Apparently, there was a boy of similar age to Oliver. He came and left right before the bodies were discovered; that is a clearly suspicious action. This boy also had discussions with two older men, which is clearly odd given their backgrounds. Knowing this much alone, it is very likely that the boy 'Henry Lou' was used as an Oliver impersonator; he must have killed those other two children. This seems like a legitimate scenario, but I need to find some sort of proof...but how can I just confront two men about the topic of murder without being seen as an offense?
Nathaniel opened his eyes and realized he was in bed. His first instinctive move was sitting up, but his wife's arms were wrapped around him. He felt kind of guilty considering he has neglected Priscilla for several days, but solving this case seemed to be completely taking over his conscious and subconscious. Gently, Nathaniel placed down her arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then the lips. She showed a faint smile while in her sleep. It faded when Nathaniel left the room.
It was not too early in the morning, but some servants seemed to be just waking up. The somewhat young tycoon started taking mental notes on who was slacking so he could dock their pay later. The thought of visiting that town seemed to be a requirement, but how will he do so without rising suspicion in those around him? This is the reason why he paid a visit to Nurse Hannah. The white-haired worker turned and faced Nathaniel, expecting to be told something. I wonder why such a young lady would have white hair. Was she stressed during her life?
"Is there something that you want to tell me, Lord Harris?" Hannah was tapping her pointer finger on her desk, showing that she was in a mood for getting her work done quickly.
"Of course there is, I wouldn't have came to you if that weren't the case" Nathaniel cleared his throat. "I am planning to revisit that town where the murders took place. I assume you know what I'm talking about, because Aaron is never able to lie to you"
"I see...so why me?"
"I'll explain it to you when we get there"
Hannah and Nathaniel sat across from each other as the carriage traveled. Hannah was curious as to why she would be asked to tag along, but she knew better than to ask someone who wouldn't answer, so she spent most of the ride simply looking at the outdoors. It was still somewhat early in the morning when he told her it was time to leave, so not many people were out as they rode. Due to this lack of movement, she drifted off into a small catnap. "We're here" Nathaniel opened the door and walked outside. "We are going to walk the rest. That way we won't attract much attention."
"Why are we avoiding attention?"
"The people in the town are very alert. That is why I down-dressed today." The young tycoon gestured toward him, making Hannah realized that the clothes he had on were so plain for his taste. As they walked into the small civilization, Hannah started to notice what Nathaniel had already pointed out: the townspeople seemed to be very edgy. "Hannah, you're falling behind"
"Eh?" She faced forward and saw how the young man was indeed a good distance ahead of her, so she pulled up her gown slightly, so she could run and catch up to him. The two made it in front of a small store. Nathaniel peeked through the window, and gave himself a small nod.
"They are here"
"Who?"
"Two men, their names are Heinrick and Dylan. They are suspects of the murder, but I can't confront them, that is why you're here"
"You think a woman like me can seduce them?" she said nonchalantly. "That way you can get an easy confession out of them?"
"Well, not exactly, but close to that."
"I guess I can try..."
Hannah slowly put some of her hair to the back as she entered. The two men inside looked like they were completely drunk. How convenient... "How are you two today? Was this a celebration?"
"Yes, you pretty lass! We're celebratin' this here unexpected paycheck!"
"That does seem like something worth celebrating" Hannah walked over to the brown shelves that were now in front of her. With her finger, she was tracing the various beverages that were there, bottle by bottle. London gin...London gin..."Ha!" she said quietly. She pulled out a clear, medium-sized bottle, and then she took two glasses from the neighboring shelf. "How exactly did you get this 'paycheck'?" she asked as she filled both glasses with gin.
"Some rich guy gave it to me as thanks!" Heinrick took the glass; he took a few gulps. "I guess getting that kid in jail turned into a big benefit!"
"What kid?"
"A child, or brat, named Oliver..." Dylan answered, reaching for one of the glasses.
"You can't handle gin! Give that to me!" Heinrick said in a slurred manner.
"I purchased it, so I have the right to drink it! Hands off you free loader!" Dylan quickly pulled his drink away from Heinrick. Heinrick left his arm lying across the table, and drifted off into sleep. "And he says Ican't handle my alcohol"
"It does look like he had too much..." Hannah took notice on the amount of empty glasses on the floor. With one of them out...I just might be able to seduce the other... Hannah unbuttoned the first two buttons of her dress; the loosened parts showed some of her cleavage. "So what did this little brat do to be in jail?"
"Hic! He was a murderer and a thief!" Dylan said. "My merchants caught him after he committed the crime!" Dylan took another gulp of gin. "This isn't my favorite beer..."
"At least it tastes good right?"
"Of course! That's why I bought it!" Dylan looked at Hannah like there was something on her face. Then, he poked her collarbone. "Your dress falls!" He let out a strange laugh, proving he was drunk. "How was Oliver caught?" Hannah tried to get back on topic, poking his face for attention.
"The merchants I sent to load cargo found the bodies"
"Of who?"
"Hic! Of...umm...who were they? Uhhh...his friends!"
"Oliver's?"
"Yes"
"How did they die?"
"One had a sliced arm, and the other had a slit throat"
"That sounds like a gruesome way to die"
"Never thought a little kid would do something like that without hesitation"
"How do you know he didn't hesitate? Weren't they friends?"
"Ah, please! Throw some cash and he would kill his own mother!" Hannah let out a smile. Somehow, he was beginning to talk about someone else. At least, that is what she assumed since Oliver is a 'good boy'.
"Who is this kid?" Hannah refilled Dylan's glass, and then gave him a flirty-like smile. Dylan let out a laugh and took another gulp.
"I can't remember-hic!-the name...I think it was Henry...something"
"And he was?"
"Jus' sum stranguh...Heinrick got to..." Dylan started to look very dizzy.
"Got to what?"
"Kill...them"
"Sir...Sir?" Hannah shook Dylan, but he was passed out drunk.
"Don't worry, this is enough information for now" Nathaniel entered the room. "We pretty much got a confession out of them"
"Do you think that the police will actually believe what you say?"
"They will. I have connections with the police...I was an officer before I became a businessman, and if I go to the right person, these so-called 'men' will be rotting in cells in a matter of days. I just have to make this report look more legitimate." He held up a paper that was full of his handwriting. Apparently he was recording the conversation...Hannah stood up. "I'm glad I was help, may we leave now?"
"Of course"
A few days later, Oliver was woken up early by a middle-aged man in uniform. He rubbed his eye and looked up at the officer. "What? Isn't it a little early for breakfast?"
"This isn't breakfast kid, it's freedom" Oliver jolted up when he heard the word 'freedom'. "So you did hear me...anyway, my client has proven you innocent...sort of. You're free to go now."
"Really? I can really go without punishment?" Oliver's whole body was shaking with a type of excitement he had not known for a while. How could Mr. Nathaniel just help me so quickly? I'm not complaining, but I was a little shocked. He must have 'high connections'.
"Well kid? You're supposed to be leaving now."
"Right..." Oliver nodded and left the building, running with joy. The first two people he saw were Nathaniel and Nurse Hannah. "Who's she?"
"This is Miss Hannah. You should thank her. I don't think my report could've supported you enough without her." Nathaniel responded.
"Are those three locked up? I don't have to deal with them again?" Nathaniel let out a nervous chuckle. "My report wasn't enough to get them in jail immediately. By 'them', I mean the two men. That boy who framed you seemingly disappeared without a trace. I'm sorry if that doesn't satisfy you."
"Oh...That's still okay! I'm just glad I don't have to endlessly sit in an empty cell anymore!"
Oliver stretched his arms, legs, and moved around for a little bit. His head jerked up suddenly, and let out a beaming smile. "There you are James!" The small goldfinch flew in circles above Oliver's head. The young boy laughed. "Hey James, slow down!" Oliver gave chase to the little bird and the two adults watched. "How precious. This reminds me of all those stories I read in childhood where the children run through the grasses." Hannah giggled.
"That rewarding feeling...is actually real, not just some thing people say...you know- to make others do well."
"So why did you do this? Helping out a boy that you don't even know really seems out of your...character." Hannah asked hesitantly.
"The heart I have when it comes to business and the one to children...are polar opposites. Having a daughter made me care, I guess."
Well, there's no doubt about that...I'll never forget those days that made me think you wouldn't care for your own family..."So...what are you going to do with the boy now?" Hannah asked. Nathaniel looked down at the ground, putting on his 'business face' again. "There's no position for him in this area now...so I guess I have to find a place for him..."
"What place? I don't think he'll have any type of position in the manor either...I can just imagine the tension if he met your wife...or had any type of reunion with Miss Ainsley."
"No...Neither of the two places would work. All of the rooms are taken up by workers. I guess we can look around neighboring towns...someone might want to take 'im in, as long as his spoiled reputation didn't spread that far."Hey kid!" Nathaniel called Oliver over. Oliver stopped chasing James and ran over to the man."Yes sir?" Oliver smiled.
"You want to take a ride with us? There's enough room in the carriage, and we need to find a place for you to stay."
"Why can't I just stay here? Miss Greene wouldn't mind me right?"
"You do realize that even if proven innocent, people will still be on guard when around you right? Outsiders like them will never get the full story."
"Oh...you're right" Oliver suddenly sounded glum; his gaze was facing slightly away from everyone. He looked back at them, but he was clearly still upset. "Where can I go?"
"We offered you a ride for a reason. We have to find you a new place to live." Nathaniel explained. "It's a better opportunity to find a home outside of this area. Plus, some of the outside towns are much more...cleansed compared to this trade town."
"Okay, I guess..."
The three remained silent, so silent that the occasional flapping of James' wings could be heard. When that didn't occur, they simply listened to the clacking sound of the horses hooves, and the bumping sounds from when the carriage would go over some type of hump. James flew over Oliver's head, keeping the boy occupied, but not even the clamor from that silly situation would get either of the adults to talk. This is so uncomfortable... I know I'm just a kid in comparison, but can't we get just one conversation going? This ride seems so eternal at the moment. If I could just get their attention..."Umm..." The two adults perked up at the sound; they stared at Oliver blankly, waiting for them say something. Their gazes made him feel very awkward. "Isn't this ride...nice? Why is it so awfully quiet?" He chuckled awkwardly. They remained ever so silent. "N-Never mind..." Oliver looked down at his lap. James was oddly still. Even James is affected by this awkwardness... Oliver glanced up at the two, trying to 'read them'. He could not decipher even a single thought they might have. For another hour the carriage went on. The sun would barely reach through the closed curtain, despite it being in its brightest state.
Finally, the carriage had stopped; Aaron opened the door, inviting the three outside. Oliver had to adjust to the sun's brightness before he could get a glance of their destination: a fairly large building, resembling a house, but different. "Well Oliver, follow me. Hannah and Aaron, you can stay outside or come in if you like."
"I'll keep Aaron company. After all, it must be boring to watch over a carriage alone" Hannah nodded as she rejecting the ladder offer. "As you wish" Nathaniel nudged Oliver and the two preceded to the building. The building was wide, and there were two visible floors. Judging by the windows, there must be several rooms. In the surrounding area, there was a completely empty yard. What could that be used for?Oliver jolted when he heard the loud banging that Nathaniel caused while knocking on the door. It took a few minutes of waiting, driving both of them impatient. Before they considered leaving, the sound of loud footsteps came toward the front door. The door slowly opened; a young woman's face could be seen. The first impression she had given was shyness, for she had such a fragile look to her. Her skin was slightly pale, and her hair was very straight and black. "My apologies for taking long...what business do you have with me this time, Nathaniel?"