The Light Beneath the Cauldron Read online

  “What do you propose next?” Olocher said with a sigh.

  “I have two people in mind, but only one relates to the Dolocher case,” Edwards said.

  “Why not both,” Olocher suggested getting instantly back into the idea after his glimpse of the future.

  “What do you mean? At the same time?”

  “One very soon, the link to the Dolocher case, and the second one soon after, I can make it look like someone else did it?”

  Edwards mused on this a while, taking a long drink and tapping his glass on the table.

  “I don’t see why not,” he said at last, “You will have a good time this week, my young man.” The smile he showed Olocher was infectious and Olocher shone one back.

  “Who is it to be?” Olocher asked, all thought of Muc gone for now.

  “The new Alderman will be the second one,” Edwards said, “You can think on how to do that one yourself. As for the other, he will meet me wherever I ask. We will pick one of the Dolocher sites and when he comes he won’t find me, but you.”

  “Soon?” Olocher asked practically salivating at the idea.

  “Very soon. Follow this Alderman and tell me when you have your plan for him. As soon as that is ready to go, I’ll lure the other for you.” Olocher nodded at this; he was sure he’d have a plan in place for the new Alderman in only a matter of days.

  “This is what it is all about,” he said in excitement and readying to leave.

  “Where are you going?” Edwards asked.

  “I’m going to start looking in on this Alderman tonight.”

  “Very eager,” Edwards smiled, “I’m very happy to see it.”

  Olocher gathered up his coat and cloak and left the house. It was a cool night but he was hot inside, burning with desire for his week to come. This starting of the stalking always excited him greatly, the name, the target in his mind and only the execution of the deed to be decided on. He drew the cloak over his lower face to cover the childish gleeful smile he could not suppress. It was happening again, and he couldn't be happier.

  Chapter 31

  When the eyes opened, he knew at once it was different this time. The walls stayed where they had been built, the darkness of the room did not oppress and the flickering fire did not reveal the face of some leering demon as before. He felt warm and damp and felt the weight of a blanket on his chest. He looked around unsure where he was and then a familiar voice said,

  “Lazarus is risen!” followed by a laugh. Lord Muc turned his head behind him and saw Mullins sitting at the table eating a sandwich.

  “What am I doing here?” Muc asked.

  “You don’t remember?” Muc shook his head. “Seems you got some poison inside you somehow.”

  “Poison? What poison?”

  “The poison of kings,” Mullins laughed, “Only fitting for a Lord such as yourself!”

  “What are you blathering on about,” Muc said testily as he sat up. His body felt stiff and strained as though he was in need of his joints being greased.

  “Arsenic is what the doctor said it was.”

  “Arsenic,” Muc repeated, his mind instantly going to the idea it had been deliberate. Mullins nodded,

  “The doctor also said you took it like a little bit of a woman,” he laughed again.

  “What are you laughing so much about?” Muc said glaring at him now.

  “Sorry, Muc,” Mullins said holding up a hand in apology, “I’m just glad to see you awake. It wasn’t looking good for a long time there.”

  “How long have I been out?”

  “Well, you haven't been what I would call awake in over a week.”

  “A week! Jaysus!” Mullins nodded. “Do you know who did this?” Muc asked.

  “No, do you?”

  “I have an idea.”

  “You were drinking in the cabin when you got sick; the doctor says it can't have been given to you too long before you keeled over.”

  “In the whiskey no doubt,” Muc mused, “That’s the trouble when it’s so poor it tastes different every time you drink it.”

  “Who do you think it was?” Mullins asked. Muc didn’t answer, didn’t know if he should tell what he knew or suspected or keep it all to himself. It was probably time to come clean, but he did not feel the time was right. He could sort this out; avenge himself and stop everything that was going on all in one go once he had his strength back.

  “Never mind,” he said finally, “Best we keep the fact that I’m up and about to ourselves for now, though, eh? It will be easier to get to them if they think I’m still asleep here.” Mullins nodded; he seemed to know there was no point in asking for any more detail from Muc.

  “You must be hungry?” Mullins asked.

  “I don’t feel it yet but I’m sure I must be,” Muc agreed.

  “I’ll make up one of these,” Mullins said holding his sandwich up and getting up to go to the kitchen.

  “Appreciated,” Muc said. “Did I miss anything exciting?” he asked when Mullins was making the food up.

  “The new Alderman was appointed.”

  “Who is he?”

  “Someone called Aldershot, I never heard of him.”

  “The name’s not familiar to me either,” Muc said. He didn’t like the idea of having to get used to the whims and caprices of a new Alderman. Usually people like Muc were singled out for rough treatment by new lawmakers trying to make a name for themselves. “Any word on him so far?”

  “I don’t think anyone has even seen him yet, not around here anyway.”

  “Sounds like my kind of Alderman,” Muc smiled wondering why he wouldn’t have shown up to see his new fiefdom.

  Mullins came in and laid a plate on Muc’s lap,

  “Do you want tea?” he asked and Muc nodded taking a bite of the food. It felt good to be eating again and now the hunger hit him hard and his stomach growled in anticipation of the food to come. He ate steadily without speaking and soon noticed Mullins was watching him.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “I have no doubt you have many, many enemies, Muc, but who’d go so far as to try to kill you like this?”

  “Probably this Gaspard fellow,” Muc shrugged, “He’s the one on the killing spree isn’t he?” He felt this would be something Mullins could believe easily enough.

  “That’s the general thinking alright,” Mullins said, “But poisinin’ is not his style is it?” Muc could feel the suspiciousness in the tone of voice.

  “Not that we’ve heard,” Muc agreed. They were silent a moment looking at one another.

  “Well, whoever it was I don’t envy them now that you’re back in the land of the living.”

  “I’ll have to see how I go; it could be a few days before I’m strong enough to anything.”

  “It could be longer; the doctor said it was a miracle you survived.”

  “I’ve pulled off more than one miracle in my life,” Muc smiled.

  “Be careful in your revenge, Muc. You don’t want to see yourself being hanged now that you’ve come through this.” It was clear Mullins was concerned for him and Muc felt a shimmer deep inside himself. He'd never known anyone to care about him before now.

  “I’m generally careful,” he said, “When it comes to things like this anyway.”

  “I already know the answer to this, but you can’t go to the law and let them sort it out?”

  “Not if I’m to be satisfied in any way,” Muc said and he thought about his hands wrapped tight around Edwards’ neck. Then there was the boy; the one who had most likely carried out the deed. What would Mullins do if he knew Muc intended to kill his old apprentice? It would be too much for a man of the blacksmith’s sensibilities to cope with. Muc had to hope that when the deaths were reported Mullins would never link the name Scally—as he’d known the boy- to Olocher as he would surely be reported in death. He hoped to spare his friend the knowledge if he could.

  Chapter 32

  Sheriff Dunbar finished his dinne
r and sat back in his chair in satisfaction. Checking the time, he saw he had fifteen minutes before he would have to leave. He ordered a quick drink, something to aid the digestion. When this was gone, he checked again and left the tavern. Edwards would be wanting his report now.

  Not that Dunbar had too much to report on the new Alderman. As far as he’d seen so far all Aldershot had done was sit at his desk looking over papers and then going home. Not once had he asked Dunbar about any of the active cases or what was happening on the streets at night. When Dunbar tried to report to him all Aldershot said was to put it in writing and leave it on the side of his desk. It really didn’t seem like he wanted the job of Alderman at all. Nevertheless, if this was all he had to tell Edwards there was nothing he could do about it.

  The evening chill came over him as he walked and he pulled his collar up. It had been warm and pleasant in the tavern and thinking of it made it seem suddenly much colder now.

  “Why can’t we ever meet inside somewhere warm?” he asked speaking of Edwards. He never knew where Edwards was going to ask to meet him or at what time of the day or night. Still, at least he was always paid on time—he assumed Edwards had someone else looking after this payment or else he felt he would never see it. It had been a long time since he started sharing information with Edwards for a fee and he knew right from the start it was best to go on doing it and saying nothing about how wrong it felt lest Edwards turn his pitiless wrath on him.

  Dunbar reached the spot and stood a moment looking around. Edwards didn’t seem to be here, but Dunbar knew better than this. He was always nearby, would always see Dunbar coming.

  “I’m here,” he whispered looking around trying to guess where Edwards would emerge from. A shadow came from a doorway and Dunbar turned to face him.

  It was not Edwards.

  “Sheriff Dunbar?” the young man said holding out his hand. Dunbar shook it automatically and nodded,

  “Yes, and who might you be?” he asked.

  “I am an associate of Mr Edwards, he couldn't make it and asked if I could come and hear your report on his behalf.” Though his gut was telling him to be nervous of this change of plan the plain smiling face of the young man disarmed him.

  “I suppose that would be alright,” he said knowing that he didn’t really have anything to tell anyway.

  “Shall we walk a little,” the man said, “It’s a little chilly to be talking in the streets don’t you think?”

  “Yes, why not,” Dunbar said, “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”

  “How rude, I never gave it, my name is Steven.”

  “How do you know Mr Edwards?” Dunbar asked as they started to walk.

  “He is something of a mentor to me,” Steven said, “He has taken over my education and is opening all kinds of doors to me.”

  “Is that so?” Dunbar said marvelling at an altruistic side of Edwards he’d certainly never bore witness to.

  “Yes, I am very lucky,” came the answer. “Now, do you have something for me to pass on to Mr Edwards?”

  “Very little, I’m afraid,” Dunbar said and he passed on what slim information on Aldershot he’d gathered thus far.

  “It doesn’t sound like this man has any interest at all in catching this killer that is about,” Steven said in seeming angry surprise.

  “It looks that way doesn’t it? I wonder if he is simply a friend of the Mayor who has been put into the job but expects someone else to do the work.”

  “I despise people like that,” Steven said, a roughness in his voice now. Dunbar felt he was taking things a little too much to heart. He nodded but did not want to fan the young man’s passions any further.

  Steven stopped walking then and Dunbar looked at him only now noticing that they were in some quiet alley. He wasn’t sure where he was as he’d been looking so often to Steven as he spoke and wasn’t paying attention.

  “Do you know where we are?” Steven asked him. Dunbar didn’t but he felt Steven wasn’t really asking.

  “I’m not sure,” the Sheriff said looking around. He’d certainly been here before but he couldn't place it

  “Look that way?” Steven said and Dunbar followed his nod.

  It would be the last conscious movement he ever made.

  He felt searing heat in his throat and a strong hand on his shoulder pulling him just as he saw and understood where he was. His hands clutched at the open throat, his voice unable to come and his body weakening by the second. He fell to the ground looking up at his killer.

  “This is the place where people like you let my father be chewed up by rotten filthy street pigs,” Steven said with such anger he was spitting. “My surname is Olocher, didn’t I mention that?” The smile on his face was the purest evil Dunbar had ever known. His mind went to Edwards and he assumed he too was now dead, killed at the hands of this maniac who thought he was Thomas Olocher.

  “I’ll be sure to pass on your lousy report to Edwards,” Olocher said.

  The last thought to flow through Sheriff Dunbar’s lucid mind was that Alderman James had been right. They weren’t looking for Gaspard at all. His eyes drifted closed and he was glad of it. It would all be over soon and he’d never have to feel this pain again.

  Chapter 33

  In a small village called Palmerstown, a few miles out from Dublin on the road to the west, Madame Melanie sat in a tavern with Mr Adams. This was the first meeting they were having in person since Gaspard's escape. They each dressed down from their class and ate the humble bowls of stew that were on offer.

  “Exquisite work on the hangman,” Melanie complimented Adams when their server left them alone. He nodded,

  “Thank you and it looks like Edwards has made his own move against Lord Muc too,” he said.

  “Yes, he is still alive though, I think?”

  “That’s what I hear. He must have the constitution of a bull not to be dead already,” Adams said smiling.

  “Will he survive?”

  “I wouldn’t have thought so,” Adams said, “But I also wouldn't have expected him to be still living now.” She nodded in understanding.

  “How was your work?” she asked.

  “It was good,” Adams answered not wanting to give too much away about how he’d been feeling the longing to kill again since.

  “Perhaps if Muc does pull through, you will have more to do,” she said.

  “That feeds Edwards’ plan more than our own, does it not?”

  “In a way it does,” she answered, “But in another way it will be unnerving to him, and also humiliate him by showing him how to do the job properly.”

  “Ah, I see.” Adams smiled. “What then?”

  “I believe he will start his own project off again,” she said, “I imagine he will do what he can to get Mr James his job back. I don’t know why but I feel this is an integral part of his plan.”

  “James being the Alderman?”

  “Yes, It’s like he’s doing all of this to impress James in some way, I don’t really understand it myself.”

  “Who will they kill next?” Adams asked.

  “It’s hard to say, perhaps the blacksmith, or his wife?”

  “Maybe another go at Muc while they are at it?”

  “There’s always Mary Sommers too, she will be part of his plan too.”

  “I can’t imagine he ever thought this much chaos would be created out of what he was doing,” Adams said laughing.

  “No, he only likes it when he is in control. It will be eating away at him not knowing what is going on.”

  “Have you managed to find out anything more on the Prussian?”

  “Not really; he’s been chasing the Devil for years apparently and it has led to here. He visits places where bad things have happened and tells stories in the taverns, but that seems to be about it, as far as I have found out anyway.”

  “An odd fellow?”

  “Seems like it, I haven’t met him myself.”

  They ate some more and we
re silent for a time. He looked at her a few times, taking in her beauty in quick glances. Then he spoke again,

  “We need to put a more formal plan in place. I don’t know how long it will be before he finds out what is going on with his spy in London.”

  “What do you propose?” she asked.

  “Acceleration of his end.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” she smiled at him. He couldn’t help but smile back.

  “Edwards is clever; he’s been in plenty of tight spots before and always manages to get out. If he learns anything of us, who knows what way he might be able to turn things around.”

  “So you want to kill him, just like that?”

  “He’s dangerous.”

  “And what about his puppy, Olocher?”

  “I don’t care about him, Edwards made him what he is. He can go off and kill until he’s arrested for all I care.”

  “What of you when Edwards is gone?”

  “I can go back to my own life and know I will be free once more to do as I will,” he said thinking it was likely Melanie would be dead then too.

  “I don’t know,” she said, “I like torturing him, it feels like it’s what he deserves. He’s harmed a lot of people in his life.”

  “Exactly, and he will harm more if we don’t stop him now.”

  She nodded slowly in agreement but didn’t say anything for a time.

  “I suppose it has to come to an end at some point,” she said.

  “That’s not always a bad thing,” he said.

  “I know,” she sighed, “At least Edwards will be gone.”

  “And people will never know what a service you’ve done for this city,” Adams smiled as he said this and she did too.

  “Yes, I will be a hero in the shadows.”

  The word ‘shadows’ made Adams think of his killing spree a couple of years before. Those murders pinned on Colonel Spencer had been known as the ‘Shadow of the Dolocher’ murders at the time. He’d been playing up to the fears and superstitions of the people of Dublin and that was also what Edwards was now doing.