The Adventures of Gravedigger

by Barry Reese

  He had seen the woman that he knew must be Charity, garbed as The Gravedigger. She had been standing amidst a wave of demons, their gnarled bodies dripping with gore. A man dressed all in black was standing nearby, his face hidden beneath a placid ivory mask. Another figure was there, as well, a shadowy male presence that seemed vaguely familiar to Max.

  Hovering over all was a vague foreboding, a sense of imminent danger, as if all of Sovereign – if not the world – might be at risk.

  ***

  Charity was wearing a turtleneck sweater and beige skirt, accompanied by calf-high brown leather boots. She looked beautiful and young, though Max saw in her eyes that she had what his mother would have called ‘an old soul’. She was standing in the same study where Josef Goldstein had been murdered, her hands clasped behind her back.

  As Max stepped into the room, followed by Mitchell, she moved forward and extended a hand. “Mr. Davies. It’s an honor.”

  Max smiled, accepting the handshake. “Perhaps I can be of assistance?”

  “I’m sure you can.” Charity offered him a seat and Max noted that she took the one that Josef had preferred. He’d seen that same chair in the old man’s German home. “I think that Josef was killed by a man named Arthur Meeks. My first inclination is to go to his home and question him – harshly. I know that he’s involved in terrible things. I found… a creature… in his home.”

  Max leaned forward, amused that Charity had cut immediately to the chase. She wasn’t exactly being rude but it was obvious that she wasn’t looking to make friends – she needed Max to make her job easier. “So why haven’t you?”

  “He’s not at home,” Mitchell said, drawing up a chair and sitting backwards in it. He rested his arms across the back of the chair. “I asked a friend of mine who drives a taxi to go by – there’s no sign that he’s been back there since last night. Given what’s in the papers this morning, I’m not surprised.”

  Charity reached down into a small magazine holder beside her chair. She passed a copy of The Sovereign Gazette to Max, who studied the headline: CURATOR’S DAUGHTER ATTACKED! MUSEUM RANSACKED! Then in slightly smaller print: LOCAL BUSINESSMAN WANTED FOR QUESTIONING. The article recounted the stories given by Kelly Emerson and the security guard, identifying Arthur Meeks as the man who had stolen a priceless Roman urn.

  “I’m sure he didn’t want this to happen,” Max said. “All this publicity totally ruins his ability to operate in the open.” He looked up at Charity. “You were in his house last night? Did you find the book?”

  “I didn’t see it.”

  “Then that makes it very likely that he has it kept in some secret location – probably the same lair he’s holed up in now, knowing he can’t return home.”

  “The police have searched his house, too,” Charity added. “How come there’s no mention of that… thing… that was in his basement?”

  Max gave a shrug of his shoulders. “It may not have been there by the time they got there. I’ve found that most supernatural creatures fade away over time – it’s one reason why the whole world doesn’t believe in them. There’s not enough physical evidence left behind when those things die.”

  Charity ran a hand through her hair, looking suddenly tired. “How do I find Meeks?”

  “You used to be a thief?”

  A flush came to Charity’s cheeks. “Josef told you that?”

  “No. Mitchell did. Is it true?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you still have any contacts who might be good for sniffing out a missing person?”

  “I can’t go to them,” she said. “Charity Grace is dead, remember?”

  “No reason you have to visit them without your new face on.”

  Charity considered that and nodded. “I know someone.”

  “Then get started on that.” Max set the paper aside and stood up. “Tell them to keep their ear to the ground. Nobody can vanish completely. If Meeks is still in the city, someone knows where.”

  Charity reached out and grabbed his arm. “Wait. I want you to teach me some things before you leave town. If I’m going to be Gravedigger without Josef, I need to know how to build up a network. I don’t have the first clue about –”

  “You’ve already taken the first steps in making your own connections. You have Mitchell. You have me. And now you’re about to go recruit someone to serve as your eyes and ears on the street.” Max stared hard into her eyes, liking the steel that he saw reflected in them. “You can do this. The Voice chose you for a reason. The minute you start doubting your abilities or the rightness of your mission is when you’ve already lost everything.”

  “But what if we don’t have time for all this? I was hoping you’d have a suggestion that could help me find Meeks within a few hours.”

  “I’m not a miracle worker.” Max lowered his voice. “I know a thing or two about mystic rituals, though. Whatever he’s planning to do with the book is connected both to Josef’s ring and to that urn. I’m going to be spending the day piecing together what that could be. Whatever it is, he won’t be rushing into it. Screwing up on a black ritual could be catastrophic. With luck, we’ll be ready to move on something tonight.”

  ***

  Less than an hour later, Gravedigger was jumping from one rooftop to another. The overcast day seemed to match her mood and as her feet landed in a puddle, she paused, looking out over the city. She was in the Chinatown district and the entire ambience was different from where she had grown up, despite the fact that the areas weren’t more than a few miles apart.

  Gravedigger peered over the edge of the rooftop. Clouds of smoke drifted up from beneath the manholes below and a few men were riding bicycles through the crowded streets. A dog was barking somewhere and the sounds of a man and woman arguing in Chinese rang out loudly from one of the overcrowded noodle restaurants.

  As she looked around for the girl who had brought her here, Charity couldn’t stop wondering about Max Davies. There was certainly far more to him than his role as a wealthy businessman and advisor to Josef Goldstein. The way he moved… it was like he was a panther, possessed of a dangerous grace that was both captivating and a little bit frightening.

  Beneath her mask, Charity’s face broke into a grin. Here she was, musing about the attractiveness of a married man. Still, she wondered at what his story truly was.

  Down below, a young Chinese-American girl stepped out from an incense shop. She wore a red and gold Oriental wrap that flattered her figure and accentuated her raven-black hair. In her late twenties, she retained a youthfulness that helped snag appreciative glances from every man she passed.

  Gravedigger hurried to the fire escape and sprinted down it, taking the stairs three at a time. She landed in the alleyway just as the girl was passing by. “Psst!” she whispered, ducking back into the shadows.

  The girl paused, staring into the gloom. Just as Gravedigger had known she would, the lovely young woman moved forward, heedless of the danger. “Is someone in there?” she asked, speaking flawless English.

  Li Yuchun was very smart but she was possessed of two dangerous traits: insatiable curiosity and fearlessness. Charity had grown to appreciate that in the girl though it had also led them both into trouble on numerous occasions.

  “Li… it’s me.”

  Li stopped, her eyes widening. She recognized the voice instantly but it was too impossible to believe. “Charity?”

  “Please don’t attract attention.” Gravedigger moved into view, letting Li stare in shock for a moment before continuing. “It really is me.”

  “Why are you dressed like that?”

  “I figured you’d ask ‘why aren’t you dead?’”

  “That, too.”

  “It’s a long story.”

  Li nodded. “So start telling me!” she exclaimed, moving closer. Rather than showing any kind of anger or fear, she was not only embracing the sudden return of her friend but genuinely excited.

  Charity gave a quick summary of recen
t events, starting with how she broke into Goldstein’s home. When she got to the part about waking up in her own grave, summoned back by a voice from beyond, Li looked a bit dubious but didn’t interrupt. She then sketched out the history of the Gravediggers as best she knew it and finished by telling her that Goldstein had been murdered.

  Li laughed, covering her mouth to keep anyone from overhearing. “You’re going to be one of those crime fighters, aren’t you? Like Doc Daye or The Peregrine!”

  “Sort of. I don’t think they’re fighting to save their soul, though.”

  “You really believe that? How do you know Goldstein didn’t hypnotize you or something?”

  “I woke up in a box.”

  “So he buried you underground. Still doesn’t mean you died.”

  “Trust me. If you’d been there, you’d believe it, too.”

  Li crossed her arms over her chest. “So why are you here? Are you going to kill me so I don’t tell anyone?”

  “No!” Gravedigger replied. “Don’t even play like that.”

  “Have you killed anyone yet?”

  “Well… yes.”

  “I knew it! I’ve heard stories about a woman with a sword. You killed those two brothers, didn’t you? The ones that they think were involved in the little girl’s disappearance.”

  “That was me,” Gravedigger admitted. “That’s in the past, though. I need your help.”

  “With what?”

  “Did you read about that Arthur Meeks character? The one who broke into the museum last night and attacked the curator’s daughter?”

  “Yes. I’ve met him before – he would sometimes come to visit old Bingwen in his shop. The few times I was in there when he arrived, he flirted with me a bit and then Bingwen would push me out of the shop so they could talk in private.”

  “Well, I think he’s the same man who killed Josef. And given that Bingwen is known for selling occult items, it doesn’t surprise me that Meeks knows him.”

  “Is there some sort of black magic stuff involved here?” Li asked, skepticism lacing her words. “I know that Bingwen is into that stuff… though he’s got his fingers in opium, too. He used to funnel money for The Ten Fingers.” Li knew that her friend was aware of The Ten Fingers, an Oriental crime cartel that was run by the infamous Warlike Manchu.

  “Yes. Meeks has gone into hiding and I need to find him. You know a lot of people… could you ask around? See if anybody has seen him or heard anything?”

  “Of course I’ll help you! I’ll start with Bingwen. He’s just down the block.”

  “Be careful. Meeks is dangerous.”

  Li shrugged. Her fearlessness was evident. “What do I get for helping?”

  “What do you mean? You want money?”

  “Pshaw! I have money. There are plenty of men who give me presents.” Li grinned. “I mean will I get to help out more often?”

  “You’d want to?”

  “It sounds exciting!”

  Gravedigger wondered if Josef had gained any informants this way – because of their innate nature as daredevils. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to have a network of aides to help her over the next few years. She had Mitchell already and it looked like she’d be able to call on Max for information… so why not add a femme fatale like Li to the mix?

  “C’mon,” Li prodded. “Say yes. You know you want to!”

  “Do a good job on this… and we’ll go from there.”

  “You’re such a tease!” Li exclaimed, laughing.

  Gravedigger turned and hurried back up the fire escape. “Get to work.”

  “Wait!” Li called after her. “How will I contact you?”

  Gravedigger didn’t answer until she was back on the rooftop. She leaned over the edge and tossed down a business card. Li snatched it out of the air and studied it. An embossed scythe was at the top of the card and below it was an address. Li recognized the street – Gibson Avenue – as it was just a few blocks over from Robeson Avenue, the home of Assistance Unlimited’s headquarters.

  Looking up, she wasn’t surprised at all that Charity was gone.

  Tucking the card between her breasts, Li adjusted her bodice and hurried out of the alleyway. She walked straight to Bingwen’s shop, which featured no name on the placard out front – there was simply a Chinese dragon painted on its surface. That was enough, since everyone in Chinatown knew the old man with the long white beard and one blind eye.

  Barely able to contain her glee, the pretty young Asian American entered the shop. She was eager to join the dangerous world that Gravedigger was offering her and she had no regrets as the door shut behind her.

  ***

  Gravedigger hoped that she wasn’t making a mistake. She had spied on Li as the girl had approached Bingwen’s establishment. She loved the other woman like a sister but Li’s refusal to bow down before common sense was an open invitation to danger.

  A shuffling sound made Gravedigger pause. Perched as she was atop a rooftop, there should be no one up here with her… but that noise distinctly sounded like someone in padded shoes stealthily moving behind her back.

  Making sure that her crossbow was ready to be fired, Gravedigger spun about quickly. There was not one man there, but rather three – and all were dressed in identical black attire. She dimly recognized them as ninja – another memory passed on to her by Gravediggers past, she realized. These assassins had been feared throughout history for their murderous zeal.

  “I don’t suppose you boys would be willing to talk this over, would you?” she asked. Excitement was coursing through her veins and she was ashamed to admit that she was looking forward to the violence.

  With a thick Japanese accent, one of the ninja replied, “You have been targeted for death. That is enough.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Gravedigger clenched her right hand and a crossbow bolt shot forth, burying itself deep in the ninja’s throat. He staggered back but much to Charity’s surprise, it wasn’t blood that oozed from the wound but something more akin to sawdust.

  Realizing that she was once again faced with something beyond the ordinary, Gravedigger unsheathed her sword. It was a move that came at just the right moment for the other two ninja both attacked at once. Her own blade met theirs, the sound seeming very loud to Charity’s ears.

  She parried another thrust and ducked down to avoid being beheaded. She was functioning on automatic now, allowing her body to fight without her conscious direction.

  The ninja with the crossbow bolt in his throat took careful aim and hurled two shuriken. The throwing stars whistled through the air and caught Gravedigger in the thigh of her left leg.

  Cursing under her breath, Charity realized that the attack was bound to make her slower – something that she could ill afford.

  Eager to end the battle quickly, Gravedigger went on the offensive. She grabbed hold of her sword’s hilt with both hands, driving it forward with all her strength. She caught the closest ninja in the belly and then, grunting with the exertion, she yanked up. Her sword sliced him open from belly to throat, spilling dust and dried entrails to the ground.

  With a bone-chilling groan, the ninja fell over, whatever awful force that had been powering him no longer in existence.

  Gravedigger then threw herself at the next closest ninja, her shoulder striking the undead warrior in the chest. The impact knocked him back and over the edge of the rooftop. He landed in a dusty heap on the street, just in time for a swiftly swerving car to run him over.

  The final member of the murderous trio advanced upon her, sword in hand. He whipped it about in an impressive manner, obviously hoping to intimidate her.

  Instead, Gravedigger spun toward him, her own sword a blur of motion. The two exchanged parries for nearly a minute before Gravedigger surprised the man by reaching out with her free hand and grabbing hold of the crossbow bolt. She used it to yank the ninja forward, right onto the end of her upturned blade. She gave it a hard twist and pulled it back, drawing his mummified inte
stines with it.

  There was a moment of regret, where Charity wished that she had kept one of them for questioning. She quickly dismissed the feeling, however. She knew that they were somehow linked to Meeks and she doubted that they would have told her more than that.

  After cleaning her blade with a small cloth that she carried just for that purpose, Gravedigger exited the scene. She had to trust Li to do her job – and with any luck, she’d be that much closer to finding her prey.

  ***

  From the shadows, Mr. Black watched in silence. He had expected the ninja to fail in their mission… indeed, their primary purpose was simply to engage Gravedigger so that he could see her in action. She wasn’t the equal of Goldstein at this point but she had a natural ability that surpassed the Jew’s.

  Knowing that all of his plans were now threatened, the dark messenger of beyond blended into the darkness around him, vanishing completely.

  Chapter VII: Roll the Bones

  Bingweng stood behind a crowded counter, stroking his long white beard. He said nothing as Li sauntered about, pretending to look at the many odd items on his store’s shelves. It wasn’t until she turned to look at him, a bright smile on her pretty face, that he spoke up.

  “Li Yuchun,” he said. “You do me an honor by your presence.” He bowed politely.

  Clasping her hands behind her back, Li approached the counter. “You’re too sweet.”

  “If you are here inquiring about work, I have none for you.”

  Li adopted a pouting expression. Though she liked to think of herself as something akin to the Japanese Geisha girls, she was more to the point a prostitute. She did not always service her clients sexually but they certainly paid for her attentions, in some cases simply desiring a beautiful woman to be seen on their premises or with them at social events. “But Mr. Bingweng, surely there’s something I can do for you… Would you like me to massage your shoulders? Or I could stand out front for you and bring in customers?”