Chapter 78: Old Friends Part 2

"Enough people think it important that some died for this picture." Cal handed the book to Pentam. "I burned the original, then tried to recreate it from memory. Don't tell anyone about this. I mean it, not a soul! Please, see if you can figure it out, Pentam."
Pentam looked through the book again.
"Don't let it stop you from working on your thesis." Crysabel wagged a finger at Pentam.
"I'm studying the effect of acid on some metals, so I've built a battery since it involved metal and acid. I can fit this in." He stood up and wandered away, deep in thought.
"Oh well," Cal said, "but now you can tell me all about this baby without embarrassing him."
***
After a few very enjoyable days, Cal reluctantly boarded the train to go home. Once again she spent most of the trip staring out the window. A reflection caught her attention. How many times had the same person walked past her seat? Sifton's sneering face came to mind. She wouldn't put it past him to have her followed to get more ammunition.
Cal disembarked and carried her bag and satchel as usual. Ship life had taught her to pack light, and since she and Crysabel were the same size, Cal hadn't packed any gowns. She hailed a cab and headed for home, watching out the window to see if someone jumped out to follow her. No one did. So either she was imagining things, or they knew where she was going and had people there.
She pulled a sheet of paper from her satchel and wrote a quick note, folded and sealed it.
"I need to go by the post office." She called up to the cabbie. He pulled up in front of the building a few minutes later.
"Wait for me, I'll only be a moment." Cal walked up the steps. It didn't take long to buy a stamp and mail her letter. The cab took her the rest of the way home and she gave him a large tip.
"Hello, Beth." Cal greeted the cook and housekeeper. "How were things while I was gone?"
"Oh dear." Beth wrung her hands. "The master..." She wiped at a tear. "He got angry and tried to throw me out of the house. Said he'd never hired any servants. Then the next minute he was discussing dinner as if nothing had happened. He's been in his study ever since, and I can't get a word out of him."
Cal handed off her bags. "I'll go talk to him right away." She almost ran to her father's office, knocked on the door and walked in.
"Oh hello, Meredith. Time for tea already? I'm sorry I forgot the time." He fumbled through his papers. "Where did I put my watch?"
Cal's stomach sank and she had to fight back tears.
"Father, it's Calliope."
He stopped fumbling and looked up at her.
"Of course you are, what was I thinking? Comes from reading too many old journals. Well, let's go for tea, shall we?"
"You go ahead and wash up, I'll be right there."
Sir Shillingsworth picked up a cane and limped out of the room.
When did he start using a cane again? What's going on? Cal walked around the desk and sifted through the papers. They were a mishmash of journals, drawings and invoices. The leather-bound book where her father had been recording his life was closed, with a leather marker part way through. She opened the book to the marker. The pages were filled with nonsense, not even letters anymore as though he'd forgotten how to write.
Cal collapse in her father's chair. What had happened to her father? Where had the brilliant man she'd grown up with gone? Cal fought back tears, they certainly wouldn't help. She wasn't sure anything would.
***
Cal left in the morning in the steam carriage and headed to the university. Once there she asked directions to Professor Orthin's office.
"Cal, I'd heard you were home. What a delight! You must tell me all about your adventures." The smile left his face as Cal struggled to fight back tears. Facing the Gates wasn't a terrifying as this.
"It's Father," she said and burst into tears.
After several cups of tea, Cal was able to tell the Professor about her concerns, interrupted by the occasional hiccup.
"I see..." Professor Orthin sat back and stared up at the ceiling. "There are a few things which would cause what you're describing, none of them good. I know an excellent doctor you can trust. Why don't you invite me for supper this evening and I will bring him along. He owes me a favour or two."
"Thank you." Cal cut off her words before she began sobbing again.
Cal went home to tell Beth they'd be having guests for supper.
"Miss, could you call your father. He's late for lunch. Maybe he'll listen to you." Beth twisted her apron in her hands.
"Right away." Cal knocked on the door of Sir Shillingsworth's office then walked in. He sat slumped over his papers.
"Father?" He looked like he was sleeping. He had been more tired the last couple of days. Cal walked around the desk and shook him. Sir Shillingsworth fell out of the chair. Cal tried to catch him and ended up on the floor with her father on her legs. His face looked up at her, but his eyes were clouded. His hand cold in hers.