The flicker of fear in Jemima’s expression was unmistakable.
‘If you don’t want to tell me anything now, then that’s fine. But you clearly know something, and I suspect it’s a secret you’ve been hiding for many years.’
Augusta noticed Jemima’s eyes dampen.
‘People have been threatened,’ she continued. ‘It’s completely understandable that you’re frightened. I have a very good friend who knows a lot of people in the Metropolitan Police.’
‘No, I can’t speak to the police!’ The door closed a little more.
‘He can guarantee your safety,’ said Augusta. ‘And the safety of your family, too. Please trust me. This can’t go on any longer. People are frightened and more than one person has lost their life. Let’s put an end to this now, Mrs Campbell. With your help, we can do this.’
Augusta held her breath during the silence which followed.
To her relief, the door opened a little. A tear ran down Mrs Campbell’s cheek. She swiftly wiped it away.
‘Can you trust me?’ Augusta asked her.
Mrs Campbell nodded.
‘Good. Thank you. If you’re happy to talk, then please can I use your telephone? I’ll telephone my friend and he’ll make sure you and your family are protected. I promise.’
Chapter 57
A few hours later, Augusta sat in a wood-panelled room in Scotland Yard with Jemima Campbell, Philip and Detective Sergeant Joyce. In a room close by were Mrs Campbell’s husband and two children. They were accompanied by a police constable. Mrs Campbell had insisted on knowing her family was safe before agreeing to speak.
‘Alexander and John cycled together every weekend.’ Her hands fidgeted in her lap as she spoke. ‘They adored it. John liked it because he enjoyed visiting places. Alexander liked it because he was quite competitive. He hoped to get good enough at it so he could enter races. John remarked to me one day that Alexander was faster than him because he cheated. When I asked how Alexander could possibly cheat, John told me Alexander took a daily remedy. Jackson’s Blood Purifier. I told John he should take it too. He did, and it didn’t make him any faster.’ She smiled. ‘He was quite annoyed about that.
‘Then, one day, Alexander told me a bit about Dr Jackson’s company. He told me his brother-in-law had put money into the company and was expecting a good return on his investment. Dr Jackson was apparently developing a new remedy which could help people get stronger. Alexander’s brother-in-law had told him Dr Jackson was looking for people to test the new remedy and he would pay well.’
‘Alexander’s brother-in-law,’ said Philip. ‘Is that Robert Stanton?’
‘I can’t remember his name, I’m afraid.’
‘Robert Stanton was married to Alexander’s sister, Jane.’
‘That sounds about right,’ said Mrs Campbell. ‘Alexander did mention his sister from time to time.’
‘So, did Alexander test the new remedy?’ asked Detective Sergeant Joyce.
‘Yes, he did. He would cycle to Dr Jackson’s laboratory in Finchley and take a dose of it and cycle home again. He told me its effects were incredible.’
Knowing the remedy had contained cocaine, Augusta wasn’t surprised to hear this.
‘Alexander said he got on well with the doctor,’ continued Mrs Campbell. ‘And the doctor was keen to test out various doses on him because he did so much cycling. The pair of them apparently worked on improving Alexander’s fitness and cycling speed. He was very happy. Apart from when he had the accident on his way back from the laboratory… that was a difficult time. Especially when the family blamed him for it. But he recovered and continued his work for Dr Jackson. Eventually I was persuaded to try it too.’
‘You also took the new remedy?’ asked Augusta.
Mrs Campbell nodded. ‘Dr Jackson paid well. Five shillings for each dose. I only went along once a month because that was what he advised. I think Alexander saw him more often. Alexander always accompanied me when I visited the laboratory. I felt more comfortable having him with me. We would take the train there together and the laboratory was only a short walk from the station.’
‘What was Dr Jackson like?’ asked Augusta.
Mrs Campbell paused before replying. ‘He was charming but I also found him intimidating. I didn’t really like him very much but he seemed to know what he was doing. He was professional and I simply did what he asked me to do. He wasn’t the sort of man you would argue with.’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘Because I felt I didn’t have a chance against him. I only got involved because I earned good money from doing what he said. I was young and foolish. I shouldn’t have done it. I thought I knew best at the time.’
‘Did you feel any effects from the remedy?’
Mrs Campbell nodded. ‘Oh yes. It was invigorating. Its effects lasted for a couple of hours, and, during that time, it felt as though all my worries slipped away. The experience was pleasurable, and I was looking forward to it being available in pharmacies to buy. Alexander swore it was strengthening him.’ She sighed. ‘But when Dr Jackson went on trial, we all heard what was in that remedy. It was no wonder it had such an effect on people. I feel so ashamed now that I took it!’
‘You weren’t to know,’ said Augusta. ‘You trusted Dr Jackson.’
‘And how I wish I hadn’t!’
‘So please tell us, Mrs Campbell,’ said Joyce. ‘What happened to Alexander Miller?’
Chapter 58
‘Alexander and I travelled to Dr Jackson’s laboratory on the afternoon of Saturday 2nd July,’ said Mrs Campbell. ‘It was a nice sunny day and Alexander was in a good mood. Everything was perfectly normal.
‘Dr Jackson greeted us in his laboratory as usual. There was nothing different about him at all. He told us he’d been working on new doses for the pair of us.’
‘Were you nervous about that?’ asked Augusta.
‘Not really. I trusted him. Fool that I was! So I took my dose and Alexander took his.’
‘They were different doses?’ asked Philip.
