Sadie's Secret: 3 (The Secret Lives of Will Tucker) (23 page)

“No, sir. In the case of a policeman and a criminal, I would say that either the policeman visits the criminal to feel a measure of superiority or perhaps does so in a gesture of pity.” She allowed the thought to take hold. “Or maybe he is a good son and merely visiting at the prompting of his mother, as Jefferson Tucker stated at the hearing.”

“The coffee’s quite good, Miss Callum. You should try it.” Henry returned the cup to its saucer. “Since we are now speaking in specifics, shall we consider another possibility?”

At Sadie’s nod, Henry continued. “Is it possible that these two men are in collusion? They are, after all, twins. That relationship suggests a level of kinship that goes beyond the usual, don’t you think?”

“No. I cannot see it. They are far too different. Or at least my impression of the criminal Tucker from everything I have read about him leads me to believe that he would be very different from the Tucker I spent time with.”

“Remind me of your impression of Jefferson Tucker again, please.”

“He was charming, carefully protective of me, and a perfect gentleman.”

“And yet, Miss Callum, that very same record of evidence against John Tucker would indicate he is charming, carefully protective of whoever has his attention, and a perfect gentleman.”

He sat back to allow her time to consider the truth of that statement. “I wonder if you’ve considered that these two men may be playing on their individual strengths to achieve a common goal.”

“No, sir. That never crossed my mind.”

“Well, consider it, because Scotland Yard fired William J. Tucker just last month.”

“For his absence?” She looked down at her untouched coffee and then up at Henry. “He was falsely imprisoned. I hardly think that’s fair—”

“No, Miss Callum. He was summarily dismissed without explanation. That’s the official response. However, my sources tell a different tale. Apparently, someone within the department where the man was employed suspected Tucker of collusion with a known suspect in a case he was working for the British Museum. Out of professional courtesy, the facts were not made public.”

“And the case?”

“Trafficking in antiquities of questionable provenance.”

The pieces of the puzzle fell into place as Sadie regarded Henry with surprise. “Such as the Rembrandt Mrs. Astor purchased?”

“The very same.”

She paused only long enough to collect her thoughts. “And so our overlapping situations.”

“Exactly. The question I need you to answer is whether we have one Tucker or two to catch. And once that is determined, which Tucker will we be catching?”

Seventeen

J
efferson stared at the telegram and then read it again. He had been dismissed? Summarily and with cause?

Surely there was a mistake.

He would write again. Would send another telegram asking for clarification.

And yet the words on the paper in his hand were as clearly written and unmistakable as any person could manage. It was as if his superiors thought he knew exactly to what they referred.

There was nothing for it. Returning to London to have a face-to-face discussion with whoever was in charge now was the only remedy he could figure.

He ordered his bags packed and then went to visit with Granny. He found her propped up on her pillows, a lady’s maid reading to her from a Robert Louis Stevenson novel.

“Aching for adventure, I see,” Jefferson said as he stepped inside the room.

“Aching, yes, though I doubt I’m to see any further adventure. Seen enough in my years. Come now and give your Granny a hug.” To the maid she said, “I’ll call for you when I’m ready to resume our reading.”

The girl set the novel on the bedside table and went out, not sparing a glance at Jefferson as she walked by him. He moved closer to the bed, reaching down to embrace his grandmother.

“Sit,” she told him as she indicated the chair the maid had just vacated. “And tell me what I’m missing outside this room.”

They chatted about the events of the day for a good half hour. For a woman who claimed no touch with the outside world, his grandmother managed to keep an eye on current news items, and she could discuss politics with the expertise of one who was closely involved.

“And while all of that is interesting, what I really want to know is what has you all tied up in a twist, Jeffy?”

“Me?” He shrugged. “Just some travel plans. I’m not keen on going back to London, but I must.”

She studied him a moment. “Does this have anything to do with your brother?”

“Not directly. I fear this situation is of my own making.”

“Or is it because your mama decided you needed to pay John a visit?”

“That was the beginning of what became an unexpected detour, yes.” He gave the idea more thought. “I need to meet with my superior officer to clear up any concerns he has about keeping me on the payroll.”

“So there are concerns?” She shrugged. “I see the man’s problem if that is what we’re discussing here. A fellow who hires a detective to track down the criminal element does not expect to find his employee behind bars.”

“Nor did this employee expect it, obviously.”

“No, you never did see any of John’s dirty tricks coming until they hit you square between the eyes.”

His grandmother’s common sense and plain way of speaking did his heart good. The truth of her words, however, had the opposite effect.

“I’ll answer for you,” she continued. “No, you did not. And like as not you thought your little detour to pay a call on John was a kindness that just might change the man.”

“I confess the thought did occur.”

She lifted up off the pillows and then reached over to swat his arm.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“It’s the same fool thing John has done all his life. He’s conned you. When are you going to stop trusting him?”

“I don’t trust him.”

“I’ll rephrase the question. When are you going to stop believing John will change? You know the analogy of the leopard not changing his spots, don’t you?”

“Yes, Granny.”

“Well, John’s spots haven’t changed since he was a child. He has as much spunk in him as his daddy but with none of the good sense.” She fixed him with a look. “You, however, are as kindhearted as your mother. Thank goodness you inherited your father’s ability to see truth, at least when you want to.”

“What does that mean?”

“That means if anybody else did the things your brother did, you would have them lined up and shot.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Of course I am, but I’m also trying to get your attention.” She paused to settle herself back down on the pillows. “And here’s what I want you to promise.”

“What’s that?”

“That you pray the Lord gives you an understanding of just how to handle your brother the next time the two of you meet up.”

He reached out to grasp her hand. “I promise, Granny.”

She placed her other hand atop his. “I know you will. And the next time I see that fool brother of yours, I am going to dare that leopard to change his spots. Maybe that’ll do the trick. That, and I’ll be praying. The Lord, He does love to help those who ask.”

“He does at that.”

“I am glad you agree.” Granny gestured to the table. “Now, pick up that book and start reading to me, would you, please? That girl’s sweet and smart as a whip when it comes to reading, but this is a book that ought to be read in a man’s voice.”

Jefferson complied, opening the book to the midway point where a bookmark held its place. “I fear I won’t be able to read all of this before I leave.”

“That soon, then?”

He ducked his head slightly. “Tomorrow, if I can arrange it.”

“Well, I suppose I’ll have to have that handsome Pinkerton man finish it for you.”

“Granny,” he scolded playfully. “Do you think Agent Russell will be willing to prolong his stay just to finish reading this book to you?”

“He will if I hire him to.”

Shaking his head, he placed his finger on the first line of the page and began to read. He wouldn’t put it past his grandmother to make good on that threat. As a favor to the Pinkerton who might be called on to finish the job, Jefferson determined to read as many pages as he could manage tonight.

After a while his grandmother stopped him. “I’m tired now, Jeffy. Give me a hug and promise you won’t stay gone so long this time.”

“You know I can’t promise that, but I promise I’ll try. How’s that?”

“I’ll take it. Now go on out of here and warn that handsome man he’s about to get a job offer he ought to consider.”

“I won’t do it. Maybe I’ll stay here and read to you tomorrow.” In truth, the idea held more appeal than jumping back into a fight that would include not only his brother but possibly his superiors at Scotland Yard. And for what? So he could regain his job? Could prove himself competent? Even then he might not be welcomed back to his former position. Nothing in that plan was certain. Perhaps he should abandon it altogether and wait until he had a better grasp on the situation.

“Nothing is certain, Jeffy. Live a little.”

“I’m sorry, Granny. What was that?”

“I said, nothing is certain. Live a little.” She reached to grasp his hand in hers. “You don’t know what I mean, do you?” When he shook his head, she continued. “You have something powerful bothersome on your mind. What it is, I don’t need to know. But what you need to do about it? Well, that’s what I’m telling you. Live a little, Jeffy. Take a chance. Nothing is certain.”

She was right, of course.

Leaving her room with a chuckle, Jefferson went down to the library, where he found Kyle apparently waiting for him. At least that was his impression of the pacing the Pinkerton agent was doing.

“You’re leaving?” he demanded when Jefferson stepped into the room. “Exactly when were you planning on informing me of this?”

“Good evening, Kyle.” Jefferson forced a cordial expression on his face as he walked over to sit in Grandfather Tucker’s chair.

“We had an agreement.”

“Yes, we did.” Jefferson settled himself comfortably and then watched as the Pinkerton agent sat in a chair across from him. “However, the situation has changed, and I was only informed of this a few hours ago.”

“You mean you were informed that you were dismissed with cause.”

“How did you know that?”

Kyle lifted one brow. “The real question is why you think leaving town will fix this problem.”

“I will ask again. How did you know about my dismissal? Were you reading my telegrams?”

An impossibility, of course. The folded piece of paper was still in his pocket, where he’d put it at the telegraph office.

The Pinkerton agent leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Suffice it to say our organization has a good working relationship with your former employer.”

“I see.”

He did. Information was exchanged all the time between such entities with a common goal. The real question was why.

And yet Jefferson knew even if he asked, there was no guarantee that the answer Kyle gave would be a truthful response.

“And as to how I knew you were leaving, your butler was kind enough to ask whether I wished to travel with you or stay longer in the city. So, now that you’re off the case you were working on, are you still inclined to not discuss it?”