Chapter 4

Sorry for the slow updates! School has put a lot of things on my plate!

As Stratton and Doyle exited the building, they couldn't think of who Anthony Rucker had been arguing with the night before he died. However, Adelaide knew that this mysterious man must be tied to all four murders. If not, then there must be some connection to all four magicians.

"So all we have is an argument and strange symbols. That's barely anything to go on," Doyle said.

"I know, but the day's not over yet," Adelaide responded. "Look. That's Anthony's wife."

Adelaide pointed to a woman clutching her arm. Dressed from head to toe in black, she looked like she was in mourning. As Doyle and Adelaide walked over to her there was something off about her.

"Hello Mrs. Rucker. I'm so sorry for your terrible loss. I work with Scotland Yard and I need to ask you a few questions."

"About Anthony? Of course," She said pulling out a tissue and wiping her nose with it.

"How had Anthony been before his death? Did he seem strange at all?"

Mrs. Rucker looked down at her shoes.

"Yes. He's been acting strange ever since he visited that medium."

"Medium?" Doyle asked now very interested.

"Yes. Her name is Georgina. She told my husband she could contact his dead brother for him."

"And did she?" Doyle asked.

"Yes. Or so we thought. That was the problem. After Georgina contacted his brother, Anthony began to act very strange. It was if he was in other world."

"Do you know anything about an argument between Anthony and a wealthy gentleman?" Adelaide asked.

"No. I don't. Though I do remember seeing a gentleman backstage every night for the past two shows."

Suddenly, Mrs. Rucker stopped talking and closed her mouth tightly as if she was about to cry.

"Oh God! Did he kill him? It's my fault!" Mrs. Rucker said putting her tissue to her mouth.

"We don't know that for sure Mrs. Rucker. But don't worry. We will find who killed your husband," Doyle said putting an encouraging hand on her shoulder.

Mrs. Rucker began sobbing very loudly despite Doyle's attempt at comforting her. Stratton and Doyle awkwardly walked away from the woman.

"Bless her. What it must be like to lose a husband in such a way."

Adelaide looked at Doyle. She knew what it was like to lose a husband, but for some reason she didn't feel any sympathy for Mrs. Rucker.

"At least she didn't shoot her husband," Adelaide thought to herself. "And if she did it was out of hatred and murder."

When Adelaide shot her husband it was specifically out of doing her job. Stopping criminals. However, she couldn't help but admit she felt a little hatred when she pulled the trigger. Does that make her a murderer too?

"Constable Stratton?"

Adelaide's thoughts were interrupted by Doyle.

"Are you all right?"

"Fine. I think you need to go."

"What?"

"Just go Dr. Doyle!"

Doyle, confused, tipped his hat and walked down the street.

"Why on Earth is she trying to push me away? Not just me, but everyone?" Doyle thought.

That night, Doyle was looking over the case files he had taken from Scotland Yard. He honestly couldn't figure this one out. Why target magicians? What are these strange markings? And now a medium was involved? Doyle shook his head. He seriously needed a magician's eye on this case. Literally. He needed Houdini.

"Dad?"

Doyle looked up from the papers and saw Kingsley and Mary standing there in their nighties.

"What on Earth are you two doing up so late?"

"We couldn't sleep."

"All right, head back to bed you two."

"Can't we stay up just a little bit longer?" Mary asked politely.

"No. You've both got lessons in the morning."

Realizing that there would be no point in arguing with their father any further, the two children told him goodnight and headed off to bed leaving Doyle alone with this thoughts once more.

"Houdini. Where are you?"

Houdini opened up the carriage and grabbed his belongings. He breathed in the foggy London air, and took in its familiar aroma. He felt a little happy knowing that he would soon be seeing Doyle and Stratton again. However, the smell of the London also reminded him of that night he had lost his mother. That is why this time, he was staying at a different hotel.

"Would you like me to carry those for you sir?" A hotel employee said at the main entrance.

"No. I got it. Thanks," Houdini responded.

As he carried his suitcase inside and stepped in the hotel lobby. He hadn't realized just how alone he was. With his mother gone and his assistants and crew back in the states, he was…alone. Still, he headed up the stairs, not trusting the elevator, and found his way to the room he would be staying in.

"Should I even be here?" Houdini thought. "I mean…what if Stratton and Doyle don't need me here? Why did I even come here?"

Just then, Houdini thought he saw someone dart across the hall.

"Because I'm losing my mind. That's why," Houdini said aloud. And with that, he entered into the room.

The next day Doyle and Stratton decide to look at one of the other magicians to see if they had seen the same mysterious medium.

"Mediums taking on magicians. Harry would love this," Doyle said grinning.