Chapter 5

“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence... The question is, what can you make people believe that you have done?”

-Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet

True to their word, the two cops ratted on me. I had to leave the emergency room and was denied admittance to the ICU. When two beefy hospital security guards suddenly appeared to escort me out, I went quietly.

I exited the hospital lot and pulled into a nearby side street to phone Tom’s bookshop. Debra Yates answered. She often fills in for Tom while he does appraisals. She was shocked when I relayed what had happened.

“The doctor told me Tom was lucky, and she was right. The odds of a fatal fall down stairs are very high, similar to being stabbed to death,” I explained as a sea of insurance statistics on mortality floated through my brain.

“DD, Tom’s given me power of attorney in order to do various transactions. I’ll bring that to the hospital straight away. They’ll have to let me see him even though I’m not a relative.”

“Good thinking, Debra. And call his attorney too, just in case. And keep me informed.”

“I will,” she promised. “I know Tom would want you to investigate what happened. If he said someone tried to kill him, then that’s what happened. For Tom’s sake, you’ve got to find out who.”

Mentally I was still in shock, sinking lower and lower. I decided to confide in Debra and told her all about the Grange diary, The White Company manuscript and the Conan Doyle notes and the connection to Jack the Ripper.

“Tom was just telling me that the notes would solve the Ripper murders because they prove that Doyle did know who the Ripper was.”

“Did he tell you who?” Debra asked.

“No. That’s when I heard the thud. I feel certain someone was listening and pushed him down the stairs before he could tell me anything more. Since his cell and the diary are missing, I suspect that our someone probably has them.”

“Sounds plausible,” she said thoughtfully.

“Tom was probably trying to find the notes and the manuscript somewhere in that mansion,” I said, thinking aloud.

“That sounds like Tom. Do you think that’s why he was attacked? Mostly Woodlawn is not a nice place,” Debra said. “Maybe it was a random burglary.”

“No, he was inside the mansion, and anyway I don’t believe in coincidences. I think it’s connected with the diary and the Doyle notes.”

“If those notes do exist, DD, and if Doyle wrote about knowing who Jack the Ripper was, it’s one earth-shaking fantastic find.”

“The question is whether Tom told anyone else.” .

“Somebody at the Grange estate?” Debra asked.

“That’s what we have to find out. I’m going back to the Grange mansion as Tom’s assistant appraiser. If anybody contacts you, be sure to verify my credentials.”

“What are your credentials?” she deadpanned.

“Make up anything to get me in. And let me know how Tom’s doing. The next day or so is critical.”

“Oh, and DD - there’s one more thing.”

Another thing that needed doing. I felt as if the world was crashing down on me.

“Wolfie’s at the bookshop,” she said.

Wolfie is just what his name implies. He’s a true wolf - about 65 pounds, and 2 ½ feet high at the shoulder. Even his feet are big - more than twice as big as a coyote. And Wolfie, like all wolves, has a strict social structure based on dominance. He likes to be leader of the pack - the alpha male. Somehow though he’s adjusted to life outside the wilderness and has become a house pet. He belongs to some of Tom’s friends in Upper Michigan, and Tom often wolf-sits for them.

“Tom told me his friends were vacationing in Italy,” Debra added.

Wolfie and I like each other, but I was hard pressed to take on anything more. I sighed.

“DD, I can handle him.” Debra said. “We get along great. Don’t worry.”

“But he’ll be alone there overnight,” I observed.

“He’ll be fine. I’ll check on him after I leave Tom and first thing in the morning,” she promised, and we left it at that, both of us crossing our fingers.

I started the car. I had no real plan but knew I had to get into the mansion and snoop. Maybe the cops who’d responded to the 911 call would still be there and have some information.