Introducing Nathanial "Jack" Bates from my story featuring Amelie and Finley. Of course, their story needs an antagonist! People call Mr. Bates "Jack" because he is a sort of jack of all trades in the crime world. He's a drug dealer, mercenary, burglar, loan shark, gambler, and all-around pimp. He also is a leader in an underground crime organization in London, and in fact, he is the one who taught Professor Moriarty when Moriarty was first starting out. Too bad Moriarty was a bad student. Not that we should compare the two. No one is as good as Mr. Bates. Even Scotland Yard can't catch him, nor can they tie him to any particular crime.

As you can see, Mr. Bates does not have any fur on the left side of his face. He was in an accident years prior and the entire left side of his face was burnt. In that accident, he also lost his left eye and suffered a bad leg injury. Hence, he walks with a limp. He believes himself to be a gentleman of sorts and does his best to dress the best he can. He needs to get out of the Victorian Era though. It is now 1910 and he still dresses Victorian. That or it is all he can afford. After all, that overcoat is far too big for him. In being a gentleman, he tries to be fair with those who work with him. He only charges 10% interest on loans... but the consequences for not paying him back are far too great. In reality, Mr. Bates knows he will win. He will otherwise make a profit or get to make a kill... two things he thoroughly enjoys.

Steer clear of Mr. Bates, that is, if you ever see him. He only walks the streets of London late during those foggy nights where he can slip into the shadows if need be.

Nathaniel Jack Bates & Art © S. Henson 2009