Kill All Kill All

by Craig McNish

  “Carpe diem, Jane Brass! I have seized this day, and we shall still marry! Do not consider me to be forever banished, for I have found you once and will find you again!” And then he was gone, taking off across a field and out of sight in seconds. Parkes screamed again when the door to the patrol car opened before clutching onto the policewoman who had climbed in beside her. Even with Mills gone, she still didn't feel safe.

  *

  SEVEN

  Ferryhill, County Durham, 1683

  The twenty-first day of January in the year sixteen hundred and eighty-three; the fourth day of the New Moon, yet it had never shown itself for a single second. The cloud filled the sky as far as the eye could see, a mixture of white and grey during the short hours of daylight with the nights dark and dreary for lack of stars and glow from the moon. And while it was warmer now than had been over the whole of December, the cold was still perishing and bit into the skin terribly even after just a few minutes. The snow was falling again, and lay in deep piles where the wind had blown it against the walls of shops, and houses. Even along the most walked-on paths it was half a foot deep, the battle waged between man and the elements being lost to the second through frostbite and exhaustion. But the world could not come to a standstill just because of inclement weather, and it was the maids and servants who were having to pay the price of working for the more wealthy families.

  It was morning – just after nine – and the snowfall had all but abated, at least for a short time. The sky held the promise that surely more would be to come, and soon. Mills had procured a horse from the stables of Mister Brass and rode into town, for he had to visit the blacksmith and collect an order of nails that had been prepared in readiness for the repairs to the stables and fences he had been charged with. His horse securely fastened, Mills drew his greatcoat around him more tightly and pulled down his cap, wrapping his scarf around the lower half of his face to stave off the bite of winter. He arrived at Ridgway's shop to find him busy with another customer, but Mills did not mind a bit; the heat from the forge was more than welcome and he took pleasure in being able to warm himself awhile.

  “Ah, Mills! We were expecting you, but given the weather it was uncertain whether you might make it into town. You are here to collect the order of nails for Mister Brass, I would assume?”

  “That I am. I would wish you a good morning, Bancks, but what with the snow I fear I would be lying were I to do so! At least you have the warm in here, I suppose.”

  “A fine reward during the winter months, I agree, but not so much during the heat of summer, I can tell you!” The two men laughed and talked awhile about this and that, but with Mills always finding his attention drawn to Ridgway and the gentleman with whom he appeared to be having a strong disagreement, though about what Mills could only guess as they were some distance away.

  “Someone is causing Ridgway a problem, it would seem” Mills observed to Bancks, a single nod to the two men in question.

  “I have your nails ready for you to collect, if you would care to come this way” Bancks said over-loudly, giving Mills a signal that he should follow. “You might want to check that they are satisfactory before you remove them to Brass Farm.”

  “Well, yes, of course.” The two men retreated into the blacksmith's storeroom; Bancks picked up a small hessian sack filled with nails and passed it to Mills, warning that he might want to be careful on his journey home in case they were to pierce the sack and cause either he or the horse an injury. Something Mills knew well, but he appreciated the warning all the same.

  “I suspect you have something else you wish to tell me” Mills guessed. “You would not bring me into the storeroom for any other reason. So, what news?”

  “You are right, Mills, but the news is not good, I am afraid. The man you see arguing with Ridgway is Mister Cutter.”

  “You mean Robert Cutter? The father of William, who is soon to marry Jane Brass?”

  “The very same. And do you know why they might be arguing? He owes Ridgway money for work done, and now he says he does not have the means to pay.” Mills was shocked.

  “You are certain of this?”

  “Very. Ridgway told me yesterday that Mister Cutter would be coming today, but it was only with the threat of being imprisoned as a debtor that he ventured out to try and make some agreement. I am not certain of the exact size of the debt – I have a great many customers recorded in the ledger that I keep, so it is hard to remember each one – but Mister Cutter has always paid debts of a number of pounds before without so much as blinking an eye, so it would seem this time the amount owed is significant.”

  “Or he really has no way of paying what he owes” Mills ventured. “Though I do not see how this could be possible. He is an accomplished trader and has accrued a small fortune, so it has been said. I doubt any man would lose such a large sum so quickly.”

  “Maybe, but surely you understand why I would tell you this?”

  “William Cutter is soon to be wed to Jane Brass...”

  “And I doubt very much Mister Brass would want his daughter to be marrying the son of a pauper, don't you think? Or maybe Mister Cutter is to try and coerce the wedding so that he might lay some claim to Mister Brass' fortune. It could be that the father of the bride would feel obliged to give his son-in-law financial aid, which could then be passed onto Mister Cutter so he might try and pay off his own debts. However it might be, I feel you should warn Miss Jane of what I am telling you.”

  “I have a question” Mills said after thinking quietly for a time. “I know you are fond of Miss Jane, so could it be you are telling lies that you might win her heart instead?”

  “No, not at all! I would never dream of doing such a thing! I will not deny my like for her, but do you believe Mister Brass would allow someone like me to wed his daughter? I think not! I just have no wish to see her make an error in judgement is all. You can tell her the facts and it could be she would still want to wed Cutter anyway. She might have no regard for money, love the man for who he is and not what he is worth. But at least she will know all of the facts to be able to make a proper decision.”

  “I see your point, Bancks. Well it is probably fortunate we met today, I think. I will pass on this news to Miss Jane so she might decide. I am sure she will send you her thanks for making her aware of what has arisen. Here, what Mister Brass owes you.” Mills handed over a small pouch to Bancks, who counted the coins and checked the ledger. It was indeed the correct amount.

  “Thank you, Mills. The snow is starting to fall heavily again – you might want to get back to the farm quickly. Please tell Mister Brass that Ridgway sends his regards, and Miss Jane that I send mine.”

  “Of course.” As Mills made to leave the blacksmith's shop, Cutter barged him out of the way as he stormed by, and not a word of apology. Things must not have gone in Cutter's favour, and now Bancks' story seemed a lot more credible than it did a few minutes before.

  A pleasant surprise awaited Mills when he reached the top of the track that led to Brass Farm. Jane was stood outside, apparently awaiting his return; she had gotten concerned he might not arrive back safely, given the worsening weather, and ran the final yards to greet him as he approached the main gate. Mills dismounted the horse and patted its neck.

  “Miss Jane, how kind of you to wait for my return! I feel honoured to know you were watching out for me!” She smiled kindly, her cheeks pink from the cold and with a heavy shawl pulled around her shoulders.

  “There is something I must speak of with you, but my father mustn't know. There is no one in the stables but the horses – maybe we could speak there more privately?”

  “Of course” said a perplexed Mills. “I need to store these nails – maybe you could lead the horse back into the stable for me?” Jane was happy to accept, took the reins from Mills and made for the stable block while he went to the barn and dropped the bag of nails in an empty corner.

  “Ridgway sends his regards to your father” Mills told Jan
e when he arrived back at the stable, shaking the snow from his greatcoat before stepping inside. “I also spoke with Bancks, who sends good wishes and also a message. But I believe you wanted to speak to me about another matter. Please, go on.” But Jane was curious as to what message might have to be delivered to her personally, and so she asked Mills to speak first.

  “A very strange thing happened today” he began. “I got to Ridgway's shop at a little past nine, only to find him having discussions with another fellow. I could not see who it was as his back was towards me. But when Bancks called for me to collect the nails he asked for me to step into the storeroom, so I knew something had to be afoot, only not what it might be. And he told me the strangest of tales. Bancks said the man talking to Ridgway was in fact Robert Cutter, and he had been summoned to the shop about settling a bill. But what Bancks said next was extraordinary, and I might have doubted his words but for what I witnessed myself just a while after.

  “Apparently, Ridgway is owed money by Cutter for work done, and Cutter had made claim he could not afford to pay the bill. Well as you can imagine I felt this could only be a lie; after all, Mister Cutter is a successful trader and not without an accumulated fortune, I would wager. I myself have seen Mister Cutter pay bills of a number of pounds on more than one occasion and be quite happy to do so, but Bancks tells me it was only under threat of going to prison for debt that Cutter was there today. If they have come to an agreement I cannot say, but Cutter pushed me aside on his way out of Ridgway's shop without a word of apology, so it would seem maybe Bancks is right and things are not going in Cutter's favour.” Jane was shocked by the revelation, and now more keen to share her own news. If what Mills had said was true, her father would never allow her to marry William Cutter. She had no desire to be his bride anyway, and just maybe she could persuade her father that George Bancks would make a fine husband. “Now please, Miss Jane, tell me what is on your mind.”

  “One of Robert Cutter's messengers stopped by just a short while after you had left for the market – I saw him arrive from my bedroom window. My father brought him into the house, gave him a finger of brandy and sat him in front of the fire while they talked. I crept some way down the staircase to try and hear what was said, and while I did not make out every word it would seem that Mister Cutter is keen to move along plans for the wedding of me and William. My mother and father are to meet with the Cutters and William four days from now, at their house. And it would seem likely they would have us wed one week later, at Candlemas. My father is keen for the marriage to go ahead and would be little likely to stand in the way of Mister Cutter's wishes, but now it seems possible his reason to see us joined is not an honourable one. Do you have proof at all of what you have just told me, Andrew Mills?”

  “Only the word of Bancks at this time” said he. “But if your father was to speak to Ridgway he might find out more. Perhaps you should speak to Mister Brass right now and make known what you have just been told. He will want to know how you came by such a story, so should he ask you might tell him that it was Bancks who spoke to me when I went into town earlier. When the truth is known I feel sure Mister Brass would want to thank me from saving his daughter being wed to a pauper. You should go, Miss Jane, for there is no time to lose.”

  “Thank you, Andrew Mills – I owe you a great debt.” Jane gave him a small kiss on the cheek before hurrying back inside. That was twice now she had called him by name, and the kiss was most unexpected. Certainly her father would not have approved of either. Mills felt his legs weaken, his stomach turn, and his heart soar. He paid their difference in social stature no mind; it was apparent to Mills that Jane Brass was wanting to rid herself of Cutter and instead seek the affections of Mills himself. That at least was what he wanted to believe, and he felt certain it would happen.

  A timid knock at the door of John Brass' study.

  “Enter!” Jane opened the door just a crack, poked her face into the room and looked around.

  “Jane, my dear! Why, won't you come in? Close the door behind you and come join me at the fire!” the girl did as she was bade, her heart pounding nervously.

  “Father, I need to speak to you – it's quite urgent...” She stopped talking. He waited a while longer.

  “Well, what is it?”

  “There is something I must ask you. It is to do with William Cutter...”

  “And what might that be?”

  “Tell me; if his family were not so wealthy as now, would you still wish us to be wed?” The question had been asked, and now her nerves were calmed as Mister Brass sat and perused this for a short time.

  “A strange question indeed, but one that I can answer. I believe William Cutter to be perfect for my daughter; he is of good standing and it is Robert's intention to bring William into the family business after you wed. He will be able to keep you in the standard of living to which you have become accustomed, and I would even go so far to say as he is a handsome young fellow and so with the intellect and beauty combined you should both have fine children. That would make me and your mother very happy. If he were of a lower standing than of now then of course I might be forced to reconsider my opinion, but I see no reason why you should be asking such questions.”

  “I have just had information made known to me that might change your mind. It seems Mister Cutter was at the blacksmith's shop earlier; there was a dispute over an unpaid debt and it is claimed he could not afford to pay it. There was even mention he might have to go to prison until the money owed is paid. If this is true then surely his financial appearance must be a false one.”

  “And where did you hear such a story, might I ask?”

  “Mills called at Ridgway's shop earlier to collect some nails. He said Bancks told it him, and Mister Cutter was right there in the shop at the time. He almost knocked Mills to the ground in his hurry to get away.”

  “And you believe him?”

  “I do. There is no reason for it to be a lie, for neither Mills nor Bancks would stand to gain from the telling of such a story.”

  “Unless it were to embarrass the Cutter household, of course. Robert Cutter has been a very good friend of mine for many a year, and has always been an affluent gentleman of good standing.”

  “Bancks said that Ridgway has it all written down in his ledger. You could speak to him and ask to see the evidence with your own eyes. It would not be difficult...”

  “So you would have me believe the word of a servant, an apprentice and a blacksmith over that of a respected trader and good friend?”

  “Why, of course not! But wouldn't you rather be sure before a wedding took place than be made to look a fool if it is all found to be true afterward?” Jane could see her father's patience had run out. There was to be no further debate. Her fate was sealed.

  “You dare to call me a fool? Get out, child! GET OUT!” Brass swung a large right hand; it connected heavily by its back on his daughter's right cheek, instantly leaving an unsightly red mark that would surely bruise terribly within the next hour or two. “You will marry William Cutter and that is it! I will rid the house of Mills when the wedding is completed – he is a bad influence around this place.” Jane ran from the room, an arm over her face. She opened her bedroom door and collapsed onto her bed, sobbing into her pillow.

  It was some hours before Mills learned what had happened, and Jane had never seen him in such a rage when he saw the black marks on her cheek and she mentioned how it had happened. He had been ready to confront Mister Brass right then and there, challenge the man to a fight for his daughter's honour, but Jane managed to calm him sufficiently. She felt it best not to tell him about her father's intent to dispense of his services when the wedding was over.

  “So, what would you do next, Miss Jane?” Mills was curious to know. “Do you intend to marry William?” Jane was shaking her head sadly, not a word passing her lips.

  “I see no other choice” she said at last. “I marry a man I do not want to be with and my father is made
to look more of a fool than now, for which he shall surely blame me, and most likely you and also Bancks. It is a terrible affair all round.”

  “We could leave here, together” Mills said with some hope. “Go where others might not find us. We could leave tonight, while they sleep.” Jane stared at Mills, not sure how to react.

  “Are you serious, Andrew Mills?”

  “Very much so. I have a little money put by, and maybe you have the same. If you have any small artefacts that could be easily carried they might be sold for a good price. I could find work at another household some way from here. Wouldn't it be grand?” Jane smiled, sighed heavily, a cloud of warm breath disappearing into the cold afternoon air. And then she laughed a little, a sound Mills much loved to hear. “So, you will come with me?”

  “It is a kind offer, most certainly, but one I cannot take. I am sorry.”

  “You do not wish to be with me?” Jane looked awkward, a sure sign to Mills he would not like what she had to say.

  “I think you are a fine young fellow. You have served our family well and young Elizabeth finds you delightful to be around, but I have no wish to be with you just as I have no wish to be with William Cutter, for my heart belongs to another.”

  “And that would be George Bancks, I might assume?” She shivered at the sound of his name, a reaction which Mills did not like one bit.

  “It is true that my love for George Bancks far exceeds that of any other man, besides that which I have for my father, of course.”

  “Then maybe his story of the debt is a concoction, and yours of the messenger a lie also. I find it hard to believe so much could happen by chance to go against Cutter. Would this be a scheme betwixt you and Bancks to ruin Cutter's standing so you both can have your way with one another?”

  “How DARE YOU make such an accusation! Why, doesn't this tell you more than any words that I am speaking the truth?” Jane stared into Mills' eyes, pointed to her injured cheek. “I told my father just as you told me, and he refuses to take the word of a servant, an apprentice and a blacksmith over that of his friend. It does not matter what I say, he will not believe me and refuses to go to the blacksmith for answers. A good many lives will be spoilt by his stubborn behaviour, and nothing can be done until the truth is shown for what it really is. Well the one thing I can be thankful for is not having to listen to or even look at you again!”