Of Night and Dark Obscurity

???

Caroline gingerly followed the estate agent as he moved into the different rooms of the building matter-of-factly. Several of the beams were cracked and the floor and ceiling were coming apart in places.

“I know this place looks like a lost cause,” Mr. Peter Davies admitted. “But your Father said you wanted something cheap to do up. This is very cheap.”

Caroline nodded. “Well I agree with you on one thing Mr. Davies. It does look rather—concerning.”

“Concerning yes,” he said smiling. “But this building has an excellent foundation. And that’s important. Much of the other items you see can be fixed and not expensively.”

Caroline looked about at the cracked ceilings and the wooden floors that had been torn up in places. Any money she saved buying the building would be spent in fixing it up but that would be the tradeoff. She could buy a better building but the price would reflect that too.

“How many units are in the building?” She asked.

“There are six in all. And as I told your father, I have another building that fits your purposes. He said you were doing some sort of charity work,” Mr. Davies said.

“That’s right. My father is investing the money and I am renovating the buildings to turn these into livable homes so people in the slums can live here instead. Their rents will be partially subsidized.”

“That’s a mighty tall order. You want to change all the London slums?” He asked eyeing her skeptically.

“One building at a time.”

“I admire you Miss Derry. Not many would take on such a feat.”

“Well someone must. They’re deplorable.” She told him. “I’ve thought about starting a Guild. To help work towards this goal. Do you know of others who might think as you do? Who might want to contribute?” She asked.

Mr. Davies gave her a strong assessing look. “I do. In fact, I would like to invest with you as well. As an estate agent this is exactly the sort of thing that needs doing.”

“You’d like to invest? Really?” She said surprised.

“Yes. Tell me more.”

???

Caroline entered the cab and told the driver to take her to Crystal Palace Park. She was delighted despite herself. She had not wanted to go to the meeting with the estate agent but now she was feeling more engaged in the decision. Her “Guild” as she had called it was in fact the small sewing circle she had started. But now she wondered if she might turn the circle into something truly worthwhile.

Rather than spend each week discussing and debating the issues, she wanted to actually do things. She felt a thrill pass through her. For the first time since she had learned of Irene’s death, she felt a sense of hope, not the despair she had been feeling.

She didn’t want to return home just yet. Though she was interested in telling her father of the successful viewing, she wanted time to herself. She wanted to take in the air and she had always loved going to the various parks in and around London. Hyde Park had been one of her favorites but she avoided it now after Irene was found there.

Crystal Palace Park was a place to escape the grime and dirt of London and breathe in the fresh air of the lovely park. It was filled with fountains, roseries, trees and lush green landscapes. She smiled as she stepped out of the hansom cab. A delightful place to be.

She walked into the park and knew exactly where she wanted to be. She saw the large creatures made of clay come into view and she smiled. Dinosaurs!

Chapter 6

Caroline had loved coming here as a child. The beasts appeared so large and fierce when she was little and they had not diminished with time. If anything, she thought them all the more fascinating knowing that nothing on earth resembled them in size. Caroline looked around her to see if anyone else was enjoying them.

There was a nanny with two children, who seemed to be running around enjoying their freedom, and a younger couple walking about the giant figures more engrossed in each other than the beasts surrounding them. Finally, there was a man who was turned away from her. He was on a nearby bench and he appeared to be sketching.

Caroline walked toward him. She didn’t want to interrupt his sketching but she did admire the skill which she did not possess. She pulled her coat tightly about her body as she watched the man. The pencil moved deftly across the page and she noticed his fingers were long and tapered. They were artistic hands.

She stood discretely behind him and watched the pencil move across the page with skill and ease. The body of the dinosaur before them came to life on the page. It was mesmerizing and she sighed aloud. The man looked up and over his shoulder at her sigh.

“Miss Derry?” He said in recognition.

“Inspector Pierce.” Her own greeting was almost a question. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I saw you sketching and I do admire that skill. Your work is quite lovely.”

Val smiled as he placed his sketching pad away and stood. “You seem to be alone in that sentiment. The few that know I sketch think it’s a silly trifle.”