The Atlas Murders Read Online Free PDF Page B

taking in several art galleries and museums.
    The late summer evening was
warm as the heat of the day still radiated from the concrete and stone of the
city. Henry strolled along the streets by the River Thames where the elegant
buildings lent him a feeling of comfort and belonging. London held that magic
ambience that nourished the pride of an Englishman; here he knew was the
birthplace of all things British. He felt proud as he stood on Tower Bridge and
watched the ships and barges sailing the mighty river. He thought it his duty
if it ever came to it, to sail away on a ship and be part of the great naval
tradition of this country - his would be a unique duty.
     
    The next morning was bright
and hot as he walked to his appointment, crossing busy streets and dodging
morning traffic. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, boys on messenger bicycles
with big laden baskets, cars, black London cabs and trucks laden with goods coming
and going to the docks.
    By contrast, the shipping
office was quiet as a church, an orderly sanctuary away from the bustle of the
streets. The polite and very correct secretary showed him to a stiff and solid
African hard wood chair. She proffered her small delicate hand. "Sir, may
I call you Mr. Carter?"
    "Yes but of course, I'd
prefer if you'd call me Henry." He held her delicate, childlike hand in
his. Her attractive blue-ray eyes seemed to be searching his soul - she made no
effort to disengage the handshake.
    "My introduction to the civilized
world is, Veronica Martha Twist. A little bit of a mouthful but the older
generation believed in stamping our presence with plenty of aplomb. You may
call me Vera…" She hesitated slightly, "Henry." She released the
handgrip and brushed ever so delicately against him as she bent to take a
magazine from the seat of the chair. Henry felt a pert breast brush against his
upper arm.
     "I'm pleased to make
your acquaintance, Vera."
    "I'm sure we'll be seeing
quite a bit of one another. Captain Leavy-Hobbs asked me to be of as much
assistance to you as you deem necessary. So anything I can help you with, don’t
hesitate to ask. I don’t want to be inquisitive about your work, but I am
Captain Leavy-Hobbs's personal secretary and confidentiality is
paramount."
     "I'm sure it is Vera,
and I may need all the assistance I can get from yourself and the good captain."
     "You may have to wait
about ten minutes. One of our ships arrived into East India Dock last night and
her Master is with Captain Leavy-Hobbs at the moment. I'm making tea now, would
you like me to include you in the pot?"
    "Thank you that would be
kind of you."
    She went through a door at
the end of the office. No doubt a small kitchen plus private quarters, thought
Henry. A person he mused, with a deceiving amount of qualities and surprising
interests, like a diamond with lots of facets that when caught by light could
probably burst into shafts of brilliance. He could hear the clink of china and
cutlery emanating from her scullery and reverberating around the walls and
ceilings of the great old room like an irregular heartbeat.
    Moments later she appeared
carrying a large tray she seemed to be struggling with, and laid it on the
counter top. She poured from the china teapot with its little spout sticking
out through the tea cozy.
    "Sugar Henry."
    "Two please and
milk." She laid two ginger nut cookies on the saucer and took her tray to
the door leading to the inner sanctum where Captain Leavy-Hobbs was in
conference with the ship's master.
    "Could you please knock
for me, Henry?"
    He knocked on the paneled
door and turned the knob to let her enter. Vera spoke loudly.
    "Tea sirs."
    "Come in please."
    Putting the tray down on a
side table, she carefully poured the tea and quietly left the room.
    "Captain Leavy-Hobbs
will see you shortly, would you like some more tea?"
    "Yes, thank you
Vera."
    "You'll be glad to know,
Henry that all you asked Captain Leavy-Hobbs for is ready for you, it took me a
bit of