The Changeling Murders (The Thief Taker Series Book 4)

by C. S. Quinn

  Viola pushed him and Repent rolled easily away. She saw the little needle blade sticking from his back.

  Clancy stood over them, watching Repent with satisfaction. She leaned down and pulled out the blade. A trickle of blood ran from the wound. Repent was making oddly gulping shallow breaths, eyes flicking back and forth in panic.

  Clancy leant low. ‘That’s yer lungs filling with blood,’ she told him. ‘Yer’s drowning from the inside.’ She spun the knife in her hand, then slashed the garters free.

  ‘Like I told you,’ she said, ‘you owe me a debt. This is mine and I’ll take a few more for interest.’

  Her eyes landed on Viola, who’d lifted herself to her elbows. The dressing room was filling with unfamiliar women now. Harlots of every shape and size were surging in droves from a hidden doorway at the back.

  ‘Mother Mitchell was right,’ Clancy observed. ‘The apprentices didn’t know about the dressing room door.’ She nodded to the entrance. ‘Only harlots and theatre-folk know the high-ups have their own entrance, so’s they can peep at the actresses undressing.’

  ‘How did you bring so many?’ managed Viola hoarsely, rubbing her neck.

  ‘Damaris rounded us up,’ said Clancy. ‘Said somethin’ was happenin’ in Covent Garden. We come back to defend the King, dint we?’ She nodded her head to outside. ‘’S a few more girls arrived than ol’ Barebones expected,’ she added with relish, waving the bloody knife and shoving the garters inside her bodice. ‘Us harlots ’av ’ad enough of smashed windows now. Time we fought back.’

  ‘You can come back to Mrs Jenks,’ said Viola. ‘When this is over. She’s given me work as an actress. I can help you.’

  ‘Nah.’ Clancy shook her head. ‘I’m not like you. I belong in Wapping. Always did.’ She nodded to Viola. ‘Think of me, wontcha, when you’re playin’ to the crowd? You never did fit with us Wapping whores. But girls like you give hope, fer the little ones growing up.’

  Viola nodded dumbly as Clancy fled the scene, bloody knife still in her hand.

  Chapter 101

  Charlie pulled himself up onto the huge stage. In front of the tomb backdrop Maria and Lily had each been dressed in a theatre costume. Maria in a flowing white toga, with large wings at her back and a crown of summer flowers. Lily wore a court dress with wide skirts and a high wig. Her generous lips were stained deep red and red rouge circles decorated each cheek.

  Each woman had a noose drawn close around her neck.

  ‘Stop,’ said Tom coolly, as Charlie mounted the stage. ‘Come no closer, or I will kill them both.’

  They were on opposite ends of the stage now, Tom towards the back.

  Charlie closed his eyes, trying to understand the mechanism, how the ropes were supported. Tom was standing close to a lever that seemed to connect.

  He delights in tricks and traps. Don’t let him play you.

  Maria’s blue eyes searched Charlie’s face, frightened, questioning. Lily looked straight ahead.

  ‘You’re wondering how I got to your friend Lily?’ said Tom. ‘The truth is, she came to me.’ He shook his head. ‘She thought to help you, poor girl, going to where Percy was. Instead she walked into my trap.’

  Charlie could feel the world come crashing around his ears. His plan was to save Maria. But he’d underestimated Tom at every turn. If rescuing one girl was unlikely, two was impossible.

  ‘You’ve been an enjoyable interlude,’ said Tom, absorbing Charlie’s mounting despair. ‘You’re a piece of theatre in yourself. Far more complicated and intriguing than I initially gave you credit for. I thought it was time you made a choice.’ He waved an explanatory hand towards the lever. ‘An angel and a harlot. Once I pull it they drop. There’s time enough for you to save one, but not both.’

  Charlie felt his mouth turn dry. He was a few feet from the stage, but not close enough.

  ‘Now,’ said Tom, his eyes shining, ‘deliver me my prize.’

  ‘No!’ Maria had managed to work the gag from her mouth.

  Charlie turned towards her, relief at the sound of her voice washing through him.

  ‘Charlie!’ she shouted. ‘Don’t give him the orb and sceptre.’

  ‘Maria,’ said Charlie. ‘You’re not hurt?’

  She shook her head. ‘Listen to me,’ she said. ‘We’re dead no matter what you do. He means to start a war.’

  Charlie hesitated.

  ‘He’ll lead a mob to the King’s door,’ said Maria. ‘And claim he was never truly crowned.’

  ‘Be silent!’ Tom threw out an arm and caught Maria in the stomach.

  Charlie made for her, but Tom held up a hand.

  ‘First the Lord and Lady,’ he said. ‘Give them to me. I will keep my word. One will live.’

  ‘He won’t,’ said Maria. ‘We are both already dead, Charlie.’

  Charlie looked at Lily. She was still staring furiously ahead. He closed his eyes and saw his mother’s face, the hands at her neck. He opened them again.

  ‘I feel sorry for mortals,’ said Tom. ‘So enslaved to your feelings. If you were not so weak, you would leave them all to their fate and prevent me escaping. But you will run to their aid, and London will fall. How sad to be so powerless.’

  Charlie’s eyes darted back and forth over Lily and Maria’s faces. Both looked resigned. He could see Lily flicking her gaze to Maria. Her eyes were saying, choose her.

  Charlie gave the tiniest shake of his head.

  ‘Charlie Tuesday,’ taunted Tom. ‘So easy to send him where you want him. All you need do is present him someone who needs rescuing and he’ll come running.’ Tom tapped his head. ‘Reason flies away. You cannot help yourself. It’s a compulsion for you. A mortal weakness I can’t claim to understand.’

  ‘You have a weakness of your own,’ said Charlie. ‘A blind spot. You underestimate what people will do for love.’ He found his eyes had moved to where Lily stood.

  ‘On the contrary,’ said Tom. ‘I depend on it. How else could I have forced the great Charlie Tuesday to arrive without a plan, hoping his good fortune would hold?’

  ‘I was married to an actress,’ said Charlie. ‘Before we wed, she acted here in the Globe. So I was able to plan a little, despite my haste to get here. I know something of stagecraft. And I think you underestimate my ruthlessness.’

  ‘Indeed,’ said Tom Black. ‘Shall we find out?’ And he reached forward and pulled the lever. There was a horrible screech of rope and pulley and then Lily and Maria were hoisted high by the ropes around their necks.

  Charlie dropped the Crown Jewels and ran towards Tom Black.

  Chapter 102

  Barebones and his apprentices were fighting hard with Mother Mitchell’s guard.

  ‘We need reinforcements,’ he said, as a pistol shot took down a grocer’s apprentice. ‘Pull Repent and his boys back.’

  But as he said the words he realised his son and the troop of boys were no longer in the theatre. Barebones ducked free of the fighting and followed a trail of blood and debris across the stage to a dressing room at the back.

  As he stepped inside his mouth opened, but no sound came out.

  The younger apprentices lay about, moaning and bleeding. All around were girls Barebones recognised. They’d been in Damaris Page’s brothel, fleeing in terror. But they weren’t running now.

  In the corner, one girl had removed her beautifully embroidered shoes and was battering a helpless apprentice with the hard heels. Another was throttling a red-faced boy with a garter.

  Damaris’s girls had been joined by ragged whores, who were fighting as though their lives depended on it. The whole of Covent Garden’s back alleys seemed to have emptied into the room.

  Mother Mitchell was watching on. She saw Barebones, took in his stricken face.

  ‘We know a little of warcraft,’ she observed, ‘though we are nought but silly women.’ Mother Mitchell nodded to the injured boys. ‘I believe it’s called a pincer movement? Lure your enemy into a dead end and attac
k them from all sides with forces they didn’t know you had? We know this terrain better than you and us whores are not so divided as you imagine.’

  Barebones saw a familiar boy on the floor, blood gushing from his mouth. He ran to him. ‘Repent!’ Barebones knelt. ‘Repent!

  The bloodied mouth moved slowly. ‘I am sorry, Father,’ said Repent. ‘I didn’t listen to you. I didn’t resist temptation. We are lost.’

  Barebones looked around, his face set with fury. ‘We will not lose, boy. You may not live to see it, but we will root out the poison at the heart of it all. These whores might have bested a few scrawny younger boys, but we have an army of stronger apprentices who will prevail.’ His eyes settled on Mother Mitchell. Barebones took out his iron sword. ‘Fairies come in many forms,’ he said, standing. ‘They have tricked us, with their glamour, their illusions. But now I see.’

  He advanced on Mother Mitchell.

  Chapter 103

  As Charlie raced towards him, Tom tilted his head, a slow smile spreading.

  ‘Very good,’ he whispered, ‘the mortal learns fairy ways.’

  Tom shifted slightly on the stage, watching where the jewels had fallen.

  Then, as Charlie mounted the stage, there was another explosion and Tom vanished in a ball of reeking smoke.

  Charlie leapt at the side of the stage, where the scenery ropes hung. He let his fingers trail through the ropes, then drew out his knife and slashed quickly through one that held taut. A sandbag crashed to the ground and he heard the two nooses go whipping over the scenery joist and drop to the stage.

  Charlie saw Lily and Maria fall heavily, gasping and rubbing at their necks. His eyes flicked to the wider theatre. Tom Black was racing towards the Crown Jewels.

  Charlie ran to the fallen women. He cut their bonds. Lily grabbed off the noose at her neck, but Maria turned her attention to Charlie.

  ‘You fool!’ she exploded, as he raised her to standing. ‘You let Tom get to the jewels.’

  ‘Nice to see you too,’ said Charlie, smiling.

  She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. ‘Thank you,’ she breathed. ‘I knew you’d come.’

  Lily stood behind them, looking awkward.

  ‘But you should have sacrificed us,’ scolded Maria. ‘Tom will be headed to rile up the mob to storm Whitehall.’

  ‘Tom Black isn’t going anywhere,’ said Charlie. ‘I know this theatre. Lynette acted here before we wed. I memorised every hidden place, just to catch a glimpse of her.’ He was moving towards where he’d dropped the Crown Jewels.

  Now there was a dark hole in their place. Down inside, caught in the narrow space, was Tom Black.

  ‘It’s an old trapdoor hardly no one knows about,’ explained Charlie. ‘At least’ – he corrected himself – ‘no one but a lovesick boy intent on seeing his sweetheart.’ He smiled down at Tom. ‘I know every inch of this theatre,’ said Charlie. ‘Learned all there was to know of theatres and stage-trickery. Love is a powerful thing. And if you hadn’t been so transfixed by the prospect of the Crown Jewels, I think you might have noticed where I dropped them.’

  ‘What now?’ asked Maria, looking down sadly at Tom.

  There was a commotion behind them. A guard had arrived, escorting a silken-skirted lady into the Globe.

  ‘That’s Lady Castlemaine,’ said Maria, taking her in with awe.

  ‘I sent her a message,’ said Lily. ‘I thought it best.’

  Lady Castlemaine and her guard surrounded them. She looked Charlie carefully up and down. ‘So you are the old husband,’ she murmured. ‘Now I see you closer, I suppose I can understand the appeal.’ She turned to Lily. ‘Where are they?’

  Lily pointed to the trapdoor. Lady Castlemaine moved towards it, peering over the edge. She motioned to her guards and they vanished below stage.

  ‘You came to save us?’ asked Maria, looking at Lady Castlemaine in confusion.

  ‘With no thought to my own safety or reputation?’ Lady Castlemaine laughed. ‘Of course not.’ Her violet eyes surveyed the Globe. ‘Perhaps we had best not run away with the idea I came here at all,’ she added. ‘We’ll keep it to ourselves.’

  Three guards burst back above stage. Two were restraining Tom, his eerily cold eyes flicking about the theatre. One held the orb and sceptre.

  ‘What should we do with him?’ asked the guard, nodding to Tom.

  Lady Castlemaine strode towards them, her little silk shoes clicking on the wooden boards, wafting expensive perfume as she passed. Her white ringed fingers rested on the orb and sceptre.

  ‘I think these belong to me.’ She lifted the Crown Jewels and held them lightly, the staff gripped in one hand, the orb resting gently in the palm of the other. ‘Nothing but some worthless theatre props,’ she said, eyeing her guards carefully. ‘Nevertheless, these old things have great sentimental value to me. As you know, I love theatre. I even act in private, from time to time, for the King’s pleasure.’ Her lovely eyes glittered. ‘He wanted me for his queen,’ she said, more to herself than anyone present. ‘A long, long time ago. I chose freedom. Perhaps I chose wrong.’ She seemed to recollect where she was. ‘I’ll take these as a token of your appreciation,’ she said, looking at Lily and Charlie. ‘You’ll find a new privateer’s licence is waiting for you at Whitehall,’ she continued, addressing Lily. ‘And as for you.’ Her gaze drifted to Charlie. ‘Perhaps you’ll find some royal mysteries to solve in future. In any case,’ she concluded grandly, ‘you’re no longer wanted citizens, at least by me.’

  Without waiting for an answer, she turned in a rustle of scented silk and made for the door. Her guards crowded around her, and she was gone.

  As Lady Castlemaine vanished from view, Maria moved to Lily’s side.

  ‘The real Crown Jewels,’ said Maria wonderingly. ‘The only question is whether she’ll return them to buy Charles’s favour, or melt them down for her own spending.’

  ‘She’ll melt them down,’ said Lily with certainty. ‘They’ll be lost forever.’

  ‘Those are sacred jewels,’ said Maria. ‘They’ve existed for half a century. They give the King his power, his legal authority.’

  ‘Maybe Cromwell had some things right,’ said Charlie, smiling. ‘It’s not jewels and fur coats that give our kings their rule, is it? It’s us. The people.’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re so happy about,’ grumbled Lily, watching where Lady Castlemaine had exited.

  ‘Didn’t you hear what Lady Castlemaine said?’ beamed Charlie. ‘She could see my appeal. They’ll never believe it down the Bucket of Blood when I tell them.’

  Chapter 104

  Barebones closed in on Mother Mitchell, dragging her struggling to the ground.

  ‘You’ll be begging on the streets when this is over,’ he said. ‘There’ll be nothing left.’

  ‘No matter what you do we shall rebuild,’ gasped Mother Mitchell. ‘Aye, and fuck our way back to the top.’

  Barebones drew out a knife. ‘You’ll only be fit for soldiers after I’ve finished with you,’ he said, resting the blade against her nose.

  ‘Unhand that woman,’ said a loud voice. ‘She is under the King’s protection.’

  Barebones hesitated, then turned to see the direction the announcement had come from. Arranged behind him were a pack of uniformed King’s Guards.

  Their leader pointed. ‘Seize that man in the name of the King,’ he said. ‘He is the ringleader of a treasonous group.’

  Guards laid rough hands on Barebones, hauling him to his feet. Behind him a large body of armed soldiers were taking command of the theatre, breaking up the riot.

  ‘You’ll be executed as a traitor at Tyburn,’ said the guard. ‘They’ll cut off your testicles and show them to you. I imagine a few familiar women will come to watch your end.’ The guard turned to Mother Mitchell, lying prone on the floor. He extended a hand. ‘Allow me to help you,’ he said. ‘You’re not the kind of woman to lie on your back for free.’

>   Mother Mitchell pulled herself to standing. ‘The King paid for a guard?’ she managed, taking in the uniformed men pouring into the theatre.

  ‘The money came from Lady Castlemaine,’ said the guard, shaking his head. ‘Who would have thought the biggest whore in London would come to defend her own?’

  Chapter 105

  ‘I’ve brought you something.’ Lynette was holding a writhing sack.

  ‘A gift? For me? You really are a very unusual mistress for a king.’

  ‘A man with wooden teeth was selling them off cheap near Piccadilly.’ Lynette began opening the bag. ‘Got a whole basketful for a shilling.’

  ‘Now you really do spoil me.’

  A little yap sounded from the bag, followed by a succession of others.

  Charles smiled delightedly as four puppies bounded free. ‘Dogs?’

  ‘Puppies.’ Lynette grinned. ‘Little spaniels. Red and white. England colours.’

  Charles picked one up. It was tiny in his large hands. ‘Hello, little puppy.’ He smiled.

  The dog wriggled and licked his face.

  Charles laughed. ‘Another impudent subject,’ he said. ‘I imagine you chose spirited dogs on purpose.’

  ‘Course I did,’ agreed Lynette. ‘They’ll keep you company whilst I’m gone.’

  ‘You’re going?’

  ‘Only for a few months,’ said Lynette, sliding a hand across her stomach. ‘But you’ve a little time with me yet.’

  He looked at her. ‘You’re pregnant?’

  ‘I think it’s yours.’ She pretended to look uncertain.

  He beamed. ‘Don’t tease me.’

  ‘I bin thinkin’,’ she said slowly. ‘All this fuss with the ’prentices. Maybe you’re right. Maybe we should show London the playhouses are not brothels, that theatre is not sin.’

  A great smile began to form on the King’s face. ‘You don’t mean . . . ?’

  ‘I might give actin’ in your licensed company a try,’ she said, pretending to examine her fingers. ‘Just for a bit. See what it’s like.’ She looked up at him fiercely. ‘But if I’m not good enough, you’re to tell me straight. I don’t want people sayin’ I only got the part cause I’m beddin’ the King.’