The Aunt Paradox (Reeves & Worcester Steampunk Mysteries) Read Online Free Page B

aforementioned propensity for money and objects to ‘disappear,’ that a suspicious mind — and, in particular, a mind belonging to Her Majesty’s constabulary — might suppose that you had stolen it.”
    “That’s preposterous!” said Aunt Charlotte.
    “It’s true!” said Gertie. “You don’t hear what people say about you. Haven’t you wondered why you rarely get invited into other people’s homes any more? They think you steal things!”
    “That’s a cruel thing to say, Gertie,” said one of the auntly cohort.
    “It’s true, though!” said Gertie. “I didn’t want to tell you, but ... maybe it’s better to get this out into the open. It’s what people have been saying about you for years ”
    I had the strangest feeling that I’d heard this before. Gertie coming to the flat, telling us about her klepto aunt and how she’d just stolen someone’s automobile, taken the wheels off and hidden it in her drawing room. Gertie wanted us to find the rightful owner and return it before the police became involved.
    The much-confused Aunt Charlotte, meanwhile, had just turned upon her younger selves. “Why are you all calling him Gertie? Can’t you see it’s Bertie? He’s ... he’s dressing up.”
    “I think you should sit down, dear,” said one of the elder Aunts. “We have no idea who this Bertie is. That’s Gertie. We’ve known her for years. We all have. You have.”
    Aunt Charlotte blanched visibly and her knees buckled. Reeves caught her and guided her back towards the time machine. “I think you should sit down, Mrs Dean. You have had a shock.”
    “Should I call a doctor?” Gertie asked me.
    “I wouldn’t advise it,” I said. “But ... talking of doctors. Did you ever have a ... an accident as a child?”
    “What kind of accident?”
    “Anything drop off?”
    “If I may interrupt, sir?” said Reeves. “If you would be so kind as to assist me with Mrs Dean...”
    “Righto,” I said.
    One of the aunts rushed forward to bar my way. ”I think Charlotte would prefer us to help her. Please remove yourself. And your man.”
    “Mr Worcester and I can return things to how they were, Mrs Dean,” said Reeves to the wilting aunt on his arm. “ All things. If you allow us.”
    “It’s all right, dear,” said the ailing aunt. “The gentlemen and I need to talk.”
    “Are you sure?” asked the younger Charlotte.
    “I’m sure.”
    Reeves and I helped Aunt C into the driver’s seat of the time machine.
    “How do I put this right?” she whispered. “Is ... is Bertie dead?”
    “I suspect Miss Wells was born in his stead, Mrs Dean. Did you travel beyond 1866 today and have any interaction with her parents?”
    “None! I was in too much of a hurry to talk to anyone other than my husband. I went back to 1865, but all I did was collect money and...” Her hands flew to her face. “I took her necklace! It was in a box on my dresser. I didn’t recognise it. I was in a hurry and grabbed the box! But I remember it now. It was part of her inheritance from our grandmother. She wanted the chain shortened and had given it to me to take to a jeweller I knew in Regent Street. But ... how could that have made Bertie a ... Gertie?”
    “That, Mrs Dean, is the inherent danger of time travel. A seemingly insignificant action can have far-reaching and manifold repercussions. The missing necklace may have caused a falling-out between yourself and your sister. A falling-out which caused a chain of events that led to the birth of a daughter instead of a son. It may be that the date of Miss Wells’ birth is later than Mr Wells’. She does look younger.”
    Aunt Charlotte looked considerably brighter. “Do you suppose if I returned the necklace to 1865, it would bring my nephew back?”
    “I fear not, Mrs Dean,” said Reeves. “I have encountered this problem before and it can only be solved by a third party. Any attempt by yourself would most likely complicate matters further. One lady of my