Primeval fic: Bathed By Blood (9/16)
May. 29th, 2012 09:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
knitekatTitle: Bathed By Blood (9/16)
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~3710 (of a total ~47955)
Characters: James Lester, Tom Ryan and a cast of RPs, OCs and OHs.
Pairing: James Lester/Tom Ryan
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Part of my AU Bloodverse series. Continues from Part 8 and continues in Part 10.
A/N 2: Contains details of historical fact, several individuals in the fic are based on real historical people.
A/N 3: Thanks go to Fred for the beta. Cheers, m'dear.
Warnings: Dark!fic, bloodplay, blood and gore in general (graphic descriptions), angst, hurt/comfort.
I expected to be informed of the next murder within a matter of days and found myself starting at every knock on my door. As days dawned and set without any news, I found the wait for the Seer and for the next murder to be a trying time, although not as trying as Ryan or my staff found it. It did not help that my arm ached abominably and I freely admit my temper was short and I took it out on them, Ryan mostly. I couldn't believe that My Lady was still dragging her feet over the Seer, the newspapers were full of stories of the Whitehall Vigilante Committee patrolling the streets and even the foreign press had mentioned the murders. I knew she was still hoping I would solve the case without the Seer's presence, but with every passing day I feared the arrival of a Witch Hunter in London, intent on tracking down the supernatural creature responsible for the killings. I also worried that the murderer had escaped my reach or, in my darkest moments, that it wasn't a vampire behind the crimes. The fears and doubts ate into me and I snapped and snarled and behaved most ungentlemanly, although I always apologised afterwards and begged forgiveness.
Ryan had dragged me upstairs on one occasion when my temper had threatened to explode. He had been rough, his teeth grazing my flesh and nearly drawing blood as he had taken me hard and fast. Pleasure had raced through my body and I had bitten his shoulder hard as I came, gulping down his blood as he had keened and shuddered and erupted inside me.
Once I had returned to my senses I licked his injury closed and looked at him, an unspoken question hovering on my lips. I had not meant to introduce him to the pleasure of pain and blood during sex, not without talking about it first, but I had reacted without thinking when I had bitten him. I needed to know he had enjoyed the act, that I had not lost him in my unthinking need.
Ryan smiled at me, his face flushed and his heart hammering unneeded in his chest. “That felt... I have never felt so...” He shook his head and I knew he was unable to describe the exquisite feeling when pleasure and pain meet.
I caressed his face, still needing him to tell me he had enjoyed it. “You liked it?”
“I did, sire.” Ryan grinned lavishly. “I should like to feel more of it.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. We will experiment later, my love. For now, I just want to lie with you in my arms.”
Ryan did not argue, he just pulled me against his chest. “Sire? Are you sure this killer is one of us?”
“I see no alternative. He kills unseen yet under the eyes of witnesses.” I did not tell him I knew several of the witnesses had been dominated. I did not want him to be punished if there was any trouble from not informing the Council about that fact. I made the decision and so any punishment would fall on my shoulders.
That night was the start of our new relationship of blood and pain and pleasure. I found that my temper improved as we explored each other, learning where to nip and bite for the greatest pleasure. I caught the grateful look Ethel shot his way one morning when she came to change the sheets, no doubt thinking that the blood marking them was his. I wondered what she would say if she had known it was also mine?
I smiled at Ryan as we enjoyed our late repast of an excellent vintage from my cellar. I tensed at the knock on my door, this time of night I knew it could only by the police with news of another murder or the Seer, My Lord had messaged me that he was trying to convince My Lady of my need. I certainly hoped it was the later who had finally arrived; for the sooner she examined a murder site or saw into the future the sooner I could track down and dispose of this savage killer.
Becker knocked on my door and entered when I bid him too. “Sir James. It is the police, sir. There has been another murder.”
“Damnation!” I muttered as I rose. “Becker, please have the policeman wait and we will join him shortly. Wake Charlie and have the team readied.”
“At once, sir.”
“Sire?”
I smiled at Ryan and pulled him in for a quick kiss. “Yes. You can accompany me, my love. It is night-time.”
“Thank you.” Ryan smiled for an instant before sobering. “I will make you proud, my sire.”
“I know you will.”
The fog was thick and cloying as the horses clop-clopped their way through the cobbled streets. Ryan sat beside me, flicking through the notebook in which he had been making notes about the murders. He was playing the part of my assistant to perfection. The policeman, one William Smith, sat nervously on the opposite seat. He was a young man, well turned out with neatly groomed hair and moustache and obviously worried that he'd say the wrong thing in front of his betters.
I smiled and turned on the charm, feeling Smith relax as I subtly used my abilities to calm him. “PC Smith, can you tell me what happened tonight?”
“O'course, sir. I were walking me beat, sir. That were from t'corner o'Gower's Walk and Commercial Road t'Christian Street, then down Christian Street and Fairclough Street as far as Grove Street, along Fairclough Street t'Back Church Lane, finishing back at Commercial Street, sir. It takes me 25 t'30 minutes t'walk, sir.”
I nodded. “And tonight?”
“Yes sir. It were at 12.30 that I sees a man and a woman standing on t'pavement a few yards up Berner Street, on t'opposite side t'Dutfield's Yard. I's sure that t'woman I sees be t'same as t'victim, sir.”
I nodded again. “Can you describe the man to us?” I noticed that Ryan had licked the tip of his pencil and I bit back a moan as I felt my cock twitch, my voice slightly rough as I spoke. “Ryan?”
Ryan looked up with a start and nodded. “Yes, sir?” He glanced at Smith and smiled. “Sorry, sir, I was just thinking.” He nodded to Smith. “Please continue.”
Smith looked at his notebook before he began to speak. “''E were about 28 years o'age. I would says 5 foot 7 inches tall. 'E were wearing a dark overcoat and trousers with a 'ard felt deerstalker 'at. 'E lookd respectable, sir. I sees 'e were 'olding a newspaper parcel, about 18 inches long and 6 or 8 inches wide. I also sees that t'woman 'ad a flower in 'er jacket.”
“Was there anything to draw your attention to them?” I enquired, although I was sure that Smith would have walked past them unaware if that man had been the killer.
“No sir. I didn't overheard their conversation and t'couple appeard sober. They was not acting in a suspicious manner. I 'ad no reason t'investigate, sir, and carried out me beat.”
“And later?”
“On returning t'Berner Street at 1am, I sees a crowd gathering at t'entrance t'Dutfield's Yard but I 'ad 'eard no cries of 'Police' beforehand t'alert me t'crime. When I arrivd I sees Constables Edward Collins and 'Enry Lamb already present, sir.. Once I sees t'deceased I went t'fetch t'ambulance and yourself, sir. As I were leaving I pass'd Dr Frederick Blackwell and 'is assistant, Edward Johnston, arriving.”
I cursed silently, yet another murder scene I would gain no clues from. Not that it could be helped, but it made the need for a Seer all the more imperative.
We had no sooner arrived at the murder scene when Abberline called out to me. “Sir James. There has been hanother one.”
I paused, could I afford to miss something at this site by going to investigate the other? However, could I risk not going? I knew I would have a greater chance of identifying the killer at the newer less-disturbed scene. “Ryan, stay here and investigate this murder. Make notes of everything.” I turned to Abberline. “Inspector, would you care to accompany to this other murder?”
Abberline and I were soon off, the horses moving as fast as Charlie felt safe as we made our way across London. I decided not to enquire about the previous murder, Ryan would obtain all the details for me to examine later, and I wished to concentrate on this new site. I wanted to think only of that site as I sought to pick up any impressions of the man – vampire – responsible. Luckily Abberline respected my silence and didn't ask any questions.
It was approximately a quarter past two when we clattered into Mitre Square, in the City of London. Officially, I believed Abberline had no authority here. Luckily for me, I did. I stepped down into the square, Abberline close behind me, and waited for one of the local policemen to approach me. His long face was made even longer by the full beard he wore, although it and his short hair were neatly kept.
“Yer can't stops 'ere, sirs. There's been another of them murders.”
Abberline nodded. “That is why we are here. Hinspector Abberline, Division H, warrant number 43519. This is Sir James, of the Home Hoffice.”
The constable almost snapped to attention when he heard where I was from. “PC 881 Edward Watkins, sir.”
“Who discovered the body, Watkins?” I inquired as I looked around the area. I had little hope of finding any real trace of the murderer, for too many mortals had trampled over the scene. I needed the aid of a Seer before this whole mess blew up in our faces. I was not looking forward to reporting these two murders to the Council, especially as I would have to enquire, once more, when the Seer would arrive.
“I did, sir.”
I nodded. “I will need to question you about what you saw, constable. But first, I require to look at the victim.”
“Yes sir. This way sir.”
Watkins lead myself and the good inspector towards the darkest corner of the square, the single lamp fitfully supplying its illumination and I wondered if it was for that reason the killer had chosen this spot. No, this was not part of the East End, this was the square mile of London. If this was the killer I was looking for than he had some reason for killing here, something I was missing. I would have to examine the files on the victims and see if something connected them – other than their profession. But for now, I had a murder site to investigate.
I noticed another man approach the body, from his dress I took him to be the City Police surgeon, but I must admit I paid him but little attention. My mind was focused on the new victim and what I could learn from her.
Watkins called out to him. “Dr Brown, these gents be from t'Metropol'tan Police and t'Ome Office, sir.”
Dr Brown raised an eyebrow. “You harrived most precipitously, sirs.”
Abberline nodded. “We were close by, sir. At hanother of his murders.”
As the two men conversed behind me, I stepped closer to examine the body, clad as any other poor woman in the East End. She was on her back with her head turned to the left. Her arms had not been posed, although the fingers were flexed. Her left leg was straight and the right bent to the side. I could see the bastard had cut her throat and gashed at her abdomen. I swallowed as one of the policemen angled his light for me and lit up her body. Her intestines had been pulled from her body and placed over her right shoulder and my nose twitched at the smell that rose from them. I closed my eyes as I couldn't help but remember my own death, the stench of my intestines as they had slithered out of my body.
Dr Brown gripped my arm. “Sir? Are you well, sir? Come, sit down over here.”
“I will be fine, my good doctor. It is...” I waved my hand to encompass the body.
“Yes sir. Tis a terrible sight.”
I took a deep breath and coughed as the rank odour filled my nose. I pulled out a handkerchief and held it over my nose as I resumed my examination. The bastard had cut part of the intestines free, about two foot, if I hazarded a guess, which had been deliberately placed between the body and left arm. But why? Was this some macabre part of some occult ritual? A deliberate mocking of the victim? Something only the killer saw significance in?
“My dear God, look what he's done to her face.”
The shock in Abberline's voice broke into my thoughts and I looked up at her face and swallowed at the sight. The killer had not restricted himself to abdominal injuries this time and had mutilated her face. I could see hints of white on the right side of her face and realised the madman had cut down to the bone. My gaze dropped to her throat and to the quantity of clotted blood around the wound and body. If was a fair amount but not what I would expect from such a wound. Either my killer was a vampire who consumed the blood or who collected it for some no doubt terrible occult ritual.
Dr Brown crouched beside the body to examine it closely. He touched her skin and moved her limbs. “She is quite warm and no death stiffening has taken place. In my hopinion, she has been dead most likely within the half hour.”
Abberline sighed. “That fits with the time of death hof our first murder, Sir James. We are dealing with the same madman.”
I nodded, distracted as I suddenly realised that there was no blood on her abdomen, even through she had been gutted most viscously. I checked the surrounding bricks and pavement and found them, as I expected, to be clean of blood spurts. Yet more evidence that my killer was most likely a vampire. “Dr Brown, I would be most grateful if you would provide me with the post-mortem report.”
“Of course, Sir James.”
“Good. Now, Inspector, I wish to speak to PC Watkins.” I strolled off to find Watkins, knowing that Abberline would be trailing after me. I soon spied the man I wished to talk to and called out to him, “PC Watkins.”
“Sir?” Watkins replied as he turned towards me.
“Can you tell me about tonight?”
“Yes sir.” He pulled the policeman's every present notebook out and flicked through it. “I commenc'd me first full round o'me beat at about 10pm. Me beat consists o'Duke Street...” He trailed off as I held a hand up. “Sir?”
“Just the details of when you discovered the body, please.” If I needed more details I would gain them from the reports I would received the next day. I sensed I was being watched and glanced around to notice a well-dressed man frowning at us. I assumed he was the local inspector and did not appreciate Abberline in his jurisdiction, however, as he turned sharply towards the police constable talking to him, I assumed he had just been informed I was from the Home Office.
“O'course, sir.” Watkins paused as he found the correct page of his notebook. “At about 1.44am, I enter'd Mitre Square from Mitre Street and turned right t'check t'darkest corner o't'square, sir. I 'ad me Bulls-eye lamp open and fixed t'me belt so I could sees, sir, what with t'lamp being not fully working. As I continu'd I sees t'body o't'victim in t'corner of 'Eydemann's Yard and t'empty cottages yonder. I knew George Morris, 'e's t'night-watchman at Kearley & Tonge Warehouse and Counting 'Ouse were on duty and immediately approach'd t'warehouse door t'summons 'im, sir.”
“Please continue,” I murmured as he stopped, obviously wandering if he had given me too much detail as I had stopped him once already.
“Yes, sir. Well sir, I rans across t'road and called for 'im t'come t'me assistance. That were at 1.45am, sir, I check'd on me own watch. George Morris follow'd me out, sir, and shone 'is light on t'body, sir. 'E then blew 'is whistle and left for 'elp, sir, 'eading up towards Aldgate. I stayd with t'body and conductd a brief inspection best I can what with t'poor light. I did sees 'er filthy clothing, sir, and t'bloody fingerprints on 'er chemise. I then remain'd with 'er until t'arrival of PCs 964 'Arvey and 814 'Olland, sir. At 1.55am Dr George Sequeira arrived and pronounc'd 'er dead, though within t'last quarter 'our, sir. 'E didn't make a more detail'd examination, leaving that for Dr Brown t'conduct, sir.”
“Thank you, PC Watkins.” I took one last glance over at the body before turning to Abberline, “I expect a full report, Inspector, for both murders as soon as possible.”
Abberline nodded in the direction the City Inspector had gone as he told me, “You will get the Metropolitan report as soon as I receive it, Sir James. The City one you will have to get from Hinspector Hedward Collard, sir.”
I turned to walk over to this Inspector Collard and make my order couched as a request for the report and my steps hesitated as I recognised who had joined him. I was not sure whether to be pleased he was there or not, but the presence of Major Henry Smith might make my life easier. We knew each other from our Club and had partnered each other at Bridge. As I recalled he had gambled rather heavily on us to win and had been most congenial in our dignified celebrations. I nodded in greeting as I approached. “Major Smith, my dear Henry, I trust you are well?”
Smith nodded back. “I am indeed and that you are, Sir James. Home Office business I understand.”
I turned back towards the body with a grimace of distaste on my features. “Beastly business, Henry, but one must do one's duty to Queen and Empire.”
“Well said, sir,” Smith agreed. “What service can the City of London police be, Sir James?”
Good. Major Smith had always been a direct man; I assumed it came from his militia service. “I require a copy of any information about this crime. Witness statements, the good doctor's findings, anything.”
Smith sighed softly. “All this sensationalism in the papers, Sir James?” At my nod, he continued, “I do not like it, sir, not one bit. All this talk of the supernatural, making the Empire look backward and superstitious.” He took a breath and I knew I was about to be regaled with one of his long winded stories of the old days. “Did I ever tell you about the savage killings I became involved with when I was in the Suffolk Artillery Militia, Sir James?”
I did wonder about informing him I had not the time for his ramblings, but I needed his help and so merely said, “I believe not, Henry.”
“It was a terrible business, Sir James. Terrible. The common folk believed that it was a beast that committed the crimes. They had searched for its lair but found nothing and that is when the rumours of werewolves started. They looked at each other with suspicion as if anyone could have been the killer instead of some natural creature...”
I let Smith drone on, nodding in all the right places as I kept my expression strictly sober. As much as I wanted to smile as Smith provided me with the perfect story to show how the uneducated took a common creature's attacks and transformed it into evidence of the supernatural. I knew the surrounding police constables could overhear him and I trusted that they would spread the tale. Anything that served to distract the masses from believing in vampires was to my advantage.
Finally, Smith finished his story and I congratulated him on solving the mystery. He smiled at that and promised me most faithfully I would have all the information I required as soon as he himself himself did.
As soon as I could I took my leave, citing important government business I must attend to come daylight. I set Charlie clattering back to Dutfield's Yard and fretted the entire journey as to whether Ryan had waited for me or had made his own way home. I only relaxed when Ryan finally clambered into the carriage and Charlie set the horses homeward bound.
I did not ask Ryan anything as I kissed him, needing to feel him in my arms to know he was safely out of the sunlight. I tumbled into bed with him and we explored each other until sleep took us.
I woke the next morning to the ringing of church bells and groaned softly. It felt far too early to be roused from little sleep. I summoned Becker to my bedroom and informed him to wake me when the police reports arrived, otherwise I did not intend to rise before dusk.
“Of course, sir.” Becker nodded and let himself out.
I was at least half-asleep when I sensed someone enter the room, I half-opened an eye and watched Becker place a full decanter of blood from my cellar on the table along with two glasses. I smiled as I drifted asleep with Ryan in my arms, Becker truly was invaluable.
Author: knitekat
Word Count: ~3710 (of a total ~47955)
Characters: James Lester, Tom Ryan and a cast of RPs, OCs and OHs.
Pairing: James Lester/Tom Ryan
Rating: 18
Disclaimer: Primeval belongs to Impossible Pictures. Certainly not me. Writing for fun and will replace.
A/N 1: Part of my AU Bloodverse series. Continues from Part 8 and continues in Part 10.
A/N 2: Contains details of historical fact, several individuals in the fic are based on real historical people.
A/N 3: Thanks go to Fred for the beta. Cheers, m'dear.
Warnings: Dark!fic, bloodplay, blood and gore in general (graphic descriptions), angst, hurt/comfort.
I expected to be informed of the next murder within a matter of days and found myself starting at every knock on my door. As days dawned and set without any news, I found the wait for the Seer and for the next murder to be a trying time, although not as trying as Ryan or my staff found it. It did not help that my arm ached abominably and I freely admit my temper was short and I took it out on them, Ryan mostly. I couldn't believe that My Lady was still dragging her feet over the Seer, the newspapers were full of stories of the Whitehall Vigilante Committee patrolling the streets and even the foreign press had mentioned the murders. I knew she was still hoping I would solve the case without the Seer's presence, but with every passing day I feared the arrival of a Witch Hunter in London, intent on tracking down the supernatural creature responsible for the killings. I also worried that the murderer had escaped my reach or, in my darkest moments, that it wasn't a vampire behind the crimes. The fears and doubts ate into me and I snapped and snarled and behaved most ungentlemanly, although I always apologised afterwards and begged forgiveness.
Ryan had dragged me upstairs on one occasion when my temper had threatened to explode. He had been rough, his teeth grazing my flesh and nearly drawing blood as he had taken me hard and fast. Pleasure had raced through my body and I had bitten his shoulder hard as I came, gulping down his blood as he had keened and shuddered and erupted inside me.
Once I had returned to my senses I licked his injury closed and looked at him, an unspoken question hovering on my lips. I had not meant to introduce him to the pleasure of pain and blood during sex, not without talking about it first, but I had reacted without thinking when I had bitten him. I needed to know he had enjoyed the act, that I had not lost him in my unthinking need.
Ryan smiled at me, his face flushed and his heart hammering unneeded in his chest. “That felt... I have never felt so...” He shook his head and I knew he was unable to describe the exquisite feeling when pleasure and pain meet.
I caressed his face, still needing him to tell me he had enjoyed it. “You liked it?”
“I did, sire.” Ryan grinned lavishly. “I should like to feel more of it.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. We will experiment later, my love. For now, I just want to lie with you in my arms.”
Ryan did not argue, he just pulled me against his chest. “Sire? Are you sure this killer is one of us?”
“I see no alternative. He kills unseen yet under the eyes of witnesses.” I did not tell him I knew several of the witnesses had been dominated. I did not want him to be punished if there was any trouble from not informing the Council about that fact. I made the decision and so any punishment would fall on my shoulders.
That night was the start of our new relationship of blood and pain and pleasure. I found that my temper improved as we explored each other, learning where to nip and bite for the greatest pleasure. I caught the grateful look Ethel shot his way one morning when she came to change the sheets, no doubt thinking that the blood marking them was his. I wondered what she would say if she had known it was also mine?
****
I smiled at Ryan as we enjoyed our late repast of an excellent vintage from my cellar. I tensed at the knock on my door, this time of night I knew it could only by the police with news of another murder or the Seer, My Lord had messaged me that he was trying to convince My Lady of my need. I certainly hoped it was the later who had finally arrived; for the sooner she examined a murder site or saw into the future the sooner I could track down and dispose of this savage killer.
Becker knocked on my door and entered when I bid him too. “Sir James. It is the police, sir. There has been another murder.”
“Damnation!” I muttered as I rose. “Becker, please have the policeman wait and we will join him shortly. Wake Charlie and have the team readied.”
“At once, sir.”
“Sire?”
I smiled at Ryan and pulled him in for a quick kiss. “Yes. You can accompany me, my love. It is night-time.”
“Thank you.” Ryan smiled for an instant before sobering. “I will make you proud, my sire.”
“I know you will.”
****
The fog was thick and cloying as the horses clop-clopped their way through the cobbled streets. Ryan sat beside me, flicking through the notebook in which he had been making notes about the murders. He was playing the part of my assistant to perfection. The policeman, one William Smith, sat nervously on the opposite seat. He was a young man, well turned out with neatly groomed hair and moustache and obviously worried that he'd say the wrong thing in front of his betters.
I smiled and turned on the charm, feeling Smith relax as I subtly used my abilities to calm him. “PC Smith, can you tell me what happened tonight?”
“O'course, sir. I were walking me beat, sir. That were from t'corner o'Gower's Walk and Commercial Road t'Christian Street, then down Christian Street and Fairclough Street as far as Grove Street, along Fairclough Street t'Back Church Lane, finishing back at Commercial Street, sir. It takes me 25 t'30 minutes t'walk, sir.”
I nodded. “And tonight?”
“Yes sir. It were at 12.30 that I sees a man and a woman standing on t'pavement a few yards up Berner Street, on t'opposite side t'Dutfield's Yard. I's sure that t'woman I sees be t'same as t'victim, sir.”
I nodded again. “Can you describe the man to us?” I noticed that Ryan had licked the tip of his pencil and I bit back a moan as I felt my cock twitch, my voice slightly rough as I spoke. “Ryan?”
Ryan looked up with a start and nodded. “Yes, sir?” He glanced at Smith and smiled. “Sorry, sir, I was just thinking.” He nodded to Smith. “Please continue.”
Smith looked at his notebook before he began to speak. “''E were about 28 years o'age. I would says 5 foot 7 inches tall. 'E were wearing a dark overcoat and trousers with a 'ard felt deerstalker 'at. 'E lookd respectable, sir. I sees 'e were 'olding a newspaper parcel, about 18 inches long and 6 or 8 inches wide. I also sees that t'woman 'ad a flower in 'er jacket.”
“Was there anything to draw your attention to them?” I enquired, although I was sure that Smith would have walked past them unaware if that man had been the killer.
“No sir. I didn't overheard their conversation and t'couple appeard sober. They was not acting in a suspicious manner. I 'ad no reason t'investigate, sir, and carried out me beat.”
“And later?”
“On returning t'Berner Street at 1am, I sees a crowd gathering at t'entrance t'Dutfield's Yard but I 'ad 'eard no cries of 'Police' beforehand t'alert me t'crime. When I arrivd I sees Constables Edward Collins and 'Enry Lamb already present, sir.. Once I sees t'deceased I went t'fetch t'ambulance and yourself, sir. As I were leaving I pass'd Dr Frederick Blackwell and 'is assistant, Edward Johnston, arriving.”
I cursed silently, yet another murder scene I would gain no clues from. Not that it could be helped, but it made the need for a Seer all the more imperative.
We had no sooner arrived at the murder scene when Abberline called out to me. “Sir James. There has been hanother one.”
I paused, could I afford to miss something at this site by going to investigate the other? However, could I risk not going? I knew I would have a greater chance of identifying the killer at the newer less-disturbed scene. “Ryan, stay here and investigate this murder. Make notes of everything.” I turned to Abberline. “Inspector, would you care to accompany to this other murder?”
Abberline and I were soon off, the horses moving as fast as Charlie felt safe as we made our way across London. I decided not to enquire about the previous murder, Ryan would obtain all the details for me to examine later, and I wished to concentrate on this new site. I wanted to think only of that site as I sought to pick up any impressions of the man – vampire – responsible. Luckily Abberline respected my silence and didn't ask any questions.
It was approximately a quarter past two when we clattered into Mitre Square, in the City of London. Officially, I believed Abberline had no authority here. Luckily for me, I did. I stepped down into the square, Abberline close behind me, and waited for one of the local policemen to approach me. His long face was made even longer by the full beard he wore, although it and his short hair were neatly kept.
“Yer can't stops 'ere, sirs. There's been another of them murders.”
Abberline nodded. “That is why we are here. Hinspector Abberline, Division H, warrant number 43519. This is Sir James, of the Home Hoffice.”
The constable almost snapped to attention when he heard where I was from. “PC 881 Edward Watkins, sir.”
“Who discovered the body, Watkins?” I inquired as I looked around the area. I had little hope of finding any real trace of the murderer, for too many mortals had trampled over the scene. I needed the aid of a Seer before this whole mess blew up in our faces. I was not looking forward to reporting these two murders to the Council, especially as I would have to enquire, once more, when the Seer would arrive.
“I did, sir.”
I nodded. “I will need to question you about what you saw, constable. But first, I require to look at the victim.”
“Yes sir. This way sir.”
Watkins lead myself and the good inspector towards the darkest corner of the square, the single lamp fitfully supplying its illumination and I wondered if it was for that reason the killer had chosen this spot. No, this was not part of the East End, this was the square mile of London. If this was the killer I was looking for than he had some reason for killing here, something I was missing. I would have to examine the files on the victims and see if something connected them – other than their profession. But for now, I had a murder site to investigate.
I noticed another man approach the body, from his dress I took him to be the City Police surgeon, but I must admit I paid him but little attention. My mind was focused on the new victim and what I could learn from her.
Watkins called out to him. “Dr Brown, these gents be from t'Metropol'tan Police and t'Ome Office, sir.”
Dr Brown raised an eyebrow. “You harrived most precipitously, sirs.”
Abberline nodded. “We were close by, sir. At hanother of his murders.”
As the two men conversed behind me, I stepped closer to examine the body, clad as any other poor woman in the East End. She was on her back with her head turned to the left. Her arms had not been posed, although the fingers were flexed. Her left leg was straight and the right bent to the side. I could see the bastard had cut her throat and gashed at her abdomen. I swallowed as one of the policemen angled his light for me and lit up her body. Her intestines had been pulled from her body and placed over her right shoulder and my nose twitched at the smell that rose from them. I closed my eyes as I couldn't help but remember my own death, the stench of my intestines as they had slithered out of my body.
Dr Brown gripped my arm. “Sir? Are you well, sir? Come, sit down over here.”
“I will be fine, my good doctor. It is...” I waved my hand to encompass the body.
“Yes sir. Tis a terrible sight.”
I took a deep breath and coughed as the rank odour filled my nose. I pulled out a handkerchief and held it over my nose as I resumed my examination. The bastard had cut part of the intestines free, about two foot, if I hazarded a guess, which had been deliberately placed between the body and left arm. But why? Was this some macabre part of some occult ritual? A deliberate mocking of the victim? Something only the killer saw significance in?
“My dear God, look what he's done to her face.”
The shock in Abberline's voice broke into my thoughts and I looked up at her face and swallowed at the sight. The killer had not restricted himself to abdominal injuries this time and had mutilated her face. I could see hints of white on the right side of her face and realised the madman had cut down to the bone. My gaze dropped to her throat and to the quantity of clotted blood around the wound and body. If was a fair amount but not what I would expect from such a wound. Either my killer was a vampire who consumed the blood or who collected it for some no doubt terrible occult ritual.
Dr Brown crouched beside the body to examine it closely. He touched her skin and moved her limbs. “She is quite warm and no death stiffening has taken place. In my hopinion, she has been dead most likely within the half hour.”
Abberline sighed. “That fits with the time of death hof our first murder, Sir James. We are dealing with the same madman.”
I nodded, distracted as I suddenly realised that there was no blood on her abdomen, even through she had been gutted most viscously. I checked the surrounding bricks and pavement and found them, as I expected, to be clean of blood spurts. Yet more evidence that my killer was most likely a vampire. “Dr Brown, I would be most grateful if you would provide me with the post-mortem report.”
“Of course, Sir James.”
“Good. Now, Inspector, I wish to speak to PC Watkins.” I strolled off to find Watkins, knowing that Abberline would be trailing after me. I soon spied the man I wished to talk to and called out to him, “PC Watkins.”
“Sir?” Watkins replied as he turned towards me.
“Can you tell me about tonight?”
“Yes sir.” He pulled the policeman's every present notebook out and flicked through it. “I commenc'd me first full round o'me beat at about 10pm. Me beat consists o'Duke Street...” He trailed off as I held a hand up. “Sir?”
“Just the details of when you discovered the body, please.” If I needed more details I would gain them from the reports I would received the next day. I sensed I was being watched and glanced around to notice a well-dressed man frowning at us. I assumed he was the local inspector and did not appreciate Abberline in his jurisdiction, however, as he turned sharply towards the police constable talking to him, I assumed he had just been informed I was from the Home Office.
“O'course, sir.” Watkins paused as he found the correct page of his notebook. “At about 1.44am, I enter'd Mitre Square from Mitre Street and turned right t'check t'darkest corner o't'square, sir. I 'ad me Bulls-eye lamp open and fixed t'me belt so I could sees, sir, what with t'lamp being not fully working. As I continu'd I sees t'body o't'victim in t'corner of 'Eydemann's Yard and t'empty cottages yonder. I knew George Morris, 'e's t'night-watchman at Kearley & Tonge Warehouse and Counting 'Ouse were on duty and immediately approach'd t'warehouse door t'summons 'im, sir.”
“Please continue,” I murmured as he stopped, obviously wandering if he had given me too much detail as I had stopped him once already.
“Yes, sir. Well sir, I rans across t'road and called for 'im t'come t'me assistance. That were at 1.45am, sir, I check'd on me own watch. George Morris follow'd me out, sir, and shone 'is light on t'body, sir. 'E then blew 'is whistle and left for 'elp, sir, 'eading up towards Aldgate. I stayd with t'body and conductd a brief inspection best I can what with t'poor light. I did sees 'er filthy clothing, sir, and t'bloody fingerprints on 'er chemise. I then remain'd with 'er until t'arrival of PCs 964 'Arvey and 814 'Olland, sir. At 1.55am Dr George Sequeira arrived and pronounc'd 'er dead, though within t'last quarter 'our, sir. 'E didn't make a more detail'd examination, leaving that for Dr Brown t'conduct, sir.”
“Thank you, PC Watkins.” I took one last glance over at the body before turning to Abberline, “I expect a full report, Inspector, for both murders as soon as possible.”
Abberline nodded in the direction the City Inspector had gone as he told me, “You will get the Metropolitan report as soon as I receive it, Sir James. The City one you will have to get from Hinspector Hedward Collard, sir.”
I turned to walk over to this Inspector Collard and make my order couched as a request for the report and my steps hesitated as I recognised who had joined him. I was not sure whether to be pleased he was there or not, but the presence of Major Henry Smith might make my life easier. We knew each other from our Club and had partnered each other at Bridge. As I recalled he had gambled rather heavily on us to win and had been most congenial in our dignified celebrations. I nodded in greeting as I approached. “Major Smith, my dear Henry, I trust you are well?”
Smith nodded back. “I am indeed and that you are, Sir James. Home Office business I understand.”
I turned back towards the body with a grimace of distaste on my features. “Beastly business, Henry, but one must do one's duty to Queen and Empire.”
“Well said, sir,” Smith agreed. “What service can the City of London police be, Sir James?”
Good. Major Smith had always been a direct man; I assumed it came from his militia service. “I require a copy of any information about this crime. Witness statements, the good doctor's findings, anything.”
Smith sighed softly. “All this sensationalism in the papers, Sir James?” At my nod, he continued, “I do not like it, sir, not one bit. All this talk of the supernatural, making the Empire look backward and superstitious.” He took a breath and I knew I was about to be regaled with one of his long winded stories of the old days. “Did I ever tell you about the savage killings I became involved with when I was in the Suffolk Artillery Militia, Sir James?”
I did wonder about informing him I had not the time for his ramblings, but I needed his help and so merely said, “I believe not, Henry.”
“It was a terrible business, Sir James. Terrible. The common folk believed that it was a beast that committed the crimes. They had searched for its lair but found nothing and that is when the rumours of werewolves started. They looked at each other with suspicion as if anyone could have been the killer instead of some natural creature...”
I let Smith drone on, nodding in all the right places as I kept my expression strictly sober. As much as I wanted to smile as Smith provided me with the perfect story to show how the uneducated took a common creature's attacks and transformed it into evidence of the supernatural. I knew the surrounding police constables could overhear him and I trusted that they would spread the tale. Anything that served to distract the masses from believing in vampires was to my advantage.
Finally, Smith finished his story and I congratulated him on solving the mystery. He smiled at that and promised me most faithfully I would have all the information I required as soon as he himself himself did.
As soon as I could I took my leave, citing important government business I must attend to come daylight. I set Charlie clattering back to Dutfield's Yard and fretted the entire journey as to whether Ryan had waited for me or had made his own way home. I only relaxed when Ryan finally clambered into the carriage and Charlie set the horses homeward bound.
I did not ask Ryan anything as I kissed him, needing to feel him in my arms to know he was safely out of the sunlight. I tumbled into bed with him and we explored each other until sleep took us.
****
I woke the next morning to the ringing of church bells and groaned softly. It felt far too early to be roused from little sleep. I summoned Becker to my bedroom and informed him to wake me when the police reports arrived, otherwise I did not intend to rise before dusk.
“Of course, sir.” Becker nodded and let himself out.
I was at least half-asleep when I sensed someone enter the room, I half-opened an eye and watched Becker place a full decanter of blood from my cellar on the table along with two glasses. I smiled as I drifted asleep with Ryan in my arms, Becker truly was invaluable.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-05-29 10:16 pm (UTC)Excellent!
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 09:10 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading and for the kind comment.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-29 10:29 pm (UTC)Great chapter.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 09:11 pm (UTC)Thanks, glad you liked it.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 08:05 am (UTC)Once again I have to say Lester is one lucky b*stard *g*
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 09:14 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 07:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-30 09:16 pm (UTC)Hee, you'll have to wait as will James to find out the answer to that ;)
Thanks, glad you liked it.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-31 12:13 pm (UTC)Great story :)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-31 08:06 pm (UTC)Thanks for all the paw-holding, the beta and for reading.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-01 07:21 am (UTC)Wow, loved the hot vampire bloody sex, rrrrrr!
no subject
Date: 2012-06-01 07:45 pm (UTC)Thought you'd like a bit of vampire sex. ]
Thanks for reading.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-03 08:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-03 03:31 pm (UTC)Hee, I see no wrong in getting distracted by hot!Ryan scenes.