Love Makes Us Monsters

As Evidence

Chapter 2

As Evidence

I weaved through the crowd as the policemen had. Those that I pushed past were too preoccupied to cast a glare. Finally, I made it to the front of the horde. The nearest officer eyed me suspiciously.

“Keep your distance, ma’am. Nasty business here,” he told me.

“May I inquire as to what happened, officer?”

“A body was found.”

“Was it a colored woman?” I asked curiously.

The policeman’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded in response.

Further down the front lines of the mass, a couple was trying to get past other policemen. The officer that had spoken to me went to assist in keeping the couple back. I recognized the two from one of father’s soirees. The older man, Reginald, with dark hair and a sharp tailored suit. The lady at his side, Margret, who had become his wife a few months prior, was a pretty little thing. Pale blue eyes and sun-kissed blonde hair that cascaded in curls.

I wrote intently onto the notepad in hand the details I could see.

Reginald and Margret Fowler

Arrived at scene

Distressed and attempting to push past policemen

Margret holds a handkerchief to her nose

Cheeks and nose red from possibly crying

Reginald talks forcefully with policemen

Trying still to push past policemen to the scene

Officer spoke to me on arrival

Body found

A colored woman

I glanced around the scene since the policeman was still preoccupied with the Fowlers. From the shadow of the alleyway, two black boots stuck out onto the cobblestone street. A white frill of a dress hem. The dress itself I could see was a navy blue.

Just as the woman who had appeared in my office.

I jotted down more onto my notepad.

Dark blue dress with white frill hem

Black boots

Across the way on the other side of the mass of people, policemen were making a path. Ever so curious, I watched and waited to see who they made the walkway for. Strutting down the manmade pathway was a tall man with slicked back dark brown hair. He had a well-groomed mustache and his sideburns were well kept. Not a thing out of place. He wore black trousers and a frock coat to match. A stark-white shirt peaked out from the grey waistcoat and vest underneath the jacket. As he walked into the open section of the street the policemen had blocked off, he reached into the breast pocket of his vest and pulled out a silver pocket watch, clicked it open and glanced only for a moment at the face, then closed it. He placed it back into the breast pocket of his vest.

Inspector arrives at scene

Policemen make way for inspector through crowd

The well-groomed man made his way over to the alleyway. A younger policeman stood there watching, updating the man on what had happened as the man stooped next to the body on the cobblestone. I inched my way along the front of the crowd, carefully ducking behind other people to avoid attention; to get as close as I could to where the man was squatting. His face was intently taking in the details, studying the body and its condition. From his coat pocket, he pulled out a notepad and lead pencil, then proceeded to jot things down on it.

From where I stood, I could see a dark pool of liquid around the upper part of the body. I took note of it. The way the body was laying was peculiar. It hadn’t simply dropped from the incident that had caused the death, nor had it been thrown carelessly to the street. The feet were put together, her arms stretched out like the depiction of Jesus on the cross, as well as her head angled to the side. I took note of that as well. When I glanced up again from my notepad, my eyes met with the man inspecting the body. Was he glaring at me? I raised an eyebrow at him. Which may have been a mistake because he stood immediately and headed right for me. Quickly, I tucked the notepad and lead pencil behind my back.

I gave a sheepish grin as he came close.

“What is it you think you are doing, ma’am?” he said with a stern gruff voice.

“Ah, n-nothing, sir. I came to see what all the commotion was about.”

“Are you a journalist here to get a story? If so, I will ask you to leave,” his tone sharp.

“Sir, I am free to be here as any other person is in this crowd.”

“However, ma’am, you are the only one I see here, other than myself, taking down information. Considering this crime scene is under investigation, I cannot allow the public to butt their noses in. Your notes, madam.”

“Notes? I have no inkling what you are speaking of,” I attempted to lie.

I gave another sheepish grin to the man.

The man before me did not seem amused or affected by my smile. His attitude was downright irritating, though, if you asked my opinion. His tone had gotten sharper as we had our little chat. His demeaner more tense. He was becoming as stoic as a statue before my eyes.

“You can either return to where you came from or you can join my men here for a walk to the station. The choice is yours. I suggest you choose wisely.”

“Pardon me? Are you suggesting that you are going to arrest me for simply taking notes?”

“I am suggesting that you leave,” he said through gritted teeth, “ma’am.”

“Pardon me, sir, but I do not appreciate your chiding tone.”

He took a step closer to me, closing the gap between us. I could see now that his eyes were a steel gray. As cold and unnerving as his attitude. His eyes momentarily glanced at my lips, then back to my eyes.

Interesting.

“I shall ask you nicely, ma’am, to please return to where you came from. After giving me your notepad.” With a scowl, he presented his palm for me to place the object.

“Excuse me?” I blurted with anger. The gall of this man!

“I am confiscating it. As evidence.” Without another word, he reached behind my back and grabbed the notepad out of my hand. “Farewell, ma’am,” he said as he turned to head back to the crime scene. As he walked away slowly, I noticed his head was bent down. He was reading my notes!

Frustrated, I turned to stomp my way back to The Gallant.

I could not finish a sentence or thought in all my fury.

∞

“You seem to be in quite the mood,” Nathaniel stated from across the table.

“Oh, indeed!” I replied as I stabbed a leaf of the salad I had been playing with for the last hour. I heard a chuckle from Nathaniel. Father was not so amused.

“Charlotte, that is not the way a lady acts,” he scolded quietly.

“Yes, Father.”

“What is it that has you so perturbed?” Nathaniel asked before taking a bite of his baked poultry.

“Please do not encourage her, lad,” Father immediately interjected.

I could not help myself as I glared at Father. He was too preoccupied with his own dinner plate to notice.

“Dear Nathaniel, thank you for asking what it is that has me up in such a tizzy. You see, I had a rather irritating run-in with an inspector this morning. All because I was taking notes on a crime scene from behind the policemen’s line, he confiscated my notepad as ‘evidence.’ A woman was lying in a pool of blood, of course I would be taking notes. You know as well as any that I have a knack for details. As evidence. The nerve of that man.” I took another stab at my salad.

“As evidence?” Nathaniel gave a quizzical look.

“It was his nice way of saying he was taking it simply because he could. Arrogant bas-“

“Charlotte!” Father blurted angrily. “That is not the way that a lady should speak. If you cannot hold your tongue, you can leave to your quarters.”

“Father- “

“No excuses, my dear. You may leave the table.”

Father stayed seated, paying attention to his plate. After his quick scolding, in front of Nathaniel nonetheless, my pride had been wounded. I glanced to Nathaniel as I gave a fake smile.

“If you will excuse me, Nathaniel. I apologize but I must be headed to my quarters. I bid you adieu. May you get home safely.” Without another word, I stood and left the room swiftly. Attempting to not run even though my feet wanted to. I could hear Nathaniel call after me. I kept walking, headed for the stairs, going over Father’s chiding words as I ascended.

Scolded and put in my place twice in one day.

Twice!

The next time I saw the Inspector, he had better be ready.

I was preparing to rain down like hellfire.