Jack the Ripper – A Love Story ( Excerpt 51 )
He stubbed his cigarette underfoot and banged on the Mortuary door, we were soon admitted and led to a room where both cadavers were set side by side but with room to walk between them.
Abberline said, ‘Right! Doctor, if you will please examine both of the bodies and inform me of your conclusions, I won’t say what was in the reports I received because I want first to hear your findings?’
I looked at the sheet covering Martha Tabram’s body with some reluctance on my part, I was keen to get to little ‘Polly’ and admire my own handiwork, but I would do as instructed, I would play the game, it could well be my advantage too.
I pulled back the sheet and looked at Martha, she was finally at peace, her wounds had obviously been inflicted by someone in a rage, she had been stabbed again and again, by what to my eyes looked like a bayonet or maybe a sharpened carving knife, it was a brutal attack with every intent to inflict harm on the victim, he had succeeded, she was dead.
I covered Martha’s body, then turned and pulled back the sheet covering ‘Polly’, she looked more contented in death than she ever had in life. I carefully examined her wounds, not my best work, but it had been done in haste. The initial cut across her throat was far from perfect, but the cuts on her abdomen were, she would take but a short time to die, but would be in agony for that time. I was relatively pleased, considering the time factor, a job well done.
I returned the sheet and covered ‘Polly’s cadaver and turned to Abberline and said, ‘ I have my conclusions, but they may surprise you?’ ‘ Surprise me?’ exclaimed Abberline, ‘In what way, may I ask?’
(C) Damian Grange 2018
I’m anxious to hear the doctor/murderer’s surprising conclusions.
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Its simply that he concludes that the victims were killed by two different perpetrators and suggests that the second killer (himself) will undoubtedly kill again.
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Ah, a wise game he is playing.
An interesting character you have created here, my friend.
A murderer who is humble and somewhat self-effacing and doesn’t have a New Age high self-esteem appreciating knowledge of his own awesome talents and abilities (of which others like Mary Kelly and the Inspector seem to be aware).
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In my mind Jack is a highly intelligent but somewhat naïve character who because of his lack of knowledge of the opposite sex develops an aversion towards them which results in violence.
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Gripping scene, my friend. Getting inside the doctors mind as he thinks they are somehow better in death than life sends a good chill down my spine. That is excellent writing.
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Thank you so much Daniel, hopefully it will get even better, he will be all but telling Abberline he is Jack!
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I’m amazed at how you are able to keep such intrigue, suspense, and bone cracking tension moving effortlessly through the story all while tracking other stories as well. As we say over here in the colonies, you da man!
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Well thank you for that Daniel, my most cherished compliment!
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I had to start from were i stopped but i see you keep getting better…keep it up😁
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Hi Pricilla, I’m Pleased that your are still enjoying it, thank you for your support!
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A refreshing new spin on an old story…thoroughly enjoyable! 😺💕x
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Thank you so much, I’m on a mission to prove that Jack for all his misdeeds was still human!
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