The Map of Time (Trilogía Victoriana #1)(124)

Before he had a chance to decide what action to take, just as Ferguson was passing the flower beds bordering the lawn in front of his house, a shadow emerged silently from among the bushes. It was wearing a long coat and a cap pulled down over its face. Garrett did not need to see who it was; he knew. He was the first to be astonished that his theory had proved correct.

With a determined gesture, the figure pulled a pistol out of its coat pocket and aimed it at Ferguson as he strolled along oblivious of what was going on behind his back. Garrett responded with alacrity. He leapt out from behind the tree and raced across the street. He was aware that surprise was his strongest weapon against Shackleton, who was twice his size and strength. The sound of Garrett’s footsteps alerted the shadow, who watched his swift approach with visible alarm, while still training the gun on Ferguson. Garrett hurled himself at Shackleton with all his might, grabbing him round the waist, and the two of them fell through the bushes into the garden. The inspector was surprised at how easily he was able to pin down Shackleton, but quickly realized that this was because he was lying on top of a beautiful young woman, whose mouth was within kissing distance of his.

“Miss Nelson?” he stammered, at a loss.

“Inspector Garrett!” she exclaimed, equally nonplussed.

Garrett’s face flushed bright red. He leapt up, disentangling himself from their unseemly embrace, then helped her to her feet.

The revolver lay on the ground, but neither of them hurried to pick it up.

“Are you all right?” asked the inspector.

“Yes, I’m fine, don’t worry,” the girl replied, gasping and pulling an annoyed face. “I don’t think I’ve broken any bones, in spite of everything.” Lucy brushed the mud off her clothes, and let down her hair from the bun it had been wound up in that had come loose during the fall.

“Forgive me for charging at you like that, Miss Nelson,” Garrett apologized, entranced by the lovely golden cascade resting on her shoulders liked honey spilling from a jar. I’m truly sorry, but … if I’m not mistaken, you were going to shoot Mr. Ferguson.” “Of course I was going to shoot Mr. Ferguson, Inspector! I haven’t been hiding in the bushes all evening for nothing,” the girl replied sulkily.

She bent down to retrieve the pistol, but Garrett was quicker than her.

“I think I’d better keep this,” he said grinning apologetically.

“But tell me, why kill Mr. Ferguson?” Lucy sighed, and stared distractedly at the ground for a few moments.

“I’m not the shallow girl everyone thinks I am, you know,” she said in a wounded voice. “I care about the world just as much as anyone else. And I intended to prove it by stopping the man responsible for the war of the future.” “I don’t think you’re shallow,” said Garrett. “And anyone who does is an ass.” Lucy beamed, flattered by the inspector’s remark.

“Do you really mean that?” she said, demurely.

“Of course, Miss Nelson,” said the inspector, smiling shyly back at her. “But don’t you think there are better ways of proving it than by staining those lovely hands of yours with blood?” “I suppose you’re right, Mr. Garrett,” Lucy admitted, gazing at the inspector in admiration.

“I’m so glad you agree,” said Garrett, genuinely relieved.

They stood in silence gazing at each other awkwardly for a few seconds.

“What now, Inspector?” she said at length, her face a picture of innocence. “Are you going to arrest me?” Garrett sighed.

“I suppose I should, Miss Nelson,” he acknowledged reluctantly, “however …” He paused for a moment, weighing up the situation.

“Yes?” said Lucy.

“I’m prepared to forget all about it if you promise not to shoot anyone again.” “Oh, I promise, Inspector!” said the girl, overjoyed. “Now, kindly give me the pistol so I can put it back in my father’s drawer before he notices it’s missing.” Garrett paused, but in the end handed it to her. When she took it, their fingers touched; they lingered for a moment sharing a sense of delight. Garrett cleared his throat as Lucy slipped the gun into her coat pocket.

“Will you allow me to walk you home, Miss Nelson?” he asked, not daring look her in the eye. “It is unwise for a young lady to be out alone at this hour, even if she does have a gun in her pocket.” Lucy smiled, charmed by Garrett’s offer.

“Of course, I will,” she said. “You’re very kind, Inspector.

What’s more, I don’t live far from here and it’s a lovely evening.

It’ll make a pleasant walk.” “I’m sure it will,” Garrett replied.





35


The next morning, in the privacy of his office, Inspector Colin Garrett ate his breakfast with a dreamy look on his face. Naturally, he was thinking of Lucy Nelson, her lovely eyes, her golden tresses, the way she had smiled at him when she asked whether she could write him a letter. At that moment, a constable barged in with a warrant signed by the prime minister requesting he set off for the future to arrest a man who had not yet been born. Suffering from the effects of being in love, which, as you know, more often than not put one in a daze, the inspector did not realize the letter’s significance until he found himself in the cab being driven to Murray’s Time Travel.