Jacob followed Riordan out of the study and watched him leave with Inspector Wheeler.
“How can you be so sure she had nothing to do with any of it?” asked Amos.
“I’m sure,” said Jacob, “but I admit there are a lot of unanswered questions. I need to go and see someone.”
Amos pulled out his pocket watch, “At this hour in the morning?”
“Yes. Can you be back here at nine o’clock in the morning?”
“Sure, but don’t think I’m breaking anyone out of a gaol cell. I don’t want to end up in one myself.”
“No. I’m hoping that by the time you get here she will have been released. I need your help with something else.”
“I’ll be here,” Amos nodded before letting himself out.
***
Kate had stopped banging on the Black Maria door long before they reached Bow Street Court. She didn’t struggle when she was taken to her cell and gently pushed inside. Kate surveyed her room. It was a small, whitewashed room. A solid iron door at one end and an alcove containing a small arched window with iron bars crisscrossing on the inside at the other. Kate stood on her tiptoes and, holding onto the bars, pulled herself up to look out. She could see a small empty courtyard and shimmering lights from windows at the far side.
She released her grip and was about to sit on the bed when the sight of the filthy blanket and greasy pillow changed her mind. Kate crouched on the floor opposite the bed and noticed a chamber pot underneath it. The combination of the smell from the bed and her anxiety regarding her situation made her stomach turn to acid as she leaned back onto the wall.
Kate spent the rest of the night trying to understand what had happened. She had always known there was a risk treating Grace the way in which she had, but felt there was nothing to lose. The treatment wouldn’t have made Grace any worse. Kate had hoped once Jacob realised Grace was making a recovery he would begin to trust her. The accusations of kidnap and murder of people she had never heard of before was bad enough. Being arrested on suspicion of Laura’s murder and Grace’s kidnap was a complete shock. But that wasn’t the worst thing. How could Jacob possibly believe she was involved? She thought. She wanted to find out the truth almost as much as Jacob did. Kate wondered why this was so, but she already knew the answer. How could Jacob possibly trust her now? As much as she tried Kate could see no way to prove her innocence.
***
Kate looked at her smartphone. It was nearly eight o’clock in the morning. An ironic smiled prised its way onto her face. Not only had they not taken her property from her she hadn’t been searched at all. Slater wouldn’t have allowed that. Kate hadn’t slept. She had crouched on the floor until cramp set in and had stretched and walked around her cell before crouching against the wall again. She had tried to pass the time by playing a couple of games on her phone before turning the screen off to save the battery, though she could not imagine what she would use the phone for.
A key turned in the door lock and Kate stood up. Jacob appeared in the doorway. Kate gritted her teeth and forced herself not to cry.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “but I had to do something.”
Jacob walked into the cell and stood in front of Kate, “What do you mean?” he asked.
“The cholera,” said Kate, “I knew it would work but I just don’t know how long it will last.”
“Grace did have cholera,” he said, “I’ve seen the symptoms dozens of times before. Two days ago she was dying. Of that, I have no doubt. Yesterday, it appeared she was well on the way to making a full recovery.”
Kate couldn’t bear the way Jacob was looking at her as if she had infected Grace with cholera rather than cure her of it. She bowed her head and stared at the floor. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”
“More than give her a chance? It was more than I could do. I don’t know how to thank you.”
Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes, “Just make sure you find her, safe and well.”
“I will.”
“Jacob,” Kate finally looked Jacob in the eyes, “I only tried to help Grace. I knew you were helpless, but I couldn’t just watch her die. I knew I could help her. As for everything else, I didn’t kidnap anyone and I certainly haven’t murdered anyone. Please tell me you believe me.”
Jacob reached into his pocket and gave Kate a handkerchief. He watched as she wiped away her tears.
“I honestly don’t know what to think. Since you’ve appeared everything has been turned upside down. I’ve seen your small, portable phone and felt the effect of your liquid pepper. I’ve seen you surrounded in a haze of unnatural blue light and the incurable cured. But I do know Grace was recovering when she should have been dead. As for the rest, no, I don’t believe you kidnapped or murdered anyone.”
Kate couldn’t help herself and started sobbing. She felt Jacob’s hand on her arm.
“That’s why,” Jacob continued, “Solomon and I have come to take you home.”
Kate looked up at a Jacob, not wanting to pull away entirely, “I don’t understand.”
“There’s a brougham waiting, we’ll explain on the way.”
The pair were walked by a constable to the desk sergeant. As Jacob was signing a document assuming responsibility for Kate they were joined by Inspector Wheeler.
“Well, Miss Lockwood, it seems as though today is your lucky day. The eminent gentlemen Sir Solomon Polperro himself has explained how you are a friend of his as well as a patient and how you were with him when Lord Cargill’s son was taken. Doctor McKinley here, who the force has had cause to be grateful to on more than one occasion, has told us the situation regarding his daughter was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and he has provided an alibi for you. So, you are free to leave.”
Kate nodded.
“But please understand,” the Inspector continued, “I still have a lot of questions to ask, all of which need answers. I may need to speak to both of you again.”
“Thank you for your time, Inspector,” said Jacob, “we appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Jacob led Kate outside and into the waiting brougham, where Polperro was waiting for them. Kate sat opposite Polperro and watched him, uncertain of his motives and how much he would say in front of Jacob. Polperro, however, spoke quickly, before Jacob climbed in.
“I’ve had a lengthy conversation with Jacob,” he said, “I’m quite sure you had nothing to do with this unsavoury business of the kidnaps and murders, that’s why I’ve gone out on a limb for you. But understand this, this is as far as my help goes. You shouldn’t be here. You should go back and stay there.”
“I’ve already told you I don’t know how to get back. As far as Grace is concerned I couldn’t just let her die.”
“It’s not up to us to change the future.”
“We change the future by just being here. If you’re so concerned maybe you should go back too.”
Polperro ignored the point as Jacob chose that moment to open the carriage door and seat himself opposite Kate. The rest of the journey to Jacob’s house was spent in silence.
Chapter Thirty
Jacob got out of the brougham, held the door open, and helped Kate down the step. As they began walking, Kate looked towards the house, unsure of the reception that awaited her. She watched the carriage pull away with Polperro and followed Jacob up the steps. The front door was flung open and Kate saw Ivy standing in the entrance with a huge smile on her face.
“Welcome back Miss,” she said as she stepped back to let them through.
“Thank you, Ivy, it’s a relief to be here,” said Kate as she took off her coat and gave it to the maid.
“I can’t believe you’ve brought her back here after what she’s done.”
Everyone turned to the source of the voice. Naomi Calthorpe stood in the entrance to the front parlour.
“I thought when I called Sir Edward that they would have done a better job, but I see it’s not just Lord Ashbury’s case where they are utterly clueless.�
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“You called Riordan?” said Jacob not quite believing what he was hearing. “Why would you do that?”
“Jacob dear, what a remarkable question, can’t you see what’s happening? It’s clear this woman poisoned the poor child and pretended to cure her to gain your confidence. All the while plotting to take her and hold her for ransom. She’s nothing more than a cheap fraudster.”
Kate took a step forward and was about to tell Miss Calthorpe exactly what she thought of her when Jacob stood in front of her.
“Naomi, my daughter had not been poisoned, she had cholera. I’ve treated enough cases to be able to recognise it when I see it. And as it was my own daughter do you not think that I would conduct every check and test conceivable?”
“Oh, Jacob you’re such a fool. This wretched woman is using that child to blind you. Can you not see?”
“That child has a name. Her name is Grace. It’s a name,” said Jacob remembering a conversation he’d had with Laura Wheaton, “which has been pointed out to me that you have never used. Not once in the six years since she was born. So, if you wouldn’t mind Miss Calthorpe, I would like to be alone.”
Jacob walked to the front door and opened it, “Ivy, can you please ensure a cab is called for Miss Calthorpe?” The maid nodded and disappeared.
Naomi Calthorpe glowered at Kate and walked to the door, stopping as she reached Jacob, “I won’t forget this,” said Naomi in a low voice that Kate only just heard.
When the door was closed Kate turned and watched as Jacob walked into his study without saying a further word. Kate’s thoughts were disturbed by Ivy who smiled at her like a long lost friend, “I know I probably shouldn’t say it Miss, but it really is so good to have you back again,” she said looking towards the front door, “Especially now that awful woman has gone.”
Kate smiled as Ivy looked curiously at her mixture of cape and police uniform, “I think we’d better get you upstairs, Miss, and changed into something more suitable.”
“Oh,” said Kate, “I wasn’t sure if I would still be staying here, after everything that’s happened.”
“Doctor McKinley hasn’t indicated otherwise,” said Ivy, “and I did hear him say that he had some questions to ask you.”
Kate heard a loud click of a door being pushed closed and looked along the hallway towards the study.
“Yes, I suppose he will.”
***
Kate washed and changed as quickly as she could before rushing downstairs and grabbing some breakfast. As she was walking towards the study there was a knock on the front door. Amos Coleman walked in.
“Good morning, Miss Lockwood. No worse for a night in the cells I hope.”
“I’m fine thanks. You don’t seem surprised I’m here.”
“I’m not. When you have a friend like Solomon Polperro locked doors tend to be opened with greater ease.”
“Who told you about Solomon Polperro?”
Kate and Amos turned to see Jacob emerging from his study.
“Everything he does is in the newspapers,” said Amos. “He makes a visit this morning to Bow Street Magistrates, the very same place Miss Lockwood is staying. Within the hour she is released and back at your house,” Amos nodded at Jacob.
“There was nothing in the first editions and it’s too early for the late ones,” Jacob noted.
Amos smiled, “I have my sources.”
“I hope so,” said Jacob, “we may need to put them to good use,” he beckoned them into the study and sat behind the desk.
Amos sat next to the fire which had almost gone out, the remaining heat almost doused entirely when Jacob placed more coal onto the embers. Amos leaned back into the leather chair and stretched out his legs, warming his feet as the new coal began to burn. Jacob pointed at a silver tray on a nearby table and indicated that Amos should help himself. Amos filled a glass with brandy. Drinking half of it in one gulp he looked at Kate, “So,” he said, “what’s your story?”
“I’m sorry, my story?”
“What’s the story behind that uniform? The Metropolitan Police don’t employ women and they certainly don’t wear a uniform like that.”
Kate took out her wallet from her trouser pocket and gave it to Amos. “Go on,” she said, “open it and read.”
Amos did what he was told.
“Expires in twenty eighteen. Is this some kind of joke?”
“No, it’s not a joke and you’ve never seen a colour photograph before have you? Even the black and white ones aren’t as clear as that.”
Kate switched on her phone and showed Amos the photographs contained on it.
“You haven’t seen these either have you? Cars, buses, a seven four seven at Gatwick Airport. Not to mention Tower Bridge, which I discovered a couple of days ago hasn’t been built yet.”
“So, what are you telling me? That you’re from the future?
“It would seem I’m from a future. This certainly isn’t my past.”
Amos switched his gaze from Kate to the phone and then to Jacob. Jacob shook his head and sighed, “She’s not insane,” he said. “Her story remains consistent and I’ve seen things I simply cannot explain,” Jacob gestured at the phone. “Kate, show him that film you showed me.”
Kate, smiling slightly at the informal use of her name, took the phone from Amos and selected the video. Amos watched incredulously as the camera panned round to take in The Tower of London, a bridge he was not familiar with and a warship the like of which he had never seen before.
Cars, buses and vans sped past and the people were dressed very differently to how Amos was used to.
“No-one in London dresses like that,” said Jacob as though he were reading Amos’s mind, “at least not now.”
“Let’s say I believe you,” said Amos carefully placing the phone on a nearby table. “How did you get here?”
“I’m not sure. There was a blue light, a loud buzzing noise and the next thing I know I’m here. It seems I was trapped in some kind of doorway and I don’t know how to get back.”
Amos looked at the photograph in the wallet. She was right, he had not seen anything like it before. And as for the moving pictures well, he instinctively knew that even in London there was nothing like that. It was clear she believed it and he certainly couldn’t explain it. He folded the wallet, placed it on top of the phone and leaned back into the chair. He was wondering what he had got himself into and if it could all be true when he remembered why he was at Jacob’s house.
“I admit I can’t explain any of that, but I don’t know if I actually believe it or not,” he looked at Kate, “so tell me something I can believe.”
“Such as?”
“What were you two doing at Lord Ashbury’s London residence last night?”
“We might ask the same of you,” said Kate. “Although the way you broke into that safe tells me it wasn’t your first time.”
“Nice move Doctor,” said Amos.
Jacob looked quizzically at him.
“Last night when we left Lord Ashbury’s house and got into a cab. You changed cabs, not once, but twice before we got here. You did a good job of making sure we weren’t followed. Tell me, where did you learn to do something like that?”
“The same place as you,” said Jacob, “if the weapon on your wrist is anything to go by.”
Amos’s eyes widened in surprise, “American Secret Service?” he said.
Jacob nodded.
“Wait,” said Kate, “you’re a spy?”
“No,” said Jacob, “I told you I had a benefactor. I was doing research into how to treat a body as a crime scene. The police would only say a person had been stabbed or shot. My research could tell you how and with what. I was also leading the research into identifying poison in the blood. They took me on and paid for my research.”
“Sounds like a good job.” said Amos. “Why did you quit?”
“They asked too much of me,” said Jacob. He pointed at Amos’s wrist, “Who gave
you that?”
Amos pulled his sleeve up to reveal a leather strap around his wrist with three compressed air canisters attached.
“I was transporting some cargo to the Watertown armoury in Massachusetts. It must have been important because we were attacked by an airship. They killed the six armed soldiers and took the cargo. I was picked up a couple of hours later by a couple of Secret Service agents and given an ultimatum. Work for them or never see daylight again,” Amos took another gulp of brandy, “So, I’ll ask you again. What were you two doing at Lord Ashbury’s residence?”
“I take it you’ve heard about the abduction and murder of Lord Ashbury’s son and the murder of his son’s governess?”
Amos nodded.
“On Tuesday evening there was a break in here. My daughter’s governess was killed and my daughter taken,” Jacob’s voice faltered as he finished.
“Have you had a ransom?”
Jacob took a deep breath and composed himself before shaking his head, “Not exactly.” He handed the note to Amos.
Amos grunted as he read the note, “What were you doing that they wanted you to stop?”
“We were going around all of the rope yards in the West India Docks area,” said Kate. “Two people ended up in the water, garrotted and Lord Ashbury’s son was found nearby.”
“This is all very interesting,” said Amos, “but it doesn’t explain why you broke into Lord Ashbury’s house last night.”
“He hasn’t told the police everything he knows,” said Jacob, growling the words between gritted teeth.
“We found a key to the outside doors of his study. He said he had never seen it before but it worked perfectly,” said Kate. “That’s how we got in.
“A servant could have done that,” Amos pointed out.
“He didn’t want an autopsy performing on his son,” said Jacob.
“He’s still grieving,” said Amos.
Out of Time: . (Steamside Chroncles Book 1) Page 20