Of Night and Dark Obscurity

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“Mr. Davies?” Val said as he entered his office ushered in by a young clerk.

“I am. How can I help you? Mr. …”

“Inspector Pierce. With the Metropolitan police. I’m sorry to intrude. I believe we have an acquaintance in common.” Val began.

“Oh yes? Who might that be?” Peter Davies smiled.

“Miss Caroline Derry.”

Peter Davies nodded in acknowledgment. “So, we do. Please have a seat. Is this business? I understand the death of Irene, her sister, has been trying on the entire family. Though she and her father have only b

arely mentioned it to me. I did not know the young woman myself.”

Val shook his head. “It might or might not be related. Can you find out who owns a particular building? It’s for the investigation.”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult to retrieve the information. I keep copies of records from the court house so they are accurate and kept as up to date as they can be by my clerk,” Davies said smiling. “I only need the address to begin.”

Val wrote the address down and handed it to the man. “I understand Miss Derry has purchased the building for her housing project.”

Mr. Davies nodded calling for his clerk. He handed the address to his clerk to look up the information and then returned to his large walnut desk.

Val noticed that Peter Davies’ office was opulent and well decorated, meant to make a statement and proclaim to his would-be clients that he was successful at his work.

“Technically, her father Hubert Derry has purchased the property. As you know women cannot own property. But from what I am to understand she is to act as a manager of sorts and collect the rents and be a liaison to the tenants.”

“Commendable,” Val said smiling.

His clerk returned only to tell him that he would have to journey to the courthouse. The property had recently been sold and the new owner was not listed.

“Could I trouble you for—“ Val began.

“Not at all Inspector. I’ll send my clerk this afternoon. You can retrieve the information this afternoon, tomorrow morning or whenever suits,” Peter said.

“Thank you. I’m obliged for your help.”

Val returned to the police station and upon entering was immediately stopped by his sergeant.

“Guvnor.”

“Yes?”

“One of the constables thinks he saw our man Bowler staying at a rundown room in The Old Nichol.”

Val rubbed a hand across his forehead. “He would be there.”

“What do you want me to do?” Felix asked. “I can take a constable and go see if there’s anything to it.”

Val nodded. “Meanwhile I have someone pulling the paperwork on the opium den to see who owns the building. That might give us a lead. I’m going to head to the Doctor’s office to go through the files. I have an idea.”

Felix nodded and they separated. Val walked into his office and pulled out the four pictures of the women and looked at each one closely. Effie Whitson, Bessie Turner, Aida Harris and Irene Derry. All women from good families and good backgrounds. All women. They were all women. He looked about his cluttered desk and tried to focus on the four women.

What tied them together? What was it that they had in common? There must be something. But in speaking with the families, servants and friends there hadn’t be a united thread.

He pulled the picture of Irene Derry close to him and looked over the last picture taken of what had been a vibrant woman. A woman who had chosen to see her doctor because she had had female problems. Female problems. Women. Suddenly a thought sprang into his mind and he grabbed his coat and hat and hurried out the door.

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