Among the Darkness Stirs

“I can’t believe this!” she said, staring at his son.

“It was very sudden, Mother. If those three people hadn’t stopped and helped me, I wouldn’t have known what really happened.”

Theodocia shook her head. “Disgraceful. People these days. They took money? Your pocket watch?”

“They took my satchel,” he said absently.

“A satchel? That’s odd. Well, you can get another one,” she said.

Henry had been leaning against the sofa, trying to stay still, when he suddenly straightened up. “They took my satchel,” he repeated.

“Yes, dear. I heard you,” his mother said patiently.

“No. In my satchel, there were some papers from work which weren’t important. But the mortuary ledger...” He trailed off.

Theodocia frowned. “The mortuary ledger?”

“Yes. I borrowed it from the workhouse for Audrey.”

“For Audrey?” Theodocia shook her head. “You aren’t making any sense, Henry. Did the attack affect you?”

Henry sighed. “No, Mother. I’ll explain.”

Taking the next few minutes, he explained about the diary Audrey had discovered, the deaths of Marguerite and Alistair, the shadow man Augusta had been seeing, the conversation in the mortuary, and the strange cause of death listed in the few entries they were able to find that evening.

“That is all most peculiar,” Theodocia mused.

“I didn’t think much of the theory in the beginning. I actually thought Audrey was jumping to conclusions. But it seems she’s on to something,” he confessed.

“I don’t like this, Henry. If someone hit you over the head this evening to take a ledger, what else might they do?” she said, a frown upon her face.

He shook his head. “I know. Whatever is going on here, and I can tell you honestly I have no bloody clue, I am worried for Audrey’s safety.”

Her face twisted with concern. “That’s fine, darling. Worry about Audrey. But please worry about yourself as well. You seem wrapped up in this as well and someone else thought so and hit you on the head to take a ledger.”

He sighed. “I know. This is serious. I think someone inside the workhouse is up to no good. I don’t know what it is, but it seems to have to do with people who have died inside.”

“People were murdered?” Theodocia touched her throat just as the maid entered with the tea and she jumped.

“Mother,” Henry said.

“Well, this is all too much. You must alert the Norfolk Constabulary,” she said as he took the teacup and sipped the calming brew.

“And tell them what?” he asked with a touch of impatience. “That there’s a diary of initials and numbers that Audrey and I think are dead people who have been what?”

Theodocia was quiet as she looked at her son. “What will you do then?” she asked finally.

Henry sighed. “The workhouse isn’t the only place that keeps records of those deceased inmates. The city council will have a record as well.”

“I understand you must look into this, but promise me you’ll be careful. Once you know what’s happening, allow the police to step in. Promise me.” Her eyes pleaded with him.

“I’m no inspector. Once I have some evidence of what this is, I will alert the police. You have my word,” he said as he finished the tea. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“You’re my only son, Henry. I worry. It’s natural,” she said as he stood up and kissed her cheek.

“I will take care. I’m headed to bed,” he told her.

Once upstairs, he shrugged out of his jacket and sat down on his bed. He had been brave before his mother because he didn’t want her to worry, but the truth was, he was very concerned. He had not expected anyone to come after him, and whatever had been in the ledger concerned them. The names were the key. They meant something.