Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 36

 

36. Mary Pleaste

 

“Before that, let me brief on the matter regarding Mary Pleaste.” The professor looked at the other two. They were associated with the lady, for she frequents their homes and, most times, worked with them on the syndicate works. She was also introduced to their circle of friends, of which the other victims were.

“Mary Pleaste had her own agenda here. She was building a cartel of funders and influencing members to start her own group. She began with the ones she knew would benefit from her work and be installing them as founder members; they were secured of the leadership. She organized the unit where they were killed—not one but a few addresses to hold their meetings.”

“Mary was good at it, being in the syndicate for very long, and before that she was a great organizer. She made one mistake. She told you.” The professor looked at the admiral.

The admiral leaned back on the seat. He was approached by Mary Pleaste but did not make any decision then. He then confided in someone who leaked the news to the professor. It prompted the professor to visit the city.

“I thank you, Admiral. It was admirable of you to tell me.” The professor looked towards Lord Dennis. “Now, I did come unannounced and was in my other disguise, as the Professor. I needed the cover to avoid Mary’s detection.”

“The murders were a distraction, and my so-called lectures—hurried and unplanned—kept me busy. I switched my notes towards the topic of criminals and was surprised that the intelligence section took a bite off my time. I was introduced to Doctor John Watson, whom I was kind enough to accommodate, then the immaculate Mycroft Holmes. I am honoured to meet them, although my real identity had eluded their scrutiny.”

“Professor, why was Mary Pleaste not dissected like the other murders?” Lord Dennis asked. “The warriors are capable of it.”

“I had to leave the bodies intact, for I do not want to link the murders together.” The professor explained. “And more to it, Mary Pleaste and associates had contributed to our cause and deserved a decent burial. Their execution was a warning to the others. Or you preferred them impaled.”

“I understand now.” Lord Dennis nodded.

“Now that is cleared, I must commend on the works of Lord Dennis and yourself, Admiral. Both your efforts and your resoluteness to work on the Super-Warrior project yielded great results. They did a great task on the murders and obeyed orders.”

“It is a grim task, Professor, but the soldiers are efficient in the kill and retrieval.” The admiral smiled. “We have almost perfected the Super Warrior design.”

“A noble task if not the breakout of loyalty by Mary Pleaste and her friends.” The professor added. “Some of us worked with the ego that they were superior to others. They are perceived to be bold, but boldness also comes with a cost. Their lives paid for it.”

“How did you get them to work?” The professor looked at Lord Dennis.

“It was the genius works of Doctor Manfred, who had made the discovery, but there are some setbacks. The warriors are short-lived, for the serum could kill them in days, breaking down the working of the organs. They are termed those who are to die. The doctor is working feverishly to prevent that and thus may assist my own daughter.” Lord Dennis explained.

“How long and many of these warriors do we have?” The professor asked.

“A dozen active ones, and another dozen on the waiting list. We have lost over fifty men since we began." The Admiral gave the numbers.

“Collateral damages.” The professor said.

“Professor, may I say something?” Lord Dennis looked at the other. “Doctor Jekyll is a guest of my castle. He was brought there by the count, who had courted the doctor on my recommendation. They came to my castle upon the attack by the admiral’s men.”

“It was to remove the doctor whom I felt was unneeded with the advances made by Doctor Manfred.” The Admiral cut in.

“An action of your ego.” The professor snapped at the admiral. “You have acted hastily once too often. Your attack on the doctor may be premature.”

“Doctor Jekyll's work still holds some unknowns to Doctor Manfred.” Lord Dennis sighed. “When he arrived at the castle, he was surprised that I knew the Count, but he forgot it was my referral. He has these lapses of memory. Anyway, I told him of Doctor Manfred and the works; he was furious. He wanted to report me, and I had to imprison him. He became deranged, and then the shock of seeing him in the new monster look.”

“Monster?” The professor was stunned.

“Yes, he transformed into the huge monster, and if not for the Super Warriors, we would not have restrained him. He was chained and imprisoned. Soon, I checked on his condition. He was back to his normal self. Doctor Manfred wanted to do some tests on him.” Lord Dennis told them.

“Interesting development. I must see to him. How is the Count?”

“The Count is recovering from his wounds. I had asked him to convince the doctor to work with us, but he refused. I had him tortured in the room with the sunlight on him. He suffers from the unknown ailment that exposure to the sunlight will burn his skin. He is last I saw, cowering at the corner in pain.”

“So, Count Vlad needs his elixir of life.” The professor smiled. “It is a secret of the valley. He needs blood to restore his immunity.”

“He would not get it if he did not cooperate.” Lord Dennis said.

“It would seem that events have some developments that we can work on.” The professor smiled. “I must see Doctor Jekyll.”

“And Admiral, why did you want to kill Mary Reid?’

“She was with Holmes and asking a lot of questions on the murders. And …… her dossier was presented to Mycroft. She may be a threat to us.”

“And you acted in accordance to that.” The Professor looked at the Admiral. “For a man of military experiences, you seem to lack the finer qualities.”

“She knew of Doctor Jekyll or rather his guest.” The Admiral added. “My informant is absolute.”

“The chap you have working for Mycroft?”

“Yes, Professor. James Cambier.”

“Have him removed. He is a loose connection to us and soon. Mycroft will know of it. Or rather his brother will do so.” The Professor told the Admiral. “Your hastiness to act on the lady may have created a conflict between us and Moriarty.”

“Lord Dennis, see to the task. Convince Colonel Moran that we are …… to be left alone. I do not want to fight another warfront.” The Professor then added.

“Set our men to trail the Holmes including Mycroft. They may lead us to some news.”