Of Night and Dark Obscurity

“That’s what I meant. A bit of medicine. Some medicine,” he said stumbling over his words.

“And she was pleased with the results,” Val repeated placing extreme emphasis on the word pleased.

“She was,” Odean nodded. “That’s right.”

Val looked out the window for several seconds and then returned his gaze back at the doctor. “Have you heard of something called female hysteria?”

Odean’s face became pink and he stammered, “No, I mean yes. Yes, I have. Naturally as a doctor I have heard of many different symptoms that patients suffer from.”

“Before we came here, I consulted a medical doctor known to me. A very respected doctor. He is known to my family and has an excellent reputation. He explained to me that hysteria is a mental disorder attributed to women and its symptoms, well, they vary. Some women have a nervousness about them others have emotional outbursts.” Val explained.

“Yes, yes. Exactly that. That’s what I’ve heard as well.” Odean nodded. “It’s a woman issue.”

Val smiled. “When we spoke at the music hall you said female problems were your specialty.”

“Well, er—that is correct. But I don’t deal with female hysteria,” Odean said.

“There are several cures for this female hysteria or so I’ve been told,” Val added as Odean began to perspire.

“Many experts agree that massaging the woman’s pelvis until they have a hysterical paroxysm or orgasm is effective,” Val told him and looked at Felix who looked back at him with an incredulous stare his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Another cure is an electromechanical medical instrument supposed to provide reliable and efficient physical therapy to women who are believed to be suffering from hysteria. This instrument is inserted into the woman to bring about the orgasm—or hysterical paroxysm as is the medical term.”

Odean’s face was flushed red from indignation. “What are you suggesting, Sir!?”

Val closed his notebook with a decided movement and slapped the cable on the doctor’s desk.

“I’m not suggesting anything Doctor,” Val said coldly. “What I do believe, is that you have taken extreme liberties with your patients here in London as you did in the States,” he pointed to the cable. “I think you may have been a doctor at one time but you currently have a suspended medical license. I further believe that you sell your potions like some vaudeville charlatan to entice female clients to your clinic and once inside your fingers do the talking.”

“Outrageous!” Odean sputtered. “This is slander!”

“I also believe that Irene Derry may have had some minor medical issue when she came to you. You in turn took her money and talked her into this false hysteria and used it to get your hands on her money and her person,” Val said confidently.

“Female hysteria is a recognized diagnosis,” Odean said, suddenly panting with indignation.

“And the cure is to masturbate your patients to orgasm?” Val said coolly.

“This is enough! I’ve had enough!” Odean stood up. “You will leave my office this instant!”

“Finally,” Val said, placing the notebook and cable into his coat pocket and looking at the doctor. “I think that Irene was a spirted girl but had had enough of your shenanigans. She threatened to expose you and when she told you so, you killed her.”

Odean looked shocked at the final words from the Inspector and stumbled back into his chair. “Killed her?”

“Yes.” Val said quietly.

“No. That’s not possible. I c-couldn’t. I wouldn’t.”

“You will need to come with us, Mr. Barton.” Val told the exhausted doctor.

“But I – no – that isn’t what happened – I—”

Val stood with Felix next to him. “There’s time enough to talk down at the Metropolitan Police station.”

Odean looked wildly around his office. He spotted his coat and hat and pulled them on.

“Come along,” Felix told him.

“You’re both making a grave mistake,” he said as they steered him out the door.