“I must return home.” She said as she stood up and he did as well.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m just tired. I was up late reading the diary after I left you.” She said quickly. I’m late for an appointment with Stella. We’re to discuss the new housing project and possible tenants.”
Val nodded.
“I was thinking last night after I read the diary. The thing my sister was going through. Her death was hard enough and now Prudie and Annette. But honestly, those words I said to you in anger, I feel should be directed at me.”
“How so?” He frowned.
“I’m the angel of death. Everyone around me is tainted and harmed. I couldn’t protect my own sister and dear Prudie. She was such an unhappy soul after her engagement was called off, I should have been there for her. I should have tried harder.”
“Caroline,” he took her hands in his. “None of this is your fault. How on earth could you have prevented it?”
“I don’t think I could have prevented it,” she said sadly. “Obviously there’s a monster here at work. But I could have been a better sister to Irene and a better friend to Prudie.”
“Caroline. This is a tragedy. As you rightfully said, a monster is at work. But please, don’t overthink this too much. You could not have stopped it. But I am the one who must end it.”
“Are you close to finding out who he is?”
Val sighed deeply. “There are several issues at play here. A mysterious building owned by an organization that we are tracking down. A man who claims to have loved your sister and I do believe him. A phantom ‘lord’ who your sister was enamored with.”
“I must leave you here, Inspector. I hope the diary is insightful and helps you,” she said before she departed, leaving him outside the maze.
Chapter 19
Felix and Val were pouring over the interviews with the various friends and families of the victims when the clerk came into the office to tell him that a gentleman was downstairs to see him.
Val instructed the young man to bring up the visitor as he cleared his desk of the interviews and pictures of the victims. When he looked up, he saw the eyewitness Jim Terrance coming down the hallway. He smiled at the two men and took the empty seat next to Felix and across from Val.
“What brings you here, Mr. Terrance?” Val asked politely.
“Well it ain’t the cold weather I can tell you that much. Poor Roger didn’t even want to do his morning constitution. So that tells you something.”
“It sure does,” Felix said looking over at Val.
“How can we help you?” Val asked the elderly man.
“Well now. I remember when we last spoke you asked me if I saw anything strange,” he directed to Felix.
“That’s right. I did.” Felix confirmed.
“Well I remember that morning, I was there quite early. It was actually still dark. Roger was being typically temperamental. Sniffing here, smelling there but not getting about his business.”
Val hid a smile as he watched Felix roll his eyes.
“I remember walking along the one side of the park and down the other waiting and waiting for him to get down to it,” Mr. Terrance said.
Felix looked again at Val and Val nodded to Mr. Terrance.
“I think we understand that Roger was being difficult,” Val smiled at the man.
“Just so,” he nodded. “As I was walking along with him, I saw a lone hansom cab waiting nearby. It was strange because there was no one about except for me and Roger. The sunrise hadn’t even begun. It was so cold and the gas lights were hissing in the grey light.”
“I see,” Val said politely.
“Then I saw a man,” he began. “He seemed to be walking back from inside the park. I only usually walk the perimeter and I had not noticed him before, but it was dark.”