Don't Look Back

Chapter 48

Stepping into her home after her purposeful visit to her husband Eliza sighed. She had shed some tears for the man that must be gone now, but felt free... Much like she had nearly six years ago when Mr. Campion died. But he was old, and to a small degree not a surprise to anyone when he suddenly died. Sidney was young...

Lucky for her he had just come from a fight. It would be easy enough to say something else happened.

Soon she would need to appear the grieving widow and would be more than able to play the part.

Sidney was beautiful and desirable... She would miss him for how he used to be with her when they were young. But now she and her unborn child were free. Perhaps there was even time to catch Lord Sellac. She was now again a rich woman and soon she would be a Lady.

Going into her parlor she went to her writing desk and penned her lover a letter, anticipating soon to hear of her widow state. She would send for him then, and surely he would choose her. She would bring him far more wealth...and carried his child. Not too far along either. A fact she hadn't the chance to tell him.

Eliza waited up but no one called as she had expected and exhaustion took her over as she sat awake by the fire holding the letter she was eager to send off as soon as there was news. But it was morning before the bell rung.

Though tired she stood and went to the landing.

"Oh Mrs. Parker!" the ghastly woman from Sidney's apartment burst in past her butler, manservant, and maid.

"Mrs. Parker, dreadful, it is just dreadful." she dabbed at her wet eyes.

Eliza wanted to smile but she knew to feign confusion, and perhaps outrage at such an intrusion.

"Yes, what is it that you would call at such an hour?" she asked coming down the stair.

The woman shook her head. "It is your husband... Mr. Parker." she halted as if the words could not emerge.

"Yes...." Eliza said impatiently. She needed to hear it.

"He is dead. Died shortly after you left him." she wailed. "I should have checked him sooner. It's all my fault." she nearly dropped to her knees and her butler helped the woman to the bench.

"Jasper, get this woman a shot of whiskey. Surely she is not speaking sense." Eliza acted to make it seem as if she had no notion that this hysteric was the truth.

The butler nodded and went to his duty and returned with a glass full of fine, quality whiskey.

"My husband just had a little headache." Eliza shook her head. "Surely he could not have died from a trifling headache."

The woman wailed. "I know nothing of such things." she sniffed. "I just found him...expired on the floor. I took too long to check. It is of course my fault." she sobbed.

Eliza looked suddenly stricken. "You are sure?"

"Saw him with my own eyes I did." the woman said. "Do you wish to see him? Undertaker is coming soon to collect him. I have him laid out ever so nicely."

Eliza recoiled, recalling the grey ash face of Mr. Campion. The body she had been forced to participate in laying out.

"No, I think I cannot... The news has quite shocked me," she said acting faint. "I think...I think I need a doctor," she said as she weakly sank to the floor in a false collapse to end this now unnecessary conversation.

All the servants acted promptly while the messenger remained where she was, observing the spectacle. Looking to the floor she found a small piece of paper and smiled as she pocketed it before the action was noticed.

It was addressed and sealed.

"I could fetch the doctor." she offered.

"Already sent for." a woman hustled in as Eliza was hefted up into Jasper's arms.

Mrs. Fielding held the glass of whiskey in her hand now and drank it down and then satisfied put it on the table. Her wailing having ceased for a moment now resumed as if it had never ended and she turned.

"I will get out of the way then." she parted but no one paid her any mind.

Looking to the parlor she noticed two silver candle holders with candles and she hustled to them and opened her large bag and shoved them in along with the tapered sticks which were expensive.

Looking around she noticed the clock and then turned frustrated not being able to find anything else small or valuable. At last, she noticed the whiskey bottle and grabbed that as well.

Surely she would know who took them, but considering the hot water, she was about to be in she was likely not to overthink a missing clock or silver, candlestick holders.

Nipping out of the house she rushed to the alley street lined with small carts for small wears.

Hurrying to sell the stolen goods before they could be found in her hands. Save for the whiskey... That was worth keeping and nipping on from time to time.

Still, she wasted no time bargaining the stolen goods and making a tidy profit before she went back home to bring the news to the handsome Mr. Parker.

She wondered what would happen next. Smiling Mrs. Fielding mused that her life had never been more fascinating. Perhaps Mr. Parker would show his gratitude more emotionally. Maybe even he would look her way. She mused as she looked at herself in a mirror and then scowled and then laughed at her foolishness. He was a handsome man and she was not in his league.
Entering her building she found the Night Watchman had finally made his appearance.

"Ah, So the Night Watchman has finally graced us with his presence to make a statement," she said putting her hand on her hip.

The man wearing his great blue overcoat turned and the bright flash of his scarlet waistcoat caught her eye. "Mrs. Fielding, it has been a long time."

She rolled her eyes. "Mr. Tinklest, I am disappointed you did not come straight away last evening. All that came to my door was the Bowstreet Runners when I expected you."

He nodded. "Yes, and considering the nature of the crime and the desire of the victim we moved after an evaluation from a chemist and a physician. Now both have been able to execute their duties, I can be sure to draw up a full report on the allegations."

She rummaged in her pocket. "Not yet, I have something. I have just come from the witch's house and she thinks he is dead. She dropped this when she pretended to faint." she said handing it over.

"Stealing the post is a serious offense Mrs. Fielding." he cautioned.

She bit her lip, her cheeks crimson. "Well give it to the man upstairs. He is her husband and has every right to open it."

The man looked at her. "I would have it back to you to save me the trouble, but I don't trust you to see the task through."

She scoffed. "Go on." she waved him off as he went back up but she followed eagerly behind.

Knocking Mr. Tinklest opened the door knowing Sidney was resting.

"Sorry to disturb you, but your landlady Mrs. Fielding seems to have...well...stolen this from your wife," he said handing it to him.

Sidney reached for it and recognized the address. "It is her lover," he muttered and looked up. "You as a witness?" he asked the watchman.

The official nodded. "If you think it necessary."

Sidney nodded. "It may be." Opening it he unfolded the letter and he laughed and then looked to Mrs. Fielding. "She already wrote this?" he asked. "Before you told her I was dead?"

She nodded. "Fell from her. I don't right know-how... but when she was picked up there it sat."

The Watchman frowned. "May I?" He asked.

Sidney cleared his throat. "Will she hang?" he asked.

The man shook his head. "I do not know."

Sidney handed the paper over and sighed thinking of Flora.