The Valentine Circle

by Reinaldo DelValle

  “No, you’re not going to see your parents for a while, and only if you choose so.”

  “So where am I going?”

  “You...” Silas thought it over. “You’re coming to stay with us...with me...for the time being.”

  Frances didn’t know what to say. It was all so sudden.

  “You’re a brave girl. I could use your assistance until we get you back on your feet.”

  She smiled.

  “Wait here.”

  “Okay.”

  Silas turned and walked back towards the shop, wanting to go over the scene one last time before leaving. Slowly, he stepped inside. He looked around, gazing at the various stuffed animals that were on full display, thinking of Lucy and how scared she must’ve felt, and how he wasn’t there to protect her when she needed him the most. He felt his anger slowly creep up his nerves. Stop it, Silas. Just breathe.

  He walked over to the table where Lucy sat during her final moments, and he sat down, caressing the surface of the wood. How many of her sweet tears managed to soak through this wood? He bent over and kissed the table. I’m sorry, Lucy.

  He raised his head and spotted something on the floor. Curious, he picked up the object and held it up. It was a miniature gold violin attached to a long gold chain. He recognized it instantly. He stood up and approached one of the walls, leaning against it as he began to realize that the chain must’ve fallen off Lucy when Klaus attacked her.

  Staring deeply at the golden violin spinning around in circles, one of his memories seeped into his mind. He put his back to the wall and then slid down until he hit the floor. As he watched the violin, he heard Lucy’s laughter inside his head.

  His mind turned inward, and he was swept away into another vision.

  Young Shi sat inside a small hut; he had been meditating for hours when all of a sudden he heard his master’s voice.

  “Shi?” Masayoshi said. “Where are you, Shi?”

  Quickly, a young Silas jumped to his feet and darted out of the hut, running towards his master’s voice, whom he heard calling out to him. Spotting Masayoshi, he flew down a set of stairs until he came upon his master. “Yes, Sensei?”

  “I want you to meet someone.”

  “Oh.” Silas looked around. “Who?”

  “Her,” Masayoshi said as he moved out of the way to reveal a young Lucy standing behind him with her back to Silas. Along with Lucy were a few other girls and guys who had traveled abroad to learn the cultural origins of Japanese music. “This is Miss Lucy Reilly.”

  She turned around, and it was as if the golden sun breathed on Silas. Instantly, he was lost inside her aqua blue eyes. There were so many freckles on her face, it was hard for him to count them. Her long, wavy hair stretched down all the way to the middle of her back. He’d never seen a beauty like her before.

  “And this is Shi,” Masayoshi said to Lucy.

  She stepped up to him, wary at first, for he was cloaked in his dark uniform and only his eyes and hands were visible. She held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Silas didn’t say anything.

  “Don’t be rude, Shi,” Masayoshi reprimanded him.

  “I’m sorry.” Silas bowed to Lucy.

  Lucy smiled. “No, from where I come from, you shake my hand.”

  And so he did.

  “They’re rough,” Lucy said, caressing his hands, which sent a tingle up Silas’s spine. She then stared into his eyes. “But your eyes are soft.” She stepped back, observing and studying him. “So, Shi, I wonder.”

  “About what?”

  “About your heart.” Lucy smiled. “Is it soft like your eyes or hard as stone like your hands?”

  She smiled at him and then touched his arm as she walked away, returning to her group of peers.

  “It seems that she has you all figured out, Shi,” Masayoshi remarked. “She’s a very wise girl for her age. She has come to this village to learn about us, and it is tradition that we keep our visitors safe. That is why you must be the one to guard her. You are the three-legged raven, Shi. This will be your duty from now on. Always be there watching. Always be by her side. Guard her with your life. That is how it must be. Your life before hers.”

  “Yes, Sensei.”

  The vision ended, and Silas opened up his eyes. A tear ran down his cheek, and he sighed as he kissed Lucy’s golden violin.

  *

  THE SNOW FELL ACROSS THE MORNING SKY, dense and wet, gray as the clouds they came from, like ashen tears pushing against a misty fog. For three days Silas had kept himself locked inside, surrounded by complete darkness, reliving the memories he could still remember of the days when it was just him and Lucy in the mountains of Japan, in those cold nights when he kept her warm from the torrential storms thundering amongst a glassy horizon.

  But on the morning of Lucy’s burial, he made the effort to pay her one last visit. It was a somber picture, with only a small number of people showing up, good friends of hers and of her parents. Her father was the only parent able to attend, for her mother had been booked and jailed under the suspicion of accessory to murder and aggravated assault.

  Silas sat in the far corner, away from all the cliques and groups that spent their time talking amongst themselves in whispering jargon, no doubt gossiping about the Valentine Circle and its demise. He sat with his hands in his pockets, his head lowered and hat pulled over his eyes. He was oblivious to everyone, everyone except Posy.

  She walked up and sat down next to him. “Hey there.”

  Silas looked up at her and said nothing for a moment, his eyes telling a story of deep sorrow. But then he smiled. Posy always made him smile. Yet the smile was short-lived.

  “That didn’t last long,” Posy said.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “About what?”

  “I’m sorry that I failed you once again.”

  “Failed me?”

  “I promised you that I would never let you get hurt again, that I would be there to help you, but I wasn’t, just like the first time. I left you to fend for yourself just like I left Lucy. If something horrible had happened to you, it would’ve been the end of me. I broke my promise.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “No?”

  “No,” Posy said, smiling. “Not to me, you didn’t. Because you gave me her.” She gestured towards her Little Lass. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today, sitting next to you, listening to you moan and groan until the cows come home.”

  “Cows?”

  “Never mind.”

  Silas looked at her Little Lass. He smiled. “So you like her?”

  “She never leaves my side.”

  “Good.” He gave her a sincere grin. “That makes me feel better.”

  Then Posy’s smile waned and she grabbed his hand. “How are you holding up?”

  He just shrugged his shoulders.

  “I’m so sorry about Lucy. I’m sure as the days come and go you’ll remember more about her and what she meant to you. Just know that I’m here for you if you need me.”

  “I’m glad,” Silas replied. “Thank you for that. He turned to her. “Your wounds seem to be healing well.”

  “Doctor said it would take a few weeks to heal and that my left hand will regain most of its function. My shoulder is almost back to normal.”

  “Good thing you’re right-handed.” Silas smiled. “Try not to get that one shot out as well.”

  “I can’t make any promises.”

  “Typical.” He noticed someone approaching. “So, you’re finally able to move?”

  “Barely,” Belloc replied. “Doctors said it would take a while before I’m back to my old limping days, but now it’s more like slow as molasses.”

  “Well, at least you have something to look forward to,” Posy quipped.

  “Charming as ever,” Belloc said.

  Silas noticed the priest about to begin the service and gave his friends the heads-up. The memorial service didn’t l
ast long, and for the most part it was sweet and succinct. Some of Lucy’s friends came and played a few of her favorite tunes, the ones she knew and played by heart, the ones Silas heard over and over in his memories.

  Silas kept his head low and eyes closed, desperately trying to hold back the emotions he felt inside. After it was all over, he quickly stood up, intent on wanting to flee the scene as fast as he could. Posy and Belloc joined him on his way to the carriage.

  “So, I guess we’ll see you back at the house?” Belloc asked.

  Silas had to think for a moment.

  “Silas?”

  “Of course, Inspector.”

  “Oh, I’m no longer that. Oh, no, my days of investigating are behind me.”

  “We’ll see,” Silas replied with a smile.

  As Posy dusted the snow off her arms, her belly, which was beginning to show, subtly protruded from her winter dress. The groups of women and families who strolled past Posy eyed her pregnant belly, and knowing quite well she was unmarried, gave her looks of disgust and shame. Normally, Posy would’ve just shrugged it off, but at that moment, she felt sub-human, and she lowered her eyes, staring at the snow-covered grass.

  Noticing the families’ reactions towards her, Silas walked up and put his hand on her stomach. She looked into his eyes, and he gave her a loving smile. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. She wanted more than just his smile.

  But Silas was too much of a wounded animal to give her anything else. He soon realized what she did, and he reluctantly pulled away and patted her on the shoulder while he made his way into the carriage. Posy couldn’t hide her frown, so Belloc stepped in to comfort her.

  “Come on, Miss Chapman,” he whispered to her. “Let him be for now, okay? Just let him be. Let’s go and violate some of these people’s privileged privacy, huh? That’ll be fun, right? I know how much you like to do that.”

  Posy smiled as Belloc led her away from the carriage. Silas gave them one last look before departing.

  ***

  A few hours later, Belloc entered his study only to find Posy moving in the last of her things.

  “I wish I were able to give you a hand with that,” Belloc said.

  “Well, it’s quite understandable,” Posy replied. “Plus, I have Dalton to help me out.”

  “Oh, yes,” Belloc said under his breath, “Dalton.”

  “What’s that?” Dalton said as he came in with a couple of boxes.

  “Um, nothing. Just happy that you’re here helping Posy move in her things.”

  “Oh, of course,” Dalton replied, looking at Posy. “Anytime.”

  She smiled at him.

  “Where does this go?”

  “Over there,” Belloc said.

  “Isn’t that Silas’s room?” Dalton said.

  “Not anymore,” Belloc replied. “He’s moving out. He’s found a new place.”

  “Oh, I see,” Dalton said with a smirk, loving the idea of Silas not being around Posy as much as he used to be.

  Posy, on the other hand, was visibly bummed.

  Belloc walked up to her. “Are you okay?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  A knock at the door. It was Silas. Posy’s eyes lit up as he walked inside Belloc’s study holding a large package.

  “What’s that?” Belloc asked.

  “You’ll see.”

  “I’m surprised to see you back so soon.”

  “Well, there’s no point in moping around. It’s time to get back to work.”

  It was apparent to all that the old Silas was beginning to resurface as the darkness inside of him had started to subside.

  “Work?” Belloc said, scoffing at him. “Who has any work? We’re all out of a job. Seems even though we were able to persevere and take on all of the department’s corrupt officials we still found ourselves with a boot in our rears. ‘It’s better for the department’ they said, ‘for the public image’ they said. At least you still have your position.”

  “Well...not anymore.”

  “What do you mean?” Posy asked. “Did they fire you too?”

  “Nope.” Silas walked towards a window. “I turned my badge in.”

  “What?” Posy said. “Why?”

  “Better opportunities. Plus, there was no way that the department would’ve let me hunt those that need hunting.”

  “Were you at least able to wrap up the case?” Belloc said.

  “Of course. I made sure of that. Mr. Decamps and his crew have all been charged and jailed without bail, as with Mrs. Dupuys, Mr. Lattimer, and Mrs. Reilly. The other parents are still being questioned. The whole of the Valentine Society is crumbling in on itself. It won’t survive.”

  “And the girls?” Belloc said.

  “The girls will take some time to heal. Darcy Reilly has been sent away to her uncle’s farm in the northern part of the state. Harlow Lattimer is living comfortably with her mother in their secluded summer home near the coast, far away from here. Catherine Haralson plans to move into a convent, her own decision.” He paused.

  “What about the last girl,” Posy said, “the one you found at the shop?”

  “Frances Dupuys is coming to work for me.” Silas sat down behind Belloc’s desk.

  “Make yourself comfortable,” Belloc said with a sly smile.

  “The chair is too big for me, but it’ll do.”

  “What do you mean, work for you?” Posy said, intrigued.

  “I mean she’s going to be my assistant.”

  “But where will she be staying?”

  “With me, of course,” Silas replied as he took out a pen and paper.

  “With you?” Posy crossed her arms. “That’s very unorthodox.”

  “The concept of roommates has been around for a very long time, Posy,” Silas replied. “And plus hers is a very special situation.”

  Posy turned up her nose.

  Belloc walked up to Silas with his face as serious as a heart attack. “What about Klaus Factory?”

  “He’s been taken to a maximum-security prison and is awaiting trial. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure he gets put away for a long time. Plus, I need him.”

  “For what?”

  “To hunt for the Factory.”

  “The Factory?” Posy said. “Is that the place you were telling us about, the information you found in Dr. Sabatini’s office?”

  “Correct. I have a hunch that’s where he and his friend were from. I fear that there’s some entity out there that breeds these psychopaths like one would breed dogs. I think this factory is tied to all the kidnappings we’ve had here in Boston and in Andover. They kidnap kids and indoctrinate them, fill them up with bleak philosophies and psychopathic tendencies. We need to find this factory and shut it down.” Silas lowered his eyes and thought for a moment.

  “There’s something else,” Belloc said. “What’s bothering you?”

  “It’s just something that Klaus said to me.”

  “What do you mean?” Belloc sat down.

  “He spoke to me about my past. He said that there are people out there, some ominous order that’s hunting me. For what? I still don’t know. He told me that he wasn’t hired by the Valentine Society but was made to look like he was, yet in truth, he was orchestrated by another larger and more insidious alliance.” He turned to look out the window. “I don’t know; it could be just the rambling words of a desperate criminal, or it could all be true.”

  “Did he reveal anything about your past?” Posy asked.

  Silas didn’t want to tell her what he revealed, that he was an agent of death, similar to Klaus himself. “No, nothing else.” He stood up. “Regardless, he said that more people will come for me, that they know I’m in Boston. So that only means one thing.”

  “What?” Posy said, fearing his answer.

  “I have to leave Boston.”

  Posy didn’t know what to say as her chest began to tighten up. “So you’re leaving us?”

  “Not exactly,” he said
as he stepped up to the package. He broke open the brown covering and held up a huge sign. It was large and shiny, like a massive wooden plaque, with a gold background and black lettering. It read:

  BELLOK & ASSOCIATES

  Consulting Services

  “We’re going into business together,” Silas said. “What do you think?”

  “Um,” Posy said as she read the sign. “Silas?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it for the past few days, and I have it all figured out.” Silas held the sign with nervous excitement. “We’ll take on cases and offer our expertise, all for a nice sum. We have experience working with these societal elites. I’m sure there are a good number of them out there who are willing to pay to know certain secrets about their neighbors and enemies. It’s a good plan. Don’t you think? Anyone?”

  “Um, Silas?” Posy said again.

  “I still don’t know about where to set up shop.” Silas sat down behind the desk. “If we’re going to travel, then we’ll need to find places around the eastern part of the U.S.”

  “Uh, hello? Silas?”

  “Yes, what is it, Posy?”

  Belloc interrupted. “It’s a nice sign, but you spelled my name wrong. It’s Belloc with a C, not a K.”

  Silas turned to the sign while scratching his head. “Oh.”

  “I hope you saved the receipt,” Posy added.

  “Oh,” Silas said again, a bit lower and more alarmed.

  “You did save it, right?”

  “Well...we can work around it,” Silas replied. “Right?”

  “And where exactly was that supposed to go?” Posy asked. “If we don’t have a shop, how are we going to hang it up?”

  “And wouldn’t the people who are hunting you come looking for you at the nice shop where you work at, the one with the nice sign?”

  “It’s not going to go in front of a building, but on the side of a nice, comfy, state-of-the-art carriage I confiscated from the department’s impound. And as far as them coming for me?” He turned to Belloc, and with a hardened face and menacing tone, he said, “Let them come.”

  “So you’re saying we should just go into business for ourselves, traveling around in a large carriage?” Posy asked. “Where would we sleep and eat?”