Chapter Three #2
At the last second, Gabriel stifled a snort of derision. No doubt the powers-that-be at Bow Street wanted to save face by almost guaranteeing that cases would be solved if he was consulting on a more consistent basis than the piecemeal summons he currently enjoyed.
“Well, I appreciate that.”
Such a salary increase would go a long way into changing his life.
He could buy the bigger townhouse he and Mary had discussed, and in addition to acquiring a dog—perhaps as a Christmastide gift for the children—they might have the wherewithal to adopt one more child.
Of course, he hadn’t even discussed that possibility with Mary, didn’t know how she’d feel about expanding their family, but the thought glimmered at the back of his mind.
“Does that mean you’ll accept the proposal?” the chief inspector asked with a keen expression on his face. “No doubt there are other details included in the contract that I’ve forgotten in my haste to come out here, but we can discuss those later when you come to Whitehall to sign the paperwork.”
“I rather think that is acceptable, so yes, I’ll accept.
” It would mean more pressure at home and more responsibility placed on his shoulders with this case and others, but it would be good for his family and their growing needs.
Additionally, he’d been thinking about the possibilities of sending Charlie away to Eton.
Would it be good for the boy? Granted, that was five years away, but they would need to make plans now, and he’d need to go to a primary school before that…
There is so much to consider with the children.
Though it boggled his mind, he wouldn’t change a thing.
“Excellent. My superiors will be pleased, and I know the junior agents will benefit from your tutelage.”
Gabriel grunted. “We can only hope. Eventually, London is going to need an organized police force, for crime has increased exponentially in recent years.”
“Try convincing the fat cats in parliament of that. No one wishes to accept the responsibility of paying for that.”
They shared a chuckle.
“You realize the pressure to solve this case will rest directly on your shoulders and will increase the longer it remains open,” the chief inspector said as he crossed his arms at his chest and rested his gaze on Gabriel.
“Oh, I’m well aware of that.” In truth, he needed another big win like he had around this time last year when he landed in the papers for his deductive skills and reasoning.
Solving that case had been largely due to Mary’s talents as well.
In fact, they were a team, and if Bow Street couldn’t accept that, then he would decline their offer.
“By the by, Chief Inspector, my wife will partner me on this case.”
“I assumed that would be your insistence.” The other man shrugged. “I don’t mind, though she’ll need to hold her own against some of the more aggressive junior agents who don’t know your history.”
He nodded. “Mary will not prove intimidated.” In fact, he was still very much in awe of all she’d accomplished as well as her potential.
“Very good.”
“Then I’ll leave you to start the investigation.” As he made to depart, the chief inspector’s next words stopped him cold.
“One more thing, Inspector Bright.”
“Yes?”
“Your son, Henry Bright’s calling card was found in Mr. Corbett’s waistcoat pocket.”
“That is easily explained. Henry was Mr. Corbett’s solicitor. They went to university together.”
“Be that as it may, I must inform you that we are holding your son in one of our vehicles across the way.” The bigger man pointed to a connecting street where two hulking black vehicles waited.
One was a coach and the other was a closed wagon with bars over the windows commonly used to transport criminals to Newgate and other prisons.
“The devil you say.” Gabriel frowned at the people on the street. Crowds were building, which meant the crime scene would soon be compromised. “Why?”
“Upon arrival, we found him kneeling beside the body, and his hands were bloody. Beyond that, he was holding the pistol that had recently been fired.”
“Well, shit.” Didn’t Henry know better than to touch things at a crime scene? Hadn’t he been taught at least that. But he nodded. “Very well. I’ll have a look at the body then talk to my son.”
“Of course, Inspector. And Godspeed. This is going to be a messy one for more reasons than murder.”
“That may prove the understatement of the month, Chief Inspector.”
After a half hour with the body wherein there was nothing of import to discover about the dead man, his clothing, or the manner of death, Gabriel approached the wagon where his son was being held.
It hadn’t appeared Mr. Corbett had fought with his attacker, for there were no defensive wounds, and his clothing hadn’t been mussed.
If anything, it seemed as if he’d been surprised, since that was the expression frozen on his face, and that gave Gabriel pause.
Surprised in a good way or a bad way?
Only time would tell. With a nod to a Bow Street man standing guard at the rear door, he asked to speak with the prisoner, and it sent pain straight through his heart to even utter those words.
“Of course, Inspector, but I can’t leave you alone with him.” The young man fumbled with a ring of keys. “I have my orders, you see.”
“I don’t doubt that, but what I do have doubts about is that Mr. Bright is a killer.
” He waited with ill-hidden patience while the younger man unlocked the door and then swung it open.
Henry was revealed inside the dark interior of the wagon, sitting subdued on a wooden bench, looking quite forlorn.
Iron manacles secured his wrists, and he rested his hands on his knees while leaning forward.
Blood stained his dove-gray kid gloves. “Henry, are you well?”
His son immediately straightened. Surprise and relief warred for dominance in his eyes when he saw Gabriel. “Papa, thank God.” Then he nodded. “I’m well enough, merely worried.”
“I can imagine that you are.” With a glance at the young agent, Gabriel climbed into the wagon. Then he sat on the bench opposite his son. He dropped his gaze to Henry’s bloodstained gloves. “What happened?”