19/21 (300 Years of Sin) Read online

  “Your kind was famous for trying to keep us draco in line and you still are.”

  “But since Amara, my kind has tried to keep those of you, who are the worst, in line and those of you, who are reasonable, as friends. I know who he is, but I wonder, which one are you?” continued Rene piercing Mark with her eyes.

  “I am anything you want me to be” said Mark, taking the woman back to his bed.

  In the next room, Jonathan had finally fallen asleep when the sun was beginning to come out of the clouds. And the girl was deep into her dreams.

  “Father, father, come quickly!” yelled Ava to her father.

  The man came down the stairs and into the hallway and saw Ava in tears with a letter in her hands. “What is it child? What happened?”

  “Alexander, he is dead. It says here that he was found this morning hanging in the living room of his house.”

  The man took the letter from her hands and tried to comfort Ava as Alexander Tropoli had been her Latin professor since she was 5. They immediately headed toward London to offer their support to the widow of Tropoli, a woman of fifty, and when they arrived, police and newspaper reporters surrounded the house. William was taken aback from the events and was standing next to the street. Henry entered the house while Ava stayed outside as William grabbed her arm and asked for a moment of her time.

  “What is it?”

  “I found him. We were supposed to meet this morning for tea. I was the one who found him and there was this note.” said William

  “I have always been and will always be a fraud if I continue to live this life. All I wanted to be was a teacher, but I was forced into a life of banking by my father. I came to London and I managed to teach two wonderful children, I did it in my spare time as it was what I truly loved, but never did I dare go against my father. Two months ago I found out he was embezzling money from the bank. Enraged that he had lived a lie and forced me into a lie, I took the gun and shot him. Jack Smith is an innocent man.” read the letter.

  “Did you give this to the police?” asked Ava.

  “No. I… I just sat here since they came.”

  “Look, there’s your boss and your colleague. Show it to them, and then show it to the police. Do not give it to captain Cook before.”

  “Why not? I should have done that as soon as I saw him.”

  “Think about it. The investigation lasted just one day. How is it that the captain was able to find irrefutable evidence against Jack Smith in just one day when there was no witness to confirm the hypothesis? Don’t you find it at least a bit peculiar?”

  “Lady Ava, maybe you should change your major. Instead of science you should become an investigator.” said Tudor from behind the carriage which had just arrived next to William and the girl. “You should listen to the lady. Give that to your boss and then publish the note in the newspaper. Otherwise who knows what can happen to the truth…”

  “What could it happen? Surely you are not implying, sir, that the police would cover this up.” said William with a dash of indignation.

  “No, surely I am not.”

  The next day, The London Editorial printed a large title on its first page: “Italian banker hangs himself after confessing to killing his father for being an embezzler and proves the innocence of Jack Smith.” The day after that, the newspaper printed “The law owes an apology to Jack Smith”

  Jonathan was also dreaming of days long passed.

  “Three days have passed and Captain Cook is now forced to declare Jack Smith innocent. Journalists these days are very intelligent and resourceful. If you give them the right piece of the puzzle, they will uncover the deepest of truths.” said Wesley. “Your plan is working perfectly. Killing Alexander Tropoli and making it look like suicide must have been easy to pull off.”

  “I did not kill the man.”

  “But you said that…”

  “I just showed him the evidence and I told him he has until morning to confess that his father was the real embezzler and that he killed him. The man begged and begged. But I told him that if he does not confess, I would personally see to his demise. That did not work either. And then I told him of how another innocent man almost lost his life for his misdeed. I spoke about the two young children Jack had with his now dead wife. I spoke of how sad the two little ones were when they had to live with their grandmother because their father had to come to work to London as he could not gain a good existence in his native town. I spoke of how much sorrow those children have to endure now that their father is known to be an outlaw and a fugitive.”

  “But Jack does not have any children.” said Wesley

  “Exactly! But he did not know that. And he likes children a lot, after all, he wanted to be a teacher, not a banker.”

  “You are devious and it worked.”

  “It was like giving candy to a baby and then taking it away. He felt remorseful and these thoughts got to him. I left and a few minutes later he wrote the note and hanged himself. That journalist, William arrived in the morning, called the police and then the wife of the dead man arrived back from a visit to her sister.”

  “You could have just killed him. Why all this?” asked Wesley.

  “Because, now that Alessio Tropoli is exposed as a fraud and Alexander Tropoli is exposed as a murderer, the Order is left in a very awkward position. The Constantines did not know of the embezzlement. Alexander was with Captain Cook when they uncovered what Alessio had done. Alexander was too enraged, killed his old man, and Captain Cook covered the affair. But the two did not tell the other members of the Order of what they had done on that day.”

  “You know, you never really told me how you came to know these things.” said Wesley.

  “Right when I came back to the city, I went to Rose’s Pub. I was sitting at the bar, drinking my poison, when the two men entered. They drank it all: whiskey, wine, beer, you name it. They got so drunk that they could barely hold their heads up. While others could not hear their conversation, I heard it quite perfectly. Alexander was too upset with what he had done, he kept retelling Cook the events. The captain tried to calm him but the man was terrified of himself.”

  “That silly old fool Alexander and that incorrigible captain. Cook seems to go from trouble to trouble. He covers up murder and then he frames someone else for it” continued Wesley “and now the Order will be busy with investigating the captain.”

  “They will be busy with it, the captain will be under pressure and we will be free to continue with our plan.” said Tudor while showing contempt. “Now we must make sure Captain Cook will be suspended.”

  “I think I know just how to do that.” smiled Wesley. “The journalist, William Tully, seems to have started distrusting the captain and we know of Cook’s small problem with gambling. He is at Raspberry Club every Saturday playing poker. I will make sure he loses all his money.”

  “And when he loses his money I will come and lend him the amount he needs.”

  “I will ask William to get a drink with me there on Saturday and, by chance of course, we will run into Cook while gambling away his money.”

  “By chance, of course.” said Tudor grinning. “Just make sure the journalist comes after Cook has borrowed money. Tell him to meet you at 9. By that time the captain always loses his money. And let’s see what a journalist has to say about a policeman who gambles away his wage. Plant the seed in William’s head.”

  As the days were passing, Ava was still suspicious of Tudor, but their minds found relief in each other when talking about the latest discoveries.”

  “You are brilliant Lady Ava.”

  “I am, but most men still seem to think I should play housewife.”

  “Do you not intend to have a family at some point?”

  “At some point maybe, but not now. I know most women my age are now either married or about to, but I have yet to find a man who can entertain me.”

  “You mean one who is equal to you.”

  “I did not say that.�
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  “But you are thinking it. You speak five languages, you are the best at your university and the most respected professor in the school practically adores you. Surely there is more than one man who envies you.”

  “I do not know if you are mocking me now or speaking truthful.”

  “What I am saying is that you should be proud that you are more than any other man. You are the youngest to perform a dissection and study human organs aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you are also the youngest ever to perform surgery on a person.”

  “How do you know about that?”

  “It was in all newspapers, all the way to America. Nineteen year old girl sees accident while returning to London and saves man’s life by performing surgery in the middle of the road. News of such an act reached the New World as well.”

  “I did not know that.”

  “I knew about you Lady Ava, I knew about you long before I arrived back here. I think you should be proud that you are not equal to them. I am sure you will do greater things than any other man in this country. So no, I am not mocking you Lady Ava, I am simply an admirer and while you may dislike my conduit, please know that I respect you and nothing that I do is meant to annoy you. My manners have always been lacking. But that is mostly because I have been at war a little too much.”

  “Perhaps I have misjudged you. But I still do not agree with toying with women the way you do. If someone else finds out, their reputation will be damaged.”

  “Well then, if it bothers you so much, I shall reevaluate my behavior.”

  “Thank you! That was all I wanted to hear.”

  The next two days were peaceful in the Mayflower. Ava and Tudor got along just fine and then Saturday came and Wesley brought William to the Raspberry for drinks.

  “Is that Captain Cook I see on the other side of the room?” asked Wesley pretending not to have known him to be there.

  “Yes, but why on Earth is he at a gambling table?”

  “Maybe he likes to play a little.”

  “I beg your pardon sir, he is the hand of the law, he should not be getting involved in such matters.” said William with strong indignation.

  “Waiter,” said Wesley, “You see the man with a white shirt and black hat over to the table of cards?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “How long has he been there?”

  “What are you doing?” asked William.

  “Satisfying a curiosity.” replied Wesley. “How long has he been there?”

  “He arrived around 2 hours ago.” answered the waiter.

  “Has he won much?”

  “Won? He loses every time he comes here. I know he borrowed money to play tonight. He borrowed more than last week.”

  “How often does he come here?” asked William?

  “There’s not a weak that goes by without him here, sir.” answered the waiter.

  “Do you know whom he borrowed money from?” continued William.

  “I am sorry sir, but I do not. I did not see the man before and I did not speak to him.”

  “That is all, waiter. Thank you. Here’s a little something for your bother.” said Wesley giving some money to the lad. “I guess now we know for sure why he has been so sloppy lately.”

  “Are you talking about the Smith investigation?” inquired William Tully.

  “Well, how could he have otherwise accused an innocent man? Someone should make sure the captain will take his job more seriously, but we both know we can’t go to the police to say something, after all he is the captain. But if somehow the public would find out…”

  “Yes, if only the public would find out, maybe he would be held accountable for his actions.” continued William.

  “Oh come on now, we came here to drink and forget our sorrows.”

  The Monday edition of the London Editorial had as a headline: “Captain of the police seen gambling and borrowing money to feed his habit. Are we safe with such a man in charge of imparting the law?”

  “Unbelievable!” said the duke, outraged. “This man is unbelievable. He gambles, I take care of all his debts and he promises never to do it again and now I return to Britain and I find out he still is gambling. That imbecile!”

  At the mansion, the next three weeks passed uneventful, but then uproar enveloped the city as Jack Smith had been spotted there again.

  “Maybe now the people who were involved in the man’s suffering can apologize to him. They should do it, actually they should beg for his forgiveness.” said Ava.

  “I thought you wanted to see the man hanged. You were very interested in his execution.” said Tudor.

  “I was, right before I found out he was innocent. Now that I know who the real criminal and the real fraud are, I cannot say anything other than that I am ashamed to have also been attracted in that charade. But I have learned to be more cautious as a result of this.”

  As the sun had set, Lord Tudor met with Wesley and Jack Smith.

  “I am forever in your debt. I would be a dead man now if you would not have orchestrated the riot at my execution.” said Smith.

  “It is I who is in your debt. You could have just run away, instead you accepted to go after the Scots for me.” said Tudor.

  “I brought the Scots with me. They will testify against Lord Tully and against the duke.” added Jack.

  “Tomorrow when the lords of London gather, the two brothers will make an appearance and they will turn the tables in our favor.” said Wesley.

  “Good. Wesley, make sure the two brothers are to be there at 10 am sharp. I do not want them to be late. The duke and Lord Tully are two prominent figures of the Constantines. With them under public inquiry and suspicion we will have it easier.”

  The Council of Lords started the meeting and Lord Tudor made his first appearance there. Lord Wesley also entered.

  Lord Tudor, whispering to Wesley: “Where are they?”

  “I do not know. I went by the hotel and they were gone. I asked Jack but he knew nothing, it seems the two brothers have disappeared into thin air.”

  “This is not good, this is not good at all” said Tudor angry.

  Duke Burke got close to the two men and said “What is the matter Lord Tudor? You do not seem to be at your best.”

  “Nothing but a pesky headache, that is all.”

  “Well then, let’s take a seat and listen to today’s subjects of discussion.”

  Before soon, Lord Tully entered with the two Scots behind him. “Please forgive me for being late but I come with two guests. I present to you Lord Thomas Madden and his brother Lord Kit Madden. The two arrived this morning as guests in my house and I thought I’d show them how the issues of the town are discussed in London.”

  The duke then said “Well come on, take a seat all of you and let’s start our discussion!”

  “Maybe the two lords have something to say before we begin” added Wesley.

  “No, we are fine, thank you.” said Lord Thomas Madden.

  Wesley was clearly taken aback by the answer and Tudor was also but he did not let it show. When the Council meeting ended, Thomas got close to Wesley for a second and said “I am sorry. They do not know about you and I will never say a word about you, but I can’t go on with the plan.” Then Wesley and Tudor talked in private trying to figure out what happened.

  “What in a god’s name, if any exist, happened? Did we just get played?” asked Wesley.

  “They must have gotten scared. Duke Henry Burke and Lord Tully are two of the most influential men in this country. At least they did not say anything about us. But even so, now they are a liability.” said Tudor.

  “They must be eliminated. They know Jack Smith and I are working together.”

  “Not now, let’s see if we can play out their guilt.”

  “Do you think they would agree to spy for us?”

  “They are guests in Lord Tully’s home and we know they would like it if the truth would come out. Talk to them and
push on this. Maybe they will agree to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the Tully household.”

  “I will.” answered Wesley. “What about William Tully? The lad seems to not have followed in his father’s footsteps. He also seems to be oblivious of the existence of the Order of Constantine.”

  “Become his best friend. See if he can also provide some information about his father.”

  “What about the duke’s daughter?” asked Wesley.

  “No!” intervened Tudor sharply.

  “She is just a girl of almost 21. Everyone her age is easily impressionable. We should use her also.”

  “I said no! Lady Ava is not to be involved in this.”

  “Ow, I see. Am I sensing some feelings for the girl? I have never heard you say ‘no’ to using someone for any of our plans.”

  “The girl is not to be involved. Those are my last words in regard to this.” added Tudor angrily.

  It was 8 in the morning when Jonathan woke up. The girl was still sound asleep next to him. He touched her long large copper curls and he even moved his hand toward her face, but as soon as it reached her left cheek he pulled back. Then he noticed the girl tossing and turning in her bed. Her face turned sad, scared, desperate; a nightmare had taken control of her mind.

  It was the end of March and the smells of spring were beginning to fill the air. The moon was shining bright on the sky and the only people in the Mayflower were Ava, Tudor, the butler and his wife. Duke Burke had gone out of town on another one of his business trips. Ava was sleeping but she turning and tossing in her bed. “No, no, don’t! No, mother, why did you do this?” she was screaming.

  Tudor heard the screams, ran up the stairs, and entered the room.

  “No, no!” she was still screaming, tossing, turning.

  The man sat next to her and took her in his arms trying to awaken her, but there was no positive result. And then she shrieked a last “No!” and she woke up scared. Ava then shoved herself into his chest and grabbed him strong. She trembled.

  “Ava, it was just a nightmare. You are alright now, you are in your bed, in your room, there’s nothing scary about this, there’s no monster here.” said Tudor convinced that she had just had a horrible nightmare