“How much does it pay?” to Calhoun, it wasn’t about turning rich but to survive and keep his mother alive. He needed quick money, and it didn’t matter if he had to kill someone right now to earn some money.
“A silver coin, sometimes gold if the customers are satisfied,” said Theodore as they continued to walk. “Even though the pay from the younger girls are good, it is easier to handle an older woman than the young ones. They get very clingy, and it’s hard to get rid of them because they are either mama or papa’s princess.”
When they reached the house, Theodore pushed the creaking gates, and they stepped inside the moderately sized house. A woman came into view who was on the more healthy side, and her curled blonde hair was up to the length of her shoulder, that was placed on either side of her shoulders.
The woman was a vampiress, and she had a displeased look on her face. Looking at Theodore, she said, “You caused me quite some trouble last night, Theodore. What is it that I hear from people? That there was a massacre in Chapman’s house? I thought our deal was clear that you wouldn’t involve yourself in any killing or deaths.”
Theodore bowed his head, “Good morning Madame Fraunces. It was an unfortunate night, Mr. Chapman killed his wife. And the rest was in self-defence.”
Madame Fraunces lips were set in a thin line, “I shouldn’t even let you in here. If the word is out, it won’t be just you who will be climbing up for execution. Any witness?”
“All clean,” Theodore again bowed his head. At the same time, Madame Fraunces’ eyes fell on the young man, who stood next to Theodore. “This is Calhoun. He’s the person I mentioned you about.”
Calhoun didn’t bow or greet the woman. The woman, after staring at him for a few seconds, Madame Fraunces commented,
“You have a handsome face.”
“I know,” answered Calhoun, and this had the woman smirked at the young man’s cheekiness.
“Come inside,” she said, turning back and stepping inside her house. Theodore followed her, and Calhoun was the last to get in. Inside the house, Calhoun noticed the woodwork on the dull looking wall. The house had another floor above where he stood that consisted of rooms.
Madame Fraunces, who was walking at the front, said, “I don’t know if Theodore has mentioned it to you, but the work we do, we don’t speak about it to anyone. People who are involved like to keep it confidential and so do we.” Walking towards the table, she picked up the teapot.
“Don’t people get caught like last night?” questioned Calhoun.
“Usually no, even if you do get caught with a married woman, you will be the one to take the responsibility. After all, you are the one making money, most of it at least,” replied Madame Fraunces, “Of course, it is not ethical, but we all do things we have to do to survive. Don’t you agree?” she asked him.
“The man who died yesterday was a magistrate. You think the King wouldn’t send his men to look for answers?” questioned Calhoun, his eyes curiously looked at the woman who was now preparing tea.
It was one thing killing the worthless people who lived in the village, but it was entirely different when it came to killing a person like the magistrate, who was an influential figure in the town.
“I have some people who work for me—best friends with the caretakers of the cemetery. Just because we aren’t part of the elite families doesn’t mean we cannot get help,” Madame Fraunces picked up the teacup along with the saucer and offered it to Calhoun.
“Anyways, you don’t have to worry about those things. Most of the women who come to me are widows or women who don’t get attention from their partners. I would like to call the person as an escort. I have some of them alrea-“
“I will pick the one that pays the highest,” Calhoun said confidently.
Madame Fraunces tapped her nail against the surface of the table.
“Alright. Annabelle is the daughter of Mr. Martin Roper who belongs to an elite family. She’s been asking me, and I think you might be perfect for it. Make sure you don’t kill her,” warned the woman, “Let me give you the details,” she went to the cupboard and pulled out a drawer, returning with a folded note in her hand and placing it on the table. “You will be paid after finishing the job.”
Calhoun stepped out of Madame Fraunces house, leaving Theodore behind. He could finally feel things turning to the brighter side. No job in the village could give him a silver coin even after two weeks.
He returned home with less worries, but he was greeted with the smell of blood as his mother had thrown up blood again.
That day, his mother barely spoke a few words, not because she didn’t want to, but because she didn’t have the energy for it.
The first three times, spending time with Lady Annabelle had gone well, and the young girl, who was not more than eighteen, was smitten by Calhoun’s charm and presence, which was nothing but a pretence. On the fourth meet, the girl had turned clingy. Right now they were in Madame Fraunces’ home, making use of one of the spare rooms.
“Stay! You don’t have to go back,” said the girl, a coy smile on her lips and her hands on his arms so that he wouldn’t leave the room.
“I have something to attend to, Annabelle,” informed Calhoun.
By her insistence, he had stayed for another five minutes, but he doubted he would be able to keep his patience. The time to spend with her was up, and Madame Fraunces had given him permission to terminate the contract at any time with the customer. She sat next to him on the bed with her dishevelled clothes along with her hair.
