The Inspection of a Curator
DISCLAIMER: All rights belong to Deborah Harkness. Just borrowing the characters for an alternate universe fanfiction story.
SUMMARY: A 1940's Police Inspector gets caught up in the world of rare books when a valuable manuscript is stolen and a murder occurs. Together, with a book curator, this Detective will face obstacles as they traverse the secret world of asylum's, wealth and mystery as well as their blossoming romance.
CREDIT: A huge thank you to Shawna! I wouldn't be the author I am without your editing help, suggestions and ideas!
Chapter FIVE: Overnight Confessions and Returns
By: Goode Girl
~TIOAC~
Gallowglass approached the front door of the house his father, Hugh, shared with his partner, Fernando. There were a few boxes on the porch, and he assumed it was some of his father's things. He understood Fernando needed to clear some things away, but it seemed so fast. It was only January 3rd after all. He knocked on the door, and it swung open abruptly, as though Fernando had been standing there expecting him.
"Hey, Da." He greeted, as Fernando ushered him inside.
"Hi, son." He replied morosely. They hugged briefly.
"What's with the boxes on the porch?" He queried.
"Just a few things that were already set aside to dispose of." He simplified. Gallowglass nodded in understanding.
"Have you heard anything new from Matthew?" He enquired as he followed him into the kitchen, where Fernando was making some tea.
"No, just the information he gave originally." He relayed. "You know he has to be careful with your job and all." Fernando added.
"Aye, I'm aware." He responded. "About that, I've got a new case, so I'm going to be out of contact for a bit." Gallowglass informed.
"It's not too dangerous, is it?" He inquired, a look of worry of his face.
"Da, there's always some danger to every new job I undertake." Gallowglass tried to reason.
"I realize that, but I worry. Especially now with Hugh gone…" He trailed off.
"I know. I miss him too." He related. "I wish I could have said goodbye in some way." He tacked on.
"Well, you can. At his service." Fernando stated. "It's next Wednesday, by the way." He confirmed.
"I won't be able to go. The new job…" Gallowglass explained dejectedly, letting his words hang in the air. "I start on Monday." He specified.
"Oh, that's a shame." He replied sullenly.
"I'm sorry, Da. You know I want to be there, but if I am it could compromise this new job." He detailed.
"What is this new one? Is it at least nearby?" Fernando queried, pouring Gallowglass and himself a cup of the freshly brewed tea.
"Thanks," Gallowglass stated at the offered cup. "It's in the vicinity, but unless I contact you, you cannot reach out to me."
"I know, I know, you're undercover." He murmured. "Just feels like I'm all alone lately." He remarked sadly.
"If it's safe to contact Matthew, I will. He'll call you if there's anything, you know that, Da." He finished.
"He's a good boy, that Matthew." Fernando complimented with a small smile.
Gallowglass laughed gently at the remark. "Aye, he is. And you know you can trust him." He stated.
"I know," Fernando smiled once more. "Well, you didn't just come over here for idle chit-chat. I've got some chili in the slow cooker. Come," He ordered, signalling for Gallowglass to sit at the kitchen table while he served dinner.
…..
"You know, this was your father's favourite." Fernando stated, as Gallowglass washed the dishes from their dinner and Fernando put the leftover chili in a container.
"He loved your chili, and everything else you cooked, Da!" He teased.
Gallowglass and Fernando retired to the living room where they listened to Hugh's favourite radio programme, 'Round Britain Quiz', while they played cards and sipped some whisky, well into the late hours.
…..
There was a knocking sound echoing down the hallway, and Matthew gently pulled himself from around Diana, careful not to wake her. Covering her with the blanket securely, so she wouldn't get cold, he crept down the hall to the back door just off of the kitchen. Peering through the small pane of glass at the top of the door, he could make out Gallowglass' large frame and opened the door immediately.
"It's late, is everything okay?" He queried in concern, ushering him inside.
"Aye, I've got a new job starting on Monday, and wanted to check in with you before I'm in too deep." He explained. "If there's a chance, I can't make contact for some reason..." He trailed off.
Matthew nodded in understanding. "As long as you're being as safe as you can." Matthew voiced.
"You know I always am. Besides, I think my new case may be related to yours." He informed. Matthew turned the lights on and offered Gallowglass some water, sipping at one himself before sitting down across from him at the kitchen table.
"Okay, you've piqued my interest. Related how?" He prodded.
"My boss has had a surveillance team following and documenting the moves of one Gerbert D'Aurillac for months. Seems some of his past patients," He paused, "They have gone missing." He detailed. "He was at that New Year's party the other night, no?" He questioned.
"Yeah, he was. He's actually a suspect." Matthew confirmed.
"Well, you may find that he's not had his hands on anything directly, he's got people working for him to do all the dirty work. Nurses, orderlies, and even that psychologist he has heading up the asylum, has been seen leaving Gerbert's." He relayed. "But so far we can't catch him in the act. The people leaving his office or private residence have had good reason to be there as they are employed by him in some way." He added. "Legitimately employed." He clarified.
"Christ, Gallowglass!" I spat in surprise. "Our cases are so overlapped; how do we share information safely? I know I cannot contact you directly, but there's a chance you could be in more danger than usual on this one." He reasoned, worry seeping into his tone.
"Matthew?" He heard Diana call from the bedroom.
Gallowglass looked at him and smiled large and wide. "It's not like that, so keep your crass comments to yourself!" Matthew chided in a hushed voice, a smile on his face at how big Gallowglass was grinning.
"In the kitchen." He called, as he heard her small footfalls come down the hall. He turned, just as she poked her head around the corner and startled at the sight of Gallowglass.
"Hi, there Lass!" He greeted boisterously.
"Would you keep your voice down, it is past 4:00AM." Matthew admonished lightly, turning back to Diana.
She smiled shyly, "Hi," She murmured, tugging the pyjama shirt of Matthew's down as if it was going to grow. "I woke up and you weren't there, then I heard voices." She supplied.
"This is Eric Gallowglass, he's a good friend of mine." He introduced. "Gallowglass, this is Diana Bishop, the book curator I mentioned to Fernando." He relayed.
"Aye, the missing manuscript and all that..." he paused with a sigh, "my father." He deduced.
"Wait, Hugh was your dad, wasn't he?" Diana realized, as she stepped further into the room and stood next to Matthew.
"He is." Gallowglass stated. "Was," He corrected.
"I'm really sorry about your father." She stated honestly. "Did you tell him what we found in the photos?" She posed, looking to Matthew as her arm moved over his shoulders. Matthew kept his hands around the glass of water before him, but was tempted to put his arm around her waist at her gesture, but a niggling voice in the back of his mind told him to slow down.
"No, not yet." He replied, taking a gulp of water.
"What photos?" Gallowglass questioned, looking between the two of them.
Matthew turned to Gallowglass, and detailed the new evidence Diana discovered in the photographs from the crime scene. He explained the smudges and bloody letters above Hugh's head, but couldn't understand why he would try to spell 'bookcase'. "But maybe he'd left a clue somewhere in the room on a bookcase." Diana interjected.
"It's something we'll have to ask Mr. De Clermont tomorrow. We're planning on returning the manuscript." Matthew detailed.
"I don't want to sound impolite, but why are you here so late?" Diana interrupted, looking to Gallowglass. "Or is it early? I can never remember." She added, as a yawn escaped.
"I'm going undercover for my next case and will be out of contact, but it seems our cases overlap as the person on our radar is Gerbert D'Aurillac." Gallowglass informed.
"Who is that?" Diana questioned. "And what did he do?" She added.
Gallowglass summarized the case on Gerbert and his missing patients, that MI-6 had been following. While Matthew added that he had been at the New Year's party during the crimes.
"So, we're sort of working together?" Diana queried. Matthew felt her start to play with the hair at the back of his head and he shivered slightly at the contact as goose bumps erupted over his skin at the pleasing sensation it gave him.
"Yes, and no, lass." Gallowglass replied. "I can't break my cover, but if I learn anything of value, I will try to leave word for Matthew in the most discreet way possible." He stated. "But, Matthew, please try to check in with Fernando from time to time. I was there for dinner last night and he's really down and just feeling lonely." He pleaded. "I felt bad for even leaving, but I had to talk to you about our cases." He added.
"Of course, I'll call and check in on him." He replied.
"You could go for a visit too, you know." Diana added, bumping her hip against his bicep teasingly.
"He'd love that, especially if you were with him!" Gallowglass teased, shrugging his eyebrows suggestively at her. Matthew kicked at his leg under the table to knock off the teasing.
"Maybe I will." She stated, her eyes meeting his. "I'm going back to bed." She finalized, yawning a second time. "It was nice to meet you Gallowglass, and good luck." She smiled sweetly, moving closer and hugging him. He was surprised at the action but returned it. "And remember," She started once more. "Think. Stay alive." She ended before leaving them alone.
"I like her." Gallowglass grinned, and Matthew couldn't help but smile at him once more. His eyes moved to the photo across the way as they settled on Blanca's face.
Gallowglass watched with interest. "She'd want you to be happy, Matthew. You know that." He spoke.
"I know, but I still feel guilty for some reason." He admitted. "I've not been attracted to a woman since Blanca, and Diana has captured my attentions in every way." He confessed.
"You like her. It's clear she likes you too, from what I just saw." He replied, his voice actually now lowered to a whisper.
"I really do." He nodded, the smile creeping back on his face.
"What is it you feel guilty about, then?" He posed.
"I can't explain why, but it feels like I'm cheating on Blanca." He conceded.
"Aye, I understand." He responded, taking a deep breath. "But can I be honest with you?" He queried, his eyes meeting Matthew's.
"Always,"
"I think you feel guilty because you weren't here when the bomb hit. You didn't get a chance to say goodbye, and you're holding on to that." He stated simply. "Unfinished business, if you will." He explained.
"You're right. I know I couldn't have saved her, but I just keep wondering how things could have been different if I had been able to see her before..." Matthew let his words hang in the air unfinished.
"Then tell her in another way, Matthew." He offered. "But don't sabotage yourself or what you could have again…" He trailed off.
"And what's that?" He pressed.
"Love, of course. You deserve to be happy." He finalized.
"I know I deserve that, but how do I tell her goodbye, for good?" He murmured, shaking his head slightly at the absurdity of it. "We barely had a marriage, the war…" He changed the direction of his comment. "We were apart more than we were ever together." He finalized.
"Write a letter to her. Put everything in it you've ever wanted to say to her. Fuck, tell her about Diana if you want to, but give her your goodbye's and move on." He ranted. Matthew almost felt like he was being chastised. "You've told Diana about her, haven't you?" He surmised, and Matthew nodded in confirmation. "Good. How'd she handle it?" He asked.
"Surprisingly, she told me I could talk to her about Blanca anytime I wanted. That I would always love her, and it was important to remember her." He summarized. "The thing is, I loved Blanca. But I also feel bad that I just don't talk about her. It's not that we had a terrible marriage but we were literally torn apart." Matthew elaborated.
"I get what you're saying about Blanca. You loved her, but you've already moved on, it's the guilt you're holding onto." He surmised. "But fuck me Matthew, I love Diana for you. If you don't marry her, I will!" He teased, and Matthew laughed at his antics.
"Right, I think you're putting the cart before the horse there Eric on the marriage comment, I've known her less than twenty-four hours." Matthew informed. "I know I feel something for her but, shit man, it's happening fast." He added, running his hands through his hair.
"Time don't mean shit, you clearly have a connection, so just go with it. Do what works for the both of you, and Matthew…" He trailed off once more. "Don't deny yourself a chance at happiness. Only you are standing in the way of yourself. Let go of the guilt, you were not responsible for her death." He pointed out.
"But I am for falling out of love with her" He chastised himself.
"She never knew that, and for the record, how do you know it wasn't the same for her?" He reasoned. Matthew nodded in acknowledgement.
They ended their heart to heart and Matthew agreed to check in with Fernando from time to time. Gallowglass couldn't give him specifics about his undercover persona, but from what he did know, he would be working close to Peter Knox. So, in a roundabout way, he'd basically told me he'd be at La Pierre Asylum.
Once the kitchen door was locked after Gallowglass' departure, Matthew headed back to the bedroom. Diana was still awake and she lifted the covers when she saw him approaching.
"He's working at the asylum, isn't he?" She surmised, as he lay down beside her. She lay her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
"How did you... Never mind." He smiled, tugging her into his arms once more, 'for warmth', he told myself. But that nagging voice appeared once more, almost like a warning to him to 'slow down'.
Diana didn't want to eavesdrop on their conversation but their voices carried and she was starting to understand Matthew a bit more. He was punishing himself for all the wrong reasons.
…..
The following morning, Matthew woke to Diana cooking breakfast. He made coffee for them, while she scrambled some eggs and made toast.
"Can we stop by my flat so I can get a change of clothes?" She asked while taking a bite out of her buttered toast.
"Yeah, of course." He replied.
With breakfast finished, Matthew washed their dishes while Diana readied herself in the bathroom.
The manuscript was placed back in the picnic basket of Diana's, and stored in the boot of the car. Matthew had to stop at the police station first to get information about whether or not there were bugs in Diana's office. Constable Fuchs left a detailed note in the top drawer of his desk, with a list of five different locations in which they were found. Matthew scanned the list and knew that whoever did leave them, had covered every corner of that office, literally. The ride to her flat was quiet, but not uncomfortably so, as Diana perused the list Matthew had just retrieved.
"So, they want to listen in." She stated. "Have they been removed?" She questioned, looking in his direction as he turned the corner towards her building.
"No, I don't want whoever left them to know that we are onto them." He replied, parking the car.
"Does Gallowglass have a way to contact you?" She questioned, when she reached the front entrance to the building.
"In the past, he's called from a telephone box or even sent a telegram." Matthew informed as he finished locking up the car, and followed Diana into the building.
Reaching behind her, she threaded her hand with his, tugging him along. He smiled at the simple act and squeezed her hand affectionately.
Diana traipsed down the hall towards her flat as Matthew followed. They peaked in on her office. The door was closed but clearly not locked, at least until they could repair it Monday morning when the locksmith was opened. Most businesses were closed over the weekend.
Neither of them had spoken again, until in the safety of her flat; concerned that the bugs in her office might pick up their voices. She had to let go of his hand to unlock her door. "I wonder if there could be a place for you two to leave each other correspondence." She supplied, locking the door after them.
"What do you mean?" He queried, as he moved to check her window. It was still unlocked from when she escaped through it the night before and he engaged the lock.
"Like a post office box where you leave each other notes and information. It would be more secure." She suggested, moving down the hall to her bedroom. "I'll just be a few minutes." She added, smiling shyly as she stood on her tip toes and kissed him soundly, before going to change.
Matthew was a little surprised at her kiss and it took a moment to register as she giggled at the expression on his face. "That's a good idea!" He called after her. "About the post box." He murmured.
Matthew watched her disappear, a smile on his face, before he walked around her living room and even poked his head out the blinds to the street below. It was rather quiet this Sunday morning, and only a few people were milling about, likely heading to church service, he surmised. When Diana finally emerged, she had a small bag with her, which included a new change of clothes for the following day.
"Ready?" He posed and she nodded in reply.
The drive to Philippe and Ysabeau's was quiet, and Matthew and Diana were holding hands.
"You know, we will have to be discreet about showing any sort of affection in public." He informed her.
"I know, I'm still part of the case, so we have to appear as nothing more than co-workers." She replied a little sadly.
"I don't like it, Diana." He confessed, but once again that underlying voice pushed through, 'slow down'. "But we can't let others think you're getting special favours or something." He clarified. "As far as anyone knows, you're a consultant on the case because of your expertise and knowledge about rare books." He added, squeezing her hand in show of comfort.
When they arrived at the De Clermont's, Matthew parked at the far side of the drive and helped Diana from the car before retrieving the picnic basket from the boot.
"Inspector?" Philippe greeted in surprise as his eyes moved to Diana. He smiled politely. "What brings you here this Sunday morning?" He queried, gesturing for them to come inside.
Matthew waited until he'd closed the door. "I have something you've been missing." He smiled coyly, lifting the picnic basket.
Diana lifted the flap and retrieved Ashmole 782, holding it aloft for his viewing.
"My word! Where ever did you find it?" Philippe asked in surprise. "Ysabeau!" He summoned as his eyes remained transfixed on his now found manuscript.
Diana stood back as Ysabeau entered the room. "What is it, dear?" She questioned but her eyes landed on Matthew first. "Inspector." She smiled politely, shaking his outstretched hand in greeting.
"Mr. and Mrs. De Clermont, may I introduce Diana Bishop. She's been consulting on the case." He smiled and Ysabeau turned to shake her hand as well.
"Lovely to meet you." Diana returned.
"We have recovered the manuscript, as you can see." Matthew laughed gently, as Philippe held it in his hands in astonishment.
"Thank you for returning it." She replied.
Matthew relayed the details to Philippe in how the manuscript came to be in their possession and why he'd brought Diana along with him today.
"With your permission, sir, we'd like to have Diana study the manuscript for any clues to the missing pages that have been removed." Matthew explained. "Diana has seen Ashmole in the past when the missing pages were still intact." He added.
"I am open to that, of course. But it doesn't leave the house." He stated firmly.
"We wouldn't want to remove it from the premises." Diana smiled. "We just have no idea how or where Kelley could have left hints or clues." She added.
"Well, we usually have a busy week, could you come any time after 2:00PM?" He posed.
"Of course." Diana agreed, "I still have a business to run after all." She added, casting her eyes to Matthew.
"There's something else, sir." Matthew began.
"Please, call me Philippe." He instructed.
"Well, Philippe," Matthew corrected himself. "Diana actually discovered this just last night when she was looking at some of the photographs from the crime scene, but it seems Hugh may have been trying to leave a message." He explained, pulling the photograph from his inside jacket pocket. He'd retrieved it at the same time he grabbed the list about the bugs.
"What does it say?" He queried, holding the photo up to the light as if to read it more clearly.
"I believe he was trying to spell, 'bookcase', but we're not sure why." Diana interjected.
Philippe thought about it for a moment. "I've heard rumours that the house has secret passages, but when I reviewed the blueprints for the house while we made repairs, I never saw any leading to the library." He informed. "During the war, Nazis commandeered the manor for their 'business'." He added.
"Do you have those blueprints?" Matthew inquired.
"Yes, please, come up to the study, why don't you." He directed. "Ysabeau, would you ask Marthe to bring up some coffee?" He questioned.
"Of course, dear." She smiled, leaving the trio.
It took Philippe a few moments to rifle through a drawer before he pulled out a few large sheets, setting them on his desk.
"These here," He started, "Indicate the hidden passages and the doors that lead to them." He confirmed, pointing to red marks along certain lines. "I've still not found how to open them all, though." He relayed.
"Is it possible that these prints are missing some of the passages?" Diana mused. "I mean, if the Nazis used them, they would have wanted to ensure they remained hidden." She pointed out.
"That's very likely." Philippe agreed.
"What is this down here?" Matthew interjected, pointing to some dark grey caverns on another page.
"Oh, those are the escape tunnels." Philippe stated as if it was common knowledge. "If anyone ever tried to raid the manor, they could escape through them. I've not found how to access them, unfortunately." He added.
"Where do they lead?" Matthew asked, his eyes scanning the prints to follow the dark grey marks as they seemed to show a path beneath the house and the land beyond.
"I have no idea, to be honest." Philippe replied.
"Matthew, look." Diana directed, pointing to a section on a different sheet of prints. These ones showed the land and grounds surrounding the house and the dark grey caverns were present under the earth.
"We need to find a more detailed and complete set of these blueprints." Matthew stated, his eyes looking to Diana, and then Philippe.
The door was pushed open as Marthe bustled in with a tray, which she set on a small table in the corner.
"Coffee?" She offered with a smile.
