Page 49 of Molly Boys
“I’d like that.” Archie gave him a rare smile.
He watched as Dr Shaw left the office, closing the door behind him. For a moment, Archie sat staring at his desk before finally letting out a sigh of resignation. Picking up the copy of the Herald, he dumped it straight into the waste basket without reading it further. The autopsy report he tucked into his desk drawer. Locking it up safely, he slipped the tiny brass key into his waistcoat pocket before standing and retrieving his bowler hat.
It looked like he would be visiting Bloomsbury after all.
Ev looked up from his bed as Henry entered the room. The man didn’t bat an eyelid over what he saw: Ev sprawled out across the covers in yesterday’s clothes with Francis, looking as impeccable as ever, perched gracefully next to him on the bed, his feet up and his back resting against the headboard as he held a newspaper.
“My lord. Apologies for the interruption, but Inspector Franklin is here to see you. He’s waiting in the front parlour.”
Ev lifted his head and blinked. “Here? Now? What? Why?”
“There, there, darling. Don’t strain yourself while you’re recovering.” Francis patted his leg. “Henry, please see if the inspector would like some tea and tell him his lordship will be down shortly.”
“Very good, Lord Tiverton.” Henry inclined his head with respect before leaving the room.
“Are you mad, Francis? Why the devil would I want to see him?” Ev snapped, feeling his stomach turn somersaults as if he’d swallowed an entire hive of bees along with the honey and bread Francis had forced him to eat.
“Hush now, love,” Francis said calmly. “Would you like me to give you a list?”
“What?”
“Of reasons why you’re going to go downstairs and have a civil conversation with the man.”
“Yes.” Ev scowled. “I’d love to hear your list of reasons why I should go downstairs and speak with the police inspector who found me out of my mind on opium in an illegal drug den and then forcibly carried my unconscious body home before tucking me into bed.”
“Very well, that can be reason number one.” Francis grinned. “Reason number two, he didn’t arrest you. Reason three…” He lifted the paper and waved it. “He kept your name out of the news and most importantly, reason four, he saved you from the same fate as…” His voice cracked.
“Franny.” The childhood nickname fell from his lips as Ev reached for Francis’ hand, squeezing tightly. “It’s alright, I’m still here.”
“But you might not have been,” Francis whispered as his eyes filled with tears. He tilted his head to the canopy above them and blinked rapidly as he released a breath. “You never should have gone to The Lotus Flower in the first place, and certainly not alone. I’ve spent the last two days thinking of nothing but what might’ve happened. What that monster might’ve done to you and I just…” He sniffled, retrieving his handkerchief from his pocket and wiping the tear that had escaped. “I can’t bear the thought of that beast doing to you what he did to Charlie and David.”
“But he didn’t,” Ev reminded him gently.
“But he could’ve… would’ve, if it hadn’t been for the inspector. He saved you,” Francis said firmly. “Not only saved you but protected you.” He tapped the copy of The Herald once again. “He kept your name out of the papers and he didn’t tell them where he’d found you or what you were doing. He didn’t have to do that.” Francis reached over and cupped Ev’s cheek gently. “You owe it to yourself to find out why.”
“He makes me nervous,” Ev admitted.
“But not because he’s a police inspector?” Francis said knowingly and Ev shook his head.
“You can’t think it’s a good idea I speak with him,” Ev argued, even though deep down a warm feeling spread throughout his body at the thought of being in the same room as the inspector again.
“Let’s just say I have my suspicions about the man.” Francis leaned in and whispered with a smile, “And I’m never wrong.”
Ev let out a sigh of defeat.
“Go on, love,” Francis urged. “At the very least, you should thank him for saving your life.”
Ev gave a little growl and rolled off the bed.
“Uh, darling.” Francis picked up the paper and once again began reading. “You might want to change your shirt. You smell terrible.”
By the time Ev had stripped, washed, and put clean clothes on, his stomach was churning once more. He stood outside the parlour and braced himself but for what, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that he was nervous. He now had to face the man who’d found him insensible in an opium den only hours after first meeting him.
Knowing he couldn’t avoid the inevitable, he drew in a deep breath and opened the door. Inspector Franklin stood abruptly upon his entrance, his ever-present bowler clutched in his hands and the tea tray on the table in front of him untouched.
“Inspector Franklin,” Ev greeted him politely.
“Lord Stanley,” he responded.