Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 6

 

6              The Lady

 

The lady stood there behind the men gathered at the start of the alley. They were there to watch the remains of the victim; the few reported by the prints. It was frustrating for the lady to be shoved aside by the new male arrivals.

“Hey, step away. This is not for you to be here.” That was a copper who arrived later and was trying to get into the alley. The lady was to protest but the copper pushed his away in forcing the others also to allow him passage.

“Bloody rude….” The lady cursed out, and was echoed by the man in front of her. He then turned and saw her.

“Bloody times. Go home, lady.” It was the era of discrimination if you wore a petticoat.

The lady ignored him and held hard on her bag. It was her defensive bag with the iron ball inside. She had knocked burly men with a swing to their chins. She was dressed in the elegant dark blue dress with the bodice pulled taut at her chest though there was not much to conceal given her boyish frame.

The lady raised her height by elevating her feet on her toes, and then felt someone watching her. She turned to look and saw the hawkish man staring at her.

“Damned! Another pervert there.” The lady then remarked on the on the butcher’s remark and realised her outburst was not well received.  She then decided to take her leave of the alley. She had a glimpsed of the hawkish man looking at another and ignored it.

“He is probably a reporter or voyeur of some sort.” The lady took to the end of the street where a coach was waiting for her. She gave instruction to the driver before boarding it. An elderly man sat opposite her wearing the fine cut three-piece suit and held a cane across his lap. He had grey hair and the side burns on the cheeks.

“Did you learn anything new?” The man asked.

“No, Doctor. The usual repertoire of idiots and the victim looked as it was given the usual slashes. And of course, the organ removals were there.” The lady replied.

“I want you to follow up on the case. I am due to take the train to Glasgow and from there to bleak winter with the revolutionary of the Tsars.”

“I am surprised at you, Doctor. I will never had taken you to be a revolutionary participant.” The lady smiled.

“You are from a nation of revolutionaries, my dear Mary Reid. Your forefathers revolted against the Empire and won, sadly to conclude.” The doctor smiled. “I am still a member of the Empire here. Cousin John Reid will be proud of you.”

“That was a long time ago, Uncle Moriarty. We just concluded our differences in a civil war over humanity rights.” The lady sighed. “I guess we do not hold the same views over the years. Like myself., I am a Reb, and now here. Unlike Cousin Reid, he is creating his own legend with the partner of his, the native Indian, Tonto.”

“Ever the rebel. Our family ties made us one for the cause. Or without a cause.” The Doctor smiled. “I am pleased to have your presence here. Please assist me in monitoring the situation here while I am away. Murders are aplenty but these are disturbing with the way it was done and more so, it placed my influence at risk. I do not know who could had done these heinous acts.”

“Why me, Uncle Moriarty?” The lady named Mary addressed the other by their personal relationship. “I am not any warrior or hunter.”

“That may true but words have reached me that you have your own worth as a hunter of the undead. While your cousin pursued the renegades, you hunt them who should remain dead. Or alive.”

“I am and was to move to the main continent to get at the Prince of Darkness. He is the forefather of these vampires and werewolves.” Mary Reid told her true cause. “Aunt Agatha and family died from their bites, and it was me who placed the wooden stakes into their heart.”

“Silver bullets do not kill them?” Doctor Moriarity asked.

“They do not but it may maim them or stop them in their tracks unless you get it between their eyes. I much prefer the wooden stake buried in the heart.”

“You are vicious, young lady.” Professor Moriarty smiled. “I guess it ran in the family ties.”

“Not so, Uncle. Dan only wounds them most times, it is Tonto who end their misery.” Mary explained. “Uncle, I saw the man you told me look out for; the detective. He was there and stared at me. Are you sure he is of the right mind? He seems to be …….”

“Studying you? I believed he was. His mid works on logic and deductions. He is a brilliant man, but …...”

“Back home, we would have him lynched or shot.” Mary interjected.

“You met Aunt Dorothy? She is ever vigilant in her work too. She told me Jon Roxton is back in the city. You knew him from the other continent. She gave him your address.”

“I will suck Jon Roxton of his life essence.” Mary said.

“Be civilised here, lady. Now I must get off here for my train. Do take care and love your family; whoever are left.” Professor Moriarty stepped off the coach. He turned towards the driver. “Keep her safe, Colonel. There are not many of us left.”

The driver nodded towards the Professor who then turned to speak to the lady again.

“If Holmes is involved, you could start with him. He might lead you to the murderer and with that you could deal with two issues with a singular conclusion.”

“Is he a vampire, Uncle?”

“He is more than that. He is the devil incarnate.” Professor Moriarty smiled and took his leave. “Talking about vampires, I was advised on the arrival of name Count Dracula here.”

“That one is I am keen on. Where can I find him?” Mary asked.

“Try Holmes. He knew almost every other person in the city.” Professor Moriarity walked to the train.

“Where to, Missy?” The driver asked.

“Back to my hotel, please. I have a friend there to meet.” Mary Reid replied. “It would not be a cold day in Hell when we meet.”