Part 8

Willow waited until William left and for the sun to be up before she left the area. She didn't want to take any chances of him following her. She knew he wouldn't just let it rest that she hadn't told him where she was staying. Patience had never been his strong suite since Willow knew him and she doubted he ever was patient.

She made her way back to the Giles residence. She would ask Hannah if she could use her books for research. Willow was beginning to think maybe Jack the Ripper hadn't been human. The lack of blood at the crime scene was suspicious and since William couldn't smell blood nearby that pretty much ruled out being murdered somewhere else and then being transferred to Bucks Row.

Willow snuck back in the house and blessed the rich for always partying late and sleeping in. She wouldn't raise any eyebrows among the staff if she slept until the afternoon. She easily avoided the servants that were up and working and made her way up the stairs. She crawled into bed and got some sleep.

Hannah looked up from her writing desk when she heard Willow enter the sunroom. "Were you successful last night?"

"No, I'm afraid not. The first murder happened as it was meant to be. There was something strange at the crime scene and if it is alright with you I would like to look through your books to see if I can find something that would explain it."

"You think the murder may have a mystical side to it?"

"I'm not sure but there definitely was a lack of blood. There should have been way more blood there."

Hannah brought Willow the paper. "There is a small article about a body found on Bucks Row. Is this your murder victim?"

Willow glanced at the article. "That's her."

"Albert says there will most likely be an inquest tomorrow. He has some connections and may be able to find out something for you."

"Thanks, Hannah. That would be very helpful." Willow wasn't going to mention that she knew all there was to know already. These were pretty famous cases but of course there could be something that didn't make the history books. "Do you know of any demon that disembowels his victims?"

Hannah turned a sickly shade of green. Willow kept forgetting that even though she may research things mystical she still was a lady of her times. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just blurted that out."

"No, that is quite alright. I just wasn't expecting that. The paper just mentioned her throat being cut. I don't know of any demons off hand but let's see what we can find out." Hannah rose and motioned Willow to follow her into the library.

~~~

Ethan came up empty when he had tried to find if there had been a recent arrival of a red haired American. If anyone knew anything no one was talking, at least not to him. He had given up after about the seventh person he asked. Obviously he wasn't meant to find Willow. But if their paths crossed again he would be prepared.

He debated about telling Malcolm that a witch knew about his recent killings but he knew he could handle Willow. No need to bother Ripper unless he needed to. Sometimes there was a madness in his eyes that Ethan had a healthy respect for. No need to have that madness directed at him. Even spending almost a month with Ripper he still couldn't figure him out. He had no idea why he picked the victims that he picked or what he was doing with their viscera. Last night was the first time he had taken it, the other times he hadn't touched it. Ethan had asked why he slit their throats after he killed them. His response had been that he didn't want anyone to know that a vampire was killing them. He slit their throats to cover up his bite marks.

Ethan quietly entered an abandoned building on the wharf that Malcolm was using as his lair. Ethan looked around and saw a jar on a shelf that hadn't been there earlier. Getting a closer look he almost gagged. Floating in the jar was what looked like a piece of intestine. Now he knew what Malcolm was doing with the viscera. It seems the vampire liked his trophies.

~~~~~~~

Willow sighed as she closed yet another book that was of no help unless it was to rule out something. Hannah looked over at her friend and sympathized. "I'm sorry, Willow. These books don't seem to be of much help."

She smiled at Hannah, "It was a long shot anyway. There may be another reason why there wasn't much blood at the site. I would have thought vampire draining the victim but why would a vampire slit the throat and disembowel. No reason to. Maybe it is a sick human after all."

Hannah mumbled, "Or a sick vampire."

Willow just looked at her and couldn't believe she hadn't thought of that herself. She even knew that mad vampires existed, Dru for example. Not that she thought Dru was the Ripper but that just proved that there were such things as insane vampires. Wasn't there a saying about there is a fine line between madness and genius?

"You're brilliant, Hannah. I think it just might be an insane vampire."

~~~~~~

"Alright, boy. Where is this beautiful red head witch that will make a most charming childe?" Angelus asked William. He thought William had made it up for the purpose of looking good in his eyes. That was something that Angelus planned to cure him of. He was always seeking approval. Sometimes that can be a good thing but it could also be bloody annoying if he kept it up constantly. He was starting to be like Dru, always seeking her daddy's approval.

"I don't know that do I? I already told you that she just told me the West End. I planned on asking around, maybe torturing a few maids until I found her." Stupid git, William thought.

"My childe seeks his red pixie. Fear not, my William you will find what you seek. The stars have sent her as a gift to you, both now and later." Dru sing songed.

Angelus just rolled his eyes. What was Dru babbling about now? There were times when he regretted driving her insane before turning her. He never regretted turning her just the insanity part. "Well, if she's so important to you, William and if she is as powerful as you say let's take a trip to the West End. I've always had a fondness for rich food."

~~~~

Willow wanted to take a walk to clear her mind. She slipped a stake up the sleeve of her blue evening gown. The Giles had gone to yet another party but she had declined to go. She knew Ripper wouldn't strike again until the 8th so she didn't need to go to Whitechapel. There were plenty of constables and street lamps kept the neighborhood well lit. Besides she could take care of herself and muggings in this area of London were very rare.

William and Angel were watching the people arriving at a house party. So many to choose from, where to begin they thought. William just happened to look up across the street and see a beautiful red head in a blue evening gown. That can't be my Red, he thought. His Red was a teenager or maybe 18. But there was something about the way she moved. He waited until she walked under a street lamp to see if he could see her features more clearly.

Willow paused under the light. There was something familiar about the two men getting ready to enter the house party. CRAP! It was William and Angel. Oh, this was bad, this was very bad. She hadn't expected William to tell Angel about her. Now not only will she screw up her timeline with Spike she probably screwed up Buffy's timeline with Angel.

William saw her pause under the street lamp and he was able to get a good look at her features. It was his Red. He let a slow smile cross his face. Well, well she was older than he thought. That was even better. Maybe he would try seduction to get her to let him turn her.

Angel saw the smile cross his grandchilde's face and turned to see who he was looking at. He saw her and stared. She was beautiful. He closed his eyes and just felt her power. William was right she would make a nice addition to their family. "Well, let's go meet your witch, William."