To the Dark by Chris Nickson

Author:Chris Nickson [Chris Nickson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2020-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Things were starting to turn, but they still had a long way to go. Talking to Brady had sharpened his thoughts.

‘I’ll ask around the shops and have a word with the women about Porter,’ Rosie said. ‘I should be able to give you chapter and verse this evening.’

Another gown he didn’t recognize, this one the colour of good claret and made of fine wool. A hat in a matching shade. She wrapped a shawl the shade of old roses over her shoulders and stared in the mirror as she adjusted her bonnet just so, then left the house. By the time she came back she’d probably know more about the man than he’d ever learned about himself.

Tonight he’d return to the Yorkshire Hussar. If Murdoch and Johnson were there, he’d insist on another talk to make certain they gave in to his demands. They would, with reluctance; he’d seen the defeat on their faces.

This afternoon he’d go out into the cold with his sons. A good long walk up to Woodhouse Moor and let them run and play on the open ground. Allow himself to breathe and remember the things that were important in life. Young, smiling faces. Two boys who trusted him without thinking. A reminder that there was honest innocence in the world.

Jane sensed Martha before she arrived. Hearing the boots running along the cobbles, small feet hurrying on the setts. She slowed her pace until the girl was beside her.

‘Where are you going?’

‘I have to talk to some people. The same thing I always do. You’ve seen me do it.’ She wasn’t about to give away all her business.

‘Are we looking for someone?’

Jane shook her head. ‘Not this time. We have to find out about a man called Charles Porter.’

The girl stood still. Fear filled her eyes and she clutched her elbows tight around her body.

‘What is it?’

‘Does he live in Armley?’

‘I don’t know.’ Simon hadn’t told her. Simply given her the names of two men who’d worked for Porter in the past. ‘Why?’

Martha was quiet, looking down at the ground, the toe of her boot digging and pushing at the dirt.

‘My mother …’ Jane waited. No more words came.

‘Did she work for him?’

A quick nod. ‘She did his laundry. He came to our house one day. I don’t know why. He … I saw them together. I walked in; I didn’t mean to. She was facing the other way, bent over with her skirt up. She didn’t see me.’

‘What about him?’ Jane asked. She kept her voice soft. She knew, but she still needed to hear the words.

‘He turned his head. I was standing there. He … did this.’ She stroked a cut across her neck with her fingers. Her eyes were filling with tears. ‘I ran off.’

‘He can’t hurt you now.’ A gentle nudge in her back, guiding her down towards the bridge. Some food from Kate the pie-seller. A warm pie in her belly would help. The woman glanced at the girl then left them alone.

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