Detective Watters Mysteries

Chapter 6-1

The newly installed gas lighting hissed quietly in the background, giving an unusually bright glow that Watters found strangely disturbing. "Are you sure that these precautions are necessary, Sergeant Watters? They seem quite extreme and will cut into my profit." Beaumont studied the paper that Watters had handed to him. "Guards at every door of the factory and hourly patrols for the mills would mean extra hands, which would incur more wages to pay."

"I am aware of the expense, sir," Watters agreed, "but that"s two attacks on your mills within a week, plus a murder and possible fire-raising on one of your ships. There was also that red-whiskered fellow at your daughter"s wedding. It would be foolish not to take precautions."

They were in the drawing room at Mount Pleasant House, with the fire throwing warmth toward them and Morag the maid clearing away the remains of a light tea. Cattanach, Beaumont"s clerk, stood at Beaumont"s side, his face expressionless and his shoulders bowed in fawning servility. In the opposite corner, Amy Beaumont and Elizabeth Caskie discussed the latest fashions over their embroidery. Their voices intruded on the silence as Beaumont read through Watters"s list again.

"White muslin is so fashionable, Elizabeth." Amy plied her needle with speed, intending to complete her work faster than her friend.

"No, no, Amy, it is clear muslin that is the thing nowadays, or perhaps ratlatane, but not Indian cotton stuff in which the poor people disport themselves. Look in the window of Neil"s of Reform Street; they have all the latest fashions straight from London, I declare."

"Oh, Elizabeth! I wouldn"t be seen abroad in Indian cotton! The very idea!" Amy put the back of her hand to her forehead as if she would swoon at the thought.

Watters hid his smile. He wondered if the histrionics were intended for his benefit or if they were fashionable for teenage girls.

"And talking about Neil"s, did you see that delicious ball robe that they had displayed? And the blue Louisa crepe bonnet? Oh, Elizabeth, I could have died to have worn it!"

"Blue, Amy? Not quite my colour. No, no, grey is more seemly. Grey crepe grooved and adorned with fresh vernal roses. I saw an absolute gem of a bonnet in that same shop. All decorated with ribbon and field flame and finished with a muslin burnous. Quite lovely." Elizabeth paused for a second as Amy leaned forward in agreement. "Of course, Charlotte will have the very best of Paris fashions now, with William"s good friends over there."

"Oh, Elizabeth," Amy touched her arm, "I will be surprised if poor William has much time to spend with Charlotte, the number of letters you write to him." She laughed, covering her mouth with her fan. "Scribble, scribble, scribble, all day long."

"He has time to write back," Elizabeth said, with her tone slightly tart, "so I am sure he will have time for his new bride." Leaning forward, she whispered something that made Amy giggle, and they resumed their embroidering.

Watters paid more attention, wondering if he could learn anything about William Caskie. Did William Caskie have friends in France? Here is that French connection again.

Did William Caskie have friends in France? Here is that French connection again.Beaumont put down the list. "Precautions against what, Sergeant Watters? Do you seriously believe that somebody has a grudge against me?"

"That is a possibility, sir," Watters said.

"One of my business rivals, you mean?" Prosperity had given Beaumont a pronounced paunch without detracting from the sharpness that had made him one of Dundee"s leading businessmen. He examined Watters"s proposal again, querying every entry. "I don"t believe that is the case, Sergeant Watters. The business community in Dundee is not of that ilk. Mr Cox is a gentleman of the finest water, as are the Baxters. No, no, you must be mistaken. I have given this matter some thought, and I believe it is a coincidence. Only that."

"Perhaps so, sir." Watters thought it would be tactful to give ground. "And I sincerely hope that you are correct. But in case you are not, we must ensure that your people are aware of the dangers of fire. As you see, I have suggested that you disallow any smoking with the men handing in their pipes and tobacco when they enter the mill."

"Oh, this is too much, Sergeant Watters! Damn it all, man; I have a business to run, and now you expect me to nursemaid my staff? It won"t do, Sergeant. It won"t do at all!" Beaumont threw the papers to the floor, which caused Amy to look up in pretended alarm. She rose from her seat in a whisper of petticoats and rushed across the room.

"Papa! Don"t fret yourself so!" Adjusting her crinoline, she knelt at his side. "You"re just upset because Charlotte is away. I am sure Sergeant Watters would not suggest anything to do you harm, would you, Sergeant Watters?" Her hazel eyes laughed at Watters.

"We are discussing business, Amy, my dear." Beaumont"s voice changed when he spoke to his daughter. "It is a minor disagreement, nothing more. Come, Amy, leave this sort of thing to the men. We understand it so much better. You remain with your sewing and piano lessons."

"Yes, Papa." Amy agreed so readily that Watters knew she was about to ask a favour. When Beaumont met his eye and winked, Watters realised that her father also understood his daughter. The crusty businessman had revealed his tender side. "Papa?" Amy pressed herself against her father and smiled into his eyes, the elfin face as innocent as any child.

"Yes, Amy?" Mr Beaumont asked.

"May I crave an indulgence, Papa?"

"Another, Amy?" Mr Beaumont looked over to Watters in mock despair but could not hide the affection that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "What do you require of me this time?"

"I only require your permission, Papa, and perhaps a little something from your wallet." When Amy widened her eyes in such a manner, she would have melted the heart of a gargoyle.

"More from my wallet? Amy, you are set to ruin me! Only last week you accompanied Elizabeth to Alyth on the railway at five shillings each for tickets!"

"Yes, Papa, and what a time we had! It was as fine an autumn day as you ever saw." Amy widened her eyes even further to emphasise the wonder of that occasion. "Papa, the waterfall at Reekie Lynn was so majestic! We had to picnic there and be thrilled by the splendid sight!" She lowered her head, eyes closing. "I was so grateful to you for allowing that indulgence, Papa."

"We both were grateful, Mr Beaumont." Elizabeth slid gracefully over to add her weight to Amy"s request. "It was such an adventure." She was not as tall as Amy and adopted a superior air that spoke of her twelve months advantage in age. "But Mr Beaumont, you will never know what Mama said when she heard we were travelling on the railway, quite unescorted."

"No, Elizabeth, what did your mother say?"

Elizabeth giggled and then composed herself as a young lady ought. "Mama gave us both a long hat pin and told us to be sure and place in between our teeth the second that the train entered a tunnel! She said that some men would take advantage of us and attempt to steal a kiss!"

"Mmm," Beaumont shook his head, "perhaps I should ask Sergeant Watters to accompany you in future."

Both girls threw an anxious glance at Watters, who ensured that his face remained without expression. He guessed that they were quite happy to travel unescorted, despite, or possibly because of, the threat from any unknown kiss-stealer.

Beaumont nodded. "Just so. And just two days since you were at the Corn Exchange Hall to see some performing artiste?"

"She was a female Blondin! Quite remarkable. Papa, she wheeled a loaded barrel across a rope that extended from the stage of the hall quite to the ceiling." Amy opened her mouth in wonder. "She did not tumble off once!"

"Not quite the pastimes I would prefer for you, Amy."

Watters said nothing. He and Marie had sat at the back of the audience. Amy was correct; the female Blondin had been an outstanding acrobat.

"So now what favour do you wish, Amy?" Beaumont asked. "You seem to have quite exhausted the attractions of Dundee."

"Elizabeth and I would like to visit the pleasure gardens in Newport, Papa. They are only five minutes from the landing stage, and all the fashionable world of Dundee visit. There is a pavilion for teas and strolls among the lawns with delightful views of the river." Amy waited hopefully, while Beaumont pretended to consider.

"All right then, Amy, but you take care on the passage. I"m not sure that all this to-ing and fro-ing is good for a girl."

"Yes, Papa." Amy agreed dutifully until her fingers closed on the two silver crowns that Beaumont extracted from his wallet. "We are not going until tomorrow forenoon."

"I will accept your proposals about the fires, Watters." With Amy out of the room, Beaumont dropped the formal “Sergeant.” "In future, I will build, or purchase, only fireproof, iron- framed factories. I"ll order my managers to go through each of my premises, ensure that the managers, and even the mill girls, understand the seriousness of fire hazard. I will ensure the hands leave nothing combustible lying around and the mill managers place buckets of water handy." He glanced at the door, presumably to make sure that Amy was not listening. "I can"t think that the unfortunate death on Lady of Blackness was anything to do with my company. Are you any further forward with your investigations?"

Lady of Blackness"Not much, sir," Watters admitted. "We are still searching for this fellow Jones."

"A lone seaman can vanish quickly," Beaumont agreed.

"Before I forget, sir, I would like to congratulate you on your elder daughter"s wedding." Watters started his gentle probing. "Mr Caskie seems an eminently respectable gentleman."

"I would like to think so." Beaumont was immediately suspicious. "I presume you mean in contrast to his father."

"Was Mr Caskie senior less than respectable?" Watters turned the question.

"What Mr Caskie was no longer matters," Beaumont said. "Let"s not speak ill of the dead." Beaumont"s geniality had all but vanished. "I will say this, Watters, Caskie senior and I did not see eye-to-eye about very much."

"I hope that you rub along better with the present William Caskie," Watters said, "especially now that you are family."

Beaumont stood up. "William is a different man from his father in every way. He is astute at business and honest in his dealings. I hope you are not suggesting that he is behind the fires in my factories."

"I am suggesting nothing, sir," Watters said.

"Good." Beaumont nodded. "William Caskie is family, and I take my family extremely seriously. Now, Sergeant, I am sure we both have duties to perform."

"I"m sure we do, sir." Watters lifted his hat and cane. "Please remember what I said about the factories. It may save your business both money and lives."

There were more than 120 factory chimneys in Dundee, from the tall, brick constructions whose ornamental summits spoke of urban pride to the old, squat, smoke-blackened structures that belched out black fumes barely ten feet above the tenement roofs. Some chimneys leaned drunkenly to one side; others seemed as solid as the law, but all hinted of the prosperity that had made one section of Dundee society among the wealthiest in Scotland.

Watters"s Chartist leanings came to the surface when he contemplated Dundee"s industry. It was because of the factories beneath these chimneys that middle- and upper-class Dundonians could saunter along Reform Street or the High Street, gazing at the splendid shops, or buy the solidly comfortable houses of West Ferry or the Perth Road. The owners ran pony-chaises and travelled first class in the railways, while the workers worked a sixty-hour week of ceaseless labour to earn their keep and precious little else.