by J. R. Martin
“Yeah, why not? That way we all will know what the other ones doing.” Brown said.
With that they all got out of the car and headed toward the prostitutes who paused when they saw three men approaching them.
“Hold on ladies, you are in luck. You’re going to have Scotland Yard’s finest, escort you home tonight.” Ivan said.
With that the girls giggled and two of the three detectives walked beside a lady and Ivan brought up the rear.
In about fifteen minutes they all were standing in front of a beat up door and one of the women was unlocking it.
The girls thanked the detectives for walking them home and giggled their way inside the house.
The detectives laughed back and told them they were very welcome.
That was the highlight of the night. As a matter of fact that made the rest of the night very boring.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When all the night shift reported to headquarters the next morning, the lobby and office were overflowing once again. The Commander wanted a full report from every unit.
Two hours later Ivan was walking out of headquarters headed home. He was tired and ready for a shower and bed.
As he turned in the drive to his apartment his phone rang. It was Marsha Hart, the coroner. “Good morning doc, how are things going?” Ivan asked.
“Pretty good I guess, Detective. I understand you guys are riding three to a car now. How’s that working out?”
“Pretty good I guess. Last night was certainly uneventful, but two detectives the night before were murdered, plus a woman. But, you know that, I saw you working the scene.” Ivan said.
“Yes, that was a gruesome sight. I don’t want to see that again for a long, long, time. Tell me Detective, did you ever tell your Commander you lost the key you had made?”
“I haven’t yet. He’s had enough to worry with. The key you gave me, according to our forensics is clean of prints. I’ll let you know what the Commander says.” Ivan assured the Coroner.
“Good deal Detective. We will talk later.”
“You bet, doc. Take care now.” Ivan hung up, walked into his apartment and fell across the bed clothes and all. He was sound asleep in minutes.
****
Ivan couldn’t believe it when it awoke still clad in yesterday’s clothes. I was more tired than I thought to have slept in my clothes, he thought. Then he got up and went in to get a shower.
As the hot steaming water washed over his head and body, he thought of all the happenings of the last few months. He remembered all those he had lost, including his beloved Eve and tears filled his eyes. I am a magnet for death, he thought. People get around me and they die.
He stepped out of the shower and sobs racked his body. This went on for almost thirty minutes before he got himself pulled together and prepare for the night ahead of him. This line of thinking was not good mentally for him, and he knew it. So he fought against the webs of depression that tried to encase his mind.
With his lunch packed he got in the unmarked car and headed to headquarters. When he got there it was a repeat of the night before, as for as a crowd of people were concerned. The office and hall were once again filled with Scotland Yard Detectives.
Ivan laughed to himself and thought, the commander is going to blow this year’s budget in a month, at this rate.
Ivan saw his comrades from the night before and waved at them from across the room. They returned his wave and continued talking to the men standing around them. Ivan made his way over to them and they all joined the others in waiting for the Commander to speak.
Walking out in the corridor the Commander said, “Last night’s stakeouts seemed to work. Unfortunately no suspects were apprehended, but I have to believe that a murder might have been prevented, thanks to your presence. We will continue on with this until I deem it time to stop. Your days off will remain the same and I have rotating schedules drawn up so that every car out there, will have a three man team at all times. Thank you and be safe.”
The Commander turned and went back in his office and each team gathered together and headed for their cars, Ivan and his group among them.
****
Marsha Hart, the Coroner, had seen her share of dead bodies. After all, that is the job a Coroner has. But, these White Chapel District murders were getting to her. Not because of the dead bodies, she saw that every day, but because the killer had been on the loose far too long. She decided she was going this very day and talk to the Commander of Scotland Yard.
She got her daily chores completed and then went into her office and pulled out several of the reports she had written up, about the bodies that were found in White Chapel. She looked them over, and underlined the parts she thought important.
When Marsha called the Commander to schedule a time to come talk to him she was disappointed that he couldn’t see her until mid-afternoon. Putting her disappointment aside for the moment she delved into the other files she had written up about the victims in White Chapel. She had never laid them out side by side and compared, now seemed to be the time to do that.
As she read the files one by one something became very clear. Each one of the victims seemed to have been dead for the same amount of time. In other words that would have meant they had been killed about the same time each night.
She grabbed the reports and studied each one of them; indeed, it appeared that two a.m. was the bewitching hour for the killer. She made note of that along with the other tale, tale, signs that worried her. When she finished she prepared a form with all her findings so that the Commander could easily navigate them.
Picking up the papers, she put them in her briefcase and made ready for her visit with Scotland Yard’s Commander.
****
The Commander wondered why the Coroner wanted a visit with him, but he knew Marsha Hart and she might just want an update on what was going on in the White Chapel District. Whatever her reason might be, the Commander welcomed her visit.
He glanced up when he saw the Coroner come in headquarters front door. The Commander got up from his desk and made his way out front to welcome Marsha. They exchanged greetings and handshakes and then went inside the Commanders office. He closed the door after them, smiled and asked her to please have a seat. Then he asked,
“How can I help you, today?”
“It’s not me that’s here for help. I’ve brought you some reports that I thought you might have an interest in. I did some research on each of the victims in the White Chapel District and found some interesting commonalities. For instance, according to body temps and various other things, it appears each victim was killed about two a.m. apparently, that’s the time the killer likes to strike.
Second, it appears from the slash marks on their throats which are left to right; the predator is a right-handed person. I think male, the force of the blows as well as the strength to dismember bodies, makes me think this. And third, they are all prostitutes. That leads me to believe he has a dislike for that profession and deems himself God like in punishing them.
Fourth, I think he has a very good mind; meaning he can reason things out, decide how to fool the police and delights in escaping with his identity intact. Of course, that mind is evil and sick. In other words, he is insane. But, you already knew that,” she laughed.” Also he has had some kind of training in anatomy. He knows the best and quickest way to dismember a body. That makes me wonder, if per chance, he could be a doctor. However, in the first Jack the Ripper case they arrested a doctor and later had to release him, realizing he was not guilty.
I don’t know if any of this will help, but, I thought it might, so I wanted to share it with you.” Marsha concluded.
“Thank you for coming in Marsha. I shall must certainly study these files and see if by chance, something comes to mind. I think it strange that no clues are ever found. Is this killer really so good that he can take that many lives and not leave any evidence, other than these things you’ve pointed out?” The Comma
nder asked.
Turning to look at him Marsha said, “Apparently, he’s that good Commander. The only physical clues he’s left are the ones I’ve pointed out to you and that key.”
The Commander looked at Marsha and asked, “What key?”
“You remember, Commander, the key and key chain I found. The key chain belonged to Brassiere Videl and the key; nobody knows who the key belongs to. I did speak to Detective Bennet about it and he said your forensics found no prints on the key he had made from the original.” Marsha said.
“Yeah, I remember. I’m going to have to ask Bennet what he’s done with the key he had made.” The Commander said.
“I believe sir; your forensics lab may still have it.” Marsha answered.
“Thank you for reminding me of that, Marsha. I will check it out. And, thanks for bringing me these reports. Rest assured I will also pass these along. Your help and thoughts are most appreciated. This case has about driven me over the edge.” The Commander said as he got up to walk Marsha to the door.
When she left, he went back into his office. He sat down at his desk and slowly started reading the reports one by one. Each report represented a life that had been snuffed out by a murderer who was so evil it made his hair rise on the back of his neck. He thought back over what Dr. Williams had told Detective Bennet and him. ‘This man is as insane as Garth Simmons and just as clever.’ Dr. Williams had said.
The Commander went back to forensics and said, “Let me see the key that Detective Bennet brought in.”
The officer in charge said, “I’m sorry sir, I believe Bennet picked that key up. He said it was only a copy that the original was at the City Police Headquarters.”
“Alright, thank you.” The Commander said. He turned to go back to his office and then he stopped and asked, “How long ago did the Detective pick that key up?”
The officer replied, after looking at the sign out sheet, “hummm, it looks like about three weeks ago, sir.”
“Thanks again.” Said the Commander as he walked out of the lab. His mind was turning a thousand times a minute. A thought came that jerked him to attention, why hasn’t Bennet told me he picked that key up? I’ve got to check with the evidence room and have another look at that key.
Immediately, he pushed the elevators down button. When he reached the evidence room he approached the officer on duty and said, “Cash, let me see that key, Detective Bennet brought to you.”
Officer Cash looked at the Commander with a question on his face and then he said,
“What key, sir?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Commander looked at Cash and repeated his question, then added. It was a copy Bennet had made from the original key that was found at one of the crime scenes. The original is still at The City Police Station.
The Commander stopped in mid-sentence, and then said, “if the original is still at the City Police evidence room, what did we need a copy for?”
The officer asked, “Are you asking me sir? If you are I’m sure I don’t know.”
“No, officer, I’m sorry. I was talking to myself. Thank you.” The Commander said and then hurried back to his office.
As soon as he was back at his desk he picked up the phone to call Marsha Hart. Looking at his watch he realized it was after hours and he needed to call her private number. When she answered, the Commander said,
“I’ve got a question I’d like for you to answer, Coroner.”
“Yes, Commander, I’m all ears.” Marsha replied.
“Why did Bennet have a copy of the original key made? And what was that key doing in my forensic lab?”
“Well, Commander, I thought you knew. I found that key at one of the crime scenes and before I had a chance to send it to you, Bennet came in and said he would take it to forensics. I didn’t think anything of it. He’s always in and out of here. Asking questions and offering to help. He did tell me when I asked about it that the forensics lab found no prints. I assumed you knew that as well.” Marsha said.
“No, Marsha, I did not. As a matter of fact until tonight, I didn’t know Bennet had a copy of the original key. Why would he do that and not report it to me?”
“I’m sure I don’t know, sir.” Marsha said.
“Thanks, Marsha.” The Commander said and hung up the phone. He then went out to the communication office and told the dispatcher on duty to get in touch with Detective Bennet and have him report back to headquarters, immediately.
“Tell the detectives with him to drop him off here and then they can go on back to their stakeout.” The Commander said.
“Yes, sir.” The dispatcher said and picked up the mike.
“Detective Bennet, the Commander wants you to report back to headquarters, immediately. He said the detectives with you, can bring you to headquarters and then they can return to the stake out.”
The Dispatcher waited for an answer. When none came she repeated,
“Detective Bennet, did you receive my communication?”
Still, no answer.
Once more she put out the call, “Detective Bennet, please answer my communication.”
When there still was no answer she picked up the phone and made the call to the Commander to tell him no one answered Detective Bennet’s call.
As soon as the Commander heard that, he told her to get in touch with another unit on stake out and have them go find Detective Bennet’s car, immediately.
“Yes, sir.” Dispatch answered.
****
The stakeout nearest Bennet’s location turned on their headlights and started toward the alley where Detective Bennet and his officers were last seen. When the headlights of the unmarked Scotland Yard car, shined in the designated area, the driver switched them to high beam. All that could be seen was an empty alley occupied only by wet cobblestone pavers and rats being chased by cats. Big Ben chimed the hour of two a.m. in the background.
As the habitual dense fog rolled in over the White Chapel District, it brought with it a haunting feeling that something terrible had happened. Something the White Chapel District had been subjected to twice, in a century and a quarter.
****
The Scotland Yard Communications center, immediately put out an APB on Detective Bennet’s car and a description of Bennet and the two officers with him, it was coded, EXTREMELY URGENT!
At seven a.m., the next morning a routine patrol car was making its rounds near the city dump grounds for London. The early morning sun cast a reflection off something that was lying exposed on a garbage heap. When the patrol car got closer a body could be seen and the reflection had come from a belt buckle around a dead man’s waist. Immediately to his left was another male body. Both had had their throats slashed. The patrol officer got out of his car and walked to the site of the dead bodies. Then he spoke into his shoulder mic and informed his headquarters dispatch, that he had found two dead men. He asked headquarters to hold while he searched their bodies to see if they had any identification on them. When he came back on the air, his voice was visibly shaken.
He said, “Body number one is a white male Caucasian, approximately six-foot-tall with graying brown hair. In his pocket I found a badge and an identification card. It says Detective Brice Pierce with Scotland Yard. Let me see about the other body.”
When he came on the mic for the second time, the officer said, “This body is also Caucasian, approximately 5’10” and has blonde hair. He also has a badge and an identification card; it says Detective Vance Brown with Scotland Yard.”
The dispatch confirmed the information and then the patrol officer said,
“This information came over the radio this morning as an APB. But, there were three detectives involved; the other one was Detective Ivan Bennet, with Scotland Yard. They had been driving an unmarked Scotland Yard car with license plates EY-214. There is no Detective Bennet or an unmarked car, here at the scene.”
Dispatch came back and said, “10-4 officer. I’ll report your findings and als
o call the coroner’s office. You stay put until you’re relieved.”
The officer answered, “10-4, headquarters.”
****
Detective Ivan Bennet opened his eyes and looked around at the stark white walls. Immediately he thought, I’ve seen these walls before. But, where were they?
Then he started to get out of bed, only to find that his arms were handcuffed to the bed as were his feet. He looked at the chains that held him and immediately started screaming, “Where am I?”
Within seconds a nurse entered the room after unlocking the door. She came to his bed with a needle in hand and said,
“I have a shot for you. This will calm you down.”
Ivan tried to sit up. He said, “I don’t want to calm down, I want to know where I am and why am I chained to this bed? Nurse, I’m a detective for Scotland Yard. Whoever has done this to me will pay severely, I promise.”
The nurse said nothing, instead she gave him the shot, against his protests and once more, unlocked the door and went out, leaving Ivan bewildered and screaming for someone to call Scotland Yard. He kept saying,
“They will tell you who I am.”
****
About three in the afternoon another person unlocked Ivan’s door. When he looked up to his relief he saw Doctor Williams. Ivan said, “Thank God, doctor. Someone must have called you. Maybe you can tell me why I’m here and please call Scotland Yard and tell my Commander to come and get me, wherever here is.”
Dr. Williams pulled a chair up by Ivan’s bed and took a seat. The look on his face was one of concern and he said softly, “Ivan, you’ve had a psychosis break down. You are in the Asylum for the Criminally Insane. You have been here for over six months now. We have been hoping that you would wake up and start asking where you were. We knew if you did that you would have started your journey back to reality. We are thankful that you reached that portal today.”
