Confronted with the circumstances of that prior case being made known, Abberline offered a proposition. In exchange for Brodie’s silence in the matter of themissingevidence he would ignore the alleged bribery charge. However, there was one further stipulation.
Abberline wanted the names of those among the MP who had given Brodie the information about the evidence that had gone missing.
Unwilling to sacrifice any of his fellow constables or inspectors and with that stubborn Scots code of honor that had been well-abused by English authority through the years, Brodie had resigned and left the service of the MP without divulging any names.
According to what Mr. Dooley had explained at the time, “He walked away with his head held high and the admiration of the other lads, and holding a bit of a guarantee against Mr. Abberline taking it to others.”
That most certainly explained the chief inspector’s attitude in the investigation into my sister’s disappearance when I had first hired Brodie to make inquiries.
We reached the sidewalk along the street and Brodie asked Mr. Cavendish to secure a cab.
Brodie’s every movement, from putting on his gloves, to the posture of his body spoke of anger.
When a driver arrived, he assisted me into the cab, his handsome features a mask of barely controlled fury. He gave the driver the location of the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.
“It seems there is a situation that Abberline believes we may have an interest in,” Brodie explained the call he had received.
“A disturbing photograph has been received by a member of Parliament. It seems that gentleman is a member of Sir John’s private club.” He looked over at me then.
Oh, dear. So much for Sir John wanting to keep matters private for the time being as we conducted our investigation. And now another photograph received? And the chief inspector had obviously been brought into the matter.
* * *
Abberline kept us waiting for more than an hour at police headquarters before finally asking for us to be escorted into his private office. All the while, Brodie displayed remarkable calm.
It was another part of him that I much admired. Given what I knew about his past with Abberline, I was most certain it would have given Brodie great satisfaction to suggest what Abberline might do with his request. But he did not.
“It’s all about power,” I commented in the small office where we had been asked to wait upon our arrival. “His power over you.”
“Some sort of expert in these matters, are ye?” Brodie replied.
“It’s simple enough to see. He knows you, and making you wait after he summoned you is meant to undermine you and put you in your place.”
It was then the young constable who had first noted our arrival appeared to let us know that the chief inspector would see us then.
“Oh, dear,” I said, rising from my chair. “We have been kept waiting so long… I feel quite faint. Might I have some water?” I asked.
“Why yes! Of course, miss. I will get that right away.”
I caught the narrowed glance that Brodie gave me. “Ye don’t faint,” he commented with a suspicious expression.
“I suppose there is always a first time,” I suggested.
“Abberline will be havin’ a fit and fallin’ in the middle of it to be kept waitin’.”
“Will he?” I replied with an innocent expression.
Before Brodie could respond the young constable returned with a pitcher and glass.
“I do apologize, miss,” he stammered.
I took several sips of water and smiled up at him.
“Thank you so very much. That is much better. You’ve been most considerate.”
“Are you recovered now, miss?” he anxiously asked.
“Yes, quite all right now.” I thought Brodie might split something as he passed his hand over his mouth either to smother a curse, or possibly prevent laughing out loud.
