A Death for King and Country (9 page)

Chapter Sixteen

In which the tea is particularly thick and Rory
gets restless

The next morning it was finally agreed, after a determined, but hushed argument round by the hotel garages, that Bertram would take the sketch. However, Rory and I would also be present, though separate, down at the docks in case things took a turn for the unusual.

Rory drove us down and parked discreetly two streets away from the dockside. ‘I don’t know what all this fuss is about,’ moaned Bertram. ‘The man’s dead for heaven’s sake.’

‘Do you not remember what he did for a living?’ asked Rory. ‘The man probably had more enemies than your sister has eaten cakes.’

‘I say,’ said Bertram, ‘that is not a nice thing to say about my sister.’

‘I take it you consider yourself one of the team once more rather than a chauffeur,’ I said.

‘Oh, Lord,’ said Bertram. ‘I’m off before he starts calling me Bertram again. You are too much, man.’ And so saying he set off at brisk pace towards the docks.

‘He has a point,’ I said. ‘You are rude to him.’

‘And you’ve always been the perfect servant!’

‘No,’ I admitted, ‘but I am not rude.’

‘If he doesn’t like it he can sack me,’ said Rory scowling.

‘You know Bertram would never turn anyone off into destitution, because that is where you would be without employment, Rory.’

‘I have more than one permanent offer of work elsewhere,’ sniffed Rory.

‘So why do you stay?’ I demanded crossly.

‘Come on,’ said Rory. ‘Bertram is disappearing over the horizon. Take my arm and we can look like we are strolling down to look at the liners.’

‘Will there be any in?’ I asked, diverted. ‘I hear the ones that sail from here are much larger than the ones I have been on.’

Rory’s scowl deepened. ‘I forgot ye had been sailing.’

‘It is not something I would care to repeat,’ I said, my mind returning at once to the fateful night of April 14
^th
.

Rory did not answer, but set a cracking pace.

‘Careful, we do not want to catch him up,’ I warned. Indeed, we arrived down by the dockside to see Bertram determinedly march up to and into the shipping office, a low white building that stood on its own near the dockyard. I could tell by his gait he was in the mood for a fight.

I sighed. I did not expect it to go well.

‘Aye,’ said Rory, following my gaze, ‘I think Bertram would do well to remember you catch more flies with honey.’

‘Well, it’s too late to tell him now. Shall we take a turn around the public areas, as if we are admiring the ships?’

Rory looked down at me. ‘You are looking a bit too genteel for my liking.’

‘This is an old dress. I put it on purposefully.’

‘You’ve been living among the toffs long enough you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be poor.’

‘I shall try and speak common,’ I said, trying and failing to affect an accent.

Rory laughed. ‘I recommend you keep your mouth shut unless it’s to ooh and ahh at the ships. Remember, the likes of us can’t afford to go on these luxury liners.’

We wandered along the dockside. It was surprisingly busy. No passengers were currently boarding, but there were three large vessels in dock that were obviously being resupplied. A row of smart motorised automobiles with names of well-known shops emblazoned on their sides stood alongside the more traditional horses and carts that were delivering simpler fare. Rory cast a knowledgeable eye over the greengrocer’s supplier.
[16]

‘Looks like only the best for the First Class passengers. That ship must be getting ready to leave soon. Some of the items being carried on board will not last long.’

‘I do not see any passengers,’ I said.

‘I imagine they keep the loading of supplies and the loading of passengers as separate as possible. The last thing any captain wants is stowaways creeping on board. With these big ocean-going liners there is not much that can be done if someone is found far enough out to sea.’

‘The
Titanic
docked at Cherbourg and Queenstown in Ireland before heading off to New York. I looked it up in the newspaper room in the hotel. They keep papers going back for quite some time.’

Rory groaned, ‘So our man could have got off at either of those two places.’

‘I am unclear if passengers disembarked there,’ I said. ‘From what I read I thought they were merely taking on provisions.’

‘As if that would stop someone like Fitzroy jumping ship if he wanted to.’

‘I see your point of view,’ I said. ‘This is hopeless, isn’t it?’

And as if in harmony with my mood the skies suddenly opened and rain poured down. We were both in hats and coats, but the sudden deluge was extreme.

‘This way!’

Rory took me by the hand and pulled me into what can only loosely be described as a tearoom. The windows were thick with mist from the huge boiling metal geysers which were used for supplying what turned out to be the thickest tea I have ever tasted. Small wipe-down tables were packed close together. There were no chairs, only benches. The air was rich with the spicy language of the dockers, who sat in rough, working clothes hunched over enormous cups of tea. If Richard Stapleford had not been so free in his language I think I would have fainted at some of the expressions I heard. As it was I merely felt my ears glow a bit.

Rory deposited me at a secluded table and went to buy us some tea. This was not the sort of place where orders were taken at the table. In fact I am sure Bertram would rather have been soaked to the skin than enter such a lower-class establishment. I rubbed a patch clear on the window with my glove and looked out. The rain appeared to be coming down in sheets. I could just make out the shipping office. There was no sign of Bertram.

Rory came back with two large mugs and a plate with thickly sliced bread and dripping. The bread and dripping tasted good on such a cold and wet day and I tucked in eagerly. However, after one cautious sip of the tea, I decided I would rather like to keep the enamel on my teeth, and used the mug only to warm my hands.

‘It is a bit much even for me,’ said Rory.

‘Mrs Deighton used to say strong tea put hairs on your chest,’ I recalled. ‘I never quite saw how that was meant to be an inducement for me to drink it.’

Rory smiled, a genuine smile. It changed his whole face and lit up those glorious green eyes of his. ‘If that’s the case I think this is designed to make you grow fur,’ he said.

‘I suppose that might be useful if you are working on the docks in all weathers,’ I said.

Rory grunted and took another glug at his tea. I looked around me. I was beginning to feel a little more comfortable. Now we were settled with food and no one had asked us our business, I felt I could raise my eyes from the table and take stock of the room.

As well as the dockers, who were obviously in for a warm between shifts, I saw a few small huddled groups of men, women, and children. They each had a battered suitcase or a bundle at their feet.

‘Passengers?’ I asked Rory.

‘Perhaps, third class I imagine. Or it could be people waiting hoping someone has a ticket or two they can’t use.’

‘Does that happen often?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Rory. ‘But they are some folk who are desperate to try and start a new life abroad. I wouldnae be surprised if you found some of the poorer types came down here on the off chance they could get a ticket or maybe even find someone who would let them work passage. These big liners need as many crew as they have passengers, and some of them, like the engine stokers and cleaners, don’t exactly need to be skilled. Willing is more important.’

‘Some people do manage to stow away.’

‘I think not often,’ said Rory, ‘but yes, the ships are so big, and there are so many people milling around when they are being loaded, it would be all too easy to get aboard. It would be hiding until out at sea that would be the hard part.’

‘How would you get on board?’ I asked curiously.

‘Oh, I’d pick up a sack of rice or something going to the kitchens. Follow the other loaders. Deliver the sack, and then sneak off to hide myself. The problem being I’d only have what had in my pockets to bring with me. I could hardly carry a suitcase on too. I’d have to be very desperate to do it, but there are folks starving, and when you’re that poor I reckon you might not think you have a lot to lose. As long as you don’t steal anything, if you’re caught in the dock the worst thing that is going to happen to you is you get a warm night in a police cell.’

I reflected unhappily that, much as I might despise Richard Stapleford, if he had not given me my original employment, my mother, brother, and I would have faced destitution.

‘Och, don’t look so serious, lass. The tea’s not that bad. Drink up. It’s time we went and met Bertram at his rendezvous. I wonder how badly it’s gone.’

I opted to leave the better part of my tea. The rain had eased to a fine drizzle. Rory and I made our way back to one of the official viewing areas and waited, under an awning, for him to arrive. We moved back towards the shadows so as not to draw attention to ourselves.

It was cold enough to make me shiver. I began to regret not drinking the warming tea. ‘Where is he?’ I muttered.

Rory took out a small pocket watch. ‘He’s late,’ he said. ‘Maybe he has had more success than we thought.’

I rubbed my hands together to try and keep warm. Time passed. Bertram did not appear. Rory checked his pocket watch again.

‘I think we may have a problem,’ he said.

Chapter Seventeen

In which Bertram proves to be a problem

‘Even Bertram cannot have got into trouble in an office,’ I said.

‘It is what he did on the way there or back that worries me,’ said Rory. ‘I think it would be best if you stayed here. I will go to the office and ask after him.’

‘I agree,’ I replied. Rory’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘I see reason in keeping sightings of us separate. It makes us harder to trace. That is if we are presuming something nefarious has gone on in or around the office.’

Rory nodded. ‘Let us hope Bertram has simply forgotten where we were meant to meet. I think you should go back to the automobile.’

I shook my head. ‘No, I am going to find a vantage spot where I can watch you enter the shipping office.’

‘And see if anyone escorts me out?’

‘Exactly.’

‘Please stay out of sight,’ said Rory. ‘If I do not return you will need to summon a constable.’ He frowned. ‘I mean that, Euphemia. No trying to come to the rescue. It would only end up with us all in trouble.’

I smiled in agreement. In truth, I knew I would determine what to do depending on the situation that presented itself. Rory knows me very well and he reiterated his point several times.

‘You are wasting time,’ I said. ‘Bertram could be in real trouble. You know how weak his heart is.’

‘Dammit,’ muttered Rory. ‘Damn Fitzroy.’ And he strode off without a backward glance.

It was with some nervousness that I watched the office door. However, after a few minutes Rory came back out. He nodded with his head and I moved off in the direction he had indicated. We met up out of the sight of the office windows.

‘They claim he was never there,’ he said.

‘But that’s ridiculous,’ I said. ‘We saw him go in.’

‘Short of hauling the clerk over the counter and threatening him there was nothing I could do. He flatly denied it.’

I made a noise of annoyance.

‘I am not Fitzroy, Euphemia. I am not in the habit of physically assaulting people.’

‘But Bertram’s life may be in danger.’

‘Indeed. I suggest we summon a constable,’ said Rory seriously.

‘Why?’ I asked.

‘To help us,’ said Rory slowing his words as if speaking to an idiot.

‘And we shall say your master, who I have been travelling with alone, and to whom I am no relation, has entered the shipping office and disappeared? Despite what the clerk there thinks?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you think that there is even of the vaguest chance of us being thought reliable, decent citizens? Let alone our contrary and unusual story being believed?’

‘You think they are more likely to arrest us for murdering him? That we are intending to run off with one another?’

‘Something like that. Though admittedly we would have to be very stupid to draw attention to his disappearance.’

‘Or very cocky,’ said Rory.

‘At least you see my point.’

‘Yes, I shall have to investigate myself.’

‘Even if we manage to convince the police of our pure intent it will take too much time … wait, what did you say? You cannot go off alone. You will be captured.’

‘Thank you for your confidence in me,’ said Rory, coldly. ‘I am neither as naïve nor as trusting as Bertram.’

‘Look, let us think about this for a moment. Whatever happened to Bertram I doubt they could have risked letting him leave by the front door when they were going to deny he had ever been there.’

Rory nodded. ‘There must be another exit.’

‘I am sure we could take another turn around the docks without arousing too much suspicion. The rain has stopped and we might even be lucky enough to see some tracks.’

Reluctantly, after some more persuasion including suggesting to Rory I might not be safe alone, I managed to convince him that we should both check. The building was small enough for us to perambulate around in a few minutes. There were two doors at the front and one at the back. Bertram had obviously been taken from the rear.

We retreated to the tearoom once more. Rory got us both tea, but also managed to get a large paper napkin and procure a pencil from somewhere. We sat in a corner as he drew out a rough plan of the area around the shipping office. When he had finished he sat back and looked at it.

‘I think there would be only two ways of quickly getting rid of someone,’ he said. ‘There are plenty of carts and automobile vans along the quayside. He could have been put in one of those and transported elsewhere.’

‘Or he could have been put on board a ship.’

Rory sucked his teeth, producing a most unpleasant sound. ‘Actually, I was going to say they could have thrown him in the water.’

‘He would not have gone easily.’

‘Knock him out beforehand. He might well have had a heart attack when they tried to apprehend him.’

I decided to ignore this last catastrophic suggestion. ‘Either they would have needed several men to have lowered him slowly, or they would have had to have been prepared to make a large splash. Either of these would have drawn attention. We had the luxury of withdrawing from the rain, but the dockers and suppliers did not.’

‘If he was put in a van he could have been taken anywhere,’ said Rory glumly.

‘I do not think he was. Whatever was done, it had to have been done quickly. There was no time to arrange a clever plan. However unlucky Bertram was in running into someone who had reason to … we are missing the point. Why did they take Bertram?’

‘I am not missing any point, Euphemia. I am trying to act in a timely manner,’ answered Rory shortly.

‘It must mean something happened to Fitzroy at these docks. Do you realise he may never have got on the liner at all? He may still be alive! He may be being held prisoner somewhere.’ I heard my voice rise with excitement.

‘Maybe,’ said Rory flatly, ‘but I think we should get Bertram back first if we can. You were beginning to say how unlucky Bertram was. Was there a point you were trying to make?’

‘Yes,’ I said shortly.

‘This is no time to be moody,’ said Rory. ‘Think of your beloved Bertram.’

I bristled, but ignored this. He was right. Time was of the essence. Especially if what I suspected was correct. ‘I do not believe for one moment that everyone working at these docks was involved with either the kidnapping of Bertram or Fitzroy. Bertram must have drawn too much attention to himself yesterday when he first went to the office.’

‘Quite likely,’ said Rory drily.

‘He must have made enough noise for whoever did not want enquiries into Fitzroy to continue to have heard about him.’

‘So you are suggesting that the clerk on duty today was someone involved in whatever the original Fitzroy plot was. That he was waiting to see if Bertram returned.’

I nodded. ‘I imagine he was hoping he would not, but he could not take the risk.’

‘Would that have been enough time for him to conjure a plan?’ asked Rory.

‘I imagine that if you have kidnapped someone, not that I ever have, that the last thing you would want to do would be to do the same thing again.’

‘Drawing attention to yourself, you mean?’ said Rory. ‘Bertram is clearly a gentleman of some means and is bound to be missed.’

‘Exactly. I imagine that whoever this clerk is, he was hoping he could put Bertram off the scent easily. If he simply confirmed that Fitzroy had boarded the
Titanic
that would have been the end of our enquiries.’

Rory rubbed his hand along his chin. ‘When you put it like that, it would have been very easy to get rid of Bertram. I mean simply to tell him that lie and send him on his way. Something must have happened.’

‘But you see what I mean about there being no time to make a grand plan? The simplest thing was to give Bertram the lie and send him on his way.’

‘But something went wrong,’ said Rory.

‘Obviously, and the clerk had to handle a situation he did not expect.’

‘Well, it would not have been too hard to knock Bertram out,’ said Rory. ‘Not if you had any experience with that sort of thing. But what would you do with the body?’

I looked out at the busy dock. It was so obvious now I understood. ‘They put him on a ship,’ I said. ‘Tied up, I would imagine, and hidden somewhere where he would not be discovered until he was out at sea.’

Rory’s eyes widened. ‘Even if they believed he had been put aboard against his will, the captain would not turn the ship around for him.’

‘No,’ I said, ‘and that means it would have bought the clerk and his allies more time.’

Rory gave a low whistle. ‘So Fitzroy is still alive.’

‘It seems likely.’

‘But how do we work out which ship Bertram is on. And more to the point where he has been put?’

‘I think I have an idea,’ I said, ‘but I can guarantee Bertram is not going to like it.’

Rory gave an evil grin.

‘This is sounding better and better,’ he said.