Morvicti Blood (A Morvicti Novel Book 1) (29 page)

This is the place where one whore met her end. One of only five…that you are aware of…who I sent to early graves. Unlike this age, in 1888 information came slowly and at great cost. Polly wasn’t the one I was searching for. She was only human.

This ear comes from one of our enemies. A living hominid, as yet unknown. Yes, it’s true. You and I must help Dr. Wilson with his research before we can be together.

I want you to review the two items I included in this package. I am certain you and Austin will find them very enlightening.

Hurry though. I left you another gift on Hanbury Street right off Commercial. Check the trash bins next to the brewery.

Forever yours,

Jack

“He mentioned your name,” Angelique said. “He knows who you are.”

“Where is Hanbury, Sis?”

She pulled up the directions from Wilson’s mobile phone. “Eight minutes from here.”

As he started driving, Angelique held up the article. It was from their local newspaper back home over twenty years ago.

Under the headline:
Local Student Awarded Full Scholarship from IBC Bank
was her senior picture, and below that in The Ripper’s distinct handwriting were the words: “Only scholarship the bank ever awarded anyone.”

“Austin, what does this mean?”

“I don’t know yet. Show me the other one.”

“It’s about the fire. Mom and Dad’s insurance papers. How did he get these?”

“The bastard may be insane, but he’s also resourceful and highly intelligent.”
What is this lunatic trying to tell us?

The name of their parent’s insurance company, Turner & Turner Mutual Insurance, was circled in red ink. Below it another note from The Ripper.

Turner & Turner Mutual is a subsidiary of IBC.

CHAPTER 51

8:20 PM

With his laptop in front of him, Dr. Thomas Wilson continued hastily reading everything he could find on Jack the Ripper. Beside him was a notebook, where he periodically jotted down important facts that might be useful for Austin and Angelique. He so wished there was more he could do for them.

The house phone rang.

He brought the receiver up to his ear. “Hello.”

“Thomas, this is Angelique again.”

Gita rushed in. “Is it them? Are they safe?”

He nodded. “What did you find at Durward?”

“The Ripper left us a package with more instructions,” she said.

Austin added, “And an ear that we think belonged to Walt Turner.”

Gruesome.
He wanted to get his hands on that ear. “What are the instructions this time?”

“We’re going to Hanbury Street.”

“I was right. He is taking you on a tour of the five murder scenes from—” He looked at his notes. “Yes. Here it is. Hanbury Street is the scene of the second murder committed by Jack the Ripper. It’s now a brewery not far from Shoreditch station on the Tube.”

“Tell them to come back now,” Gita said frantically, which surprised him a little. She rarely revealed her fear so blatantly. “It’s too dangerous. They need some kind of help. They should not do this alone.”

“Quiet, Gita.” He agreed with her, but knew the words would only fall on deaf ears. The Ripper had Angelique’s husband. She and Austin were going to see this gory journey to the end no matter the outcome. “Tell me what his note said.”

Angelique read it to him verbatim, and also told him about a newspaper article and insurance papers that had been contained in the envelope as well.

The information about IBC didn’t shock any of them given what they already knew. Someone high up at the bank, other than Walt Turner, was definitely involved in what had happened today.
His brother, Oliver Turner, the CEO?
Whoever was involved Wilson would also bet they had a hand in what happened in Guatemala, were responsible for the fire that killed his friend in China, and were making sure his research never found any breakthroughs. Learning how Angelique and Austin were uniquely connected to IBC made him wish he’d gotten samples from them before they’d left.

When they get back that’ll be the first box to tick of our list of things to do.

He took a drag on his pipe. “I wonder how the killer got his information about IBC.”

“It seems he knows more than we do, Doc, about a lot of things,” Austin said.

“True. Always three steps ahead of us.” After discovering the samples The Ripper had sent him were gone, his first inclination had been to give up his life’s work entirely. How long had he chased the elusive hominid? Ages. And at each turn something or someone kept him from moving forward. But his self-pity had only lasted for a brief moment. Now, he was back on track and ready to fight the invisible powers set against him. He was no longer alone in this battle. He had allies in Austin and Angelique. And when they returned, more samples from The Ripper.
And samples from them.
“How close are you to Hanbury now?”

“Just a couple blocks away.”

“I believe The Ripper will leave another note for you with instructions to go to Henriques Street, which was formerly known as Berner Street.” He still didn’t understand why the monster was trying to help him with his work. Could it be he and the killer shared a common enemy? “That’s where The Ripper’s third victim was discovered.”

“Thank you, but please keep searching. I just want to find my husband,” Angelique said.

“I know, my dear. I think I can help with that. Austin is right. The Ripper continues to be several steps ahead of us. But what if we could get the jump on him?”

“I like the sound of that, Doc. What’s your idea?” Austin asked.

“This madman is leading you down a specific path in sequential order of the slayings in Whitechapel in 1888. Instead of heading to Henriques where the third homicide took place, I suggest you go to the location of his fifth and final murder. Perhaps going to Mary Jane Kelly’s old street will give you the element of surprise. It’s now a five-level car park on the corner of Crispin Street and White’s Row.”

“Doc, that’s a great plan,” Austin said. “I knew you would come through for us.”

“Get back here as soon as you can.”

“We will after we find Michael,” Angelique stated firmly.

He had little hope they would find her husband alive.

“We’re here at Hanbury now,” Austin said. “We’ll call you with what we discover. If it’s pointing us to Henriques like you believe, we’ll head to that parking garage instead.”

“Good luck.” He returned the receiver to the cradle and glanced at Gita.

She was standing in the corner talking in hurried Polish on her mobile phone.

This Ripper business has certainly had an impact on her.

He grabbed his cane and headed for the lift. Gita didn’t even notice.

When he got to the street, he hailed a black cab.

“Where to?”

“Henriques Street, my good man. Twenty pounds more for you if you get there quick.”

2002

The Sanctuary of the Forgotten

CHAPTER 52

David Bathry passed the iron gates with Albert, going deeper into the sanctuary. He had left the New Year’s Eve party at his estate early after Albert had rung him with the good news.

2002 is going to be a very good year for me.

He had waited so long for this. When the bitch liar queen had fallen into slumber he had removed The Ripper’s stake. That had been several months ago.

He had visited Jack’s cell every day since, longing for the moment he could take him to the chamber on Gough Street to begin his training. But day after day there had been no change in the halfblood.

He had tried everything imaginable to rouse him. Increasing Jack’s blood supply seemed to have little impact on him. Warming the cell’s temperature produced the exact same result. He had even injected him with various drug cocktails. Nothing. Stiff as a board, mimicking the whores he’d killed long ago.

But according to Albert, Jack’s coloring had deepened and his heart rate had increased slightly an hour ago, just before midnight.

His father’s plan would unfold and the Bathry Bloodline would be elevated above all the others. He was only at the beginning of it all, but the fulfillment of the dream would come. Sweet revenge at long last. The secret chamber in the house on Gough Street was ready for its special guest.

“My lord, thank you for allowing me to be part of this great undertaking,” Albert said.

“Of course. I would have no other by my side.”

Even though Albert was one of the lowest members of the Bathry Bloodline, he had brought him into this endeavor, because he recognized the man’s strongest quality was absolute loyalty. He had cemented Albert’s trust with promises of lofty positions for him and his family. Later, when he had discovered the man was a true believer, orthodox through and through, he knew Albert would never dare betray him.

Albert grunted slightly under the weight of the body he was carrying.

He is a bit of a weakling, though.

Bathry carried three bags of blood, but he could have effortlessly toted the Stalcuc stiff as well. Unfortunately for Albert, that wasn’t the job for someone of his station.

The slumbering Stalcuc had been chosen after long consideration. The fellow had been laid to rest in a cell, which was attended solely by Albert. He would not be missed by any of the other Bathrys who served in the sanctuary.

Secrecy was paramount in this enterprise.

When they arrived at the block of cells, Albert placed the body onto the plastic tarpaulin they had brought earlier. Here, too, the simple man was the lone caretaker of this block of cells thanks to Bathry reassigning the duties of another sanctuary keeper. The plan was to place this corpse in the upper crypt once Jack was brought down.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Their kindred would never be the wiser. And there was no chance any other Morvicti would learn this important secret since none of the other bloodlines ever came to the sanctuary.
Arrogant bastards. That will be their undoing.

Keeping hold of one bag of blood, Bathry handed the other bags to Albert. “Bring me the ladder.”

As always, the good man lowered his eyes and addressed him as if he already sat on the throne of the Morvicti sovereigns. “Your will is my duty, Your Majesty. Always.”

Bathry smiled. Very befitting words. One day he would hear those sweet words not just from Albert, but from the lips of every Morvicti. Many nobles would have to die for that to happen, especially the Drakes.

Let their heads roll.

Albert brought in the ladder. “Shall I take the blood to him, my lord?”

“No. I will do the honors.” Bathry could barely contain his excitement.

After long last, the man who was the fuse to the entire plan that had been laid out so long ago was rising.

“Keep the ladder secure for me, Albert.” With a bag of blood tucked under his arm, Bathry climbed up to Jack’s cell.

The Ripper’s eyes were open. He was staring unblinkingly at the ceiling.

Thank the Ancient Ones.

“Welcome to the twenty-first century, Nicolae.” He sliced open the bag and placed it to the killer’s lips.

Jack closed his eyes and began hungrily sucking down the life-giving blood.

“You and I have so much to accomplish together, my friend.”

CHAPTER 53

8:30 PM – Present Day

David Bathry watched Dr. Wilson get into a black cab.

The old man had exited his home alone—and in a hurry. Were McCord and his sister still inside?

Bathry hadn’t had access to the camera feeds for some time now, so he couldn’t be sure. He intended to check all three floors. He needed his bargaining chip—Austin McCord.

If Albert were here, he would send him in first. Going in alone wasn’t his style, nor was it smart. But Albert was either dead or with the Drakes, and the men he had sent to kill Octavian weren’t answering their phones. He had tried them several times since he had left the tube station.

Before heading into Dr. Wilson’s house, he pulled out his mobile. He was scraping the bottom of the barrel now, but he decided to contact Edmund, his second cousin. Edmund was in charge of securing blood bags from local donation centers for the sanctuary. Edmund’s status was barely above those who served the prisoners. It sickened him to reach out to Edmund, but he was running out of options.