The Darkest Days (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 6)

by Liza O'Connor

  She breathed out with satisfaction. “And Xavier, he never makes mistakes, like claiming the mesmerist was dead when she wasn’t, or when he promised those vulcanized rubber things would keep me from having a cannonball. Nope. He’s perfect too.” She glanced at Tubs but saw no improvement.

  “But you’re only twenty-three…younger than me unless you take into account you’ve been an adult since you were six, and by that account, you’re eleven years older than me. So there’s no reason why you should get to make a mistake. You should be perfect like the two of us.”

  He still refused to cheer up.

  “And what a terrible mistake it was. You trusted a skill of yours that has never failed you before. I had that happen once. I had this horse, and we’d jump the same stream every day, and so I trusted the horse would always jump the stream. Only one day it didn’t and I went tumbling over its head into the creek. But I’m not like you, Tubs, keeping all the responsibility to yourself. No. I had the audacity to blame the animal who tossed me. It sure as hell wasn’t my fault. The horse had always performed to my bidding before. How would I know this time he wouldn’t? Nope, it was the horse’s fault.”

  She sighed. “My aunt had a different take on the matter. She discovered the horse had thrown a shoe the day before and blamed the groomsman since the accident wouldn’t have happened if he’d checked the horse. So now I was mad at the groomsman. However, he felt it was Claire’s fault because she was the last one to ride the horse and never said a thing. So now the groomsman and I are mad at Claire. But Claire insisted it wasn’t her fault because she had no idea horses wore shoes, nevertheless lost them, and even if they did, that was their doing and not hers.”

  Finally, Tubs chuckled.

  Vic launched off her chair and crushed in the small space by Tubs. “Are you well now? Please say you are. Please!”

  “I’m better,” he said and smiled. “You could cheer the dead.”

  “We may have to. One of the cases Ben took on claims to have a ghost.”

  Tubs groaned. “You don’t want to mess with ghosts. I can’t kill them.”

  She laid her head against his giant arm. “Well, something is keeping the old woman awake at night and she wants it stopped.”

  “What’s the other case you got?”

  She jumped up and returned to her spacious seat so she could watch his expression. “A Renoir sketch has disappeared from a locked room that only a few employees had access to, and all were searched upon leaving the room.”

  Tubs smiled.

  “See, that one makes you happy.”

  “I’m smiling because it makes you glow. You love a good mystery.”

  “As do you, Tubs. You were meant to be a detective just as much as I.”

  Xavier opened the door, stared at a smiling Tubs, then entered, rubbing Vic’s head, tossing about her hair. “Well done, pup. I have resolved the financial updates. Let’s stop by the office so Ben may type the information and have… Damn it, we need a messenger.”

  “Let Ben lock up the office and handle the matter. We have enough cases.”

  “We are not investigating missing cats,” Xavier growled.

  “I agree, but I believe we need to investigate a new pie shop on Grand street. Their beef pot pies may not actually be beef.”

  Xavier sighed. “Surely you have something better, or you would not be so happy because I must say, the notes I read sounded like an old woman wanted us to remove a ghost.”

  She told him about the missing Renoir and he brightened. “That’s a good case, eh, Tubs? Cheered you right up.”

  Vic was about to insist it was Claire’s insistence she shouldn’t be responsible for a horse’s shoes, only her own, but let it slide. The mention of her sister always put Xavier in a bad mood.

  Chapter 22

  When Vic, Xavier, and Tubs arrived at the British Museum, they were taken straight to Mr. Powers.

  Doctor Powers, the pompous ass informed Vic.

  He led them to the secured room. The guard opened the door, but before he allowed them in, he warned, “You will be subjected to a search upon leaving the room.”

  Vic stopped at once and stepped back. Tubs stayed with her.

  “Xavier can examine the room alone.” She turned to Powers. “Perhaps you can gather all your employees who had access to this room so I may interview them.”

  When the pompous ass left, hopefully, to gather the employees, she smiled at Tubs. “See, without you, we would have to turn the matter over to Scotland Yard.”

  “Which is precisely what you should have done,” Barns stated as he stormed forward. “What has happened, and why weren’t we called?”

  Vic frowned at the young man. “What’s got you in such an unpleasant mood?”

  Tubs smiled at Vic. “Tell him your horse story. That’ll cheer him up.”

  Vic doubted it. Instead, she led Barns to a corner where they could talk a bit more privately. “What’s wrong?”

  Barns’ hands clenched. “Inspector Stone cut me out of the extortion case. Said it required a more experienced lead. So he gave it to Meyers.”

  “Well, the criminal activities proved to be significantly larger than the murders we solved,” Vic said, agreeing with Stone’s actions for once. Meyers was a far better choice to lead the investigation. Still, someone should have thrown Barns a bone.

  “I can’t believe you weren’t invited to participate,” she said and patted his back.

  “Oh, I was offered to trail behind Meyers and observe, but he sent me off the second day.”

  “What did you do?” Vic asked.

  Barns frowned at Vic. “Why do you presume I did something?”

  “Because I’ve worked with Meyers for years and he’s very easy to get along with. For him to send you off…would suggest you were impeding his investigation.”

  “So he told you. It wasn’t true. I was simply challenging his logic. I am considerably smarter than him. He should listen to me when I correct him.”

  Vic pressed both sides of her head with the bottom palms of her hands. “Barns, you have some very useful skills, but while you are well-educated in classical studies, Meyers possesses a massive knowledge of criminals and their ways. You are like me when Xavier first took me on. He called me ‘pup’ because I was fresh and eager, but clueless to the world before me.”

  Barns scuffed the floor. “But how am I ever to learn if I’m not allowed to participate?”

  It was a fair question. “I’ll tell you what, we’ll let you help solve this case, and then you can bring it to Stone wrapped in a bow. That way he can’t take away your bone and give it to a big seasoned dog.”

  “Why should you be involved at all?” he demanded. “This should be my case.”

  “And that is why you keep getting cut loose. You always push for more than you can do.” She paused. “I’m guessing you never interacted much with your parents, but were raised by a nanny whom you could bully about.”

  “There was more than one nanny. They didn’t last for long, but you are correct on the first part. I rarely saw my parents, and once I reached the age of six they sent me off to the first of a long list of schools.”

  “And you never fit in at any of them.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “And had problems with your professors at Oxford?”

  “Have you been investigating me, because I don’t appreciate it and neither will my father when I tell him.”

  Vic gripped his arm. “Stop being a spoiled brat, or I’ll send you off as well.”

  “But I am the police officer. It should be I who investigates a crime.”

  “And yet, they asked us for help, which means, they do not wish police involvement.”

  “Can they do that?”

  “If a person does not report a crime of theft, Scotland Yard has no authority to demand to be included in an investigation. These matters are often resolved without the police. If you wish to join us, you will need to show a better a
ttitude and recognize your position as a novice still learning his trade. Am I clear?”

  “Yes. And I would very much like to join your investigation.”

  “As a novice observer?”

  His face tightened as if in pain, but he nodded.

  “Excellent, I’ll be interviewing employees while Xavier assesses the room where the theft occurred.”

  “I would like to see the room.”

  “Be aware, you will be subject to a search upon leaving the room.”

  “Nonsense! I am an officer of Scotland Yard.”

  “So you will either join me, observing my interviews, or go home, having ruined yet another opportunity to learn from the experts.”

  “I will allow the search,” he muttered.

  “Sorry, but Xavier is in no mood for spoiled children. That offer is off the table. It’s just me or home.”

  “Problem?” Xavier asked as his hand rested on Vic’s neck.

  “Mr. Powers has never returned with any employees. However, I ran into Barns and asked him if he’d like to watch my interviews.”

  “Why are you not working the extortion case?” Xavier asked.

  “Meyers kicked me off,” he muttered.

  “And why did he do that?” Vic asked as if speaking to a three-year-old.

  “Because I overstepped.”

  Vic smiled up at Xavier. “He oversteps because he was raised by nannies who never had the authority to make him behave.”

  “You can’t go around telling people that!” Barns objected.

  “Vic and I do not keep secrets,” Xavier explained. “However, I had already deduced as much. And while being raised by indulgent nannies is not your fault, continuing to behave like a spoiled child at your age is entirely your decision. If you wish to grow up, you only need to rein in your outbursts and do so. The potential is there. Both Vic and I see it. You could become a remarkable adult whom those above and below you will hold in great respect and seek your advice, or you can remain a petulant child whom all intelligent people will avoid like the plague.”

  Barns breathed in. “I intend to be a great man, respected by all.”

  “Then get on board, because you are burning sails before your ship has left the dock.” He patted the boy on his back. “Shall we all view the room until Powers returns?”

  “I’ll stay out here,” Vic said, surprised Xavier would think she’d allow some museum guard to discover her secret during a pat down.

  “I’ve explained to Guard Robson you have an aversion to being touched. So we have agreed as long as you merely stand at the door, you will not require searching.”

  Vic rewarded him with a happy smile, for in truth she was dying to see the room.

  Having two people to be her arms and legs, Vic’s requests flowed like a fountain.

  “Xavier, see if the paintings can be removed from the wall.”

  “They can,” Xavier replied, evidently having already checked.

  “Have you checked behind each painting for holes in the walls?”

  “I have, the walls are solid.”

  She glanced up. “Have you checked the ceiling tiles? Perhaps, one has come loose, like another place we know.”

  “What place?” Barns asked.

  “It is enough that you know such a thing is possible,” Xavier stated. “Now Barns, how would you go about checking the tiles?”

  “Request a ladder and a servant?”

  Xavier covered his mouth and feigned a cough. Vic motioned Barns to her and kicked his expensive, impeccably clean shoes.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded.

  “Assuring those are your legs. Do you honestly plan to have a servant following you about as you solve crimes?”

  “You do,” he said nodding to Tubs.

  “Tubs is not a servant. He is a highly skilled employee. Far more than you will ever be. As you move up the ranks, you’ll be lucky to have anyone with one-third of his talent, and you won’t even get that if you insult them. They’ll ask to work for someone else or quit Scotland Yard entirely. Good people should be highly treasured and given their due.”

  Barns looked at Tubs, who remained outside the door beside Vic. “So do you feel ‘treasured’ running about keeping Vic safe?”

  “He assists in solving crimes,” Vic snapped. “And you are one annoyance from being sent off.”

  Barns looked to Xavier, evidently expecting him to back him up.

  Xavier cocked his head. “If Vic sends you off, you’re gone.”

  “I apologize if my words were mistakenly construed as an insult to Tubs.”

  Xavier shook his head. “Gads, your apology is as bad as the ones Stone gets from Vic. I foresee a day when you and Vic will be the best of friends.”

  Both Vic and Barns stared at him in shock.

  “Shall we return to how we can test the ceiling? Vic, have you a faster solution than locating a step ladder?”

  “Certainly. You come out and get searched while Tubs goes inside.”

  Xavier smiled happily. “A perfect solution.”

  “I don’t see how that…” Barns stopped talking as Tubs entered, walked to a corner, reached up, pushed against a ceiling tile, then moved on when it didn’t budge.

  They watched while the seven-foot giant finished the job in rapid time. “No loose tiles. Vic should go in through the space between the ceiling and the floor above. A careful thief might have the tile secured from above.”

  “I’ll do it,” Barns insisted.

  Vic smiled. “Yes, we should let Barns do this. He can assess whether the tiles are the same or one looks different on its topside.” Crawl spaces were always filled with cobwebs and spiders.

  Tubs and Barns came out and endured their searches. The guard found a few weapons on Tubs, which he returned upon the end of the search.

  Finally, Dr. Powers returned. “My employees await you in the restoration room.”

  Did the man seriously think she wished to interview them all at once? “Excellent, I will require a more private room to interview each person in private.”

  Before Powers could object, Xavier spoke up. “Barns will require access to the space above this room.”

  “There is no access from above.”

  “Do you know this for a fact?” Xavier challenged.

  “I…” he frowned. “I have never found such access.”

  “Do you have the architect’s notes on the building’s construction?”

  “I don’t believe so.”

  “Well, perhaps you can call the architecture and retrieve them while Vic and I interview your people and Tubs and Barns verify there is no way to reach the room from above.”

  After a long pause, the curator smiled. “Yes… of course. That would explain how the sketch was taken and why they took it rather than larger, more valuable pieces. I will telephone the board members and let them know.”

  “Not until we have completed our investigation,” Xavier warned.

  “But to what point? You have clearly deduced the only explanation. Rest assured I will pay you for a full day’s work.”

  Xavier arched his brow. “You will pay us for the hours we work thoroughly investigating this matter. Now take us to your workers and locate a room for the interviews.”

  Xavier’s ability to control people with a jerk of his head or an arch of his right eyebrow impressed Vic. When she did either, they would just stare at her as if she’d developed an embarrassing twitch.

  “You will find them in the restoration room. I must speak to the architect,” he stated in a huff.

  Noticing a guard close by, she asked where the Restoration Room was. The man pointed to a door further down the hall and then smiled at Xavier. “The employees wait within, Mr. Holmes.”

  Vic chuckled and focused on Tubs. “Barns’ task is to find a way in from the top. Give him advice on the matter. If he gives you any attitude, you may stop teaching him and send him off.” She then looked at Barns. “But I have great hop
e he will realize he’s about to learn from a master.”

  She then headed down the hall. “Come along, Holmes,” Vic teased, knowing how much Xavier hated being called Doyle’s famous character.

  She had feared they would be interviewing people for hours, but thankfully there were only three men in the room. Two looked very nervous and one seemed bored.

  She turned to Xavier. “You do the interviews, starting with the bored guy. I’ll keep the other two company.”

  He frowned at her for a moment then spoke aloud to the one feigning boredom. “You, show me a private room for the interviews.”

  The fellow, pushed up from his chair with a huff, shaking his head, and waved for Xavier to follow him.

  Vic took his seat and groaned a sigh. She looked over to the young man with brown hair. “Have you ever had a day that just never ends?”

  Both men chuckled.

  “What is he going to ask us?” The dark-haired man in his late thirties asked.

  “He’ll probably ask what you did with the Renoir.” Vic chuckled. “He’s not one to dance around the elephant in the room.”

  “But we didn’t take it,” the young man insisted.

  “Then you have nothing to worry about.” Vic glanced about the large, cluttered room. “What do you do in here?”

  “We restore paintings.”

  Vic was shocked to learn how far they would go to ‘restore’ a painting, even painting in parts damaged or scratched.

  He then led her to a masterpiece they were presently working on.

  Vic frowned. “This painting is familiar.”

  “It’s a Rembrandt, a very fine one…or will be once I restore it.”

  “It looks fine to me,” Vic said.

  “Time has darkened the oils and made it gloomy. It’s no longer what Rembrandt painted.”