Hello readers, I hope everyone is doing well. I hope you enjoy this update. - Sevy14
Emmylyn's Thoughts:
I had moved across the room and sat on one of the chairs across from his desk. From the spot it allowed me to look out the window. Even though there was more traffic during the day, the slow passing of night workers, carriages and others out on the street would more than likely be able to give me something to do while I sat in here. I held onto the tea cup, letting its warmth heat my cool fingers and I closed my eyes, envisioning the warmth from the warm liquid rising up from my hands into my arms and filling my body with its heat. I let the coiling steam slide into my nose and breathe deeply as I pondered how the evening had ended. Detective Inspector Shine's demeanor after the ball had put me on edge. I could not get the image of his eyes, dark and glittering in the rocking light in the carriage out of my mind. It rumbled about along with the words spoken by Caroline Abberline, that some rumors (about him) were based on truth somewhere. It unnerved me, even if I knew that to be true. It had been hard to breathe with the intensity of his gaze in the carriage and then how clipped he was here before leaving me alone in his office.
I sipped the upon the tea, the hotness of it warming me from the inside out and giving me some comfort. I longed to go ask about what else had occurred that saw Detective Inspector Shine's mood swing so, but I had the good sense to not go agains his word tonight. Tonight was not a night I wanted to catch his ire, especially not in such a public place. I had thought it funny he did not instruct Jimmy to take me home, instead of bringing me here to just sit. I would have been safe and just fine with that arrangement. Briefly I wondered if I could suggest it, but my better senses caught wind of my racing thoughts and I let it go, tonight I would be here, in the K Division police station, bored out of my mind. I suppose it could be worse though I thought.
Eventually I had drank all of the tea and I did not know if I should tempt Detective Inspector Shine's temper by opening the door and asking for more so I set the tea cup down on his desk and picked up the book, flipping through its pages. The book was nothing of great interest or import, some book about talking about the influence of foriegn countries on England or something. I skimmed through it, not really finding it captivating or worth my time. Setting it down with a sigh I picked up the newspaper and read through the articles. For once, thanking the stars that I did not read the paper so it was not something repetitive. Even still, after some time I had finished reading the articles in the paper and I was not yet tired, just bored and that feeling of being cooped up tickled my bones and tempted me to open the door and just leave. I paced, bored out of my wits until even pacing did not give me cause to feel distracted from my situation. Sitting on the couch I curled my feet beneath me so I was laying partially, resting on the pillow. I pulled the blanket towards me and opened it up, flinging it out and letting it fall atop my body and pulled it up over my exposed arms and let myself lay there, staring out the open window, my mind wandering.
Detective Inspector Shine
I had left the Emmylyn in my office and a part of me knew that she would more than likely try to storm out if she was not retrieved in a swift manner. That, or figure out how to fashion a ladder or rope and try to make an escape by climbing out the window. If she did so, I would not have an even keel response as I had in the market before. No, no my tongue would be harsh and her consequence would find herself without the opportunity to leave home lest I was with her. Which, I acknowledged would be inconvenient for me.
"Where are you at with him?" I ask Sergeant Edgen.
"Sir, he has not said anything really." Sergeant Edgen replies, his gaze shifting from me to the door through which the man sat and back.
I nod at him. "Are there any witnesses?" I inquire.
"Yes Sir, two women, a man nearby who saw him leaving the scene, and some street kids. Although they did not give full statements, it will be hard to get the statements from them. And the men at the pub who reported him coming in covered in blood, sir." Sergeant Edgen said.
I peered at him and sniffed and then cracked my neck. "Did he give you gents any trouble when you brought him in?"
"No Sir, no problem. Just downed his pint before standing up and greeting us." The Sergeant said. "Sir, it was a little unnerving."
I gave him a look. "And you all have booked him, yes?" I ask.
Again, he nods. "Yes Sir, booked. He gave his statement." Sergeant Edgen points at the folder and I flip to it, some papers with writing on it admitting to the heinous act there for me to read. I clear my throat. I pulled over a chair from the other wall and sat down, taking my time to read through the compiled notes and statements provided.
After some time I rose, putting the chair back agains the wall. "Sergeant Edgen this all looks above board, fine work."
"Thank you Sir." He replies offering me a nod.
"Is there a reason why you lot had me pulled away from the Policeman's Ball if you have everything the solicitor requires for a guilty verdict?" I inquire. I square my body to his and level a look to him, I note, that he swallows a few times as I speak to him.
Clearing his throat, "I...I yes Detective Inspector Shine Sir." He says, "He uh... The man he... Well Sir he said that we would not find them all." Sergeant Edgen stammered out.
"Find them all?" I inquire. "The report says the three occupants of the apartment were all there and accounted for, as were most of their belongings from what the neighbors told you, yes?"
A nod. "Yes Sir, but he said there were more." Sergeant Edgen said, eyes wide. "Sir... Sir what if it is him." He stepped closer and lowered his voice to a whisper, "What if he is the Ripper?"
I wanted to roll my eyes. "That is unlikely, Sergeant Edgen." I reply. "The acts done to the three souls is nothing like how the Ripper did his victims, surely you can tell this, yes?"
A nod. "Yes-yes Sir. I just... If there are more he could be the Ripper." He said, trying to regain his composure.
"He could be, but it is not likely. The Ripper, if he is still in London, no doubt is not going to change his spots this much. One of the victims is a child, the Ripper did not hurt a child." I gave Sergeant Edgen a once over. "Who is at the crime scene?" I ask.
"Sergeant Foru, Sir." Sergeant Edgen replies.
I nod at him. "Right. You lot," I say jutting my head out at the officers standing just out of earshot, "Put him in a cell. We will let him sit until morning when the solicitors can be contacted and I am certain Abberline will want to be appraised of the situation as it unfolds."
"Yes Sir, right away Sir." He says.
"I will go look at the crime scene. If he speaks, take good notes and make sure I am updated as soon as I return."
"Of course Sir, will do." He says as he turns and waves over the other policemen.
I step past him without a second look and move back out towards the front of the police station. This night had not gone the way I envisioned it, which irritated me but could not be helped. Devils do what devils do whenever devils decide to be despicable creatures. Constable Emington picked his head up as I came exited the hallway into the front of the station.
"Sir," he said. "She has not left and I found a newspaper and a book for her, no counting for taste though, the book surely is a bore." The man said.
I nod. "Thank you Constable." I say as I pass him, he nods in return. I open the door to find Emmylyn asleep on the couch, blanket pulled up and tucked up under her chin. If I were a different man I would think it cute. Instead though I scanned the room, looking to see what she got into in my absence. She did not stir as I shut the door and crossed the floor and sat. I opened the folder once more and this time, took my time looking through the contents, rereading the witness statements. Sergeant Edgen's concerns about finding the street urchins to flesh out their statements did not concern me, I knew I would be able to locate them in a jiffy and get better statements. The man had done solid work though with the rush that happens just after a murder like this happens. Eventually I stood and put on my jacket and gloves, and pick up my hat, glancing over at Emmylyn, pondering if I leave her or take her home to get proper sleep. A light knock on my door draws my attention. I cross the room and open the door.
"Sir." Constable Emington greets me. "Someone is here to see you Sir."
I nod, looking past him. "Jude." I greet and step out of my office. I had not sent for him.
He nods. "Sir." He moves across the room towards me.
"What brings you here?" I inquire.
"Heard there was an incident." He said. "Figured maybe you need help with Mrs. Shine." I said.
I give him a look. "She is asleep at the moment." He nods. Still it could be helpful to have him here with her since I had to leave. "I have to go to the crime scene and I am certain she will want to leave at some point." I say.
He nods, no doubt recalling her stunt the other day as I had. "I can stay, it is no problem or I can take her home, Sir."
I give him a look and pause. "Might as well take her home, can you get a carriage, I will rouse her." He nods and turns to leave. With her out of here I would not have to worry about what her nosy self could be looking at or if she were safe. A police station really was no place for her. I cross the space and open the door and shut it. "Emmylyn." She does not stir right away. I step closer to her and speak more loudly, "Emmylyn." At this she stirs, her eyes fluttering open and she glares up at me.
"Ugh what?" I say. Clearly I had fallen asleep.
"Time to go." I reply, her tone not grating and I held back a smirk at her face.
"What?" I said. I look past him out the window. "I was asleep." I mutter sitting up.
He nods. "I saw that."
I glared at him as my mind fully started to wake. The smirk that flashed across his face was unwarranted. I rolled my eyes and as I raised my arms up and stretched. "Where are we going?" I ask.
"We," I said, "are not going anywhere. You are going home, to bed." I say.
She nods. "So I can leave your office then?" I ask. As I drop my feet down and slide them into my shoes before standing and straightening my dress.
I give her a weary look. Even at this time of hour she jests. "Yes."
"Is..." I start and then stop. He looks at me and I give him look, trying to read him. Which was impossible.
"What?" I ask, noting her trying to figure something out or perhaps determine if it was safe to push a question on me.
"Is everything okay?" I inquire, my face morphing into one of concern. "You seemed terribly upset." I say softly.
Ah... this again. Women. "There was an incident." I state.
She nods. "Yes, Constable Emington said that." She replies.
"Oh he did, did he?" I say.
She gives me a look. "He did not say anything else, Detective Inspector." She says. I do not reply to her aside from a nod. Quietly she continued though, her words catching me off guard. "I thought... I thought that maybe on of your men got hurt or was killed or- or something." She said, her eyes shifting from my face and then down to her fidgeting fingers.
Her words caught me off guard. "No. Just a murderer. None of my men were hurt." I say.
"Well that is good." She replies.
"Yes." I say. "Ready to go?"
She nods. "Yes I am." She replies. "Oh!" Pausing, she turns and bends down and picks up the blanket, folding it up once more and placing it on the end of the couch. She turns and offers me a small smile. "Would not want people to think you were a slob with the blanket strewn about or something.
I shake my head, this woman. "Let's go Mrs. Shine." For her part she gives me an amused smile as she moves past me. I open the office door for her and we step out pass through the station, Emington wishing her a good evening and her in turn. I do not pay the man any mind.
"Mrs. Shine." Jude's voice carries out across the night as we make our way down the steps.
"Hello Jude." I say to him. So this is why Detective Inspector Shine is sending me home. I have a babysitter now. I wanted to roll my eyes. God forbid I do something on my own. I should have known. I turn as we come to stand next to Jude, "Are you coming home also?" I ask.
A shake of his head. "No. I have work to do." I reply.
I nod at the Detective Inspector. "Oh... okay. Well um are you going to be home at all tomorrow?" I ask. "In the morning?"
Again I shake my head. "There is no telling with these things. I will be home when I can get there." I say. I see her nod.
"Right." I reply. I was not sure what I was expecting him to say.
"Time to go Emmylyn." I say. She sighs and nods slightly. Jude and I share a look.
Just as she is about to step into the carriage she turns, "You will be careful, right?"
Her concern caught me off guard and I was certain she caught my look. I know Jude did as he for a moment also could not mask his surprise. "Yes Emmylyn, I will be careful."
"Good." She says nodding and offered me a small smile, I noted her cheeks grew flush before she turned and stepped into the carriage, Jude shutting the door swiftly behind her.
"Take her straight home Jude." I say. The man nods. "You are welcome to rest in the front room, even if she questions it. It is chilly tonight." I say to him.
"Thank you Sir, I will manage." He replies. He moves away and hops up on the seat next to the driver.
From the carriage I see her face look out, concern etched on the features. She gives a small wave as the carriage lurches forward and away. For my part I dip my head and then turn and go back inside of the police station.
Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope that you have enjoyed it. Please do not hesitate to write a review if you have a thought or question. Happy reading! - Sevy14
