Love Makes Us Monsters

Unexpected Visitors

“I apologize again for the intrusion. I heard the commotion about what happened, so I wanted to come and make sure that you both were doing well under the circumstances. To pay my respects.” I sat in the drawing room of the Fowlers home, teacup and saucer in hand. Margret sat across from me with Reginald standing at the side of her chair. She also had a teacup and saucer in hand, steam rising from the cup. Reginald had his attention mainly on Margret. She let out the softest of sighs.

“We had given Anne her name when we brought her here. She was quiet, but took very good care of the house, the cooking, and even me when I was dealing with our stillbirth last month.” Her features saddened and her husband put a firm hand on her shoulder to comfort her. “She was diligent with the shopping. The day of the incident, though, she seemed distracted. She kept looking over her shoulder, looking around at the faces of the people, like she was searching for someone. Why, I am not sure.” She placed her cup and saucer on the table, then clenched her hands tightly together on her lap. There was a quiver of her lip before she continued; tears began to prickle at the corners of her eyes. “She said that there were only a handful more of groceries to get, that we should not worry ourselves with it. She told us of seeing a lovely cart filled with flowers that she thought I would enjoy seeing.” Another sigh as she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief that was on the table. “The flowers were beautiful. A welcome distraction. Then we heard the screams.” Margret clenched her hands tightly, closing her eyes. “I never imagined that would be the last time we would have her with us. I had hoped she would like living here with us.” Her voice was beginning to shake. I placed my cup and saucer on the table as well.

“I am so sorry to hear of your misfortunes…It must be hard. I cannot imagine.” My voice was solemn as I reached across the table for her clenched hands. As soon as our skin made contact, a movement caught my eye. Standing opposite of Reginald was the housekeeper. I could feel her sadness, but I could also feel an abundance of adoration. Anne looked at me and gave a nod, her hand reached out and covered Margret’s and mine. I could feel warmth from it. “I did not know Anne well, but I feel she was happy being here. I feel to her, you two were her family, even under the circumstances of how she came to be here. Dare I say she loved it here.” I offered a comforting smile to the couple as I squeezed Margret’s hands lightly.

“Thank you, Charlotte. That does mean a lot to us,” Reginald spoke softly.

“Was there anyone that had been giving you trouble? Any unexpected visitors? Or notes or letters that were out of the ordinary?”

“No unexpected visitors. We had Nathaniel over for dinner the first night he was back in London. Though, he seemed distracted. Do you know if he is alright? The two of you were always close.”

I withdrew my hands and grabbed the teacup up again.

“Nathaniel had something he wanted to talk to Father and me about. A personal matter. However, I believe he was leaving town this morning again. Another business endeavor.”

“I see. Well, I do hope that he is alright. He works entirely too much. His father has too high of expectations for him,” Margret said with a slight annoyed tone. She picked up her teacup and took a sip. Her hands were still shaky.

“I agree entirely,” was all I could say as I went to take a sip from my cup.

“Master, there is an Inspector Daniels at the door requesting an audience with you and the Mistress. Would you like me to bring him in?” a tall dark man in a black uniform asked from the doorway. His gaze never left the floor. Reginald looked to his wife, who nodded to him.

“Bring him in, please, Clyde,” Reginald spoke firmly, but I could sense the affection in his tone. From the way they spoke of their housekeeper and the other help, the Fowlers cared for them like family. Footsteps sounded from the hall. Each step caused more and more existential dread to take its grasp on me. Wonderful, he had to show up.

Things were about to get more interesting.

“Inspector Daniels,” Clyde introduced before taking his leave form the room.

The Inspector stood in the doorway. His gaze as he straightened his collar went from the Fowlers then stopped on me. I couldn't help but grin at him as annoyance set into his features. His hair was slicked back, shimering in the brightly lit drawing room, yet he wore his usual outfit of black, grey, and stark white. I would wager it was a uniform due to the circumstances I had seen him in such attire. Or perhaps he was truly a plain, mundane man.

“Lord and Lady Fowler,” he said with a bowed head in respect. “I am Inspector Daniels. I came to see if I could ask you both a few questions. However, I see it is an inconvenient time as you have…a guest.” He sent a quick glare my way.

“Inspector, this is our family friend, Miss Charlotte Webster,” Margret said with attempted cheeriness.

“We have met prior, thank you, ma'am. I shall come another time, though, for I do not wish to keep you from your guest.”

“We were just discussing what had happened to dear Anne. So, truly it is not of any inconvenience, for it was already the subject of conversation. Please, have a seat. I insist.” Margret stood and waved him over. The only open seat being next to me on their settee. Reluctantly, he came and sat down, keeping as close to the far side of the settee as possible. Which was difficult for it was quite small. “Would you care for some tea? Our friend that does business out of London brought us some of the most delectable exotic teas to try. A late wedding gift.”

“I would be delighted for such an honor, ma’am,” Daniels said stiffly.

“What are your questions, Inspector?” Reginald asked as Margret poured a cup of tea for the rigid man next to me. “Have you and your men found anything more about the incident?”

“We have been questioning a handful of people. For example, the couple that originally found your housekeeper. Among others. Thank you, ma’am,” he said as he took the cup offered to him. “Are there any individuals that have had qualms with your family? Anyone that may have intended to do harm to you or anyone of your household?”

“I am afraid I cannot say. No one has had any known problems with us. We were recently married, and I have provided a suitable home for my wife. We took in Anne, our housekeeper, from the streets. She was struggling to stay alive out there in London. Her brother, Clyde, who showed you in, had been doing his best to provide for them and to keep them safe from any who intended to do them harm.”

“Who would intend to do them harm?” The Inspector sipped his tea.

“Inspector do not tell me that you are blind to the hatred some of the people give to those like Anne. She was a wonderful woman, but many looked down on her and her brother for the simple fact that their skin was dark.” Margret said with a melancholic tone. “London, as beautiful as it is, is a cruel place. The people are either full of hope or completely hopeless.”

“I see. I apologize if my questioning has offended you.”

“No, Inspector, it has simply been a hard few days for us,” Reginald replied as he placed a comforting hand at his wife’s back. “Ask all that you need.”

“Why not tell him what you had told me, about Anne’s behavior the day of the incident. I am sure the Inspector would find that information most useful,” I interjected. I could feel Daniels’ glare as I sipped my tea. The Fowlers told him of the odd way Anne had been acting that day. How she had sent them to go see what she believed would distract her Mistress. How they heard the screams and commotion shortly after.

“So,” the Inspector said as he wrote quickly on his notepad, “Anne was acting as if she was looking for someone most the time of your shopping endeavor. Then, she had suggested a distraction. Do you believe she would try to run from your care?”

“Heavens, no! We took good care of Anne and her brother. We made them feel like family, unlike others we see where the Master and Mistress treat their help like dirt. They are people, living human beings!” I could hear the distress and anger in Margret’s voice, but I was beginning to feel it as well. Just as I had taken in Nathaniel’s feelings before. My stomach began to feel uneasy.

“I, in no way, meant to imply that you mistreated Anne and her brother in any way. I am simply trying to find what reasons she would have had to send you away. To distract you both.” Daniels was calm and collected as he had spoken. “What visitors have you had in the last week, before the incident?”

“We had our dear friend Nathaniel over for dinner when he arrived in London. A few tailors to make dresses for my wife. I cannot recall anyone else.” Reginald looked with concern to his wife. It was plain to see that she was distressed. Upset. “Now, I must get my wife tended to. It has been a difficult couple of days for us. Clyde will see you out, Inspector. Charlotte, I am afraid we shall have to stop and see you when we are able.”

“Of course, Reginald.” I reached out to put a comforting hand on Margret’s clenched fists in her lap. “Go and rest now, Margret. The Inspector will do everything in his power to find who did this. Anne’s passing will not be in vain.” I nodded to her and Reginald respectfully and walked over to the door of the drawing room.

“I apologize for my line of questioning. Thank you both for allowing me your time.” The Inspector was short, bittersweet, and to the point. He had no people skills whatsoever, I could see. The pit of my stomach still ached from Margret’s overwhelming emotions. Reginald comforted her as we left the drawing room and went to the front door. Clyde obligingly opened the door for us. Daniels walked out to the street. I placed a hand on the dark man’s arm.

“I am so sorry for your loss, Clyde. I know how hard it is to lose a close family member. Take care of the Fowlers, please.”

“Thank you, ma’am. It is hard…” he swallowed the lump in his throat. His emotion with it. “I will take good care of my Master and Mistress.”

“Thank you, Clyde.” I offered him a smile and he nodded to me.

With that, I walked out onto the street where an irritated Inspector stood waiting.