The Disappearing Doctor by Jacqueline Beard

Author:Jacqueline Beard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical mystery, murder mystery, historical fiction, historical thriller, amateur sleuth, traditional detective
Publisher: Jacqueline Beard
Published: 2023-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Edwin Hickman

Lawrence stood outside Edwin Hickman's handsome terraced property, trying to count the floors, and wondering why one family needed quite so much space. He had walked from the hotel with the sun at its zenith, high in the sky and casting dappled rays over the honey-coloured bricks before him. Each property exactly resembled its neighbour, rising from iron-railed basements to a barely visible triple row of garret windows via an ornate iron balcony on the first floor. Lawrence estimated the buildings to be no more than thirty years old, sympathetically modelled as if they had always been there and complementing the park around which they lay. He glanced from door to door, looking for a window or cornerstone out of place. But they were faultlessly identical, and Lawrence wholeheartedly approved. Nothing bothered him more than haphazardness, and he decided he could live here if funds allowed. Not all of London was loathsome, it appeared. But though Lawrence was wealthy, he doubted his bank balance would stretch that far, and he wondered what profession Mr Hickman enjoyed affording such a fine dwelling.

Conscious that he had been standing still for so long that it was becoming suspicious, Lawrence headed for the darkly painted door set beneath four Doric pillars. He rapped loudly, exhibiting confidence he didn't feel. Ada Whittall might well desire his presence at her friend's father's house, but at no stage had she confirmed that Edwin Hickman had agreed to see him. For all Lawrence knew, the butler might meet him at the door brandishing a shotgun before ordering him from the premises. As it happened, the smartly dressed gentleman who answered the door smiled benignly.

"Mr Harpham, I presume."

Lawrence concealed a flicker of surprise. "Mr Hickman?"

"Indeed." Hickman offered his hand, and Lawrence accepted the firm shake. "Miss Whittall said you might call. Please follow me," he said, leading Lawrence down a long, black-and-white tiled passageway.

"It's too hot to talk inside," said Hickman. "And I'd prefer to keep this conversation away from my wife and children. They've suffered enough."

"Of course," murmured Lawrence as they passed through an orangery at the rear of the house. Tall, silver, elephant-shaped gilt planters contained exotic blooms that Lawrence did not recognise, while an enormous pair of feathered fans adorned one wall.

They emerged into a walled garden, and Edwin Hickman gestured to Lawrence to sit.

"A remarkable room," said Lawrence, nodding towards the orangery.

"Ah. Yes. A few memories from Spain. Another voyage looms, and I cannot put it off for much longer, but my wife is in no condition to be left alone. I am fortunate that Sir William understands."

Lawrence raised an eyebrow, desiring to know more but reluctant to pry while the man was still dealing with the aftermath of his daughter's death.

"I am a merchant," Hickman explained. "A Spanish merchant."

"Hence the travel," said Lawrence, nodding his head. "It must be an interesting life."

"But not glamourous," said Edwin Hickman with the ghost of a smile. "If I told you I mainly trade in Seville, you would doubtless think of exotic spices, Spanish antiquities and the like.

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