“But Mister Wizard, another woman has been murdered. That makes four, and the last two girls have been dismembered like you have in the pictures there,” Helena eavesdropped as Doyle was showing and explaining a number of photographs, did he just call him Mister Wizard?
“I understand son, but I’m telling you I know no weapon that could cause these wounds. A high-pressure steam leak might be able to cut bone like that, but it would’ve scalded or cooked the surrounding flesh. You might need to search for more of a mystical answer,” the professor said.
“You know I don’t believe in magic. I think the supernatural is all a hoax.”
“Magic works whether you believe in it or not. Think of it as another energy to be controlled like electricity. You can’t see voltage, but we comprehend it exists. Magic is the same way.”
Her curiosity getting the better of her, Helena urgently wanted to see those pictures. Doyle had mentioned that he was working a murder case that had to be more exciting than a missing socialite.
“Have you thought about some sort of creature?” Mister Wizard said.
She used her best sneaking skills to circle closer to where they stood. From the new angle, she could view a massive blackboard with drawings attached. The illustrations looked like the Russians airship only smaller.
“I am not much of a zoologist, legendary or otherwise. Doctor Carlyle is checking with experts in that field,” Doyle said picking his photographs up and putting them into the portfolio slung over his shoulder.
Helena moved almost close enough to spy the photographs before Doyle put them away. Unfortunately, she knocked a spanner off the workbench in her effort to catch a glimpse of what the Detective had been showing the Wizard, “Blast!” she said.
“Who’s there? Helena is that you?” the wizard asked. Doyle spun around, a pistol magically appearing in his hand.
“Come out whoever’s there,” Doyle said.
“It’s me Professor, or should I call you the Wizard?” Helena said, walking out from behind the shelves.
“Has no one ever taught you spying is rude?” Doyle said, while he smoothly put his weapon back into his shoulder holster. “Sneaking up on the wrong people... That might get you shot,” Doyle turned to make sure he had secured all the photographs, when he did Helena stuck her tongue out at him.
“Helena dear, you really shouldn’t wander around the workshop by yourself you could be injured,” The Wizard said trying hard not to smile when she stuck out her tongue.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping, I just got here. Besides, I’m much more interested in those than I am anything you might say Mister Doyle,” Helena pointed towards the drawings while she took a few steps closer to get a better view.
“Miss, I might’ve been born at night, but it wasn’t last night,” Doyle said looking for his helmet.
“You mustn’t leave on my account. I came to visit the Professor, to talk about magic, and religion,” Helena moved as close as possible to the extensive drawings and inspected them carefully, her hands clasped behind her back to keep herself from touching things.
“I hate to admit it, but I’m an expert on neither of those subjects. I prefer to dabble in the scientific and engineering arts.”
“Didn’t you just say that magic was simply another form of power? Could religion be based on the same idea? If magic gains its power from the six sources, could religion gain its power from some other otherworldly source?” Helena postulated while still studying drawings, even impressing herself at what sounded like such a wise conclusion.
“Magic and religion are two sides of the same coin, people desperate to answer questions they can’t understand. They are the providence of weak minds,” the Wizard lectured.
Doyle leaned over Helena, finally inspecting the drawings he’d missed before. Helena felt her heart race when she felt him so close behind her. This all confused her considerably since she was certain she hated the man, but at the moment her knees felt weak.
“Helena, you make an astute observation. However, I’m not qualified to ascertain the validity of your hypothesis. I will say however; our world should be preparing for war. Reason, Religion, Magic, and those that fear change, they are all gathering forces, drawing lines in the sand demonizing the other side. If the world doesn’t change course soon, I fear a war the likes the world’s never seen is coming,” the professor lectured as if standing in front of his class.
“Do you think this coming war could be signified by white wings? I notice your airship here has wings, unlike the Russians,” Helena asked tapping the drawings still trying to keep her hands to herself and off Doyle.
“Bah, I think the Russians stole my idea, or Zeppelin did, sneaky Europeans. I’ve had that drawing for years I just need to find two objects to make it work, a suitable heat source and a more efficient lifting agent. One day my flying machine will outdo them all. I guess you could paint the wings white, it would make it harder to detect from the ground on a cloudy day. However, my flying machine is not built for war but for exploration.”
“Speaking of war, two days ago I had a run in with some Chinese fighters...” Helena began.
“I told you they were the Hop Sings,” Doyle interrupted.
Helena fought the urge to growl, she continued, “They wore chain armor under their clothes. Professor, do you think you could create some?”
“My dear girl, men have been making armor for centuries, I think I can do a good deal better than chain-mail.”
“I’m sure you could sir, that’s why I asked you instead of going to any old blacksmith. It would need to be light enough for someone to wear under their clothing.”
“I must admit there’ve been times when it would have been nice to wear a piece of clothing that could turn away a blade or a bullet,” Doyle said stepping away from Helena, giving her a
