Lifeblood by Tom Becker

killing. Was it simply a random attack, or had Arkel’s reputation and standing made him a target for jealous rivals? Another, darker rumour flying around the drinking dens of Darkside is that Arkel was murdered because someone had uncovered his true identity.
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    What is certain is that the Ripper’s private force of Bow Street Runners are running an investigation that is unprecedented in its scale and violence. In just forty-eight hours over a hundred Darksiders have been brought in for questioning: as yet, none have been released. One officer said that, “Thomas will do whatever it takes to catch his son’s killer. He’ll tear apart the foundations of Darkside if necessary. No one is safe.”
    Sources close to the Ripper have confirmed that there are now only two heirs left to contest the Blood Succession. Their identities and whereabouts remain the most closely guarded of secrets.
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    â€œSensational stuff,” de Quincy remarked mildly, tossing the newspaper back to Granville. “I hardly need reminding of the details, though. After all, we were the ones who did it.”
    Humphrey waved his arms in a shushing gesture. “Keep your voice down, man!”
    â€œI think we’re probably safe. Even a Bow Street Runner wouldn’t be mad enough to eat here.”
    â€œThis is no joke, Nicholas!” Humphrey paused as the waitress returned, placing a cup before de Quincy. When she had gone, he resumed speaking in a hushed whisper. “I’ll admit that we were the ones who lured him up on to the roof. But we didn’t know he was going to be torn to pieces up there! We didn’t know he was a Ripper!”
    â€œWell, we knew that Arkel wasn’t going to come back down from the roof, and it was unlikely he was going to be tickled to death. If you are going to be so squeamish about this, Granville, you should never have got involved in the first place.”
    Humphrey drew himself up in his seat proudly. “Brother Fleet asked for our assistance in disposing of Arkel. We were all Gentlemen – the elite of the Cain Club. We were obliged to help!”
    â€œI suppose there was that,” de Quincy mused. “I simply thought it would be fun. And it gave me a hold over Brother Fleet that I thought might come in handy later on. Of course, it turned out to be an even bigger hold than I could have dreamed of. When we found out that he was a Ripper too, and that he had killed his own brother. . .” His thin lips twisted into a smile. “Well, it was like all my birthdays rolled into one. Which brings us neatly back to the present, and our current business.”
    A pensive look crossed Humphrey’s face, and he took a nervous quaff of his coffee. “Look, you may be happy, Nicholas, but I’m worried. When I agreed to help you with this scheme, you promised me that there was no way we could get hurt.”
    De Quincy’s eyes narrowed. “You look well enough to me.”
    â€œBut after what happened to poor Edwin. . .”
    â€œAfter what?”
    â€œHaven’t you heard, Nicholas? They found his body in an alleyway yesterday.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œIs that all you have to say? Don’t you understand? Edwin’s dead! Word is he was murdered!”
    De Quincy took a sip of his coffee, winced, and pushed it to one side. “Look, if no one else had killed Edwin Rafferty, I would have done it myself.”
    â€œNicholas!” Humphrey cried, shocked.
    â€œFace facts, Granville. The man was a walking liability. Who knows how much he’s drunkenly blabbed in the Midnight? We should never have included him in the first place.”
    â€œBut he was one of us! He was a Gentleman !”
    De Quincy grimaced. “I would have thought that recent events would have proved to you that the Gentlemen don’t exist any more. It’s just me and you, Granville.”
    â€œBut if they can kill Edwin,