In The Fog of London

The Doctor

A few days after the very pleasant meeting with Dr. Henry Jekyll, Kathrine was visited by her dearest brother, Utterson while working in her shop one afternoon. Before he'd arrived, she prepared some lunch for the two of them, as she had anticipated his visit from a short letter he'd sent her beforehand. "I've had the most peculiar few days," he muttered, staring at his tea with a furrowed brow, "I can hardly understand it. It's baffling to me what can happen in such a short span." Kathrine watched his face with worry. "Well, John, spill it then. You're on about something you won't even elaborate on, so you might as well just tell me." She huffed, anxiously bouncing her knee under the small table in her kitchen they sat at. "A day or so after the dinner I took you to, at Lanyon's, Enfeild experienced such a troubling thing. He confided in me just this past Saturday, when you were out." When I was at Henry's, she thought. "I was on a walk with my old cousin when he told me of a most unordinary event that happened near Leicester Square. A small man, of dwarfish stature and a most unpleasant countenance, trampled a young girl at a street corner and paid off the witnesses with a check signed in another man's hand. I've been so uneasy about this whole thing, Lynn. I'm to Lanyon's in Cavendish just after I leave your shop." Utterson explained in a most bewildered tone of voice. In was clear he was unsettled and, perhaps, hadn't rested well since he was told of the incident. "John?" Kathrine chimed after a long pause. The lawyer's eyes met her's as a means of acknowledging. "May I accompany you? To Lanyon's?" She asked, clutching her teacup in both hands. He stared at her for a long time, thinking. She could tell he was thinking, as his eyes seemed to look through her in a most distant way. John blinked and took a deep breath before sighing. "I suppose." He mumbled, "I'm sure Jillian would be happy to see you again." Kathrine looked satisfied and thanked him graciously before standing, "I'll just clean up some then I'll be ready."
The two arrived at Dr. Lanyon's without incident and were admitted inside by a servant. While Utterson was led into the study, Kathrine was taken up to Jillian's room, where the girl was waiting for her. "Oh, Miss Hughes!" The young girl piped, standing, "I was so happy to hear you and Mister Utterson were coming over! Father's been going on about that Dr. Jekyll fellow since last week. Do you know what Mister Utterson wanted to talk to him about?" She questioned curiously, walking up and taking Kathrine by the hand before leading her to a small seating area. There was a plate of fruit on a tiny table between the elegant, cream and pink upholstered chairs that matched Jillian's youthful, girlish room. The two sat and Kathrine could hardly contain herself, giggling mischievously. "I know a little." She whispered and Jillian leaned in. "I think it's in regard to a scandalous incident just down the road in Leicester Square..." She shared everything that the lawyer had told her, which caused Jillian to gasp. "How awful! I surely hope the child was alright." She whimpered, "Aside from that, I must tell you about father's huffing and puffing. He's been in correspondence with Dr. Jekyll and has blathered about what the doctor's been saying about science and medicine. Something about duality and - well, very fanciful stuff. Father's very traditional and isn't the most open-minded for anything not based in fact. I'm sure you know." Kathrine nodded as she listened to Jillian talk, although, she wasn't entirely listening. She was thinking about Henry again, primarily what they talked about over tea. How he explained his profession and asked about her family before talking about his own, how he introduced his head butler, Poole, to her in an effort to subtly hint he may invite her more often, and even just when he spoke about life and everyday things. She loved the sound of his voice, the way he talked about chemistry and tea and the finer things he enjoyed. "Miss Kathrine?" Jillian's voice cut into her daydreaming. "Yes, Jillian?" "You looked a bit distant. Is everything alright?" "I'm fine, Jillian, just deep in thought." Just then, there was a knock at the door and Utterson suddenly entered. "Pardon me, Jillian. Lynn, we've got to go." He spoke hurriedly. Kathrine stood and smoothed out her dress, "What's the rush?" She asked in perplexity. "I've some business to attend to, now come along." The lawyer left without hearing another word after that and Kathrine followed him out after bidding Jillian and Mr. & Mrs. Lanyon adieu. "A bit of a curt withdrawal, John... You seem ruffled, what troubles you?" She prodded as soon as they climbed into their carriage. "Business, business, Lynnie." Was all he said in a low, brusque monotone. She didn't ask any more after that, knowing Utterson would be shut up tighter than a safe if he'd only said that much. She knew he didn't like discussing his work very often, especially if it was work involving clients close to himself. He wasn't one to disclose personal information, like the clauses of a will for instance, with her, and she respected that.
Utterson did keep his lip buttoned and said not a single word until he called a farewell to Kathrine once he'd dropped her off. The sun was hanging low in the sky now and the last will and testament of his friend weighed heavy on his mind. His head swam with frightening visions of some phantom trampling children or preying on the innocent doctor, threatening with whatever fiendish trick could be used against him in order to steal away a cheque. He wondered if Kathrine could be in danger of encountering such a beast during once of her visits to the doctor's residence. He noted his friend had taken a particular interest in her and it seemed odd for a reserved gentleman such as Henry to be so intrigued by another human being. Could it be that..? No, she's much too excitable, he'd have his hands full, the lawyer thought, surprised at where his mind was taking him, But perhaps he might have grown tired of such a boring day-to-day. But he doesn't seem the least bit interested in Lynnie that way. Utterson sighed to himself, settling in his study with a furrowed brow and a grim countenance. As strange as it may be, he was determined, then, to meet this strange 'Hyde' that he'd been told about, and gaze upon him so he may put a face to this nightmarishly formidable entity that swept through his mind. If not for himself, then for his friend Harry Jekyll and his dear sister Kathrine. "If he shall be Mr. Hyde, then I shall be Mr. Seek."