On The Hunt

by Tl Reeve

  He didn’t have a destination in mind, nor did he need one for now. Clearing his head seemed impossible with his thoughts swirling around Piper. The way her body responded to his and the way she seemed to need him as much as he yearned for her. Stupid. It was the excitement of the moment. Finding the connection they’d all been so desperate for had caused both of them to have a temporary lapse in senses.

  Yes, excitement.

  Tomorrow, he’d put in his transfer papers. Tomorrow, he’d explain that he had enough information for his book and it was time to move on. He’d wish Piper, Julian, and Theo the best of luck, then hit the next train to Philadelphia, where he’d accept the tenure spot for teaching world history at Temple University. He hadn’t told anyone they had offered the job to him. Hadn’t thought he’d need to. Now, he’d have to after this little debacle.

  Until he could cool off, he had to walk. He didn’t like the dank, dirty streets of White Chapel, but they’d have to do. He wandered aimlessly trying to avoid…people. A part of him had been eager to get out to explore, yet it lost some of the luster. He’d wanted to do this with Piper.

  Fuck…so stupid. Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?

  “Penny for your thoughts?”

  He glanced up at the painted woman and frowned. “Sorry, no.” He hurried past her. A prostitute would do nothing to help ease his guilt but would give him a hefty case of the Clap or some other venereal disease.

  As the crowd thickened, so did the darkness. How weird it was to walk down these streets, in the middle of the day, and feel as though it were later. He glanced up at the building beside him and frowned. Mary’s apartment. He instinctively walked there, why?

  Because, despite everything, you want to help.

  He kicked the lath and plaster façade and cursed. A walk to get away from everyone. Oh, he’d really got away from them. He snorted. “This is so fucking stupid. I need to get the hell out of here and go home.”

  “Sounds like you’re having a bad day.” A woman appeared at his side, and he swore she looked like Mary, only prettier.

  “I am.”

  “How about some tea. Are you,” —she gave him a small smile— “American?”

  The corner of his mouth lifted, and he gave a nod. “Yes, I am. Tea would be wonderful.”

  “I’m Juliet,” she murmured, holding out her hand.

  “Heath,” he replied, taking it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Juliet.” Thankfully, it wasn’t Mary.

  “The tea in this little nook is the best.” She pointed to the apartment building.

  He narrowed his eyes. “A shop?”

  “The apartments are upstairs; it’s different here than in the Americas. It’s a bakery nook.” She led him inside.

  Surprise filled him. She’d been right. A little bakery filled the downstairs with a set of stairs going up to the rooms above. “Interesting.” He’d have to tell Piper.

  “You sit here, and I’ll be right back.”

  “Sounds great, thank you.” Heath sat back in his chair. Maybe he’d done the right thing coming out for a walk. At least he’d have a ring-side seat for all the action set to take place tonight.

  “Here you are.” Juliet placed the tea in front of him, then sat. “So, what brings you to White Chapel?”

  He took a sip of the tea and grimaced. He could never understand how or why people drank the crap. “I’d say a vacation, but…” He shrugged.

  “Not the place I’d come to visit by a long shot,” she replied, before taking a sip from her cup.

  “So, what do you do, Juliet?” His vision doubled for a brief moment, and his head swam. What the hell?

  “This and that.” She grinned. As she lifted the fine china cup to her lips, his vision doubled again.

  He scrubbed his eyes. Maybe he’d been working too hard. Or, he’d been so fucked up about Piper, he let it get him out of sorts. He glanced at the cup and took another sip. The rancid taste burned the back of his throat. “What uh…” He swallowed hard. “What did you say this is?”

  A tinkled laugh emanated from her. “I didn’t.” She leaned in. “Would you like to know?”

  Three of her sat before him. A wave of nausea and dizziness washed over him. Terror gripped him. “W-who are you?”

  “Nightshade with a bit of opium and something…special.” She slid the cup from him. “Don’t want you breaking the good china.”

  His heart stuttered as his vision grew dark. “You…bitch.”

  “So crass.” She giggled. “Goodnight, Heath.”

  He reached for her, his movement sluggish. The three of her focused down to one as he slowly fell from the chair, crumpling onto the floor. His last thought, before the world disappeared, pissed him off. I guess I should have stayed at home today…

  Chapter 11

  Thick fog cast long shadows along the cobblestone and brick passageways. Piper glanced back at the house, afraid of what might have happened to Heath. Unnecessary as it may be, she couldn’t help the creeping edge of anxiety clawing at her throat. Damn it, she told them. She told Julian and Theo to go after him. She told them he hadn’t returned to the DHS lab.

  Did they listen?

  No.

  They thought Heath would cool down and return home, then when it came time, he’d come back. She snorted. They were assholes.

  The passion he’d held in check around her, towed her under. He commanded her with his desire, made her feel things she didn’t think she’d been capable of, but hoped for with all three men. Love. Unconditional. Without borders. Without question.

  Yet, here she stood, outside, the night coming. Another murder on the horizon she couldn’t stop. Perhaps her need for justice blinded her. She had to help those women who died nearly one-hundred-and-fifty years ago finally find their peace. To realize they hadn’t died in vain. In doing so, she put herself at risk. Her friends-lovers.

  You’re a fool. A foolish, foolish girl.

  “Hasn’t returned, huh?” Julian came up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

  “No,” she answered. “I wish I could say I told you so, but it’d only add to the bullshit.”

  He sighed. “I thought he’d blow off some steam, not disappear.”

  “Obviously not.” She winced at her acerbic tone. “The mission is still a go. We need to move.”

  “Piper,” he whispered.

  “No. Not now.” Not ever. The cutting thought twisted her insides.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was an asshole. I should have taken care. I…I…shit.” He wrapped her in his arms and brushed his lips over her temple. “I didn’t choose my words right. I was excited and happy for him—you.”

  She sighed, pressing back into his hold. “I can’t say I understand it either.”

  “He knows we’ll be in the field tonight. He’ll turn up. I have to believe he just needs time.”

  From Julian’s lips to Heath’s ears. “I still feel this overwhelming fear. Like he’s out there in the heart of White Chapel and something horrible has happened.”

  Julian gave a soft chuckle. “It’s because of this case. You’re wrapped in the thick of it. Got you thinking things. Different scenarios. Promise me after we’re done here, no more psychological games.”

  She couldn’t. Wouldn’t. However, he had a point. “I’ll consider it.”

  “Piper,” he snarled.

  She maneuvered away from him. “My job will never change. Nor will yours or Theo’s or Heath’s. Ultimatums will never be thrown at our feet. Those are my terms.”

  “You’re right.” He nodded. “I worry is all.”

  “Then help me find Heath.”

  “What about Mary and Phoebe and John?” He ambled down the steps.

  “They’re…” A case gone cold and never solved. “Some things shouldn’t be tampered with.”

  “You don’t mean that,” he said. “You’re worried. I get it. I feel guilty. Let’s not allow our emotions to dictate what happens next.�
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  She sighed.

  “C’mon, this is your case, you should finish it,” he whispered.

  “I feel horrible thinking about anything right now.” She frowned.

  “Any sign of him?” Theo appeared at the threshold.

  “No,” Julian replied, not taking his eyes off her.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry, sparrow.”

  “Already explained it.” The corner of Julian’s mouth kicked upward in a smirk. “I believe I have halfway convinced her not to castrate us.”

  She choked.

  “What a relief. I’m partial to my nuts.” Theo joined them. “If we’d fully grasped the internal war he waged.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Hell, we told him to make his move several times.”

  “Talking about it doesn’t solve anything,” she snipped. “We can either wring our hands, or we can get out there and find him.”

  “Your case?”

  “She said we should leave it,” Julian answered.

  “Bullshit,” Theo muttered. “We’re not giving up because Heath has his shorthairs in a twist. He’ll turn up. We have to figure this out.”

  “I said the same.” Julian nudged her. “But, this is Piper’s call.”

  “Fine. We’ll carry on. Later, we find Heath.” She pointed at both men. “If he’s been hurt or worse, I blame both of you and this…whatever it is, is over. Got it?”

  Each man grunted their acceptance.

  “Good.” She pulled her timepiece from her pocket and glanced at the time. “It’s almost time. Mary should be leaving her apartment to find Phoebe.”

  “Lead the way.” Theo motioned her ahead.

  * * *

  Theo felt like shit. Here they were building something important with Piper, and one action tore them apart. Fuck, he could kick his own ass. When he saw Heath and their girl, a sense of rightness washed over him. And, like the asshole you are, you jumped the gun. Sure, a little. What Piper and Heath both didn’t understand is how much it turned him on to see them throw aside their inhibitions and take what they wanted.

  Heath had issues. He got that. He fully realized every time they told the guy to think about it and not give up on Piper, they pushed him. However, what else were they supposed to do? Watch them fawn all over each other, only to see them never consummate it? Hell no. If Piper’s happiness demanded all three men, then so be it. Theo didn’t give a rat’s ass, and he figured neither did Julian.

  He flipped the lapel of his wool coat up, shielding his throat from the damp chill in the air. One thing he’d not miss about this friggin place was the dank weather. How did people deal with this crap? They turned the corner, and Piper raised her hand, bringing them to a halt. There in the distance, two women argued.

  “How did no one see this,” Julian muttered.

  “Look around,” he replied. “People here are like New Yorkers; they don’t see shit or care.”

  “I can’t stop the murder.” Piper glanced at him. “Everything has to play out.”

  Yes, it did. Not one inch of history could be dramatically changed. The ripple it could have throughout time might even change who they’d become or were, or however it worked, hell, he never paid attention to all the scientific stuff. “We follow her. Let the evening play out.”

  “Right.” She straightened her shoulders. “This is only proving a theory and closing a case.”

  “You’ve got this, sweetheart,” Julian added. “We won’t let you fail.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the glint of light bouncing off the blade of a knife. “Heads up, we’re starting.”

  “In the open?” Incredulity filled her words. “She really believed no one would catch on to her little dalliances.”

  “She has brass balls for sure,” he stated, agreeing with Piper. The girl, in his estimates, was completely off her rocker.

  Seconds later, a stroller appeared, Mary pushing it. A thick, dark blanket covered the top, something which might not be out of the ordinary due to the cold. Another reason why no one would say a word. Any mother worth her salt would cover their baby to keep them warm. However, he knew the truth. A dead body lie under there. Phoebe’s body. She wound her way through White Chapel, not going anywhere near her apartment, like she had all the time in the world.

  The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. “Piper, didn’t you say, she was found near her apartment on 2 Priory Street?”

  “Yeah.” She continued down the cobblestone lane growing nearer to Mary.

  “We’re nowhere near there.”

  Piper stilled.

  “What are you saying?” Julian gave him his full attention.

  “There was only one person who knew we’d be out here tonight, besides us.”

  “Oh God.” Piper covered her mouth. “Heath.”

  “He wouldn’t double-cross us,” Julian said, giving both Theo and Piper an incredulous look.

  “No,” he replied. He didn’t think so either. Which lead to one conclusion, Mary had to have Heath. “We have to get to the apartment.”

  “But, she’ll get away.”

  “She has to Piper.” Julian fisted his hands at his side. “This is all our fault.”

  “How do we know we’re not walking into a trap if we go straight to her place?” Piper scrubbed her face. Her normal creamy complexion had gone stark white.

  “It’s a chance we have to take. Look, we could debate the hows and the whys of it later. For all we know, I could be completely wrong, but this is…too coincidental.”

  “You’re right.” Piper frowned. “We have to go back.”

  They hurried through the streets, pressing the crowds around them to move out of their way. The chances were slim they’d find Heath alive by the time they arrived at Mary’s home if he was there. However, they had to try. Still, the later it got, the more people meandered in town. Most were drunkards, some were prostitutes, others were residents enjoying an evening out. All were a pain in his ass.

  As the turned left onto Priory Street, a single light illuminated Mary’s apartment. Almost beckoning them to find her latest victim. “Hurry,” he yelled, running for the side stairs leading up to the apartment.

  Julian and Piper followed.

  When he topped the stairs, he kicked in the door. The small, dirty space had him retching. The scent of blood, urine, and a sundry of other things wafted out of there. He turned and gagged. Death clung to the air, and he feared the worst. Holding up his hand to protect Piper from seeing something—Heath’s death more specifically, he entered and glanced around.

  Holy fuck. “Heath. Ah shit. Ah fuck.” He hurried to his friend’s side. The guy lay on a soiled mattress, his stomach bloody, his face almost unrecognizable. His pants were removed, and fear gripped Theo’s gut.

  Theo pulled the tattered remains of Heath’s shirt up and sucked in a breath. At least the woman hadn’t inflicted a crueler hand. The soft gasp behind him drew his attention to the door. Piper swayed. The color drained from her face. Her eyes were wide in horror. “Heath.”

  He moaned. “Trap.”

  “What?”

  He coughed, and blood oozed from his mouth. “S…sorry. T-trap.”

  The door slammed behind them. Mary stood there, a knife consistent with the size of the Ripper’s in her hand, poised to stab Piper. How the fuck had she gotten there so fast? It didn’t make sense to him. Unless…

  “No!” he roared, as Mary lunged for his girl.

  Piper turned, catching the woman’s hand on the downward swing. A hellish scream emanated from the woman. Her crazed stare fixed on their woman sent him into action. They had to get her off Piper and subdued. Yet, the woman swung wildly. She caught him, slicing open his forearm as he grabbed for her.

  He tossed the woman across the room and grabbed whatever he could off the table near him. How the fuck did everything get so messed up?

  Mary charged again, swinging the knife in an erratic pattern, not caring where it went, as long as it str
uck flesh. Her gaze wild with madness. Her lips were pulled back in a crazed smile, exposing her rotting teeth.

  This woman had completely flipped her shit and meant to kill them, as well as Heath.

  It’ll be a cold day in hell. He dodged the swipe of her hand, shoving her back again. They couldn’t kill her. No matter how much easier their job would be, she had to live. “We have to get Heath out of here.”

  “You’re not going anywhere,” she screamed, lunging for him again. “Do you think I’m stupid? That I wouldn’t know?” She danced around them. “He told me everything. Every cut, every peel of flesh told me more and more about you.”

  He raised his arm to block her advancement. Searing pain shot up his arm seconds before she removed the blade from his arm. Blood poured from the wound as he instinctively grabbed for it. “Damn it.”

  Her features twisted into some sick, depraved smile as she licked her lips, lunging and retreating from him. She held the weapon high in her tight grasp while waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.

  “Son of a bitch,” Julian cursed, kicking at her. From the red stains appearing on his friend’s shirt, he fared no better.

  “We have to knock her out,” Piper added, shoving the woman into a small desk. “Heath. Wake up.”

  Mary came at Piper again, slashing through the air with the blade. The rending of material caught his attention, as the woman tore into the sleeve of Piper’s dress. She cried out, grasping her arm. Piper stumbled back, falling on her butt next to the bed where Heath lie motionlessly.

  They had to stop this.

  The crash of breaking glass drew his attention. Julian stood over Mary with the remains of a whiskey bottle, circling the woman slumped on the floor. His chest heaved as blood dripped from the many cuts to his chest and arms. “Stupid bitch.”

  Theo rushed to Heath’s side as Piper scrambled to her feet. They only had minutes to get the guy out of the room before Mary woke and tried to kill them all again. “We have to get him out of here.”

  Chapter 12

  Piper’s heart hammered. Pain burned its way through her arm as she tried to gather herself. The woman she figured on being the Ripper, turned out to be more diabolical than she’d given her credit for. As it stood, all of them were worse for wear, and poor Heath…God, she’d never forgive herself for what happened to him.