Page 53 of The House of Whispers

Nathair was dressed in his uniform, as usual, hesitant as he stepped into the room. He stopped in the center of the room as Chesmu closed the door and walked past him. He stopped, standing directly next to me, crossing his arms. Nathair looked at the two of us, hesitant to talk.

“Chesmu knows everything,” I groaned, rubbing my eyes.

Chesmu adjusted his position. “Speak.” The harshness in his voice startled me.

Nathair sighed heavily. “We have a problem.” He looked from Chesmu to me. “The Ripper has claimed another life.”

My stomach dropped as the color drained from my face. Chesmu looked to me as our eyes met, thinking the same thought.Had they found the Whisp bodies he’d disposed of?

Nathair twisted his face as he observed us. “Is there something you two aren’t telling me?” His whole persona shifted. “I thought we were in this together. How do you expect us to stop this maniac if you can’t even be honest with me?” He stepped closer, Chesmu stepping in between us. “I thought we agreed—no more secrets.” Chesmu and Nathair glared at one another.

I chimed in. “We did, but—”

“This isn’t her secret to give.” Chesmu stopped my words. “Besides, it needn’t worry you. I took care of it.”

Nathair’s face twisted in confusion as he tilted his head. “Took care of it? Forgive me, but I don’t think we’re discussing the same murder.”

The three of us remained quiet, exchanging confused looks.

“What is it you’ve found, Nathair?” I moved to the edge of the bed, my feet draping over the side. Chesmu stepped back, allowing Nathair some breathing room.

“We found another Whisp.”

Chesmu looked at me, shaking his head, smug. “That’s not possible? All the Whisps were accounted for after our shift. Chepi would’ve alerted us if—”

“Forgive me, Chesmu, but this house isn’t the only brothel in Bedeville.”

My hands began to shake. “The Ripper is killing Whisps outside the house?”

“I believe he killed many outside the house before he stumbled upon you, Casper. Whisps, Others, Scaleys—he doesn’t care who it is; he seems to kill for the thrill. What’s preventing him from doing so again?” Nathair’s words haunted me. I had forgotten how Jakkal was killing before me. There were many deaths that plagued Bedeville by his hand, though his main focus recently had become this house, its Whisps, and myself.

Flashes of Jakkal killing sent a ringing through my mind. The murder of the Scaley in the house replayed as I recalled Madame Chepi pointing out his signature. “What did he take?” My question sent horror through Nathair as he glared at me, his jade eyes wide.

“How did you—”

“It’s his calling card. He likes to take ‘prizes’. What did he take?” I had become angry.

Nathair sighed again, lowering his head. “Her uterus.”

I became sick, fighting back the urge to vomit all over the floor. Chesmu sat next to me, rubbing my back as he held me. He raised his head as he spoke to Nathair, “Why did he take it?”

Nathair shrugged. “He’s taken many organs from victims. If our theory is correct and Jakkal is indeed Dr. Reynard,” Nathair’s eyes met mine, “then he’s probably running some unethical experiments on them. The hospital mentioned he had a hobby of running unapproved trials and experiments in the past.”

Something clicked in my brain.“You mentioned that he used the basement for experiments?”

“Yes. When the hospital searched his office, they discovered that he had access to the basement and in the basement was where most of his experiments took place. Apparently things were still laid out. It was as though he just up and left, leaving everything behind mid-experimentation.”

Chesmu looked at me, reading the silent expression across my face. He squeezed me tight. “Don’t think about it.”

“I’m not,” I looked at him. “I’ve already made my choice.”

Nathair furrowed his brow, understanding what I meant. “Hold on. You don’t actually suggest we search the basement, now, do you?”

“Why not?” I glanced from Nathair to Chesmu, then back to Nathair. “If we’re right and Dr. Reynard is Jakkal—the Ripper—then he’s probably back in the basement with all his ‘prizes’.” The two men pondered my theory. “I don’t start my shift until later tonight,” I turned back to Chesmu, “I could go. I’ll use my hexer magik; no one will know I’m there.”

“If this is your choice, Casper,” Nathair looked at me, “if you choose to go, I’ll escort you. I can cover you. I’ll get you inside and wait for you.” I nodded. He noticed the look on Chesmu’s face before clearing his throat. “I’ll be outside.” Nathair left the room, closing the door behind.

“Casper,” Chesmu’s eyes softened as he looked at me, “this is too dangerous. You can’t go looking for this killer. What if you happen to run into this Reynard?”

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