Chapter 14: Evacuation
1047 Words
Back at the mansion, Jonathan carefully avoided the other family members and found Miss Lettie and Mrs. Melanie. The three of them huddled in a corner, whispering.
"Miss Lettie, Mrs. Melanie, what I'm about to say is very important. I can assure you that every word is true. Please listen patiently and then make a rational decision." Jonathan looked at them seriously. After they both nodded, he continued.
"First, according to my investigation, the Bennett mansion is no longer safe. Do you remember what we found out yesterday? That Mr. Bennett revived the family fortune at thirty, and that he made some strange land purchases and donations before his stroke?".
"I have confirmed that as a young man, Mr. Bennett received help from a mysterious organization, which is how he made his fortune. They maintained contact over the years. The strange land gift was, in fact, a gift to this organization".
"And the intruders last night were members of that organization. I suspect it has something to do with Mr. Bennett failing to uphold his end of an agreement after his stroke." Jonathan substituted "mysterious organization" for "Ghouls," giving them a censored version of his findings.
"Is... is this true?" Lettie was shocked. She had never imagined her grandfather would be connected to the criminals who had broken into their home.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid it is the truth. A large gift of property must have an equally significant reason, don't you think?" He handed a piece of candy to Lettie to help calm her nerves.
Mrs. Melanie, though also stunned, recovered quickly. "Mr. Jonathan, I am willing to believe your investigation. However, I hope this remains between the three of us. Please do not report this to the police; it would ruin the Bennett family's reputation".
"Of course. Rest assured, I am your detective, and my responsibility is only to the two of you," Jonathan nodded.
After they both thanked him, Jonathan continued, "Therefore, based on this fact, I advise you to accept my suggestion. Tomorrow morning, I will escort you both to my apartment in London for temporary shelter. This is because the organization's target is not you. Once you leave the mansion, you will be safe. After I see you to safety, I can return alone to continue the search for the autobiography and uncover the truth. I believe this is the best arrangement for you".
His words surprised them. They exchanged a look, and Mrs. Melanie spoke first. "Mr. Jonathan, thank you for being so considerate. But this is terribly unfair to you. We only hired you to find a lost book. We never expected things to become so dangerous. We are willing to give up the search, and you may keep the deposit. You don't need to put yourself in such peril".
"No. I'm not returning the deposit, and I fully intend to collect the rest of my fee. This organization has already taken notice of me during my investigation. Unlike you, I can't simply walk away unscathed. So, I will continue with this commission." Jonathan had another reason he didn't mention: as long as he needed magic, he could never be far from danger. Now that he had finally identified the Ghouls as a source of magic, quitting now would mean all his efforts were for nothing.
Lettie spoke up. "But if we leave, what about my father and my other relatives? I can't abandon them".
Looking at the kind, naive girl, Jonathan spoke bluntly. "Forgive me for saying so, Miss Lettie, but what use are you here, other than putting yourself in danger? Your other family members will not heed my warning. They are more likely to see it as a lie to stop them from getting their 22,000-pound inheritance".
"But if you follow my advice and evacuate to safety first, several things are accomplished. The police are already responsible for security here; with fewer people, their efforts will be more effective. Second, if there is danger, the others won't have to worry about rescuing you and can focus on themselves. Finally, I promise you, after I escort you to safety, I will return and personally share my findings with your family. How about that?".
His persuasion worked. After some hesitation, Lettie nodded in agreement.
Jonathan walked them back to their room, giving them special instructions that he would not be sleeping in his own room tonight, but would sit guard in the hallway outside. They only needed to shout if anything happened.
He brought a chair and table from the hallway and set out some cigarettes, liquor, and dried bread and sausage he had bought. He was prepared to stand watch all night; he couldn't afford any accidents on this final night.
He sat there until dawn. The night passed without incident.
As the sky began to lighten, Jonathan woke Miss Lettie and Mrs. Melanie. While they were getting ready, he called for a servant to prepare a carriage. The servant, though puzzled, went to the stables as instructed.
Jonathan carried the luggage, with the two women following behind. When they reached the main door, the carriage was ready, but the driver had not yet arrived.
"Good. The night was quiet. My worst fears didn't come to pass." Jonathan, with dark circles under his eyes, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"I really don't know how to thank you, Mr. Jonathan. You stayed up all night for our safety," Lettie said, her hands clasped and her eyes shining as she looked at him.
"It was my duty," Jonathan began, but his words were cut off as the carriage horse suddenly shrieked and bolted, pulling the carriage wildly away.
Jonathan pulled the two women into his arms. In the distance, a swarm of black dots was approaching, running toward the mansion. As they got closer, he could see them running on all fours, like dogs. It was the Ghouls. The Ghouls were attacking the Bennett mansion.
"Damn it! Why in the daytime? How can it be daytime?" With no time to wonder why the Ghouls would attack in broad daylight, Jonathan kicked the luggage away, grabbed Mrs. Melanie with one hand, held his cane in the other, and wrapped an arm around Miss Lettie, sprinting for the mansion door.
- Writer
