee, and an assortment of scones. “Tea or coffee, Inspector Stone?”
“Tea,” Stone replied.
Neither man spoke while Gregory poured the tea and offered sugar or cream.
Once Gregory left, Stone sipped his tea. “If Vic is on a mission, why are you not with him?”
“The pup insisted I would distract the little pups training.”
Stone choked, spewing a fine mist of tea over his lap. “I beg your pardon? What precisely does that mean?”
“I am not exactly sure. However, you can rest assured Tubs is with them.”
“And who is ‘them’?
“Cannon and Arroo.”
Stone stared at him. “Must we make this an interrogation?”
Xavier sighed. He was rather enjoying being the difficult informant. “Arroo is a bloodhound pup I gave to Cannon a while ago. I believe, but am not certain, that Vic has placed treats about London and they are currently learning to track them down.”
The Chief Inspector’s brow furrowed.
“How much trouble could Vic possibly get in while stuck in a wheelchair?”
“That depends where they went.”
Xavier rubbed his chin. “Good point. If they went to the safer parks, someone will call and complain about a baby being led on a leash accompanied by a giant monster and a fellow in a wheel chair.” He laughed at the image in his head.
To ease Stone’s worry, he added, “Hopefully, Vic chose a park in Samson’s district. Hardly a policeman to be found there these days. Thus, a concerned citizen will have no one to complain to.”
Stone snorted. “When Samson provided me the list of policemen being paid by his predecessor, I had no choice but to fire them.”
“You did interrogate them first, I hope.” Xavier had recognized the top name on the list as the bastard who had interrogated him a few years back, trying his hardest to make the ‘great Sherlock Holmes’ cry.
“It took two days, but Dathers finally broke. Sorry I couldn’t invite you to watch, but I also abstained from observing the interrogation over the concern someone might claim I was revenging the officer who had almost replaced me.”
Xavier shook his head at the thought. “Had that occurred, Blackhand Harry would have controlled Scotland Yard, and a major war amongst the crime lords would have broken out.”
“Thank God, you got rid of him,” Stone said. “By the way, if you wish to replace other crime lords with fair-minded fellows who provide me a list of officers on the take, I will happily get rid of all the bad seeds within the ranks. I am certain other policeman have been bought by the remaining crime lords as well.”
He had no doubt of that. “Well, let’s see how this experiment plays out first. It is very hard to hold onto the power of corruption without succumbing to it.”
“Then you think Samson will someday be no better than the others?”
Xavier rubbed his chin. “Vic creates a strong bond with his employees, one that may hold their compass straight no matter what storm they battle.”
“But he is no longer Vic’s employee,” Stone observed.
“I’m not sure the pup has released Samson from his pack, which is why they are no doubt digging about in his grounds.”
“I see that with Meyers, as well. The man worships the boy.”
“As he should. A man of his education would never have gone beyond sergeant without Vic’s influence. Meyers was good but never stood out until my pup took a liking to him.”
Stone set down his cup. “That is an astute observation…and accurate. Meyers was reliable and hardworking, but nothing special until he began working with Vic on a regular basis. Now, he is by far the best man I have.” Stone met Xavier’s stare. “Hiring Vic may very well be the most brilliant move you’ve ever made.”
“Without doubt,” Xavier said and rose from his chair. “Now, if you’ll excuse my rudeness in doing so, I’m throwing you out. We’ve both got better things to do than drink tea and ruminate about our past achievements like worthless old men.”
Stone stood. “That is the truth. No doubt multiple crimes are occurring even as we speak.”
Upon reaching the door, Xavier held it for Stone. “Onto the hunt, then.”
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OTHER BOOKS BY LIZA O’CONNOR
HISTORICAL
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic
Humorous, Late Victorian Sleuth Series
The Troublesome Apprentice
The Missing Partner
A Right to Love (a romantic spinoff)
The Mesmerist
Well Kept Secrets
Pack of Trouble
The Darkest Days
SINGLE HISTORICAL NOVELS
Untamed & Unabashed
Spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice
CONTEMPORARY
A Long Road to Love Series
Humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance
Worst Week Ever
Oh Stupid Heart
Coming to Reason
Climbing Out of Hell
The Hardest Love
CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE
White Oak Mafia Series
Snarky, Romantic, Suspense Thriller
A Fortune to Die For
Unexpected Love — Coming Soon
Dance or Die — Coming Soon
Requires Rescue Series
Often Humorous, Contemporary, Romance/Suspense
Standalone books with a special twist
Even the strong can use a helping hand when life gets hard.
Saving Casey
Saving Molly – Coming Soon
SINGLE CONTEMPORARY BOOKS
Ghost Lover
Humorous, Contemporary Romance with Ghost & Ghost cat
SCIENCE FICTION
The Multiverse Series
Sci-Fi Soap Opera with humor, romance, and science
The Gods of Probabilities
Surviving Outbound
Surviving Terranue
Surviving Sojourn
Artificial Intelligence Series
Sci-Fi/Romance
Public Secrets
Birth of Adam