St. Columb - Chapter Eleven

XI

I can't imagine that anyone who met Richard Bingham would like him. He was a neanderthal of a man: a wide nose with think glasses that hid steely gray eyes, thick gray hair that was balding and a stout body. He had an arrogance about him that was almost intolerable, and he absolutely despised Celia; he looked at the way one would look at an insect that needed to be crushed underfoot.
“Thomas! What in God's name do you think you're doing? In a matter of twenty-four hours we've had three murders and you're not any closer to discover the killer? This is what happens when you send a woman to do a man's work.” he sneered, looking over his glasses.
“Bingham, you wouldn't have the first clue about any of this because, as your ass dictates, you sit in an office all day and bark out orders like some flea-bitten hound at an animal shelter.” Celia said through her teeth.
“Watch your tone child. You forget I hold your job in my hands.” he said, he stepped closer and pointed at her. “And when I get enough information against you, I'll make damned sure that you're not able to even show your face around London ever again.” he replied in a menacing tone, his finger still in her face.
“If you don't get your finger out of my face, that won't be the only member I'm going to shoot off.” she said, not impressed by his show of attempted dominance.
“Mr. Bingham...sir.” Phillip said, doing his best not to loose his temper. “I think that is quite enough. You two bickering like children isn't going to solve this murder. Here is the case file you so politely asked for.” he said, sarcasm dripping from his tone.
Bingham glanced at him and snatched the file from Phillip, he opened it and began to read. All the while, Celia was flashing angry glances at Phillip who mouthed that he had no idea that Bingham would be making an appearance. Gavin and William returned with Dougan, who thankfully wasn't in chains. Dougan shot me a worried look, I did my best to subtly tell him that it would be all right.
“Is this the suspect?” Bingham said, walking over to them. “Why in bloody hell isn't he in chains? Has your naïve female sentiment caused you to be nice with cold blooded killers Thomas?” he sneered
“Dougan is not the killer.” I said, growing quite tired of his impudence.
“And who are you?”
“I am Rachel Winter, the social worker assigned here. And I was with him all last night and the night that Beatrice was killed, so there's no way that he could've done any of this.” I said, walking up to Bingham.
“Miss Winter, is this not his knife?” Bingham said, snatching the bag from Celia.
“Yes but—“
“And at some point last night did you not fall asleep?”
“Of course but I—“
“And were you not so overcome with emotion that it's quite possible that you could not have heard this man sneak out and slash the throat of Julian Ainswoth? That the state of your mind could've caused fatigue so great that you slipped into a deep sleep of which that not even the loudest of noises could wake you?”
“I suppose so but—“
“Then you cannot possible vouch for this man.” he said dismissing me.

I was about to say something else when suddenly, Lynsay, followed by Emma and Grace, burst into the room and into my arms.
“Rachel! Rachel! It's Dona! She's gone! When I woke up this morning she wasn't in your bed! She must have ran off or, or been taken and—oh buggar....” she stopped when she saw Bingham and the others in the room.
“Dona's gone? When did you notice??” I said, grabbing her shoulders.
“When I woke up, it must have been ten minutes ago. I spent a few moments searching for her but I could not find her! Oh Rachel what if that horrible man has her!” Lynsay said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“We'll find her Lynsay, Emma compile a list of all of her hiding spots you can remember. You, Grace, Lynsay and myself will all split up and look for her.” I said.
“Dona? You mean little Dona Austen? She was filed as a missing child.” Phillip said, glancing at Celia.
“Thomas, did you know that this child was staying with Miss Winter?” Bingham said, turning to Celia; his eyes were gleaming, she knew that he was going to use this against her.
“Dona was put into the protective custody of Miss Winter, along with the aid of Mrs. Noll, her daughter and Miss Winter's sister. She has vital information about our perpetrator and needed to be kept with those she trusted and those who could protect—“
“So not only did you lie in the report, you withheld vital information about the case. Thereby jeopardizing the entire operation.” Bingham said, folding his arms, “There now you see? Are all of you so loyal to her now?” he laughed, turning to the populous of officers who glared at him.
“The whole idea was mine, Mr. Bingham. Celia had nothing to do with it.” I said. It was nearly impossible to be polite to this man, but I made the effort for Celia's sake.
“I highly doubt that Miss Winter, you see Captain Thomas has an axe to grind against me and this is just the sort of thing that she would do in order to make a fool of me.” he repiled, turning back to Celia with a wicked grin on his ugly face.
“From what I can tell Mr. Bingham, you seem to do quite a fine job making a fool of yourself without Celia's help.” I said, putting on my sweetest smile. He turned to me and glared, I almost shuddered but I managed to keep face.
“Delaney, put Miss Winter and all of these other women under house arrest. Assign Hockley to guard their every move until I can return and question them.”
“You can't do that! They have nothing to do with the murders! You can't just contain these women against their will!” Celia cried
“You have no authority here Thomas, you are currently under investigation. What are all of you standing around gaping about for? Did I bloody stutter? Move it!” he said, walking towards the door with another officer.
“Captain...I'm so sorry...if I hadn't opened my big mouth this wouldn't have happened...” Lynsay replied.
“No no darling don't feel like that...unfortunately Bingham would've figured it out eventually.” Celia replied.
“What are we to do?” Emma asked, pulling Grace close to her.
“I'll be the one in charge of this, you don't need to worry.” Phillip said, stepping forward with Gavin
“What of Dougan? Bingham is bound to throw him in jail without a second through.” I said. I saw that he was coming our way, I immediately rushed into his arms without hesitation. “Dougan...”
“You don't need to worry Rachel, I'll be fine once that bastard is out of the picture.” Dougan said, holding me close to his chest. His heart beat sounded as soothing to me as a melody, I felt so safe in his embrace.
“Yeah don't worry miss, I'll make sure that I'm with him the whole time.” William said, taking his hat off in my presence. I smiled at him, he was a charming boy, probably close to Gavin's age. I saw that Celia was talking to Gavin and Phillip in hushed tones, she was probably making some sort of game plan.
“Lynsay, you're wanted for theft are you not?” Celia said, looking at her and smiling. Lynsay froze, her eyes getting big.
“Um...y—yes Captain...but I was hungry and I promised that I would never do it again, and I haven't! I knew it was wrong at the time but—“
“Darling calm down, I was just wondering if you still had your wits about you.” Celia laughed.
“Oh...well, I suppose so.”
“Good, I could use a quick-witted girl.” Phillip smiled. He took Lynsay away and spoke, in hushed tones, about the plan that would be executed.
“Rachel, you Mrs. Noll and Grace must all be on the lookout for Dona. Gavin has his orders and is to let no one else supervise you, he is going to keep a lookout while you all take turns searching for Dona. Phillip is going to use Lynsay as a distraction so he can free Dougan. That fat bastard may have won this battle but I'll be damned if he's going to destroy this case, not when we're so close. What he's doing is wrong on so many levels and I intend to play his game and beat him.” Celia said.

We all shuddered when we heard Bingham's booming voice echo in the mess hall:
“Delaney! Quit fannying around and put those three women into custody! Thomas! Why are you still in here?! You're under investigation! Move it!”
“Goddamn him...right, well I have to go. Do everything exactly as I have told you, got it?” she asked looking at us. We all nodded in unison, she smiled: “Well then there's no use putting it off any further.” she replied, turning to leave.
“Celia.” I said, she stopped and turned to face me. I walked over and embraced her. “Thank you...for everything.” I whispered.
“Rachel there's no need to thank me.” she said, pulling away. With that, she walked towards the exit with Phillip.
“Celia, I know you probably won't believe me when I say this, but I had nothing to do with Bingham coming here.” he said, holding the swinging door for her
“I know Phillip. I don't know how I know, but I believe you.” she replied, her hand on the doorknob. “I just want to ask you something.”
“Of course.”
“Why are you so trusting of me? Why not just take whatever Bingham has offered you? Why are you taking such a risk?”
“Because you're a damn good officer, and you have a fire about you that I can't really explain...” he said, brushing a lock of hair out of her face. “Plus, I absolutely despise Bingham. Any officer that bribes his way up to the commanders office needs to be disposed of, and I intend to do that.”
“Phillip Delaney I think I've been wrong about you all along.” Celia smiled.
“Well I'm glad to hear that you finally trust me.” he smiled. “Go on, before that bastard comes in here and starts bitching again.” he said. Celia laughed, and went out the door.

“Rachel, I don't like this plan.” Dougan said, cradling my face in his hands. “Who knows what this psychopath is capable of? I don't like the idea of you going off and searchin' for Dona with the possibility of runnin' into him.”
“Dougan, I'll be alright. Dona is a clever little girl, she probably got scared and is in one of her impeccable hiding places.”
“What if she's not, what if the killer's just doing this to lure you away?”
“Dougan I can't just leave Dona out there alone, I promised her that I would never let anything happen to her and by God I intend to keep that promise. What worries me is the thought of you in the custody of that terrible man...” I replied, taking one of his hands.
“I've been in worse situations than this, I assure you.” he smiled “I just wish I could be here to protect you.”
“So far I think I've done a pretty dandy job of taking care of myself. You forget I've had to do it since I was eighteen.” I smiled, trying to reassure him.
“I guess you have.” he laughed. “What can I say? I love you Rachel Winter and I can't bear the thought of you coming to harm if I can prevent it.”
“Mr. Bardwell? We'd better go, I really don't want to have to listen to Bingham bellow again.” William said gently, smiling a little.
“Go Dougan, I'll be fine.” I said, hugging him again. “I'll be here waiting for you. I love you.” I whispered in his ear.
“I promise I'll come back to you.” he said, cradling my chin with his fingers and kissing me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, not wanting to let him go. We pulled away and ignored the subdued giggles and smiles from Emma, Grace and my sister.

Phillip had made his way back to us and, winking at me, he escorted William and Dougan outside leaving us alone with Gavin.
“Well then, shall we go then?” He said, a charming smile playing across his face. “Oh come on now, you all are under house arrest. You're not supposed to look this content, lets see a little bit of dejection and utter disappointment in the law.” he said, earning a laugh from us.

I left the mess hall feeling rather hopeful that this situation would somehow work out for the best. Little did I know that things were about to get much more twisted and darker than I had ever anticipated; and the 'monster' was the last person I would have ever suspected.