Of Night and Dark Obscurity

by Nicola Italia

  “Do you need help with the case? Tell me straight.”

  “Do you think I need help with the case?”

  “Cut the bullshit Pierce! This is a high-profile case with five women dead. Five women dead. The newspapers are full of their pictures and it makes us look bad.”

  “You don’t think I know that?” Val said coldly.

  Osgood looked at Val and sighed deeply. “All you need to do is ask for help. Ask for it and you’ll get it.”

  “I don’t need help. I need to follow the leads I currently have and keep on the trail. There’s something off about this one. But I’ve got it down.”

  Osgood eyed Val intently. “And the woman? Miss Caroline Derry?”

  Val stiffened. “What about her?”

  Osgood shook his head. “She’s the sister of one of the victims.”

  “She is.”

  “And what exactly is between the two—“

  “None of your business.” Val said sharply.

  Val couldn’t help himself. He knew he should learn more tact and be less abrasive but where it concerned Caroline, he felt protective. He didn’t want trash magazines writing about her and he didn’t want his superintendent picking apart his life and dragging Caroline into it.

  Osgood let the words trickle by. “You have two weeks. Two more weeks before I bring in another Inspector.”

  Val said nothing.

  “And if there’s another article about you and Miss Derry in any paper, I’ll pull you off the case.”

  Val watched Osgood leave and went to stand beside Felix’s desk.

  “He’s a charming fellow,” Felix said trying to lighten the mood.

  Val shook his head. “We’ve work to do.”

  ✽✽✽

  The next morning, Hubert was pouring over his newspaper with coffee in hand while Caroline was across from him eating her breakfast.

  “Where do you want to spend the day? We’ve not been out together in some time,” Hubert smiled at his daughter over the breakfast table.

  “I don’t know. Gran and I have plans to meet at Harrod’s at eleven,” Caroline told her father. “She had a call to make but we can head there early.”

  “Very well then. I’ll be ready in the half hour. Let Wilmot know to ready the carriage,” he instructed.

  Together Hubert and Caroline traveled to the grand department store that had once begun as a single room employing two assistants and a messenger boy, and was now a thriving retail operation selling medicines, perfumes, stationery, fruits and vegetables, which employed over a hundred people.

  It was a grand building that Caroline had always enjoyed going to, though it was bittersweet this time. Instead of Irene bouncing around from item to item and babbling the whole time while Malvina looked on, it was her somber father beside her who was immediately taken with a fine walking stick with a gold top.

  “I’ll be right here Caroline,” he said as he went to take a closer look.

  Caroline nodded and went to look at the gloves she had said she needed, and then moved on towards the linens. She had always admired the many linens that her mother had imported from Ireland, though her grandmother preferred the French fabrics.

  “Are you being served, Miss?” The young lady behind the counter asked her.

  “This linen is very fine,” Caroline said running her fingers across a swatch of fabric on the counter.

  “Indeed, it is. We have a wide range of linens for the household. We have Irish, French, Scotch and English linens. We offer linens in an array of grades from the coarsest to the finest weaving depending upon the need. Some of the patterns are elaborate while others are plain. It all depends on the lady’s taste. May I show you some?”

  Caroline nodded and watched as the young woman pulled out several different varieties. Why was she looking at these? Their home was very well stocked, as a proper Victorian home should be, with linen upon linen folded neatly away in the closet with lavender sachets to keep it smelling fresh.

  Then she knew. It was for Val. He would need linens for his home. He would need everything for his new home to get it up and running to host parties and suppers. He would need table linen, kitchen linen; she ticked off several that came to mind.

  “These floral and conventional designs are quite popular,” the assistant said as she pulled the yards of it out to show her.

  “That is quite lovely,” Caroline agreed.

  “This one has bamboo stalks and bell-shaped flowers,” the assistant said. “It’s very popular with the new wife starting out in her new home.”

  Caroline pinkened but only said, “It is attractive.”

  “I have some rather delicate doilies here that you might like. I know that some women do make their own—“

  “My grandmother does,” Caroline admitted.

  “Of course. I have come cotton cloth sheets here. They are satisfactory for year-round combined with a warm quilt or blanket, when winter sets in they do very nicely.”

  “Sheets?” Caroline asked.

  “Yes. These are very economical.”

  “I…“ She started to speak and then realized the woman probably thought she was a new bride buying for her home. She stared down at her hands and knew there was no ring upon it.

  “Do any of these suit? Would you like me to place them on your account?”

  “Caroline!” A voice called to her and she turned to see the Inspector crossing over to her.

  He looked impossibly handsome in a dark suit with his hat under his arm. He had a smile upon his face as he joined her.

  “Linens?” He looked across the counter. “You need linens?”

  “I was looking for some items for myself and then remembered we are meeting. I saw these linens and thought of you,” she told him.

  “Did you?” He looked very pleased at her words.

  “Yes. My father is here as well looking at walking sticks.”

  “Madam was just admiring the linen sheets,” the assistant explained. “I was explaining that the cotton sheets work well year-round and when the winter sets a blanket or quilt serves to keep you comfortable.”

  Caroline felt her cheeks warm at the words, and when she looked up at Val his eyes were warm upon her.

  “Do you like these linens?” He asked her.

  “I-I…“ she couldn’t seem to say the words.

  “The finest is the Irish and French linen,” the assistant was telling them both. “They have very handsome designs and all the hems are handstitched.”

  Caroline ran her hand along the coolness of the fabrics. “They’re exceptional,” she told Val.

  “But do you like them?” He repeated.

  “They would make your home very comfortable. And yes, I like them.”

  “I’ll take them,” he told the assistant. “Was there anything else you recommended?” He asked the young woman.

  She nodded no doubt anxious to sell as much as she could to the couple. “The Marseilles spreads are quite popular,” she pulled out the blanket for inspection.

  “They tend not to wrinkle and are easily washed,” she pointed out. “They come in many colors and patterns. This one is my personal favorite. I think it’s very pretty.”

  Caroline touched the coverlet and admired the chrysanthemum center medallion with the small flowers that surrounded it and the scalloped edge.

  “What do you think?” Val asked lowly in her ear.

  “It is lovely,” she said imagining the bedspread draped across the large four poster bed.

  She suddenly caught a glimpse of herself smoothing down the bedspread after the maid had changed the sheets and left the room.

  “Caroline?” He said her name and she looked up at him startled.

  “Yes?”

  He smiled. “What were you thinking just now?”

  As if she would tell him, she thought. “The blanket. The spread. You should take it.”

  He nodded to the clerk. “I’ll take four of them.”

  He m
oved away to look at the bath towels and smaller items as the assistant came to Caroline.

  “Your husband is very generous. He doesn’t even ask the prices,” she smiled.

  “He’s…“ Caroline was about to tell the woman that they were not married when she stopped herself. What did it matter she thought.

  “The jewelry selection is at the back of the store. You might tempt him to buy you a new broach or necklace,” she said winking at her.

  Val returned to her side. “What was she saying?”

  Caroline shook her head. “Nothing. Just the different parts of the store.”

  “I was telling Madam we have a fine jewelry selection. You might want to see what is available Sir. I’ll wrap the purchase. Shall they be on account?”

  “Yes. And please have them delivered to this address,” he said writing it down for her.

  “Very good Sir.”

  “Shall we?” Val asked taking Caroline’s arm.

  Together they walked through the store making a striking couple. When they came upon the jewelry department Caroline smiled.

  “I don’t wear much jewelry. A necklace here, a bracelet there.” She told him.

  He admired the many different items and picked out an item from under the glass. “That one I’d like to see.”

  “Excellent,” the man behind the counter nodded and took out the ring.

  He placed the ring on a piece of black velvet so they could both admire the diamond solitaire set in platinum. It sparkled in the low light and Caroline smiled.

  “What a beautiful ring!”

  “Try it on,” he urged her.

  Caroline felt awkward but the ring was stunning. She had never owned anything quite so fragile and perfect.

  “Madam wears it very well,” the man behind the counter said.

  Caroline admired the ring on her hand and then removed it. “We should continue shopping for the house.”

  She placed the ring back onto the velvet as Val thanked the man.

  “Caroline. I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” her father came up to them and the men exchanged a greeting.

  “I’m sorry Father. I stumbled into the Inspector.”

  “That’s fine then. I’m due at the college. Your grandmother is due to arrive shortly?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’ll leave you in the Inspector’s capable hands,” he kissed her cheek and was gone.

  Chapter 21

  Val fell into step beside her as they admired the various different furnishings for the dining room, kitchen and parlor. When her grandmother failed to arrive, she was not surprised. She was suspicious that her grandmother had only agreed to Val’s suggestion intending not to show up, leaving the couple alone.

  “I’m sorry my Grandmother seems to have forgotten our appointment.” Caroline said.

  “I’m sorry she could not make it, but we both know I wanted to spend this time with you. She was gracious enough to play along and accept.”

  They walked through the large department store filled with every sort of item that could be imagined and then some. They came across several marble and wooden figures for the garden.

  “What do you think of this?” He asked as they rounded a rather large ceramic figurine of two large toads nestled together on a lily pad.

  “I think no.”

  “We could place it in the garden outside the sun room?” He prompted.

  She shook her head.

  “We could nickname them Caroline and Valentine.”

  Caroline smiled widely. “Still no.”

  “Hmmm. What of this?” He said of an equally odd statue of a mermaid kissing the top of a fish’s head.

  She shook her head smiling. “No.”

  “You are difficult to please,” he said.

  She looked up at him. “I’m not.”

  “No,” he said suddenly very serious. “You’re not.”

  They came upon the furniture for the bedroom and the large four poster beds were imposing. One was made of dark walnut while another was mahogany with a high shine to it. Caroline ran her hand along the smooth wood.

  “Any of these would do for you,” she said admiring the mahogany.

  “That’s true. They would do very nicely. But the question is, which one do you like?” He moved toward her. “After a long day meeting with your tenants and having tea with your friends, which bed would you like to fall into?”

  Caroline smiled slightly. “You’re unseemly.”

  “Which?”

  “The mahogany. It seems very rich and luxurious.”

  “I agree.” He said.

  “But honestly? What does it really matter what I like, Val? It’s your home. It’s your money.”

  Val turned and grinned pulling her into his arms. “I like my name on your lips.”

  “Stop!” She said smiling. “You can’t kiss me here!?”

  “Who said I was going to kiss you?”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “But since you’ve given me the idea,” he kissed her swiftly and then released her. “I must leave you now. I have an appointment with a watchmaker.”

  “A watchmaker?” She asked.

  “It’s business. It relates to the case.”

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  When the furniture assistant appeared, he ordered the entire bedroom set.

  “What would you prefer, Sir?’

  Val stared at Caroline and then smiled. “The mahogany.”

  ✽✽✽

  Val hailed a cab outside the department store and gave the cab driver directions to the watchmaker’s shop. Felix was to meet him there. He smiled as he remembered the delightful time he had spent with Caroline. They had been shopping for such ordinary items as household linens, blankets, and then they had examined furnishings for the parlor, kitchen and bedrooms.

  In any normal circumstances, he would have been bored and restless. Instead he could only think of the time he had spent with Caroline and all the items they had chosen together. He had meant what he had said. This home, everything inside it, was being chosen for their life together. She may need more time to get used to the idea, but he already knew the answer. She was the one he wanted by his side and in his life.

  The cab pulled up to the destination and he saw Felix outside the shop waiting for him.

  “Hello Guvnor. Nice shopping?” He said smiling.

  Val looked away from the cocky grin. “It was fairly painless.”

  “And Miss Derry?”

  “Quite well. Are you done?”

  Felix bit back a large smile and together they entered the business.

  “Mr. Bridle,” Val said as the manager came forward to greet them.

  “Inspector. Sergeant. You are certainly quite punctual. Please come into my office,” he directed them.

  After taking their seats facing the desk, Mr. Bridle pulled out two sheets of paper and handed them to Val.

  “My clerk did as instructed and pulled all the records for any gold watches made in the time we discussed. He is a thorough young man and I trust his work implicitly. Therefore, I can assure you that this list is accurate.” Mr. Bridle said firmly.

  Val took the list and began to look down the many names. “As far as you know, are any of these watches in a family so to speak? Given to one generation and passed down as they say.”

  “It’s possible,” Mr. Bridle nodded. “Our watches are one of a kind pieces. The gold watches we make are designed to be unique. I’ve had requests for rubies and diamonds to be placed into designs. One woman even wanted her husband’s astrology sign decorated in diamonds in the piece. So of course, any of these watches could be passed on and I imagine would be.”

  Val nodded and folded the pages into his jacket. “Thank you, Mr. Bridle. You’ve been most helpful.”

  Outside on the steps of the building, Felix looked up at the sky threatening to rain, and then looked at his boss.

  “What now?”

  “We�
��ll take the list back and see if any of them look familiar. The list isn’t too long and we need to make a break in this case soon. That damn Osgood is sniffing around for blood. I’ll be damned if I let him take this case away from me,” Val said suddenly.

  “He wouldn’t,” Felix shook his head. “Truth be told, Osgood has never liked you. He doesn’t like that you’re from money and have a family name. But he knows deep down inside you’re a damn good detective.”

  “Let’s head back to the station.”

  When the two men arrived back at the station, it was quiet. A heavy rain was beating down as they entered the building and very few people were about.

  “I’ll make us some tea,” Felix said disappearing down into the kitchen.

  Val pulled off his wet jacket and hat and hung them on the coat rack to dry. He took the pages that Mr. Bridle had given him and smoothed them out on his desk. He turned the gas lamp up and looked outside as the grey light turned dark like an angry wound.

  Running his finger down the list of names, he passed several that he knew either because they were titled or because they ran in his same circle, or at least his family’s. Moving his chair around, he pulled a volume from the bookcase behind him and placed it on his desk.

  Burke’s Peerage was founded in 1826 when genealogist John Burke began releasing books devoted to the ancestry of the peerage of the United Kingdom. It was updated sporadically until 1847 when new editions were released every year. Val knew that his father kept a copy of the book in his library and most men in their circle did as well.

  Whether men like his father kept the volume to fondly caress the pages they existed on or to peruse the book to pass the time, Val did not know. He flipped through the pages until he landed on his own families’ page. His father was listed, his brother, himself. He didn’t pay much attention to the titles and those that came before them.

  He had been born into a family with a title, wealth, lands, houses, but none of them would ever be his. He knew well enough the fate of a second son and because of it he had found his way in the world. He enjoyed his work and when his brother finally settled down into domesticity, he would marry, beget heirs and that would be that.

  He went through the list name by name. Some names were listed in the peerage book, others were not. He knew that some of the names might be wealthy men and women by their trade but not peerages. Felix returned with the tea as the sky darkened even more.