He had first heard of Keller under a different name, Dr. Damian Kinker. The doctor had a high-profile clinic in the business street. He shared the building with several other so-called professionals. They offered beauty transformations, remedies, mediums, medicine, massages, healing, counselling and other services that catered to the rich. Kinker's speciality had been the mind and brain, claiming he could cure any illness or trauma, including heartbreak, depression, madness, and even unhappiness. In general, rich people foolery.
Outside of regular business hours, Kinker would offer medical advice and assistance to the poor, at no charge. What seems to be too good to be true, usually is, also in this case. Some claimed they had been healed by a benevolent doctor, while others were never seen again, but few to none cared about the disappearances of a few poor people. Some rich people were even happy that someone was targeting the poor, thinking of it as a much-needed cleansing, just like they had thought of the plague.
Kinker's practice had been running for a few years when the Dregs had been given a clean up job from Kinker. At this point the rumours of Kinker's shady business were widely known among the poor who resided in Ketterdam. Only the newly arrived or the most desperate still sought his services, others knowing to stay well away if they valued their life and sanity.
No one wanted the job, and it has thus landed with the Dregs, then considered the bottom swirl of the Barrel. Haskell had tried to order several members to do the job, but they had refused out of fear for their life, claiming the job was a death sentence.
Kaz didn't share their believes. If Kinker had wanted more victims there were plenty of easier targets. No, the doctor was in need of a different service, and whoever did it would be safe till the task was done. Kaz had been working on rising up the ranks, making a name for himself, so he volunteered for the job, knowing it would grow his reputation as the fearless Dirtyhands. He knew he would be safe while preforming the task, but he would take precautions in case Kinker would turn on him once the task was done.
When he got to Kinker's building the night was almost over, the sun rising in a few hours. Dr. Kinker received him at the door, taken aback at the sight of him. Kaz easily clocked the surprise on the man's face. He had been expecting someone older and bigger, but Kinker didn't object, instead observing Kaz as he stepped aside to let him enter the building.
Kinker was a thin middle-aged man with a pleasant face with intelligent and hungry eyes. Some might even call him handsome. His hair was slightly long and blonde, going to his shoulders. He was wearing what looked like a new doctor coat, but underneath he had expensive and high-quality clothes in colourful patterns that was in fashion at the time. His manners were calm. Kaz could understand why both rich and poor would be lured in by his appearance and demeanour, but the intensity of the man made Kaz on edge. Kaz kept a wary eye on him, making sure to keep his distance, and to be ready if he tried anything.
Without a word Kinker led the way to the cellar, and took him through to the back room, his focus never leaving Kaz.
Everything screamed at Kaz to run, but he continued, only tightening his hold on the hidden blade in his pocket.
Once Kaz entered the back room he was assaulted by memories of the plague victims, fighting hard not to gag at the sight and smell that met him. It had several tables, and on each table lay various bodies in different stages of decomposition. All of them had been cut into, entrails and different parts laying open. By the flow of blood and cuts, some of them even looked to have been tortured and cut into while they were still alive. All of them had had their skull cut open, and brain taken out. The brains themselves had been cut into, examined and lay in pieces next to their victims.
Most of the people looked poor and sickly, desperate for anything that could save them, and had instead ended up murdered, but two people were different. One was in a medical coat, and looked to have had several expensive procedures done on him to enhance his features, but in the end neither looks, skills or money had saved him. The second was a female. She was a young lady clad in a brightly coloured dress, probably the daughter of a merchant or similar. Neither of them were part of the high end of society, but both were someone that would be missed, and whose murders would be investigated if they were discovered.
The doctor had apparently grown tired of just playing with the poor and desperate, and had started hunting people higher up on the social rankings, including his own co-workers. If Kinker was to avoid detection he would need them disposed of in a quiet manner that shielded him from suspicion, and preferably looked like they had left the city in an orderly manner. It was up to Kaz to figure out the plan, and execute it.
Kaz swallowed down the bile in his throat and the resentment he felt for Kinker and his deeds. Kinker smiled at him, his interest peeked at Kaz's calm and collected demeanour.
"I need you to get rid of these bodies for me. I don't care how, all that matters is that they can't be traced back to me. Do you understand?" Kinker asked.
Kaz only nodded in response, already having figured out Kinker's needs on his own. Dusk would soon be upon them, and Kaz had to move fast if he was to dispose of the two people before the sun broke.
Kinker watched his every move, never offering to help, just kept starring at him like he was a bacteria under a microscope. It was unnerving, but Kaz ignored it, always keeping Kinker in his side view in case he should be tempted to do more then just stare. Despite the unpleasant company Kaz worked swiftly and efficiently, and was soon on his way to dispose of the bodies, leaving the place and Kinker behind.
When he had completed his mission, he reported back to Haskell, impressing both him and the rest of the members of the Dregs.
Apparently, his work had impressed Kinker as well as a new request for a clean up came a few weeks later, but this time the request was specifically for Kaz which allowed Haskell to charge more for the job. This happened three times. The events were similar each time, but every time he would come to do the job, Kinker's interest in him seemed to have grown.
Kinker had started asking him questions about his thought process and about his plans. Kaz would ignore them, excusing himself by saying he needed to focus on his work if it were to succeed. The fourth time he was called was different, and it would be the last, both for Kaz and the doctor.
The fourth time Kaz arrived, Kinker didn't receive him at the door. Instead, there was a note that said that the door was open, and that Kaz could start on his work. Kinker himself would arrive later.
Kaz had felt relief that he wouldn't have to deal with Kinker's stares and questions, but once he got to the cellar his relief faded. Kinker had two people chained to the wall, probably his next victims. It was a woman and what he assumed was her child. They were from the Barrel, desperation bringing them here.
The child was around 7-8 years old. She was wearing a tattered dress, and had long unkempt hair. The child was crying and had tear streaks on her face, trying to make herself as small as possible. The mother was unconscious, lying in a heap on the floor, her long brown and greasy hair covering her face.
Kaz paused at the sight. He could help them, but that wasn't the job, and could jeopardise both the job and him. He tried to ignore them, continuing with his mission, but something kept making his gaze return to the sobbing child. The child tugged at something he thought to be dead and buried. It was innocent, and deserved better. He had been made cold and distant, broken by Pekka Rollins and the Barrel, but this child still had a chance to live a good life, but only if he intervened tonight.
He cursed himself for being weak, and slowly started approaching the girl. She was scared, trying to get as close to her mother as possible, the chains hindering her from reaching her. He tried talking calmly to her while showing his empty hands, telling her he was there to help, and that he would set them free.
It looked to be getting through to the girl. She was scared, but she let him approach her. Kaz used his lock pick, and made quick work of the chains. As soon as the child was free, she ran and hid behind her mother for safety. Kaz knew the child would never leave her mothers side, remembering how he had nearly jumped back into the sea when the current had stolen Jordie's body from him. Only the knowledge that it would mean certain death, and his thirst for vengeance on Pekka Rollins, had kept him from diving in. If he was to save the child, he needed to save the mother as well.
He hoped the mother had learned her lesson, and would be more careful and take better care of her daughter from now on. Kaz walked over to her, and opened her shackles. As soon as the click of the lock sounded, he realized his mistake. The mother hadn't been unconscious, and now threw herself at Kaz, knife in hand, fighting for her own and her child's survival, not seeing friend from foe. The knife had drawn a spray of blood from him as it sliced open his glove and palm. He still carried that scar, the lesson reminding him to never let his guard down, no matter the circumstances.
The next time she struck he was ready, efficiently knocking her to the ground. Kaz forced the knife from her hand, pocketing it.
"I am not your enemy!" he yelled while holding her down.
"You need to take your child and run, before the real evil gets back. You have one chance to save your child, but only if you get yourself together, and leave now. Please take it," he urged her strongly.
She struggled in his hold at first, but once her panic abated enough for her to see him, she understood, her fight seizing, muscles relaxing.
Kaz released her, and quickly stepped away, ready to defend again if necessary.
The mother looked at him, still scared, but realized he wasn't the true threat. She ran to her child, and gathered her up. She paused at the base of the stairs and looked back at him. "Thank you, I won't forget this. Be safe," she said, tears sliding down her face.
He nodded at her in acknowledgement.
She climbed the stairs, and escaped, getting a second chance at life for her and her daughter.
Kaz felt a shiver down his spine, realizing someone else was here, and watching him. A few seconds later Kinker stepped out from the back room. The door had been ajar, and he had watched everything from the crack in the door opening.
"It has been a prosperous collaboration, but I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed in you. You have impressed me, both in skill and control of emotions. I had hoped that this was the start of a long and beautiful partnership, where you could become my assistant, my student. Now I am not so sure, not after your latest action of fruitless mercy, jeopardizing everything you worked for. I believe I will need some more studies before I can conclude on your disposition. So, if you would be so kind, please stay a bit, possibly forever," Kinker said, smiling at him.
Kaz stiffened, realizing the doctor intended to make him his next patient.
The doctor made the first move, bringing up a gun. As soon as Kaz saw it, he dove towards Kinker, trusting that he was a bad shot. Thankfully, he was right. The doctor barely had time to release a wild shot, before Kaz had knocked him to the floor. He still had the woman's knife in his hand, and used it to slice at the man's fingers, hand and arm, forcing him to release the gun.
The doctor screamed at the pain, clutched at his hand, unable to focus on anything else then his own injuries. The doctor was clearly more used to dealing out pain, then being on the receiving end. Kaz nearly laughed at the pathetic sight before him. He let his knife slice deep gouges in the man's chins. He knew they would scar and ruin the doctor's perfect facade, making him unlikable to the rich masses and kill his business. After all, the rich couldn't stand to look at anything but perfection, let alone a cripple. Kaz would know. He had learned to use his own injury to his benefit, but he doubted the doctor would learn that trick.
The doctor lay crying on the ground, shielding himself as best he could. Kaz slammed the knife into the man's thigh, making him squeal in pain and unable to walk. Seeing there was no more fight left, Kaz began on his new plan that would make Kinker pay for his crimes.
He got up, and walked into the back room. This time several co-workers of Kinker's lay dead on the tables in the room, but there was also a young girl from a wealthy family, ruined as all his other victims, but perfect for his plan. He hefted her on his shoulder and walked out the door and up the stairs. He left the body in the doorway of the office building, and climbed up onto a nearby building. He waited for a stadwatch patrol to come by, and threw stones near the entrance of the building, making sure they would spot the body.
He waited in the rain till he saw them walk back out with Kinker in chains. Feeling satisfied that Kinker was off the streets, he headed home, making up a suitable explanation for Haskell on the way.
The next day the story was all over the papers, and Dr. Kinker's clinic with his colleagues were no more. On a more sour note, his plan had failed as he had trusted in the law to convict the man for his crimes, but instead he read that Kinker had escaped to parts unknown. He had most likely paid of the guards with a hefty sum, and left Kerch to escape the warrant on him. After that time Kaz had learned to never trust in the law, except for them being able to be bought. Next time he wanted to deliver punishment, he would kill swiftly, leaving no chance of escape.