by N. M. Bell
“Vater, what has happened to Vater?” She clutched his arm but didn’t pull away from him.
“An accident, a stupid accident,” Jake told her. “How did ye know about it? I was sent to fetch ye and bring ye to him.”
“One of Cassie Doolan’s childer brought me the message. Said some man tolt him to.” Aggie puffed for breath between the words. “Is he alive? Where is he?” She pulled on Jake’s arm as he passed where they should have turned to go to the shop.
“He’s down by the docks. C’mon, hurry up for gawd’s sake.”
“The docks? What was he doin’ down there at this time a’ the night?” She glanced up at him, her eyes wild and glimmering with unshed tears.
“Don’t know. I was at the Star when a bloke bust in askin’ did anyone know where Fleischer’s daughter was on account of the auld man being jumped down at the docks,” Jake made up the lies off the top of his head. It wouldn’t matter what he said, the woman would be dead in a matter of minutes so there was no chance she could ever check his story.
“Why would he go to the dock?” Aggie stuffed a fist against her mouth to stop the high pitched wail.
The sound grated on Jake’s nerves and he tightened his grip on her arm, half dragging her to a faster pace. The sooner the deed was done, the better he would like it. He sensed Father’s presence striding along just ahead of him, a gossamer shape in the shifting fog. “Just a bit farther now, Jake. You need to get the witch down under the span of the bridge in the shadows. Send the bitch back to Hades where she sprang from.” The rain increased, stirring the heavy mist and allowing Jake a clearer view of the man a few paces ahead of him. Why couldn’t the woman see him? Father was right before her, clear as the nose on your face. “She is filled with sin. The she beast is not able to see the glory of God that surrounds and protects me from ones such as she. She is blinded by Lucifer to all things Godly.”
“She sees me well enough,” Jake protested.
Aggie stopped short and forced him to halt as well. “What? Who on earth as ye yatterin’ at?” Alarm mixed with puzzlement chased across her features.
“Nothin’, nothin’. C’mon, yer da’s this way.” Jake pulled her into motion again, silently cursing himself for speaking to Father aloud. They reached the foot of Coopers Row by the old scaffold site and he struck out in the direction of the Tower. He skirted the Tower proper and led the woman down the far side of huge unfinished bridge structure half spanning the Thames. The area was sparsely populated with the heavy rain falling, but there were still too many busy bodies about for Jake’s peace of mind. Too many ears to hear the bitch squeal or protest when she realised the bundle of rags on the muddy bank wasn’t her dear auld da’. Jake hesitated. He hadn’t reckoned on the early hour, by midnight the place would be nigh on deserted, not crawling with eejits like it was now. ‘This way.’ Father strode off into the mist and Jake hurried to follow. “Almost there,” he assured Aggie who was looking at him in a very odd way. As if she were getting ready to scream bloody murder at any minute. After crossing the road that led to the bridge, he dropped down the other side onto the narrow lane that gave access to the St Katharine Docks proper. There was less activity here. Just a few barges getting ready to go downstream on the outgoing tide. He glanced around searching for Father, his gaze lingered on a storage locker with the heavy oak door standing ajar. Of course! It’s perfect. Far enough away that no one would hear her scream if he was clumsy and near enough to dispose of the body in the river if he chose to. It might be a bit of jolly to just leave her in the locker until someone came upon her by accident, though. Time to worry about that after he cleansed her soul.
Jake hustled Aggie down the last bit of pavement unto the slick planks of the docks. There was no one about to take notice of their passage, so no unwanted and unexpected witness to come forward after the body was discovered. There was still so much work to do and he was only one man. It was his cross to bear for springing from the loins of his depraved mother.
“I don’t see anyone, Jake. Are ye sure this is the place they telled ye? Maybe they took him to the hosp’tal already, d’ye think?” She stopped and looked around, wringing her hands in her skirts, moisture shining on her cheeks. The faint light that filtered down mixed with the mist to create a nimbus of illumination around her. Jake’s breath caught in his throat. What an angel she was. An angel. Father must be wrong, how could something so lovely be evil?
“Jacob,” Father thundered in his ear. “It’s the siren’s call, the wench is bewitching ye. Be strong, ignore the call of Satan!”
“Jake? Where is my vater?” Aggie tugged at his sleeve, breaking the trance that held him.
“Over here, the man said they took him into a locker to keep the rain off ‘til you could come and tell ‘em what ta do.” He drew her closer to the looming maw of the door.
“Aye, if he’s not bad hurt I can nurse ‘im at home. We’ve gots a bit of brass but them hosp’tals are cruel hard on the poor.” She nodded and moved nearer. “Why is there no light in there? The rats’ll be at him if there’s no torch.” Aggie glanced over her shoulder at him in alarm.
She stumbled as she turned back and Jake took the opportunity to shove her into the locker. He followed her in and closed the door firmly behind him. The rustle of her skirts and shuffling feet seemed loud in the enclosed space. Jake found her by following the sound of her movements in the pitch darkness.
“Vater? Are ye here?” Aggie’s voice trembled and trailed off when Jake grabbed her arms. “Jake, where is he? Why is it so dark in here?”
“Shut up, woman,” he hissed at her. “It is the Lord’s work I’m about. Ye’ll shut yer gob lessen I say so, keep yer Satan’s tongue quiet or I’ll cut it out, so I will.”
The woman took a sharp breath and stamped on his foot. She attempted to whirl away and elbow him in the ribs. His fingers bit into her forearms preventing her from scratching at his face. Jake shook her violently until her head flopped on her shoulders and he was forced to support the weight as her knees buckled. Jake lowered the witch to the floor and kneeled on her back while he tied her wrists and ankles with strips of leather he’d brought just for that purpose, if it turned out he needed them. It wasn’t a problem he usually worried about, the speed and surprise of his initial attack had always subdued the women quickly in the past. Better to be prepared and not need it, than to need a back-up and not have one to hand. That’s what Father always preached and Father was always right.
Jake left Aggie lying on the damp floor and pulled some matches from his pocket to light the small torch he took from the inside pocket of his jacket. He unrolled the canvas covering and lit it, sticking the end in a crack on the floor. The flickering light glinted off Aggie’s eyes. He slid down the wall and sat with his knees pulled up and his forearms resting on them.
“Why’re ye doin’ this, Jake? I’ve done nothin’ to harm ye. Where is Vater, what’ve ye done to ‘im? Is it money ye’re wantin’ or…” Her voice tailed off and a horrified expression twisted her face. “Oh, mein Gott … is it that ye’re wantin’? To shove yer John Henry up me…?” Tears glimmered in the torch light.
“Hold yer whist, woman,” he snarled. “Don’t try to offer yer body, full as it is of sin, to sway me from me duty to the Lord. ‘Tis His work I’m after doin’. Ye brought this on yer own self, ye hoor. Mewling and rubbing yer titties agin that p’liceman, like a cat in heat ye was. Right out on the street where anyone could see ye. Sealed yer fate, ye did. I didn’t wan’ ta b’lieve it of ye, but I seen it wi’ me own peepers and I couldn’t very well deny the truth after that.”
“What are you blethering about?” The shock of realisation blanched her pale face further. “Ye followed me and Bob? Ye spied on me?”
“Aye, I did. By the Lord God’s own orders, I did. Woman is the root of all sin, driving men folks to drink and fornicate, with their whiles. Minions of Satan, every last one of ye. I thought ye were different, a lamb of God, spared the sins o
f the flesh and acceptable as a bride of Christ. But ye’re no different than the rest of them, yer salvation will only be gained by cleansing yer body of the organs of sin, washing them in yer own heart’s blood. ‘Tis the only way, Aggie. Ye must see that.”
The lips moved in her paper white face but no words came out.
“Hark ye, the Lord God Almighty has taken yer power of speech in His displeasure. Ye have sinned and wronged His holy principles. Ye must pay, Aggie, as the others have paid. I offer ye absolution in the release of yer sins. I will cut the organs of sin from ye and leave yer soul free of blemish so ye may petition Saint Peter at the Gates of Heaven. Perhaps he will have mercy on yer soul. Me duty and me holy orders are clear.”
“Whatever are ye on about, Jake,” she whispered. Her pale face glowed in the torch light. “What others had to pay? Who d’ye mean?”
“Do ye take me fer a stupid man? Ye know what birds I mean.” Jake leaned down and snarled in her face.
“I don’t, I don’t…” Aggie shook her head and the pins dropped to the floor, the loosened curls spilling around her head in a halo.
For a long moment, Jake stood transfixed, his gaze following the play of the flames sparking golden light from the shining tresses. An angel, truly an angel. Hark at the halo.
A shout from outside broke his trance. In a flash, he hauled the woman to her feet and clamped a hand over her mouth. She struggled and twisted against him, succeeding in turning in his grip. Her bound feet kept her from moving any further. Jake’s arm held her upright against his body, her sweet arse connecting with his groin. He stifled a groan as his weak flesh responded to the friction. The heaviness of her full teats rested on the arm he wound around her ribcage. The hand over her mouth squeezed convulsively as he fought to keep his composure. Tiny squeaks issued from the woman’s throat. A hot thrill flashed through him as her tongue pushed wetly on his palm. He tightened the grip on her body and lifted Aggie off her feet.
“Don’t try to tempt me wi’ your lecherous tongue, hoor. Keep it in yer mouth or I’ll rip it out,” he growled fiercely. The fleshy lobe of her ear brushed the corner of his mouth, giving in to instinct Jake took it between his teeth and flicked it with his tongue. His victim gasped against his hand and wriggled, her feet kicking him in the shins. The warm flesh captured in his teeth and the gyrations of her body pushed him beyond reason. Clamping his jaw, Jake ground his teeth until the coppery taste of blood flooded his mouth. Her muffled scream drove him on. He sucked the lobe hard and bit down again. The hand over her mouth slid over her chin and shoved her head back as far as it could go, the fingers clenched around the throat just below the jaw. “Squeal now, ye hoor. I’ll throttle ye for yer trouble.”
Jake released the ravaged ear and spun Aggie around, pinning her against the side of the locker. Her eyes were huge and pleading as she gasped for breath. He allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction and spit in her face. Blood and spittle ran down her cheek.
“Do it now, Jacob. The time is ripe, cleanse her of her sins before something interrupts you,” Father advised from the shadows. “Why do you hesitate? I never raised you to be a weak coward. No true son of mine would ever shirk his holy duty.”
“Yes, Father,” he whispered, never taking his gaze from the woman’s face. “I know I must, but it’s hard, she is so lovely…”
“Are you mad? The creature is a whore and a minion of Satan. Have you not witnessed her infidelity with your own eyes?”
“Yes, Father, I know you speak the truth,” Jake admitted.
“Who are ye talkin’ to?” the woman managed to croak out past the grip on her throat.
He didn’t bother to answer the question; it was none of the creature’s affair. The hand on her neck kept her upright against the wall. His free hand rested on her shoulder which rose and fell violently as she fought for breath. His gaze dipped lower of its own accord and rested on material straining across her chest with each inhalation. Involuntarily, one hand followed his gaze, fingers tracing the top of her breasts. Unable to stop himself, Jake lifted the weight of one in his palm spanning his fingers over the mound. Revulsion fired through him, but it seemed he was no longer in control. The quick intake of her breath and the horror in her expression spurred him to new heights. One controlled jerk tore the bodice of her dress and the thin shift beneath open and revealed the creamy expanse of shoulder and bosom.
“Such nice titties, be a shame to waste ‘em on a crusher, doncha think? Did ye let ‘im see ‘em, paw at ye with his unclean hands.” Jake pinched her hard enough to leave marks on her trembling flesh. “D’ye like that, then?” He leaned closer. “D’ye enjoy this?” He rolled the exposed nipple between thumb and forefinger before digging his thumb nail into it and twisting. A gasp of pain escaped Aggie’s lips. “Answer me, bitch,” he demanded twisting harder.
Aggie nodded, her eyes closed.
“Ye will look at me when yer talkin’ to me, hoor.” Jake dug the thumb nail deeper, pinched harder. “Tell me yer likin’ what I’m doin’ to yer titties. Tell me yer wet and ready to offer yerself in exchange fer yer life.”
Aggie’s eyes fluttered open, a tiny spark of hope flickering there. “Aye,” she whispered. “Aye,” she swallowed hard, “I like what yer doin’. If ye’ll let me go, I’ll spread m’legs fer ye whenever ye want. Promise.”
Jake couldn’t pull his gaze away from her eyes glowing luminous in the torch light.
“Jacob, quit this nonsense and do your duty,” Father roared, breaking the thrall she held over him.
“Hoor,” he shrieked, his hand falling from her breast. “I mun carry out my task, but there’ll be no absolution fer ye. Ye almost had me caught and pinned by yer tricks, but the Lord Almighty will prevail.” He released the hold on her throat and shoved her away from him. The woman tripped over her bound ankles and fell heavily to the floor. Jake pulled Father’s knife from his jacket and stood over her.
“Now, Jacob, before it’s too late. Even now they search for her,” Father urged.
“Jakie, me darlin’ boy, let her go. Ye know ye must,” Mam stepped into the torch light from the shadows behind Father.
“Spawn of Satan, Whore of Babylon,” Father bellowed, blessing himself with the sign of the cross. “Be gone from here, I command you.”
Mam laughed and moved closer to Jake. “The days are gone that ye can order me about.” She moved past him to stand beside Aggie.
Jake’s hand fell to his side, the knife held in lax fingers as Mam smiled at him. One hand reached out and smoothed the cowlick on his forehead as she often had when he was young. Father’s screams of rage barely registered as Mam pulled him to her and rested his head on her shoulder. Tears rose and threatened to choke him, his shoulders quivered and heaved as he fought for control. Aggie stirred by his feet but he ignored her, longing for the solace offered by his mother’s embrace.
“Jakie, ah stoirin, my little love. Ye know ye must set the woman free. She is not the evil here.”
“Father says I mun do this,” he mumbled.
“Listen to me, mo chuisle, ye don’t have ta harm the woman, no more’n ye had to harm those other pur wimmen.” Mam stroked his hair as Jake buried his face against her shoulder inhaling the scent of lavender.
“Evil, wimmen are all evil. Spawns of Satan, the Bible says it is so,” Jake insisted.
“Jake, am I evil then, too?” She held him away and shook Jake gently. “Look in yer heart, ye know I have nothin’ ta do wi’ the divil.”
“No, Mam, not you. I never b’lieved ye were evil,” Jake insisted. He was vaguely aware of Father shouting at him. It seemed to come from a long way away and he ignored it. “I’m sorry, Mam, so sorry.” His voice wavered as he fought back another tide of tears.
“What are ye sorry fer, mo chroi? Fer what ye done to them wimmen, or is it somethin’ more?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t try ta pertect ye. I was a coward and hid in the cupboard until Father found me and made me watch. I sho
uld have tried to help you, made him stop … I should have hit ‘im wi’ something.” The words poured out in a flood, once started he couldn’t seem to stop the flow of guilt that carried them. “Sorry, so sorry….”
“Jacob, ye listen ta me, right this minute,” Mam commanded.
Jake raised his head and wiped the tears and snot from his cheeks. Mam never called him by his full name unless he was in serious trouble.
“Ye were a chiseler, a young’un. There is nothin’ ye could have done to stop him or to change anything that happened.” She held up a hand to quiet him when he would have spoken. “‘Twas me own fault fer marryin’ the man in the first place. Me own mither warned me agin it, but I were young and headstrong and paid her no mind. The only good thing that came out o’that mess were you. I couldn’t pertect ye from ‘im in the end though, Jakie. And fer that I’m sorry. I should ‘ave taken ye and run back to County Down wi’ me tail between me legs. But, no, I were too proud fer that. Go back an’ admit that I were wrong and they was right all along. I were havin’ none of that. If anyone is to blame here, ma mhuirnin, it is me, not ye. Now, make this right and let the girl go.”
Jake nodded his head and the next thing he saw was the floorboards rise up to meet his face. The impact rattled his brains but he scrambled to his feet and caught Aggie’s skirts as she bolted past him.
“Catch the bitch and kill her,” Father screamed.
“Let her go, Jakie. Let her go,” Mam implored him.
Aggie swung her fist aiming to smash his nose, he grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her.
“Aggie! Aggie! Are ye here?” Voices called faintly from the dark. Fog swirled and danced in the wind coming up the river.
“Hold yer whist, woman,” Jake snarled, yanking her arm higher.
“Her men folks are come lookin’ fer her. Let her go afore it’s too late,” Mam urged him.
“They’re coming this way, Jacob. You need to get out while you can. Take the bitch with you, she’ll tell them who you are and what you tried to do. She might even suspect the truth, she might know you killed those other women,” Father shrieked. “Get your arse out of here!”