Page 81 of Murder on Harley Street
“Is that why you threw out all of our bottles? If it’s so terrible, you must stop telling your patients to take it!”
“But—”
“No! You must warn every one of them about the research into cocaine addiction. If they are already addicted, you will help them recover.” She turned to me, a determined set to her jaw. “As for Lady Bainbridge, can we do anything for her?”
“I don’t think so,” I said, “but there is something you can do to discourage others from thinking the Nerve Elixir will cure them.”
“Go on.”
“Dr. Iverson, I want you to telephone as many newspapers as you can and inform them you want to state publicly that the cocaine in the Nerve Elixir causes addiction.”
“I can’t do that!” the doctor cried. “My good name and reputation are everything! If I publicly decry a leading brand, my professionalism will be questioned in all the medical circles.”
Mrs. Iverson glared at her husband. “Miss Fox and Mr. Armitagesavedyour reputation. Youwilldo this for them. Today, Miss Fox?”
“Today,” I said firmly.
“If it’s any consolation,” Harry added, “by coming out now, you will protect your good name into the future. I believe the tide will turn against medicines containing cocaine and other addictive substances. You may receive some backlash now, but you’ll eventually be lauded as the doctor who led the charge against such substances.”
Dr. Iverson pursed his lips as he considered his predicament. At least he didn’t seem quite so against the idea. His relationship with his wife may be an unconventional one, but he certainly respected her. “The fellow who owns the company that manufactures the Nerve Elixir is currently in London. In fact, he’s running a presentation today at your family’s hotel, Miss Fox. I was supposed to be there. Won’t they be upset to see their guest’s name dragged through the mud in the newspapers?”
“I doubt it, given Aunt Lilian’s situation. Anyway, it won’t make this evening’s papers, and Mr. Lombardi is checking out tomorrow. The hotel won’t suffer from the negative publicity.”
“Unlike Lombardi. If other doctors follow my lead, this will ruin him.”
Mrs. Iverson laughed wryly, only to wince when the act pained her side. “Very neat, Miss Fox. Very neat, indeed.” She touched her husband’s elbow. “My dear, you were going to fetch Mr. Armitage’s fee.”
Dr. Iverson left. Once he was gone, Mrs. Iverson invited me to sit on the chair beside the bed. I did, while Harry moved to the window, giving us some privacy.
“I wanted to apologize for my part in all this,” she said to me.
“Did you play a part?” I asked, quite seriously.
“I suspected Sister Dearden’s interest in me. I didn’t connect it to the murder, but I should have told you that I suspected she’d written that anonymous letter to me. I’d simply dismissed it, you see, not thinking she was the one who tampered with the Electro Therapy Machine. If there’s anything more I can do to show my gratitude to you both, please let me know.”
“My only request is that you look after Miss Wainsmith. She’s very unwell. Harry is going to give her the name of a new doctor, and I hope you’ll support her and encourage her to see him. She has no one here in London, and I think she needs a friend.”
“I will.”
Her husband returned and handed Harry an envelope. “You’ve done me a great service, Armitage. While my practice has suffered, thanks to Sister Dearden’s actions, and will continue to suffer, at least I am a free man. I will do as Miss Fox asks and draft a statement about the addicting nature of the Nerve Elixir, then personally deliver it to every newspaper on Fleet Street this afternoon. You’re right, Miss Fox. It’s time for the medical profession to take a stand against medicines containing cocaine.”
I shook his hand. “Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate you taking this risk.”
Harry accepted the envelope and shook Dr. Iverson’s hand, too. “I have one more request to make, Doctor. This one won’t take up any more of your time.”
Harry offeredto escort me back to the hotel, but I declined.
“I have some shopping to do on the way,” I said. “I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch at your parents’ house.”
His fingers skimmed the bare skin of my wrist above my glove. “I look forward to it, Cleo.”
I smiled. “As do I.”
We parted, and I caught an omnibus to Piccadilly Circus. From there, it was a short walk to the toy shop on Regent Street. It felt odd buying a grown man a gift there, but the sales assistant assured me many of the customers for the product were adults.
With my purchase in hand, I returned to the hotel. I greeted Frank amiably, receiving a grunt in response before he remembered to ask me how the investigation was progressing.
“It’s solved,” I told him. “Isn’t that marvelous?”
