The Bright and the Lost

Ten (2)

Instead, Arthur, the footman, informed her 'everyone' was in the drawing room, with two policemen from London. Vita's eyes widened at the news. And here she was thinking she'd had the last of her shocks for the day.

"Is it because of last night's trespasser?" She asked.

"I couldn't say, my lady," Arthur said, with an apologetic smile.

He opened the door of the drawing room for her and she took a deep breath before walking inside with the most self-assured step she could muster.

Archie and Mrs. Philip were talking with two men in brown suits, and they all turned to look at her as she made her way to them. The three men stood up at her entrance, and the oldest of the policemen said:

"Lady Victoria Hartpole, I presume?"

"Indeed," Archie said.

Vita nodded at the two men, before asking with her most innocent smile, "What is this about?"

Everyone sat down as the policeman explained:

"As I was telling Mr. Hunt, we've found a... body yesterday."

He hesitated on the word, as if Vita's nature was too delicate for such matters. Mrs. Philip seemed to agree, since she winced at the mention of the corpse.

Vita swallowed before asking, "What does this have to do with us?"

"The man was found in East London," the policeman said, "and this was retrieved from his pocket."

He unfolded a newspaper clipping before handing it to her. It was the announcement of her engagement with Archie, which the Times had published a year and a half ago. Vita blinked in surprise.

"The man's name was Jack Morgan," the policeman said. "He studied medicine at King's College. Does his name mean anything to you?"

Vita's heartbeat became frantic. For an instant she was back in the warehouse, with the scientist turning to his tall assistant and saying: 'I believe we are ready, Mr. Morgan.' But she forced herself to remain in the present moment and to keep her composure. With steady gestures, she gave the clipping back to the policeman and held his gaze when she answered.

"I'm afraid it doesn't."

She glanced at Archie, who stared at her with an inscrutable look.

"How did he die?" she asked.

Mrs. Philip cleared her throat in disapprobation, but thankfully the policeman replied anyway.

"Electrocuted, apparently," he said. "Although we're quite certain he was moved after his death."

Vita frowned. Electrocuted? Like the other flappers? Like her? It didn't make sense. Had the scientists and his assistant had a falling out? Had the scientist or his mysterious boss killed his employee? Or had one of their experiments gone wrong?

"Do you have any idea why this man carried this newspaper clipping in his pocket?" The policeman asked.

Because he was looking for me.

"I don't."

It was odd how quickly Vita's life had unravelled. A month ago, who would have thought she'd now be seeing ghosts and lying to a policeman with a straight face?

"I'm afraid there isn't much else we can do for you today," Archie said.

He stood up, forcing the two policemen to do the same.

"And we do have a busy day ahead," he added, "so if that'll be all..."

He saw the two men to the door with a polite smile and some smooth talking, and soon Graham was walking them back to their car. Vita and Archie watched them drive away from the drawing room's window.

"Was Jack Morgan one of the men who kidnapped you?" Archie asked in a low, barely steady voice.

"He was," Vita said, her eyes fixed on the road.

The car reached the wrought-iron gates, dust in its wake.

"Who do you think killed him?" Archie said.

Vita slipped her gloved fingers in his hand. "I honestly have no idea."

Archie tightened his grip on her.

"Well." He shrugged. "Good riddance."

***

Thanks for reading! If you've enjoyed this chapter, please feel free to vote and comment.

And let me know who you think killed Jack Morgan...