The Night of the Ripper

~ FORTY-ONE ~

Mark already knew the answer.

He forced himself to stay silent during the drive to the hospital, forced himself to remain calm as he took his leave of Abberline there, forced himself to nod and smile and return greetings to staff members he met as he hurried through the halls.

But the answer echoed — the answer, in the voice of the landlord as he’d spoken of Pedachenko’s sister. “Younger than him. In her early twenties, I’d say, and didn’t have his accent. A bit on the tall side, fair complexion, with blue eyes and red hair. Offhand you wouldn’t take her for a sister—”

Nor did Mark. The girl the landlord described was Eva.

He reached her at the entrance to the nurses’ quarters, shortly after six, just in time to see her come out wearing street garb.

She greeted him with a smile of relief. “Mark! I’ve worried about you all day — you said you’d see me, remember?”

“I’ve been busy.” He took her arm. “Come into the library. I must talk to you.”

The library was deserted during the change in shifts and he faced Eva there in privacy. As they seated themselves on the sofa she glanced at him expectantly.

“Tell me what happened. Did you find the datebook in Hume’s office last night?”

“It wasn’t there.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. The book isn’t so important, now that Hume is dead.”

“Dead?” Eva sat stunned. “I didn’t know—”

Nodding, Mark told her of his morning visit to Abberline. “I imagine tonight’s papers carry the story,” he said. “But that may not be important either It seems we have another suspect.”

Quickly he described his visit to St. Saviour’s Infirmary with Abberline, and what they had learned there. As he talked he watched her reaction.

“Pedachenko,” he said. “Alexander Pedachenko.” Mark met her startled stare. “Why did you tell me his name was Alan?”

“Oh my God!” Her eyes widened. “How did you guess—?”

“It wasn’t a guess. We’ve seen Delhaye, and Pedachenko’s former landlord. When he described the woman he thought to be a sister, I knew.” He spoke softly. “Why did you do it, Eva?”

“Because he asked me to.” Her face was white. “There was a reason, a very good reason. It had nothing to do with what you’re suggesting—”

“Don’t you understand?” Mark stared at the girl, reading the anguish in her eyes. “He was using you.”

“I don’t believe it! He couldn’t — not Alexander — I don’t believe—”

But she did; Mark saw realization replace remorse as her shoulders shook and she broke off, sobbing.

His hands rose and she came into his arms. He felt the warmth of her, the trembling touch of her fingers as they tightened against his back. “Oh, Mark — I’ve been such a fool! I should have told you—”

“Tell me now.”

The sobbing subsided, and then at last she spoke. At times her words were scarcely audible to him as she fought for control. But there, in the gathering twilight, the story emerged.

She’d met Pedachenko at a medical lecture shortly after her arrival in London. Lonely and friendless, she welcomed his courteous attention; even his foreign mannerisms seemed attractive. He too was without friends or family, struggling to make his way in a new and strange environment. At first he identified himself as a physician, and not until later did she discover he wasn’t permitted to practice. But by then—

Eva blushed, her gaze dropping.

“You became lovers?” Mark’s voice was strained.

“Try to understand,” she said. “I was so alone. And when he told me of his misfortune, my heart went out to him.”

As Mark’s eyes questioned, Eva nodded. “I gather he spoke to Dr. Williams about his work in Russia as an army surgeon. But I’m the only one who knows how he hated it. Hated it so much that he deserted.” She took a handkerchief from her pocket, dabbing her eyes as she spoke. “Alexander came here illegally. He made no effort to obtain a license to practice because it would mean revealing his identity to the authorities. That’s why I never gave anyone his right name. He told me if the Russian secret service discovered his presence here he’d be deported.”

“But that wasn’t the real reason,” Mark said.

“How can you be sure?” Eva raised her pale face to the light. “Couldn’t there be some mistake?”

“You’re the only one who can answer that, I think.” Mark spoke gently. “After all those months the two of you were together, you must have suspected something.” He took her hands in his. “The truth, Eva. All of it.”

She shook her head. “How could I realize there was anything more? He’d wait for me outside the hospital and we’d dine together. He couldn’t visit me in my room, nor I in his. Finally he found another place where we could—”

“I understand.” Mark nodded, then frowned. “But why did you go to his quarters when he told the landlord he was moving?”

“He asked me to come there and pose as his sister, just in case anyone ever questioned why he’d left. By this time he said he was convinced he was under surveillance by Russian agents, and wanted to cover his tracks.” Again she halted; then her words came with a rush.

“But even afterward we weren’t together all that often. I had my work hours here and Alexander never spoke of his life apart. Over the last few months there were times he broke appointments without any explanation. When I questioned him he told me someone must have talked, and whenever he felt he was being followed he’d change his plans to outwit them. At first I accepted this, but gradually I began to wonder. And then, when he asked me to lie for him, we broke off.”

“When was that?”

“Do you remember the time you asked about seeing us, and if we’d spent the night together?”

“Yes. You were angry with me.”

“Not angry. I was upset. You saw us earlier that evening, when he came to take me to dinner. But later, after dining, he went off alone without a word. And when we met again, Alexander didn’t explain. It was then he told me to lie in case anyone inquired.

“I was furious, because I thought I knew the reason. I accused him of seeing another woman. He denied it — there was a scene. I’d never seen him in such a rage before. In the end he struck me and stormed off. I don’t know where he went or where he’s staying now, but he left his new lodgings the following day and I haven’t set eyes on him since.”

“Do you remember the date of your quarrel?”

“It was the end of September — on the last night of the month.”

“September thirtieth.” Mark spoke slowly. “The night of the double murders.”

“I know.” Eva’s pallor was death-white now. “I should have guessed. It’s just that I didn’t want to believe. Don’t you see? The thought that he and I had been together, and all the while—” She pulled free, burying her face in her hands. “No, it’s too horrible!”

“And too dangerous.” Eva looked up as Mark continued. “Remember what I told you about John Merrick seeing a man in the court behind the hospital? He thought he recognized Hume, but suppose it was Pedachenko he saw? Lurking about, waiting for a chance to get hold of you?”

“But why? We’ve broken up, it’s finished.”

“Not if he realizes you’ve come to suspect him. You know too much.”

Eva shook her head in swift denial, but there was fear in her eyes, fear in her voice. “Oh no, he wouldn’t—”

“Do you think a man who butchered five innocent women would hesitate to kill again? There’ll be no safety for you now until Pedachenko is in the hands of the police.”

“But I don’t know where he is! What can we do?”

“The first thing is to go to Abberline and tell him everything you told me.”

“I can’t risk that. What will they think here at the hospital once they know?”

“Damn the hospital! It’s your duty to speak out. More than a duty, now that your life may be at stake. And if you don’t come forward, Abberline will come to you.”

“You’re not going to tell him?”

“I don’t have to.” Mark shook his head. “The inspector isn’t a bumbler like the others. Remember, the landlord gave him a description of you as Pedachenko’s sister. He seemed to pay little heed at the time, but he told me he intends to mount an all-out search for the missing man and that mysterious sister of his.”

“But he’d never connect me with all this.”

“Don’t count on it. I know Abberline. He’s seen you several times, and once he studies that description again, he’s bound to recognize whom it might apply to. Take my word for it — if you won’t see him tonight, he’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”

Mark took her hands once more. “If you’re really worried about anyone at the hospital finding out, then you don’t want the police coming here. But I trust Abberline. If you volunteer that information, I think he’ll agree not to involve your name.”

Eva hesitated, frowning. “How can you be sure of that?”

“I’m only sure of one thing. As long as Pedachenko is free, we’re all prisoners. And if he decides to strike again, you’re his next victim. Eva, promise me—”

She sighed. “What do you want me to do?”

Mark pulled out his watch. “It’s six-thirty now. I’ll contact Abberline immediately and set up an appointment.”

“All right. But I want you to come with me when I go.”

“Of course.” Mark nodded. “I’ll be at your lodgings with a carriage at eight.”