7
Holmes retrieved a pipe and packet of tobacco from the mantle and sat in the unsupportive chair across from Diana.
"Mrs. Piltsdown" Diana began. "She is your...secretary?"
"Not quite." From a rack on the side-table, the Detective replaced his first choice of pipe and selected another. "Years ago I performed a small favor for her and Mr Piltsdown; something to do with an unscrupulous opportunist claiming rights to their farm by way of the unanticipated appearance of an unknown family member who turned out to be nothing more than the swindlers cousin; and when the Mr and Mrs temporarily located to the city for War work, I arranged comfortable lodgings for them as well as rooms suitable for my needs. The single entryway serves to deter any unwarranted public interest in my work and maintains my privacy." He tapped the pipe into the nearby ashtray, stretched out his legs in front of him, ankles crossed, and focused his attention on Diana. "Now, our recent wave of crime?"
Diana balanced on the edge of her chair more in assurance of the frame's inflexibility than anticipation of any words she were to speak. "The attacks and murders of the past weeks are, I have been told, similar to the crimes of a 'ripper' that terrorized the streets years ago. Five; some believe eight or more women murdered and possibly others attacked before the criminal disappeared. But the women that were killed then were each young and, I understand, worked by themselves at night."
" 'By themselves' may be a generalization, but largely unimportant. Go on."
"The women who have been recently attacked do not appear to have anything in common other than finding themselves alone, at night, and usually in alleyways and side-streets where the crimes remain unseen. Yet each woman endures similar intimidation, threats, theft, and now in three cases, murder. The criminal has progressed from terrorizing to stabbings; and if the daily informational papers report accurately, each murder is more vicious than the last. Each woman had been selected for no reason I can discover, but none appear to know one another or form any type of connection. No men have been attacked, nor with one exception, has any similar crime occurred in a public area; and the women killed were those who would be neither missed nor mourned. These facts are similar to actions of the 'ripper'. When the criminal attempted to assault me..."
Holmes, withdrawn until now, bounded to attention. "You say you, yourself, have been attacked?"
"It is nothing. The man clearly requires help. When I handed him to the police..."
"He is in custody? When did this occur?"
"Three days past. And since then another woman has been killed. It is obvious the man who attacked me was not the criminal I seek."
"Perhaps so, perhaps not." Holmes replied. "It is not unusual for the most relevant clue to be right in front of one's nose, yet overlooked by, in my case, the length of that same nose."
"I do not believe my nose obtained any useful information." Diana replied, accounting for any smells she should have noticed in that alley, recalling only scents best overlooked. "I did notice the child's clothing was of a higher standard, and better cared-for than that of his father."
"Child? Miss Prince, I shall have to ask you to describe these events in greater detail. We shall not understand one another if we do not share the same information."
Diana sighed impatiently. How could this 'greatest detective' not follow a simple story?
"The man who attempted to engage me in combat was accompanied by a boy. This boy, the criminal later said, was his son and the father was drawn into unlawful activities simply to obtain food for himself and his son. The child already shows signs of illness or injury; he carried a crutch or cane to assist in walking, and relied upon this aid from when I first entered the alleyway and prevented the man from assaulting a woman, until I restrained the criminal and the boy ran away."
"I see. Ran away, you say? And you are convinced this man whom you subdued, is not singularly responsible for each of our recent incidences?"
"That is impossible as another woman has been killed. What actions do we now take to locate and prevent this criminal from harming others?"
"Miss Prince", Holmes set down his pipe - which he had not yet lit - and leaned forward. "Crimes are generally not solved simply by electing to 'locate and prevent' the criminal; or criminals; as I believe in this situation is a possibility we must acknowledge. In your experience; which I am certain is varied and colorful; direct action may have led to quick result; and in a few cases with which I'm familiar that does occur; but solving a crime most often involves observation; discovery, collection and experimentation; and, to be succinct, investigation. While we all wish for a speedy resolution, it simply is not so."
Why, Diana considered, must these English insist in such complications when the only true results stem from action? "Mr Holmes, women are attacked and killed. People are frightened. Children suffer. That is all I need to know. If you will not assist..." She stood to leave.
"Miss Prince, that is not at all what I wished for you to believe. I shall lend every resource at my disposal toward your...investigation. But be aware; if this truly is Jack the Ripper we are dealing with, returned from self-imposed exile; or one attempting to renew fears of the past toward his own devious goals; or possibly something more mysterious; it is vital that you follow my lead and not pursue paths which I have not only been made aware; but only under by my direction."
"I shall welcome any assistance you can provide" Diana countered. "That does not allow you to determine what I may, and may not, do."
Holmes once again set back in his chair. "Then how do you propose we solve these crimes, Miss Prince?" the detective replied, curious and challenging.
"In battle, each must apply their strongest skills, while her companions apply theirs. Together they will achieve victory."
"Well said, Miss Prince. Well said."