Emily could feel the mixture of anxiety and sadness as she embraced her lover; however, she did not comment. She was an intelligent woman and knew William would need all his focus on catching the killer. It would only add to the danger faced by her love if she gave voice to her own concerns. As the door closed, she raised a hand to her mouth to prevent her sadness escaping into the world. She closed her eyes; a tear ran silently down her cheek as she prayed that William would return unharmed.
∞∞∞
Within the hour, Slaughter Yard played host to William and his men as they formulated their plans, the progress of which was halted when a stranger entered the office without knocking. William’s hand instinctively moved toward the drawer of the desk, in which he had placed the lethal pepperbox.
“Who the hell are you?” William demanded, his hand gently teasing the drawer open.
“Inspector George Faraday, I believe that Inspector Abberline made you aware of my impending arrival.”
“He made me aware of his departure.” William’s reply was filled with venom; his annoyance at this man entering his office without the courtesy of even a knock was clear for all to see.
“Well I am here now, and I trust that I can rely on your assistance?”
William did not rush his reply. He studied the man to his front as Inspector Faraday returned the favour. The Inspector was perhaps two inches shorter than William, but like William, he was built for power. The shoulders were wide and led to muscular arms, which in turn ended with bear-like hands. William noticed that the left hand was missing the little finger and its neighbouring digit. Finally, he raised his eyes to the man’s chiselled features. William noticed that beneath the finely trimmed moustached a small scar. Another such wound could be observed beneath the left eye. William ascertained that Faraday was not a man to shy away from violence. The tone of his voice suggested that he also liked to ensure those around knew he was in charge. William however, knew there could only be one alpha male in the pack.
“These men are under my command. You can either assist us or stay out of our way.”
“Perhaps we could discuss this in private?” Faraday’s eyes narrowed.
William was left in no doubt that Faraday had just made a threat, and discussion was not what he had in mind. He was also aware of Gossup’s snort of derision. “I would be happy to discuss,” William put emphasis on discuss, “the matter further, but we have pressing matters.”
“Ah yes, a fresh line of enquiry and a witness too." Faraday noticed the shock on William’s face at the mention of a witness. The Inspector made no attempt to conceal his delight. “The men in this room may be yours, Harkness, but those beyond the door are mine.”
“We haven’t time for this Faraday.” William rose from his chair and silently cursed the two constables who were guarding Slaughter Yard. He could not help feeling that Inspector George Faraday had outflanked him.
“Agreed. My constables will take responsibility for the boy and I shall accompany you.”
“I have given my word to Alfie that he would be protected.”
“And so he will be. However, he is a witness to murder and as such his protection is the responsibility of Scotland Yard.”
“Very well,” William replied through gritted teeth. He wanted to argue. He wanted to rip Faraday’s throat out, but he knew that time was not on his side. He must track down the remaining names on the list.
“Then what have we planned?” Faraday’s tone was not conciliatory.
William suspected the Inspector merely wanted the opportunity to tear his plans apart. “We have two addresses and names, Mrs. Holbrook and Tobias Simms. We believe that they may well be the intended victims of the Ripper or those that serve him. We intend to split our group and visit both locations.”
“I shall lead one group and Naismith, that’s you, isn’t it?” Faraday looked directly at Isaac.
“Yes,” Isaac replied.
“Then it’s best I keep you close.”
“What are you suggesting?” William’s anger finally erupted. However, it was Isaac’s calming hand upon his shoulder, which held him back.
“I’m not suggesting anything. This man was a brother of a killer and kept his true identity from the authorities.”
“You can go to hell.”
“It is not a problem, William,” Isaac insisted.
William stepped closer to Faraday. “When this task is at an end, we will discuss what has transpired this night at great length.” Before Faraday could reply, William turned away and addressed his men. “Isaac, John and Tom, you are with the Inspector, Jack, Gossup, you are to assist me. Our task is simple. We protect the individuals on the list and find out why the Ripper wants them dead. Keep your wits about you. The men we hunt are dangerous and will not hesitate in killing you.” William passed a note to Isaac, “That is your task. John and Tom will take their lead from you.” William felt the glare from Faraday burn into the back of his neck and could not help a small smile.
“Shall we go?” Faraday asked, his temper clearly rising for all to see.
“I must speak with the boy first,” William replied.
“I really must protest!”
“You do that, I am going to speak with Alfie.” William knew that Faraday was right to want to embark on the task with all haste. However, he felt he owed it to the boy to explain why he would not be present to offer his protection. Besides, an opportunity to frustrate the Inspector was too good to miss.
***
Alfie sat at the edge of his bed; his focus on a book that witnessed better days. At first, he was unaware that William had entered the room.
“What are you reading?”
The boy looked up at smiled at William’s presence. “The bible, Mr. Gossup gave it to me.”
“Do you enjoy reading?” William asked trying to hide his surprise. The thought that Gossup owned a book, let alone the bible, was unsettling.
“Mr. Stand taught me, but it is still not easy. My pa told me that reading was not for people like us and we would better learn skills more suited to our station.”
“Parents often mean well but are not always right.” William was reluctant to insult Alfie’s father in his absence. Besides, he had spent years showing little respect for his own father, and he would not inflict that curse upon the boy.
“In truth, Sir, I think he struggled with his words.”
“No man is without failings Alfie. I certainly have my fair share. Now I need to leave this night, but you will be well cared for until I return.”
“But I thought you said that you would protect me?”
“There will be constables just outside your door. You will come to no harm.” William moved to the shutter which hid the window to Alfie’s room. He slipped the bolt and pulled the shutters apart. A small window gave a view of the street. William peered downwards, as if checking the height from the window to solid ground. He returned the shutters to their original position and slid the bolt back into place. He moved closer to Alfie and took an envelope from his inside pocket. “I assure you that you are safe, but each of us must make that decision for ourselves.” He handed the envelope to Alfie, as the boy reached out a hand, William noticed its cleanliness. It was unusual for a boy of the streets to be so free from grime; it was clear to William, that Mr. Stand had been a positive influence in the boy’s life. “That envelope contains my address and enough money for you to obtain a carriage. If you fear for your life, then I suggest that you use the window, the drop to the street will not be a problem.”
“Why can’t I go now?”
“Because an Inspector from Scotland Yard wishes to talk to you, and he cannot do so until we return. Now put that in a safe place on your person,” William pointed at the envelope. He ruffled the boy’s hair. “We will not be long but keep your wits about you.”
Chapter 17
Horses strained against their harness, and the two carriages lurched forward; within moments, Slaughter Yard and
Alfie were left behind. In the first carriage, Isaac, Faraday, John and Tom sat without uttering a word. The Inspector sat perfectly upright, his spine rigid and unmoving. His eyes burned into Isaac in a clear attempt to intimidate; an action that did not go unnoticed by his fellow travellers. Surprisingly, it was young Tom who shattered the awkward silence.
“So why do you want to keep an eye on Isa- erm... Mr. Naismith, Inspector Faraday?” John glared at his young friend, as though he had committed blasphemy. Faraday ignored the question; Isaac, however, made no attempt to hide his delight.
“It is quite simple, Tom, and please call me Isaac. Inspector Faraday believes that I am untrustworthy because my brother was a killer. I also lied about his identity to keep my own history from the wagging tongues of London’s society. The inspector is perfectly entitled to his estimation of my character, I would probably be of the same opinion if I were in his position. However, where the Inspector is mistaken, is in his belief that he can in some way use my past to intimidate. He is under that elusion because he is in possession of certain documents relating to my former employment. He believes they give him an advantage.”
“And it doesn’t?” John asked.
“Not at all. You see, most of my activities that were undertaken in the employ of Anderson, and others, were unrecorded. I was unleashed, as it were. Free to do as I wished and as I saw fit. Indeed, I believe my former masters would be very worried men if my exploits were documented. Secondly, Faraday also forgets that many of the missions carried out by our agents in secret were usually planned by a select number of men, of which I was one. So, the truth of the matter is that I know a great deal more about the Inspector than he does of me. For instance, I know why he is missing two digits on his left hand. I am also aware that because of his actions, it was not just two fingers that were left bloodied and laying in the dirt. Three of our best men lost their lives because of his foolhardy actions.” Isaac did not falter under Faraday’s spite filled stare. “Knowing Anderson as I do, I imagine that Faraday was not placed here to run the investigation, but because William will not shirk in his duties, despite this man’s incompetence. Faraday is no Abberline.“ Isaac gave a deep satisfied grin.
The lunge came quickly, but was not unexpected. The large frame of Faraday had been moving rapidly, but the cold edge of a blade against the soft flesh of his throat, brought the forward momentum to an abrupt stop.
“Bastard,” the inspector growled.
“Your movements are predictable, Faraday. You believed that your bulk would be enough, but a large man bleeds as easily as any other. As always, your actions are rash and without forethought. Now, may I suggest you return to your seat,” Isaac applied a little more force to the blade, “or I can open your throat here and then tip you from the carriage? London is a place of so much violence and misery, one more body in the gutter will not cause so much as a blink of the eye.”
Faraday eased himself away from the blade. “This isn’t over, Naismith.”
“That is your choice. For my part I bear you no ill feeling. I would, however, give you fair warning. Making an enemy of me could prove challenging, but making an enemy of William Harkness will be your undoing. We have a common enemy, it is to that foe whom you should target your bile.”
Faraday did not reply and for the remainder of the journey, his eyes never left the window of the carriage. It was to the relief of Tom and John when finally, the carriage stuttered to a halt. The driver, oblivious to the interior tensions, called out that the journey was at an end.
The four men climbed the steps leading to the household of Mrs. Holbrook. Isaac glanced up and down the street. It gave an air of understated wealth. The populace that inhabited these homes were not likely to be worried that the pantry was empty, but also, they did not feel it necessary to flaunt their wealth, like so many of the social elite within the city.
Faraday seemed determined to assert his authority, and pushed his way to the front. He raised a hand and gave the timbers of the front door a confident rap with his powerful knuckles. There was no sound of footsteps emanating from within and so, Faraday impatiently rapped his flesh against the door. However, silence was the only reply to his insistence. He turned and for the first time the Inspector, showed the faint trace of bewilderment at what action to take next.
Isaac stepped to the front and gently tapped the door. It was not an attempt to rouse those that may be within the interior. It was more an acknowledgement to a barrier that must be removed. “Well, Kostya met his fate in his own home, and we must ensure that the same gruesome end hasn’t met Mrs. Holbrook. John, Tom, may I suggest that you place shoulder against the timber.” He stepped sideways to allow the two men to set about their task.
The door did not surrender its ground without valiant resistance. Shoulder and boot had to be applied to its surface frequently before it yielded to the onslaught. A pungent smell greeted the nostrils of each of the men as the fallen timbers allowed interior and exterior to become one. Isaac recognised the stench and knew that the household had been touched by death.
Tom, I want you to remain on the steps. It is important that you prevent any curious soul from attempting to gain access,” Isaac, tried to sound convincing. It was vital that no person was allowed to trample crime scene. However, the reason for asking Tom to carry out the task was that he had no wish for the young man to observe any possible horrors that lay within the rooms of Mrs. Holbrook’s household. Tom nodded, looking relieved not to have to enter the residence.
Isaac led the way. Faraday seemed less inclined to take the lead falling in behind the diminutive Isaac, with John bringing up the rear. The first room was clearly used as a sitting room; it showed no signs of distress. It did, however, go some way to revealing the character of the owner of the house. The furniture was of a good quality and well maintained. There was no lavish decoration; everything was perfectly suited to the interior and had function. Isaac inwardly decided that he liked Mrs. Holbrook. He back his way out of the room and then continued down the hallway. All seemed perfectly normal apart from the deadly silence and the lingering stench. Then quite abruptly Isaac came to a stop, his eyes firmly fixed on one of the two doors that lay to his front. At an approximately head height in the centre of the door, a large splinter of timber jutted out like an accusatory finger. Isaac recognised it as a sign that some sort of firearm had been discharged.
“People are usually reluctant to practice with firearms in their homes.” Without waiting for a reply, Isaac pressed onwards. As he reached the door, he stretched out a hand and manipulated the splintered piece of timber. Almost immediately, a small object dropped from the door bounced once on the floor and then rolled. It finally came to a rest at the feet of Faraday. The Inspector crouched low and retrieved the item; he took a few moments to inspect his new find.
“Looks to be a lead shot; from either a musket or perhaps a duelling pistol,” he announced.
“The men we seek use neither,” Isaac replied. He applied pressure to the door handle and gently pushed. The door moved freely at first, but when it was no more than a quarter of the way open an unknown object blocked its progress. Reluctantly, he slipped the upper part of his body through the doorway to observe what prevented the door’s movement. He grimaced as he did so; he knew that if a killer still lurked within, then he would have no chance of avoiding certain death. His neck bent around the edge of the door, fearful of what he might come face to face with. After a moment, and without giving warning to the others, he slipped from view and the door closed. Faraday and John were left in a state of confusion. Both listened intently, and after a brief silence, shuffling could definitely be heard in the room beyond.
“Naismith,” Faraday called out but no reply was forthcoming. John pulled a Billy club from his pocket and pushed passed Faraday. He was about to charge headlong through the door when suddenly, it swung open. An ashen-faced Isaac stood before the two men.
“Are you injured?” John asked.
/> “Sorry?” Isaac replied, “Oh – no, I just had to move a body from the door. In truth, it was not an enjoyable task.” Isaac did not move to allow the two men entrance. He seemed to be deciding on the next course of action. “John, I want you to take Tom and inform Dr Fitzgerald of what has transpired. Track down William, tell him that I am investigating here. When I have finished, I shall meet him at Slaughter Yard.”
“Yes, Isaac, but...” John’s words failed him as he took a sideways glance at Faraday.
“I am sure that the Inspector and I can put our differences aside. There are more pressing matters that require our attention. John, remember vigilance at all times. Keep young Tom close.” John nodded his agreement and then turned on his heels.
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