Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 32

 

32.

The funeral of the Общий was a private affair with the sons in attendance. The household staff had taken a distance away to allow the family privacy. No friends or associates were invited. Spielberg insisted on that, but during the burial, he saw the arrival of the inspector.

“Inspector, this is a family affair. We do not ……”

“Mr. Spielsdorf, I am not here for the burial. I am here to tell you that the investigation into the death of William Frankenstein has been reopened.” Chief Constable Lestrade looked at the figures by the covered mound. “Added to that, Ms. Moritz was found dead a few days ago.”

“So, the accused …….”

“Suspect, Mr. Spielsdorf. She was later cleared of that. She was leaving for home and then murdered on the train she was taking.” Chief Constable Lestrade sighed. “The investigation was delayed because Ms. Moritz did not have any identification on her then. They traced her identity from the ticket, and it was told to me.”

“And……” Spielberg was upset. “Your impeccable timing is regrettably uninvited.”

“And I was on the next train to the city. I met Victor just after the train Ms. Moritz was on.” Chief Constable Lestrade ignored the remark made. He then looked to the young man standing there.

“Victor Frankenstein might know something of that day.”

“Victor Frankenstein is busy today. I will arrange for him to see……”

“Interesting, Mr. Spielsdorf. Where were you this week?”

“I was away with the Общий on a …… trip last week, and he died of a weak heart.” Spielberg said. “I brought him back here to be buried next to his…...his family plot.”

“No doctor’s report?” Chief Constable Lestrade looked at the man.

“None. We still do not have a doctor here.” Chief Constable Lestrade heard the man.

“Could Victor……?”

“Sir, Victor Frankenstein has just lost his father to …… natural death. He was not to perform any procedure that is required by law.” Spielberg drew on his patience. “I signed the death certificate as a ranking military officer.”

“Retired officer.” Chief Constable Lestrade reminded the other. “I can accept that, but I will need……”

“Victor Frankenstein will be at the mansion library tomorrow morning to meet you.”

“Good. Jolly good day then.” Chief Constable Lestrade smiled. “I must be going now. I have not unpacked my bags yet.”

The Chief Constable was walking off when he was met by Sven. The latter looked tired. He had stepped away from the household gathering.

“Sir, I need your help. My son, Henry, has been missing from the mansion for over two days. It was not like him to be missing.”

“How many days? And have you checked his … places he liked? Any ladies barn?” Chief Constable sarcasm displayed.

“No, Henry is special. He may be unwell here.” Sven's right hand tapped his forehead. “But he was always home by supper. I checked the estate, the forest, and even the creek where he likes to go. I checked the lab……”

“Lab, Sir? What lab?” Chief Constable Lestrade, he asked.

“Master Victor’s. He has a lab here. It is at the back of the mansion. No one is allowed in there.” Sven sighed. “I was only on the outside. It was locked, and if Henry were there, he would have replied.”

“Interesting.” Chief Constable Lestrade was not aware that Victor had a lab there. Some details are not in the report.

“Mr. Sven. I will check. Please stay calm.” 

“Sir, if you do find …… a body, please look at this shirt. His name is sewn there. I did it myself. We used to do that for soldiers, and if needed, we could tell who it was that died.”

Ernest was nervous then. After his clash with Victor, he was helped by the household staff who saw him crawling. It was humiliating then, but his focus was to get back to the chamber. He had then prepared the herbs and called on the demon.

“You lied. You told me Justine is dead, and yet she was not…….” Ernest took his anger out on the demon. “Did you kill her?”

“You did say avenge the death of my brother, William. Justine Moritz. You may kill her.” The demon recalled the words of the mortal. “Well, we lied. Demons do, in an expression of the truth, but we did not deviate from it. Ms. Moritz is dead, done by another, and we call it deal done.”

“I …” Ernest stopped himself. “Yes, I wanted William avenged. Justine was the ... suspect.”

“Yes, she deserved to die.” Ernest looked at the demon. “She is dead. Good.”

“Most of you mortals are clearly monsters. Do you know that Ms. Moritz may be innocent here?” The demon looked at Ernest. “You just rejoiced at the death of another, who may not be the one who committed ...”

“Who gave you the right to judge me?” Ernest called out. “You are a……”

“I am a demon who had just told you the facts. I am also to tell you that the deed is done… regardless, and you will have to compensate us back.”

“Your soul will be the compensation.” The demon smiled at Ernest. “We are kind enough not to ask for a piece of your flesh…… we are partial to blood.”

“Wait! I …” Ernest raised his hands to stop. “I …”

“We can wait……. But do not take an eternity. We have that for you with us in our domain.” The demon dissipated then.

It felt like an eternity for the father seated there watching his daughter lying on the bedding. Spielberg was not a voyeur but a concerned father. After the death of Lissa, he had taken on the task of bringing up Lauren. She was not a frail child, but after the accident, she went into a lapse of illness that wracked her body. He had opted to be at her side, working sparingly for the regiment and eventually retiring. He had brought her to healers of all kinds, but none could find the cure. One healer suggested a miracle, which prompted him to seek those, but miracles do not exist. It is only a fallacy.

“Lauren thinks highly of me. Did she tell you that I can heal her eyes? I have healed others. The dead become alive.” Those were the words from the countess to him. Spielberg shook his head. Has the curse reached from him to his daughter? And the words spoken by Lissa: “Our bodies were destroyed, but our souls were taken in by the coven. We exist here as part of the ritual to watch and battle the countess.”

“The blood jewel…” Spielberg looked at the cane in his left hand. “Was this the reason?”

“Father? Is that you? I …” It was Laurn who spoke then. Spielberg approached his daughter and held her right hand.

“I am here, Lauren.” Spielberg said. “I am back.”

“Father, I love you. I also missed you.’ Lauren reached out with her arms towards her father. The father accepted her arms and then sat on the bedding next to her. He asked about her health, the stay, and every other thing that came to his mind.

Except for that.

“I am fine. The maids are nice to me. How long will you stay?”

“As long as we needed. I will be here. Are you…… lonely? Does anyone talk to you?” Spielsdorf asked.

“Not much. The maids are pleasant, and they helped me a lot. Other than that, no one …… else.”

“I apologize, Lauren. I have not been a good father to you. I am on the … travels and leave you here.”

“We travelled much before…… the accident.” Lauren smiled. “I enjoyed it.”

Spielberg knew that his daughter was condoning his action. He felt sad.

“Do you miss your mother?’ Spielberg had referenced Lissa as ‘your mother.’. Somewhere between the time he last met Lissa and then Lauren. It had become hollow.

“Yes, I do. I know she is dead. We cannot wish the dead to come alive.” Lauren replied. “Do you”

Spielberg remained silent. He was unable to tell her.

“Do you have any other friends? Ones that could replace Mother?” Lauren asked.

Spielberg kept silent. He then asked the daughter.

“Do you have any……who may replace your mother?”

“I……. Can I tell you a secret, Father?” Lauren whispered.

“Yes, you can.” Spielberg whispered back. He leaned forward to listen.

“I have a friend. She is more like a …… sister to me. She visits me sometimes, but I think it was after dark. I cannot see, but I could feel the night air.”

“Oh, what is her name?” Spielsdorf asked.

“That is the secret. We promised not to tell.” Lauren smiled. “But you are my father. I can tell you.”

“Her name is …….” Lauren then coughed. It was part of her illness, and she needed to turn her head to clear the air passage. Her father moved her on her side. She got her air passage cleared and lay back.

“Her name, Lauren?”

“Carmilla.”