A Despicable Crime: The Adventures of Xavier & Vic, Sleuths Extraordinaire, #9

By Liza O'Connor

Family contacts that Xavier Thorn had long ago hidden from his life, suddenly return.

His beloved great-grandmother, which his father had declared dead when Xavier was six, turns out to be alive and annoyed that his father is stealing money from her bank account and the bank won't stop him.

As matters escalate from theft to murder to a most despicable crime, Xavier learns more about his father who has hated him all his life and discovers some good news. However, first, he must secure his great-grandmother and his mother, since the connection between the two ladies and Xavier has become known to several Crime Lords. As the man responsible for keeping all Crime Lords in line, the two ladies are now in danger of becoming hostages.

It's a hard month for Vic. Due to saying too much while teaching the Scotland Yard officers on how to stop forgeries, Vic believes she has lost Xavier's love. Also, her crazy sister Claire burns down the house Claire lives in simply because it could not be put into her name. Then Vic's sister arrives at Xavier and Vic's house with the intention of killing them all.

Family can be so difficult!

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Authors Online
• Release date: Aug 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393458210

Liza O'Connor

   Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens in a myriad of genres. http://www.lizaoconnor.com/   

Book preview

Chapter 1

An old woman, seated on the other side of his desk, droned on and on. Honestly, Xavier had no idea why she was here. Worse yet, she seemed to be telling her story backwards, or at least he suspected as much. Every time he took the effort to listen, she was talking about something that happened further in the past.

If she had been a man, he would have tossed her out long before now, but she was almost the spitting image of his great grandmother whom he had truly loved. Now that he gave the matter more thought, his great-grandmother often told him stories in reverse, insisting a person could learn more by going back.

We all know where we are, but the past we know is often nothing but nonsense. She would then give him a hard glare. I expect better of you, young man. You are like me. We remember the truth, not some made up magpie, pretending to be a sparrow.

Yes, this woman sounded a great deal like his dead great-grandmother. She also made statements that truly made no sense.

He missed his great-grandmother. She would tear into his father, declaring his son, a boy of three, could out think and reason the rest of the family.

And for that reason alone, he didn’t yell at the old gal for wasting his time. No, he would just wait her out, until either Vic returned, she died of old age, or he lost his mind.

An hour later, the woman ended her story. So, what do you think? she asked.

I think I need to find Vic and let him sort this out.

Yes, he would have no doubt figured out the truth in the first few minutes.

Do you know Victor? Xavier asked.

I have yet to meet him. However, Mrs. Albright declared him an intuitive genius.

Then why didn’t you just sit quietly and wait for Victor? Xavier snapped.

Well, I thought you wished to try, but evidently not. You just wished to waste my time. I must say, I expected better of you.

His great grandmother would say those very words when he would take on an air of superiority.

With a heavy sigh, he focused on her. I apologize. Let us try this again, only this time, perhaps you can get to the point a bit faster.

She chuckled. Now you sound like your father, only he wanted money; you just want to be done with this nonsense.

You know my father? Xavier challenged.

What a silly question! The old lady paused and placed her hand to her chest. You don’t know who I am!

Sorry, no, he admitted.

Then why did you allow me to rattle on for so long. You are not known for having patience.

True enough, but you remind me of my great-grandmother, whom I loved dearly. Thus, I have endured, Xavier admitted.

The old woman burst into laughter, until tears ran down her cheeks.

Xavier frowned at her. Have you been drinking, for I do not understand your current hysterics.

Just then, Vic entered the office. I’m back!

Thank God! both the old woman and Xavier exclaimed in unison.

Vic looked at the old lady, then Xavier, then the old lady. Are you related to Xavier?

I am, but he seems to have forgotten all about me, the woman replied with a loud huff.

How are we related? Xavier demanded.

Vic tugged him out of his chair. Allow me to find out. You seem to be most stressed. She then leaned in and whispered, Tubs has two minor Crime Lords in the basement. He needs you to scare them into behaving properly.

Excellent! I will get right on the matter, and you deal with whatever this is. He then leaned in and whispered, Good luck!

Upon seeing Xavier out, she smiled at the old woman. Would you like some tea?

I don’t wish to put you out...

Not a bother. Pete makes a very fine cup of tea. She went to the door and spoke to the young man in the front office, then returned to the client. With a heavy sigh, she focused on the woman. I cannot imagine you came here just to remind Xavier you are related to him, so we’ll deal with why Xavier claims he doesn’t know you later. Let’s first focus on what has upset you.

To be honest, I didn’t wish to deal with Xavier at all. Then Madam Albright told me he had taken on a brilliant partner who might be able to help me without Xavier even knowing. So, I came over to speak to you. Only you weren’t here, and Xavier was evidently bored...you know how he hates being stuck inside when there has to be interesting crimes going on somewhere. She rolled her eyes. I was willing to wait for you, only Xavier demanded I tell him my story. He was so impersonal that I got a bit put out, so I told him my story backwards.

Vic’s brow furrowed. Do you mean you spoke every word in reverse order?

No, that would have gotten me thrown out for certain. I began in the present and then moved backward, sharing important details that would have no relevance until I finished my backwards story.

Just then a knock sounded on the door and a moment later, Pete entered with a tray containing all the accoutrements required for tea. Vic thanked him once he set the tray down and sent him back to his desk.

How do you like your tea? Vic asked.

I prefer to fix my own, she said and began to poke about the various bowls. I am most impressed. You not only have sugar, crème, and honey, but some very fine spices as well.

Once both Vic and the woman had their teas, Vic leaned back in her chair. May I ask why you told Xavier your story backwards? You were very lucky he didn’t toss you out.

The woman laughed heartedly. He couldn’t. While he may have tried very hard to forget me, something inside him still knew who I was.

And how are you related to Xavier?

I am his great-grandmother, Vivian.

Ah...I see the problem. Xavier’s parents told him you died long ago.

"Well, that explains a great deal, and it is pertinent to why I am here. His father, my grandson, is constantly taking money from my bank account. I have spoken to the bankers, and they assure me that no one is stealing from me, but every Christmas, several thousand pounds disappear from my accounts.

"Since the bankers refused to help or stop this theft, I withdrew my money and took it to a different bank, and for five years, all was good. Then the thefts began again. I complained to the banker and they treated me like a child while they assured me that all was fine.

"So, I moved my money yet again. I move my money to another bank every year now, but it is exhausting and unreasonable for me to have to do this. While I am quite certain the culprit is Xavier’s father, Daniel, I require proof, but all of the banks have treated me like I’m an old woman without the capacity to think.

On the bright side, I am glad you told me why Xavier refused to acknowledge me. I am more certain you and Xavier will figure out how Daniel is doing this.

I have a personal question for you. Why do you appear so young, for a woman who is a great-grandmother?

Young, am I? Oh, you are a charmer. She met Vic’s gaze. "Back in those days, girls were married off quickly, sometimes even before the curse arrived. My curse arrived when I was thirteen and I was married to a middle-aged fellow. I bore him a son to carry on his name and then my husband thoughtlessly died. Rutherford was all his father. So, he married early, mostly to get away from me, I imagine. I had tried my hardest to improve him. He married a child bride of twelve, no doubt believing she’d be easier to deal with than I was. The girl stayed with her parents until she reached fifteen. Then Rutherford demanded his share of the money due him and his father’s property at once, so he could bring home his wife.

"I provided him a list of potential men of business and told him to hire one and claim his money and properties on his own. I had neither time nor desire to run about doing his chores. Nor was he happy to discover the London home did not belong to him. It would remain my home. Thus, we separated on bad terms.

Once he found a man of business that was not on the list that I provided him, he spent most of his money on his new London house, expecting the country home to continue to provide him income as his and his young bride entertained lavishly.

"While I have always been frugal with my funds, Rutherford was both a spendthrift and a fool, not to mention his man of business was charging him outrageous fees for his services. When his wife provided him a son, Rutherford’s spending increased to an alarming degree. I’ve no doubt he spent his money on his mistresses and gambling.

"From the day he was born, Daniel was spoiled rotten. All he had to do was throw a tantrum and he would get whatever he wanted. All his bad habits he learned from his father. By the time Daniel became of age, there was no money or land for him to inherit. Rutherford had sold off his farmland, thinking it worthless, when in fact, it was their only means to survive.

Thus, the moment he reached maturity, at eighteen, Daniel sought out the wealthiest young woman he could find. That turned out to be a big nosed, but very bright young lady, with a stubborn streak a mile long.

Sounds like Xavier, Vic muttered.

"Xavier has all her good points and a few of her bad ones, such as her temper. All the same, he should consider himself lucky, since there was no good in Daniel whatsoever.

"Still, Daniel was my only grandson, and I tried to love him, but he was just like his father. Full of hate, resentments, and vinegar.

Unfortunately, there was no love between Charlotte and Daniel. It did not help that once she began showing, Daniel brought his mistress into the house, and into his bed. Charlotte retaliated by encouraging women to resist men and their tyrannical ways. She caused quite a disruption. Daniel demanded she stop her nonsense, or he would have her locked up in Bedlam. In the end, Charlotte agreed that if he removed his mistress from their house, then she would cease causing trouble.

I imagine the society ladies did not take well to Daniel’s nor Charlotte’s behavior, Vic observed.

Even before Charlotte began rallying the women, she was not welcomed into the inner circles, so she didn’t have as much to lose as most women would have. It was not just because she was an American, but also due to her lack of beauty. While a tall thin man might be able to carry that nose, a young dainty woman could not.

Vivian sighed heavily, as if these times weighed her down. I spent six years with them, living in their house, after Xavier was born. I tried to help Charlotte fit in with the society ladies. But between Xavier’s short birth, Charlotte’s nose and her rabblerousing, and Daniel’s constant debts, not to mention his mistress living in their house and sleeping in his bed, society wanted little to do with them.

Vic pondered the ‘short months’ statement. Are you saying Xavier is possibly not Daniel’s son?

While everyone denies that possibility, that is exactly what I’m saying. But since Xavier is far superior than those before him, I convinced Daniel a five-month birth was perfectly natural and to leave it alone. If he accused Charlotte of being with another man, the contract Daniel signed would require him to return all her dowry. Since he had already spent half of it, he wisely let the matter be. The only one he seemed to resent and abuse for the situation was Xavier.

Vic intended to share that bit of information with Xavier. It would no doubt please him greatly to know he was not Daniel’s son. However, she needed to resolve the banking issue first.

I believe we can resolve your thefts quick enough. We can go about it in several different ways. A direct assault means that Daniel and his wife will be found guilty of theft and probably sent to prison. While Daniel might scrape by and get released, Charlotte, being an American, probably will die in jail.

That is unacceptable. I’ll just keep moving the money.

There is danger there as well. Many of the current banks are on the brink of collapse. You could lose everything if you make a bad choice.

Is it possible for you to assess the banks and suggest a good one?

Xavier is much better in assessing investments, so he will locate a solid bank for you. Vic paused. Xavier, I can smell your cologne, so you might as well come in, hug your great-grandmother whom you have loved all your life, and assist us in our planning.

Xavier opened the door and hurried to the old woman, kneeling before her chair. Great-grams, my father told me that you had died.

No, Xavier. He left me with two choices. Either I pay off his debts or I was dead to him and had to leave at once. I chose the second option, and thus, was literally thrown out of the house. I had to walk several blocks before a cabbie stopped to give me a ride.

Vic spoke up at once. Never get in a cab in London. The business is rife with kidnappers who will take you to an opium den and get you addicted.

Is that true? she asked Xavier.

Yes, but thankfully that did not happen to you. However, Victor came close to being kidnapped for ransom once.

Not true! Vic objected. First, I didn’t get close to the carriage, since I innately knew there was danger within. Secondly, you and Tubs drove up and cut the fellow off. I got in your carriage before any of the kidnappers had managed to get out of theirs.

Vic turned to Vivian. Truly, I was never in harm’s way, except for Xavier bellowing at me.

Vivian laughed. You are such a delightful young man. No wonder my great-grandson thinks so highly of you!

Xavier’s forehead wrinkled. I’ve thought you dead since I was six, and you’ve never met Victor before today, so how could you possibly conclude that I think highly of the fellow?

Let me first say I am glad I am not dead and that we have reconnected, Xavier. For you have always been dear to my heart. However, to your objection, I’ll have you know I have an excellent sense of smell. And like you and Victor, I have excellent deduction skills. You not only think well of Victor, but I dare say you love her. She then turned to Vic. Living one’s life as a man definitely has its advantages. But it must be a difficult secret to keep from the world.

Vic contemplated denying her true gender, but she could not lie to this dear woman. Not as hard as you might expect, Vic admitted. I have a very loyal staff. We even have two sons, one that nearly killed me during his birth, and the other I rescued from a baby farmer."

May I meet them? Vivian asked.

Of course! Our home is right across the street, Vic assured her.

Xavier hugged his great-grandmother. Thank you, Vivian, for being the same tolerant, loving woman I treasured as a child.

Once they locked up, Vic stopped. Hold on! Is Tubs still in the basement?

No, I resolved that issue before I came to see how you were getting on with our mystery guest.

Vivian spoke up at once. We were getting on very nicely. But we had not yet concluded how to proceed. Should we not take care of that matter first?

We shall, Xavier declared, but there is no reason we cannot do so in our library.

Chapter 2

As they crossed the street, Xavier chided Vic for revealing she was female. While Vivian is entirely trustworthy, I hope you are more careful hiding matters with others. There are a great many people who will be outraged if they discover your true gender.

Vic scowled. Well thankfully, your undead great-grandmother can be trusted, since I did not tell her anything about myself. She happens to be highly intelligent!

Vivian jumped into their conversation. And I have a good nose. Females smell differently than males.

Only if there is blood, which there cannot be for Vic, Xavier challenged.

Xavier, life is more complex than that. There is a mild scent for both men and women, and they are decidedly different.

Damnation. Vic! You are to go to Dr. Connors tomorrow and ask him to provide you with a male’s odor! I will not risk your life being ruined. He then turned to Vivian. Victor is the finest intuitive sleuth I’ve ever known. To be honest, he exceeded my capabilities several years ago.

That’s not entirely true, Vic objected. No one can bellow and bluster people into action faster than Xavier. One of the main crime lords of London still thinks I’m just a parrot capable of delivering Xavier’s words, while Xavier robs me of my money. Seeing a look of outrage on Vivian’s face, Vic added, Which of course he is not doing! Xavier is the most honest and trustworthy man I have ever known.

Having arrived at the front door, Vic slammed the brass knocker three times. She then grinned at Vivian. My butler is very busy, so he doesn’t have time to stand at the door just in case someone arrives.

Just then Gregory opened the door and waved them all in. David is teaching the pups how to work together as a team. I may attempt to instill some of his teachings upon my staff as well. He then focused on Vivian. I see you have brought a guest.

While his words were spoken politely, Vic could still hear the complaint, and what with Vivian showing