When a person has been blamed of a crime they didn't do, naturally they have nothing to fear for they didn't do it. But when evidence has been planted the odds are no matter how innocent they are they will be blamed and deal with the punishment. If it's a lesser of two evils than it can become necessary in order to not get caught.
Another day had come for London and an angry Johns Brown paced the meeting room while his entire "staff" awaited his speech. I watched the group carefully as I moved the coals around in the fireplace.
"I gave a simple request, did I not? Get rid of Douglas Birlstone. I wake up today and hear the news that he is not gone but has left the country on a whim. How can you explain THIS?" Brown had turned around to look at the staff. Grimm shuffled his feet looking intently at the wood flooring. "Coulter, come forward." A tall red headed man weakly stepped forward. Grimm released the tension building in his shoulders. "You were part of the men I sent, well what did you find?" The man took out a worn brown wool coat and a note.
"It was on the floor in the formal room. Mr. Brown." A gasp came from Billy. John Brown took the note and looked at Billy. He read the contents and he cracked a pleasant smile. "Well it seems there's been a mistake hasn't there Billy? After all your coat can't be at the mansion of the man you were supposed to kill." Brown gave a sympathetic look.
"Yes sir, I was never there. There must be a misunderstanding s'all." Coulter gave Billy a suspicious glance.
"If it's a misunderstanding you wouldn't mind if we check your room?"
"Not at all sir; I've notin ta hide." Brown nodded toward Coulter who brought two other men with him. Moments later they returned with a note. Brown grabbed it and read.
"Coulter, snag him and start interrogation. Feel free to do whatever you want until he starts talking I want all the answers. If not just get rid of him" I heard Brown whisper to Coulter. The red head nodded and forcefully grabbed Billy dragging him out of the room.
"No, NO! I'm innocent you've got to believe me! Someone must have put the note there. It's Grimm! He's the traitor he kept on sending notes. He probably put the note there. Mr. Brown ya gotta believe me!" Brown turned toward me. Billy's screaming had receded and finally died down.
"Allison, what kind of notes was Grimm sending?" I stepped forward.
"Oh, ya mean those nau'ty poems 'e be sendin to 'is prostitutes? They were talkin' 'bout undoin' a corset an'…" Abruptly, I was interrupted by Brown in the beginning of my story.
"Yes, that's enough Allison, we have the picture. Grimm don't use the work telegraphs for you vulgar use it could put us in an unsavory circumstance. I'll dock pay the next time you do it. Oh and next time do my bidding as I wish it next time." Grim mumbled an apology and agreed to his terms. Brown concluded the meeting. "Well the problem is solved everyone go back to work." John Brown waved everyone away as he entered his own office that conjoined with the meeting hall. He abruptly closed the door and locked it. I watched everyone leave and put out the fire slowly until the last person was gone. I took out a stethoscope from my hidden compartment in the coal basket and crouched by the door. I placed the drum onto the door and listened.
"… Well tell the professor there's been a slight delay in plans. He can't own the mining business until Birlstone is dead. His partner has already agreed to give us half of the shares but Birlstone still owns the other half while he lives. We will track him down…" I heard faint footsteps coming toward the meeting hall. I stuffed my stethoscope in my apron and quietly walked back to the fire. I picked up my basket and turned around to see Grimm standing there.
"You're not such a bad hag after all you old ninny just a little hard on the outside. Thank you." Grimm murmured and started leaving the room.
"Shudup, you git! I don't want to see ya face!" Grimm turned around and nodded his head smirking before he disappeared from sight. I left the meeting hall and headed toward the typing shop. 'This is getting complicated.' I sighed inwardly.
