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"...the body trade was profitable, but neither Burke nor Hare fancied spending cold nights in the graveyard, armed with spades, always on the lookout for the law. Grave-robbing and body-snatching were risky businesses and hard work at that. Burke and Hare had discovered a much less strenuous way to supply Dr Knox with bodies. Now all they had to do was refine a few details to make the same trick work again and again – not just with sick lodgers but with whomsoever they chose. With a little bit of careful planning, it was really very simple...". Malarkey had a tiny smile on his lips while turning the page. "The first time they tried out their plan, in – "
"oh, don't mind me...". Mampre smiled, as he snuck his way toward Nelly's mattress. "Pretend I don't exist".
Huffing out a quiet laugh, Malarkey nodded and continued reading to Nelly. "In February 1828, it worked like clockwork. First, they selected the victim, Abigail Simpson, an elderly woman. Next, they befriended her and took her back to Tanner's Close. Then they got her very drunk. They left her until morning and then topped up her alcohol level until she was barely conscious. After that, it was quite a simple matter to suffocate her as she was in no fit state to put up a struggle".
Mampre raised an amused eyebrow as he stuck a thermometer into Nelly's mouth. "What in the world are you reading, Malarkey?"
"Nelly likes the story of Burke and Hare". He answered with an amused grin.
With a smile of his own, Mampre nodded. "Please, continue".
And Malarkey did, "That very night, Burke and Hare called upon Dr Knox once more and left the body of Abigail Simpson in his capable hands. (It is said that he made some comments about how fresh the body was) Not counting the cost of gin that had helped Abigail on her way, Burke and Hare declared a profit of ten pounds for this exercise".
It was only an hour after Nelly vomited inside the Crown. As soon as she was dressed in her nightclothes, Buck sent for a medic. And as they waited for a medic, Malarkey read to Nelly. He could tell something was wrong but didn't push her for answers. He read to her instead, a way of keeping her mind distracted. Alex was still up in Aberdeen with Perconte. And Skip was lying on Malarkey's bed, listening to his reading.
"Ten pounds must have been big bucks back then, Donnie". Skip mentioned.
"Yeah, I'd imagine so". Malarkey agreed.
"Yeah, that's...". And when he felt himself pulling an impressed from, Skip quickly wiped it off his face and said, "Wrong – it's wrong".
"Continue?" Malarkey asked.
"Continue". Skip said.
"It was the calculation that went into it, the sheer, cold-blooded impersonal exchange of brutality for gain, that made the crimes of these two men so terrible...".
Skip gave the ceiling a sheepish look while he regretted that almost impressed frown.
"...they did not care whom, or how many, they killed. For them, the equation was simple: killing = body = money in the coffers. If they were careful enough, they need never be found out. There were plenty of 'invisible' people on the streets of Edinburgh in those days, people could disappear without anyone even remarking upon their absence".
"No fever". Mampre mentioned after taking the thermometer out of Nelly's mouth and checking it.
"Good". Skip sent Nelly a soft smile. "She's not sick".
"No but she was". Mampre reminded him. "So, let's have her stay in bed for the rest of the day".
"Don't worry, she's safe with us". Malarkey said.
Mampre sent him a smile. "I know". He gave Nelly's shoulder a gentle pat. "Don't be afraid to call for me if you need me, kiddo".
"Okay". Nelly whispered.
The medic left, the book lowered – Malarkey and Skip exchanged a brief worried look at each other before facing Nelly. She was very, very quiet. Usually, Nelly was quiet, but this was a lot different. The two friends were worried something happened at the wedding. When Buck brought her in, Nelly changed into her nightclothes, got into bed and quietly asked Malarkey to read her a story. That was all she had said. Buck only mentioned she was sick before fetching a medic.
During that spell of silence, where Malarkey had stopped reading, Nelly's mind wandered back to Jade basically trapping Nelly inside the bathroom. She could have easily fought her way out of the bathroom, but Nelly couldn't risk losing her place in Colonel Sink's Regiment. And she also didn't want to spoil her cousin's wedding day. Nelly was still trying to figure it all out. Her mind couldn't draw to any conclusions, and she struggled to know how she felt.
"Nelly?" Malarkey called out to her softly.
Head moving away from the ceiling, she looked at her friend.
"Did something happen?"
"I don't...know...". Nelly whispered.
"What do you mean, buddy?" Skip asked her gently.
Nelly only slightly shrugged one shoulder.
Malarkey frowned. "Did somebody...say something that hurt your feelings?"
"No". She whispered.
"So, what – "
"but...". She cut Skip off quietly. "I feel...weird...".
The frown on Malarkey's face deepened. "What's making you feel weird?"
Nelly's stomach tightened with a queasy feeling. Her face pinched with mild discomfort while she shifted slightly on her mattress. "I feel...sick...".
Malarkey set the book down. "Are you 'gonna throw up again?"
Nelly shook her head faintly. "It's...like a feeling".
Skip nodded slowly. "Did someone make you feel that way? Like puking?"
"Yeah".
There was a short pause. Skip and Malarkey both shared a similar feeling of hot and sick rage in the pits of their stomachs. Their minds could only think of the worst – that a guy had done some horrible things or said horrible things to their friend. Skip's hand made a tensed fist. Clearing his throat, he kept his expression and voice calm.
"So, uh, did this person...say something to you?"
Malarkey's finger began drawing a line under his bottom lip, eyes slightly glazed over. "Did they do something?" He asked after Skip.
She gave them a faint nod.
Skip's fist hovered by his mouth. "Okay". He kept his voice calm. "At the wedding party?"
Again, Nelly nodded.
Malarkey's eyes briefly shifted toward Skip. And then he looked back down at Nelly. "Did they – uh – did...". Clearing his throat, Malarkey scratched the top of his eyebrow. It was hard for him to get the question out – he was dreading the answer. "Did they put their hands on you?"
They only felt a small amount of relief when Nelly shook her head.
"But they made you feel...sick?" Skip questioned.
"Yeah". Nelly whispered, "Like...weird and...I don't know the word".
"Maybe uncomfortable?" Malarkey suggested softly.
She nodded faintly. "Yeah – that one".
"Alright". Skip rose to his feet. "I'm parched – hey, let's go to the Crown". He had every intention of finding whoever hurt Nelly and knocking them out.
"Hold on, Skip". Malarkey said to his friend. "Let's just...wait, okay? I'm not leaving Nelly alone right now".
With a tiny sigh, Skip nodded and sat back down again. "Yeah, you're right – sorry".
Malarkey faced Nelly again. "Can you tell us what happened?"
Facts. Nelly could give them facts and remove feelings. "I went to the toilet...I spilt beer all over my dress...a woman walks in...".
Very slowly, her friends started to look confused.
"And...she says that she can help me get cleaned up...". Nelly said to them quietly. "And I said okay, and she...locks the door...".
The confusion slowly left their faces. Both men were frowning again, and that sickening rage returned in their stomachs. Skip held up his hand. "Okay – hold on...". He let out a shaky sigh.
But Malarkey encouraged Nelly. "Keep going, pal. You're doing great".
With a faint nod, Nelly continued. "And then...she says I should take off my dress...".
Eyes closing, Skip pinched the space between his eyebrows.
"I said...okay...". Nelly said quietly, "And she unzips my dress and then I...I didn't want to take off my dress anymore...but she kept on telling me to take my dress off...". A sad frown reached her face and her eyes looked down at her hands. "She said it's fine cause...we're both girls and stuff but she was loads older than me...and I didn't want to...". Feeling tears reach the corner of her eyes, Nelly gave them a rub.
Letting out a tiny but angry groan, Skip rose to his feet. "That sick, twisted – "
"Skip". Malarkey called out quietly.
"That should be illegal, Donnie". Skip stressed.
He gave Skip a tiny nod of agreement before facing Nelly. "Anything else happen?"
"Someone...knocked on the door and she stopped...and she told me...don't tell anyone...so, I told you two". Nelly said.
Malarkey almost smiled. "Good". He said, "You did the right thing telling us".
Skip gestured toward the door. "Can we kill her now?"
"No". Malarkey said through a sigh. "We can't do that, Skip".
Skip then gestured to Nelly. "That's a kid".
"Not in the eyes of the law". Malarkey mumbled.
His gesture went to the door once more. "She's like forty". He said, "If a fella did that to Nelly, he'd be dead by now".
"I want...to forget". Nelly whispered, "That it happened".
"That old cow should know better". Skip muttered. "She probably saw Nelly and – Jesus fucking H Christ". He kicked a metal bucket over.
Toye picked that moment to walk inside the Nissan hut.
A tense silence fell upon them.
The Sergeant frowned and approached the three friends. "Someone 'wanna tell me what the hell is going on with you three shitheads?"
"Nelly, almost got – "
"Skip". Malarkey sent his friend a frown and shook his head. "Sensitive, please".
But now Toye was looking angry. "Nelly almost got what, Skip?"
Skip's anger mimicked Toye's. "An old cow...a sick, sick old lady...".
Bobbing his head, Toye understood the assignment. Eyes leaving Skip for a moment, he looked over at Nelly and then back at Skip. "Are we going or what?"
"Damn straight".
Rolling his eyes, Malarkey rose to his feet. "No, stop".
But Toye and Skip weren't listening.
"How are we doing this?" Skip asked.
"I 'dunno...can we hit her?"
"I don't know".
Toye thought for a moment. And then said, "Maybe this is one of those times where it's accepted?"
"Joe, I don't really give a shit".
"Yeah, me neither". Toye mumbled.
Hands toward the ceiling, Malarkey called out louder, "Guys!"
Toye and Skip both turned to face Malarkey.
Malarkey raised his eyebrows. "You can't...hit a woman".
"But she – "
"I know, okay?" He stressed. And said, "But we can't do that – you don't hit a woman. Under any circumstances. No – never". Malarkey added, "Besides, Sink would kick our asses back home and to jail".
Once again, Skip protested, "But she – "
"yes, Skip". Malarkey cut him off. "She did...some sick shit to Nelly. And if it was a guy, he would be dead – you're right. But this is different. If anyone can hit her, it's Nelly".
The three of them turned to face Nelly.
She was sitting up on her bed, watching her friends.
"Kid?" Toye questioned. "Are you 'gonna beat this lady up?"
Nelly shook her head. "It's weird...shut up...". She added quietly, "I want to see Ronnie".
"Uh...". Malarkey rubbed the back of his neck. "He's – uh – well, he'll be busy tonight".
"I know". She whispered. And then sighed quietly. "I don't...like this feeling...".
Frowns were shared between the men.
Nelly drew her legs up toward her chest. "It feels...wrong".
The anger floated away like a fleeting gust of wind. Malarkey approached Nelly and sat down next to her. "What she did was wrong". He said, "She made you feel uncomfortable and scared, and trapped. That's not right, at all. It takes a very sick mind for someone to do that to a person".
She frowned at her knees. "Dad...he used to...make us feel...trapped and scared".
Casting his friends' a frown, Malarkey then wrapped his arm around Nelly's shoulders. "Well, he probably had a sick mind too, pal".
Nelly leaned against Malarkey's side and nodded.
...
Nothing could be done about Jane. But they could still help Nelly. After their first night as husband and wife, Speirs entered the Nissan hut and found his cousin sitting up in bed and trying to write out a letter. The men were off training – Mampre gave Nelly a sick line. Skip, Malarkey and Toye asked their medic to give Nelly the day off. They figured the rest would do Nelly some good, but she didn't like being alone with her thoughts that day. Speirs didn't know what happened – he assumed Nelly was still sick and was given the training day off. Walking over to his cousin, Speirs sat on Malarkey's mattress and sent her a small smile.
She raised her eyes from her letter and looked at Speirs.
"Hey". He greeted and asked, "How're you feeling?"
Folding her work in progress up, Nelly put it to the side. "Okay". She whispered.
"It wasn't any food at the wedding, was it?" Speirs tried to joke lightly.
And Nelly frowned. He didn't know. Her friends didn't tell him. Settling back against her propped-up pillow, Nelly gave her head a faint shake. "I just...felt sick".
The amusement left his eyes. And Speirs almost paled. "Randomly throughout the day?"
Nelly's frown deepened at his question. "No...".
"Once a day?" He continued to question.
"I...". And she suddenly understood where Speirs was coming from. "Fucking hell...". Nelly mumbled, "I'm not pregnant".
His shoulders dropped. Speirs nodded slowly. "Because that wouldn't have been any good". He murmured. Rubbing the back of his neck, Speirs briefly looked at Nelly before staring at the wall with a tiny grimace. "You know how to...stop that from happening, right?"
Pulling an uncomfortable face, Nelly held up her hand. "Stop...talking".
Speirs cleared his throat. And defended himself, "I think it's important for you to – "
"Jesus...". She whispered.
"Okay". Speirs surrendered. "I'll stop".
Shaking her head, Nelly's stare settled down at her hands. "Your wife...is pretty".
A smile met Speirs's lips. "I'll pass the message on". He added, "I agree. She looked very beautiful".
"Is she pregnant?"
Sighing, the smile left his face. "We're not discussing that".
Nelly could feel a smile tug at the corner of her mouth. "You know...how to stop that from happening, right?"
He snorted out a tiny laugh. "Shut up, kid".
She sat up fully and turned around to sit opposite her cousin. "You're happy?"
"I'm very happy". Speirs confirmed. "I'm sorry you had to leave so early, Nelly".
Frowning sadly, she looked down at her lap. "Me too". Nelly whispered.
"Hey...". Speirs set a hand on her shoulder.
Nelly looked up at him.
He gave her a small smile. "You can't help being sick, Nelly. It wasn't your fault".
Speirs didn't know what really happened, so, he couldn't understand why those words meant so much to Nelly at that moment. It wasn't your fault. Feeling tears reach her eyes, Nelly broke eye contact with Speirs and stared down at her lap again.
Confused by the tears, Speirs gave her shoulder a squeeze. "What's the matter?"
Nelly gave her head a shake. "Nothing...just...sorry I missed the rest of the wedding".
"Don't worry about it, kid". Speirs assured her. "It's not your fault".
Nodding faintly, Nelly looked at him. "I know".
Smiling, Speirs let go of her shoulder and gently clapped the back of her neck. "Right – let's see that letter you're working on".
With a soft sniff, Nelly reached behind her and picked up the letter. "It's for Claire".
"Great". He said, "What've we got so far?"