“When I came back to London, it didn’t take long to realize all the women were in Whitechapel for various reasons. I tried to blackmail the families, but none of them would betray the Brotherhood. So, I followed through with history’s plan and brought pain to the Freemasons—the same pain my father inflicted on me when he chose the Freemasons over his own son.”
“But did you have a choice?” I asked, horrified. “To become Jack the Ripper?”
“Of course I had a choice,” he said with a sneer. “I could have changed history at that time. But in my mind, there was no choice. Hitler must succeed.” He stepped closer to me, his voice lowering. “I might not have gotten what I wanted out of them, but when I met you and realized you were also a time-crosser, I knew that I had found another possible solution. I also knew that I was supposed to be poisoned by Florence or Michael, but I wouldn’t let history have that satisfaction.” He snarled. “Though apparently, history won anyway.”
“Drop your knife,” Papa said to Sir Rothschild. “There’s no need to shed more blood.”
In a flash, Sir Rothschild had the knife pointed at me again and he yelled, “Tell me where the Book is, or you will be next!”
A noise in the hall caught all of us by surprise. When Sir Rothschild turned to see what had caused the sound, I darted toward my parents.
The door opened, and police officers began to pour into the parlor before Sir Rothschild could turn right or left.
He glared at me. “I told you no police!”
“I didn’t call them—” But my words were cut off as two policemen grabbed Sir Rothschild and wrestled the knife out of his hands. He fought back but was no match for their strength or their surprise attack.
“James Bryant Rothschild,” one police officer said, “you are under arrest for the abduction and unlawful captivity of United States Brigadier General Lucas Voland, as well as high treason against His Majesty the King of England.”
“This is madness,” Sir Rothschild said, fighting to be free. “You will all pay for this. Hitler will personally see that I am vindicated.”
He continued to yell threats as they hauled him away.
I turned to Papa, more concerned about his well-being than what Sir Rothschild had to say.
“Are you okay, Papa?” I asked.
He smiled as a police officer took off Papa’s handcuffs. “I’m better than ever, Kathryn.”
The moment he was free, he embraced Mama.
Tears of joy ran unchecked down her cheeks as she said his name over and over.
“General Voland?” one of the police officers said. “When you have a moment, I have questions for you, sir.”
Papa finally pulled away from Mama but kept his arm around her. “What would you like to know?”
“Was Sir Rothschild responsible for your abduction?”
“Yes. I was surprised to see him when he approached me on a street in Berlin, but he told me he was there to consult at a museum.”
“He told me he was going to Paris,” I said, incredulous. “To consult at Versailles. I had no idea he was in Berlin.”
“Why did you go with him?” the officer asked Papa.
“Because I recognized him. I went with him to a café, but by the time I realized I was in trouble, I was seized by several men who I later identified as members of the Nazi party. That same day, I was flown to London with Sir Rothschild, and I’ve been kept in a warehouse near the river for the past four days.”
My heart hurt, listening to him recall his story. As he spoke, I watched another officer lift Sir Rothschild’s knife off the ground and carry it away.
When the police officer interviewing Papa seemed to be satisfied,he said, “I’ll leave you to reunite with your family and take some time to refresh yourself. But I would like you to come to New Scotland Yard as soon as possible to make an official statement. We will also alert the American authorities that you have been returned safely.”
“Thank you,” Papa said.
The copper tipped his hat at Papa and then Mama and me and called for his men to clear out.
Papa and Mama embraced again, and then Papa came to me. He drew me into his strong, tender arms and held me tight.
“Thank you, Kathryn,” he said, his voice low and gruff with emotion. “Rothschild told me that you visited him in 1888—even though you knew he was Jack the Ripper. He proudly told me several times about the vicious crimes he committed in Whitechapel to try and scare me. You risked everything to have me returned safely to you and Mama. I owe you my life.”
