Home Is Where The Girl Is
Chapter 16 -
Something Wicked This Way Comes
One afternoon there was a light rainfall enveloping the quant countryside. Wanting to make the most of the day, Madame Vastra decided to head to town for a few supplies. She thought she would accomplish two tasks at the same time. The ancient lizard woman would enjoy the misty walk to town for the items they needed and she loved the rain. The tiny pools of water helped moisturize her skin and kept her scales from drying out. It was a guilty pleasure she so infrequently got to indulge in.
It had been nearly a week and a half since her chamber maid healed from her nasty sunburn. After being laid up for so long, Jenny could not wait to do some real cleaning. Although her employer thought it strange she would enjoy her work so much. The ancient warrior later hypothesized that Jenny would rather clean then get back to her rigorous training. The mistress found herself chuckling, the human would of made a horrible Silurian officer in their security forces; everything was about training and keeping a schedule.
With the light mist falling from the sky, the Silurian thought it best to have a quiet day after all.
After making a couple of stops at her favorite shops, the prestigious Victorian made her way over to the butcher shop where she was about to purchase a fine pheasant for supper that evening. Huddled on one side of the cramped entrance, she over heard two men talking. One man was slightly taller than the other and had thick black hair. They were speaking of a man who had been committing heinous crimes of murder in the neighboring villages.
The taller man's raspy voice repeated the story he heard. "Just last week he butchered a servant girl while the family was visiting London. It was several days before the family found the mess." Tapping the shorter man's chest, he added with a look of disgust. "It was bloody awful mate I tell you that."
"Sounds dreadful" responded the second man with a scruffy red beard.
The men, who Vastra believed to be cobble stone workers based on their clothes, large callus hands and worn out knees, started discussing the crimes a bit quieter when they saw the finely dressed woman approaching. All she could make out was the men murmuring, "Awful simply awful."
Absentmindedly allowing her detective instincts to take over, the prestigious Victorian causally strolled over to the working men as if she were about to ask directions. "Excuse me gentlemen, I could not help but over hear your conversation." Taking turns to look both men directly in the eyes, the detective made sure they knew she was not one of weak stomach. When they swallowed hard, like she had seen many London bobbies do when she spoke to them on a 'man's level', she knew she had their attention.
"What was that you said about a servant girl?" Vastra asked.
The man originally telling the story answered, "I hear he tracks them down like dogs and waits til their alone and helpless. And that's when he does his business."
His companion then interjected. "That's why I'm glad I got me two of them gingers at home."
Baffled, the ancient warrior delicately folder her hands over the basket she was carrying. "I'm sorry I do not understand your meaning sir. Can you please elaborate?"
Stepping forward, the taller man explained, "He must have a thing for brunettes. He's only kills them brunettes." Glancing back at his friend he said, "… and Maloy here, his wife and daughter are both red headed you see."
Nudging his friend's shoulder, the shorter man added, "Don't forget about the rape. He's raping them poor girls as well. 'Member you said there was so much blood at the house…"
The man had not finished his statement before Madame Vastra dropped her wicker basket and bolted down the street. Only one thing was on her mind, "Oh Goddess, Jenny."
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Muddy and soaking wet, as the rain had increased in strength as the ancient warrior returned to the cottage. She looked high and low but was unable to find her maid. Glancing out one of the window she saw the barn door swinging wildly in the wind. Placing her gloved hand over her mouth, Vastra muttered, "Jenny never leaves that door open."
The reptilian immediately remembered it was a pet peeve of the servant girl's, as she used to get beaten over such a petty thing as a child. Without her coat, the lady of the house exited the cottage and headed towards the barn as fast as her legs could carry her.
Gripping the swinging door, Vastra suddenly froze in place and prayed she would not find Jenny's body butchered in the barn in the same fashion she had heard the two cobble stone workers in town describe. Feeling the water pellets flow over her crest, as the weather had become a steady downpour by now, the Silurian sucked in a ragged breathe readying herself for what lay beyond the large rustic door.
Beginning to take a step forward, she instinctually reached for the sword on her back. However the warrior suddenly realized that in her panic, she had forgotten to grab the deadly weapon. As water poured down her cheeks, the ancient warrior drew in another deep breath as if it included a wealth of courage as well. With steady feet, the reptilian cautiously entered the barn with gritted teeth.