Belle - Lesley Pearse [31]
Words were Noah’s livelihood, and he told the story of Belle hiding under the bed and witnessing Millie’s murder eloquently, adding dramatic and graphic details of things Miss Davis had only hinted at. He knew he was striking home when Garth uncrossed his arms and sat down on a chair, his pale blue eyes wide with shock.
‘I’m sure you can imagine how terrifying such a scene would’ve been to such a young and innocent girl,’ Noah finished up. ‘And she must have been even more shocked that her mother didn’t immediately tell the police the whole truth.’
‘Well, I have some sympathy for Annie in that,’ Garth said, dropping his harsh tone. ‘She’s done her best for the girl all these years; she wouldn’t want her questioned by the police and having to stand witness when they caught the murdering bastard.’
Noah felt more hopeful of the man’s help now his aggression had faded and been replaced by sympathy.
‘But if she’d told the police the truth, they might have caught him right away,’ he said. ‘Or at least they might have posted one of their men to watch the place.’
‘By the looks of you I’d say you ain’t that familiar with criminals,’ Garth said scornfully. ‘Or how useless the police can be.’
‘That’s why I need help from someone like you who knows the area, the people and how things work,’ Noah said.
Garth sucked in his breath. ‘Like I said, a landlord has to be impartial, wouldn’t do my trade no good if people thought I was passing out information.’
‘I’m not sure you can be truly impartial,’ Noah said, looking the big man right in the eye. ‘Not as Belle told Jimmy that she witnessed the murder, and the name of the man who did it. That puts Jimmy in danger too.’
Garth’s eyes widened. ‘Is that so, Jimmy?’ he asked. ‘And if it is, why didn’t you tell me this last night?’
‘I was tempted to, Uncle Garth,’ the lad replied nervously, hanging his head. ‘But I’d promised Belle to keep the secret. It’s only because Noah here thinks it’s the murderer who snatched her that I told him.’
Garth put his fist against his forehead as if in deep thought. ‘The girl knew the murderer?’ he asked eventually.
‘No. She’d never seen him before she saw him kill Millie, but Annie knew him as Mr Kent, he’d been to her place a few times,’ Noah explained. ‘She believes he’s also known as the Falcon.’
Garth’s big ruddy face blanched. ‘Holy damnation!’ he exclaimed. ‘He’s an evil one and no mistake, and he’d go to any lengths to save his own neck.’ He took a step nearer to his nephew and put one big hand on his shoulder. ‘From now on, son, I don’t want you setting foot outside the door on yer own.’
‘You know him then?’ Noah’s heart quickened.
‘Only by his reputation, never actually met him. But I know what he’s capable of. Reckon I’ll have to come in with you now, you don’t look capable of taking on that turd on yer own.’
Jimmy looked up at his uncle with an expression of shock and admiration with some delight thrown in. Noah guessed that the lad was more surprised by his uncle’s concern for him than by him offering his help in finding Belle.
‘I was told he wanted to take Millie to his place in Kent,’ Noah said. ‘Have you any idea where in Kent that might be?’
Garth sucked on his teeth thoughtfully. ‘I dunno, but he was a sailor, so I’ve heard tell. Sailors often make their home near the port they used to sail from. Could be Dover.’
‘Could you possibly find out for me?’ Noah asked. ‘Any information would be useful.’
‘I expect it would be,’ Garth said in a dry tone. ‘But before you go off half-cocked asking folk questions and talking wild, remember this cove is a vicious brute. He’ll slit yer throat in a back alley soon as look at yer, and he’ll ’ave my Jimmy too if he thinks he’s in on it.’
‘What would you suggest I do then?’ Noah asked nervously.
‘Start with Annie’s other girls. He’ll have been with one or two of ’em when Millie weren’t free. He may have dropped a pal’s name, mentioned family, places he drinks, or where he lives.’
‘Miss Davis said the girls nicknamed