The Lost Heir (The Gryphon Chronicles, Book 1) by E.G. Foley Read Free Book Online Page B

was enough evidence to take the case to the next step, then formal charges would be filed, and Derek would be sent to London’s dreadful Newgate Prison to await trial.
    Those accused of murder were rarely allowed out on bail. In the meantime, the detectives would carry out their investigation. Finally, at the trial, if Derek Stone were found guilty, he would be sent immediately to the gallows.
    “And I can’t let that happen,” Jake told Dani. “This man saved my life. He didn’t kill anyone! It wasn’t even him who threw the knife, the bald man did it! He hit his fellow henchman by accident. Derek was only trying to save me. I’m not even sure how he knew I was in that alley, but you should’ve seen him, he was brilliant. And now he’s doomed. They’ve got it all wrong! Constable Flanagan’s already made up his mind that Derek is guilty. You know the bobby’s the only one the beak is going to listen to.” Jake shook his head, dismayed. “This is all my fault.”
    Dani searched his face in worry. “So, what are you going to do?”
    “Only one thing I can do,” Jake said grimly. “I have to go in there and speak up for him, tell the magistrate what really happened.”
    “What, like a witness?”
    “Aye. They’ll hang him if I don’t. Believe me, I don’t want to, but the beak needs to hear the truth of how it all played out. Then maybe they’ll see they have no case against him. They’ll have to throw out the charges and let him go free. And then I can make him tell me what he knows about my father,” he added in a darker tone.
    “Jake, they’re not going to listen to you,” Dani exclaimed. “You’re just a kid—with a criminal record! What if they don’t believe you?”
    “I have to try. He stood up for me; now it’s my turn to stand up for ‘im,” he said with a scowl.
    “But you could go to jail! You realize what could happen if they remember you nicked this potpie today? They could toss you into Newgate right along with him!”
    “What choice do I have?” he argued. “I’m not a coward! Anyway, it’s the honorable thing to do!”
    She raised her eyebrows, for few people from the rookery ever mentioned honor.
    He charged on. “This fellow stuck his neck out for me. Whoever he is, I can’t stand by and see him hanged for my sake.”
    Dani heaved a sigh. “Very well, then. Come on, Teddy. We’d better hurry.” She scooped up her dog in one arm and grabbed her satchel in the other. “We’re comin’ with you.”
    For once, Jake didn’t argue.
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    Witness for the Defense
     
    Jake never thought he’d see the day that he would willingly walk into a police station. But standing outside the famous crime-fighting offices at Bow Street, he felt Dani nudge him with her elbow.
    She nodded in encouragement, Teddy’s fuzzy head poking curiously out of the sack on her shoulder once again. Jake braced himself and walked in.
    They passed all the bobbies on duty and made their way into the magistrate’s court. The gallery overlooking the long, narrow courtroom was already crowded with spectators who came to hear about the day’s arrests and scuffles as if this was a form of entertainment, taking amusement from other people’s miseries.
    Against the back wall of the high-ceilinged room was a raised platform, where the magistrate sat on the middle chair. On both sides of him were clerks scribbling down their notes on the proceedings.
    The courtroom was a busy place. People came and went among the rows of benches. A few bobbies were always on hand, standing here and there with arms folded, waiting for anyone to misbehave.
    Some folk in the courtroom were crying, family members of victims or accused criminals who’d been caught. Lawyers trawled for clients. Disheveled people still bloodied from their recent troublemaking waited for their turn to step forward and make their excuses. Jake did his best not to look suspicious as he and Dani went and took a seat.
    One after