“It doesn’t matter,” he told her solemnly.
“It matters to me,” Caroline said with a burst of anger and vitality. “Show yourselves you cowards! Show yourself!” She yelled in the building.
Charles startled, released her and she stumbled. “Show yourselves!” She yelled again in the darkened building.
She heard a man’s laugh somewhere nearby and a slow clap, clap, clapping.
“No need for the theatrics,” the voice said. “We always knew dear Charles couldn’t perform so to speak.”
Caroline saw the outline of a man. Then another one and then another. When the man came closer, she saw the outline of his pants, jacket and then his face.
“Oh my god,” she placed a hand to her face.
???
The hot cups of tea were placed on the table and Mrs. Morse took hers. She thanked the sergeant.
“So,” Val began. “Let’s have the vitals of your Mr. Jackson.”
The old woman nodded. “Ask away dearie and I’ll tell you what you need to know.”
“His age you said you weren’t sure,” Val recalled.
“I’m not,” she said smiling at Felix who was standing at the doorway, and Val diligently writing her words down.
“His hair color?” He asked.
“Hmmm. Well let me see. I’d say it’s ginger but also white in some places.”
Val nodded. “Eye color?”
“A lovely green.”
“And does Mr. Jackson have any known associates? Friends he might have visited?” Val asked.
The woman seemed to give this much thought. “Well, the next-door neighbor. He likes them. They’re an older couple. No children.”
“And what does he normally like to do?”
“Well. He’s a lazy sort. Sits around most of the day. If he’s not lazing about, he’s watching the birds outside. He loves the birds.” Mrs. Morse smiled.
Val looked down at his paper and then to Felix. He looked out the window for a few moments and then turned to Mrs. Morse.
“Madam. Is Mr. Jackson a cat?”
Mrs. Morse sniffed and sipped her tea. “He’s not just a cat. He’s my dearest companion. And in this storm, he may have been hurt or crushed by a carriage.”
Val watched Felix smother a wide smile as he turned back to Mrs. Morse. “I’ll send our constable with you to look for your dearest companion. In this storm I can’t promise much.”
“That’s very kind of you dearie,” she said smiling.
“Felix fetch the constable for Mrs. Morse,” he directed.
When Felix returned, the constable was with him as was Wilmot, the Derry’s footman.
“Wilmot? What brings you out here again? Did Caroline send you?” He asked.
Mrs. Morse was led away while Wilmot stood before Val and Felix. He relayed the conversation he had with Caroline and Val was filled with dread.