The Valentine Circle

by Reinaldo DelValle

  Darcy felt uneasy as she watched Glenda walk away, spooked by the thought of never seeing her beloved caretaker again. She closed the door and made her way towards the main foyer. Once there, she walked up to the ceiling-high windows near the front door, keeping her focus on Glenda as she looked for Dominic. A few minutes passed, and she could no longer see the light of Glenda’s lantern in the far-off distance.

  ***

  Three miles out from the Reilly mansion, Belloc and Posy rode in a speeding carriage.

  “What kind of person just leaves a funeral?” Posy grumbled.

  “I don’t presume to know what goes on inside Silas’s mind. I’m sure he has a reason. I just hope he’s all right.”

  “First he goes out the window, and now he disappears right in front of our very eyes. And this is just on his second day on the job. He’s not one for manners.”

  “Now is not the time to worry about that. Belloc pulled out his revolver. “It’s taken us far too long to reach the mansion. I never remembered it being so far out, but with this winter storm, I can understand why it’s been more difficult to traverse the roads. I wanted to avoid getting there after dark, but now that obviously won’t be the case. We must be diligent and aware of our surroundings. We’ll try and get as much information from the girl as fast as possible.”

  “Won’t the Reillys object to us questioning their daughter?”

  “They can’t object if they don’t know. Plus, this is an investigation, and if Darcy can shed some light on Claudia’s attacker, then I have no qualms with asking her a few questions.” Belloc reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out a small pistol. “Here, take this.”

  “No need for that.” Posy reached behind her back and pulled out a massive revolver.

  “Where did you get that?”

  “I have my ways.” Posy checked her pistol for any issues.

  “I don’t believe we’ll be running into trouble, but with a killer on the loose, always be at the ready.” Belloc turned to the driver. “How long?”

  “About another two miles.”

  “We’re almost there,” Belloc said. “Make sure you have a list of questions ready.”

  “Oh, I have plenty.”

  “Good. We’ll see what Miss Reilly has to say about the Decampses. Hopefully she’ll shed some light on these other girls that Silas spoke of.”

  “I have a feeling she knows more than we can imagine.”

  “She’s the best lead we have so far,” Belloc replied as the carriage rode onward, speeding with all the horses’ might, winding down the dark and freezing country road.

  ***

  Back at the mansion, Darcy stood by the window, waiting to hear back from her longtime caretaker. Her heart pounced through her chest, and her breaths were short and dry. Outside, the brutal wind howled like a demonic banshee, yet inside the house it was as quiet as a mouse. Back in the far reaches of the manor’s east wing, the other servants had turned in for the night. It didn’t take Darcy long to realize that she was all by herself inside that cold and massive space.

  She turned around to look back at the two imposing staircases swirling up to the second level, like wooden serpents, twisting and turning. The stairs led to a deep abyss, for her family was not home, and no one was upstairs to bring warmth and life to the second floor.

  And like something out of a nightmare, she heard an unexplained clatter. “Hello?” she said.

  A soft sound surfaced from one of the rooms upstairs and then got louder, as if someone were gently stepping on the wooden floor. Maybe it’s one of the servants.

  Then she heard a shuffling noise, like drapes being pulled apart, followed by a slight bump of a chair. “Hello?” Darcy said, this time more alarmed. “Is anyone up there?”

  No answer.

  “Is anyone working late? You answer me right now!” As an answer to her plea, a door creaked shut. Darcy shuddered, rubbing her arms up and down. A moment passed as she gazed at the second floor. I see a faint light. Should I go up?

  She placed her foot on the first step. “Wait. I can’t leave Miss Glenda out there. I need to keep my eye on her,” she said to herself. Reluctantly, Darcy made her way back to the front window. Peeking outside, all she could think about was Miss Glenda being caught in the unforgiving blizzard.

  After a few seconds, Darcy turned back around, surveying the second floor’s darkened hallway. She strained her eyes. Wait. Is that… A shadowy form began descending the stairs. Frightened, she ran towards the side door located inside the west wing. She put her back against the door and stood still, keeping her attention on the opening to the main foyer, seeing nothing but darkness and weird shadowy shapes, eerie illusions that her eyes kept conjuring up. Darcy worked to steady her breathing. Come on, Glenda. Hurry up.

  She heard a sound near the main foyer. “Hello?” she pleaded. “Who’s there?” And after a long pause in the dark’s deafening silence, a breathy voice said, “Me.” Gasping for air, Darcy gripped the doorknob, and no longer able to stand the fright, she grabbed a lantern next to the door and escaped outside. The storm started to pick up, and it was nearly impossible for her to see beyond a thirty-foot radius. Everywhere she looked, the trees seemed to have blended in with the snow, making everything a white-gray gleam against the night’s sullen cloak. She suddenly caught a scent in the air: Miss Glenda’s perfume.

  “Where are you? Are you near? Have you found Dominic?” She turned around, staring at the door leading into the house, into that bleak darkness full of shadows and strange sounds. “Please hurry if you can.”

  There was no answer.

  “Glenda?” she called out again, but heard nothing in return. She stepped away from the house, putting more distance between her and the eerie voice she’d heard inside. After about ten yards, Darcy stood idly, feeling as cold as ever. Instantly, a horrible thought entered her mind. What if Miss Glenda found Dominic by the lake? What if she fell?

  Ice cracked in the distance. “Miss Glenda!” She flung herself towards the direction of the sound, desperately trying to keep her bearings straight. She found a fence that led all the way to the lake. Every step she took felt like she was lugging around a hundred-pound ball and chain, for her boots were weighed down by slush and snow. “Wretched Boston winter!”

  She traveled farther down the length of the fence, knowing it would ultimately lead her to the big gazebo right at the entrance to the dock overlooking the lake. Tripping over broken logs, she yelled out in pain. Her lantern fell to the floor, busting into pieces. “Damn it!” At least the moonlight gave her some light to travel by, and it seemed that just up ahead she could see some type of clearing.

  Thirty more feet went by. She pushed on harder. Her socks were soaked through with cold slush. The falling snow felt like ice water being dropped on top of her head. The winter air stabbed her chest with sharp pains every time she took a deep breath. After advancing another thirty feet, she finally saw the snow-covered gazebo next to the dock’s entrance. It was there that she saw what appeared to be the back of Miss Glenda’s head.

  ***

  Just a hundred yards away from the mansion, Belloc and Posy sped down the icy road, keeping themselves quiet, anticipating their arrival.

  “We’re almost there,” Belloc said. “Remember, we approach cordially and ask to see Miss Darcy concerning a matter of life and death. They should let us in after we reveal who we are and that we’ve spoken to Mr. and Mrs. Reilly.”

  “Spoken to them?” Posy arched her brow.

  “Well, that last part I added in for good measure.”

  “I think I see the mansion in the distance.” Posy stuck her head out the window. “It’s dark inside. Everyone’s gone to bed already.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. It’s best for us that way. We’ll quietly make ourselves known and speak to Darcy in private. In and out. No need to alarm everybody else inside the house.”

  “Got it.” Posy placed her revolver back inside her waistban
d.

  “Just under a hundred yards and we’re there.” Belloc put his hat on and fixed his coat. But when he went to grab his cane, the carriage suddenly halted in its tracks, forcing Belloc to double over and knock his cane towards Posy, striking her chin.

  “Hey!”

  “Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “What happened?”

  Belloc turned to the front. “Driver, why did we stop all of a sudden?”

  “It seems we’ve come upon a large ditch in the middle of the road. I didn’t see it because it was covered up with snow, making it seem flat.”

  “Can we get out of it?”

  “I’m afraid not. It seems that the axle is broken in two.”

  “Damn,” Belloc cursed.

  “So how are we going to traverse the rest of the way?” Posy asked.

  “The only choice now would be to head on foot,” the driver replied.

  “On foot?” Belloc said. “Are you mad? In this snow? It’ll give us a good beating.”

  “That’s the only way.” The driver put his hat and gloves on as he dismounted the carriage’s covered driver’s bench in order to inspect the damage.

  “What are we going to do now?” Posy asked.

  “I guess we’ll have to walk.”

  “But you’re already having trouble as it is. You can’t make it, not in this snow.”

  “I know, Miss Chapman, but there’s no other solution. I must talk to that girl.”

  “This isn’t a good idea.”

  “This isn’t open to discussion. Now, you either join me or stay here to fix the wheel.”

  “Meanness is not going to help.”

  “I’m sorry, dear girl, I’m just frustrated.”

  “Wait.” Posy stretched her head out the window. “There’s another carriage coming. Maybe they can help us.”

  “Is it the Reillys?”

  “How would I know? Whoever it is, they’re coming in fast. They must be in some hurry.”

  “Posy, step outside and try your best to warn them about the hole in the road.”

  “I knew you were going to say that,” she said, putting her gloves on, scowling.

  “If it’s the Reillys, then our hopes of questioning Darcy are dead in the water.”

  “I know.” Posy sighed. “I know.”

  They helplessly waited inside their broken carriage, like a wounded animal waiting to be rescued.

  ***

  Meanwhile, near the dock leading to the frozen lake, a troubled soul reached out for her beloved caretaker.

  “Hey!” Darcy said, picking up her pace. “I see you! Stay there, I’m coming for you, Miss Glenda.” She flung herself down the rest of the way, reaching the gazebo in only a few seconds. Stopping just shy of the dock, she put her hands to her knees, catching her breath, looking up for any sign of her caretaker. “I just saw you here. Where did you go?”

  On the heels of those words, a shadow approached her, bulky and low to the ground. “Dominic? Is that you?” The shadow moved. “Is that you, boy?” At last she heard panting, followed by a small bark. “It is you!”

  She stepped into the gazebo and picked up her pace, getting better traction from the hard wood. As she reached the end of the dock, she slowed down, afraid of spooking Dominic with her loud steps. She reached out her hand. “Dominic, boy, it’s Darcy. Come on, boy; let’s go back to the house. It’s going to be all right. Just stay right there.”

  Of course, he didn’t, and like most dogs do, Dominic took off running away from his master, straight into the center of the frozen lake.

  “No, Dom!” Watching her furry German Shepherd bounce up and down on the ice filled her up with a sense of dread. “Oh, Dom, why did you do that, you stupid dog!” Panic crawled down her neck and into her chest. “I can’t come get you, Dom. I can’t step over that ice. You know that!”

  The dog sat down on the ice. “No, Dominic. You need to come to me. You can’t stay there.” But Dominic kept whining and crying, not budging an inch. “Oh, for Pete’s sake.” She looked around for Glenda and saw nothing but winter surrounding her. “Come on, boy, let’s go.” Dominic wouldn’t have it.

  She sighed as she dropped to her knees. Darcy took her gloves off and rubbed her face with her cold hands. She stood up and pondered for a second. I can’t let you stay there. Daringly, she placed her right foot on the ice. Nothing happened. She placed her other foot on the ice, and it cracked, forcing her to hastily step back onto the dock.

  Alarmed, Dominic sat up and began to bark. “Yes, come here, Dom.” He continued barking at her. “Why are you barking? It’s just me. Do you see Miss Glenda? Is that it, boy?” She looked around yet saw nothing out of the ordinary. “What is it, Dom? If you’re not barking at me, then what is it?”

  Dominic’s mood suddenly shifted, and his barking turned to a low growling. Scared, Darcy’s muscles stiffened. “Dom, what’s wrong?” She felt a horrible sensation fill her heart, like a premonition that had suddenly become true. She turned around and saw a large shadow at the entrance to the dock. “Miss Glenda?”

  The shadowy form began approaching her. Distraught, she had no other option but to back away from the approaching figure. In a panic, she lifted her feet as softly as she could, desperately trying not to force the ice to break underneath. She heard the figure reach the end of the dock, and urgency fueled her progression. Without looking back, she kept on, her survival instincts kicking in, stepping on the ice as light as a feather. At last, she reached Dominic.

  “Oh, Dominic, thank God.” Darcy hastily stretched out her hand, spooking Dominic with her quick movement. The dog jerked away, forcing Darcy to lose her balance. Slipping, she landed roughly on the cold ice, her rear hitting first as her back came crashing down. Seconds later, as she stood up, a large, ear-splitting crack shook her nerves as the majority of the ice around her began to break.

  Oh no.

  She turned to Dominic. “Go on, boy. Leave me here. Get to land as fast as you can.” But Dominic paid her no heed. He lowered his head in a defensive stance, growling at something coming up behind Darcy. “Dom?”

  ***

  As the night progressed, the gray clouds dissipated, leaving the moon to reign across the barren sky. About half an hour had passed, and in front of the Reillys’ mansion, a carriage came to a screeching halt. Posy and Belloc stepped onto the ground, while another man jumped off the driver’s seat. It was Silas; he was the one driving the carriage that Posy and Belloc saw coming towards them.

  “How were you able to steal this thing anyway?” Belloc asked. “What I meant was, how were you able to get the upper hand on these two?” Belloc turned to look inside the carriage. Mendel and Merle were lying inside, their hands and feet bound together with rags pulled over their heads. “And where on earth did you learn to do that?”

  “Don’t ask,” Silas replied. “I say that because I don’t know the answer. Not yet, at least.”

  “So you followed these two all the way to the far country only to be led astray?” Posy said, buttoning up the front of her coat.

  “That’s about right.”

  “Sorry if that makes me giggle,” Posy said, not wasting a chance to pick on him.

  “That’s okay. I like it when you giggle, so keep at it.”

  Posy stopped giggling.

  “Look lively, you two,” Belloc interrupted. “We’ve wasted enough time.”

  The three of them made their way up the driveway and towards the front door.

  Silas turned to Belloc. “You said that Lucy and her parents went over to the Decampses’ for a reception?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “Sounds more like a party if they’re staying out this late.”

  “I’m inclined to agree with you. I’m quite perplexed as to why they haven’t returned home.”

  “I hope she—I hope they’re all right.”

  Posy caught Silas’s flub. “What is it between you and that girl?”


  “That girl?”

  “Lucy.”

  “What do you mean?” Silas countered, pretending to care less.

  “I saw the way she looked at you before you left. It was as if she knew you.”

  Belloc arched his brow. “Does she know you, Silas?”

  Silas thought for a moment. “I...don’t know.”

  “Really,” Belloc said, amazed.

  “But I think I know her.”

  “Know her? Of course. That would explain why you came to Boston.”

  “Actually, that doesn’t explain much,” Posy added.

  “It’s a good start,” Belloc said. “Where do you know her from?” Silas didn’t say a word. “Did you hear me?”

  “Shush.” Silas crouched down. “The front door is open.”

  “What?” Belloc stopped next to him.

  “The lights are still on in the kitchen.”

  “Someone’s still up,” Posy said as she scurried over to the front door.

  “Be careful, Miss Chapman,” Belloc yelled out as he did his best to keep behind her. “Why don’t you let Silas go first?”

  “No, thank you,” Posy replied, but Silas beat her to the door.

  “Wait one second.” Silas found the door slightly ajar. He opened the front door, and he did it in such a way where the door didn’t even give out the slightest creak. He stepped in and noticed that the house seemed eerily vacant. Silas had figured out that he could always tell when there were people inside a house, even if they were sleeping. He had been accustomed to sensing people’s presences at all times. Scanning the room, he discerned the space around him. “Nothing seems out of the ordinary.”

  Posy and Belloc stepped inside.

  “Shut the door, Inspector,” Posy said, “or we’ll catch a chill.”

  “There’s a light coming from one of the upstairs rooms,” Silas said. “Could that be Darcy’s bedroom?”

  “I’m not sure,” Belloc replied. “We need to find someone so as to let them know we’re here.”