Page 21 of A Case of Possession
“How did the rats leave? Where did they go?”
“I don’t recall anything about that.”
“Or where they came from?”
“Sorry. If Willetts put it in the story, I’ve forgotten.”
Janossi made a disgusted noise. “The one man we need to speak to, and he’s dead. And that’s why he’s dead, of course.”
“Likely, certainly,” said Stephen. “Well, now. Giant rats used as a weapon. A method of calling them. A protective amulet. The man who might know the call or own the amulet stabbed to death down in Poplar last week.”
“Rats springing up through the East End and heading into Limehouse,” Esther continued. “Two dead Chinese practitioners.”
“And a houseful of corpses on Ratcliffe Highway,” Janossi finished grimly. “Chance, or someone trying out a new toy?”
“There’s a thought,” said Esther. “Here’s Saint coming.”
There was a banging at the front door a few seconds later. Merrick let the girl in, and Esther gave her a rapid summary of events. As they spoke, Crane edged over to Stephen and propped himself on the desk.
“Interesting day?”
“As you see. Thank you for this. I thought you’d help but I didn’t expect quite such a contribution.”
“I am forever at your service,” said Crane lightly, and felt Stephen’s eyes flick to him.
“Well, I’m in your debt,” he returned equally lightly. “Please do collect.”
“I shall.” Crane allowed just a hint of promise into his voice. “So you think Willetts’ tale was more than a lot of tommyrot?”
“His murder lends it credibility. Of course it might just be coincidence, but you know how I feel about that.”
“You spurn it as you would a rabid dog.”
Stephen grinned up at him, then looked over at the others. “Alright, everyone, plan of action. We need to find out how the shamans died and if it’s linked to the rats; we need to find out more about Willetts’ death; most crucially, we need to look for evidence of whether the rats are appearing at random or being called. Are there many Sumatrans in London, Lord Crane?”
“Not that I know of. The odd lascar, perhaps, not a big migrant settlement.”
“Is Sumatra the same as China?” asked Saint.
“No,” said Merrick and Crane, simultaneously and emphatically. Merrick added, “Couple thousand miles off. Different people. Different language.”
“Does either of you speak Sumatran?” Esther put in.
“Malay. No, but Merrick’s not bad with pidgin. Then again, anyone surviving over here will speak English, there’s not a lot of Malay spoken this side of the globe.”
Stephen nodded. “Saint, did you find the addresses? Good. Mr. Merrick, can I borrow you to look into what happened to the shamans?”
“Be a pleasure, sir.”
“Thank you. Saint, take Mr. Merrick to the flagpole houses and back him up. Subtly, please. Do not get into trouble.”
“That goes for you too,” Crane told Merrick.
“Esther?”
“I’m going to Ratcliffe Highway for a sniff around. If this is a deliberate summoning, that might have been a practice run, in which case I’ll bet the summoner was near. Joss, with me, unless you need him, Steph?”
“No, I think I’ll look into Mr. Willetts’ death,” Stephen said. “The sooner we find out if this was a deliberate summoning, the better. Lord Crane, if you’re not busy—”
