Read Online The Affinity Bridge by George Mann - Free Book Online

Now…” Veronica trailed off at the sound of footsteps on the other side of the door. “Ah, that sounds like Sir Maurice. Come on, let’s get that pot warming.” She rose to her feet, just as the door swung open and Newbury stepped into the office. He looked haggard, like he hadn’t slept. Dark rings circled his eyes, and his face had taken on an unusual pallor. He lifted his bowler hat from his head, and smiled. “Good morning ladies.”
    Veronica looked immediately concerned. “Sir Maurice, are you unwell?”
    He shook his head dismissively. “Only a malady of my own making, I fear, my dear Miss Hobbes. Nothing a strong cup of Earl Grey won’t fix.” He draped his coat on the stand beside him. “Miss Coulthard. Any news on your missing sibling?”
The secretary shook her head, fighting back further tears.
    Newbury frowned. “Well, give me your address on a piece of paper, along with the particulars of the last time you saw your brother, his place of work and any distinguishing marks that may help the police to identify him. If you have it to me in the next half hour I’ll dash off a note to my friends at Scotland Yard.”
“Thank you, Sir Maurice. I’m very much obliged to you.”
    “Say nothing of it, Miss Coulthard. It’s the very least I can do.” He rubbed his hand over his chin. “Now, Miss Hobbes, let us adjourn to my desk and see if we can’t plan our next move.”
    “I’ll be with you directly, Sir Maurice, just as soon as I’ve organised this pot of tea.” She watched as he disappeared through the partition door, unsure what to make of his sudden change in demeanour.
     
     
    “So what you’re saying is that you’re not convinced that the automaton was the cause of the disaster?”
    Newbury nodded. His colour had returned and he seemed imbued once again with his usual energy. Veronica had to admit she was relieved; when he’d walked through the door that morning she’d been just about ready to hail a cab and ferry him to the nearest doctor. Now, after a recuperative cup of tea and a few minutes spent composing a note for Mrs. Coulthard, he was cheerfully engaged in outlining his current thoughts on the matter in hand. “What I’m saying is that I’m willing to hold off judgement until I’ve seen the evidence for myself. I’ve seen one or two of these automatons demonstrated in my time, and they’re certainly amazing creations. Technology moves quickly, these days. If you’ve any doubt, just look up at the sky,” he gestured with both of his hands, “Chapman and Villiers is one of the pre-eminent air transportation organisations in London.
    If even a quarter of those airships above the city are under the control of an automaton, then in my book that’s a wondrous thing indeed!”
    “I don’t doubt you’re right, Sir Maurice, but we must be sure not to let our enthusiasm for technological developments cloud our judgement in this matter.”
He looked at her slyly.
    “I can see you’ve got a sharp sense about you, Miss Hobbes. You’re absolutely right, of course. But equally I trust you will not damn the technology before we have carried out the due investigative process.”
    “Agreed. Even if Mr. Stokes is an odious wretch who did nothing but cloud my opinion of his organisation.”
    “Indeed. If we’re lucky we’ll have no further dealings with the man today.”
    Veronica sipped her tea thoughtfully. “So, what of the Whitechapel murders? Have you thought any further on the mystery of the glowing policeman?”
    Newbury shook his head, slowly. “Alas, I’ve had to forego that particular case, for the time being, anyway. If we get to the bottom of this airship issue quickly enough, I’ll see what I can do to help. Otherwise, I’ll just have to point Charles in the right direction and hope he can get to the bottom of it himself. He’s got plenty of good men at his disposal, and if the case does turn out to have a supernatural origin, it won’t be the first time