Page 68 of Molly Boys

“With access to the river,” Archie muttered as he picked up the scrap of paper.

“Inspector?”

“Nothing, just thinking aloud.” Archie leaned back in his chair, setting the paper down and wrapping his fingers around the cup to let the warmth seep into his hands. “Good work, Constable.”

Merritt nodded and turned back toward the door, stopping when he noticed a curious assortment of notes attached to the wall.

“Sir?”

“Hmm?” Archie looked up.

“What’s this?” The constable pointed to the wall.

“Oh that.” Archie frowned. “I find it helps to lay out all the information pertaining to the case and look at it from a distance. Sometimes I can discern a pattern.”

“That’s clever,” Merritt mused as he looked over all the notes. “You think there were more murders?”

“I know there were,” Archie said quietly. “I spoke with the mother of one of the murdered boys. The injuries she witnessed on her son sounded identical to those found on Wakefield and Perkins.”

“Ten other victims?” Merritt turned around and stared at Archie.

Archie nodded. “All within The Nichol, which is why we didn’t know about them until recently.”

Archie’s mind shifted back to the events of the day before, but it wasn’t laced with the overwhelming wave of lust and confusion he usually felt when he thought of Everett. No, this time a heavy sense of guilt settled over him when he thought of Jack.

He didn’t know how the hell the boy had managed to retrieve his watch while he was being beaten black and blue. Archie should be glad to have it back safely in his possession. It was the only thing of value he had, the last connection to his late father, and he’d prized it above anything else, but now he couldn’t even look at it. As much as the watch had meant to him, it wasn’t worth the price Jack had paid.

He wondered how the boy was doing, if he’d improved during the night or if his condition had worsened. Somehow Archie knew that wasn’t the case. If Jack had taken a turn for the worse, Everett would have sent word despite what had happened between them.

Although there was no way Rackstraw could know where Jack was, Archie was still wary. A man like Rackstraw had eyes everywhere. Archie knew he had to make sure Jack and Everett were protected. His gaze fell on the young constable that was currently studying his investigation board so diligently. He was a good man, a solid policeman, one who had proved his capability, as well as his loyalty to Archie, since he’d taken up his new position at H division. He was someone Archie could trust.

“Tom,” Archie said quietly. The constable ceased his perusal of the board and turned to look at him in earnest.

“I need you to do something for me, just between us.”

“Of course, Inspector.”

Archie picked up a notepad and his pencil, scribbling out an address which he handed to Merritt.

“I want you to take a night shift tonight. You can go home and get a few hours’ sleep this afternoon, but by nightfall I want you on patrol at this address. You can take one of the new recruits with you. It will be good experience for them.”

“Twenty-four Bedford Square, Bloomsbury,” Merritt read aloud. “Bloomsbury, sir?”

“I have some concerns Leland Rackstraw might try to send some men there.”

“To what end, sir?” Merritt frowned in confusion. “I was under the impression he had no interest outside of The Old Nichol.”

“I’m not willing to disclose that information at this time.” Archie rubbed his eyes, his head throbbing. “The chances are nothing will happen, but you are to patrol the vicinity of that address until I say otherwise.”

“Yes sir.” Merritt nodded and exited the office, leaving Archie to cradle his head in his hands.

* * *

By the time Archie had reached the factory for H.E. Baxter & Sons, he’d almost managed to shake off the ill effects of the whiskey from the night before. Given how often he ended up missing the last train to Battersea and sleeping in his office, he’d taken to keeping a clean shirt and some shaving supplies in the drawer of his desk. He’d been thankful for it this day. After a quick wash, he’d shaved carefully, only nicking his skin once when his mind wandered.

Taking a deep breath, Archie entered the building, which looked as if it had seen better days. Once inside, he noted how quiet it was for a factory. Walking past still machines and empty vats, he began to wonder if this was a functioning business at all.

“Can I help you?” A voice called out.