The Barber's End
On a cold rainy day in a non-descript cemetery a small collection of men gathered for the funeral of Silas Duggan. The men were all professional business associates who had come to show respect. Among them Roger Drake, Mr Grosvenor who was leaning on a cane topped with a golden tiger's head with red eyes and Ronald Capshaw. There were a few words spoken but nothing of any great sentiment. They mourned the man only as it meant they had lost a valuable business partner and a person who did all their dirty work. The strangeness of the funeral was that no family were present. Within half an hour Silas Duggan had been buried. After the grave had been closed people left the cemetery in ones and two.
At the British Museum, Bennet and Bella Drake were touring an exhibition on the history of Ancient Egypt. Utterly carefree they were simply enjoying each other's company. Bennet reminiscing about the wonders he had seen, all that he had learnt and the wonder of Egypt. Sitting down on benches they listened to an archaeologist explain the significance of the finds, about the mighty empire Egypt once had and the majesty of the pharaohs. Sitting together Bennet and Bella linked hands utterly without a care in the world.
In his office in Whitechapel Fred Best was looking smugly at the day's edition of The Star. The front page devoted to the conviction of Mr Hemlock and Albert Flight for the murder of Silas Duggan. Spice was added to the story from Flight's testimony in the witness box that he had committed the murder on the orders of Inspector Jedidiah Shine. That fact made Best smile with curiosity as no mention of Jedidiah Shine had been made in the official police testimony. He had personally heard the gossip swimming around Shine's death.
"Well well Commissioner what really happened in this case? I wonder what secrets you hide. I will let you keep them. Why was Roger Drake at the police station? The brother of a police sergeant, who could blame you for wanting to keep the truth hidden," Best mused leaning back in his chair.
At Tenter Street Jackson and Susan sat together on the window seat looking out at the snow filled night sky. They had eyes only for the other and their figures were intertwined. Jackson's left hand was gently laid on the soft swelling of Susan's stomach. Susan's hand was laid besides his. They had never been happier and now looked forward to the future.
Out of a web of darkness had emerged a world of light. Silas Duggan and Inspector Shine were dead, life forever changed but all had foot on the path towards diamonds, family and a train station. For there are always other paths but some events are fixed even if different choices can alter how they play out.
End