Epilogue

One Month Later

Henry eyed the letter uneasily. It had his name on the envelope, in a sickeningly familiar, swooping hand.

Had he ever received a letter from his father? No, he didn’t think so. Odd to receive one now, when the man was dead.

The day’s newspaper lay beside the letter. The man with patched coattails had been caught after all. He had started the fire, right in the corner of Charles’ office.

The Fairfax buildings were mostly destroyed, but once the evidence of foul play came to light, it was likely they would receive compensation of some sort.

The man with patched coattails – Henry could not remember his name – had quickly told the whole story. He was a well-known criminal, and was hired to commit crimes, arson included.

He had been hired by none other than Mr. Richard Grenville.

Henry couldn’t say he had much interest in the proceedings. Richard was in jail, awaiting trial, and the Grenville pottery had gone under. In fact, the ever-expanding Fairfax business had taken on a great many of the Grenville workers.

The clock chimed out half past nine, jolting Henry out of his reverie. He was getting married at ten o’ clock. If he was going to read the letter, he had better read it now. Sighing, he broke the seal and tore open the envelope, deciphering his father’s harsh, spiky writing.