‘I understand.’
‘Bring me any item from her person — a ring, ear-ring, or bracelet, perhaps. I will leave the choice to you.’
‘And the price?’
‘As before, fifty sovereigns’ she suggested, but knowing that he would want more.
‘Fifty sovereigns is acceptable for the first; I require a hundred for the second,’ he said coldly.
‘It is too much,’ she protested.
‘Then you must find some one else to continue the work. Take your rings and go!’ he shouted.
‘You know that I cannot do that,’ she replied, growing afraid of the increasing anger in his voice.
‘There are plenty others who will carry out what you desire, but they will not do it as well. There is also the risk that they will be caught, and the trail will lead back to yourself,’ he said, the anger subsiding.
‘You have thought of everything, as usual,’ she sighed.
‘Then you will pay?’
‘It is agreed.’
‘Then our meeting is at an end, my dear lady.’
‘When shall I return here?’ she asked, rising out of the chair.
‘You will not return here ever again. Enquiries are being made. Precautions must always be taken: I am not prepared to take the risk.’
‘Then how am I to contact you?’ she enquired.
‘You will not. I will know of your whereabouts and will make arrangements to meet you for one last time. That is when you will pay me, and tell me the name of your final victim.’
‘I see. Then it must be so.’
‘Perhaps you will then be at peace?’
‘My work will be completed, that is all,’ she said, walking over to the door. ‘That is all I desire.’
‘Good day to you, my lady,’ — the words of farewell were said in mocking tone.
She closed the door behind her and made her way down the wooden steps, taking in the night air in deep gasps. Tomorrow she would be free to leave the capital, to escape from the world of sin, degradation and pain — and to seek once more the temporary sanctuary of the county town of Worcester.
CHAPTER TEN
WORCESTER
‘Good morning, sir. I trust you slept well?’
‘Slightly better, thank you, Crabb, although a cave might admit more light into its interior than the darkened box that passes for a room in this establishment, but at least it is at the rear of the property and hence reasonably quiet,’ replied Ravenscroft, pouring himself another cup of coffee from the silver jug.
‘Never mind, sir. The races finish tomorrow, so perhaps the landlord will let you have your old room back.’
‘One would hope so. Help yourself to some of the toast. There is more than enough for one person.’
‘Thank you, I don’t mind if I do. Jennie always cooks me a good breakfast before I leave in the morning, but I must admit that by the time I arrive in Worcester, I’m ready for another bite,’ said Crabb eagerly helping himself.
‘I think you have some news?’ smiled Ravenscroft.
‘Oh yes, sir. Nearly forgot. We’ve had a telegram back from Wedgewood,’ he replied, taking out the item in question from the top pocket of his tunic and passing it over.
‘Sorry to inform you, have no record of anyone called Cranston working for company,’ said Ravenscroft, reading the telegram. ‘Well, it seems as though our Mr Cranston was lying when he said he had previously worked for Wedgewood. I wonder why?’
‘He evidently had something to hide, sir.’
‘It would appear so. Perhaps he said that he had worked for Wedgewood, so that they would take him on here at Worcester,’ suggested Ravenscroft.
‘You would have thought that they would have taken up his references,’ said Crabb helping himself to a second piece of toast.
‘Employers don’t always bother, although I would have thought that in this case they would have done so. After all, being one of the chief salesmen for the company must be an important position. We will need to question Cranston upon his return.’
‘So, sir, what can we do today? What with Cranston, Renfrew and Griffiths all out of town, it seems as though our investigations have come to a halt.’
‘Far from it, I want you to go back to the Worcester library and see if they have any information regarding auction rooms in New York. I know it’s a bit of a long shot, but they may have American directories and such like. If you find any, make a note of their names and addresses.’
‘Right, sir, and may I be so bold as to ask what line of enquiry you will be following?’
‘I will be doing something which I should have done long ago.’
‘Oh, and what might that be, sir?’
‘I shall be taking morning coffee with the Tovey sisters!’
‘Oh, do come in, Inspector.’
‘Thank you, ladies,’ said Ravenscroft stepping into the hallway.
‘Please, come into the morning-room,’ said Mary Ann.
‘Thank you,’ he replied walking into the room.
‘Do, please take a seat,’ said Alice Maria smiling.
‘Perhaps you would take coffee with us?’ asked Emily.
Ravenscroft seated himself in one of the elegant Regency chairs, as Mary Ann rang the bell and gave instructions to the maid to bring in the coffee. The room in which he found himself was comfortably furnished with fine mahogany furniture, paintings and ornaments. He thought he could detect a slight aroma of lavender in the air. ‘You have a fine view of the cathedral’ he remarked.
‘We can see everything from here,’ said the youngest sister.
‘We heard about poor Miss Weston,’ said Mary Ann sadly.
‘She used to sit on that seat every morning,’ stated Emily, ‘watching her little boy play on the green.’
Whatever will happen to the poor child now?’ asked Alice Maria, anxiously.
‘Do not distress yourselves, ladies. One of my constables has taken the boy home and his wife is caring for him at present,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘But what will happen to the poor boy after all this is over?’ asked Mary Anne.
‘He can’t be taken to the workhouse. Surely not,’ said Emily, a worried expression on her face.
‘We must see what transpires, ladies,’ said Ravenscroft trying to sound as reassuring as he could.
The maid entered the room, bearing a large silver tray upon which stood four cups and saucers, and a large jug.
‘Do please help yourself, Inspector,’ said Mary Ann.
‘You are most kind,’ said Ravenscroft pouring out a cup of coffee.
‘I believe you caught the unfortunate man who committed the dreadful crime,’ said Emily.
‘Yes. It appears that it was a bargeman by the name of Billy who killed Miss Weston.’
‘How awful!’
‘Two deaths in such a short time!’
‘Worcester is usually such a quiet, respectable place.’
‘I realize that all this must have been quite distressing for you ladies, but I am sure once we have recovered the Whisperie, Worcester will return to its former quiet, law-abiding ways.’
‘Why was poor Miss Weston killed? Why should all this have come to pass?’ asked Mary Ann, a worried expression on her face.
‘I wish I could answer that question ladies, but unfortunately at the present I am unable to do so, but I think it is only a matter of time before the full truth will be revealed,’ said Ravenscroft with confidence.
‘It has been such a terrible time,’ said Miss Alice Maria.
‘Not since that poor boy died all those years ago in the cathedral-’ began Miss Emily.
‘Shush, my dear, I’m sure the inspector will not want to know about that,’ said Mary Ann quickly reprimanding her sister.
‘It was all such a long time ago,’ added Alice Maria.
‘On the contrary, I would be obliged if you would enlighten me further,’ said Ravenscroft leaning forwards in his chair.
‘How long ago was it, Sister?’ asked Emily.
‘1851. Yes it was 1851. I remember the year exactly. It was the year Father took us all up to London to see the Great Exhibition,’ replied Mary Ann.