Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 33

 

33

 

“What did they do on my city? A gun fight in broad daylight?” Inspector Lestrade was upset when he arrived at the scene. “How many dead, Sergeant?”

“Six …... it was seven. They are not our folks. I saw their marks on the wrist.” The Sergeant reported. “Exiles, or migrants and rather of German or French origin. We have encountered them before.”

“The Syndicate, you meant?” Inspector Lestrade sighed. He had enough of the gangs with one assumed to be led by a distinguished Professor. He heard of the Syndicate that was to make an appearance some years back with their operations at the docks. They were mostly involved with smuggling; humans and goods which was under the purview of the Naval. Their personnels were mostly foreigners and the occasional locals, but no one knew who the leaders are.

“Anyone we know?”

“Pierre “Pox Face’ Marcel. We recognise his face.” The Sergeant said. “He was on the stairways.”

“Hm.....” Inspector Lestrade nodded. “I have to report to the Yard on this.”

“Inspector, witnesses said that just before the gunfight, there was a coach wating and a lady boarded it. We recognised the coach by its number on the side. It belonged to Johnny Wayne.”

“Wayne? Sounds familiar.” Inspector Lestrade pondered on the name.

“He works for Colonel Sebastian Moran.” 

“And from there with the elusive Professor character.” Inspector Lestrade added. “It is sad that we do not have a name to the Professor yet. Holmes is not disclosing the name if he ever knows.”

“Professor, Sir?” The Sergeant was baffled. He did recall the mastermind was a doctor and not a professor. It will be Hell to pay if any professor was accused of it; there are fewer of them compared to the doctors, and even more than the lineup of Ministers which are equally horrendous; Church Ministers he was referring.

“Yes, Sergeant. Please issue the caution to the coppers. We got some serious incident in the city today. I want the rounds made to stop any recurrence of the act.” Inspector Lestrade took on the stern expression.

“Should we call in Holmes, Sir?”

“Bloody well, no. I am sure we can solve this by our own.” Inspector Lestrade snapped out. He then saw the reporters were at the scene. “Shoo them off for now. I have no statement to make yet.”

The news had reached Baker Street courtesy of the Irregular or the Boys Brigade.

“It seems that we have another case to ponder on.” Holmes read the message handed to him. His guest was still there, adoringly treated by Mrs Hudson, while the doctor had adjourned twice to the privy.

“Thank you, Mrs Hudson for the sweet-smelling condiments. The room was getting rather stuffy.” Mycroft smiled at the lady.

“It was no issue at all. I merely immersed the roses you gave me; added in the fragrance and alcohol. I learned that in the continent. It was sweaty there and awful the smell, that I had to dabble these on.” Mrs. Hudson smiled. “Toilet scent it was called.”

“Toilet? I …... I must admit my ignorance of it.” Mycroft smiled.

“The word toilet is French in origin and is derived from the word 'toilette', which translates as 'dressing room'.” Mrs Hudson educated Mycroft.

“There has been a gunfight in the street at where Mary Reid was residing. A group of gunmen tried to storm the house but were repelled by another group.” Holmes read the message given to him. “If I am not mistaken that particular address is one of the Doctor’s homes.”

“Mine?” Doctor Watson appeared then looking pale. “I have only this address here.”

“Not yours, Watson. I was referring to Professor Moriarty. He does house his guest there.”

“Moriarty? It was a matter of time before we will hear of his involvement.” Watson have a personal dislike of the other doctor by namesake now then the Professor..

“Moriarty had arranged a protection group there, but the bodies found there were not his. They were outsiders.” Holmes leaned back on the seat. “We will know more when the messages come in.”

“Who was staying there, Holmes?” Watson asked. “I was preoccupied earlier.”

“Mary Reid, I presume.” Holmes replied.

“By George, we must go there. She could be hurt. She may need a doctor ……” Watson was frantically looking for his medical case.

“Calm down, Watson. None of the dead or wounded were a lady. I could have made an error in saying Mary was there. She may be elsewhere and this shooting was not related to her. Moriarty have many opposing forces.”

“Bloody well. He should not have endangered Mary here.” Watson found his medical case. “Are we …...”

“Bloody well.” Watson placed the medical case on the table.

The shrill of the bell denotes another visitor. Mrs Hudson attended to it and handed over the message to Holmes. Mycroft saw the pained expression on his brother.

“Mary Reid was pursued by others and …... may be okay. She escaped them on the coach driven by John Wayne. Watson, you knew him too?”

“Yes, John Wayne. He works for the Doctor. He is a mean fellow and once came to see me for some medications. He suffered from some blood disorder and needed bloodletting but I refer him to another physician. He had scars on his back from signs of whipping that he said was his cure for the ailment.”

“A good man and loyal to the doctor. He was from the continent from what I was to know.” Holmes looked to the window. “Kansas does not look to be far anymore.”

“Where did he place Mary?” Watson asked.

“Bordel de Sado.”

“Bloody…. Hell.” Watson was upset.

“The main concern here is the recent events/ the hideous murders with the organs removed, the attack on Doctor Jekyll, and then on Mary Reid; presumably her.” Holmes looked at his friends and brother. “Are they all inter-related?”

“Count Vlad was a guest of Doctor Jekyll.” Mycroft added.

It was then Holmes was told of some telegrams that he was to received.

“Rebus, indeed.”