Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 9

 

9              Licence to act

 

The hall was at the end of corridor and it was detested by many who had to march that corridor. There are no doors along the corridor, except for a few painted pictures that one will shun from looking at. The re-production of Dante’s version of Hell was one of it. It was a ghostly reminder to those who were to be committed there, and next to it was the image of the four horsemen which was depicted in the good BOOK as the sign of apocalypse. The third painting was of the deep abyss that resembled more of the spiral steps to the dark recess below. The carpet along the corridor was woven Persian but the patterns were circles; intertwined ones of differing measurements.

The servants called it the corridor of despair.

Unofficially it was named Famous Five; the selected members of the Government to be present there.

But to some, it was the gateway to the solution.

“I said, Prime Minister, its work of a few serial killers out to prove their kills.” The Prime Minister who was Uno Numero in the listing, seated there on the high-back chair looked towards the one who chose to explain the issue. There were five of them that day, seated around the round table that was supposedly to be the original table from Camelot but only five chairs were found, and five it was needed for then new Round Table Knights to declare themselves saviour of the realm.

“No. 1,” the other addressed the Prime Minister by the assigned ranking. “The Queen expressed her concern on the matter. The murders are holding too many publicities and …...” The aide to the monarchy represents the interest of the royalty. He was Number 4.

“How many murders reported?” No. 1 asked to one responsible for handling such cases. “No.5 please advise.”

“About …...” No.4 is the Chief of Intelligence and held no ministerial; position. He was to reply when he was interrupted by No. 4 who was the aide to the Queen.

“I am sure you have the specific numbers.” No.1 looked to No.5.

“Thirteen confirmed and three more similar but disputable ……”

“Let us stick to sixteen then.” No. 4 lambasted.

“Another scandal perhaps? I am sure the Queen …...” The one who spoke wore the uniform of the military command with the rank of Admiral. He is No. 2 there. “The previous Ripper makes a return perhaps? How many did he killed?”

“The five were Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly.”

“Spare me their names, No.5. Five compared to ……. Sixteen here. Most appalling then.” The Admiral who is the second in the ranking said. “We must not let this be a scandal.”

“Not our first scandal, and certainly not that embarrassing than that of the military.” No. 4 hit back. “May I remind the Admiral that the Queen hold the discretion to suppress the reports.”

“Suppressed? The whole city is aflame by the murders. I am sure the Queen has other matters to concern on. And I am No. 2 here.”

“Admiral, you served by the authority of the Queen.”

“Spare me your threats, No. 4 or ……. His Lordship. I am above it all. I command the men just as well even without the pips on my sleeves.” The Admiral was without doubt the most decorated officer in the military.

“I trust you do the command but I held her majesty’s trust.” No. 4 who held the rank of :Lord was at loggerheads with the other. “The Queen says stop the embarrassment. The last case with the Ripper had …... ripped the family apart.”

“Gentlemen, if I may intrude. As I was implying the murders may be the works of ……...” The earlier person who was No. 5 tried to interject in.

“Then do your bloody role, Chief of Intelligence.” The aide to the Queen roared out. “No.5.”

“Exactly my words.” The Admiral added there.

“Do your task, Chief. We are …. relying on you.” The directive by the Prime Minister was directed at the Chief. “Controlled the prints from cresting the news above the Ripper’s. We have enough scandals to contend with.”

“Whatever happens will be for the worse, and therefore it is in our interest that as little should happen as possible." The Prime Minister quoted his line on most matters. “I take it that you understand.”

(Extract from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gascoyne-Cecil,_3rd_Marquess_of_Salisbury)

“I will do my best, Lords.” The Chief nodded. The meeting was to be adjourned when the Prime Minister realised that the Exchequer had not attended.

“Where is No.3? Lord Dennis must attend.” The Prime Minister asked.

“I do not know. Maybe he did not get invite.” The Chief was snide in his remarks. “Or having tea with the Queen while we meet.”

“No. 5, I find your statement unacceptable. If he was, I would be informed.” The aide to the Queen defended his position.

“Then he was not invited then.” The Chief smiled. He had a personal dislike of the Exchequer, constantly making cuts on his allocations.

“Check with his Department and tell the aide there to get him to come for the meets. His absence is a shame on his name.”

“He may retort if was it we needed funds?” The Admiral sarcasm was there for the Exchequer had that question as part of his normal replies. Even as No.2, he was not given carte blanche on the requests.

“I have no need of his funds for now. We have victories over the Boers and most of Africa without heavy losses and costs. He should appreciate the wealth of those colonies that will fill the nations coffer there.”  The Prime Minister voiced out his achievements.

“I am sure he does, but…...” The aide to the Queen stood by the Exchequer.

“Bloody well, just remind him of his duty.” The Prime Minister stormed off.

Soon, the Chief overseeing the intelligence left the hall and walked along the corridor with his eyes on the painting.

“At the least, they are more of a relief to meet those in the Hall.” The Chief reached the end of the corridor, and exited to the huge hall with the multi levels presented there connected by the huge stairways. At the ground level, the hall was guarded at the main entrance and the start of the staircase.

The Chief’s level was at the basement where there were entries and exits that the staff could take unnoticed by the guards at the hall. The Chief housed a complement of hundred staff, with one third are armed beneath their jackets or coats. He walked to the far end and arrived at his assigned chamber.

“Good day, Mycroft. We got the task now. Investigate the murders and removed the threat.”

“It could be Royalty, Chief.” Mycroft was careful with his words.

“Bloody well, clean it up well.” The Chief had enough of it.

“Double zero, Chief.” It was Mycroft’s code of confirmation to act.

“Can I proceed on the task now?” Mycroft did not wait for the reply and was out of the chamber. He did hear the Chief reminding him to bring the toothbrush. It was their code word to clean up or do whatever needed.

Or was it licence to terminate.

“Hold on, Mycroft. How is our guest, Count Dracula here in the city?”

“Dry as a whistle, as the reports came in. He is not seen leaving the house.” Mycroft reported. “But I am curious why is staying with Doctor Jekyll?”

“Is that not your task, Mycroft? Or would you like replace me and have you asked the question?”

“No, Chief. I will do my task.”