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 SIX: Company, Questions, and Reproductions
By: Goode Girl
~TIOAC~
When they returned to Matthew's house after leaving the De Clermont's, Diana and Matthew made dinner together, and were rather quiet. He'd held her hand on the drive home, but she could feel him pulling away. She'd barely known him a few days and felt drawn to him in a way she'd never been to a man before, but also realized that they needed to slow down. He had a murder to solve after all, and she had a manuscript to study.
There was something on Diana's mind that she wanted to broach with Matthew, but couldn't seem to find the words. He was very perceptive though, and could tell something was weighing on her mind.
"What is it?" He prodded, as he placed his knife and fork across his plate after finishing the last bites of his dinner. "I can tell you want to say something." He added, leaning back in his chair.
Diana looked at him, her eyes meeting his. "I'm worried about tomorrow." She confessed. "About what to tell Satu about the manuscript" She clarified.
Matthew nodded in understanding. "We could create a rouse of sorts." He suggested.
"What do you mean?" She queried, pushing her plate a few centimeters in front of her and crossing her arms, resting them on the edge of the table.
Matthew explained, that when he dropped her off at the office, he could accompany her inside where they would have a conversation where he inquires if anything is missing. She would take a few moments to wander around before rushing to the desk and commenting that the manuscript she'd received on Friday was missing from the bottom drawer, where she'd secured it.
For anyone listening in via the planted bugs, it would be clear she no longer had it in her possession. If Satu was indeed involved, she would be made aware of it having gone missing and wouldn't show up for their so-called planned appointment.
With a plan in place, they cleared the dinner dishes, washed and dried them and tidied the kitchen. Matthew informed Diana he had some notes to review for tomorrow and Diana decided to take a bath.
They slept in separate beds that night and sleep for both was a little restless.
…..
The following morning, they followed the planned rouse before Matthew bid Diana a goodbye, reminding her to contact the police station if she should discover anything else had gone missing.
An hour later, the locksmith arrived and replaced the locks on Diana's office door.
"Thank you, John." She smiled, when he was finished, noting the label on his overalls with his name clearly displayed.
"You're welcome miss." He replied. "I'm surprised that they destroyed these locks as they did." He added.
"What do you mean?" Diana prodded.
"Well, it doesn't take that much force, you see." He clarified. "To destroy them to that pile of rubble…" He trailed off. "It just seems wholly unnecessary is all." He finished.
Diana nodded in understanding. "Thank you, again John." She dismissed as he collected his tools before nodding at her with a hand to his cap in salute.
Diana went about tidying her office and putting things back where they belonged.
…..
Matthew had been trying to track down Gillian Chamberlain, but his search was fruitless. No one answered the door at her flat, and telephone calls went unanswered as well as he tried various times throughout the morning to establish some sort of contact. It's almost as if she'd up and vanished. When he was leaving the building where her flat was located, he noted some mail piled on an entryway table in the lobby. Gillian's name was on the front of the envelope with a note from the mail delivery person asking that they 'empty their box to make room'. He shuffled through the pile and an emblem in the upper left corner caught his attention when he saw it included, 'Gerbert D'Aurillac M.D.'. Making a note to try to contact her again later, he decides to head to 'La Pierre Asylum', to speak with Peter Knox about his early departure from the party.
"Can I help you?" A woman greeted Matthew, as he entered the asylum. Her uniform indicated that she must be a nurse. But it was her jet-black pin straight hair and ice blue eyes that were hard not to notice. Matthew noted that she seemed almost sinister in her demeanor.
"Yes, I'm here to speak with Peter Knox. Detective Inspector Roydon." He announced, holding up his credentials.
"Of course, sir. Please wait here." She stated uneasily, bustling off down the corridor.
Matthew wandered around the main lobby, taking notice of the framed photos on the wall of the various doctors that had headed the facility over the years. His gaze landed on the first at the top of a sort of pyramid of portraits. The name plate read, 'Dr. Symphorien Champier'.
There were various pamphlets on a small table below the plaques. Matthew picked one up to read the more detailed biography on Dr. Champier. It described how in 1836 he not only built the asylum, but the manor house two miles away, where he would also see patients in his home via tunnels that connected the asylum to the basement of the home. The purpose of which, was so townsfolk would not have to worry about interacting with patients accidentally. The contractor who helped to build these two structures was credited to his cousin, André Champier. It would seem that this is the same manor house which was now owned by the De Clermont's.
"Damn," He murmured under his breath.
"Inspector Roydon?" A voiced called, interrupting his perusal.
He turned to greet the voice, "Mr. Knox, I presume." Matthew greeted, holding out his hand for a shake. "Impressive," Matthew commented, noting the prestigious wall of doctors.
"Yes, sir, it is. How can I help you?" He posed, returning the gesture.
"I'm here about the New Year's party you attended last week. I'm sure you're aware of what happened." He began, pulling his notepad from his inside jacket pocket as well as a pen. Knox nodded in acknowledgement as Matthew continued. "I was informed that you left shortly after dinner had concluded, is that right?" Matthew posed.
"Yes. I wasn't feeling well but didn't want to cancel last minute." Peter informed. "So, I attended, and then felt the need to leave as the nausea had worsened." He relayed.
"Understood. Mr. De Clermont said as much." Matthew informed. "What I'm inquiring about is whether or not, during your short time at the De Clermont's, if you witnessed anything amiss or odd that stands out?" He finished. Matthew eyed him speculatively and noticed his nervousness. He smiled to himself. 'Goode, hope you're nervous', he thought.
"Not that I recall. But, if I'm being honest, my attention was more on my person and whether or not I would have needed to excuse myself prior to dinner concluding." He responded with a small sardonic laugh.
"Of course, of course." Matthew nodded. "How did you get home, Mr. Knox?" He questioned.
"The same way I arrived, Inspector. A taxi." He informed.
"Did you see anyone lingering around the stairs when you exited through the front door?" Roydon continued. "That is, assuming you left by the front door." Matthew added with a small joking laugh.
Peter returned the laugh, apprehensively. "Guests were heading towards the ballroom, and there were a few people heading that way, but alas, their backs were to me, so no one that stood out." He reasoned.
"Understood. Now, a few guests noted that they saw you and Mr. D'Aurillac conversing. What did you discuss?" Matthew questioned.
"Gerbert noticed I looked a little off and was asking if I was okay. He offered the use of his driver to take me home, but I politely declined and opted for the taxi instead." He answered.
"Excuse me, Mr. Knox, but why not take the free offered ride over the taxi?" Matthew inquired suspiciously.
Peter Knox flubbed over his words, "You know, I really can't say other than that I had asked the driver to return for just after 8:00PM when dinner was scheduled to conclude." He paused. "I knew I wouldn't make it until midnight for the festivities and Philippe was very understanding." He relayed, a smarmy smile overtaking his visage.
"Very well." Matthew nodded. "This conversation with Gerbert took place prior to dinner?" he added.
"It did, I thought I would try to sit through dinner as I didn't' have to eat, but I did try." He elaborated.
"Thank you, Mr. Knox. I just had to verify your events from the evening." Matthew stated. "Thank you, for your time." He finalized, moving to leave after a parting hand shake.
"Oh! One more thing." Matthew turned back to Knox. "I need the address for Mr. D'Aurillac's private practice, do have that information?" He added. Matthew already had the address from the mail in Gillian's apartment building but he knew Knox would inform Gerbert of his visit.
"Yes, of course." Knox smiled anxiously.
With the office address in hand, Matthew headed there immediately. He was counting on the fact that Knox would call Gerbert to tell him he was just at 'La Pierre'. But more interestingly, was the fact that Gillian Chamberlain had mail from his office.
…..
Diana knew the time was approaching when she would have to head to the De Clermont's for the first afternoon of inspecting the manuscript. She locked up her office and went to wait outside the building for Matthew.
A car parked a few feet a head of her next to the curb, and a man stepped out in a long coat and black fedora.
"Ms. Bishop?" He questioned, removing his hat so his face was more visible.
"Yes?" She inquired, turning her attention to the mystery man.
"I'm Detective Inspector, Baldwin Monclair." He informed. "I've been tasked with bringing you to Philippe De Clermont's for your work on the manuscript." He relayed.
"Oh?" She smiled shyly. "I'm sorry, I thought Mat—," Diana corrected herself, "Inspector Roydon would be accompanying me." She clarified.
"He had to follow up with some leads on the case, otherwise…" He trailed off.
Diana nodded in understanding as she pulled her coat tighter around her small frame and followed Inspector Monclair to his car.
"Actually, do you mind if I ask to see your credentials?" She uttered timidly.
"Of course." He smiled, pulling said credentials from the inside pocket of his jacket.
After inspection, Diana was mollified and proceeded to get into the passenger seat of the car.
The ride was quiet and Diana felt tense around him for some reason. Although, she couldn't exactly say why. When they arrived at the De Clermont's, Marthe answered the door and was ready with fresh coffee as she led Diana up to Philippe's study.
"Ms. Bishop," He greeted with a smile. "I've a work space ready for you in the library. There's a large table with ample room." He informed, leading her into the hall and to the vault like door. Baldwin stood nearby.
"Mr. De Clermont, Baldwin Monclair." He introduced. They shared pleasantries before Philippe joked about him being bored while Diana worked. Inspector Monclair informed him that he'd brought some of the photos and notes from the crime scene to review while in the scene itself. The hope was to find a new lead.
Philippe had opened the vault-like door, prior to their arrival, and led them inside. Marthe tottered in after them with the tray of coffee, setting it down on the table near Diana's work space before leaving them to it.
"Thank you, Mr. De Clermont, for allowing me to study the manuscript like this." Diana offered.
"Happy to do so." He smiled. "And please, call me Philippe. Do you require anything else?" He offered as Baldwin sat on the other side of the table at the end, spreading out the photo evidence.
"Some paper and a pen for notes, if you wouldn't mind." She smiled shyly.
"Of course." He replied.
…..
Matthew parked just outside of Gerbert's private practice. He headed inside and the bell at the top of the door jangled, signaling his entrance. The reception area was empty but for one person who was sitting in the waiting area. He recognized her immediately.
"Juliette?" He inquired in surprise.
"Matthew!" She replied in shock, standing from her seat. "What are you doing here?" She questioned flirtatiously. "Need to clear you mind?" She added, cheekily.
"Not quite. I need to speak with Dr. D'Aurillac." He informed.
"Can I help you?" A new female voice sounded, causing Matthew to turn back to the reception desk.
"See you later at the office!" Juliette smirked, as Matthew walked back over to the desk, ignoring her obvious attempt at coquetry.
"Do you have an appointment?" The woman queried.
"Ahh, not exactly." He simplified, pulling his credentials from his pocket. "I need to speak with Dr. D'Aurillac regarding an open murder case and a missing woman." He informed. "It's rather urgent. I believe a patient of his has gone missing." He added.
"Missing? Who?" The shocked receptionist queried.
"Well, to begin, I need to confirm that she was in fact a patient." He cautioned.
"Of course, I can look them up, what is the name?" She implored.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get your name?" Matthew posed, pulling his notepad from his pocket. "I need to make a note of who I spoke with is all." He clarified, offering a smile. The receptionist blushed.
"Joanna Kelley, Inspector." She informed, and Matthew's head shot up from his note pad, his eyes seeking hers.
"Kelley?" He inquired. "Any relation to -," Joanna cut him off.
"Edward Kelley? Yes, he was my husband, but he didn't leave me anything and had no intention of doing so. I don't even profit from any of his auction sales." She informed sadly.
"I'm sorry." He offered in reply.
"Well, nothing to do about that now." She finished, gathering herself and effecting a smile on her face. "What was the patient's name?" She questioned, changing the topic of conversation.
"Gillian Chamberlain." He replied.
"Gillian!" She retorted, her voice at a surprised whisper. "She cancelled her appointment last week and for the foreseeable future. We still had to send out a bill for services rendered I'm afraid." Joanna relayed.
"Did you speak to her personally?" Matthew queried, making notes in his pad.
"Not exactly, I was away from my desk, and when I returned, Dr. D'Aurillac had answered and then informed me." She supplied.
Matthew didn't show his response to that comment outwardly, but did make a note on his pad, 'Did Gillian really call? Gerbert planning/covering tracks?'.
"Thank you, Ms. Kelley. I'm sure you understand now, why it's so important that I speak with Dr. D'Aurillac." He retorted.
"Yes, of course. Once he's finished with his current patient, I will let him know you're here to see him." She explained, as an office door suddenly opened and a middle-aged man exited, followed by Gerbert.
Gerbert seemed to take notice of Matthew before he could. "Make an appointment to see me next week, Andrew." Gerbert called after him as Joanna bustled over to him and whispered frantically.
His eyes met Matthew's, recognition dawning on his visage. "Mr. Roydon, please come in." He greeted, ushering him into his office.
"My receptionist informs me that Gillian is missing?" He posed, signalling for Matthew to take a seat in the proffered chair in front of his desk.
"I can't be certain she is in fact missing, but telephone calls to her flat have gone unanswered. And after a physical visit to her home, there was no answer either." He informed. "A pile of mail on a table in her building's lobby, one with your name on it, is what led me here. It's left me wondering where she could be."
"I see, that is rather concerning." Gerbert replied glibly. "She had called in last week to cancel any existing appointments, and when I asked for a reason, she had simply ended the call." He added.
"She gave no indication in her last visit with you that she would do this?" Matthew questioned.
"Not in the least. She was progressing well with her treatment, nothing of concern or alarm." Gerbert supplied. "Although, I was surprised when I saw her at the De Clermont's last week, during their New Year's party. She was a server during dinner." He mentioned.
"Yes, she wasn't present at the questioning later that evening and it seems she's been missing since then." Matthew replied.
"I didn't even have a chance to speak with her, she was never in the ballroom after dinner." Gerbert offered.
"Do you know of any family, relations or friends she could be staying with?" Matthew prodded.
Gerbert went to a filing cabinet and rifled through it for a few moments before pulling a file out. He perused his notations before stopping on a page. "Here, she mentioned a Sylvia, no last name I'm afraid." Gerbert added as Matthew made a note.
"Did Gillian ever mention where this Sylvia worked or lived?" He inquired.
"Not that my notes reflect, she usually just referred to her as a close friend. Nothing more than that." He ended.
"Thank you, Dr. D'Aurillac, for your time. If by chance, Ms. Chamberlain should call your office, would you please let her know that we need to speak with her." Matthew suggested.
"Of course, Inspector." He replied.
"One last thing, Dr." Matthew began. "Your next patient, Ms. Durand. She works for the police department, and I was just wondering when she started to see you…" He trailed off. "I'm concerned that there might be things in the records she's responsible for at the station, that could be affecting her poorly, maybe they're too graphic." He reasoned.
"Not in the least, I've been treating Juliette since she was a young girl. She suffered some trauma as a child and has been working through it." He relayed. "I can't give details, obviously." He added.
"No, of course. I wouldn't expect you to." Matthew smiled politely. "Thank you, again." He finished.
Matthew also asked Joanna Kelley to call, if Gillian should happen to contact the office.
…..
"Knox." Peter answered, picking up the ringing telephone.
"The Inspector just left. He's concerned because Gillian is missing." Gerbert informed him, a callous smile overtaking his face.
"What did you tell him?" Peter questioned, closing his office door for privacy.
Gerbert relayed his conversation with Matthew and made it clear that the authorities can't find her.
"Good." Peter responded. "Then there is no trail to follow, Gerbert."
"Where is the girl, Knox?" He posed. "Where we agreed to put her, I hope."
Knox laughed, almost maniacally. "Exactly where we want her to be."
…..
Diana had been pouring over the manuscript, page by page and noted small marks near the inside margin of the text. If she held the page aloft, and allowed the light to shine through, the text was clearer to read. She made notations of what she was seeing and as she reviewed her notes, it was clear that this was the beginning of some kind of alchemical formula.
It would seem Kelley had literally marked the pages of the book with the alchemical process, and unless you knew where to look, there was no way to know it was here. 'But why remove the pages if the formula was still in the book?', Diana thought to herself.
"Oh, my goodness!" She murmured in surprise, as the text started to come together.
"What is it?" Baldwin interjected. He had been wandering around the library, trying to picture the crime scene as he held up various photos. Diana's comment grabbed his attention though.
"It's here, it's all here." She stated with elation.
Diana showed Baldwin what she had discovered and had to explain what it meant. Understanding an alchemical formula was not easy. Kelley may have removed three pages of the process, but he'd still left it intact throughout. It just needed to be analyzed and recorded, and that would take some time.
"How goes it?" Philippe interjected, wandering over to the table.
Diana relayed her discovery and Philippe was ecstatic, because it meant the book was still valuable, even with the missing pages.
"I think I've discovered something in the crime scene photos." Baldwin shared, interrupting their jubilation.
Diana stood from her seat and arched her neck, rubbing at a sore spot. She had to angle herself just so to read the text and it had caused a soreness as she turned her head in Baldwin's direction.
"Take a look at the victim and his hands in relation to his arms." He supplied.
Both Diana and Philippe looked at the photo and their heads both moved to the far bookcase. It would appear that after spelling 'bookcase', Hugh was also literally trying to point them in the right direction.
"That has to be the bookcase he means." Diana announced, rushing over and fiddling with books and fixtures to try to open the secret entrance she was sure had to be there.
…..
There wasn't much more Matthew could do in regards to Peter Knox or Gerbert D'Aurillac. There wasn't any concrete evidence tying them to the crime, simply suspicion. He stopped for a quick lunch at a popular diner before heading to the 'Municipality Building Department', to search through their archives.
Matthew was certain that he would find a complete set of blueprints for the manor house and the asylum. He spoke to the receptionist, Rima Jaén, who led him to the proper archive. He poured over the prints for both the house and the asylum for well over an hour, and when he found the prints for each detailing the tunnels, his theory was proven correct when he saw they directly connected to one another.
"I knew it." He mumbled to himself.
Matthew wasn't allowed to remove the prints from the archives, so after asking Rima for a few sheets of blank paper, he copied them to the best of his ability, detailing the secret passages that led from the basement to the library and beyond, as well as their access points. He stopped suddenly as a thought invaded his mind and caused him to worry. Gathering his reproduction work hastily, he returned the prints and headed to the De Clermont's.
"Mr. Roydon! Welcome." Marthe greeted.
"Hi Marthe, thank you." He smiled, removing his hat and holding up a piece of paper for her to read while signalling with a finger to his lips for her to 'Shhh,'.
"Everyone is up in the library." She informed, nodding her head in understanding.
Matthew tilted his head in thanks before traversing the stairs, taking them two at a time, and the note in hand. He entered the library to see Philippe and Baldwin behind Diana as she fiddled with things along a bookcase.
Three heads turned in his direction, and Diana smiled at him brightly. He couldn't help but meet her gaze, smiling in response as he held up the same note, he'd showed Marthe. He signalled with the same 'Shhh,' motion, as he held the paper aloft for them to read: 'Everyone keep quiet, there could be listening devices in the house'.
…..
Peter Knox was informed by his head nurse that a patient was acting out.
"Who is it this time?" He asked, in annoyance.
"Ms. Chamberlain, sir." She informed.
"Satu! Didn't you give her, her next dose?" He posed angrily, standing from his desk chair and walking briskly down the hall to the elevator banks.
Satu followed behind him, pulling the vial from her pocket to prep the next dose. When they reached the fourth floor, Peter could hear Gillian yelling and screaming to 'let her out!'.
"Ms. Chamberlain. Please calm down. You will not be released if you continue to act in this manner." He chastised, peering at her through the pain of glass in the door.
She quieted down and a few moments later, along with an orderly he had summoned, William; Gillian was restrained while Satu administered a shot of 'Midazolam', more commonly known as 'Versed'.
"Administer a shot every six hours, Nurse Järvinen!" Peter ordered, dismissing her and the orderly, William.
