by Bettie Jane
"Really? What did the note say?"
Esther sighed, letting out a breath that sounded like she’d been holding for years. Her eyes darkened and squinted at the memory. "It said she had fallen in love with another man, that she could no longer tolerate Eric's drinking and violence. She also said that she loved Oliver but that his place was with his father, that the boy needed his father. I simply don't understand how she could've left him to face that violence."
Julia continued to scratch down notes as Esther spoke. "That does seem rather strange. If she was such a devoted mother why would she leave your nephew to fend for himself with your brother?"
"It was very strange. As I said if I hadn't seen the note for myself, in her own handwriting, I wouldn't have believed her capable of it. I believe she did love Oliver, but she had to know that Eric’s drinking and his violence would only grow worse after she left. She left Oliver defenseless and alone against my monster brother. I know you said you weren’t open for business but, please, you must help me find Oliver. He’s been through enough.”
"I should be honored to help you find your nephew, Esther."
Esther stood and reached across Julia's desk, grasping Julia's hand in both of her own.
"Thank you so much, Miss Barlow. This means so much. Oliver pretends to be hard, but he really is such a gentle boy. I'm terrified of what might happen to him roaming the streets of the city alone, and it still being so cold at night. It was very cold last night—I could see my breath—I’m so worried about him."
Esther released her grip on Julia's hands and pull the tissue out of her own purse to dry her eyes.
"It's quite all right, Esther. I have several ideas in mind where I can go to look for missing boys. I am hopeful will be able to find him by nightfall so he won't have to spend another night in the cold."
The next part felt a bit awkward to Julia, but she was committed to being a smart business owner. She opened one of her desk drawers and pulled out a file.
"Just a few quick housekeeping details, Esther. You may take this packet with you. Inside you'll see my hourly fees as well as the retainer that is required up front."
Julia pointed to the figures on the paper while trying to read Esther's face. Julia could certainly use the money, however she had vowed to both herself and Frankie when they decided to open Charing Cross Investigations that she would not turn away anyone who needed her services due to lack of payment if she could at all avoid it. But Julia didn't see any hesitation or concern about the fees in Esther's eyes.
"These fees are quite reasonable, Miss Barlow. My husband's family is quite wealthy, and I assure you I have no objection to paying. In fact, my husband, Edward, who couldn't get away from a very important meeting at his offices, sent me this envelope, anticipating the fees."
Julia took the envelope from Esther and saw that the amount in the envelope was nearly double what her upfront retainer was for client services.
"This much is not necessary upfront, Esther."
"Not at all. My husband insisted that we offer a reasonable sum of money upfront if I decided to hire you. And I've decided to hire you. So take that money and use it to find Oliver. If you need any more money or additional resources, please don't hesitate to ask. Money is of no concern, only finding Oliver matters.”
“That is quite generous of you and your husband. Thank you. I assure you that I will do all within my power to locate your nephew as quickly as possible. By the way, how did you find out about me?"
"My husband is good friends with Mattie Hawkins’ parents. When my husband mentioned to Mattie's father that my nephew was missing, he insisted that we employ Julia Barlow of Charing Cross Investigations. He said that your wit, your courage, your stubborn attitude, I believe those were his words, in addition to your connections with competent Scotland Yard investigators made you the premier investigator in all of London and that if we truly wanted to find our boy, we would start and stop our search for private investigators here at Charing Cross Investigations. I can tell by what I've seen so far that Mattie's father wasn't wrong."
“What a kind recommendation from Mr. Hawkins.” Julia made a mental note to thank him later. “I appreciate the compliments both from you and from Mattie's father. That means quite a lot. As I'm sure you can understand, choosing to be a private investigator and a single woman is rather unpopular with the aristocracy. I assure you once again that I'll do everything in my power to find Oliver. However, one concern I have is what will you do with Oliver once he's found? Is his father still in jail? And even if he's out of jail, what's to stop him drinking again and taking it out on Oliver and starting this vicious cycle all over again?"
"Yes, yes," Esther said. "It's a very valid concern and I'm impressed that you thought of it. I've hired a solicitor who is filing the necessary paperwork to secure legal guardianship of Oliver. I do believe that he would be quite happy living with my husband and me. I've not been able to have children of my own, you see, and I've always felt a special kinship toward Oliver. I'm prepared for whatever rough waters we may have to cross until Oliver feels comfortable again. He's been so through so much at the hands of his mother’s abandonment and his father’s abuse, and he would only be in line for more were he to live with my mother. He's endured enough abuse for a lifetime. It's time that Oliver be allowed to be a child again.”
“I see," said Julia. "I'm afraid I don't know much about the guardianship process, but I can do research for you if you'd like."
Esther smiled a warm smile that reached her eyes, still glistening from her grief for Oliver and shook her head.
"Thank you, Miss Barlow, but that won't be necessary. We've actually been working with a solicitor for quite some time for custody of Oliver, but we hesitated to take Oliver from the only parent he had left. Now I regret that I didn't take action sooner. The solicitor assured me that with Eric's latest arrest—he’s had many—in addition to my testimony and that of his teachers regarding the many bruises Oliver has sustained from his father, that it will be no problem to gain at least temporary emergency guardianship. The best way you can help me is to find Oliver. Oh, I almost forgot.”
Esther handed a stack of papers to Julia. “This is a compilation of every detail I could gather about Oliver. His friends, teachers at school, everything. The police also have this information.”
Julia took the papers and glanced over them briefly. “This will be very helpful and save quite a bit of time. And please, call me Julia." Julia picked up the folder with her list of fees and the list of frequently asked questions that Frankie had suggested she draw up, attached one of her shiny new business cards, and handed it to Esther. “Try not to worry. I will find him."
After Esther left and Julia had her office to herself again, she looked around her cozy surroundings and smiled to herself. It felt good to be able to help find a lost boy. She hoped the investigation would end with a recovered child and not in another murder investigation.
2
Julia picked up the telephone and dialed Frankie Sutton's house. The butler answered on the first ring and Frankie was on the other end moments later.
"Hello Frankie, Property Manager Extraordinaire. I am pleased to announce we have another new client. A referral by Matte’s father.”
"Oh no, who died now?" He had a touch of humor in his voice, which was starting to come with the territory now that they'd seen their fair share of dead bodies since November. It was difficult for Julia to believe that it was only six months ago that she and her friends found Lady Eliza's body in Hyde Park and themselves amateur investigators in the midst of a very scandalous double homicide amongst the elite of the West End. Much had changed on the landscape of Julia's life in the last six months, and it began that day in Hyde Park. She barely even recognized her own life now.
"Well, good news, chap," Julie said. "It's only a missing child this time."
“Julia, my friend. Er, your humor might becoming a bit too dark if you ask me.”
Silence filled the space on the line between them as Julia processed the callousness of her remark.
"Oh Lord," Julie said, surprised at herself. "Frankie, what is happening to me? I promise I'm not that jaded already."
"Don't worry, darling," Frankie said. "I am fairly certain that dark humor is a common coping mechanism for those who are constantly faced with the depravities of humanity. Please tell me you weren’t this laissez-faire in front of the client?”
“Of course not.”
“Very good then. Now, how about this missing child?”
"Right," Julia said. "He's twelve years old. His extended family is quite wealthy. They live on the West End, and they're actually good friends of Mattie's parents. Remind me to send a basket of fruit to Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins with my thanks. The boy himself was living with his father who apparently is a drunk and lives quite a rough life, somewhere near Whiteheart, I believe.” Julia shared all that she had learned from Esther. “She was very obviously fond of Oliver,” Julia added after the tale, “and quite eager to see his safe return. I do believe we might find that there is no foul play here, but rather a distraught young man trying to escape the cruel torture fate has sent his way. I am going to hope for the best on this one, Frankie. We’ll find Oliver and return him to the loving care of his dear Auntie Esther and Uncle Edward."
“That’s quite a backstory then, isn’t it? Very Pollyanna of you, for such a jaded girl,” said Frankie. “The Prudence family. That name rings a bell. Glad to have the business. Now then, how can I be of assistance, Boss Lady?”
Frankie had started referring to her as Boss Lady when he declared he was going to be her assistant, and she had long since stopped asking him to stop calling her that. She rather enjoyed the title.
"Yes, I've been thinking. Esther told me the family filed a police report to report Oliver missing three days ago but she couldn't wait any longer for the police to find him. I'm going to reach out to Jacob and see what he can tell me about the police’s search so far. While I'm speaking with Jacob, I wonder if you would brainstorm from your own, shall we say, experience a list of potential places where a twelve-year-old boy might hide?"
"Of course! I was an expert at hiding twelve-year-old boys when I myself was a twelve-year-old boy. I'm certain I can recall some of my favorite hiding spots."
"That's wonderful Frankie. Thank you so much for your help. The idea of a young boy fending for himself overnight in the city while it is still quite brisk outside is simply intolerable to me, especially when it seems he’s already been through so much. Remember he lived on the East End, so factor that into your list. By the way, how are the wedding plans coming. We're only a week out."
"They seem to be coming along quite nicely. Mattie and her parents won't let me lift a finger. They say the wedding is the easy part for the groom and that I'll need my rest in order to endure the marriage."
Julia and Frankie both laughed. Marriage did seem quite a difficult institution to wrangle, and Julia was not at all interested in finding that out for herself. No, she was quite happy to carry on a torrid love affair with the great Inspector Jacob Gibbs for as long as they could keep it up. As one of the Bright Young Things traversing London's changing social landscape, Julia was no stranger to bucking tradition and living life on her terms.
“That's wonderful news, Frankie," Julie said. "That means I can use you for another few days before you take off on your honeymoon. We’ll find Oliver and then when you return from your honeymoon, we’ll have a grand opening celebration of Charing Cross Investigations with two successful investigations already under our collective belts. Charming, don't you think?"
"Exquisitely charming, my darling Julia. I'll meet you at the office around lunchtime and we’ll compare notes, shall we? Mattie’s packed you and I quite a feast.”
Julia smiled. "I'll see you very soon, Mr. Sutton.”
As she hung up the telephone, Frankie's laughter was still echoing in her ear.
Julia locked up the office behind her as she left. She got in her auto and motored over to Scotland Yard so that she could talk to Jacob. She could have simply called him, but any excuse to be near Jacob Gibbs was an excuse that Julia Barlow would not pass up.
Her thoughts turned over as she drove the short distance to Jacob’s office. She needed to be certain that she was paying attention to the time. There was so much to juggle and it was like Julia to become caught up in an investigation, lose all track of time, and destroy any sense of balance in her life. She knew as she undertook this new entrepreneurial venture of her own investigation agency and becoming a landlord that she would have to be ever vigilant in order to maintain balance. While she still maintained her job as a crime investigator for the paper, but when cases like this involving a missing child crossed her desk, it would be even more difficult to maintain harmony in her life.
She wondered if she’d even be able to make it to Mattie's tea party later this evening. It was important, but so was finding Oliver.
She picked up her watch, wondering if there might be time after she left Scotland Yard and before she met Frankie to swing by the paper. She wanted to be intentional about checking in with each of her business dealings each day. She was determined to successfully manage all of these parts of her life in addition to the connection she had with her friends and now with Jacob. She knew she was asking a tall order from herself to be able to take all of this on, but she definitely felt up for the challenge. There might also be a snippet of information about a missing child, though that was a stretch.
She walked into the familiar space that was Jacob’s office and thrilled at the sight of him hunched over his desk, managing paperwork. One of her favorite things was to surprise him at his work because often it meant that she got a glimpse of him when he wasn't aware that she was around. She saw an interesting side of him in those moments. When he looked up from his paperwork, his eyes lit up at the sight of her. He stood and walked around his desk to pull her into an embrace, then kissed her generously on the lips."Too what do I owe this marvelous surprise, Miss Barlow?"
Julia dipped in a mocking, overly dramatic bow but couldn't hold her serious face for long. By the time she stood again, she was in a full giggle.
"Inspector Gibbs, lovely to see you."
"Why, thank you, darling. It’s lovely to see you as well."
"I am here on business, as you can imagine."
"I would expect nothing less of the most infamous private investigator in all of London. I am quite certain that you don't actually enjoy my company but rather are using me for information."
She started to object. “Infamous is a bit of an exaggeration—”
She stopped when he held up his hand. “Don't worry, Miss Barlow. I am perfectly comfortable with the details of our arrangement. You use me for confidential police information, and I use you to build up my self-esteem. After all, it's not every police investigator that has someone as lovely and notorious as the great Julia Barlow on his arm."
"You're a ridiculous fool, Jacob Gibbs." Julia laughed even as she playfully insulted the man who she was growing quite fond of.
"So, who has been murdered now?"
"Frankie said the exact same thing," Julia said in her most petulant voice. "I suppose that's the nature of this work, isn't it?"
"I suppose it is at that. What can I do for you?"
"I am searching for a missing boy. His name is Oliver Dickens, like the author, and he's been missing for three days. His wealthy aunt Esther Prudence assured me that a police report was filed, but she has hired me, upon strong referral, to locate Oliver as quickly as possible."
“A missing child? How terrible.”
"Yes, I'm afraid so. However, I’m quite hopeful for a positive outcome. I believe the boy has only run away from what are very difficult circumstances at home. I believe we shall find him this very day so he does not have to spend another night called in alone in the city."
"Come with me then, Julia. Your optimism is
lovely. I think I’ll reward it.”
Jacob walked out of his office with Julia right his heels. He walked rather quickly and had a longer stride than Julia did, so she was had to nearly run in order to catch up and stay next to him. He seemed to be in an especially cooperative mood today, and Julia was tad suspicious.
"Where are we going, Inspector Gibbs?"
"Why, to the Missing Persons department, my dear Julia. You did say you wanted my help?”
"Yes, of course."
"I certainly hope to never have this child's file come across my desk in Homicide."
"Amen to that. I'm looking forward to an investigation that doesn't end in murder."
They walked through several corridors until they found themselves in a small office that was quite out-of-the-way. Julia recognized the man sitting behind the desk.
"Mr. Abernathy? I thought he was your assistant?"
"You are quite right. Mr. Abernathy was my assistant, but he's done such a phenomenal job that he has been moved to the Missing Persons department and received a generous pay raise. That's the thing about having a good assistant. They move up quickly."
"Wonderful," Julie said. "I must say in the dealings I've had with him he seems quite competent."
"Yes, I'm glad you feel that way. I'll be leaving you in his very capable hands.”
They approached his desk.
“Mr. Abernathy? Do you remember Julie Barlow?"
Jacob waited for Mr. Abernathy to nod and smile in recognition at Julia before continuing.
"Miss Barlow will be assisting the family of a young missing boy. Please cooperate with her and answer any questions she may have."