Anatomy of Murder

7

Mr. Palmer found that his thoughts turned over better in his head when he could move rather than stare at the walls of his office at the Admiralty. He knew the ways well enough to walk without paying much attention to his immediate surroundings, instead thinking over his various stratagems and those he suspected might be in play against himself and his masters. He was just returning to the building and deciding how best to arrange a private meeting with Mrs. Westerman and Mr. Crowther when he realized he was about to trip over a small and very pale-faced lad who was looking fearfully up at the building’s imposing frontage.

“Can I help you, boy?”

The boy started. “I’m looking for the Admiralty Board. The head clerk.” He reached into the waistband of his breeches and pulled out a piece of paper, only slightly crumpled. “I’ve got a note.” He then noticed the paper was bent and began to try and smooth it against his thin chest. Mr. Palmer thought this treatment might do it more harm than good and put out his hand.

“That’s Mr. Jacobs, I shall give it to him.” Once he had hold of the paper he flicked it open. The wife of one of the clerks had died suddenly and the man was requesting a half-day to bury her on the morrow. “Very well. Tell Mr. Mitchell he has the permission.” He reached into his purse and pulled out a shilling and put it into the boy’s hand. His fingers shut over it smartly and he turned to hurry out into the road again. Mr. Palmer frowned.

“Boy!” The lad turned again and came back with great reluctance. When he had got close enough he opened his palm and offered the coin up again.

“I knew you didn’t mean to give me a whole shilling.” His face was so sorry Mr. Palmer couldn’t fully conceal a smile.

“No, boy. You may keep the coin. I just wanted to ask how his wife died. Was she with child?”

“Broke her skull,” the boy said rather miserably. “So he says, anyway.”

Mr. Palmer, his head full of Fitzraven, simply nodded. “Indeed. Convey our regrets and sympathies,” and when the boy looked entirely blank: “I mean tell him the gentlemen here say they are sorry for his loss.”

The clouds on the boy’s face cleared and he trotted out into the road.