The Gang of St Bride's, page 10
part #9 of Penny Green Series
“Can’t your men just go in there one evening and arrest her?”
He stroked his wispy moustache. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Miss Green. For one thing we need to be certain she’s at the hotel when we raid it. And we can’t always be sure what the woman will look like. As I’ve explained, she regularly changes her appearance.”
“What do you know about her so far?”
“That she is between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five. She’s slight in stature and the colour of her hair is said to vary from fair to brown. She also wears wigs when it suits her.”
“Anything else?”
“There’s a rumour that she’s the daughter of a timber merchant, but we have no idea who he might be. Rosie Gold isn’t her real name, of course.”
“And you don’t know her real name?”
“She’s used a number of different ones in the past, including Emily and Jane with the surname Bartlett.”
“Has she ever been arrested before?”
“If she has, it was under a name we’re not yet aware of.”
“Do you know where she lives?”
“We have a number of possible addresses, though these people typically move around to escape detection. My men are quietly investigating the houses we know about, but we need to make sure she doesn’t get wind of what we’re doing or she’s likely to take off.”
“And all the while the street robberies are still occurring.”
“Yes, unfortunately they are. It appears to be business as usual for the Twelve Brides, which I suppose is a good sign as they don’t appear to be aware that the net is closing in around them.”
“Is it closing in around them, Inspector?”
“It will do soon, Miss Green, without a doubt. This informant is proving rather useful, I must say.”
“I hope she’s being careful. If the Twelve Brides find out what she’s up to she could find herself in serious trouble.”
As I left the newsroom and stepped out onto Fleet Street that evening, I noticed a young woman standing nearby, as if she were waiting for someone. On second glance I felt sure that I recognised her. She had the same piercing blue eyes as the sandy-haired girl who had rescued my carpet bag in Wapping. My first thought was that she had changed her mind about accepting some money for her trouble.
“Are you waiting for me?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“If it’s money you want…” I reached for my purse once more.
She gave a laugh. “I don’t want none of yer money.”
“What is it you want?”
“I think we can ’elp each other.”
“With what?”
She glanced around, as if worried that someone might overhear.
“Let’s step inside,” I suggested. “We can talk in there.”
We climbed up one flight of stairs to get away from the rumble of the printing presses in the basement, then stood together on the little landing.
“Is here all right?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“How can we help each other?” I asked.
“I weren’t quite honest with yer last time I saw yer.”
“What do you mean?”
“I said I didn’t know nothin’ about them girls in the river, and I don’t know ’em as such. But I know who they was working for.”
“Who?”
“The Twelve Brides.” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper now.
“Really?” My heart skipped at this revelation, but I tried to remain calm. “Both girls were members of the gang?”
“Yeah. And they stepped outta line.”
“What did they do?”
“I dunno exactly.”
“Are you also a member of the Twelve Brides?” I asked.
She gave a nod. “But I wanna leave. I don’t like what’s bin ’appenin’, I don’t want no more murders.”
“My good friend is a police inspector at Scotland Yard—”
She took a step back. “I ain’t talkin’ to no one else. I chose yer cos yer a news reporter and yer know about a lot o’ stuff.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure about that.”
“You gotta be clever ter be a reporter, an’ that’s why I called on yer. And yer a lady. I trust women better ’n men.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I need someone clever ter look at somethin’. I ain’t got it ’ere with me now, but I’ll bring it yer.”
“What is it?”
“Yer’ll see.”
“When?”
“I’ll come find yer.”
“Will you tell me more about the Twelve Brides?”
“Mebbe.” She started walking back toward the staircase.
“I’ll help you if you help me,” I said. “Do we have an agreement?”
She nodded.
“At least tell me your name before you go!” I called after her.
“Sarah,” she called back.
“I’m Miss Green,” I replied.
And then she was gone.
“I’ve read all the newspapers, Miss Green, and I must say I’m terribly sorry about it all,” said my landlady, Mrs Garnett.
She was standing in the hallway when I returned home that evening, and I suspected she had been waiting there for me.
“Thank you, Mrs Garnett, though it’s hardly your fault, so there really isn’t any need for you to say sorry.”
“I meant it as a token of sympathy,” she said. “It really is terrible news. What a way for your father to behave!”
“None of it sounds particularly honourable,” I agreed. “However, the jungle is a different world altogether. Francis Edwards told us it can quite easily alter a man’s mind.”
After hearing such regular criticism of my father’s actions, I was beginning to feel as though I should try to defend him in some way.
“That’s no excuse,” she retorted. “He’s a married man with a family!”
“I know that only too well, Mrs Garnett. I wish we’d received an explanation directly from him, but I don’t suppose that will ever happen now.”
“He should write you a letter and explain himself.”
“Yes, he could do that. It’s not easy to send letters from the jungle, though.” I realised I was just making excuses, as if attempting to soften the blow.
Mrs Garnett sucked her lip disapprovingly. “If he really wanted to send you a letter he’d travel to a civilised place and send one from there! There really is no excuse for it.”
“No, I suppose not.” I felt a heavy sensation in my chest as I turned away and began to climb the staircase to my room.
“Miss Green?” ventured my landlady. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to direct my anger at you. I just can’t understand why someone would do such a thing.”
“Neither can I,” I said, continuing to climb the stairs. “But I’m a little tired of hearing about it now.”
“Miss Green?” she called again, clearly aware that I had been upset by the encounter.
“Yes?” I stopped on the top stair and turned to face her.
“I’m sorry,” she said again. “You deserve better.”
I cuddled Tiger when I reached my room and felt immensely grateful that she was unable to speak and was therefore incapable of pouring further scorn on my father’s actions.
I glanced at the typewritten pile of notes on my desk which I had put together for the unfinished book I was writing about his life. I had begun the work as a tribute to him. My frame of mind had been quite different back then, when we had assumed he was dead. I wondered if I would ever find the enthusiasm to resume my work on it again. If only he had decided to return home, I could have spoken to him face to face. It was difficult to make up my mind about it all without hearing an explanation directly from him.
I pictured Eliza and Francis sitting on the uncomfortable settee in Mother’s parlour. What on earth would Mother make of what they had to tell her? Was it possible that such unexpected news might affect her health?
Chapter 21
I told James about the mysterious Sarah as we walked along a busy Fore Street toward St Giles Cripplegate for another discussion with Reverend Crosbie about our forthcoming marriage.
“The Twelve Brides again,” he mused. “This girl Sarah suggested the gang was responsible for the murders of the young women found in the river, is that right?”
“Yes. And that’s why it’s even more important that Rosie Gold is found right away,” I said. “It sounds as though Inspector Paget is getting closer.”
“The Yard could assist him if it transpires that the woman is a murderer. We can’t be entirely sure Sarah is telling the truth, though. Did she tell you her surname?”
“No, and I don’t suppose we can be certain her name is Sarah, either. She may have given me a false name.”
“It’s imperative that we speak with her again.”
“I realise that, but I have no idea where to find her.”
James shook his head. “How very frustrating.”
“She told me she wants me to help her with something.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know yet. She said she’d bring it to me, so that suggests I shall hopefully see her again. She told me she wants the murders to stop.”
“We all want the murders to stop! She’d be a darn sight more helpful if she’d just speak to us about it. She didn’t tell you anything more about the second girl who was murdered, did she?”
“No.”
“I’m not surprised but if she agreed to help us, we could go some way to protecting her.”
“Shall I tell her that the next time I see her?”
“If there is a next time. I’ll share the information with Paget as soon as we’ve finished with the reverend this morning.”
We walked through a passageway which opened out into the churchyard. Ancient walls separated this small haven from the surrounding huddle of buildings.
“How do you feel about your father now you’ve had some time to absorb Francis’ revelations?” James asked.
“I think he’s a fool,” I replied, “but I’m holding out hope that he’ll return home at some point.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes, I have to believe it. I imagine Francis’ visit will have prompted him to reflect on his actions, in any case.”
“But he didn’t send any form of communication for ten years.”
I sighed. “I realise that. Perhaps it’s just a vain hope of mine that he’ll return one day.”
“I think it quite honourable of you, Penny, to think that, despite everything he’s done, your father might attempt to make peace with his family again.”
“His first family,” I added.
“Ah, yes.” James shook his head. “It’s all quite astonishing.”
“I hope Francis and Eliza’s meeting with Mother went as well as could be expected yesterday. It was extremely brave on Francis’ part to tell her the news about her errant husband.”
James laughed. “Your mother isn’t that bad!”
“I suppose Francis handled Eliza’s anger well, so hopefully he’ll be able to cope with Mother in the same way.”
“Yes indeed. He has a certain sangfroid about him, doesn’t he?”
“I suppose you have to remain calm when you find yourself facing life-threatening situations in Amazonia.”
“Was he ever in a life-threatening situation?”
“He nearly died of the fever.”
“That’s true.”
“And he must have had altercations with people who didn’t take kindly to yet another European exploring their land. Nothing seems to bother him, does it? He’s able to remain calm in any situation life throws at him.”
“In which case, talking to your mother shouldn’t trouble him at all.”
“I suppose not. Still, it’s extremely kind of him to offer. He didn’t have to.”
“Brave and kind Francis.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m merely stating his qualities.”
I stopped and turned to face him beside the door to the church. “You’re not merely stating them. You mentioned them as though you felt put out by something.”
“Such as?”
“Perhaps you’re envious because he’s been the centre of attention over the past few days.”
James gave a dry laugh. “That’s something to be envious of, is it? Francis Edwards being the cynosure of all eyes? I can tell you now that I’m not even a tiny bit envious of the chap, nor have I ever been!”
“So why make the comment in the first place?”
“To be frank with you, Penny, I’m a little tired of hearing all the eulogies to Francis. I understand he’s achieved a tremendous amount, and I’m incredibly pleased that you finally know what happened to your father, but I think the hero’s welcome is dragging on a little.”
“I’ve waited a long time to find out about my father, James.”
“I realise that.”
“It’s the fact that it’s Francis, isn’t it?” I said. “I don’t believe you’ll ever truly like him.”
“You misunderstand me, Penny; I like the chap enormously! But he did wish to marry you at one time.”
“That’s long forgotten about now. No one has even given it any further thought… apart from you, it seems. At least I wasn’t engaged to marry him!”
“Oh come now, there’s no need to mention her.”
“Why not? If you’re determined to keep mentioning the fact that Francis once wished to marry me, I shall occasionally mention the fact that you once agreed to marry Charlotte Jenkins.”
“I don’t ever want to hear that woman’s name again!”
“Then stop all this nonsense about Francis. He’s a good man.”
“Of course he is.”
“And if everyone seems to be full of praise for him at the present time, it’s for an extremely good reason. You’ll simply have to endure our high opinions of him for a little while longer.”
At that moment the church door swung open and Reverend Crosbie greeted us with a smile. “I see the happy couple has arrived!”
Chapter 22
There was a knock at my door that evening.
“Miss Green?” came Mrs Garnett’s voice. “There’s a young lady here to see you.”
I opened the door with Tiger in my arms. As soon as she saw the two women the cat leapt down onto the floor with a thud and ran away to hide.
“Sarah!” I greeted the girl with a grin, relieved she had come to see me again. “How did you know I lived here?”
“I looked yer up in the direct’ry.”
“I see.” I realised she must be extremely keen to have my help, whatever form that might take. “Come in,” I said, stepping aside.
Mrs Garnett gave us a bemused glance, clearly wondering who the girl was and what she was doing visiting her house at such an hour.
“Thank you, Mrs Garnett,” I said, nudging the door as if to close it.
“You’ll be all right, will you, Miss Green?” she asked.
“Yes, fine, thank you.” I shut the door and turned toward my guest. “Please take a seat. There aren’t many places to sit but there’s a chair here beside my writing desk.”
She perched on the edge of the chair. “Where’d yer cat go?”
“She’s under the bed,” I replied. “She always hides there when visitors come.”
Sarah gave a crooked smile and bent down onto her knees, lowering her head to peek beneath the bed.
“Oh yeah, I think I see ’er! Timid, ain’t she?”
“She is.”
Sarah sat back up on the chair. “I love cats, I do.”
I sat down on the end of my bed, deciding I needed more information from her before I agreed to help with anything. “What can you tell me about the Twelve Brides?” I asked.
She scratched behind her ear. “We nick money and jewellery off the toffs.”
“What happens to the valuables you steal?”
“We give ’em to Miss Danby.”
“Who’s she?”
“She’s the one who looks after us.”
“Is she the ringleader?”
“Nope. She ain’t the queen, if that’s what yer thinkin’.”
“Who is the queen?”
“She ’asn’t never told us.”
“Why twelve brides? Are there twelve people in charge?”
“I dunno.”
“What do you receive in return for the items you steal?”
“A place ter stay, and some coins now and again.”
“Where do you stay?”
“I ain’t sayin’. What if yer tell the coppers?”
“I won’t.”
“Yer don’t need to know where I stay.”
“Is it near St Bride’s Church?”
“I ain’t sayin’.”
“And you have no idea who runs the gang?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Perhaps it’s Miss Danby?”
“She jus’ passes on the orders. She ’ad a black eye once.”
“Someone hit her?”
“Yeah. She got beat quite bad.”
“Do you know if it was a man or a woman who did it?”
Sarah shrugged. “Couldn’t tell yer. Miss Danby wouldn’t say nothin’.”
“Do you think Miss Danby would be prepared to meet with me?”
She gave a laugh. “Not a chance! An’ if she ever finds out I’ve bin ’ere, I’ll be for it.”
She’d beat you?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Has she beaten you before?”
“No, but I seen ’er do it ter the others.”
“Do you think she might have murdered Josephine and the other girl?”
“Nope. She never would of done that.”
“Do you know Rosie Gold?” I asked.
A half-formed smile lifted her lips. “’Ow d’yer know about Rosie?”
“Is she the queen?”
“I told yer, I dunno.”
“But she is, isn’t she?”
Sarah shrugged and said nothing more.
