Read Online Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter - Free Book Online Page B

bubbling pool. “And they are right to be afraid.”
    The men cowered against the bare bricks as Jackaby raised his hand for a final throw. “No! Don’t!” The ringleader’s voice cracked.
    â€œLeave them be.” The voice at my side startled me. It was soft and low.
    Jackaby turned. His arm dropped slowly until it hung at his side. He was breathing heavily.
    Behind him, the magma was already cooling, ruby red pools hardening to charred black rock. The three men scrambled, jumping over the patch on the far side and scampering off into the night.
    â€œThey would not have been merciful to you,” said Jackaby.
    â€œNo,” she agreed. “They wouldn’t.”
    Jackaby’s lips turned up ever so slightly. “Ah, I see. That’s precisely the point, isn’t it? Yes. I suppose you’re right.”
    â€œI’d rather be the maiden than the monster any day,” the woman said. “But you’re wrong about me.”
    Jackaby raised his eyebrows. “Oh? I’m generally a very good judge of character.”
    â€œWeak and harmless?”
    Jackaby paused. “I did not mean to imply . . . but fair enough. My apologies. Please allow me to introduce myself—”
    â€œDetective Jackaby,” she said. “I read the papers, too, mister. You had a hat in the picture.”
    Jackaby nodded with a pout. “I certainly did. A good hat, too. This is my associate, Miss Abigail Rook.”
    â€œMy heroes,” she said. “You can call me Lydia. Lydia Lee.”
    â€œCharmed, Miss Lee,” I said. “I would rather our meeting had come under better circumstances.”
    She laughed weakly. It was a deep, husky laugh. “That’s sweet, miss, but I don’t see folks like you ever meeting someone like me under
better circumstances
.”
    I swallowed, not knowing how to respond. “We’ll get you to a hospital straightaway,” I said.
    â€œDon’t bother with any of that,” she said, making an effort to straighten up. “I’ve been through worse. I’ll be through worse again.”
    Jackaby stepped forward to take her other arm. “And still true to yourself. You are anything but weak, Miss Lee, I’ll grant you that. If you won’t accept our help, then please allow us the pleasure of your company as far as your front door?”
    Miss Lee accepted Jackaby’s arm and we escorted her a few blocks to the east, where she informed us that she shared a cramped apartment on the second floor. Lamps lit up in the windows as we approached, and a crowd of women soon came pouring out of the nearby doorways to help. An old woman with thick gray curls tied back in a tight bun pushed to the front. She rounded on Jackaby before we had even reached the stairs. “Is this your doing?” She menaced Jackaby with a prod from a hefty rolling pin.
    Lydia waved her off. “It’s okay, Mama Tilly. They’re only helping.”
    â€œAre you sure you’ll be all right?” I asked as one of Miss Lee’s neighbors took my place at her side, nudging me out of the way.
    â€œI’ll be fine, miss,” she said, wincing as she tested her weight on the first step. Jackaby spoke quietly with the woman called Mama Tilly, and then as quickly as we had gotten ourselves into the whole mess, we were out of it. Jackaby trod back up the road as if nothing had happened.
    â€œWhat were you talking to Mama Tilly about?” I asked, keeping pace.
    â€œHm? Just making some arrangements. Miss Lee was not entirely truthful about her state of affairs. She is in tremendous pain. She has at least one fractured rib and serious bruising on her legs and arms, possibly more serious injuries beneath—she needs medical attention. We happen to know a capable nurse. This should be a perfectly simple house call for Mona O’Connor—at least compared to the last one she performed for us.” Miss