Sigmund Shaw: A Steampunk Adventure (18 page)

Sigmund didn’t want to ask but had to, “Does she think me guilty?”

Alexis responded with near anger, “Really, Sigmund! You have that little faith in your niece? She believes more than anyone in your innocence.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to assume. May I see her?”

Alexis nodded.

Sigmund got up from the couch and walked to Sarah’s room. The door was open just a crack. Slowly, Sigmund pushed in the door and saw her sleeping face bathed in the light from the hallway. He walked in quietly and kneeled next to her bed. With a kind whisper, he said, “Sarah. Wake up, Sarah.”

She stirred for a moment, then opened her eyes weakly. Blinking away the sleepiness she looked around for the source of her disturbance and locked eyes with Sigmund. “Uncle!” she cried and threw her arms around him. “Oh Uncle, I’ve been so worried!”

“I’m sorry to cause you worry. Believe me, it wasn’t my choice.”

Releasing him, she leaned back into her bed and looked at his face. She asked, “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. I got a little banged up but I’m alright.” He gave her a reassuring smile.

“What happened?”

“From what I understand from your mom, you probably know better than me.”

Looking down at her covers, she said quietly, “They are saying awful things about you.”

“I know, but they are not true and that is what is most important.”

Sarah started to cry and while not looking up at Sigmund said, “I thought they killed you.”

“No no no, I’m right here, I’m fine.”

“I know, but I was so scared. The found a man hanging off the Tower Bridge last night, I was certain it was you.”

“Did you know before now that it wasn’t me?” Sigmund groaned inwardly to think that his niece had been mourning over his supposed death.

“No, I found out this afternoon. They identified the man and put in a picture. But for much of the day I was so frightened, uncle!”

They held each other again, reassuring one another. After releasing the second embrace, Sarah pointing to the end of her bed, she asked, “Hand me the stack of papers on the floor over there.”

Obediently, Sigmund walked to the end of the bed and found several newspapers on the floor.

“Mom doesn’t like me reading in here, says that I get ink on the covers.”

Bringing the stack over and placing it on the bed, Sigmund raised his eye brows and asked, “Do you?”

“Well, yes. But I can’t help it.” Sarah pushed aside some off the top and found the one she was searching for. After turning several pages she located the story, “Here.” She handed the paper to Sigmund and pointed at an article. “Marcus Pratt.”

Sigmund glanced at the paper, mostly to play along with his niece, but froze when he looked at the picture. The man that was found dead hanging off of Tower Bridge, this Marcus Pratt, was the dark stranger.

17.

Sigmund read the article to find out that the dark stranger, Marcus Pratt, was found dead, hanging off of the Tower Bridge with his mouth sown shut. Sigmund felt a slight elation at knowing the name of the stranger but was immediately crushed by the knowledge that his one and only lead was dead.

Sarah, able to tell that something was wrong, asked, “What is it uncle? Do you know him?”

Not wanting to burden her with too many details, he settled on, “I met him recently but never received his name.”

Hugging him again she said, “Well, I’m glad it wasn’t you.” He could feel the fear she had at the thought of losing him. A hug tighter and longer than normal, born of fear and the need to tangibly prove the life of her uncle.

“Me too.” He whispered and hugged her tightly back.

Releasing the hug Sigmund reluctantly told her he had to leave. He asked that she continue to read the paper and look for clues and that he would check in when he could.

“I promise, Uncle Sigmund. If I can help, you know I will.”

Sigmund smiled, “I do know it.”

Laying her head back on her pillow while Sigmund placed the newspapers back at the end of her bed, she said, “I love you, goodnight, goodnight, I love you.”

“Goodnight, I love you, I love you, goodnight.” Replied Sigmund and left the room.

Sigmund walked back to the sitting area with the one paper in hand. Alexis stood from her seat once she saw Sigmund’s face and with alarm asked, “What is wrong, Sigmund? Is Sarah alright?”

Sigmund nodded, handed over the paper opened to the article about Marcus Pratt, and said, “This is the man who visited me, the dark stranger who set me up.”

Jamison took the paper and read it over. He got increasingly agitated and turned to Alexis, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Alexis looked confused, “Tell you what?”

Jamison shook his head slowly, “I… I know this man.”

“What?” exclaimed both Sigmund and Alexis.

Jamison stared at the paper, not reading, clearly thinking through something. Finally, he sighed and said, “Let’s sit down. We might be in more trouble than we know.”

Not moving, Sigmund demanded, “How do you know him?”

Jamison sat back heavily, practically falling into the love seat. “You can stand if you want but I need to sit. This is very bad.”

Sigmund was getting angry, “It has been ‘very bad’ for me for weeks! What suddenly makes it ‘very bad’ now? What do you know about that man?”

“Jamison, you’re scaring me.” Alexis said as she sat next to him and put her hand on his knee.

Jamison pointed to the plush chair across from him and said, “Sigmund…”

With his eyes firmly fixed on Jamison, Sigmund relented and sat. In a very cold, steady voice Sigmund said, “Jamison, you need to tell us what you are talking about. How do you know that man in the paper and why does it matter so much to you?”

There was a long pause as Jamison gathered his thoughts. “I told you about a man who had a family member that was crippled and that he knew of an Italian doctor who could help, who could also help Sarah. This is what led to us asking you to steal something in order to pay for this doctor.”

Sigmund nodded, nothing he didn’t already know.

With head lowered, Jamison continued, “That was a lie.”

“Jamison! Why?” screamed Alexis.

Sigmund wanted to ask that and much more. What happened to the pillar of morality that Sigmund always thought Jamison was? This white knight was showing rust. But he kept silent. He knew he needed to hear Jamison out as there had to be much more to the story.

Jamison, staring a hole in the floor, continued, “He needed help. The Empire needed help. Sarah needed help.”

Sigmund shifted in his seat and said, “Wait. So there is or is not an Italian doctor who can help Sarah? What exactly is the lie?”

“There is a man who believes he can help Sarah. He is not an Italian doctor, that was completely made up, but there is an engineer whose name is Richard Sutton.”

Sitting forward, elbows on knees, Sigmund shook his head and exclaimed, “Sutton! I’ve heard of him. He’s some sort of pioneer in physical movement or something. An… associate I know told me of him.”

It was Jamison’s turn to be surprised, “You know of him? What have you found out?”

“Nothing really, just his name. I only heard of him recently, but I’ve been a bit distracted. Jamison, tell us what is going on.”

Jamison took a deep breath and began, “I can tell you what I know, but it’s likely that there are details outside of my privy. Richard Sutton works for the Academy of Future Science, he is their lead engineer, and by all accounts a brilliant man. More importantly, Sutton is the leader of a group resisting the war faction growing in the government. He became aware of the German Scientists and what they purported to have. It was not difficult to know that the faction would want the invention and use it to start their war. A war that could be on the greatest scale in history. Sutton had a few companions that he kept in his close confidence, Marcus Pratt being one of them, and he sought for ideas to make sure that this new invention did not fall into the wrong hands. Marcus and I had known each other since college and have kept in touch – time to time having a drink in the pub. Marcus was aware of Sarah and her condition and he was also aware of my unique brother-in-law.”

“Unique?’ Sigmund asked.

Jamison gave a small smile, “Unique in that you are an experienced thief.” Sigmund nodded understandingly. “Marcus had often thought of introducing me to Sutton to examine Sarah, it just hadn’t been the appropriate time. In any event, Marcus came up with the idea to use you to find out if the German Scientists really did have a revolutionary fuel or if it was a false lead. Also, if true, to have you steal it. Sutton agreed with the approach. He desperately wanted the German invention to become public, not hidden away and used solely as a tool for war. It seems that this fuel, if real, would also be intrinsic to Sutton’s possible cure for Sarah. Don’t ask me how, but that much was clear. Hence, the ruse to steal something, the visit of Marcus, and the blackmail. You were setup from before I asked you to steal something. It took a couple nervous days to flag your cab down with our planted men with the story of the necklace at the Golden Lion.”

“But Marcus threatened Alexis!” Sigmund said sharply. “Was that part of the plan?”

“Yes. It was an empty threat, Alexis was never in danger. But I told Marcus that if he had any doubt as to you performing the task that he should use Alexis as motivation. I knew that you would never let harm come to her.”

Sigmund stared darkly at Jamison, hatred radiated from his face. “And the explosion? Was that part of the plan?”

“No. That was completely unexpected. We don’t know who is behind it. Your theory on the Coal Union is actually quite a good one, one that we think could be true. But no one knows for sure.”

Sigmund sat back in the chair, his mind racing with this revelation. No one spoke as they all tried to fathom the depths of the situation. Sigmund looked back at Jamison and asked, “Why the ruse? Why threaten, fake or not, Alexis? Why not just tell me from the beginning about all of this. I would have done it. If only to help Sarah. I may have been in the same situation I am now, but I would have done it.” Sigmund looked at Alexis, “You know I would do anything for Sarah.”

Jamison answered, “Marcus and I talked about that. I wanted to tell you the truth from the beginning. He wasn’t so sure. He took the idea to Sutton and he also thought it best for you not to know.”

“But why? I don’t understand!”

“For safety’s sake. There were three possible outcomes to the task you were given. Outcome one: You spy on the meeting and find that the German’s were wrong and there is no special fuel. In that event, I would then tell you the whole story.

“Outcome two: The fuel is real, you steal it or not, but don’t get caught. You would then be told the whole truth.

“Outcome three: You get caught spying or stealing. It is this third outcome that led to our misdirection. If you were caught and they found out about Marcus Pratt or Richard Sutton, their lives would be forfeit and, more importantly, the main opposition to the war faction would be gone. It was reasoned that the lives of the many that could be saved, perhaps millions, outweigh your one life. We chose the Empire over you. In addition, myself for sure, and possibly Alexis and Sarah would also be in grave danger if we were directly connected. We needed you in the dark in case you were captured and they, um, tried to make you talk.” Alexis gasped at the veiled reference to torture.

The argument had merit. Sigmund hated it, hated Jamison in that moment, but the argument had truth in it. Sigmund looked at Alexis, “How much did you know?”

Aside from her early outburst, Alexis had been listening in a kind of trance, seemingly overwhelmed by the story. Slowly she turned her eyes from the far wall and looked at Sigmund and said in a small voice, “Nothing. This is all new to me.” Then, as if all her emotions let free at once, she put her hands over her face and started sobbing. Jamison put his arm around her but after a moment she realized his arm was there and shrugged it away. She looked at him with pain and anger, and said, “Don’t you touch me! Don’t you touch me!” She looked as if she wanted to say more, but retreated back behind her hands and sobs.

Sigmund and Jamison sat in silence while Alexis let her emotions continue to run. After a little time, an overwhelming feeling of wanting to be alone came over Sigmund. He needed air, he needed to think through all this, he needed to leave. He never thought he would want to get away from his family, but tonight he needed to. Standing up, he said, “I have to be going.”

Through tears, Alexis pleaded, “Oh, please no, Sigmund! Do you have to? Couldn’t you stay here and hide? Just for a day or two?”

Sigmund shook his head and said, “No. It’s too dangerous. After the recent events it might not even be safe for you, with or without me here.” Sigmund stared at Jamison for a moment wanting him to feel guilt for potentially putting his sister’s life in jeopardy, then continued, “I’m alright where I am. I told Sarah I would check in when I could. However, I’m not sure how often that will be.” Pointing at the window Sigmund told Jamison to check if the constable was back at his post.

“He is. How will you get out?”

“I’m going to be you for a few minutes.” He responded coldly and explained his plan.

“Sounds dangerous,” remarked a hesitant Alexis. “Isn’t there another way?”

“Don’t worry, it will work. Grab your coat. Remember, be confident.”

She nodded in a most unconfident way and grabbed her coat from the rack. Before leaving, Sigmund turned to Jamison and demanded, “You keep them safe. There is no concern about this new fuel, it’s destroyed. All that matters now is keeping Alexis and Sarah safe.” Sigmund didn’t wait for a reply but turned and walked out the door with Alexis following.

Once outside they paid no attention to the watchman and laughed as if one of them just told a funny story. The light from a street lamp illuminated them but not enough to pick out true details. Alexis called out, “Oh Jamison! That is too much!” She performed well, thought Sigmund, especially considering what she was actually feeling.

They continued walking down the street and turned at the first corner. Sigmund carefully glanced back around the corner to see if they were being followed but the constable was still at his post.

In the pool of light from a nearby street lamp, safely out of sight from the watchman, Alexis asked, “Won’t he be suspicious if I return alone?”

“I don’t think so. Go get a cup of tea and then come back. If he questions you, tell him your husband ran into an old friend and would be back later. By morning a new constable will replace him and no one will be the wiser.”