Kronberg Crimes 01 - The Devils Grin

know?’
    Hindle’s face fell and small beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, despite the cold in my apartment.
    ‘I… I didn’t mean to…’ he stammered, and I interrupted, ‘Clearly not, no. Yet, I wonder what Dr Bowden would say?’
    Their eyes widened in shock. These men were obviously not Bowden’s favourites. And that was precisely the information I wanted.
    ‘Gentlemen, I suggest you leave now. Should I ever see you following me again, I will make sure your bloated bodies float in the Thames,’ I said softly, opening the door and wishing them a good evening. All four left without protest.

    ~~~

    When I arrived at home the following night, I found Holmes sitting in my armchair. Swallowing the shock, I closed the door quietly, and pressed my back against it.
    His already thin frame must have lost a considerable amount of weight. He looked haggard and pale, with hollow cheeks and dark shadows showed under his eyes. I dropped my gaze to avoid his stare.
    Apparently, he had noticed my searching look and commented lightly, ‘I’m spending most of my time in workhouses. The food there is neither sufficient to sustain even a child, nor does it taste like anything but paper mill sewage.’ He tried a smile, then. ‘But that is of no importance now. Do you know Mr Samuel Standrincks?’
    I shook my head.
    ‘He is the chairman of the Holborn Union board of guardians. During the last week he met with several members of the Club .’
    ‘The Club ?’ I interrupted, accidentally looking into his eyes and regretting it the same second.
    ‘In lack of a name, I called our group of criminal doctors the Club.’ He waved his hand impatiently. ‘I could overhear a conversation between Standrincks and your dear Dr Stark. A so-called health examination in all of the Holborn Union workhouses will be conducted in one week’s time. The Club is about to choose their test subjects.’
    He looked up expectantly; I did not move a muscle. After a short moment, he continued, ‘Did you know that Standrincks, as chairman of the board of guardians, is paid by the government? The board usually sees very little of the workhouses; it receives reports from committees it appoints. The pay for the committees comes directly from the chairman, who also receives the reports and picks the committee members. Every piece of information the board receives is first filtered through Standrincks. And all reports from the board are first passed through Standrincks before they reach the government.’
    ‘Why does one need a board, then?’ I muttered sarcastically.
    ‘Precisely! Its sole purpose is to show that the government cares for paupers. Its members receive money and take part in meetings. But as everything passes Standrincks’s desk first, their decisions are futile. Needless to say that I will dedicate some time to Mr Standrincks and see whether the government is involved in any way. By the by – how is your research for the Club proceeding?’
    Slowly, I shifted my weight from one leg to the other and answered, ‘I am testing the tetanus vaccine on animals. They also want a cholera vaccine, but we lack suitable patients to isolate the germs. I am expecting the Club to deliver one soon, though.’
    Holmes turned slightly rigid. It was probably the coldness in my voice. I decided to modulate it a little. ‘We are now reaching the limits of testability. Only after testing them on human subjects can we say for sure that the vaccines are working.’
    ‘You will suggest it?’ His voice was now as cold as mine.
    ‘I may have to. Their actions are still legal.’
    ‘They are tailing you,’ he said, cautiously changing the subject. I pulled up one corner of my mouth and answered, ‘I know. I’m the newest addition to the Club. They need to make sure they can trust me.’ After a short pause I added, ‘It’s not good you are here.’
    ‘You underestimate me,’ he growled.
    ‘You underestimate me, too.’
    ‘I don’t think so. But what you are doing is not healthy.’
    I barked a bitter laugh. ‘You should see yourself!’

Chapter Sixteen

    Three days later, Stark called at my quarters in the late evening to inform me that a suitable cholera specimen had now been delivered to the laboratory.
    Although I had known this moment would come, I wasn’t prepared for its arrival. I stared across my room at the small window. The knowledge that ordinary life bustled on behind the dark rectangle gave me a little