|Chapter III|

   Next day Mavis found herself caught up by Amber while Maverick and Arthur were busy in decorations and occasionally, Maverick snuck away to gather information.

   As much as Mavis wanted to storm off to the town she could not as Amber was hanging around her like a butterfly to the flowers.

   "It was at the last ball, Mavis," Said Amber with hearts in her eyes, "that I first saw His Lordship. He looks like a prince..." She droned on and on the same thing which soon started to grate against Mavis's nerves.

   "Good for you," Mavis answered ruefully.

   "You know, I was invited to his ball two months ago. It was tremendously decorated with flowers and it looked like a place out of fairy tale!" She exclaimed, "The girls flocked him and I didn't get a chance to meet him." She pouted.

   "Umm...hmm..." Mavis mumbled as her mind formed various notions of the case.

   "I have asked Arthur to decorate our hall with a lot of lilies."

   "Oh!"

   "Lord Victor would definitely love it."

   Mavis's eyes found Dr Carl and a plan appeared instantly in her mind. "Amber, I believe I haven't met Dr Edwards yet. I need to talk to him regarding Scrab. Would you excuse me for a moment?"

   "But I haven't finished yet!" Amber pouted.

   "I'll come right back."

   Mavis walked over to the man who was crouched in one corner tending to the small mechanical dog, the sound of metal scratching against metal fell on Mavis's ears as she neared him and stopped right behind him.

   "Good morning, Dr Edwards," she spoke but she didn't get any reply, the man didn't seem to have heard her.

   She looked around and walked over to his face and bend down till his level, "Good morning, Dr Edwards." She repeated and this time the man reacted, rather violently. He got so startled that he almost threw his rod-like tool at Mavis's face which she gripped on instinct and gave him an enchanting smile.

   "I apologize for disturbing you, Dr Edwards. I believe we haven't met yet." Dr Edwards observed her with a keen eye for a moment before giving her a toothy smile.

   "Ah, you must be Mavis!" He said as he stood up and presented his hand to her but then noticed the black oil on his hands and retracted it back.

   "You know me?" 

   "Without a doubt, my dear! I have heard a lot about you from my nephew and niece. And also, I kind of thought it must be you because of your little shenanigan there." He said with a crooked smile pointing at the tool that still was in Mavis's hand.

   "I'm happy to know you have knowledge of me." She smiled.

   "You wanted to talk about something?" Dr Edwards asked. 

   "Oh, yes! I have heard a lot about your inventions from Amber and I have also met Scrab." She gestured at the mechanical dog, "if you don't mind can you tell me more about your works? I'd love to know." Mavis said with pure curiosity glowing in her eyes.

   "Sure! This one is actually the second model of dogs which I had made. The first one I had gifted to my patron in London," Dr Edwards said proudly, "Oh, I'm also working on a human model with the similar mechanism."

   It spiked Mavis's interest further. 

   "Can I see it?"

   "Of course!"

   Mavis followed Dr Edwards through the finely decorated corridor till the end which seemed more like a way to the dungeon. The thick wooden doors were locked with the metal lock and Mavis watched as Dr Edwards opened it and led her in.

   "Be careful, it's a little messy here," Dr Edwards said as he walked further in and Mavis looked at the futuristic room– dustbin. A little?

   The stone floor was littered with the metal pieces of equipment, scarp and objects which Mavis had no name for. There were a lot of tables around which were full of objects and a corner was completely devoted to the chemicals and the glass equipment. Dr Edwards gracefully found his way among that litter till the large black mechanical doll which stood in a corner. Dr Edwards gently swept away the nails and other litter from the ground as he dragged the mechanical doll in the centre for Mavis's attention.

   "Here it is!" He announced proudly and Mavis was awestruck watching the mechanical doll. The doll was just as tall as any average eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl with similar body dimensions.

   "Does it work?" There was a hint of breathlessness in her tone.

   Dr Carl Edwards disappeared behind it and Mavis started hearing the sounds of metal scratching against metal, "Not yet. But it will. Without a doubt! I'm positive."

   Mavis tentatively ventured inside, her eyes feeding on the bizarre objects that were splayed across the tables and floor.

   "I read about the article on Grahambell's telephone, it was amazing!" Mavis said.

   "Ah the telephone, in the starting years I was around Bell for the research on converting the electric waves to sound. But then he moved from London and I got busy making this." Dr Edwards said as he tightened a screw, his face scrunched up as he applied a lot of pressure. Mavis noticed the hint of nostalgia and sadness in his voice, "That fella has the habit of moving around a lot, I hope he is settling down in one place now and focusing on his work." 

   Dr Edwards talked about Graham Bell with fondness in his voice. Mavis tilted her head slightly and decided to change the topic.

   "What about airships? Have you rode one?"

   "Of course! The London sky is full of those things now."

   Mavis could not contain herself from grinning. She had always wanted to see one. And Dr Edwards was fuelling her interest with the mechanics behind an airship. The more she listened the more she wanted to ride it, but she knew that she could never go on one unless she had been accompanied by a man with a band on her ring finger. The basic fact of being tied down to the authority of a man infuriated Mavis.

   "Why don't you come with me there?"

   "Father would never—"

   "Of course! Those duties of barons! I have always hated the system."

   She nodded. At least, they both shared the same view.

******

   Mavis went to the town disguising herself again but wasn't able to find Mary. She strolled around the tavern for a while peeking inside occasionally, she narrowly avoided the cruel aunt and then decided to go in town to see if she could find something else. She looked around the flower shop and slowly peeked inside the horse stable which was nearby, she heard the sound of horse's hooves and neighing. She saw the large man walking around carrying the stack of hay, he was pretty bulky and seemed strong enough physically. The man stumbled a little as he went to pick up a large load of hay, he gave off a grunt as he slowly rolled back and was about to fall. Mavis ran inside hurriedly and supported his back before he could fall and he leaned in ahead placing the large load down again.

   "Ah, thank ye," he said as he turned around wiping his brows. His dark deep-set eyes fixed on Mavis and Mavis for a moment felt slightly worried expecting him to explode on her. But he released a deep breath and Mavis blinked.

   "Da place is under'anded, mind 'elpin' out? I'll give ye bread and water." His voice was hoarse yet, it sounded gentle.

   Mavis agreed and helped around for a few hours and noticed that there was actually no one in the stable except for the owner, Mr Burton and herself.

   "Say, lad?" Mr Burton called as Mavis was sweeping the floor, "What is yer name?"

   "Ma–" Mavis quickly clamped her mouth as she caught herself slipping her real name, "Uh, I'm John," she replied.

   In the lunchtime Mavis hurriedly gobbled down the bread as she sat in the back of the stable on a haystack, wondering where Mary was and if she could ditch Mr Burton now and see if she had returned to the tavern. One thing that Mavis had concluded, Mr Burton was completely innocent. Mavis had worked with him for a few hours alone and that much time would've been enough to kill and hide her body if Mr Burton was the killer. But he didn't do any such thing, regardless of the fact that she was disguised as a boy.

   Mavis sighed feeling her shoulders aching, she thought she should go back to the manor now but then she heard the sounds of something thrashing along with groaning and muffled screams. Her ears perked up quickly and she stood up following the sounds. She turned around the corner and saw some girls circled around a skinny girl who curled up on the ground. They were kicking her and throwing names at her.

   Her knuckles turned white when she found out the poor fellow was Mary.

   "Ye slut, ye'll be just like that filthy slut Flora."

   Mavis couldn't resist her anger as she stomped over to the girls and gripped the wrist of one of them and yanked her back making others look up at them.

   "What do ye want?" the girl growled.

   "It's quite a sorry sight to see all ye ladies turning delinquent and moreover, hurting my friend. How about ye scram now?" Mavis spoke through her teeth, her eyes gleaming with pure fury.

   Mavis's warning had no effect on the group instead they left Mary and surrounded her.

   "John!" Mary whimpered.

   "Seems like ye 'ave yer prince charmin', Mary. Did Flora tell ye 'ow to catch a fish?" One of them mocked and every girl laughed. Tears poured out of Mary's eyes. Mavis could no longer hold herself as they were not only mannerless, their brains were filled with utter nonsense.

   "Enough!" Mavis snarled and tightened her hold on the girl's wrist as she squeaked.

   The laughter died away and the girls tried to launch themselves on Mavis when she twisted the wrist of the girl, whirling her around. Mavis pressed her wrist between her scapula making her whimper. Mavis turned her glare on the girls.

   "Ye don't 'ave to lose yer arm, now do ye?" Mavis hissed in her ear and she shivered, "Scram with yer pack now or I'll rip ye all apart." A growl emanated from the back of her throat and the colour drained from the girl's face.

   She moaned, tears running down her cheeks and cried out, "Let's go, please!" 

   Mavis shoved her ahead and as soon as she was released, she ran away so fast as if the devil was hot on her heels. Her pack followed the leader giving Mavis petrified looks.

   Mavis walked over and crouched near Mary as she sat up blowing a wound on her elbow. Mavis eyed the wound as if it were her mortal enemy and held Mary's hand gently and helped her up.

   "Ye are quite tough for a young lad." Mavis whirled around as she heard the voice of Mr Burton and there he stood with his meaty arms crossed over his chest, there was a faint smile on his face.

   "I thought ye'd get bashed up by the lasses." Mr Burton laughed as he stood before Mavis and Mary who were in the stable now tending to Mary's wound.

   "Mr Burton, I ain't dat weak!" Mavis retorted and noticed the look on Mary's face.

   "Don't tell me, even ye thought I'd get beaten up?" Mavis asked Mary and a bashful smile appeared on her face which made Mavis throw her hands in the air in frustration.

   "Besides, what'd dose lasses want?" Mavis asked and Mary looked down at the crumpled flower in her hand.

   "Dey just... saw me plucking dis from Mrs Smith's bushes and brought me at the back," Mary said and Mavis eyed the dilapidated lily in her hands.

   "Why'd ye want dat for?"

   "My old friend Flora liked lilies and I wanted ta keep it on 'er grave..." Mary's eyes watered and Mavis looked slightly rattled thinking Mary would start crying again.

   "Flora? Ye mean dat crazy girl who committed suicide?" Mr Burton spoke from behind Mavis and Mary glared up at him.

   "She wasn't crazy!" Mary shouted as she threw the dead lily on Mr Burton's face and ran out of the stable, crying.

   "Ah, I made yer girl cry," Mr Burton said giving Mavis a sheepish smile and Mavis looked misplaced for a moment.

   "My girl?" she questioned and Mr Burton pulled out two coins from his tattered trousers and placed them on Mavis's hand.

   "Go on, now. Ye've 'elped a lot. Go and get yer girl now." Mr Burton winked and Mavis felt her face growing warm. This was wrong, WRONG!

   Mavis scampered out of the stable and found Mary standing outside the flower shop. She looked inside with a longing gaze and Mavis walked up to her.

   "Let's get yer flower," she said as she took hold of Mary's wrist and pulled her inside the shop.

   "Ah, welco–" The lady tending to the dahlias turned and her expression soured instantly.

   "What da ye want brats?" She sneered, the action deepened the wrinkles on her face.

   "We'd like to buy some lilies please," Mavis said while Mary stood beside her timidly.

   "There ain't no lilies 'ere now get out!" She waved her hands towards the door and Mavis smiled.

   "Oh, but I do see 'em right dere." She pointed at the pot right near the counter and the florist looked once at the flowers then at Mavis.

   "So, I ain't givin' ye any. I don't do business 'ere to make the beggars my customers, now get out of my shop before I kick ye out." She snarled making some spittle fly from her mouth, Mavis made a face at that.

   "I do 'ave coins," Mavis said showing her the coins.

   "And I said I ain't sellin' ye anythin' now, get out!" The florist stepped off the counter and Mavis did what a woman would do at the moment.

   She gripped the nearest pot of dandelions and smirked darkly, making the florist sweat.

   "Put it down," the florist threatened.

   "Alright," Mavis said and feigned dropping it, the florist gritted her teeth and Mavis grinned.

   "Tell me, 'ave ye played catch in yer childhood?" Mavis asked and the florist eyed her as if she'd killed Mavis in her head ten times already.

   "Put dat pot back," she growled and Mary being disoriented just looked back and forth between Mavis and the florist.

   "Let's play today," Mavis winked, "Catch!" She threw the pot at the florist who scrambled around to catch the pot. Mavis was swift on her feet as she grabbed a handful of lilies throwing the coins simultaneously, and whirled around gripping Mary's hand in her other hand and dashed right out of the shop. The string of loud curses followed her from the shop but she ignored them all as she gripped the flowers to her chest and looked back at Mary who still seemed like she was confused.

   After running for a distance Mavis and Mary stopped, Mavis fell on the grass as she breathed heavily and Mary sat beside her, panting.

   "Da–Dat was great!" Mary exclaimed through her breathy voice and Mavis gave her a lopsided smile.

   "Ye got ta be swift if ye live with a smart brother," Mavis said scoffing as she remembered the stolen treats from her childhood, even though she was smart but her brother was sneaky and fast. 

   "I was scared though, I thought she'd beat us up," Mary said and Mavis laughed.

   "Not possible, when I am 'ere," Mavis said and stared at the clear sky for a moment before realising the flowers that she'd been holding.

   "Oh, 'ere." She gave the flowers to Mary and Mary smiled looking at the flowers.

   "Thanks, John. Nobody's ever done so much for me," she said and Mavis chuckled.

   "It's alright, we're friends so, we can 'elp each other out at times." 

   "Dat shop used ta be Flora's but after she and her gramma died Mrs Watson who is like a distant aunt of Flora took over the shop," Mary explained and Mavis looked at her. There were shadows on her face, she seemed depressed with the death of her nearest friend, Flora... The name had appeared a lot for today. Mavis wondered if this would connect somewhere.

   "How was she like?" Mavis found herself asking.

   "Flora?" Mary looked at Mavis who nodded.

   A sad smile appeared on her face as she looked at the lilies in her hands, "She was a really nice person, she used ta 'elp me with work sometimes after she was done with 'er own. The townspeople say she wasn't a good girl, they call 'er a slut and say dat she slept with random men and one of dem who promised ta marry 'er left 'er alone at the altar at the day of 'er wedding," Mary continued, her face scrunching up in agony making Mavis frown.

   "Flora was going to get married?"

   She nodded.

   "Flora told me dat 'er prince promised dat 'e'll marry 'er. She said, it was almost impossible and she felt as if it was a dream dat 'e fell in love with 'er. I never met 'im but she always talked about 'im. Bethany and others always used ta beat Flora and call 'er names. On da wedding day, Flora and almost all of da town was dere in da church, we waited and waited but 'e never came and people started sayin' all kinds of things about 'er and Bethany and da other girls started...." Mary pursed her lips tightly, her eyes squeezing shut as if she was trying to remove a horrible memory from her mind.

   "Why didn't he show up?" Mavis asked and Mary pressed her lips together.

   "I don't know. I don't know who 'e was. Flora always said dat 'e's 'er prince. No one 'ad seen 'im dat's why Bethany and others–" Mary's fingers fisted against her dress as she whispered, "It was my fault."

   "How is it your fault?" Mavis demanded.

   "It was!" She shouted. "I was dere. I should 'ave went to her. Bethany and da other girls were beating 'er, dey tore 'er wedding dress ta rags and slapped 'er and kicked 'er. I couldn't go ahead, I just 'id near da tombstone and saw dem shouting at 'er callin' 'er all kinds of things. When dey went back leavin' Flora bleeding and beaten on da church grounds I went ta 'er. She..." The tears started flowing down Mary's face.

   "I'm sorry," Mavis mumbled.

   Mary choked on her tears, "She said she lost..." She suddenly stopped and her eyes widened.

   "She lost, what?"

   "N–nothin'."

   "How did she die?" Mavis asked without thinking and regretted the moment the question left her mouth. She felt sorry to even ask that as she heard Mr Burton saying she had committed suicide.

   "She went back ta 'er 'ouse and da next day, dey found 'er in 'er room wid 'er throat torn, she was wearing da same torn wedding dress," Mary said and Mavis's eyes widened.

   "Her throat torn?"

   Mary nodded.

   Mavis paused. She never heard of anyone with that name in the list of her victims. Or, had she missed a name? She would go discuss it with Maverick. How did they miss a girl who died in similar timing as the other girls yet, it wasn't notified?

   "What about 'er family?"

   "No, only her gramma and Mrs Watson. Her gramma died the week after her. She couldn't take it." 

    After a while when Mary was back to normal Mavis and Mary walked up to the graveyard and Mavis watched as Mary kept the flowers on the grave with the name Flora Stoner carved on it.

   "Flora, are ye alright?" Mary suddenly asked and Mavis blinked for a moment not understanding but then she realised. "I am fine," Mary was talking to the grave.

   "I brought yer favourite lilies today, are ye happy? Ah! My friend 'elped me get dem and 'e also saved me from Genna and 'er mates." Mary said and turned around smiling at Mavis and gesturing her close. Mavis smiled awkwardly and walked over to her and knelt beside her.

   "Flora, dis is John and John dis is my best friend Flora," Mary said, the tears started flowing down her cheeks and Mavis pressed her lips in a tight line.

   "Hello, Flora." She said, "I'm John, dis is da first time we meet but I guess we'll keep meetin'." Mary sniffed wiping her tears as she looked at Mavis.

   "Because I'm not goin' ta leave yer friend alone, I'll protect 'er from all dose crappy people of da town so, rest well." Mavis smiled brushing her fingers gently over the gravestone and a strong gust of wind passed over the graveyard almost blowing away Mavis's bowler hat had she not grabbed it in time.

   After leaving the graveyard Mavis had a strange feeling as if she was being watched, but whenever she looked around she couldn't see anyone looking at her in particular. Mavis was wary yet, she couldn't help but notice that Mary's demeanour had completely changed now. She seemed happier. Mavis wasn't so happy though, with her back and arms aching because of the manual work at the stable. She noticed a crowd gathered on the street and wondered what happened, she and Mary both went closer and Mavis recognized Mr Waldo as soon as she saw him. She didn't have to ask anyone to know what had happened.

   "Another victim?"

   Mavis frowned.

   "Poor Sarah." 

   Mavis felt Mary clutching her jacket from behind and she turned slightly.

   "Sarah Paolin," Mary whispered.

   "Who was that?"

   "She was Bethany's and Christy's friend. No wonder she wasn't dere when dey were beating me."

   Mavis nodded and said, "It's time for me ta go, Mary. I'll see ye soon."

   She made a hasty retreat from the crowd and found a way to listen to the detectives.

   "Damn it! That psycho killer must be very sharp."

   "He left no clue, Mr Waldo." 

   "Two murders in the same neighbourhood. The situation is getting is worse, Ralph. If I don't get the killer in two days..." The man with hat threatened Mr Waldo. He must be from the Carna Authority. 

   "I will go look for Lord Garnett, sir."

   "Do what is necessary. I don't want to answer to our Duke." The man brought out a handkerchief and wiped off the sweat from his brows. Mr Waldo and his subordinate left as the man lit up a cigar and turned around. He instantly spotted Mavis and shouted, "Who are you? Hey!"

   Having been spotted, Mavis nearly faceplanted on the ground as she ran away.

   Mavis huffed as she left him behind but she wanted to take a look at the victim. She bit the inside of her cheek and thought a way to have a look at the scene, it would be her last chance.

   With determined steps and cautious about her surrounding, she went for the back door but a bunch of people were already working on the body and a few of them tried to calm down the parents near the front door. The murder happened at the ground floor and the window at the back was still open. 

   She slowly went to the window and looked at the ground for any footsteps or marks. There was none. She looked up and her eyes went wide as she saw the waxy pale body of the girl lying in the pool of crimson blood. Mavis eyed her throat squinting her eyes to see if she could recognize which weapon might have been used, but it was hard to have a look from the distance.

   Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder and Mavis almost jumped out of her skin. She whirled around with the blood drained from her face and eyes wide in panic, there stood Maverick with jaw clenched, glaring down at her.

   "What are you doing here?" He hissed.

   "Maverick!" She released a huff as she thought someone else had caught her.

   "Hey! That fellow!" Mavis almost groaned as she heard that voice and both of them turned to look at a man who approached them with a duck-like running, the sweat beads rolled down his fair skin. It was the person from the authority who spotted Mavis a while ago.

   "Damn! That man is clingy." Mavis said.

   "Err... Good day, Mr Fletcher."

   "Who are you?" The man asked between his laboured breaths.

   "I'm Maverick Garnett. Lord Robert Garnett's son."

   "Oh! I was chasing this fellow." He pointed his meaty finger at Mavis's face.

   "Oh, this fellow is our informant, sir..." Maverick leaned in and whispered as Mr Fletcher leaned toward him as well, "As you can see, we need to keep an eye on everything and this fellow here is watching everyone's movements."

   "Oh! That's remarkable!" He seemed pleased to hear it, Maverick hushed him.

   "Would you mind to keep it confidential?" 

   "Of course! Of course!" Mr Fletcher nodded, a grin forming on his cellulite face. 

   Maverick motioned his finger between themselves, "It should be between us."

   Mr Fletcher nodded enthusiastically.

   "Where is your father?"

   "Father is on his way. I'll handle things before he arrives." 

   "Great! Young generation these days are very reliable."

   "You're so kind," Maverick said and huffed as he left. He whirled around and said, "Mavis, what are you doing here? Father will be here–"

   The men around them ran towards the front yard as a carriage arrived.

   "Or, is here..." Maverick finished as the carriage was very familiar to both of them.

   "I need to see the body," Mavis demanded ignoring all the other factors and gripped the handkerchiefs from her pockets and tied them to cover the soles of her shoes to hide any traces of her being in the room.

   "Now?" Maverick hissed.

   "Of course!" Mavis stepped on the window and jumped inside as the men left the room to take Baron Garnett.

   Maverick groaned as he entered from the back door unable to go inside as Mavis as he'd leave unnecessary signs around.

   Mavis's heart thumped inside her ribcage as her eyes gazed around the room. It was small with two windows and everything was in its place, spotless and clean. As if someone had cleaned recently but forgot to put a dried up lily into the garbage. She neared the table where the withered flower rested. 

   She leaned closer to have a closer look and its smell entered her nostrils, she coughed immediately and leaned away from the table with her hand firmly pressed against her mouth. The room had light penetrating from the windows yet, she felt darkness gathering around where her eyes could not reach. An unfamiliar feeling settled inside her belly and a chill ran down on her spine yet, she could not decipher it.

   Her eyes wandered over to where Sarah Paolin's body lay. Her throat had a hole in it as if some thick sharp object had embedded in it, a dagger maybe. The wound was deep enough to drain out all the blood from her body but it didn't go through, so the length of the weapon wouldn't be quite long. A small thick dagger-like weapon was used to kill her. 

   "Mavis..." Maverick pleaded as they heard the approaching footsteps.

   Mavis finally looked at the face of the girl who lay still. There were no marks or any expression on her face that would tell she was scared or terrified of her death, instead, she looked peaceful as if she was in a deep slumber.

   The footsteps stopped at the door and Mavis quickly turned back and threw herself out of the window before the door could swing in.

   "Son!" Lord Robert Garnett's voice bloomed as Maverick greeted his father back.

   Mavis stayed hidden near the window as she heard her father and brother conversing. Finding it was the best moment to sneak out from it she slowly headed towards the street but a deep voice called out from behind, "Wait!"

   She froze and turned around hoping that the caller wasn't intending to call her. It was Mr Ralph Waldo and his eyes were unmistakeably on her.

   He approached her with a suspicious gaze and Mavis prayed he would not find out. Not now when her father was present at the very moment. 

   "Have I seen you somewhere?" He asked.

   Mavis shook her head but didn't say anything. 

   He nodded as he brought out a cigar and motioned her to go.

   Mavis felt relief as she turned to leave but heard the man saying, "Tell, Dr Edwards, I have sent my wishes."