Clatter.
I woke up to the sound of the train wheels clattering as they rolled along the tracks. I must have dozed off under the influence of the medicine. I recalled Liam Moore handing me a small spoonful of a potion.
“It’s a painkiller,” he had said in his strict, doctor-like manner, which I found both amusing and endearing. I had followed his advice, partly because I was exhausted. I thought that if I struggled enough, I would be able to return home, but there was no sign of that happening despite my extended stay here.
How long would I be trapped here? Would I ever get home? What if I grew old and died here? I wanted to be home before the New Year. It was almost December. Soon, it would be the New Year. You can’t imagine how terrifying it is to celebrate ‘another year’ in a foreign land, as someone else.
I blinked a few times. The medicine was effective. The pain that had battered my body had dulled into a mild, unpleasant sensation that no longer affected me. Thank goodness. If I had been in pain with every breath, I might have truly wanted to die. The only downside was that even death wouldn’t free me from this place.
When I opened my eyes, my mind was foggy. Though my body was sluggish, my mind quickly cleared. Seeing my refreshed face, Liam’s expression softened. He reached out and touched my forehead. His hand was warm, feeling so real that it made me shiver. It felt unsettling.
“I’m fine,” I mumbled, pulling my head away.
“You still have a slight fever. Your body seems to be in shock,” he said.
“People’s body temperature is supposed to be warm.”
I turned my gaze out the train window. The distant view of London was visible. Or perhaps not so distant after all. Each time the wheels turned, London seemed to draw nearer, almost as if the view in the mirror was warning that it could get even closer. It felt like we were plunging into the jaws of London rather than being chased.
Farewell to the pastoral and idyllic landscapes. We were now greeted by a web of murder and crime. The heart of England. The pride of the empire on which the sun never sets. Oh, London—both hideous and beautiful!
A long whistle blew. With a hiss, the train came to a complete stop. The once-quiet hallway became noisy as people began to disembark with their luggage. Stepping out of the compartment, I heard the cheerful voices of people greeting each other. Some embraced enthusiastically as they met.
As I stood holding the door handle, Liam came to support me. Somehow, he knew that several Scotland Yard officers were on the platform. I saw Christine being helped off by Mary and immediately assisted into a waiting carriage by an officer.
Liam managed to carry all the luggage with one hand while escorting me. We were among the last to leave the train. As we slowly descended the steps, a voice exclaimed in shock.
“My God, Miss Osmond!”
Inspector Henry Brixon was among those who had come to greet us. His eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of my arm in a splint, and when I staggered from dizziness, he looked even more alarmed. He then turned a reproachful gaze on Liam Moore.
It was as if Liam had failed to protect me or was being blamed for not being the one injured. Inspector Brixon wasn’t typically the type to reprimand others this way, which made me more bewildered. Why was he so sensitive about my condition?
As I looked up at Liam, our eyes met. His gray eyes curved into a soft smile.
“You should explain, not me,” he said.
I stepped forward from his embrace and gave Inspector Brixon a gentle smile.
“I fell down the stairs and hurt my arm,” I said.
Inspector Brixon sighed deeply. “My goodness, Miss Jane…” he murmured.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything. But I couldn’t tell him that I had been dead for two minutes because I fell from the third floor.
I can’t say, “I was at a colleague’s wedding and found out the groom was a psychopath who kills wealthy single women. The bride almost died, but we saved her. I decided falling was better than burning, and my heart stopped for a bit.”
I just kept repeating that I was fine with a vague, awkward smile. Reassured that I had no other injuries, Inspector Brixon finally apologized, feeling sorry for holding me up when I needed rest.
Liam gently wrapped his arm around my shoulder again. As the police moved away, he covered me with his coat, perhaps to hide me from someone waving in the distance.
Wait, that person looks familiar. Blonde, slender, someone I’ve met before…
“Lucita?” I whispered, surprised.
Liam flinched. “Jane, don’t look. It’s not good for you.”
What’s his problem now? I pounded his side with my free hand.
“Don’t look. She’s bad news for you,” he murmured sadly.
Funny thing, though—I found myself softening at his tone. Though I pretended not to care about Liam Moore’s feelings, maybe I actually did…
Lucita approached, laughing. She wore a black coat and a wide-brimmed hat. She looked like a lady, or maybe someone returning from a funeral.
“Dear Liam Moore! No matter how much you hide this adorable lady—”
“You should leave if you don’t want to test my patience,” he said in a stern tone.
Lucita ignored him and peered into his coat, where she found me. Her red eyes curved into a smile. Beautiful.
“Hello,” she greeted.
“Uh, hello,” I replied awkwardly.
Liam sighed and rubbed his temples. Lucita, still smiling, looked at me with deep red eyes. But all I could think was, Wow, her eyes are pretty.
No, wait.
“Lucita, your eyes…” I began.
“My eyes?” she asked, her smile widening.
“Your pupils have changed. They used to be more elongated.”
Maybe she had contact lenses? Lucita suddenly asked, “Miss Jane Osmond, would you like to come with me?”
Liam tightened his grip around my waist.
“What would I find there?” I asked.
“Exciting cases, sinister and dangerous people, the chance to catch murderers. And, of course, secrets about Liam Moore…”
Honestly, the last part tempted me. Secrets about Liam Moore? That sounded intriguing. If I could follow Lucita and find out more…
“Shush, Moore. A gentleman should respect a lady’s wishes,” Lucita said, brushing off Liam’s attempts to protest. She gently caressed my cheek.
“You wouldn’t end up this battered. I protect my people well…”
“Stop joking, Lucita,” I interrupted. Though I felt a bit sorry, there was no sincerity in her words. Liam Moore might have been capricious, but Lucita was just as bad.
“…You have something to say, don’t you?” I prompted.
“Sigh…”
Lucita rummaged through her belongings and handed me a letter sealed with red wax.
“My request to you, Jane Osmond.”
…Express? Train?
“The details are in there, but there’s an auction held by those who stole my jewel. The London black market is well-known, but I haven’t identified this auction’s host yet.”
“If it’s someone like Plurititas again, I’ll pass,” I said, eyes wide. Lucita laughed, then grasped my hands.
“Please, smart and clever Miss Osmond.”
“My boss is right here,” I said, indicating Liam.
“Please.”
I can’t refuse when asked like this. So, just hours after arriving in London, we had to move to a different platform to board another train.