Hunting Down the Darkness

by European P. Douglas

  Chapter 45

  Edwards skulked in the trees by the side of the road some hundred yards from the entrance to the grounds of Wild Boar Hall. This was the spot he’d arranged to meet the post rider to intercept any mail coming to the house that might alert James to what was going on in Dublin. A rider and horse cantered up the road in the cool evening, the breath of the horse spuming out in a great mist before it.

  “You’re late,” he said to the rider when they were level.

  “Sorry, Sir,” the man said, “I had to be sure no one would see me doing this.” Edwards nodded.

  “The letters?” he said with an outheld hand. The rider reached into his saddlebag and took out a small number of envelopes. Edwards looked over the addressees and postmarks in the letter. He handed a few back to the rider,

  “You can deliver these to the house in the morning.”

  “Thank you Sir, I’m sure someone from the house would have been down asking us what was going on if another day passed without them getting any post.”

  “Yes,” Edwards said with disinterest. He was looking at a letter addressed to himself from London. After someone had imitated Olocher’s first murder, Edwards had sent a letter to one of his informants in London to check in on the whereabouts of Dr Adams, whom Edwards had rightly fingered for the murders Spencer was currently incarcerated for. This was the reply from that letter and he was eager to read it.

  “Did the Alderman try to send anything to Dublin?” he asked the rider.

  “Yes, Sir,” was the answer and another letter was handed to Edwards. He looked this one over and saw it was addressed to Sherriff Dunbar. Most likely, it was only James asking why Dunbar had not sent any updates about anything since James had been in Waterford. Still, you never knew what lay behind the seal of a private letter. It might be something juicier than just the run of the mill stuff. Perhaps a clue to James' thinking on the killer here at Wild Boar Hall.

  “There’s things happening in Dublin, Sir,” the rider said, “Lord Stapleton will want the news.”

  “He’ll get the news when I say he can have it,” Edwards said coldly. “Do you understand?” The rider looked to the ground nervously. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?” he asked the rider.

  “There was a big man, with long hair and foreign in the town yesterday. He posted a letter to Dublin but we only found out later that he was staying at the Hall.”

  “I know the man,” Edwards said, “Who did he sent the letter to?”

  “A priest in St. Nicholas Church.” Edwards thought about this a moment and concluded it must have something to do with Deek’s fascination with the Devil.

  “That’s it?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Edwards gave him some coins and set off for the house.

  When he was alone in his room, he looked at the two letters and opened the one from London first. It was a short letter and to the point. Dr Adams was working in London and hadn’t left up to the time of the letter being written which was dated three days ago.

  This was not all that surprising; he’d thought it unlikely that Adams would risk coming back to Dublin with the information Edwards held over him. It had also been odd that he didn’t seem to be killing in London. There were good eyes on him and yet he seemed to be living as normal a life as any doctor would be. This made Edwards suspicious; he doubted all the rage and fury that went into the sick killings that took place in Dublin would have been solely aimed at framing Spencer. There had to be a terrible urge in Adams to do those things he’d done in the way he had. Well, that was a matter for another day. He wasn’t the one copying Olocher in Dublin and that was all that was pertinent for now. He tossed the letter into the fire.

  Alderman James’ letter to Dunbar was nothing to light up the night sky either. As expected, James admonished Dunbar for not keeping him updated and demanded a response to this letter within the day. Edwards smiled as he could picture Dunbar running around like a headless chicken to reply to this letter had he received it. In fact, he thought seeing as there was nothing else of interest in the letter he would put it in another envelope and send it on. Wild Boar Hall was not as interesting as Edwards hoped it would be. The reply from Dunbar would come straight to the house- he wouldn't be surprised if Dunbar brought the reply himself- and then James would find out what had been happening in his absence.

  Edwards chuckled at this image and saw in his mind the crimson face of anger that would show in the Alderman. Then he would waste no time in getting back to Dublin and they could be in the thick of the action once more. He was excited even thinking about it and was very thankful that this new killer had added a dimension of mystery for Edwards that otherwise would not have been there. He wondered who it could be this time, what strange truth was going to be unearthed with this killer.

  Edwards recalled when he first suspected Adams of the Spencer killings and how taken aback by the discovery he’d been. It had been much fun in trying to figure out how he’d killed the man in the tower and then trying to guess what was going on between Adams and Spencer. He only hoped that this new killer would prove to be just as interesting, and so far, he’d had a very good start at that.

  Chapter 46

  Alderman James was ready for bed when there came a gentle rapping on his door. He was tired and the whole talk of the evening had been of Daniel Deek's travels and on the nature of the Devil and ghoulish things like that. The last thing he wanted right now was to talk to anyone else. He trudged quietly to the door and listened. He had to be careful after all too; he still wasn’t sure if someone had tried to kill him before.

  “Who is it?” he asked.

  “It’s me, Sir, Lisa,” the soft whispered voice came back. James had a quick look down to be sure his dressing gown covered himself and then hastily opened the door. To his surprise, Lisa rushed in- making him take a couple of steps back- and shut the door behind her. James was alarmed by this,

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “I need to talk to you, Mr James, I’m sorry about the late hour but I didn’t want anyone to see me coming to you.” There was such urgency in her voice that he thought she had come to him with some information about the murder.

  “What is it; do you know something you haven’t told me yet?” Lisa looked confused a moment,

  “What? No, it’s not about the murder,” she said.

  “Well, what then?” he asked.

  “I wanted to tell you that Mr Edwards has offered me a job in Dublin.” There was no real expression on her face and James had no idea why she was telling him this and why it had to be so late at night and such a secret.

  “That’s what you rushed up here to tell me?” he said dully.

  “No. I wanted to talk to you again about working for you. I would much rather work for you than Mr Edwards,” Lisa said.

  “Lisa,” James said patiently, “We have already been through this. I don’t have a position for you in my house.”

  “What would it take to convince you to let me come to Dublin?” she asked and James saw she raised one knee on to the bed and she ran her fingers over her bared collarbone. He flushed but tried to remain in control of his emotions. She had never been more attractive to him and all the power of his body wanted to rush to her and hold her to him.

  “It’s very late, Lisa,” he said not quite knowing what to say from there.

  “I know,” she replied and her knee went higher on to the bed. Her voice had changed and she was looking at him in a new way. Her tongue flecked her lower lip briefly and drew his eye to her beautiful mouth. How he longed to feel those lips on his own. “I would be a great asset to your house,” she said.

  Now as he gazed on she sat down on the bed and leaned back, her hand spreading along the bedsheets for support. Her breasts rose as the thin dress clung to her body. In that moment, James felt overcome with lust, more so than at any time he could ever recall. He felt his temperature rise and he looked away from her.

  “We can take
this discussion up again the morning,” he managed to say, “I am very tired and need to get some sleep.”

  “Are you sure you want me to leave?” she asked and James was once more pulled back to looking at her. She was so far back now she was almost lying down, only her elbows held her up a little. His eyes ran along the contours of her body and her face. At this angle with her hair flowing behind onto the bed, she was utterly mesmerizing and dazzlingly beautiful. He forced himself to look away once more, out through the window this time. He saw himself reflected in the glass and spoke as though addressing this image.

  “Yes, you must go now. It’s very late.”

  “If that’s what you truly want?” she said but this time he was ready for her voice and he did not follow its sound.

  “Yes, I think that would be for the best.”

  “As you wish,” Lisa said and he heard her get up from the bed and walk to the door. When it did not open after a few seconds, he did turn to look at her. “If you ever need me, I’ll be there for you Mr James,” she said and then opened the door and stood in the doorway.

  “That’s very good to know,” he said with a smile, his libido getting the better of him at this last moment. Lisa went out and closed the door silently behind her.

  Once she was gone, James went to the door and locked it. He turned and leaned his back to it taking in deep breaths to calm himself. His skin was tingling and a huge smile came to his face. He had never been affected by a woman to this extent in his life. His heart was pounding and he felt a little light headed. When he went to go to the bed, he found his legs almost failed him and he stumbled the last couple of feet. He landed where she had been leaning and he could smell the perfume that must have been on her wrists. He put his head close to the sheets and took in her aroma. Until he fell asleep that night his mind would allow him to think of nothing but Lisa in his room, and he didn’t try even once to fight these thoughts.

  Chapter 47

  “Will you ride with me to the small village on the hill?” Deek asked. Edwards had not expected this question.

  “Why do you want to go up there?” he asked Deek, “It’s filthy and mucky all the time.”

  “I heard there was a witch up there,” Deek answered with a smile.

  “A witch,” Edwards smiled, “You must mean the old woman who says she can read fortunes.”

  “The woman at the cauldron,” Deek said nodding.

  “Do you put stock into those kind of people?”

  “I investigate every opportunity presented to me,” Deek answered.

  “I see, and why do you want me to go with you?”

  “I thought you might be the kind of man who enjoyed such things.” Edwards nodded,

  “I suppose I am that kind of man,” he said. He recalled seeing the woman the first time and the odd feeling he got from her. He didn’t really want to go back up to her but it might be a chance to see a bit more of what this Daniel Deek fellow was about. His interests appealed to Edwards and he wanted to see the man at work. “Horses or on foot?” he asked getting up from his chair.

  “I think a walk would be nice; the evening is coming in well.” Edwards looked out the window not quite sure what this meant. He assumed it was something lost in translation; there had been a few examples of that in Deek’s speech since arriving.

  The air was damp and the evening a little on the chilly side as the two men walked towards the slum village. Edwards was not a small man but next to Deek, he looked almost like a child. He thought even Lord Muc would look small next to the German.

  “What is your experience with evil, Mr Edwards?” Deek asked as they got to the rougher terrain.

  “I’ve seen a lot of people who have been horribly murdered,” Edwards replied.

  “No, that is someone else's experience of evil,” Deek smiled, “What is yours?”

  “Are you asking me if I have ever killed anyone?” Edwards grinned.

  “Not necessarily, but if you have I would say that counts.”

  “Well, you will be disappointed to learn that I have never killed anyone.” Edwards was looking ahead but he felt the eyes of his companion on him for a long time as they walked. He stayed looking ahead however, not wanting to give Deek any kind of psychological victory over him.

  “Have you spoken to this woman before?” Deek asked as she came into view.

  “Yes, I don’t think you’re going to have too much joy here, I’m afraid.”

  Old Molly looked on them as they approached. It had started to spatter rain again and they heard it tapping on the wattle roof of the overhang under which she sat. The fire was going and on top, the large black cauldron steamed away.

  “She doesn’t look surprised to see us,” Deek said with a smile. Edwards did not say anything.

  “Good evening, Madam,” Deek said when they got to her, “I am Daniel Deek.”

  “You seek the Devil,” Molly said interrupting him. Deek looked at Edwards in surprise,

  “Yes, I do. Can you help me?”

  “Sit down,” she said waving at two low stools by the wall. Deek and Edwards pulled these out and sat down. The effect was a little comical as both men were now only at eye level with the top of the cauldron, Deek's head a little above it while Molly sat on a much higher stool and looked down on them now.

  “I don’t intend to find the evil one for you,” she said when they were seated, “But you will meet him one day.”

  “So you’re telling me I haven’t met him already?” Deek asked seriously. Edwards looked at him and saw the rapt attention he gave the woman's answer.

  “Possibly you have, but if so you won’t know it until the time is right.” She glanced at Edwards, “You have a question?” Edwards looked into the cauldron and felt a little woozy. He’d been drinking when Deek came to him but he didn’t think he’s had enough to feel like this.

  “How does it end?” he asked absently.

  “It doesn’t end,” she answered solemnly. She got up and went inside the building without saying anything more. Deek stood up and stirred the pot with a large ladle. He looked at Edwards who was starting to come back to himself.

  “You are concerned about something?” Deek asked sitting back down.

  “Not feeling well all of a sudden,” Edwards said.

  “I think I understand,” Deek said.

  “Did she answer as you would have liked?” Edwards asked.

  “I suppose she did,” Deek said, “But only time will tell.” They were silent a moment watching the fire. “Did you get your answer?” Deek asked.

  “I don’t know,” Edwards said and he was being honest. He wasn’t fully sure himself what he had asked Molly or why. Deek nodded and then tapping the cauldron with the ladle said,

  “This is city of Dublin,” Edwards looked at the cauldron, “and this,” now Deek poked at the fire, “This is you, the light beneath the cauldron.” Edwards looked at Deek the pair meeting eyes. What did he know, Edwards thought. How could he know anything? Could he be the killer who’d copied Olocher and then come down here making up that story about the boat landing?

  “Only time will tell, I suppose,” he replied and both men smiled and stared into the pot. The rain began to come down heavy now and the noise under the overhang was ferocious. They set off back towards the house, both men deep in thought after their short but strange visit to the ‘witch’. Edwards’ thoughts came down to the same question each time on that walk back.

  “Who was Daniel Deek?”

  Chapter 48

  The house on Dominick Street looked old now, despite only being vacant for ten or eleven months. It has the look of some old relic, from a. different age and a forgotten people. For Spencer it felt like a place from another life, one that he could no longer recall in any great detail. It almost felt as though it were someone else's life he was trying to win back.

  “What makes you think the diary will still be where you left it?” Mary asked cowering in the darkness beside him. “Wouldn't
they have taken it as part of the investigation?’

  “Investigation!” Spencer spat, “They took the confession of a madman as Gospel. No one looked anymore into this affair once they had who they assumed to be their man.’

  “I see,” Mary said. Spencer could see how afraid she was being here with him and he wondered again about his decision to ask her to accompany him. Alone he would have looked suspicious prowling about after dark, but with a woman in tow, it didn't seem all that strange to anyone who might see them. No one would suspect that any woman would walk around at night with an alleged killer as her guide.

  “You can leave now, if you like,” he said to her, “You've done more than enough for me already.” Mary looked at him and shook her head,

  “No, it's alright; I'm in this with you. I want to be able to clear your name,” she said.

  “I will make all of this up to you one day,” Spencer said, “I don't know how or when that will be, but I promise I will make it up to you.’

  “If you are truly innocent, then clearing your name and setting things to right will be all the thanks I need,” Mary answered. Spencer nodded at this and looked around the street once more.

  “It's clear now, let's go.”

  The two shadows moved across the street and went quickly to the laneway that led to the servant’s entrance at the back of the house. Spencer wondered what state he would find the inside of the house in. He expected it would be much as he left it, with a ghostly tongue of dust and cobwebs covering the furniture and surfaces.

  Spencer could see that Mary was getting more and more nervous sneaking around outside so he quickly set home the key and opened the door. She rushed in happily, and he went in after.