Chapter 5.
After taking a stagecoach home from Golden's bookstore, Reinhardt picked up an issue of the day's Tattler. It was a gossip paper filled with mostly rubbish that will entertain for less than a shilling. One true piece of information it gave was for those interested in astrology. It always announced the night of a full moon. Tonight was such a night. If the mysterious killer that has been prowling London keeps to his pattern, then tonight should be a night of action. Reinhardt dressed up for this particular night. He forsook his usual "work clothes" for a dinner suit and top hat. Rosa complained why he did not wear such things when they were on "private missions." Reinhardt blushed and smiled at the thought of it. At around ten to eleven at night, Reinhardt had circled the same block for about four hours. A gentleman that he had tipped rather well had kept his corner meat shop open for all this time. Reinhardt's explicit instructions were to keep only the freshest meat hanging outside and one slightly cooked so that the odor would travel far and wide through the streets. Finally Reinhardt asked the man if he could buy the meat for a slightly higher price than normal and if he could take the slightly cooked one as well. The man gave him both free saying that staying open this late had brought him several customers whose payments more than covered the total of the two meats Reinhardt needed. Reinhardt threw the large pieces of meat over his shoulder and began to pace around the block again.
There were two alley entrances, one on either side of the street. At each turn, Reinhardt looked down the alleys. He also looked up every so often. At one turn he saw the glint of glass being reflected by the moonlight. He was being watched. It was sloppy on Henry's part to be seen so easily. He thought he had taught him better. Henry De Rais had arrived in the afternoon. Reinhardt briefed him on the case so far and told him about his suspicions. Henry had concurred with his thoughts and believed he recognized the specific hair type. He noticed that Henry was unnerved after inspecting the hair. Henry mentioned something about arranging some books being brought to him. The books would ironically be brought by Matthew Golden tomorrow morning. Henry apparently knew of the Golden bookstore. Reinhardt stopped right in front of the entrance to one of the alleys when he swore he saw a shadow in the distance.
Reinhardt looked up towards the rooftops, there was no sign of Henry. Reinhardt began to walk into the darkened alleyway. The fog was dense, allowing Reinhardt to see next to nothing. About halfway down the alley were boxes stacked on top of one another. Reinhardt was careful when passing the boxes, making sure that no one or nothing was waiting for him on the other side. Reinhardt paused and all he could hear for a moment was the sound of his own breathing. Reinhardt did not feel the touch of his attacker at first, he just suddenly felt himself being thrust to the ground. Reinhardt rolled onto his back and then felt as the shadowy form began to try and dig into him. In a frantic split second Reinhardt's memory flashed the image of the carcasses of the previous victims. Reinhardt wondered if this was no to be his fate.
He could see the silhouette of his enemy but could not feel anything of what was happening to him. Reinhardt looked to the roof and saw the shadowy figure of Henry moving into action. He saw that Henry took a great leap from the top of the roof and landed right on the boxes. His young counterpart barely flinched and did not take time to recover from the jump he immediately jumped from the boxes and stood over Reinhardt and the shadow figure. Henry pulled a small hand-held flare from his belt. Reinhardt and his attacker were now illuminated. To Reinhardt's surprise and Henry's relief, a large pure black dog now stood upon Reinhardt's chest nicking away at the meat which Reinhardt had thrown in front of himself without realizing. Reinhardt slowly got up from the ground leaving the meat for the dog.
"Looks like you made a friend." Henry smiled. Reinhardt nodded. "Looks like you lost your mind," he said pointing in the direction of the roof.
"It wasn't that bad."
Reinhardt looked up. How many falls, jumps, and serious wounds did he take in Dracula's castle? Had it really been ten years since that pivotal encounter? Reinhardt stared at Henry. At least a dozen years his junior, Henry was still full of strength, vigor, and youth. Reinhardt on the other hand was beginning to feel his age. "I'm going home. You stay on watch tonight."
"Understood," Henry replied.
Reinhardt walked away slowly.
"Reinhardt!" He called to him. "It was a good plan."
He didn't turn. A wave of his hand was Henry's only clue that he had heard him.