Of Night and Dark Obscurity

“Bad business, that,” Felix said as they exited the morgue.

“The suicide yes. It is bad business. She must have felt she had no other course of action. And she left her son behind. I’ll check with the sister, make a quick train trip to Winchester and be back before dark.”

“A lot of trouble you’re going to,” Felix said, “to help Miss Derry.”

Val gave him a quick look. “I’m going to visit the sister of Miss Gardiner. Return to the station and release Mr. Barton.”

“Release him? He’s the best lead we’ve had,” Felix argued.

“At this time, all I see is a red herring. Mr. Barton knew the victim. He was her doctor. He was obviously up to something with his potions and unseemly cures but for all that—none of it’s illegal. I think he knows something else. But we can hold him no longer without charging him, and I can’t charge him now.”

Felix sighed. “Very well. I’ll release him.”

“But I’ll tell you what we’re going to do after we release him,” Val told his Sergeant mysteriously.

???

Val sighed. He had traveled to Winchester to speak to Ms. Gardiner’s sister and everything seemed above board and taken care of. Annette’s body had been buried in the family church and the son that Caroline had been so concerned about was with his Aunt now.

He could now report his findings to her and he penned a small note while on the train to send to her. When he returned to London, he found a boy who would make the short errand and he gave him a coin to complete the task. In the note, he said he had completed the task she had asked of him and that she could visit him tomorrow morning.

It was late when he returned to the office, and only the cleaning woman who mopped the floors was working. She was bent over on the stairs with her mop and rag in hand and he didn’t envy the hard work she per

formed. The gas light fixture in the hallway gave off a familiar hiss as he entered his small office and turned on the small gas lamp that was situated on his desk.

He pinched his eyes and looked over the paperwork that cluttered his desk. He was to have dinner with his mother and father tomorrow and he didn’t welcome that. His family was a strange, cold family and he had never felt a true sense of belonging. Rowland was the pride and joy of the family and had been coddled at birth and it had never bothered Val.

Valentine Pierce was the younger son and as such had to make his way in the world, and he had done so. His mother, Arabella, looked down upon his profession, and his father barely tolerated it. Their harsh opinions used to bother him but no longer.

He knew his work was important and finding a killer such as the Primrose Strangler had an immense effect on everyone involved, including the four families of the victims.

He had felt something strange when speaking to Odean Barton. The man was certainly odd, and as he had strange medical practices for his female patients, there might be more. He was determined to follow the man one evening and see where he went. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. He hadn’t dreamed of Aida lately, instead he dreamed of Caroline. Her intelligent eyes and lovely face haunted him, and he didn’t like being so out of control. He slipped into slumber only to hear his name being called.

“Inspector.” The voice was low and close by.

“Inspector,” the voice came again, closer. Then finally, “Val. Valentine.”

He jerked awake to see Caroline Derry bending over him. He could see the scooped lining of her neckline and her breasts pressed forward. He almost groaned.

“Miss Derry.”

He sat up and she remained where she was. “Are you all right? You seemed very deep in sleep. I called your name several times.”

“Did you call me Val?”

She blushed. “I did. Once.”

“Say it again.” He said suddenly.

“I’m here because of your note Inspector.”

“My note?”

“Regarding Annette?” She prompted.

“Of course.” He sat upright and looked up at her. “Why are you here so late?”

“I was anxious to hear what you had found.”