Of Night and Dark Obscurity

Caroline smiled faintly. “I don’t really talk about it. My family is obviously in the same state and it’s just a difficult time all around. That’s why the housing project is so good for me. It helps me focus my energies.”

“But you must take care. You mustn’t let—“ a heavy knock sounded on the front door and Lady Lyttleton heard the footman walk across the foyer to answer it.

Voices were heard and the footman entered the room followed by Val and Felix.

“Inspector!” Lady Lyttleton said with a surprise in her voice. “It is quite late. What brings you out on such an awful night?”

He nodded to Lady Lyttleton and Caroline. “We are looking for your son, Charles. Is he at home?”

Victoria seemed to ponder the question. “I’ve no idea. Shand?” She turned to the footman. “Is Master Charles at home?”

“I believe Master Charles is out.” Shand told them.

“Is he at his club?” Val asked the man.

“I couldn’t say Sir. It’s possible but he hailed his own cab so I do not know where he has gone.”

The footman was dismissed and Victoria smiled coldly. “What is this about, Inspector?”

“We need to ask Charles some routine questions. Nothing urgent. But as you’re here, do know if Charles owns a watch made of 18 karat gold with roman numerals.”

Victoria nodded. “He does. It originally belonged to his father. Has it been stolen?”

“No. It has not been stolen. Please let Charles know that we need to speak to him,” Val said meaning to be deliberately vague.

“Of course, I will,” Victoria said nodding.

The two gentlemen went into the foyer and Caroline took this time to say her goodbye to Lady Lyttleton. When she went outside to hail a cab, Val remained alone and the rain was pouring down.

“What was that about?” Caroline asked as he hailed them a cab. “What’s happened?”

“A break in the case I hope,” he told her.

“A break in the case?” She echoed his words. “Something to do with Charles?”

He nodded as the cab pulled up before the Lyttleton home and they both stepped inside.

“Can you tell me what’s happening?” She asked.

“I shouldn’t,” he told her. “But I know you are discrete. A man was overheard at the park where the last victim was found. He mentioned a certain gentleman’s club by name. The steward at the club recalls a group of men who were there the day Ms. Finch was killed and one of the men was wearing a very expensive watch. The watchmaker led me here.”

“To Charles?” She asked.

“Yes.”

“Charles could be the killer.” Caroline whispered.

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you did say all of that led you here. To Charles.”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“I don’t believe it. Charles killed Prudie? Charles killed my sister?” She looked distressed. “No.”

“I shouldn’t have told you any of this. We need to question him. I don’t know anything until I speak to him. He may have a legitime reason for all of this.”

“And he may not.” She countered. “If he’s the lord that Irene was writing about and seeing, then everything makes sense. And he was the father of the unborn baby and he killed Irene because she would have made it public.”