The candlelight caught the edge of the blade as it went to work. The flickering on the weapon stopped briefly as Alpha dropped the skin from the face of the first victim. The gruesome task resumed until four faces had been removed and burned. He then removed his robe and used it to wipe his blade clean. He crossed to the untainted wine and used it to wash the majority of the blood from his hands. Then he retrieved his jacket, placed the blade within the breast pocket. Without another thought to those that he had just butchered, he slipped into the shadows of the city.
Chapter 15
Sir Simeon Harkness drove his fist, hard into the fleshy torso belonging to Finch. He had no compulsion to pull his blows. Finch had been delivered to Cloveney Hall. Simeon was determined that the Ripper’s lawyer be left in no doubt as to whom he should be more afraid. The punch to the torso was the third act of violence committed by Simeon, and he had not bothered to ask Finch a question.
“What do you want? I have told you everything,” Finch cowered as he spoke. “Are you going to let him do this?” Finch aimed his question over Simeon’s shoulder to the motionless Abberline.
“Why not? As soon as the Ripper catches up with you – then you are dead. What difference does it make if you die here or in some shit-filled alley in London?” Abberline replied.
“But you work for the Yard,” Finch replied. His tone was becoming increasingly desperate.
“Not tonight.”
Another blow sent Finch sprawling across the floor. Simeon plucked a handkerchief from his pocket. As he wiped the blood from his knuckles, he stared at Finch.
“Here is my problem, Finch,” Simeon finally spoke. “I have the greatest respect for Frederick Abberline and his comrades at Scotland Yard, but they do insist on playing by the rule book. I cannot help feeling frustrated. I am not of that world. I made my fortune breaking my back and quite often the bones of those that tried to take what was mine. The elevated position I enjoy today was earned spitting blood and by pulling myself bodily from a swamp filled to the brim with shit like you. I learned very early that men like you could not be reasoned with – they must be broken. The Ripper has my boy, and that means men like Abberline must take a step to the side. Rules do not matter in this room, and if I decide to break each and every bone in your body, there is not a soul in the world that will raise a hand in protest.” Simeon bent forward and lifted Finch from the floor. He pushed him without ceremony onto a small wooden chair. “I had thought my days of breaking knuckles on a man’s jaw were long since over. Apparently, not…”
“No! Wait there may be something! Finch held up his hand in defence as he squealed.
Simeon held his blow but refused to lower his arm. He was angry; part of him wanted to hit Finch, and then to keep hitting him. Finch served the Ripper and in Simeon’s book that made him lower than dirt, not worthy of mercy. “Be warned my patience is wearing thin.”
“I was given a list of properties. I was to enquire if Cronos could obtain those properties and if necessary, convince the owners to sell. Some were residential and others owned by a variety of businesses. I have already passed the list of successful acquisitions to your man, Tallow.”
“Are you wasting my time, Finch? I do not want information we already have.”
Finch flinched as he must have expected another blow to land.
“I remember one such property. My intervention had failed, and the owner had refused to entertain the thought of selling. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but less than a month later I read that the man had been crushed beneath the wheels of his own cart in a freak accident. I cannot say for sure, but perhaps I was merely the less violent way of getting the properties.” Finch gave a pathetic smile. Clearly, he hoped that he had done enough to prevent further beating.
“Give me the list,” Simeon growled.
“I don’t have it.”
“Are you taking me for a fool?” Simeon grabbed Finch by the throat.
“No please! I don’t have the list, but I know where it is,” Finch squealed.
“Where is it?” Simeon demanded. “And be warned Finch, I am losing patience.”
“I have a safety box at Drummonds. I placed some documents there for safekeeping until I returned from Africa.” Finch grimaced as he spoke.
“And you have waited until now to inform of this?”
“The documents have nothing to do with the Ripper. Only the list could be of use to your investigation,” Finch replied hurriedly.
“One moment,” Abberline interrupted. “Drummonds, that is where Gilbert Wilde was employed.”
“Yes, I used Wilde to move the money belonging to Cronos…”
Finch’s reply was cut short as a fist connected with his jaw. The force of the blow knocked him from the chair.
“You wait until now to inform us of these facts. Do you think this is a game, Finch?” Simeon was enraged by his captive’s delaying tactics.
“No! I give you my word. The transactions between myself and Cronos are all within my documents. Drummonds would have no idea as to the real identity of its customer.”
“And what of other transactions. Ones that you had no knowledge,” Abberline asked. “We thought Wilde was just another disgruntled employee. Tell me Finch, did you approach Wilde or did he contact you?”
Finch suddenly looked crestfallen,
“He arranged the meeting and set up my safety box,” he replied timidly.
“Then we need to look at the bank once again,” Faraday replied. “Let us hope that Wilde didn’t enter your box and remove any documents that he felt could pose a threat.”
“Find me that list, Abberline. Take Naismith and Benjamin, they will be best suited to the task.” Simeon paused as he studied Finch. “You had best take him too. It will make accessing the box simpler but keep him on a short leash.”
“I…I don’t want to go to London,” Finch stammered.
Ignoring Finch, Simeon turned to face Abberline. “I have no wish to tell you how to conduct yourself in this matter, Abberline. However, may I suggest that the Yard remain unaware of our plans. Get to London, set our men to the task, but get Finch back here with all haste.”
“I agree. Unfortunately, I cannot place my trust in the Yard, and Finch makes all of us targets,” Abberline replied.
“But…” Finch tried to interrupt.
“Be quiet! Your actions have placed my family at peril. You have facilitated thieves and murderers. My best friend lies beneath the earth because of your actions. Twenty years ago, I would have taken you to the nearest tree and strung you up. Open your mouth again, and I promise your neck will snap like a rotten branch.” Simeon balled his fists using the pressure of his grasp to try and calm his fury. His words silenced Finch who dropped his head into his hands.
***
The following day a carriage arrived outside Drummonds bank. Abberline stepped from the carriage and carefully adjusted his tie and jacket. He was aware that Drummonds was an institution that did not fear a representative of Scotland Yard. He could not kick in the door and expect the occupiers to cower in the face of law enforcement. Naismith must have realised the reason behind the Inspector’s hesitancy.
He moved closer to Abberline and keeping his voice low whispered,
“Fred, within those walls are mere people. We seek the truth, and they will bend to our will. Besides, we not only have the Yard to add weight to our words, but we also have Sir Simeon Harkness. Do you think for a second that he has not made his voice heard?”
Abberline felt his cheeks redden slightly.
“I hate the prancing peacocks. It is a world that I do not belong. Or have an inclination to join.”
“I am not sure you would be invited,” Naismith smiled as he replied. “Although, I think they are all the poorer for it.”
“Piss and wind, Naismith. You are full of it,” Abberline replied regaining his bluster.
Naismith laughed and slapped Abberline on the shoulder.
�
��That I am.”
***
Jack remained in the carriage as the other four men entered Drummonds. He had expected to be waiting for some hours. He settled down and closed his eyes, hoping to regain some of the sleep the early morning departure had stolen from him. However, within thirty minutes Abberline rapped his knuckles on the carriage door.
“Back so soon?” Jack asked, disappointed at being disturbed by Abberline and the nervous looking Finch.
“The weight of Sir Simeon’s name opens doors far quicker than I could have imagined; in this part of London at least.” Abberline replied. “Naismith and Benjamin have plenty to keep them occupied.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Did you find the list?”
“That we did. It seems this bloated fish was worth keeping alive. At least, for the time being.” Abberline grasped Finch by the collar and forced him into the carriage. As he did a scream sounded. “In God’s name what now?”
Jack and Abberline looked in the direction the scream. A man who seemed to be under the influence, was man-handling a woman. Abberline closed the carriage door and headed towards the disgruntled couple. Jack watched as Abberline placed himself between the woman and the cause of her woes. The attacker held his hands aloft and made to walk away but quickly spun back around and threw out a powerful fist. Abberline had been caught off guard as he struggled to avoid the blow. The punch narrowly missed the Inspector’s jaw, thundering into his shoulder. Abberline spun around with the force and was sent sprawling to the ground.
“Do not move!” Jack shouted to Finch and leapt from the carriage. As he raced forward, the man was bearing down on Abberline. Jack had no choice but to hurdle his friend and place himself between Abberline and the attacker. Landing, Jack managed to push the obviously surprised assailant backwards. Having gained some space, he weighed up his opponent. The man was a brute but had so far attacked a woman half his size and resorted to an underhand attack on Abberline. Jack wondered if the man was as brave facing an opponent willing to fight. The man held up his hands, but Jack simply threw a fist forward. His knuckles cracked against the bridge of man’s nose. Blood exploded from his opponent, accompanied by a howl of pain. Stepping closer Jack drove another blow into the man’s stomach. The brute lost his menace as he dropped to the floor and vomited. For good measure, Jack sent in another savage blow. The blow, connecting with the man’s jaw, sent him into darkness, removing the threat in a matter of seconds. Jack turned to help Abberline to his feet.
“I’m getting too old for this,” the Inspector grumbled. His face reddened as if embarrassed.
“We all let our guard slip from time to time,” Jack replied.
“It wouldn’t have happened a few years back. Age is no friend, especially on these streets.”
Jack looked at Abberline and realised that he was not being flippant. The incident seemed to be weighing on the man.
Jack tried to lighten the mood. “You’re not ready for the knackers yard yet.”
“No, not yet – but soon. Besides, we have other problems,” Abberline replied as he pointed towards the carriage.
“Shit!” Jack looked into the carriage to discover that Finch was absent.
Abberline moved in closer and took a moment to observe the carriage. Then he stood back and began to fill his pipe.
“No signs of a struggle. It seems our bloated fish has made a bid for freedom.”
“With the Ripper and his followers in the city. I’ll wager he will be dead before nightfall,” Jack replied.
“Don’t be so sure. Finch, is a survivor and as devious as they come. I’m not worried about him, after all, we have to tell Harkness we have managed to lose our only witness.”
“Dog’s balls! I hadn’t thought about that.” Jack shook his head as he replied.
Chapter 16
Two days later, Sir Simeon Harkness had just finished placing some cut flowers on Obadiah’s grave. His mind switched from his dead friend and concentrated on the happenings of the last two days. He had been told of Finch’s escape the previous day. He had doubted that the man had any relevant information left to share and had praised Jack for going to Abberline’s aid. He did, however, send Gossup to search for Finch. He reasoned that the Ripper and his followers would still want to deliver their justice to the lawyer. Perhaps it was possible to learn more from those that hunted the man for his betrayal. Simeon’s instruction to Gossup had been explicit. ‘Find Finch but do not bring him in. Watch to see what flies are attracted to the little shit.’
Gossup had departed from Cloveney immediately, keen to be back in London and able to see young Alfie. Even Simeon had been surprised at Gossup’s transformation from a heavy drinker, with a tendency to work on the wrong side of the law, to a man who placed parental responsibility above all. The man had looked like a tramp for most of his life but now dressed with a certain style, no doubt helped by Emily. Thoughts of Emily made him glance at the upper levels of Cloveney Hall. There, in one of the windows, he could see the shape of his son’s beloved. She had become more and more withdrawn over the past few days. She rarely moved from her bedroom window. Simeon assumed she hoped to see William return. The thought made him turn and look down the long winding road that all that visit Cloveney must travel. He felt a stab of sadness as he realised that the route was devoid of life. He turned, and after a brief secondary look towards Emily, he walked into the comforting embrace of Cloveney Hall.
***
It was two hours before Benjamin and Naismith arrived. They had informed Simeon that they had already sent word to the rest of the men. Only Gossup would be left to his task of tracking down Finch. Simeon, Benjamin, and Naismith sat in almost complete silence as the documents from Drummonds were perused. Now and then, Naismith would signal to Simeon of an important discovery. The only pause came when Tomkins delivered light refreshments.
“Tomkins. Please ensure that Emily wants for nothing,” Simeon ordered. He wondered if he should take the food personally.
“The lady has eaten, Sir. Not wanting to step above my station, Sir Simeon, might I just say that despite her obvious sorrow, she is determined that the child is well nourished. Tomkins coloured a little.
“Thank you, Tomkins. I appreciate the care and attention you have shown,” he paused for a moment, “be so kind as to contact a Miss Tess Bull. You will find her lodging at the bakery within the village. Ask her if she would visit me at the Hall. Shall we say noon? Arrange another time if that is not convenient.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Oh, and I believe the room next to Emily’s is empty. If you can arrange for fresh bedding and the like.”
“Very good, sir.” Tomkins turned on his heels and left.
Simeon noticed that both of his guests were looking at him with confusion.
“No gentlemen, Tess Bull is not my mistress. She is something of a local legend. Some say midwife - others say, witch. When it comes to healthy children being born, then no doctor can match her success. Besides, sometimes a woman needs the soothing voice of another female. Most in this household are men and those that aren’t, have their tasks. It seems only prudent to employ someone to fill the role.”
“I agree, Sir Simeon. Women are better suited to certain tasks,” Naismith replied.
“Let us hope so. I feel like a new born calf taking its first steps when I try to soothe Emily’s woes.”
Before anyone could reply, the sound of a ringing bell was followed by footsteps that Simeon knew belonged to Tomkins. Moments later, Bakari and Tallow stepped into the drawing room. They had only just taken their seats as Cloveney welcomed more visitors. Jack, Abberline, Dr Fitzgerald, Josh and John Branford all filtered into the room. Simeon greeted each with a smile and a handshake. However, before Fitzgerald could take a seat, Simeon motioned that she should follow him into the hall. Once there he turned to address the doctor.
“I apologise for taking you from your work.”
&nb
sp; “I understand the urgency in getting William back, Sir Simeon, but I do have a pressing schedule,” she replied. Her words were blunt, but Simeon detected no malice.
“I apologise unreservedly. Alas, I am forced to ask for a favour. The family physician has been unable to attend the household. In truth, I am not sure how Emily would react to me arranging an examination. But if a family friend, who happens to possess a great deal of medical knowledge, asks how she is feeling, then she may be more receptive.”
“I suppose me being female has nothing to do with your decision?” Fitzgerald’s eyes narrowed as she spoke.
“All I want is the best for Emily. I will try anything that will aid her and the baby. I am happy to apologise for dragging you from work, but I will never apologise for trying to save my family.”
Fitzgerald did not reply immediately. She eyed Simeon and then stepped forward and placed a hand on his cheek. “You are a better man than I expected. My patients are usually passed saving, but I will do my best.” She turned and began to climb the stairs.
“She…she will be in her room at the far end of the corridor. Fir…first landing,” Simeon stuttered. He had been completely taken aback by Fitzgerald’s familiarity. As he turned, he could feel his face flush. He gave a glance over his shoulder, but Fitzgerald had already disappeared to the upper floor. Simeon was silently thankful because he was at a loss of what he would have said had she been staring back at him. He took a handkerchief from his jacket and wiped the sweat from his palms. Taking a breath, he returned the handkerchief from where it came and then walked into the drawing room.
Without saying a word to the men, he crossed to his desk and studied the documents on its surface. He wanted a drink but knew more than one set of eyes were upon him.
“Sir Simeon, are you feeling all right?” Naismith asked.
“Erm…yes forgive me. I am just trying to get our next move right in my head,” Simeon replied unconvincingly.
Naismith stood and walked over to where a number of bottles stood. He poured a healthy amount of whiskey into a glass and delivered it to Simeon’s hand.
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