Page 51 of Molly Boys

Ev ignored the question. “There were ten boys butchered the same way in The Old Nichol, all belonging to a man named Simon Blackwell.”

“Belonging?”

“Do I really need to spell it out for you, Inspector?”

“They were mollies?” Archie said quietly. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.

“This monster has been killing for some time. Only now he’s expanded his hunting grounds and none of us are safe,” Ev whispered the last part.

The inspector strode across the room as if he couldn’t help himself but gravitate toward Everett. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Ev felt his heart tremble at the words, having only ever heard them from Francis. Swallowing hard, he straightened up, steeling himself.

“I’m not your responsibility, Inspector,” he said firmly. “You saved my life, so you can consider the information payment and my debt paid in full.”

He turned deliberately away, his eyes fixed on the little golden clock sitting on the mantle in front of him.

Knowing he’d been dismissed, the inspector gathered up his hat and headed for the door, pausing only at the last moment. Unable to help himself, feeling the weight of Inspector Franklin’s gaze on his back, Ev turned one last time and met his eyes.

“You’re wrong about one thing,” the man told Ev in that rough accent of his.

“And what’s that?”

“There never was any debt.” He placed his hat on his head. “Good day to you, my lord.”

The parlour door clicked closed behind him, followed moments later by the louder click of the front door.

Lifting his cigarette to his lips with trembling fingers, Ev took a long slow drag and tried not to think about how badly he wanted that man.

15

Everett stared at the place referred to as The White Chapel. What on earth was he doing there? What had he been thinking?

A familiar voice chuckled. “You look like you’re having an argument with yourself.”

Ev looked across to find Reverend Edwin climbing the steps to stand beside him.

“Am I that easy to read?” Ev replied.

“Maybe not to others.” He smiled. “But you wouldn’t be the first reluctant parishioner I’ve come across.”

“Perhaps that should tell you something,” Ev muttered.

Edwin laughed warmly. “Are you coming inside?”

Ev shrugged and followed as the reverend led the way inside St Mary’s.

Ev glanced up at the massive vaulted ceilings. “It’s bigger than I expected.”

“For a poor district like Whitechapel?” Edwin raised one brow. “Perhaps they needed something grand to call their own.”

Ev paused in the aisle, reluctant to move further.

“Would you like to look around or would you like to just sit a moment?” Edwin indicated the back pew nearest the door as if he sensed Everett might feel the need to bolt at any moment.

“Actually, I’d prefer to sit.” Ev slid onto the offered pew as Edwin sat next to him.

“Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”