Chapter 6
Walbrook Street
“Now take a deep breath, close your eyes, and think back to yesterday morning. Every detail that comes to you. Sometimes it’s the smallest memory that is the most important.” Mr. Cooper sat across from her with his elbows on the table, his hands folded as he spoke to her softly.
Kitty nodded, hoping she could maintain her composure as she did what he asked. It had been the longest night of her life, waiting for her father to come home. She had slept with Terry, curling herself around the dog, needing the warmth of another body close.
“Terry and I were on Wormwood. It’s an old, narrow street with ancient buildings that look like they’re ready to topple.
It was a pea-souper yesterday morning, and I was running a bit late because of it.
The lane was dark because of the fog.” Kitty took a sip of her tea and swallowed, smiling weakly at her father when he patted her other hand. Terry lay at her feet.
“I’d just woke Mr. Lockton when I heard two men arguing. Farther down the lane, I saw one man yelling and waving his arms at another who was in the alley and out of sight. As we got closer, I saw a gloved hand reach out and grab the man’s neck, pulling him into the alley.”
Kitty closed her eyes again as she remembered the fear that had frozen her next. “I waited a moment, and when I didn’t hear anything, I figured they went into one of the buildings off the alley.” She wrapped her hands around the teacup, hoping to still the trembling.
“So you continued walking toward the alley?” prompted Mr. Cooper gently.
She nodded. “As I passed it, I saw one man standing over another, a blade in his hand. When he looked at me over his shoulder, fear froze me to the spot. Then he started toward me, and Terry began growling, and I ran. I thought Terry would follow me, but he went after the stranger.” Tears slid down her cheeks, and she dashed them away.
“I heard the dog whine, and I thought he was dead.”
Terry put a paw on her leg, his tail thumping against her boot, and let out a mournful howl. Her father pulled his chair closer and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s all right, luv. Mr. Cooper is going to help us figure this out.”
“I will do everything possible to find who these men are and what possible threat they could be to you,” answered Mr. Cooper.
Pa handed her his handkerchief, and she took it, wiping her face, then blowing her nose. She peeked at the handsome blond solicitor over the cloth. The kindness in his tawny eyes almost set her to weeping again.
“I’m sorry you’re involved in this,” she said with a sniffle. “My father was adamant we speak to you first. He’s worried the man might come after me.”
“Can you describe him? I realize the fog made it difficult, but anything will help,” asked Mr. Cooper, opening a small notebook, a pencil in one hand.
“He was tall… lean. He wore dark clothing and a neckcloth around his face. But it had slipped to his chin. I saw a dark beard, or he was unshaved. So dark hair, I assume, but he wore a cap. When he got closer, it was his scar that stood out. A long, jagged scar down the side of his face.” She shivered.
“You were able to see his face even with the fog?” Ben finished writing and looked up at her.
“I can’t say I saw all his features clearly—just the beard and that scar.” She shivered again, remembering his gaze so void of emotion. “He’d just stabbed a man, and he seemed so… calm.”
“Which side?”
Kitty stared at him a moment, then realized what he was asking. “The right side of his face.”
“Do you think you could identify the man if you saw him again?”
She shrugged, uncertain. “I’d know that scar. That moment will haunt me until I’m old and gray.”
“Well, that’s the plan,” said Mr. Cooper, then rushed on. “I mean, not for anything to haunt you but to see you grow old and gray.”
Kitty smiled, the weight on her chest easing. “Thank you, Mr. Cooper.”
He opened his mouth to say something, then seemed to change his mind. Instead, he rose from the chair and tucked away his notebook. “If I learn anything, I will return tomorrow morning or tell you, Mr. Felton. In the meantime, I’m in agreement that you should remain out of sight.”
“Do you think I’m in danger?” she asked, the knot in her stomach tightening. His hesitation told her all she needed to know. Yes, she was.
“I believe we should stay on the side of caution until we learn who the victim was. It could have been a footpad setting on a random passerby. If so, I doubt very much he would waste too much time searching for you, Miss Felton. He’ll assume you would prefer to stay out of it.”
But his tone carried concern. His honey-brown eyes held hers, and for a moment, she thought he would reach out and touch her. In comfort?
Pa walked the solicitor to the door, Terry standing next to the opening, ready to follow the older man out. But he shut the door after thanking Mr. Cooper again, then returned to sit at the table.
“I think we did the right thing, Kitty,” said her father, though his doubtful tone didn’t match his words. “The Peelers have an excellent reputation. If anyone can help us, it’s them.”
“I hate for you to take my route for me,” she said, despising the thought of being cooped up for days, though she had been able to create two new bonnets yesterday.
“I don’t mind, luv,” he said, then cleared his throat as he sat back down. “I think it would be best for you to stay with your brother until we know you are safe.”
Kitty knew from his eyes that he expected a fight. “I don’t know if either man saw me waking Mr. Lockton. If they did, the murderer can easily find out who I am. I wouldn’t be any safer with Joe, and we would put his wife in danger.”
Her father sighed loudly. “You’re right. I’m not thinking.” He put his head in his hands. “I admit I’m cold right down to my soul, worried for you.”
She went to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, returning the comfort he’d recently given her. “We’ll get through this, Pa. We’ve been through worse—think of Mama.”
He nodded, took in a ragged breath, and met her gaze. “We have, haven’t we? And this will be a grand adventure you can tell to your babes someday.”
Kitty cleaned their rooms before her father went to bed, then took out her basket of bits, a short claret-colored pelisse of sturdy cotton, and a matching pair of gloves.
As she worked, trying this paste jewel, different lace, or sequins, her mind returned to the frightening scar and where she might stay to keep danger at bay from both herself and her family.
Her lids grew heavy, and she moved to the rocker to rest her eyes for just a moment. An image of Mr. Cooper filled her head, his sweet smile, the concerned dark-gold eyes, the thick blond hair—combed nicely today. That thought made her smile. Her first of the day.
Would he be able to protect them? Perhaps he could find her a place to hide away. There was something strong and solid about the solicitor. Kitty inexplicably knew she would be safe with Mr. Cooper. Physically.
But her heart? She wasn’t so sure.