The Reaper's Kiss

by Robert Southworth

  “Mr Finch has been forthcoming with some new information.” William looked directly at Tallow as the room fell to silence. “Perhaps, you could enlighten us.”

  “Since our little performance, Finch has been more focussed in his wish to see us succeed,” Tallow announced.

  “Focussed, can he not just give you names and places?” William asked.

  “It is not that simple. Finch may have been the secret keeper, but he was not a trusted man. The followers of Cronos still kept him at arm’s length, and he must piece together his information from hundreds of documents. It is a great puzzle that only he can solve.”

  William attempted to keep the frustration from his voice. “So, what has he deduced?”

  “There is one place that linked the movements of more than one of the group. Finch believes it is a hub of the cult’s money-making schemes. What’s more the owner of the location, a Mr Bartholomew Chides must be aware of the activities taking place.”

  “Activities?”

  “The location is coastal. If Finch is correct, then it is being used to move goods.”

  “Smuggling?” Abberline asked.

  “We are after killers, not smugglers, Tallow.” William pointed out before Richard Tallow could offer an answer Abberline.”

  “Oh, I realise that but how do they buy safe houses or bribe officials. The wheels of corruption need plenty of grease. All of this costs plenty of tin, William. Trust me, if Finch is correct then losing this property will hurt Cronos and cause mayhem within their ranks.”

  William knew that Tallow was speaking common sense he nodded his head in agreement. “So where is this place?”

  “Well the nearest fishing village is Polperro,” Tallow replied. However, the room’s attention was drawn to Faraday who gave an audible intake of breath.

  “Is there a problem, Faraday?” William asked.

  “I know Polperro. A nest of smugglers and cutthroats.” As Faraday spoke, his eyes fixed on Isaac Naismith.

  “And that is a problem?” William pressed.

  Faraday sighed and seemed resigned to having to speak further on the matter. “Polperro is the place where I lost these,” he held up a hand to show the missing digits. “As far as I know only Isaac is aware of what happened on that day.” He took a deep breath and his face flushed with crimson. “Gentlemen, I made a mistake. I was a fool, and good men died.”

  Slightly taken aback, William took a moment before he spoke. “We all make mistakes, George. I cannot in all honestly say that I have not caused the death of men under my command. Nonetheless, we must carry on and hope to learn from our mistakes.” George Faraday nodded his appreciation at William’s words but spoke no further on the subject. Seeing the conversation was at an end William decided to move onto other matters. “If the place is important to Cronos, they will want it to be safe from prying eyes and anyone that represents the law. I am guessing that it will be well guarded. We will need to plan and to do that we will need information.”

  “I believe I can lay my hands on a detailed map of the area,” Isaac announced.

  “Good – If you could obtain it in all haste. I suggest that we take time to say goodbye to our families or eat a hearty meal and take to your beds. The distance dictates that we will be gone a number of days. In the meantime, Tallow, if you could give me all the information that you have gained. I have the feeling this will require careful planning.”

  “I will arrange the transport. Mounts will give us a better chance of arriving unseen,” Abberline added.

  “Very good. Gentlemen, I will expect you here as the sun rises in the morning.”

  Tallow and Bakari remained seated, but the rest of the men began to filter away. “So, what do we know of this place?”

  ***

  William had decided not to push the men or their mounts too hard. He realised that the Ripper might second guess their next move. However, his training in the army had always taught him that it was foolish to rush into battle. There is a time and place for reckless bravery, and this was not such a time. As the journey was half completed, he had called a halt to their progress. A small tavern played host to his men and provided them with a hot meal and a comfortable bed. Despite remaining some distance from their desired location, he acted with the utmost care. He posted a guard; two men would remain awake and alert to any danger. As the four-hour mark approached, William and Tallow replaced the guards, allowing them the chance to rest. They took up position downstairs; pistols were loaded and readied for action.

  “So, what is it that you do for my Father?” William asked. In truth, he did not expect Tallow to be completely honest. Sir Simeon Harkness was a man of great power and influence, and he knew that men did not reach such heights without having others under their command that bent the rules. Tallow smiled as though he knew what William was thinking.

  “For the most part, I ensure that your father’s interests are protected.”

  “Protected?”

  “When I started in Sir Simeon’s employ, he gave me a number of elementary rules to follow. Firstly, we never take what a hardworking man has earned without offering a fair price, and he is in agreement with the transaction. Secondly, violence is only to be used to protect what is ours, and not to steal what belongs to others.”

  “How very noble,” William replied.

  “Your father is a noble man.” Before William could reply, Tallow held up a hand to prevent interruption. “I have worked for many men, and it was commonplace to break fingers or put a torch to property. Do not misunderstand me, that can still be the case, but only to defend what belongs to your father. The Harkness name is both feared and respected out in the empire. Not because he has the most guns but because he is fair. If you offer a hand of friendship, he will return it. However, if you offer violence, then you can expect the same. Not exactly lawful, I doubt our Inspectors would approve, but out there, the niceties of pleasant society hold no advantage.”

  “I imagine a man of your skills could make a fortune without following orders.” William was being deliberately provocative, but he wanted to know why this man showed such loyalty to his father. Tallow did not answer immediately; he pulled a strand of his dark hair and twisted it between his fingers. William assumed he was deciding how much of his life he wanted to share.

  “You might not believe this, but my father was a missionary in Africa, although he was hardly a man to ignore the vices that tempt men from God’s path. He rarely turned away from the bottle and was not shy when it came to using the strap on his only son. By the time I was sixteen my mother was dead, and I had taken one beating too many. As my father lay drunk on his bed, I helped myself to his money and the cross that hung about his neck. After some time, I found employment at a small trader’s post on the Orange River. Old Nabb, the Swede who owned the place, thankfully took pity on me. He was the strangest looking man I had ever seen with a nose that was far too large for his head, but he had the gift. He could talk the birds from the trees. I learned many things from that old rogue, and for five years I had a place I could call home.” Tallow paused to take a drink, and William noticed that the man to his front, suddenly wore a mask of sadness. “Then one day, which seemed just like any other, my world was suddenly ripped apart. I had been unaware of the argument taking place between Nabb and two of his customers. I had been loading a wagon for one of the settlers who possessed a daughter of uncommon beauty. The chance to talk to her was limited because of her father’s watchful eye. However, I finally plucked up the courage to ignore his attention and speak to her, but as I opened my mouth, a gunshot sounded. As I raced toward the store, two men came rushing out and knocked me to the ground. For a moment. I thought about giving chase believing they had stolen goods, but something inside of me made me stop and turn towards the trading post. My brain told me to race forward and make sure that Nabb was unhurt but my legs acted like they were stomping through a swamp. Each step was forced until finally, I stood above the body of Nabb. A hol
e in his chest the size of my fist had taken him from my world without affording me the chance to say thank you for all he had done.” Tallow paused and took another drink.

  “And the men who killed him?” William asked because he could not envisage a man like Tallow forgiving such an act.

  “I was a young man and although I knew how to use my fists in a fight, these men were prospectors. Pure muscle honed in the baking heat of Africa. I knew that I could not beat them with my fists.”

  “So, they got away with murder?”

  “William, you were a soldier but have not lost your decency. I hear that you hold your honour dear, have you ever enjoyed killing another man?”

  The reply did not come immediately, but eventually, William nodded, “Yes…yes, I have.”

  “I tracked those men down, and with Nabb’s hunting rifle I crippled them from a distance. Up to that point in my life, I had only killed for food but as you know a man’s scream stays with you far longer than the squeal of a rabbit destined for the cooking pot. As they begged for mercy, I took Nabb’s blade and carved my vengeance into their flesh.”

  “Did you have to answer for their deaths?” William asked.

  “Africa can be a beautiful place to live, but it’s inhabitants face many dangers. There is a whole range of beasts that given a chance will consume human flesh. The crocodiles were grateful of the meal that I provided that day. So, the killers of my friend were dead, and I returned to the trading post. I took over the trading post but after Nabb was murdered it never felt the same. However, I made a promise to myself that I would keep the trading post open. I think I had convinced myself that by keeping the business alive I was in some way keeping Nabb alive.”

  “Understandable.”

  “However, men that work alone are easy prey. It is not too long before you have to decide to fall in line with more powerful forces or risk utter destruction. To my shame, I chose the former. The man I chose to give my loyalty was called Jurgen Schneider. Not that there was really any choice. A couple of years after Nabb’s death, gold was discovered. The trading post was ideally located to take advantage of the newly discovered gold seam. Schneider arrived with plenty of money and the men to get things done. My supplies began to go missing, and a small fire destroyed two of my wagons. Then I was approached by a couple of men that told me I would work for Schneider or I wouldn’t work at all.”

  “Well it seems you had few options,” William pointed out.

  “I wish I had realised that at the time. The arrogance of youth does not see the dangers. After discussing,” Tallow smiled, “the offer with the two men, my talents with my fists had improved, and I dragged their beaten bodies and dropped them on Schneider’s step. Foolishly I thought that would be the end of it. Two days later the trading post was nought but ash. I was cut, bruised, and lying at Schneider’s feet.”

  “It seems foolish to burn down the very thing he desired. Did he not want the trading post?” William asked.

  “I found out later that he wanted to move the trade route. The customers that were loyal to Nabb, and therefore to me, needed to be nudged toward his trading post and his plans for a settlement. I thought that I would die that night. However, it seems that Schneider saw that I could be useful. He made me an offer that I could not refuse. So, I began working for a man I loathed.”

  “Why did you not simply leave?” William asked.

  “Because when my trading post was destroyed, I had nought but the shirt on my back. Initially, I was a reluctant employee, but as time passed, I found my new life liberating. Inwardly, I realised that I was only keeping the trading post going in honour of the man that in many ways saved my life. As I rose through the ranks in Schneider’s organisation, I found myself easily seduced by the trappings of that life. Money and women were readily available, and to my shame, the sufferings of others did not matter.”

  “So, what changed?”

  “Schneider’s greed had outgrown the small settlement he had succeeded in establishing. Along the Orange River, a small crop of diamond mines had been established. An Englishman, Roger Blanning owned the rights and had an influential backer. At first, I was unaware that the identity of the backer was your father and even if I did, I would not have been any the wiser. So, Schneider put his plans in place, and a small group including me were dispatched to apply pressure on Banning to sell his mines. It was all very business-like in the beginning. I even enjoyed a meal at the mine holder’s home. Banning was a widower - his wife had died of disease the previous year. He was a dedicated father with two young twin girls.” Tallow paused, and as he raised a drink to his lips, William noticed that his hand trembled. “Beautiful little girls… long red hair and emerald green eyes. They had giggled all through the meal as young girls tend to do. Anyway, the meal ended, and I said my goodbyes and then sent word to Schneider that Banning would not sell. A day later, we received word that we were to send a message that Banning could not ignore. The message made it clear we were to burn down his home. Through a number of messages, I tried to get Schneider to change his mind, but he would not be dissuaded. So, I asked Banning if I could take him and his family on an outing at my expense. If I could not save his home, then I could at least keep his family safe. A date was set but on the morning that I was due to meet Banning, Schneider arrived, and had his men keep me from the attending the outing.” Tears welled in Tallow’s eyes. “I didn’t know that Banning had to leave his daughters at home in the care of a maid because they had been feeling unwell. He had left his girls because of me,” Tallow’s voice cracked. “It took me a number of hours before I could escape Schneider’s watchful eye. I raced to Banning’s home and found the man kneeling in the blackened shell of his home. His hands were placed on two small figures that had perished in the fire. As I approached, he raised his head. The tears of his despair left white tracks down his blackened face. This man’s misery was complete, and I knew that my actions had destroyed him.”

  “And my father?” William asked trying to stir Tallow from his obvious discomfort.

  “By coincidence, your father arrived two days later. I had spent those two days trying to watch over Banning and avoid Schneider. Your father had found Banning at one of the mines. He had not moved from the small shack that had been set up to offer medical help to any of the men injured in the mines. When your father left, I decided to follow him. He took a horse and rode out to where Schneider had set up his camp site. He did not enter he just sat and watched from a vantage point. Two hours passed before he moved away and I decided to approach him. I told him everything that had taken place. If your father had pulled out a weapon and shot me down, I would have deserved nothing less. However, when I had finished talking, he stared at me for some time and then he asked me if I was armed. When I replied that I was, your father let out a whistle. To my amazement, Bakari rose from the bushes no more than ten paces away. Then Josh appeared on the rocks with his trusted Betsy in hand. Your father without another word pulled a pistol from his jacket and marched toward Schneider’s camp. I raced to be at his side as I pulled my own weapon. Within five minutes the crackle of gunfire and the screams of men was almost deafening. Your father strode through the camp without breaking a sweat. It reminded me of a man taking a stroll through a picturesque park. If he hadn’t been firing his pistol with deadly precision, that is. Schneider emerged from his tent and seeing that most of his men were already dead or wounded began to flee. Both your father and I fired at the man. Your father’s shot took him in the right shoulder as mine smashed into his left hip. Schneider was thrown into the air as he screamed out his pain. Those screams became a terrible, woeful cry as the vile creature landed in the campfire, and could not muster the strength to pull himself free of the flames. We made no attempt to end his pain, and as we walked from the camp Bakari ensured that not one his men, would live to tell the tale.” Tallow fell to silence.

  William could tell that he was back in that camp. He knew that Tallow could taste the acrid
smoke of the gunfire, and the repugnant smell of burning flesh would be invading his nostrils. He knew Tallow would need a little time to put the ghosts of his past back into the recesses of his mind.

  Chapter 9

  The light of a new day began to puncture the interior of the tavern. William had sat through a somewhat awkward silence as he allowed Tallow to be alone with his thoughts. Eventually, he gave up waiting for Tallow to speak and rose from his chair. He felt a stab of pain in his thigh. He had been wounded many times in his life. As a soldier in the British army, he had been present at the battle of Maiwand. It had been a complete disaster, and many of his men had fallen on that dreadful day. William himself had only survived because he was carried from the battlefield. His torso had been opened from collarbone to hip by an Afghan blade, and his thigh had been administered with the burning sting of a gunshot wound. It was that injury to the thigh, above all others, which had never truly healed. He winced as another burning pain shot up the length of his upper leg.