The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) (31 page)

“As much as I appreciate the haste Miss Smythe-Harris, traveling so swiftly by land is a novelty I’d prefer to avoid....” Carstares said, “...and one I’d like to survive!” he finished under his breath as he took a better hold on the side of the little HLC. “Now madam the road you seek should be close to the docks to the left here.”

“Here?” She tossed back as she abruptly turned left into an alley.

“No!” Carstares shouted as Captain Phillips slammed into him nearly throwing the pair of them out of the vehicle.

Tash slammed on the brakes, halting the vehicle’s forward motion. She turned to face the two men who were trying to right themselves in the rear seat. It was all she could do to keep a straight face, but she did. She hadn’t meant to toss her passengers about so badly; but the shocked and disoriented looks on their faces nearly did her in. Blinking several times to keep calm she waited somewhat patiently for the dignity of her passengers to be put to rights. “I am a bit confused Colonel, this appears to be a dead end, why would you have me turn here?”

With a mighty “harrumph” the Colonel levered himself out of the vehicle. He brushed off his clothes and leaned down to retrieve his bowler hat from the floor of the HLC. Punching it back into shape he glared at Tash as he jammed the, now slightly misshapen, hat back on his head. “Madam, it was not my intention that you turn
here
. I was indicating the next
marked
road to the left. Never the less I believe I shall continue on foot from here.”

“Well that’s just nonsense Sir! I can take us the rest of the way there.”

Jerard looked from Tash’s rather innocent face to Carstares’ reddening one and quickly interjected, “I think the Colonel has a good point. This is probably a good place to park the HLC, I doubt there will be a place to leave it on a busier street.”

Tash opened her mouth to speak so Jerard hurriedly continued his thought, “Besides, I suspect the secrecy of our mission will be better served by keeping this, this... this singular vehicle a way away from official notice.”

“What’s wrong with this vehicle?” Tash asked, genuinely confused.

“Absolutely nothing madam, except for the fact that the number of horseless carriages seen here is at the few and what we have seen bears no resemblance to our particular conveyance.” Phillips said and reinforced his point by climbing out of the HLC.

“Very well.” Tash sighed. “Give me a moment to set the security.”

“Security?” Carstares asked, his curiosity overcoming his anger.

“Oh yes, it prevents any one from starting it up or even moving it unless they know the secret.”

“Clever that.”

“Yes indeed Colonel. In fact it was one of Dr. Nordstrom’s ideas when we designed it.”

“Dr. Nordstrom?” Jerard asked as Carstares helped Tash out of the HLC.

“Oh yes, her engine is also one of his designs. I can’t wait to show it to him. He has never seen it completed. Oh let’s hurry! I so want to get the doctor back with us safely.”

“Agreed.” Carstares took Tash’s arm and guided her out of the alley and up the street towards the customs office.

Jerard watched the pair and chuckled to himself. He knew for a fact from Carstares’ grumbling as they left the bridge that the Colonel had planned to park her at a tea shop to wait for them to return. He wondered if Tash was aware of just how charming she was? Somehow he doubted it...

The customs house was a rather dour and unappealing building set into the middle of the last street before the open area of the docks. Upon opening the door a little bell sounded, much like a shop’s bell. The foyer was devoid of any decoration and contained three doors. It was several moments before a man in a blue uniform entered the room from the door opposite the trio.

The man spoke first in Norwegian and then seeing the blank looks on the visitors’ faces he tried again in English. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, we are here to see Mr. Lars Brodersen.” Carstares said stepping in front of Tash and Jerard.

Another of the doors flew open and in swept a tall blond man, obviously in a hurry. At the sight of the trio standing in front of him he halted. “About time,” he half snarled before turning to the uniformed man and speaking rapidly in Norwegian. The officer replied, bowed and turned to leave the room but not before shooting a quizzical look at the visitors.

Carstares opened his mouth to speak but the blond man held up his hand and shook his head. In two steps he was at the door and ushering the trio out onto the street. Another few steps found the group moving at a very fast walk down the street toward a section of the docks. Carstares and the man, Tash assumed was Lars, appeared to be having a quiet argument as their pace increased and they began pulling away from her and Captain Phillips. Tash was about to break into a trot to keep up when Phillips took her arm, effectively slowing her down.

“I believe Miss Smythe-Harris that we are not meant to hear that conversation.”

“Horse feathers! Something is wrong and I am going to find out what it is!”

Jerard further tightened his grip on her arm. “Madam, I believe you will be somewhat enlightened if you will notice what we are heading for.”

“We are heading for the docks you idiot!” Tash muttered as she yanked her arm free.

“Indeed.” Jerard replied trying hard not to smile. “And in specific, unless I miss my guess, a Scottish fishing vessel. Oh yes, see her bow? I am certain that is part of the registration number I was given in her description.”

Tash slowed her pace and took a good look at the boat docked directly in front of them. She did not even protest when the Captain took her hand and tucked it firmly in his arm again. “We should have beaten them here.” She said out loud. “Why don’t I see anyone on the boat? Shouldn’t they be searching it? Something is terribly wrong.”

Jerard was not sure if the woman was actually speaking to him or just talking aloud so he did not reply. Instead he quickened his step to catch-up with Colonel Carstares and the other man who had now reached the gang way.

“Fine!” The blond man shouted. “But you will have to give me a few minutes. Please stay here.”

“Colonel?” Jerard inquired politely.

With a heavy sigh Carstares turned to face Jerard and Tash. “I am afraid we were too late.”

“How so Colonel?” Tash asked, her voice neutral.

“He is not here, in fact there is nothing here…except fish.” Carstares said disgustedly as he removed his hat and ran his hand through his thinning hair. He stared for a long moment at the boat before replacing the hat and turning back to Phillips and Tash. “So to explain, the Norwegian authorities spotted this vessel about an hour and a half ago and boarded her. Finding nothing but still acceding to my request they escorted her back here. Lars and his men have no reason to hold the boat as nothing appears out of order or illegal in any way. I have won permission to question the Captain and crew but I must be careful. This could have political ramifications that I am not authorized to deal with, nor is Lars for that matter.

Jerard winced. He had had a belly full of “political ramifications” and was not prepared to jump into the middle of any more of them. He quite liked being the Captain of the Discretion and he liked his freedom but it did not take one of those new fangled psychics to feel the growing anger of the lady on his arm. Oh here we go…

“Preposterous! What does a Scottish fishing captain know of politics? Very little I tell you! He has obviously lied to the Norwegian authorities but he will not lie to an agent of the Crown. Not when that agent can pull his fishing license, and probably his registration papers as a ship’s captain under the Crown. Oh ! And did I mention his vessel can be impounded as evidence and taken apart piece by piece until we find the evidence we are looking for?”

Colonel Carstares sputtered and opened and closed his mouth several times before answering Tash. “Madam, I think you have mistaken my role here. I do not have the authority to do any of these things!”

“Of course you don’t. You know that and I know that but I am willing to bet my London factory that the captain of this horrid little vessel does not know that.”

Jerard raised an eyebrow and tried his best to look anywhere except at Colonel Carstares. He had to admit, the dear lady made an excellent point. He was reminded of what McPherson senior had said the day before and wondered if Carstares was thinking the same thing.

“Are you honestly asking me to lie? A man of honor? An agent of Her Majesty’s Service?” Carstares sputtered, his face turning a livid shade of red.

“No.” Tash said yanking her arm free of Jerard once more and putting both fists to her hips. “I am asking you to do your job. Is it not the inherit trait of spies to not be entirely truthful? Are you honestly standing there telling me that you have not used trickery and deception in the service of our Queen? Don’t you dare get all holy….”

Jerard stepped between Carstares and Tash. “Now then, I hardly think having a row on the docks will solve our problems. Colonel, I think what Ms. Smythe-Harris is saying is that it can be intimated that these things will happen if the captain does not cooperate. I feel certain that she did not mean any disrespect. And Miss Smythe-Harris, I can understand the point Colonel Carstares is making. Having honor is what separates us from the beasts. However I do think that occasionally one must deal with the beasts in the manner of beasts so that they can understand.”

Carstares straightened his vest. “So, what you are saying Captain is that one good lie deserves another?”

“Something like that Colonel.” But before Jerard could finish they were interrupted by Lars.

“Alright Carstares, you’ve got thirty minutes. Then I must release this boat. The only thing we were able to find was a cache of German and Danish issued Rigsdalers totaling approximately two hundred or your English pounds. While it is not illegal to possess either currency it is certainly odd that a fishing vessel would have this much money on board. The captain is sticking to his story that they have done nothing wrong, and that they did not take on any passengers at any point. They also claim to have left port a full day before your information. No other evidence has been found that would contradict his story.”

Tash let out a rather un-lady like whistle. “That’s a lot of money!” She turned and looked pointedly at Colonel Carstares. “I wonder if the rest of the crew know how much money the captain is hiding?”

“I hardly think it matters.” Lars remarked. “Never the less, you have thirty minutes, I will wait here with your companions.”

“I am afraid we haven’t been introduced Sir.” Tash said taking the man’s arm. “I am Theodosia Amelia Smythe-Harris. I really appreciate you waiting here with me. I don’t think questioning hardened criminals is any place for a lady.” She smiled that sunny smile that lit up her face and leaned slightly on Lars’ arm before turning to Phillips and Carstares. “You gentlemen go along now, I shall be perfectly safe here. Now,” she said turning back to Lars, “I have always been fascinated with sailing ships could you show me around?”

And just like that Jerard and Carstares were left standing at the foot of the gang way, staring dumbly at Tash and Lars’ retreating backs.

“What the blue deuce was that all about?” Carstares said when he recovered. “I was certain that she was going to insist on coming with us.”

Jerard shrugged. “So was I but what I see is that she distracted Lars so that I could come with you. That was Lars, right?”

“Yes, and he is not happy with me.” Carstares sighed and indicted the gang way. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Agreed but I would like to mention what I think Miss Smythe-Harris was trying to tell us just now.”

“What?”

“Well Sir, I believe she was saying that the money is always a bargaining chip and that criminals don’t usually share and share alike, if you take my meaning. I also believe she went off with Lars to illustrate the concept of divide and conquer.”

“Really? You got all of that from…” Carstares waved his hand in Tash’s direction, “….that?”

Jerard chuckled. “Yes, I suppose I did, I am coming to believe that the lady and I think quite a bit alike.” Jerard shrugged. “Regardless, it is a good plan.”

“Indeed.” Carstares nodded. “I shall go and intimidate the captain with all of the horrible things that the Crown
might
do to him. And what do
you
say Sir? Will you take the first mate and be his best friend in sympathy over how his captain has wronged him and the rest of the crew?”

Jerard smiled. “Indeed Sir, indeed, it is the least I can do.” Jerard slipped his jacket off and folded it over his arm so no insignia showed. The carefully tied tie was next and was shoved unceremoniously into his pocket. He tilted the bill of his cap over one eye in a rakish manner and motioned for Carstares to proceed him up the gang way. This is going to be fun he thought.

A uniformed man at the top of the ramp had been watching Jerard and Carstares. When they reached him he wordlessly motioned for them to follow. He skirted past the open and empty hold of the boat and led them to what Jerard assumed was the pilot’s station. A quick look around confirmed his suspicions. He noted that while the outside appearance of the ship was one of peeling paint and rust the pilot’s station was clean and neat and curiously modern. A closer inspection of the controls revealed that this particular ship had two steam driven engines. To Jerard’s practiced eye this was no ordinary fishing vessel, probably professional smugglers. It was little wonder they had beaten the Discretion across the ocean. With an empty hold and no other weight to encumber her, this boat would be fast…very fast. Mansfield's information that this was a sailing vessel had been completely inaccurate.

Jerard was about to point this out to the Colonel when he spied the ship’s log book. With a grin he picked it up and flipped to the last entry. It was dated ninth of June, and as Lars had stated logged the ship’s departure from Aberdeen a full day before the boat was actually seen leaving. However nothing else was noted in the book; no passengers, no stops for fishing, no storm, not even a ship’s crew roster which Jerard knew to be mandatory. He silently handed the open book to Carstares. The man took it and looked at the open page. He then flipped back several pages and then forward beyond the last entry.