Chapter Seventeen #3
“You should have chosen a different venue for your last grift, Mr. Foster.” She brushed her fingers over the outline of the pistol in her skirting.
It seemingly took forever and still the door was four feet away, but Mr. Foster’s body was tensed for either flight or fight.
“I’m going to bring you to the major then we’ll both turn you over to the proper authorities. ”
At least then her parents would be safe.
“That doesn’t fit in with my plans, Mrs. Kourier. I have no intention of being confined to a prison cell.” Mr. Foster sprang at her before she could anticipate him.
With a cry that blended with her parents’ protests, Caroline braced herself as best she could, and when he tackled her, she attempted to squirm away. A brief scuffle ensued, and somehow, he managed to put her in front of his body with an elbow about her neck.
“You’ll do just as well; no need to wait for the major.”
She gasped for breath, terrified that harm would come to the child she carried by being choked.
“Let’s go.” Foster prodded her backside with a knee.
Caroline shook her head. “No.” As darkness flirted with the edges of her vision and her father got to his feet with a roar, she delved a hand into the pocket of her skirting.
The small pistol felt foreign in her palm.
There hadn’t been time to learn how to properly fire it, but she would do her best. Fitting her index finger against the trigger, she aimed at what she hoped was Foster’s leg or foot, and then she squeezed.
Bang!
A howl of pain issued from her captor. Immediately, he released her and tumbled to the floor. Swinging quickly around, Caroline stared, for the ball had found its mark just over the man’s right knee. Blood seeped between his fingers as he held his hands to the wound.
A soft cry indicated her mother had fainted. Before anyone could speak let alone do much of anything, Felix rushed into the room, one hand on his cane while the other held a pistol.
“Felix!” Relief rushed down her spine. A feeling of lightheadedness came over her. As she crumbled, he was there with his strong arms around her, holding her close to his chest. “I’m glad you’re here. I only figured out who the killer was immediately before he was here.”
“As did I.” For the moment, he ignored Mr. Foster, who writhed in pain on the floor.
“It was something Foster said at tea that day which had me wondering. Who else would have known about my false leg? And then I thought it odd that no one but Danforth had ever seen Mr. Knapp, which was suspect in and of itself. After that, it was a simple matter of putting together the most innocuous clues together in order.”
“He wished to use me as bait to lure you over here.”
Felix frowned. “For what purpose?”
“To take you with him as a guarantee of safe passage out of England to the Continent.”
“Right.” He set her away from him then gave her his pistol.
“Go tend to you father. When I came in, I discovered the butler and housekeeper locked in a wardrobe.” While Caroline wandered over to her parents, who stood together near the windows, the major kneeled beside Mr. Foster.
“What did you do with the coin you took from all those people?”
“I don’t answer to you,” the other man said with a glare from his position on the floor.
“No, you don’t, but you will answer to the magistrate.
” Felix reached down, grabbed Mr. Foster with a handful of his clothing, and then hauled him upright to his feet.
“And you’ll surely answer to God, if you are a religious man.
However, if I had my druthers, I’d turn you loose into a mob of the men you fleeced. ”
“It isn’t my fault. They gave over the money willingly.”
“I’ll kill him myself,” Caroline’s father said as he broke away from her and her mother to charge over to Mr. Foster.
“Between paying for the wedding, this rental, and Debra’s upcoming Season, coin was tight, but after my investments with you failed—or you stole the money—I’m close to dun territory. ”
“Then you should have been smarter with your funding, Beckham,” Foster said with a sneer. He tried to wriggle from Felix’s hold, but the major wasn’t having it. “You know what they say about fools and their money…”
With a growl, her father surged forward and landed Foster a facer, which had him staggering back against Felix. “If you have any of that coin in your possession, I’ll petition whatever court I need to in order to have it back.”
“It seems you are as shoddy an investor as you were a Bow Street man, Foster,” Felix said as he gave the man a shake. “Why the devil would you do such a thing?”
“Being on the side of right didn’t pay nearly as well as being a criminal. For years I toiled for Bow Street and had little to show for it. But now? I finally understand why criminals do what they do.”
“Except you were caught.”
“This time. There will be others.” Foster shrugged. Nothing but honesty reflected in his eyes. “I had everyone fooled, but then you came along with your determined wife and ruined everything.”
“That is usually what happens. However, you were also bad with numbers. That always is going to get you discovered.”
“Not with the disguise! I was nearly there!”
“Try harder next time.” The major encompassed them all in his gaze.
“If you’ll excuse me? The butler is having a carriage around for me.
I’m taking this miscreant to the magistrate’s office where they can hold him until Bow Street can come for him.
I also had Mrs. Andrews send for Captain Horner.
He’ll be interested in having a chat with Foster, I’m sure. ”
Caroline nodded. Hear heart squeezed, for she was so grateful to have him in her life. “I’ll patch Papa up as best I can, but I want him back in London as soon as possible to see his own doctor.”
“Agreed. Everyone can leave tomorrow morning.” Then he hauled Mr. Foster out into the corridor.
“I’m injured, damn it! Can hardly walk because your fucking wife shot my knee. I demand attention.”
“Do shut up.”
Their conversation faded the more they moved away from the drawing room.
“Come, Papa. Come and sit. You’ll need to remove your jacket.
” She wasn’t quite certain her mother would remain conscious, for she was as white as a sheet and trembling.
Regardless, Caroline led her father over to a chair.
Once he removed his jacket, she asked for his cravat, which she then wound about the wound on his arm and tied off the ends.
“Thank you, poppet,” her father murmured. He patted her cheek with his free hand. “Your mother might not think the major is a good match for you, but after tonight, I think he’ll do right by you no matter what challenges the two of you might face in your marriage.”
That was unexpected. Hope unfurled in her belly. “Oh? Why?”
“It’s the way he looks at you, treats you, guides you with a hand to the small of your back, asks your opinion on the cases you work, and he even let you put down the criminal without stepping in to do it himself.
” Her father shook his head. “Major Kourier is a good man. I believe you’ll be wonderfully happy with him.
” He offered a tight grin. “That child of yours will have a good father.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you, Papa.”
Perhaps a change in perspective was all it would take for them to be a closer knit family.