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Jul-26-2009 15:28

It was another rainy foggy night in London, as I walked through the door of the Owl and Walnut. I stood in the doorway to get the chill out of my bones and eyed the patrons of my favorite pub. I could tell that the news of the latest murder victim had everyone scared. The local papers were calling him the new Ripper, Scottland Yard was lost as usual and the only trend that the killer stuck to was the murders were getting more and more gruesome. I had already started looking into the case even before Miss Brandy Marie showed up at my office last night and told me she wanted me to find the psycho who murdered her sister. Its been the longest 24 hours I have ever lived through. And I am no closer to solving the case. I head over to the bar and order my usual 3 fingers of cognac I then head over to my table which is very close to the back. I sit with my back to the wall and watch the door. You learn a few things in this business when you been doing it as long as me and I aint about to get a bullet in the back cause I got careless. I pull out my pack of Lucky Strikes( I have'em sent over from the States.) And my Zippo lighter. I light up take a huge drag and a sip of my drink and try to forget the horrible images I saw today. Then

Jul-29-2009 05:52

a woman screams...........I run out side..............I hear her again its coming from one of the alleys to the west of the pub. I run as fast as I can to the alley way. Its dark, no lights, only the sound of the rain coming down now and the chatter of people standing out side to see what all the ruckus is about. I pull out my pistol and slowly head down the alley way. I try not to make a single sound but I stumble on a glass bottle I send it skittering down the alley making the loudest noise you could have ever heard. I tell myself to be more careful then continue down the alley. I start hearing the whistles of the cops coming. I get to the end of the alley and round the bend when I see a large shadow as dark as the night then I see his eyes.....dark, souless, evil eyes. I wont ever forget them. I then look down at his feet and see her lying there helpless and dead. I raise my pistol fire all six shots but somehow some way he got away. The patrol man rounds the corner just as i holster my sidearm. He tells me I'm gonna have to come down town for some questioning.............How could I miss I never miss. The Inspectors all know me not one of them likes me. I get roughed up they break my nose and blackend my eye. But it doesnt matter I dont have what they want. I spend the night in the slammer didnt sleep couldnt sleep, kept seeing that poor dead girl and that monster...........how did I miss? I ask allowed.

Aug-12-2009 04:54

The next morning I get released. I can tell the police arent happy about it, but they know it wasnt me. I went down to the morgue and talked to the medical examiner Dr. Shamus McAllister. He told me the last victim was really tore up. Seems our killer really did a number on this one. I view the body one more time trying to burn the image in there. I'm gonna make this monster pay. I head back to the crime scene which was handled in typical police standard...............which means it was completely compromised. I searched all over for a clue anything that would point me in the right direction. Then I hear a voice behind me............one I havent heard in a long long time. I turn around and there stands

Aug-30-2009 19:29

"Joseph Zeo? Why the hell are you all the way in London? The last time I heard you joined the police department in New York." Cain said.

"And I still am, but i'm on leave at the moment... because..." Zeo swallowed hard, "the third victim to the new Ripper case, well... she was my cousin's daughter... "

Cain apologized on hearing the news. The misty morning seemed dark and lifeless. The two then exchanged their findings.

"You mean you saw his eyes? What else?"

Cain shook his head, "That's it. Those eyes were pure evil. They just drew you in and wouldn't let go. The street was dark and rainy last night, so I couldn't make out anything else."

Zeo lit a cigarette, and Cain gave him a look. "The crime scene was already compromised. Some additional ashes wouldn't do much to it." Zeo raised in hands in the air. Moments later, Zeo continued, "The work of this new Ripper, salvage as it is, also marks the sign of a physician, just like Jack the Ripper from the previous century."

"But there are more than thousands of people in the medical profession here."

"It gotta start somewhere. I've some old acquaintance from Scotland Yard and i'll see what i can dig up regarding the first two victims. I suggest that maybe you can go see your client again, Miss Marie is it? Yes, ask about her sister's habits, and any medical professionals she was in touch with in the past months. We gotta find some kind of pattern here. How our new Ripper select his victims. It could be as minor as the perfume they share, or a dentist they visits. Anything." Zeo suggested.

"Sure. Let's meet back tonight at the Owl and Walnut at 8 o'clock."

Zeo nodded, then he shivered. "Boy, is it always this wet and chilly in England?"

Cain smiled for the first time in days "You'll get used to it." The two then parted company.

Aug-30-2009 21:56

Cain gets in his car and drives the 10 miles out of town to Miss Marie's estate.

While waiting what seems like hours in the foyer. Cain goes over his notes again. Miss Marie comes down the stairs, stunningly beautiful and not one thing amiss about her.

" Detective what can I do for you?" she asked. Before Cain could reply she asked.

"Tell me are you any closer to catching my sister's killer?"

Cain stood there a moment just shaking his head. Finally he got his composure back.

"Ma'am I need to ask a question and I need you to be completely honest with me. First off was your sister suffering any kind of ailment? Was she being treated by a doctor of any kind? " asked Cain.

The room was silent for a minute, and then Miss Marie replied. " Detective my sister was in the care of a pyschiatrist by the name of Smithe, She had horrible dreams of her own death. Gruesome dreams she would scream all night long some nights. And then this is how she dies." Miss Marie broke down into tears. Apparently the composure was a act.

" So this pychiatrist she would explain her dreams too?" Cain asked.

" I dont know what they discussed detective, all I know is she slept much better after his visits." was her reply.

" Wait a minute he came here, did she ever go to his office?"

" No, never he would come out once a week." Miss Marie said.

" Thank you for the help Miss Marie, I'll be heading back now but before I go. You said your sister didnt go see the doctor ever. Did she have a reason to go to the city the night of her murder? And why was she on Dock Street?" Cain asked

"Detective I dont know the answer to either of those questions." came the only reply.

Cain climbed back in the car lit up a cigarette and drove back to the city.
" whats the connection here." was the question that kept playing over and over in Cain's head. Cain decided to go by and see the good doctor before his meeting with Zeo.

Aug-31-2009 04:41

Ah,it was just what Vulkie needed. A little bit of rest. She just solved the "Frame-Up" case and decided to visit London,for some theater shows and some nice "English breakfasts". Boy,did Vulkie liked those.

As soon as Vulkie boarded the boat,it took 2 days before she arrived in London.

And on the second day,Vulkie looked out and saw Big Ben already,mighty high in the sky.

Vulkie always got a nice verse in her head. "Remember Remember,the 5th of November. The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason. Why the gunpowder treason. Should ever be forgot.". It was a verse,that Vulkie's father always said when they arrived in London around Christmas time. Yeah,did Vulkie like those going outs. She always got the nicest gifts from her dad. Like a huge teddy bear,or when she turned 15,she got a "Saville Row" dress,specially made,because all of those tailors only made gentleman suits.

And as Vulkie walked over the docks,she saw her old friend Joseph Zeo litting another cigarette. "Joseph,you rascal!" Vulkie yelled. But Joseph didn't notice.

Immediately,Vulkie rushed towards Joseph,and as soon as she crept up behind Joseph,he turned around and almost sprung 2 feet in the air. "Vulkie,what are you doing here!" Joseph asked to Vulkie.

"I'm on holiday Joseph. Since that last case of ours,I needed to rest a bit" Vulkie replied.

"Come,come. I'll introduce you to Charlie Cain. I'm working on a case with him now. You may be of assistance if you like. It involves..." Joseph said.

"Don't tell me. I'll hear it when we meet Charlie" Vulkie said,and so,the two departed for the meeting...

Aug-31-2009 04:42

(srry for the huge space between the "boat" part...)

Aug-31-2009 09:26

Zeo supposed the sun was setting behind the dense clouds as the two walked along the river towards Owl and Walnuts. Vulkie seemed a lot more familiar with London then Zeo was. In truth, this was only the third time Joseph visited the great city of fog. He did, however, kept in touch with many acquaintance he met over the years. Leopold Parr was one of them.

After Zeo parted company with Cain in the morning, he went immediately to the New Scotland Yard headquarter at the Victoria Embankment, where he once worked as a consultant regarding some American criminal related cases. Leopold Parr was the officer he worked the most closely with; they were more like partners.

"What brings you back, my old American friend?" Leopold shook hands with the thin detective and asked. Zeo mechanically told him the facts, compartmentalizing the agony of losing a family member. Parr immediately knew what Zeo was looking for, and willingly shared with him what the Yard had so far.

Five victims, each young women between the age 18 to 25, with part of their organ removed:
1. Miss Cynthia Allen. Found: Porter street // Stomach
2. Miss Laura Simmons. Found: Next to the Central Library // Heart
3. Miss Samantha Sanders. Found: Park next to King St. //Kidney
4. Miss Andrea Marie. Found: Dock St. // Part of the liver
5. Miss Sonia Corning. Found: Alley west of Owl & Walnut // Spleen

"The style is similar to the Jack the ripper from 50 odd years ago, except these girls are no prostitutes, and it was happening all over London, not just Whitechapel area." Leopold said while Zeo examined the records. Zeo frowned when he saw Samantha's name. He wasn't close to any of his relatives, especially his cousins who were much older than him, but he knew that young girl well enough.

Aug-31-2009 09:43

After pouring over the documents for hours, Zeo knew he had over stayed his welcome. Before he left, he asked Leopold if they find out anything else about these girls. Leopold shook his head. "Not much. You may want to go to the morgue and talk to the medical examiner Dr. Shamus McAllister. He did the autopsy on most the girls, of course before they were sent to the him the girls were already cut open..."

"I think I will need to do that tomorrow." Zeo looked at his watch and realized how time flew, "I need to meet with another investigator soon." He handed back the files to Leopold and thanked him profoundly for all his help.

"Joseph, there is one other thing." Leopold added as Zeo was at the door. "The girls all seemed to have dark circles around their eyes, as if they were lacking in sleep. I know this is silly and no one actually pursue it. I just thought you'd like to know." Zeo nodded and thanked his old friend again. He left the red and grey Victorian building and walked along the river, thinking about the girls being brutally murdered, thinking about his cousin crying over her daughter... That was when Vulkie crept up on Zeo.

The street was already pitch dark when Vulkie and Zeo reached the entrance to Owl and Walnut. He could hear music flowing out and could smell the sweet scent of rum. Charlie Cain must be waiting for him. He went inside, wondering what his friend had discovered today.

((A little note to Violet Parr, if you happen to be reading this: I hope you don't mind me borrowing your fictional 'brother' from your other stories. It just make sense to tie the whole Sleuth world together. For those interested to know more, please refer to "The Daughters of Miss Violet Parr ".))

Sep-1-2009 05:58

As Charlie pulled up to the address Miss Marie gave him for the pychiatrist it was already getting dark out. Charlie walked up to the door seeing a light on on the second floor. Charlie buzzed but no answer and the door was locked. " No sense in waiting." Charlie said to himself.

Charlie headed over to the Owl and Walnut to await the arrival of his friend Joseph Zeo. As he walked in the Shady character who always frequented the little pub bumped into him "Watch where your going gumshoe, or you may bump into someone who bumps back alot harder." He said.

Charlie took up his customary table in the back corner ordering a drink and some chips. He took out his notepad and started going over the info he had collected.

Just as the drink arrived Zeo walked in with a woman in tow Charlie had never seen before. As the duo walked up to the table Charlie stood up " Im Charlie Cain how do you do?" he said. " Hi Charlie I'm Vulkie pleased to meet you." Came the womans friendly reply.

"Vulkie I have heard of you, your quite the detective I'm told. How did you come to meet our mutual friend here?" Charlie asked.

After the small talk and Charlie and Zeo filling Vulkie in on the circumstances of the case at hand. The three started filling each other in on what they had learned from the days canvassing the area.

"Miss Marie told me of a pyschiatrist that her sister was seeing. I went by his office and it was closed up. If I cant see him tomorrow then I will have to visit again more secretively." Charlie explained. "I'm running out of idea's here on who would do this and why. I dont see a pattern at all. Do either of you?" Charlie asked. " What did you learn?" Charlie asks.

Sep-1-2009 08:57

Suddenly several inspectors stormed into the bar. "Mr. Charlie Cain, you're under arrest for five murder charges!" Two coppers immediately took to Cain and cuffed him, while the one who was speaking continued to read him his rights.

"You must be kidding me!" Zeo exclaimed.

"Don't worry Joseph, they've done it last night. I guess those dumb ass at the Yards just never learn. They've nothing on me." Cain replied confidently.

"Nothin' on you eh?" The chubbier of the two officers who were arresting Cain produced a bloody surgical knife from the American detective's coat pocket. Zeo and Cain looked at the murder weapon wide eyed, stunt. "Yesterday we saw you with the last victim and tonight we found this. What say you?" The fat officer beamed like a cat who just caught a mouse.

"Don't worry Charlie, we'll get you out!" Vulkie yelled as the police took Charlie away. "We know you didn't do it!!"

"But how did we know?" Zeo commented quietly. "The Yard, i've worked with them... they're not like us cops in New York. They don't plant evidence..."

"Are you doubting your friend Joseph?" Vulkie sounded hurt. She was always loyal, always trusting.

"How would you explain that knife?" Joseph couldn't bring his eyes to look at his friend. Vulkie sighed. The two drank in silence, having no idea how their friend could have become a suspect in the new Ripper murders.

"Tomorrow I will go visit the psychiatrist and the medical examiner who did most of the autopsy on the victims. May be they can shed a light on the case. That's how we can prove our friend's innocence, by catching the real murderer." Joseph stated with very little conviction. "May be you can visit Charlie at the holding cell in the morning. He may know something about who might have been able to plant that knife in his pocket."