Page 17 of Equalizer
“For the other covens, it seems to be bad feelings between the traditionalists and the progressives,” Louisa went on. “The traditionalists want everything said in Latin or ancient languages and done exactly the way the old books say. The progressives say magic works just fine in English and that the trappings can be brought into the modern age.”
Calvin couldn’t hide a smile. “That seems to be the battle in every profession, but I hadn’t figured it in witchcraft.”
Louisa nodded. “Sad but true. I have a witch friend I can introduce you to. She would know the players much better. Arabella Munson. I’ll find a way to put you in touch.”
“Much obliged,” Calvin replied.
“Back to the missing bodies,” Owen said. “Has anyone tried to patent any unusual medical procedures or equipment lately? Especially anything to do with electricity?”
She gave them a shrewd look. “What are you really looking for?”
“We think the theft of fresh bodies isn’t about selling them as cadavers for medical schools,” Calvin replied. “We’ve read about doctors wanting to transplant healthy organs for sick ones. Our working theory is that the thieves are selling the bodies for parts that can be attached with some sort of exclusive new technology—or technology magic—that allows them to become replacements for damaged or missing limbs, organs, or even faces.”
Louisa took a moment to let that sink in. Her right hand went to clasp a protective bracelet on her left wrist. “You mean like in that Frankenstein book?”
Owen shook his head. “Not exactly. In that book, it was about reanimating the dead. This would be less grandiose—replacing a damaged part—not the whole body.”
“The doctor in that book used electricity to bring the creature to life,” she mused. “There have been some rather sensational demonstrations of galvanism recently. Dr. Augustus Gordon had a standing-room-only exhibition at the Chicago Coliseum. I’m told that people fainted or threw up at the display.”
Owen’s eyebrows rose. “What could have been that bad?”
“He had a severed monkey’s paw that clenched and unclenched its fist. And a freshly dead calf from one of the slaughterhouses that he got to move in rather ghoulish ways,” Louisa shared, looking sick herself. “The newspapers were fascinated and repelled, in equal parts. Some of them said he was a madman and a danger. Others thought it was the frontier of science. The crowd just loved a show.”
Owen retreated behind his cup of tea for a moment while he thought about what she said. “Do you think Gordon is doing off-the-books experiments in his free time?”
Louisa frowned, thinking, then shook her head. “No. He’s a veterinarian, not a surgeon. He wouldn’t have the knowledge or expertise to do complicated procedures on people.”
“Lots of con men have oversold their expertise,” Calvin pointed out.
“True. But if there’s a whole underground racket going with stolen bodies, there’s got to be money behind this. An investor who either sees a way to make a fortune or has some major personal loss that fuels them,” she replied. “I’ve heard Gordon talking with audience members. He can put on a show, but he isn’t smart enough to be a con man of the scale it would take to convince people to let him operate on them.”
“He’s the front man. He might not even know about someone else doing the actual procedures,” Owen conjectured.
“I don’t think anyone would trust Gordon with that kind of secret,” Louisa said. “If he weren’t making frog legs twitch, he’dbe doing a Vaudeville show somewhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s an actor pretending to be a doctor.”
“Just another snake oil salesman,” Calvin replied. “But he’s also popularizing the concept and the possibilities of galvanism. Making people comfortable with it. The more they see it, the more normal it seems. That paves the way for a real doctor to quietly offer an expensive, exclusive procedure to select customers.”
“That’s why they say there’s a sucker born every minute,” Owen agreed. “Because I’ll bet my bottom dollar that there isn’t any long-term research on how long a transplant like that might last. When something gets stitched on and starts rotting, they won’t be happy.”
Louisa scrunched up her face. “Ew.”
“Yeah, Owen,” Calvin teased. “Watch your words. People are trying to eat.” Beneath the table, he bumped Owen’s knee in jest.
“There’s also an academic, a Dr. Humphries, who has a lecture coming up about transplantation,” Louisa told them. “I saw a flyer on a bulletin board. It sounded very theoretical, not splashy, but you might pick up something from watching the audience.”
Calvin made sure to write down the details. “Sounds like it could be worth sitting through. Even if Humphries himself isn’t involved, there could be someone who is a little too interested hanging around.”
They changed subjects after that, sticking to lighter topics. When they finished their tea, Owen and Calvin walked Louisa to her carriage.
“I’ll send you a telegram when I know more,” Louisa said. “And I’ll get something set up with Arabella. In the meantime, watch your backs.”
The sunny day and warm temperature tempted them to walk the rest of the way back to the train station. Owen spotted theusual ghosts on the way. The repeaters never changed or noticed anyone. They were just shadows without memory. Several others retained a sense of who they had been and acknowledged Owen.
“There’s a man behind you.” The tip came from a ghost that looked like he had been a railroad worker in life. “He’s been following you.”
“Ghost says we’ve got a tail,” Owen said under his breath to Calvin.
They exchanged a look and worked the plan they had devised. Owen broke left, Calvin went right, and Owen called out to nearby spirits to hem in their pursuer.
