Read Online The Coffin Lane Murders by Alanna Knight - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Alanna Knight
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Mystery & Detective, Police, Police Procedural, Scotland, Serial Murders, Edinburgh (Scotland), Edinburgh, Faro; Jeremy (Fictitious Character)
Ads: Link
glanced at the white face opposite, but there was no problem about identification this time. Faro knew her.
Her name was Rita, a local prostitute who plied her trade in the region of the railway at St Leonards. She was frequently to be seen talking to prospective clients around the inns near the Pleasance and according to the police she had recently extended her activities further afield to include the prosperous villas of Newington and Priestfield.
Rita knew all about public probity and private vice and the lusts that lay behind the modestly curtained windows in the hearts of their respectable owners.
She was very discreet. No one at first glance would have recognised the hallmark of her trade, for she was quietly dressed and gently spoken, as befitted a woman from the Highlands.
Since there had been no outcry, no outraged complaints from the residents, she had introduced the less outrageous of her colleagues, 'girls' who were careful and shrewd in choosing their targets. Until they made some fatal mistake of opportuning some high-minded moral gentleman who felt it was his bounden duty to complain, policemen like PC Dean would continue to turn a blind eye on the existence of Rita.
Ignoring the law that said soliciting was illegal, they would continue to exchange cordial greetings and politely pass the time of day when they met.
Rita was a cheery soul, not in the least vulgar, and wiser policemen like Faro had long recognised that the Ritas of this world, like themselves, had to find means of making a living. Society was responsible, and whether they liked it or whether it was repugnant to them, selling their bodies in order to survive was often a necessity, especially if there were children. Many had children and were good caring mothers, who regarded prostitution as a means of putting bread in their mouths and keeping them out of the dreaded orphanages.
Faro was well acquainted with Rita and the conditions of her life. She had been working the district for several years now since she first came to Edinburgh, a pretty young Highland girl with an illegitimate infant to support.
He had sympathy for her, knowing that but for a fateful meeting long ago with a young policeman called Jeremy Faro, such might well have been the fate of Lizzie Laurie and her wee Vince might have had a very different future.
Although Rita was still alive, Faro was angry; sad and angrier than he had been at the deaths of the first two victims. If he could have laid hands on the killer at that moment, he would have done him considerable violence and would cheerfully have included Angus Spens, whose self-importance had revealed callous indifference to the murdered women.
'She must have been pretty desperate to trudge out in the snow,' Jim Dean said sympathetically. 'Not much business at the railway in this weather, I suppose.'
'Business?' That attracted Spens' attention. He stared at the unconscious woman in disgust. 'You mean she is - a - a prostitute. Well, well, that sort of creature usually gets what she deserves.'
Before Faro or Dean could comment, the police carriage turned on to the main road where Conan had just arrived at the surgery door.
Faro leaped out. 'We have another victim. She's still alive.'
'Hospital case? Very well, I'll come with you. A moment while I leave a message for Vince.'
He reappeared with dressings to staunch the blood. There was nothing else he could do.
At Faro's anxious glance, he shook his head and silently they watched over her on the short distance to the hospital. There they waited while Conan, giving brief instructions, had her wheeled into the ward.
At last he emerged. 'She's still alive. Same knife wound, I'm afraid. And I wouldn't be surprised if the same weapon was used again.'
'Serious?'
'She's lost a lot of blood, she's very badly shocked but hopefully she'll survive.'
'And be able to tell us something about this madman when she recovers consciousness,' said Faro grimly. I'll wait.'
Conan
Her name was Rita, a local prostitute who plied her trade in the region of the railway at St Leonards. She was frequently to be seen talking to prospective clients around the inns near the Pleasance and according to the police she had recently extended her activities further afield to include the prosperous villas of Newington and Priestfield.
Rita knew all about public probity and private vice and the lusts that lay behind the modestly curtained windows in the hearts of their respectable owners.
She was very discreet. No one at first glance would have recognised the hallmark of her trade, for she was quietly dressed and gently spoken, as befitted a woman from the Highlands.
Since there had been no outcry, no outraged complaints from the residents, she had introduced the less outrageous of her colleagues, 'girls' who were careful and shrewd in choosing their targets. Until they made some fatal mistake of opportuning some high-minded moral gentleman who felt it was his bounden duty to complain, policemen like PC Dean would continue to turn a blind eye on the existence of Rita.
Ignoring the law that said soliciting was illegal, they would continue to exchange cordial greetings and politely pass the time of day when they met.
Rita was a cheery soul, not in the least vulgar, and wiser policemen like Faro had long recognised that the Ritas of this world, like themselves, had to find means of making a living. Society was responsible, and whether they liked it or whether it was repugnant to them, selling their bodies in order to survive was often a necessity, especially if there were children. Many had children and were good caring mothers, who regarded prostitution as a means of putting bread in their mouths and keeping them out of the dreaded orphanages.
Faro was well acquainted with Rita and the conditions of her life. She had been working the district for several years now since she first came to Edinburgh, a pretty young Highland girl with an illegitimate infant to support.
He had sympathy for her, knowing that but for a fateful meeting long ago with a young policeman called Jeremy Faro, such might well have been the fate of Lizzie Laurie and her wee Vince might have had a very different future.
Although Rita was still alive, Faro was angry; sad and angrier than he had been at the deaths of the first two victims. If he could have laid hands on the killer at that moment, he would have done him considerable violence and would cheerfully have included Angus Spens, whose self-importance had revealed callous indifference to the murdered women.
'She must have been pretty desperate to trudge out in the snow,' Jim Dean said sympathetically. 'Not much business at the railway in this weather, I suppose.'
'Business?' That attracted Spens' attention. He stared at the unconscious woman in disgust. 'You mean she is - a - a prostitute. Well, well, that sort of creature usually gets what she deserves.'
Before Faro or Dean could comment, the police carriage turned on to the main road where Conan had just arrived at the surgery door.
Faro leaped out. 'We have another victim. She's still alive.'
'Hospital case? Very well, I'll come with you. A moment while I leave a message for Vince.'
He reappeared with dressings to staunch the blood. There was nothing else he could do.
At Faro's anxious glance, he shook his head and silently they watched over her on the short distance to the hospital. There they waited while Conan, giving brief instructions, had her wheeled into the ward.
At last he emerged. 'She's still alive. Same knife wound, I'm afraid. And I wouldn't be surprised if the same weapon was used again.'
'Serious?'
'She's lost a lot of blood, she's very badly shocked but hopefully she'll survive.'
'And be able to tell us something about this madman when she recovers consciousness,' said Faro grimly. I'll wait.'
Conan
Similar Books
