A web of Gold and Poison
Set during Series 2 post episode 4: Dynamite and Women and before episode 5: Threads of Silk and Gold.
C1: An early morning call
It had been over two months since Susan had been kidnapped by Rain, the wounds had healed and anger transformed to understanding. What had looked like it would destroy Susan and Homer's relationship had strengthened it.
A full month had passed since two of Silas Duggan's men (a heavy named The Barber and an accountant named Walter Halfpenny) had been killed in suspicious circumstances at a circus. The chief suspected was a man of Indian origin named Vritra. Vritra had worked at the circus along with his brother Singh. Singh had died at the same time as Duggan's men. Their sister Indira was Duggan's mistress.
The police believed an argument had broken out between Singh, Vritra and Duggan's men over Indira. Duggan's men had killed Singh then had themselves been murdered by Vritra. Vritra had vanished resulting in the case remaining open. When questioned on the matter, Silas Duggan had denied knowledge as to why Vritra would kill his men. Indira herself had claimed not to have seen her brother in over a year. The case had brought Duggan's web to Inspector Reid's attention, making Reid aware of Susan's situation and awakening in him a determination to catch Duggan.
On a dark, freezing January morning, Susan and Homer were curled up in one another's arms, the bedclothes pulled tightly around them. Suddenly there was a loud hammering on their bedroom door shattering the morning's peace.
"JACKSON UP! WE'VE GOT MURDER!" The voice of Sergeant Bennet Drake thundered through the darkness.
Waking with a start the pair stumbled bleary eyed from their bed. Susan's hair was a tangle and her silky pink nightdress left little to the imagination. Homer was clad only in a pair of stripy pyjama bottoms. Pushing open the bedroom door they saw Sergeant Drake holding a spare door key and a lantern.
"Dressed Jackson. The Inspector wants you double quick," Drake said, obverting his gaze.
At the same time as a clock in the hall below chimed five times. The house paused a moment, as if expecting the other occupants to wake. The faint creak of flooring gave a hint that the girls were awake yet doors remained shut.
"Drake hold it. It's five in the God damn morning. What's so important it couldn't wait till a sensible hour?" Jackson said, shielding his eyes from the light.
"Murder. Silas Duggan," Drake said brusquely.
"Hell Fire! Give me three minutes to get dressed," Jackson replied.
Shutting the door in Drake's face, Susan and Homer looked at one another in utter shock. Susan had gone chalk white and was trembling. In a swift motion Jackson threw a blanket around her and hugged her tightly. For a moment neither spoke as the enormity of the news sunk in.
"Caitlin don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you," Matthew whispered.
"I'm scared Matthew. Duggan was a devil but he was one I knew. His death could mean someone ever worse," Caitlin whispered.
"If you don't like who takes over then we leave. We can live on what I make. I'll not let you make a deal with a devil again," Matthew said kissing her.
"I just want to be….God this is….." Caitlin stammered.
"Caitlin look at me. Nothing bad is going to happen to us, we have friends who can help us now," Matthew said, pulling on some cloths as he spoke.
"Matthew please be careful. I need you safe," Caitlin whispered.
"Nothing will happen to me, all I am is the hired scalpel," Matthew said opening the door. "You stay home today, don't mention his name and act like nothin' has happened."
"Sergeant Drake if anything happens to my husband I'll hold you responsible," Susan said glaring at the man in question.
"I'll try to keep him out of mischief Miss Hart," Sergeant Drake replied, chucking weakly.
"Go back to bed Susan, I'll take care of this," Homer said kissing her on the cheek.
Together Jackson and Drake walked down the stairs as quietly as possible. At the bottom Jackson looked up to see Susan watching him. She was chalk white and looking terrified. In all the time he had known her, Jackson had never seen Susan look so vulnerable. Though he could barely think straight he knew instinctively that something important was motiving Susan's fear. With a deep feeling of unease Jackson left the house with Drake. _
After a walk through the dark, freezing morning Drake and Jackson arrived at a pub in an area notorious for trouble. The pub, The Drunken Monk, was the pub of choice for criminals.
Stepping inside a scene reminiscent of a battle field met their eyes. Broken glass littered the floor. The walls, floor and furniture were covered in blood. Three men wearing police uniform had been stabbed. Laying in the centre of the room were the remains of Silas Duggan. His throat had been cut. A bloody barber's razor had been deliberately placed on Duggan's throat. Pinned to Duggan's shirt was a note.
For your crimes barber pay for them in blood. You spider choke upon your own poison that your web has brought you.
Stood looking over was Inspector Reid. His hands were shaking as he tried to write in his notebook.
"JESUS CHRIST!" Sergeant Drake exclaimed covering his mouth.
"HOLY GOD!" Jackson said stopping in the doorway.
"Sergeant Drake glad to see you didn't have any difficulty finding Captain Jackson," Reid said looking at the two men, his eyes betraying his unease.
"Scared the life of me and Susan. Christ this…." Jackson stammered.
"Like being back on the battlefield," Drake replied sombrely.
Stepping carefully Jackson stood over the remains of Duggan, forcing his mind to see a corpse not the man. The harsh light of the pub lamps showing clearly what had been done.
"I found these in the pockets of the three policemen," Reid said grimly, holding out three police badges.
The badges were from Limehouse. Drake and Jackson's heart missed a beat. The three men belonged to Inspector Shine, a man they knew to be corrupt. It was well known Duggan had business interests in Limehouse. The evidence in front of them made for unpleasant reading.
"We know Inspector Shine is corrupt. Shine might be in league with Duggan. No policeman comes here in uniform, those who do end up dead. There has to be a special reason why these three were in uniform," Reid said in a matter of fact tone.
"Duggan arranged to meet someone here, someone he feared would turn violent. Duggan asked Shine for protection. Shine send three of his men to protect Duggan," Jackson suggested, examining the bodies with a surgeon's eye.
"Why here? If Duggan and Shine are in it together why not Limehouse?" Drake asked questioningly.
"Shine can say his men without his knowledge. Be much harder on his own patch," Jackson said calmly.
"Unfortunately that makes sense Inspector," Drake said angrily.
"We need to get this mess back to Leman Street. I have sent a note to Chief Inspector Abberline," Reid said looking at the scene.
"He's not going to be happy with the early morning call," Drake muttered darkly.
"Jackson get back to Leman Street with the bodies. I want to know how they died before nine o'clock. Sergeant Drake you and I will interview the neighbours."
A short time later the remains and Captain Jackson had been dispatched to Leman Street. A small crowd had gathered outside the pub and uniformed officers were keeping the spectators' way from the crime scene. On the icy pub steps Drake and Reid questioned the landlord Mr Brent. Mr Brent had discovered the bodies when he had walked into the bar an hour previously.
"I thought it was just past closing time," Mr Brent said slowly, his grey eyes seemingly unfocused.
"Who was serving bar last night?" Reid asked.
"Pete Smith."
"Where does Pete Smith live? Describe him," Drake said firmly.
"Couldn't tell you Sergeant. Never gave no address. Pete had brown hair and hazel eyes."
"Friends and family he would run to?" Reid asked.
"Couldn't tell you Inspector. Pete doesn't mention his home and I've learnt not to ask questions."
Under his breath Reid swore. Pete Smith as a common name and his appearance could fit a thousand young men in the city. It would be nigh on impossible to find him unless someone came forward with information, which given the circumstances and neighbourhood was highly unlikely.
"Silas Duggan owns this pub," Reid said in a matter of fact tone.
"He does. He has the place to himself whenever he wants it. I didn't ask questions," Brent said, swaying slightly as his eyes slid out of focus.
"How did Pete Smith find Mr Duggan?" Reid asked, overlooking the landlord's behaviour.
"Pete didn't get involved in other people's business. When Duggan was in the bar he and Pete always had a good chat and a laugh. Pete's young, he's run off scared is all," Mr Brent said, his voice trembling.
"If Pete is innocent he has nothing to fear. If he appears encourage him to come to us. Do you know what Mr Duggan was doing here tonight?" Reid asked, scrutinizing the man.
Reid was all too aware of pub's reputation. It was the place snitches and undercover officers went to collect information. No policeman in uniform set foot in the pub. Many policemen had been murdered in the pub over the years.
"I don't. Asking questions gets you killed."
"Why weren't you serving bar last night?" Drake asked suspiciously.
"I was in bed ill. Been ill all day. Pete gave me few stiff drinks to help. Lord knows what he put them but I slept a lot. I didn't hear a thing, honest I didn't. Whatever Pete put in that last drink must have been strong!"
"Our thanks Mr Brent," Reid said.
Reid and Drake exchanged a look, it appeared the man was telling the truth. Both silently cursed the power of drink. The drunk can sleep like the dead, clearly the landlord wouldn't be of any help to them. Pete Smith it appeared had vanished without a trace. Given what had passed he could well be dead.
Snapping shut their notebooks Inspector Reid and Sergeant Drake looked at the pub. As the crowd dispersed Drake grabbed Reid's arm. In the crowd were three policemen, policemen from Limehouse. One was Sergeant Mason, a close friend of Inspector Shine and the late Maurice Linklater. Realizing Drake and Reid had seen them, the three men quickly took off in the direction of Limehouse.
"Interesting coincidence those three being here so early in uniform," Reid said quietly.
"If that's a coincidence my old Granny was queen of England," Drake replied cynically.
In the cold morning Drake and Reid began the walk to the police station through the snow covered streets.
