Garden of Lies(88)

Cobb was focused on the kill. He never saw the heavy rope net fall out of the loft until it landed on top of him. The weight of it took him off balance and off his feet.

He yelled, reflexively pulling the trigger. The revolver roared but the shot went wild. Cobb struggled in the snare. He succeeded only in becoming more entangled in the web of thick rope.

The warehouse was suddenly filled with constables who appeared from the interiors of several crates and descended from the loft. One man in a suit and tie walked toward Cobb.

“Did you hear enough, Detective Inspector?” Slater asked.

“More than enough,” the detective said. He reached through the netting and collected the revolver. “Plenty of witnesses heard this man’s confession, as well. Mr. Cobb, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Lord Fulbrook and the American named Hubbard. There will be other charges, as well. Someone’s got to answer for the deaths of Rosemont, Wyatt and Anne Clifton.”

There was a sudden disturbance in the doorway. A light appeared.

“What’s going on in here?” the cab driver shouted. “Tom. Tom, are you all right? Where are you, son?”

Slater went to where he had hidden Tom a few minutes earlier.

“You can come out from behind the crate, Tom,” he said. “You’re safe.”

Tom jumped to his feet. He took in the scene with an awed expression. Then he ran to his father.

“That man, the one that was going to pay us so much to haul the crate to the ship, I heard him say he cut someone’s throat,” Tom said.

The driver pulled Tom close against his side. “There, there, son, looks like the police have him in hand.”

Slater walked across the floor through the lantern light and stopped a short distance from Cobb.

“Bastard,” Cobb hissed.

“Welcome to London,” Slater said.





FIFTY-TWO




Lady Fulbrook has gone into seclusion in the country.” Otford checked his notes. “She is said to be distraught over the murder of her husband.”

“I’ll wager that’s a bit of an exaggeration,” Ursula said. “I’m quite certain that vastly relieved to have him out of the way would be a more accurate description of her feelings.”

They were gathered once again in Slater’s library, listening to the latest news from a very excited Otford. Ursula was seated on the sofa beside Lilly, who was pouring tea. Slater was behind his desk. Ursula thought he was strangely calm for a man who had faced down a violent crime lord a few hours earlier. For her part, she was not feeling nearly so cool and collected. But there was, she had to admit, a great deal of relief and satisfaction in knowing that Cobb had been arrested.

Otford flipped another page in his notebook. “I could find only one person at the Fulbrook house in Mapstone Square, a gardener. Managed to speak to him through the back gate. He said Lady Fulbrook had let the entire household staff go except for him. According to the gardener, Lady Fulbrook got into a hired carriage shortly before noon and departed for the country house.”

Ursula picked up her teacup. “Lady Fulbrook hated all of the servants. She didn’t trust them. She believed they spied on her.”

“She was a prisoner in her own home.” Lilly looked thoughtful. “And now she is free.”

Ursula turned to Slater. “What will happen to Damian Cobb?”

“I’m told he has sent a telegram to his lawyers in America who will, no doubt, arrange for him to hire the best lawyer in London.” Slater scooped up his notes. “There is, of course, the possibility that he will go free, in spite of the confession and the facts of the case. But if he is that fortunate, I predict that he will book passage to New York on the first available ship.”

“He won’t dare hang around London, that’s certain,” Otford said. “He’ll be notorious after the trial. The press and the penny dreadfuls—especially The Illustrated News of Crime and Scandal—will be filled with stories about him for months. The court may find him not guilty but public opinion will hold an entirely different view. You know how it is, Mrs. Kern.”

“Yes.” Ursula set her cup down with a loud clink of china-on-china. “I know very well how it feels to be notorious.”

Otford stiffened and then flushed a dull red. “Sorry to bring up the subject. Well, I’d best be off. Got a meeting with a printer. The first issue of the Illustrated News goes on sale tomorrow.” He paused and glanced uneasily at Slater. “Our deal still stands, sir, does it not? I assured the printer that he would be paid because you were backing my magazine.”

Slater leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “I will instruct my man of business to issue you a check no later than this afternoon.”

Otford radiated excitement. “Thank you, sir. I promise you that you’ll have a free lifetime subscription to The Illustrated News of Crime and Scandal.”

“I will look forward to every issue,” Slater said.

“Right, then, I’ll be on my way.” Otford nodded at Ursula and Lilly. “Good day to you, ladies.”

He scurried away through the door.

Lilly looked at Slater. “You’ve certainly made Mr. Otford’s dreams come true.”

Slater took off his spectacles and started to polish them. “Always nice to have the press on one’s side.”