Chapter 16 (Hellacre)
Meanwhile Hope had led the trio into the cellar. They moved steadily up the steps and came out into the vast kitchen. Here she extinguished the lantern. The kitchen was dark and silent. Through one of the large windows they could see a figure moving in the gardens.
Hope indicated, "Luthor's guard. Several of them patrol the grounds. Keep down."
They moved towards the doorway. The kitchen led onto a short corridor that branched to the large dinning room and morning room which Hope led them through. She had hopes of leading them up a narrow staircase, that was for servant use, and which led to the rooms for the servants at the back of the mansion. Here, they could navigate their way towards Luthor's room with little interruption as most of the domestic staff were abed.
Lord Wayne asked, "Are there many guards inside?"
"Luthor has relied on Mercy and me these last few years. He keeps the grounds well patrolled and has a couple of night porters and footmen inside. He knows no one would dare breach his domain unless they want to feel his wrath. There may also be the odd servant up and about. Wembley, the butler, is always hovering near Luthor........."
They headed out and up the dimly lit staircase. They hurried down the corridor to go towards the gallery that led to Luthor's apartments. They came across a footman, sitting at the end of the gallery half dozing on himself. They kept back in the shadows whilst Hope dealt with him.
She put a seductive smile on her face and sauntered out towards him. He jumped to his feet when she said sharply, "Hello Tom."
He coloured and bowed. "M-miss Graves. You are up late....."
"I know. Have you seen my sister?"
"I saw her hours ago during the ball.......but not for a long time......I have been on this side of the manor......"
"Ah yes, I see. If you see her I need you to tell her something for me......"
"What is it?"
She beckoned with her finger and a sweet smile for him to come closer. He looked nervous, but knowing her temper did not want to offend her by hesitating. When he did, she elbowed him in the jaw. He collapsed at her feet.
Hope began to drag the footman to a cupboard. Kent went over to her and helped her shoved him up against a stack of mops and brooms. Wayne conceded to Diana. "She's good."
They traversed the gallery and emerged onto a large landing and the main staircase. They heard voices and looked down at what was the main salon. Standing outside the door was Luthor, his butler, PC Olsen and Sergeant Jones. Luthor was furious and declaring that he was fed up of the police persecuting him. Jones appeared to be trying to reason with him whilst Olsen stood behind him.
Hope hissed for them to move. "Time is of the essence! Let's go!"
They hurried on and headed for Luthor's apartments. Hope burst into the room and halted. The room was pitch black. Hope went to brackets on the wall and turned up the oil lamps. Light illuminated the room. She gasped. Lying on the ground was her sister Mercy; her hands were bound and her lips caked with blood. In a corner was an armchair. In it sat the uniformed constable known as Ross.
Hope ran to Mercy, who was blue-lipped and groaning, "T-Trap....It's a trap......"
Kent rushed towards Ross. "Peter?" He came around and shook the constable's shoulder. The young man slumped forward and fell to the floor. A dagger protruded from his back.
Diana smothered a cry of dismay. Wayne shoved her to the door. "Come on! Move! He knew we were coming! Kent, stop dawdling, man! Come on!"
The Inspector ignored him and went to help Hope as she undid Mercy's bonds and helped her to her feet. Mercy's body was frozen and her legs were like jelly; she pleaded with her sister to leave her. Kent hoisted her up over his shoulders. Hope gave him a look of gratitude and Diana one of admiration.
Wayne asked, "Can you manage Kent?"
He said dryly, "Like bringing home the harvest!"
They ran out of the room, headed down the corridor and down the stairs, but coming to a halt at the landing. Standing there opposite them and blocking their exit was Luthor with Wembley, half a dozen henchmen all armed with clubs or knives, and PC Olsen.
Luthor folded his arms. "Well, well, what have we here? Intruders in my own home. I am in my right to defend myself aren't I, Olsen?"
The constable smiled and tapped the blade of his cutlass against his palm. "You certainly are."
Kent looked at him in shock. "James, what are you doing?!"
Luthor looked at him with a pitiful smile. "I'd say that was obvious, Kent. Olsen is doing what's best for him."
"You took an oath....," the Inspector gritted, as he gently put Mercy down. Mercy leaned heavily against her sister.
Olsen said darkly, "I have worked everyday of my life for the Met since I was twenty. And does White recommend me for any promotion? No. He gives it to you. Mr. Goody, never take a bribe, go by the book Kent! Who gives us more work because he is too noble to kill the worthless in society! No, we must bring them in and let them face the law! I'm sick of hunting murderers and rapists and thieves so you can sleep with a clean conscience at night. Lord Luthor has given me the chance to hand out my own kind justice and my reward isn't just a pat on the back."
Luthor smiled smugly, "See, Kent, pay someone well enough and he'll kill his own brother but as in this case, colleagues."
Kent looked at Olsen in disgust. "You killed Peter? Where are Dick and John?"
Olsen grinned fiendishly. "Dick and John are indisposed."
Luthor nodded to the landing below. "Sergeant Jones had an accident whilst breaking into my house."
All eyes looked down. Lying on the ground at the bottom of the stairs was the twisted body of the Sergeant.
The Earl of Gotham pointed his blade at Luthor. "You will not get away with this."
"But I think I will. When I am finished with you.....," his eyes lingered on the women, "some of you will wish you had never been born and the others.....well....you'll either be dead or facing criminal charges for trying to kill innocent Lord Luthor, as Olsen here will testify. Our distraught James will tell his Captain that Kent and Wayne went a bit crazy with the need to make me pay, it being so obvious that both are enamoured with the irresistible Miss Prince". His eyes moved maliciously from Kent's mortified face to Wayne's stony one, coming to rest on Diana's strickened blush. He chuckled and added," And whilst Ross, Grayson and Jones tried to stop them, they got hacked down. Poor fellows, "I'll see to it that their families are taken care of and they are buried like heroes......Now, I'd advise you to surrender, as you can see you are out numbered......."
Diana pulled out her rapier from its sheath. Kent drew out his pistols. Hope brandished her knife. Mercy winced as she straightened up and looked at the cane in Diana's hand. "I'll take that......," she coughed.
Lord Wayne rasped, "Outnumbered maybe but not outdone ......"
Luthor stepped aside. He looked at his men and gestured scathingly, "Get them!"
