Bloodlust II
Chapter 5
Julia and George proceeded on to Cooks Inn, questioning the proprietor, who had no information. They sat at a table and ordered tea, discussing what information they had.
"It must have been a woman who left the telephone message for the detective," stated George.
"Yes, pretending to be me. But why? And who?"
"The Detective asked me to look into the current whereabouts of an Arlene Dennet, who was recently released from prison."
"Yes, George. We saw her the other night when we were out to dinner with the Brackenreids."
"Could she have something to do with this?"
"William did say she waited for him the other night when he left the station."
They nodded to each other knowingly as they re-interviewed the proprietor, giving him Arlene's description. He told them that such a woman had recently bought a small farm house nearby. She sometimes came to the inn for tea or lunch with another young woman. Did the proprietor know where this house was? He did.
As William began to loosen up, and now being free to move about his environs, he began to explore his avenues of escape. It was late. He hoped Arlene was asleep somewhere above. Dragging the table to position it under the trapdoor, he climbed up. He could just reach the door with the flat of his hands. As he pushed he felt the door jiggle, but the latch seemed secure. What he needed was something thin he could slip between the door and ceiling. He looked around but the room he occupied was stark. There wasn't even a knife or fork with his food, just a large spoon, the handle of which was too thick to fit his needs. He rattled the door again, hoping to loosen the latch, making more noise than he intended. Then he heard footsteps. Hurriedly he jumped down and dragged the table back in place just as the trapdoor opened and the ladder came down. Now was his chance to pounce, but Arlene had a gun in one hand and a club in the other.
"We've been naughty, haven't we, William? I heard you and I can see where you've dragged the table."
William looked at the scrape marks on the floor. As his eyes were so occupied, Arlene suddenly struck, hitting him hard in the left knee. Grunting, he stumbled and fell to the floor.
"I guess that will keep you from climbing around now, won't it?"
All William could do was look up at her as the pain radiated through his leg.
"Don't try that again! As much as I love you, I won't hesitate to end you. Do you understand?" When he didn't answer she repeated, "Do...you...understand?"
"Yes," he whispered.
"Now get up!"
He achingly pulled himself up to sit on the edge of the bed. Things had not gone at all as he planned. For the first time he felt hopelessly trapped.
"Put the shackle on your wrist!"
He hesitated.
"Do it or I'll use the gun this time. You have disappointed me, William. I don't like that."
When he had the one shackle on, she approached to fasten the other. Then she stroked his cheek as he cringed.
"You must try harder, William. I know we can be friends."
With that Arlene turned and climbed back up the ladder.
What a mess, he thought. Still, perhaps he could overcome her yet. He had to try. Lying back, he closed his eyes, studying on his options, which were fewer now. He realized how truly insane she was.
George and Julia found the house that the proprietor of the inn had described. But just as they pulled up Abby was coming out. Seeing them, she ran back inside.
"Hurry, George. I know he's in there."
The two ran toward the door even as Abby ran to get Arlene, who was not inclined to return to prison. Handing her gun to Abby, she told her to fire out the window while she took care of their escape plan. Her plan...to set the place on fire as they exited from the rear. As she had prepared, flames quickly overtook the dwelling. But Abby was not able to get through them to accompany Arlene out the back. Arlene found her desire for self preservation far outweighed her love for the detective. George continued to try to force the door. Abby screamed as the fire encircled her.
William awoke to shots being fired, loud voices, and smoke. Smoke was circling all around the trap door and the ceiling cracks, filling his room. Pulling on his restraints just aggravated the raw wounds he already had.
"Hey!" he yelled. "Open up! Open up now!" As the smoke increased in his enclosed space his eyes watered and he coughed harshly.
Abby reached the front door, unlocking it. As she jerked it open, George fell into her. Julia, standing behind him, grabbed the frightened girl, shaking her.
"Where is he? What have you done with him? Answer me."
Abby squirmed but Julia gripped her hard.
"Doctor, we can't stay here. The fire..."
"No, George. She is going to tell us where William is or I'll see she never leaves this inferno."
"He's in the cellar! The trapdoor! Let me go! Let me go!" Abby screamed in fear.
George had disappeared, but quickly returned with blankets from their carriage which he had soaked in the horse trough.
Julia let Abby go as George threw one blanket over her and one over himself.
Julia ran to door in the floor as George unlatched it.
"William! Are you down there?"
But there was no answer. George lowered the ladder which lay beside the hole and hurried down into the smoke filled cellar. William was lying on the bed, eyes closed, barely breathing.
"Sir! Sir!" George shook him.
Slowly, coughing, he opened his eyes. "George!"
"Do you know where the key is, sir?"
"She...has...it. Around...her...neck."
"George! Is he there?"
"Yes, but he's chained to the wall."
"I'm coming down."
"No. Don't doctor. I've got this."
George retrieved his lock picks from his pocket and set to work. He had the cuffs unfastened in a jiffy.
"Come on, sir," he said as he pulled William up.
But William, who could barely stand was unable to coordinate his movements, as he doubled over, coughing.
"George? Are you coming? Hurry! The fire will block the door."
"Yes, but he appears injured. Let me lift him up to you."
Groggily, William reached to the sill as Julia pulled him up and George pushed from below. Once out Julia helped him to his feet as he limped to escape, leaning heavily on his wife. George quickly followed them out of the conflagration.
Julia helped lower William to the grass far away from the burning house. He coughed hard for minutes until at last he could catch his breath.
"You found me, Julia."
"You knew I would. I would never abandon you."
"I know. Thank you. Thank you both. Arlene is crazy. Did she get away?"
"George is looking now."
Julia sat down beside him. He laid his head on her shoulder as she wrapped her arm around him, watching the house burn its last. George appeared out of the smoke running toward them.
Panting, he said, "I don't think Arlene escaped. There is a body inside the back door. Apparently she couldn't get it opened in time. I saw no sign of the other girl."
The three sooty faced friends sat a while in the grass. Then they all started to talk at once.
"I'll get the carriage," piped up George.
"Let's roll up your pant leg, William," Julia spoke.
"Let's go home," sighed William.
Laughing at last, they did all three.
Abby couldn't believe she had escaped. The constable and the doctor had been so intent on rescuing Detective Murdoch that she had been able to run into the woods and hide. There was no sign of Arlene. Besides, Abby was angry that Arlene would seem to leave her behind. On her own for the first time in years, Abby didn't really know what to do now. She supposed she would have to go back to her pre-prison occupation as a doxie. She set out walking to the next town.
George helped get William up the stairs to their suite, then left him in the doctor's hands as he went to report to Inspector Brackenreid.
"Not quite the picnic we planned," William smiled.
"No. But we can still go skinny dipping, of a sorts."
Julia drew them a hot bath. She knelt beside the tub and tenderly washed William, paying special attention to his wrists. After shampooing his smoky hair she gently massaged his shoulder. His eyes closed, he lay back, sighing.
"Aren't you coming in too?" he asked.
She dropped her robe and stepped into the tub, reclining against his chest. He took the soft sponge she had used on him, lathered it up, and bathed her. Finally dropping the sponge, he used his hands as she moaned to his touch. They stayed until the water got too cold. Julia pulled William to his feet, helping him step out of the tub. They wrapped the two fluffy towels around each other as they dried one another.
After they were clean and clad in nightclothes, they ordered dinner.
"I guess this our picnic," William laughed.
Finally retiring to their bed, too tired and sore to do more than snuggle this night, William curled up on his side, his head resting on Julia's bosom. She stroked his hair until he fell asleep. She too then slept, her arms entwined around him. Tomorrow night would be much more interesting.