The Night of the Ripper

~ THIRTY ~

It was later, in the hall outside, that Mark had a moment alone with Eva.

He caught up with her as she started down the corridor, then halted at his approach.

“Eva — what happened to you?”

“Nothing, really.” She smiled. “Of course I was startled when Dr. Openshaw gave his opinion about the murderer. It seemed to upset you too.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about,” Mark told her. “I saw your face when he mentioned Dr. Hume.”

Eva’s smile vanished. “Please,” she said. “I’m wanted in the dispensary.”

“It can wait.” Mark spoke quickly. “What’s Hume up to? Has he been molesting you? I want to know.”

Eva took a deep breath. “Very well.”

Quietly she recited the details of her late night encounter with Jeremy Hume and their visit to the waxworks exhibit.

Mark listened with growing anger. “And you’ve done nothing about it? You could have spoken out.”

Eva shook her head. “What’s the use? It would only be my word against his, and of course he’d deny everything. I don’t wish to be sacked as a troublemaker.”

“Inspector Abberline seems to consider Hume a possible suspect. Why not tell him?”

Eva gestured helplessly. “But there’s really nothing to tell — nothing concrete, that is. Just because Dr. Hume accosted me hardly proves he’s guilty of anything but boorish behavior.”

“There’s more to it than that. You told me what he said about the slaughterhouses, the way he seemed to gloat over details of the Ripper slayings.”

“Again that’s no proof.” She hesitated, “And I’m not all that naive. Don’t you see what he was doing? He was trying to excite me.”

“Miserable scum!” Mark’s hands balled into fists. “If you’d only come to me, I’d have settled his hash for him in a hurry!”

She sighed. “Precisely why I didn’t want to say anything. Besides, you seem to forget I have other protection.”

“Alan?”

Eva nodded. “If you must know, I asked him to have a word with Dr. Hume. There’s been no trouble since.”

Mark stared at her. “Are you sure? I saw the trouble in your face when his name was mentioned.”

“But I explained—”

“Don’t lie to me, Eva. Hume may not have made any further advances to you, but there’s no assurance he isn’t planning something in the future, if only for revenge. That’s what you were thinking when Openshaw mentioned him. You’re afraid of Hume, aren’t you?”

Silence, then her soft murmur. “Yes, I’m afraid. But Alan says—”

“Damn Alan!” Mark checked himself quickly. “I’m sorry. I know I have no right to interfere, but I’m worried.”

“I understand.” Eva smiled. “And I appreciate your concern, though there’s really no need for it now.”

“Promise me one thing,” Mark said. “If Hume attempts to approach you again, you’ll let me know.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Now I must go.”

Eva started off, then turned to glance back at him over her shoulder. There was an unaccustomed shyness in both her smile and her voice.

“Thank you,” she said.

Then she was gone.