Of Night and Dark Obscurity

by Nicola Italia

  “I came to tell you the same thing Sir. I was told about the item in the magazine and wanted to assure you that this is untrue,” he met Caroline’s eyes briefly and then returned his gaze to the superintendent.

  Superintendent Osgood nodded to both people. “This isn’t the first time this has happened. People love to gossip. I don’t usually pay this sort of trash any mind, but I appreciate you coming forward Miss Derry for the sake of Inspector Pierce.”

  Caroline avoided looking at Val and nodded. “It was the least I could do. I’m sorry to have come unannounced but I felt it was important,”

  She shook his hand and when she left, she avoided Val’s eyes again.

  Osgood looked after Caroline’s retreating figure and smiled. “Not many women would come to the station and try to make sure your name is cleared.”

  Val steeled himself to not turn around to stare after her. “No. Not many.”

  “Do you know how this started?” He gestured to the magazine she had left behind.

  “No, I don’t. I have spent time and questioned the families and friends of the five victims,” Val said.

  “Perhaps none of them as beautiful as Miss Derry?” Superintendent Osgood asked.

  Val did not answer.

  “That will be all, Pierce.” He said as a dismissal.

  ✽✽✽

  Arabella kissed Val on the cheek as he entered the parlor. He had been invited to a family dinner and though he wasn’t looking forward to it, he attended it nonetheless.

  In the sitting room, his father was smoking a cigarette and engrossed in The Times while Rowland was pouring drinks for them.

  “I must say Valentine, that spectacle of you in Punch did you no favors,” his mother began as he sat down with a whiskey in hand.

  “What is it all about Valentine?” His father asked as well.

  “Nothing. Nonsense to sell papers,” Val told them.

  “You must be more careful,” Arabella reminded him. “If this woman is a family member of one of the victims it’s not seemly for you to—“

  “It’s nothing,” he told them abruptly.

  “She’s quite lovely, Mother,” Rowland told her as handed each person a drink and sat next to his mother. “I made her acquaintance recently. At least my brother has had the good sense to pick a woman with beauty.”

  “Is that so?” Arabella said. “Tell us more of her. What is her breeding? Her family?”

  “Mother she isn’t a horse and there’s nothing to tell. She’s a lovely young woman and she happens to be related to one of the victims in the case I’m working on,” he explained.

  Arabella shook her head at her youngest son. “Rowland you’ve met her. Tell us since Valentine seems reluctant to talk of his paramour,” Arabella told her eldest son.

  Rowland smiled. “She does good works in London. Apparently, she’s trying to help the poor out of the slums.”

  “Singular.” Arabella sniffed.

  “Her father is a physician. But in all fairness to Valentine, I don’t think she’s set her cap on him.”

  “Well of course why would she?” Arabella smiled and touched her eldest son’s hair on his head in a loving gesture. “Any woman within her right mind would want you, dearest.”

  Rowland smiled and Abram folded his newspaper. “What news of your famous case Valentine? You aren’t making much progress I understand. There’s been another killing.”

  Val sighed. “Yes, Sir. There has been a fifth victim.”

  “Dreadful!” Arabella clutched at her neckline. “Decent women murdered!”

  “How close are you to bringing the killer to justice?” Abram asked. “You should be out on the streets searching for him even now.”

  “I would be except that I’m here with my loving family,” Val said, though his touch of sarcasm was lost on them.

  “Remember you have a duty to uphold. For our family name and for justice,” his father said smiling.

  “I’m aware of that.” Val said coldly.

  “I hope you do remember. It would be a shame if you failed.” Abram nodded as the bell was rung for dinner. “It would be quite the blemish on your record.”

  “Yes, it would be,” said Val softly.

  Chapter 18

  The rain was pouring down as Val left his family after dinner. He had no experience with other families so he assumed his was the norm, but they felt more like distant strangers. When he left his head was aching and he didn’t want to return to his small little room, although it had once seemed a refuge, it now seemed to illustrate where he didn’t want to be in life.

  He patted his pocket and knocked on the roof of the cab. Giving the driver directions, the cab changed its route and soon he was standing in front of the beautiful new home. He had already decided to sign the papers and make it official, and using the key Caroline had given him he entered the home.

  It was spacious with an open floor plan that he liked, with wood paneling throughout. He stripped his large frock coat off and hung it on the staircase bannister to dry. He could hear the rain hitting the window panes from outside and the coolness of the house throughout.

  He could imagine the house filled with light and love and children running in the bedrooms upstairs. When he imagined what would make the house a home, he imagined an intelligent but kind woman and no one else came to his mind but Caroline.

  His shoes echoed on the wooden floors as he walked to the window seat and looked out at what would be a lovely garden once it was complete. When he heard a knock upon the door, he knew it was only the rain beating down upon the roof and he continued to stare out into the dark night.

  He turned instantly when he heard a noise inside the house. He could hear steps inside the hallway and he was alert as he moved toward the sound. Thieves? The house was new, maybe they were squatters trying to get out of the rain.

  When he came into the hallway, he heard his name being called.

  “Caroline?” He asked.

  “Yes, it’s me.”

  “What are you doing here? It’s late and raining.” He ushered her inside.

  “I had to see you. I went by your room but you weren’t there. I don’t know why but I took a guess you might be here since I gave you the key,” she said.

  “Are you cold?” He asked. “Here. Give me that wet jacket. I’ll hang it next to mine to dry.”

  She shrugged out of her heavy jacket and he placed it on the bannister with his own. “I was in the cab most of the time so I’m not drenched.”

  He moved to the window seat and she joined him. “I wanted to thank you for going to the Superintendent this morning. He had called me into his office before you arrived. He didn’t think it was true but he said I need to be careful. I was about to tell him it was untrue when you arrived.”

  “I didn’t want you to get in trouble. That’s why I came,” she said sincerely.

  He nodded.

  “I came here for a particular reason. It’s doesn’t have to do with the magazine. It’s the reason I’m here at night and in the rain,” she said looking into his eyes.

  “Yes?”

  “I needed to talk to you. I needed to see you.”

  He waited.

  “You see when we last spoke at the townhouse, I said some horrible things to you,” she looked down at her lap and then back at him. “Things that can’t be unsaid, I know, but I at least owe you an apology,” she told him.

  “Caroline. You’ve gone through much. You’ve lost a dear friend, a sister, I understand you were saying things in the heat of the moment.”

  Caroline shook her head. “That doesn’t make it right. I can’t harm you to make myself feel better. To demean you, to call you names, I’m ashamed of myself.”

  Val moved toward her and touched her cheek. “You don’t need to do this.”

  “I do. I need to tell you. I’m sorry Val. I’m sorry for taking it out on you and for saying those horrible things.” She felt the tears well up and he pulled her to
him.

  He kissed her temple and she closed her eyes. “It’s forgotten Caroline.”

  “You’re not angry?” She asked.

  “Not about that.”

  She pulled back to stare at him. “What then?”

  “I think you told the Superintendent there was absolutely nothing between us.”

  “I did.”

  “Well that’s a lie.”

  Caroline smiled. “What is there between us?”

  “Admiration. Respect.”

  She nodded in the darkness when suddenly the lightning and thunder echoed in the night and she trembled.

  “Wait here.” He told her.

  He returned quickly holding his heavy wool jacket. “Come.”

  He settled himself into the window seat stretching out his legs. “You can lay next to me. We’ll listen to the thunder and lightning together.”

  Caroline moved to stretch out next to him as he lay reclining behind her. He covered them both with the heavy jacket and immediately Caroline felt a sense of being safe and warm. Val smoothed her hair back from her forehead and her breathing softened.

  “Do you know about Norse Mythology?” He asked.

  She looked up and shook her head. “Not much.”

  “Then I’ll tell you a story. Thor is one of the most prominent figures in Norse Mythology. He is a God but not just any god. He is the thunder god. He is known for his courage and physical strength. He has a most prized and famous possession that everyone envies, do you know what it is?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “His most famous possession is his hammer called Mjolnir which means lightning. For the Scandinavians, lightning was the embodiment of his hammer, slaying giants as he rode across the sky in his goat-drawn chariot.”

  Caroline smiled at this. “Goat-drawn chariot.”

  “Thor presides over the air which governs the thunder and the lightning, the winds and rains, the fair weather and crops. His wife Sif is golden haired which is a symbol of grain,” his hand sifted through Caroline’s hair. “Their marriage was a union of the fruitfulness of the land and prosperity of the people. A union of the sky and earth.”

  “A union of the sky and earth. I like it.”

  “So, there’s no need to fear the thunder or the lightning. It’s just Thor.”

  “It’s just Thor,” she said echoing his words.

  She tilted her head up to smile at him and in the darkness she could see his eyes on her.

  “Caroline.”

  Touching his hand to her neck he pulled her to him kissing her gently at first and then with more desire. She moved to press against him and then she was flush on top of him even as he was kissing her. His hand was tangled in her hair and she could feel his body against hers.

  Thunder and lightning filled the air and Caroline didn’t know if she trembled for it or for the white-hot desire that filled her veins. She could feel his hands in her hair, on her neck, and his mouth mesmerizing her.

  “I’m besotted with you, Caroline.” He stopped to catch his breath. “Absolutely besotted.”

  “Val I—“

  “I know. This is new to you. You probably aren’t sure what you feel.”

  “I know what I felt a moment ago. In your arms, lying next to you, I felt safe. I felt safe and at home,” she shrugged. “Is that stupid?”

  He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. He knew in that moment without a doubt that he loved her. He loved her fiercely, but he didn’t want to frighten her.

  “It’s not stupid at all. But it’s late.”

  “It is,” she agreed.

  He nodded. “I’ll see you home.”

  ✽✽✽

  Returning home late that night, Caroline felt confused. She had felt an attraction to Val and tonight she had felt something different. Lying next to him she had felt at peace and safe and she had wanted it to continue. It happened gradually but overtime she had come to care for Val. She did not want to see him harmed and it was the reason she had gone to the superintendent to make certain his reputation was intact.

  Changing out of her dress and into her nightgown and wrapper, she took the lantern and went into Irene’s bedroom. She hadn’t been in her room since her death and the servants dusted but disturbed nothing. She never saw her grandmother or father enter the room either.

  She closed the door behind her and looked about it. Her room was very feminine with hatboxes on the floor, colorful ribbons on her vanity table, as well as pictures of the theater stars torn out from London Society lining the mirror. She had several bottles of perfume, cold cream and lip salve. Caroline picked up one of the perfumes and the scent of violets was strong in the air. It immediately reminded her of Irene and she felt a strong sense of loss and pain.

  She placed it back on the vanity table. She touched the pink and blue ribbons and the small lace gloves that Irene had adored. Something caught in the back of her throat and she closed her eyes. It was so unfair to have lost her. She had been so young. She saw her jewelry box sitting at the top of her drawers and she pulled it down and placed it on the vanity table. Opening it she recognized all of the pieces in it.

  Most of the pieces had been gifts from their grandmother and father. A cameo brooch, a delicate pearl necklace, a ruby bracelet and a striking diamond bracelet that had belonged to their mother, Thirza, and had been given to Irene on her sixteenth birthday.

  These items were lying in a shallow tray that could be pulled up and out to place more jewelry in the space beneath it. When she pulled the tray out her heart began to thump inside her chest. There was a small book lying amid the red velvet.

  Caroline took the small book out and replaced the tray and returned the box to atop the dresser. She stared at the book for several minutes. Could it be a novel? Something she cherished. Perhaps a gift?

  She knew there was only one way to find out. She opened the book. There on the first page was Irene’s girlish handwriting stating that this was her diary. Caroline thumbed through the pages and looked briefly at the dates. It appeared to be kept in the last six months of her life. Why had it started then and no further? Had something happened?

  Taking up the lantern and the book, she returned to her room. As she turned the pages, she saw the first entry was almost six months ago. She was giddy and happy in her words. She mentioned Lyle Bowler by name only once and she called him Simon, his pretend name. Thereafter she referred to him as the artist. She said their love making was intense and fun and she had agreed to pose for his picture.

  She wrote that they met at public houses to dine on shepherd’s pie and ale, and then would return to his lodgings. It seemed that she was quite happy until she met someone else.

  I can hardly stand to put pen to paper for I fear it might all vanish. I have met a man who is the son of a Lord. He’s handsome and though I don’t want to part from the artist—he can offer me nothing. My Lord can offer me so much more. I have made plans to see him tomorrow. I can tell no one except Nell. Even she doesn’t know everything.

  Caroline read the words carefully and then flipped to the next page.

  My Lord and I have come to an arrangement. I am to be his mistress. I am so thrilled and excited. But there are things that frighten me about him. He doesn’t take no for an answer. I was not feeling well yesterday but that did not matter to him. Even when I said no, he forced me. I thought this was going to be a new experience but I feel trapped. He is very jealous.

  Caroline felt herself grow ill as she read the words. Her darling sister who wanted to experience so much had instead found a monster who had used her. She read on.

  I am so worried. My monthly bleeding has not happened. I fear I am with child. I can tell no one but I must tell my Lord. I hope that once he hears the blessed news this will entice him to marriage. That of course is the only way this will end. I will soon be married to a Lord and then all will be well. I see him this evening.

  Caroline felt her insides clench as she read
the words her sister had written. She felt tremors of unease tickle her spine.

  I am at a loss. My Lord does not want the babe. He says this is not the right time. He wants to send me to a doctor from the Americas who performs abortions. I agreed to this but secretly I have no intention of keeping the appointment. Instead I have decided I must force my Lord to see reason. Tomorrow we meet in the evening. I will go to his family and make a public announcement to force the marriage. This is the only way. I know this will work and my Lord will see reason. Once married I will make him a very good wife.

  That was the last entry Irene made.

  Caroline closed the little diary and felt the tears on her cheeks. The entire time Irene was going through this in the very room next to hers she had not reached out or spoken to her. She had gone through it all alone. And because she had let herself be enticed by the wrong man; she had paid for it with her life. She felt a heaviness settle in her breast. She must show the book to Val.

  ✽✽✽

  “Be silent!” Barked Mr. Willow as the others bickered in the darkened back room at the pub. “Nothing ties us to the building and the Chinamen have cleared out.”

  “That was reckless,” Mr. Basil turned his eyes to the others. “Most reckless.”

  “What was?” Mr. Sage sneered. “The old biddy had it coming to her. And how was that any different than what you have all done.”

  The tension in the room was mounting as everyone remained silent. “We need to wait it out,” Mr. Willow said confidently. “That’s all we need to do now.”

  Mr. Sage watched as Mr. Willow and Mr. Cedar left, leaving behind only himself and Mr. Basil.

  “What are you thinking of?” Mr. Basil asked.

  “Nothing much. But I do think I have my eye on the greatest prize of all.”

  Mr. Basil grinned in the dark. “Do tell. And spare no details,” he said reaching for his drink.

  ✽✽✽

  Val stared at the note in his hand and looked about him for the tenth time. It had been a brief note from Caroline asking to meet him at the Crystal Palace Park maze so here he was. He glanced at his pocket watch once and then again at his surroundings. It was a gloomy grey day and no one was about.