“Did he instruct you to take him to his address?”
Nick appeared surprised by the question. “No, sir. He never said where he lived, sir. He ordered me to take him to an address in Crocker Lane and that’s what I did. When we got there I ’ad to help him up the front steps. He pounded on the door. Bleeding all over the steps, he was. Someone opened the door. Me customer went inside. That was the end of it.”
“Not quite,” Benedict said. “What about the carriage?”
“A man came out of the house and gave me some money. He said it was to pay me for my time. He said he would deal with the horse and that strange carriage. I was to take myself off and forget what had happened. And that’s exactly what I did. Next thing I know, I ’eard that two gennelmen wanted to talk to me and would make it worth my while.” Nick squinted at Logan. “Course, I didn’t know that one of the so-called gennelman was from the Yard.”
Logan gave him a cold smile. “We appreciate your cooperation.”
“Always pleased to do a favor for the Yard,” Nick said.
“It won’t be forgotten,” Logan promised.
Nick nodded, satisfied.
Benedict studied him. “You do realize that the carriage you drove that day belonged to the killer they call the Bridegroom?”
Nick stared at him, deeply offended. “No, sir, that’s not possible. That was a gennelman’s carriage, I tell ye. Real fine vehicle it was, even if it was odd inside. Not the kind of vehicle a crazed killer like the Bridegroom would go about in now, is it?”
“I want the address of the house in Crocker Lane,” Logan said.
Nick turned wily. “Well, now, that’ll cost you a bit more, sir.”
Logan looked as if he was about to argue the point. Benedict shook his head ever so slightly and took out more money.
“The answer had better be correct,” Benedict said.
“It’s not like I’d forget a fare like that,” Nick said cheerfully. He rattled off a number.
Logan narrowed his eyes. “Where were you going to take them?”
Nick’s bushy brows scrunched together. “Take who, sir?”
“The gentleman and the lady who did not want to be seen getting into the carriage,” Logan said evenly. “Where were you supposed to take them?”
“Can’t help ye there, sir. Never did find out exactly where we was headed on account of the little whore going crazy like she did. I was supposed to get my instructions after we picked her up.”
Logan and Benedict got to their feet.
“One more thing,” Benedict said.
Nick looked up. “What’s that, sir?”
“What was it about the carriage that struck you as odd?”
“The way it was all sealed up inside. Reminded me of one of those wagons they use to transport prisoners. The windows were covered with wooden shutters. There were even bars in the trapdoor in the roof. The door could be locked from the outside so no one could break in, I reckon.”
“Or escape from the vehicle, perhaps?” Logan suggested.
“Aye, if ye locked it from the outside, the person inside would be trapped, right enough,” Nick said. “Hadn’t thought about that bit. My client allowed as to how he was afraid of being attacked by robbers when he traveled around London.”
“He had a point,” Benedict said. “The streets are dangerous.”
“Aye, sir, that’s the truth, it is.”
Twenty-eight
Twilight and fog were descending by the time they arrived at the house in Crocker Lane. Benedict stepped down from the hansom cab. Logan followed him. They went up the front steps. The light of a nearby gas lamp made it just barely possible to read the small plaque on the front door.Dr. J. M. Norcott, By Appointment Only.
