Epilogue
One week later
Amelia listened in silent admiration as a much leaner version of Louisa Elmcroft regaled them with the tale of her stay at Hollowgate Heights.
“It was an experience I will never forget.” Her eyes were dark with concern as she stared at Amelia. “I would never have guessed the sanatorium would close the day after my departure, let alone learn such horrors occurred while I was there.”
Aunt Margaret, who’d accompanied Louisa to Amelia’s for tea that afternoon, shared a concerned look with her niece before returning her attention to her friend. “We’re very relieved you emerged from the place unscathed.”
And alive, but Amelia kept the thought to herself.
Louisa had sent word to Aunt Margaret the day after she’d gone home, something Amelia hadn’t learned until she’d returned from the modiste’s.
“As am I. My stay there was challenging enough, without knowing what was happening to others.” The woman stared in the distance, suggesting unpleasant memories had taken hold. “There were times when…when I wasn’t sure I’d survive.”
“Truly?” Aunt Margaret’s teacup rattled in its saucer as she set it down. “Why was that?”
“Well, the fasting...” Louisa pursed her lips. “It was more challenging than I could have dreamed. I thought I might perish from the lack of complete sustenance.”
“I can’t imagine.” Amelia shared a concerned look with her aunt, hoping never to experience such a thing.
“And the hydropathy.” Louisa shuddered. “The baths weren’t so terrible, but—” She hesitated, looking between them. “Excuse me for speaking plainly, but you are both my friends, so I know I can be honest.”
Amelia and her aunt both nodded in response.
“The…the enemas were incredibly challenging to endure. I can’t begin to explain what went through my mind after an hour or more of a treatment.” She took a sip of her tea. “In truth, the memory alone is enough to give me nightmares.”
“I’m sure.” Amelia gave her a sympathetic look. “But you survived.”
“And I feel amazing.” Louisa straightened, clearly proud of herself for having survived the difficult treatments.
“I’m so pleased you are in good health,” Amelia added. Her aunt’s friend appeared to have a confidence that had been missing before, but no amount of weight loss was worth risking one’s life.
“Thank you.” Louisa paused, her gaze holding on her teacup. “I can hardly believe Dr. Thorne wasn’t even a doctor. To learn she killed some of the patients—it’s simply incomprehensible.”
Amelia still had difficulty grasping what the woman had done. To not only murder those she’d decided wouldn’t survive long, but also steal their money, showed a lack of morals and empathy which made her stomach turn.
Henry had pressed for the truth and discovered a sum of six victims who’d died by her orders, and whose rightful heirs had been denied their money. And those were the ones the ‘doctor’ had admitted to.
Miss Thorne was now in prison while she awaited trial, along with the members of her staff who’d been implicated, and the solicitor.
Mr. Collins, who’d aided the investigation, was expected to receive a lesser sentence, from what Henry had said.
Several patients had come forward, offering to testify against the woman for her inhumane practices, even as other outraged patients came forward in support.
It was going to get complicated. Thank goodness Hollowgate Heights had been closed and the terrible scheme ended.
“And thank you for trying to visit me,” Louisa continued as she looked at Amelia.
“I’m sorry my reply was so brief and cryptic, but I’d just completed a treatment and wasn’t…
quite myself.” She shook her head. “In truth, a staff member told me what to write and I was so fatigued, I obeyed. I appreciate you attempting to see me more than I can say.”
“We were both worried about you once we heard the concerns about the sanatorium,” Amelia advised as her aunt nodded.
“And to hear you came, too, Margaret, to gather information—in a ruse.” Louisa’s eyes shone with gratitude. “How brave of you.”
“Yes, well, I must confess it was a rather difficult experience that tested my nerves.” Aunt Margaret smiled. “But you must know how worried we were.”
“I’m sorry to have caused such worry. The next thing I know, you’ll be starting your own investigative business,” Louisa suggested with a shaky laugh, as if attempting to lighten the conversation.
“Most definitely not.” Aunt Margaret glanced at their hostess. “I shall leave that up to my brilliant niece.”
Amelia sighed, willing to admit to herself that she was eager for another investigation where she could aid Henry. Perhaps even use her newfound knowledge in forensics to do so.
Dare she hope the next case didn’t place either of them in danger?
The conversation continued, drifting to other topics, before her aunt looked at Louisa. “My dear, we should be going if we want to prepare for the opera this evening.”
“Oh, yes. I’m quite excited to attend.” Louisa beamed. “It’s such a pleasure to visit with friends and be more socially engaged after all that solitude.”
“Are you certain you don’t want to join us, Amelia?” Aunt Margaret asked.
“Thank you, but Henry and I already have plans.”
They’d enjoyed dinner with Sergeant Fletcher and his wife several evenings ago, which had been delightful. Mrs. Fletcher had the strength and humor to balance her husband’s gruffness, and both had a heart of gold. Amelia looked forward to furthering her friendship with the couple.
However, tonight she and Henry intended to have a quiet dinner at home, just the two of them. Amelia looked forward to it more than she could say.
Before the ladies could say their goodbyes, Henry appeared in the doorway. “Good afternoon, ladies. My apologies for interrupting.”
Amelia smiled, heart lifting at the sight of him, yet his expression held a seriousness that didn’t bode well.
Oh, dear.
Luckily, her guests didn’t seem to notice as they exchanged pleasantries with him, Louisa making a point of thanking him for his efforts to ensure her safety and that of the other patients at the sanatorium before they took their leave.
After the sound of the front door closing echoed through the house, Amelia turned to Henry. “What’s happened?”
He gave her a rueful look as he walked forward to take her hands. “How well you know me.”
“I like to think so.” His manner eased her concern, though she was curious to hear what he had to tell her.
“I wouldn’t bother you with this, but I know you are acquainted with him, as is your father,” he began reluctantly, his thumb rubbing against her hand.
Amelia braced herself. “Who?”
“Clarence Tooley, the apothecary. He’s been accused of murder.”
A chill ran along her skin as her thoughts raced. But—but— “But I was just at his shop yesterday, to share the results of my experiments on remedies making false claims. He has been of great assistance with my article. I’ve known him for years.”
Henry nodded. “And yet a customer of his died, and the man’s widow claims it was Mr. Tooley’s tonic that caused his death.”
“His Tooley’s Patent Tonic for Nervous Exhaustion,” Amelia murmured, remembering how Yvette had noted the bottles when they were leaving his shop. The display had still been there yesterday, but once again she hadn’t been brave enough to inquire about them.
Henry frowned. “Yes, how did you know?”
“I’ll tell you on the way to his shop. Allow me to fetch my things.”
Another case had arrived even sooner than Amelia anticipated. She was glad to be able to offer assistance but wished she didn’t know the accused. Her father would be quite distressed to hear this news.
Thank goodness they could count on Henry to discover the truth and find the guilty, with her by his side.
Ready for more of Henry and Amelia’s adventures in the Field & Greystone series? Look for The Apothecary’s Poison!
A gruesome death caused by a deadly poison. A family friend accused of murder.
Just days ago, Amelia Greystone was browsing the shelves of Mr. Tooley’s apothecary shop. Now he stands accused of murder and Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Field is the only person Amelia trusts to untangle the truth.
Henry is far from pleased to have Amelia involved in his latest case, but soon her father is as well.
Unfortunately, the evidence against their friend is damning.
Yet the deeper Henry digs into the accusations, the clearer it becomes that more than one person had reason to want the victim dead and the apothecary blamed for it.
With each clue that emerges, Amelia and Henry must separate truth from deception before the wrong man is condemned. But one shocking twist strikes so close to home that it threatens both the investigation and their deepening bond.
Can they unveil the killer before another innocent life is claimed by the apothecary’s poison?