Read Online Elementary by Mercedes Lackey - Free Book Online Page A

story take place according to the known history.

The Wild Rogue
    Fiona Patton
    The London Chronicle,
March 4, 1783
    â€œOn Monday night about eleven o’clock, the body of an unknown man was found wedged under the dock at Blackfriars by members of the Bow Street Constabulary. Foul play is suspected.”
    Â â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢Â 
    â€œMaster Christopher?”
    The small cell in London’s Wood Street Compter was dark and cold and smelled of urine and vomit. The young man seated against the far wall had awakened some time ago, but after ascertaining that it was not yet time for either release or breakfast, had gone back to sleep. Now, recognizing the voice as belonging to his elder brother Edward’s manservant, he slowly opened his eyes.
    â€œHullo, William,” he said with a yawn. “Is it morning already?”
    The heavyset man standing outside the cell showed a flash of relief before schooling his expression to one of aggrieved respect.
    â€œIt’s just past seven, Master Christopher. Will you come out of there now, sir?”
    â€œIs the fine paid?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWas it high this time?”
    â€œIt was . . . steep, yes, sir.”
    Christopher snorted. He wasn’t surprised. The Sessions of the Peace-Inferior Court judge—and wasn’t that just a mouthful to get one’s head around when one was a little too influenced by drink?—had added miscellaneous breaking of the peace—which meant whatever the judge chose to make it mean—to the list of charges the night before.
    â€œAnd my brother?” he asked.
    â€œIs waiting outside, sir.”
    â€œThen we won’t keep him a moment longer.”
    Christopher rose and, after making a show of folding his newspaper and throwing his plum-colored frock coat over his arm, ambled to the front of the cell, where a young man in a deep blue uniform immediately opened the door for him.
    â€œThank you, Constable. It
is
Constable, isn’t it . . . ?” Christopher peered at him through the gloom, “Cedric?”
    The young man couldn’t help but blush. “It is, sir, yes,” he answered. “Thank you for remembering. We’re all to be constables now, sir.”
    â€œThief-takers and Charlies no more, eh? Proper officers of the law?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Christopher rubbed at the back of his neck. “To that end, I’m afraid my memory of last night is rather spotty. Did I damage anyone?”
    â€œOh, no, sir, not as such. You had a fearful barney with Jakey, that is, Constable Jake Townsend, sir, but what with him being a former boxer and all . . .”
    â€œI came out rather more worse for our encounter than he did?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œThat explains the bruises. Give him my regards when you see him next.”
    â€œI will, sir.”
    â€œRight. Well, then, come along, William,” Christopher called over his shoulder as he headed up the prison steps at a brisk pace. “We don’t want to keep the Baron Clive of Plassy Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire waiting, now do we?” Nodding to the police officers in the hall, he pushed through the main doors, then stood a moment, blinking in the bright spring morning. A smart coach waited in Mitre Square, and he crossed to it in three long strides, pulling himself in without waiting for the coachman to disembark.
    The man inside had been dozing and he gave a start and then a rueful smile. “All right, Kit?” he asked with a yawn.
    Christopher’s careless demeanor faded. “As right as I’ll ever be, Teddy,” he answered. “You can drop me off at my rooms in Thames Street, if you would be so kind,” he added as the coach lurched forward.
    Edward shifted uncomfortably. “No, I can’t,” he replied. “I’m under strict instructions from our sisters to bring you home.” At Christopher’s