I can't believe you guys like this, but here's another one. I would like to thank Louberry, MrNoobishDude, Tanjamsen, and heatwillthaw for following this story. And also Ale Nightshade, AnneSopSop, Curious-Brunette13, and twanycat for favoriting this story. You guys are the best!
This time, Evie has her fun with Jacob and his teasing. I give you "What Comes Around, Goes Around", or if Jacob took an interest in a girl.
"So let me get this straight, you took my clothes without asking?"
"Yes, and they need to be thrown in the river. The have an awful smell."
"Then you stole Clara from the barrow to go see the countryside?"
"I didn't steal her, brother. I merely took on her on an excursion."
"And you did it all because you wanted the children to keep an extra eye out for more flowers?"
Evie sighed and shut the book she was trying to read when her brother rudely barged in to belly ache about the events that took place two days ago. "Yes, and it was a deal well made. I have almost collected all the flowers I need due to their efforts." She pushed away from the desk she was sitting at and began to leave the train car to return the book to the library car.
"If you excuse me, I'm going to return this book and have an intelligible conversation with someone who's not you."
Jacob made a quick step though and blocked her from touching the door handle. "Oh no you don't, sister dearest. You can't just gallivant to go butter up Greenie whenever you want. There has to be boundaries!"
The elder Frye was growing tired of her twin's antics. She already received an earful from him last night about alerting him where she was at all times. Evie just shoved him out of the way, preparing to leave Jacob alone.
"I have no idea what has gotten to you, but knock it off. There is nothing going on between me and Hen-...go find something productive to do."
With that, she turned the cold, metal knob on the door and stepped out to jump to the next car. The wind outside rushed past her as the buildings below the track were a blur. The air had a faint smoke taste due to the train going through a factory district. It was a grey afternoon indeed.
Evie crossed to the next car, careful not to slip and fall between the interconnected locks that held the cars together. She was through to the opposite door promptly after another safe crossing.
The next car was low lite with the shades drawn. Book shelves lined the walls of the compartment with a desk taking up a small space. A bed, neatly made, also sat in a corner with a trunk resting underneath. It was only protruding slightly, enough to be seen. The faint smell of ink hung ghostly in the air of the room, comforting the woman.
This was Henry's car, everyone else called it the library. Evie often visited the car for new material to read or to check up on her fellow assassin. By the looks of it though, the man had long since left the comfort of his private quarters to go exploring around the city. It was a bit sad that Evie couldn't talk to him, but she would find something else to do.
She returned the book to it's proper place on the right self and pursued another for her to delve into at a later time. As she searched the carefully organized spines for a new read, she wandered too close to the desk and knocked over a stack a papers, spilling them over the carpeted floor of the compartment.
"Oh no." she muttered to herself as she bent over to pick up the scattered parchments and place them back where they belonged. As she shifted through the mess, one thing caught her eyes. Clearing away the brunt of the papers, she placed the stack aside to find a letter addressed to Jacob, but the sender was someone she didn't know. The penmanship was calculated and lovely to gaze at. Every stroke was graceful to a point and was without a spelling error. Her curiosity got the better of her in the end. Looking around, she read the letter.
Dear Jacob Frye,
Thank you so much for escorting me through Westminster. Sure, those Blighters were a bit of a problem, but you took care of it. I don't know how I could've achieved my goal without you, Jacob. You're always the gentleman, you are.
Annie also wanted to say hello as well, but you had to leave and meet your sister for an evening patrol around White Capel before you got the chance. That's our luck I guess. She sends her greetings!
I look forward to next "adventure".
Sincerely,
Mary Kimber
"Who is this 'Mary Kimber'?" Evie thought aloud. She had to read over a second time to make sure that she hadn't missed anything. Jacob be described as a "gentleman"? It was absurd and out of place in his character. Not once had he ever been polite, well mannered, and civilized in any social situation. It was always Evie who was the one to deal with the pleasantries and have to make up for her twin's lack of restraint.
"Ah, so you found it, too." a voice asked from behind. Evie turned to find Henry standing with his hands placed behind his back. That's when the questions bubbled in the back of her throat that she couldn't keep back any longer let loose.
"Who is this Mary that has written to Jacob? I swear if he has done anything, I'll make sure he will lose the last of his dignity." she cursed, showing Henry the letter and putting on a sour face to match her confused anger.
Mr. Green took the letter and pointed to the name signed delicately at the bottom of the page.
"Mary Kimber is a nurse and single mother that Jacob has been running into. She has a four year old daughter named Annie and the two make home visits on behalf of the mother's employer. She is a very kind woman, around you and your brother's age as well."
Evie stood still, taking the unheld half of the letter and pointed to the first and final line. "What does she mean by 'next adventure'? Do they meet up often?"
"That depends of your definition of 'often'. In my opinion, yes they have teamed up on multiple occasions." he said, taking full custody of the letter. "If you ask me, Jacob has grown quite attached to both Mary and her little one."
Evie put her hands on her hips, a devilish grin creeping onto her features. "Attached you say?"
The Next Day
Jacob was sneaking out early today. It was unannounced and completely uncharacteristic. He only woke when pressured to get up and start the morning. Not to mention he was done up. Well, about as done up as one would expect from him, but he was still looking very posh for just going on a walk. He even brought his cleanest cane sword and favorite top hat. His shoes were shined and his coat clean and devoid of imperfections. Yes, the picture of a wealthy gang leader and average gentleman.
Evie wasn't buying any of it though. He was more than likely going to go see someone important, looking as if he ruled the burrows with style. She saw the opportunity of a lifetime, catch Jacob in the act and meet the mysterious Mary in which she has learned about.
So here she was, perched on the street corner in disguise courtesy of Sargent Abberline. Today, she wasn't Evie Frye, but a well dressed business man, complete with a new cane that Jacob had never seen her use before in action. Agitha lent her some real makeup to help hide her freckles much to her dislike. It had to be done though for the sake of the assassin's need to check up on her brother.
Her brother was waiting outside of a house with a sign that read "Dr. Jones Medical Practice" and such. That must be the place where the lady of mystery worked. Jacob was pacing on the sidewalk with his cane twirling idly, careful not to hit any unlucky passersby. He had been out here for about ten minutes at least, and he still was as content as he was the moment he stationed himself outside. Usually, he would've given up the first five, but this was truly a miracle to be documented in history.
Finally, a woman emerged from the building. Her blonde hair was tied up into a bun and a bag was clutched in her left hand. She patted her brown skirt as she began to speak to the now smiling Jacob. Evie perked up to listen in on their conversation.
"I'm sorry that took longer than I thought. Dr. Jones needed assistance with a fussy child who refused to take his medicine." she said, Jacob pulling her into a tiny embrace. Evie could feel her mouth start to quirk up at the show of affection.
"No worries! It was worth the wait." he exclaimed, breaking the hug and offering his arm. "Shall we, Ms. Kimber?"
The lady, now definitely Mary, looped her arm around his own. "Gladly, Mr. Frye."
The two began to walk down the street away from where Evie stood. She moved with the precision of her craft and began to follow at a distance, listening in as she pursued the pair.
"So what stops are we making today?"
"Well, I have to see Miss Fredrick again about her aching stump. And then I have to make a routine check at Emmanuel's as well. Finally, I'm going to finish the day by traveling to the asylum to drop off admittance papers."
"So does that leave room for lunch?"
"Indeed it does."
"Good, because I made plans."
"Jacob made plans to eat a meal that doesn't taste as if it had been shoved into a smoke stack? How very peculiar." Evie questioned in her head. This day was getting more interesting by the second.
For four straight hours, Evie trailed the two as they made their three stops. In between, the two had made small talk, discussed the political situation, and just babbled about whatever random topic that arose about their journey. It was remarkable to Evie how polite Jacob was. When she tripped, he was there to catch her. If she was being "looked at" by a group of men who didn't know their place, Jacob would flash a deadly glare to make sure they knew where they stood. And when she went inside a home to administer care, he would accompany and assist Mary as directed. Even if he made a very "Jacob" fashioned statement, Mary would take it in stride and actually laugh at his horrid sense of humour.
It made Evie very proud to be his twin, if not only for today.
After they made their stops, Jacob had led his companion to one of the prettiest parks in all of London. The leaves were beginning to change into their fall attire and the local fauna were preparing for the winter winds in silent haste. The smell of fresh rain settled around the area, masking the taste of the city on the senses. People of all classes were enjoying the splendid day alone or in groups. Mothers watched their children frolic about, scolding them if they ever misbehaved. Groups of men sauntered along, tipping their hats to other groups of men. Women gossiped about whatever was an interesting development. A refreshing picture of a fine autumn in a city full of filth and deceit.
Evie lingered by a tree as she watched her targets sit on a lone bench to watch some ducks cross a walking path. It was odd that they hadn't moved and just spoke in hushed tones for a good couple of minutes. If Evie didn't know better, they were waiting for someone.
"Mummy!" a high pitched voice called from the down the path. Looking away from her brother, Evie saw a tiny girl being followed by an elated woman. The child ran faster at the sight of Jacob standing from his spot and opening his arms to her.
The little girl flung herself full force into his hug, wrapping them around the man's neck. Once she was holding tight, Jacob spun her around while laughing.
"Well, hello Ms. Annie!" he chuckled as he lowered her back to the ground, crouching to meet her at eye level. "How was Ms. Smith today?" The woman who was behind Annie huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm doing well, until she went running to meet you and Mary." The other three started laughing again at the attitude of the lady named Smith.
"So that's Annie, Mary's daughter." Evie whispered under her breath. "Jacob and Mary were waiting for her." Jacob held Annie as he and Mary talked with the newcomer before she walked off the complete other tasks she had to take care of that day. When all was said and done, the trio headed off the go have lunch at some random cafe.
When the group was far enough away, Evie decided that it was time to drop her mission and go elsewhere. She didn't know if Jacob had noticed her tailing him by now, and she didn't want to find out the hard way. Perhaps she could gather more flowers for Henry, or go speak with Charles Dickens about his newest idea for a story. In the end, she decided to take the latter option. Dickens did mention he wanted her opinion on a new chapter for his latest masterpiece.
Even if she was buzzing with excitement to help shape a new story that could sell billions of copies, something was ringing in the back of her mind. A tiny sting that made her want to scream out and confront it. She just couldn't quite figure it out. All she knew is that it had to deal with the events of today.
It all of a sudden hit her. Everything that had been nagging at the back of her mind had some to light. Jacob was genuinely committed. Not just as in a courtship, but all the whole package. He had a connection with the family of two the spoke volumes more than anything in the world. He cared for Mary and Annie with all sorts of love and affection. It was a marvel and a dream all in one, only it wasn't a dream at all.
It was real.
Evie could only smile her genuine smile. Under the September sky, the eldest Frye realized something beautiful. Her brother was growing up and falling in love, at long last.
The Next Day
Evie sat in her favorite chair, musing and reading about all sorts of stray concepts that few could grasp. A fine suit was neatly hung in the corner of her living space, ready to be returned to Sargent Abberline. The smell of fall leaves clung to it, possibly because of yesterday's investigation.
In came Jacob, whistling and twirling his top hat. All that was left was for him to break into an Irish jig and sing a pub song. These shows of glee did not go unnoticed by Evie.
"Having a good day, brother?"
The gang leader shook his head. "Just thinking of something wonderful." he replied while setting his hat aside and turning to look at their suspect web. Red string connected at the right points, tracing who knew who together. Black X's were placed over certain heads of deceased targets and liberated burrows. Though there few, there was still a decent amount for just starting out a few months prior.
"Good." Evie closed her book and stood to retrieve a letter from a nearby side table. She waltzed up to her twin and handed it to him. He turned it over in his hands, looking it over with care.
"What's this?"
A smirk crawled all over the female's face. "An invitation, Jacob."
The man never lost his giddiness despite Evie's abnormal behaviour. "To whom, may I ask?"
Evie glanced back before leaving the train car to go exploring. Her smirk had grown a bit too wide, making Jacob nervous. "To a Ms. Mary Kimber. I believe you know her."
Jacob paused, a frown on his face. The gears in his head were turning as he tried to piece together what Evie meant by her words. Only after his sister left, he understood her tone and shifty gaze. He stuffed the letter into his pocket and pursued his fleeing twin.
"EVIE! WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?"
And thus was born the greatest and most tiring game of cat and mouse that the world has ever seen.
