Hello and thank you for taking the time read this chapter. Enjoy! - Sevy14


The first rays of dawn were creeping through the alleyways and over the tops of buildings. My men and I had worked through the night and while we had scrubbed the crime scene, I had suspected there was more to what this crime entailed, although I did not believe the man in custody was Jack the Ripper. There was an element that I could not place in the crime and it left me feeling irked. I told the men to go home and get a few hours of sleep and that we would pick up in our investigation upon returning. Stepping out of the carriage and moved up the drive and made eye contact with Jude. As I drew nearer he rose, stepping off the porch and met me.

"Boss." He greeted, his tone rolling over me.

"Jude." I nodded and he returned. "She behave?" I inquire, looking past him towards the house and then back.

"Yes Sir." He said with a quick nod. "She offered tea, food and blanket." He said further.

"I take it you did not go in then." I say giving him a knowing look.

The right side of his mouth ticked upwards. "No Sir. It would be inappropriate Sir." He replied.

I chuckled. "If you say so." He nods. I take a step and move past him. "Get some rest, Arthur is on call for the day."

"Yes sir, thank you sir." He says and turns and leaves.

I watch him go for a minute before sighing and unlocking the door, not sure what type of wife I would be meeting on the other side of the door. I was surprised at the silence of the house, but suppose I should not have been based solely on the early hour. I shut the door with a light click and noted the flame of the gas lamp in the living room still burning. I shook my head and removed my coat, irritated that the lamp had been left on. In the back of my mind a little voice reminded me that Emmylyn was still young and not long removed from the safety of her childhood home where no doubt she did not have much responsibility. I moved across the room and bent to turn it off when I noticed that she was asleep there on the couch. One of her feet sticking out from beneath the blanket atop her and in her hand a pencil and her arm lay covering what appeared to be a journal. Quietly I maneuvered about the couch and took the pencil and journal from out from under her arm and placed it on the table by her head. She stirred but did not wake. While the room was warm, it was cooling as the fire had been dying from lack of attention and I added a piece of wood as quietly as I could. With one last look at her, I turned the lamp off and quietly exited the room and went upstairs to change and lay down for some quick shut eye.


I awoke to loud barking and stretched, my body cracking as it expanded. I lay there a moment before sighing and sitting up, my braided hair falling down across my shoulder. The fire was burning and I was thankful for the warmth on top of the heat that the blanket provided. It occurred to me that there was no way it would still be that fiery from the wood I had put on it and I sat up higher, looking around and then sat still, listening. He was home. I swung my feet down and quietly rose, the blanket and my clothes falling about me. I pulled my robe about me and tightly wrapped it, as if that was some sort of protection. As I walked through the living room and passed the front door I noted that his coat and scarf were there hanging and his shoes neatly placed beneath it. I went into the kitchen and saw the two teacups there on the counter and sighed.

"Good Morning Emmylyn."

Startled I spun and stared at him. He did not speak further nor move and I found my voice after another few heartbeats had passed. "G-Good Morning." I wanted to kick myself at the stutter. 'Why Emmylyn? Why!' I admonished myself internally.

With a sniff he crossed the space and then sat at the table. His eyes never leaving my face. "Did you sleep well?" His voice even and I could not tell either way what his thoughts were or what his mood was.

Mirroring him I moved about the room and sat across from him. "Yes. Thank you." He nods. "Did you?" I inquire peering up at him.

He gives a nod. "I did, yes thank you."

I nod by way of reply. "Um..." He looks at me and it gave me some pause. "I... Did you solve the murder?" I ask, doing what I can to keep the tone of my voice light.

A sniff again. "No."

A nod. "Oh... I am sorry?" I say. "When did you get home?" I ask, changing the subject. I noted my hands were fidgeting and I moved them to my lap, at least out of sight.

I sweep over her, she seemed on edge or nervous or something. "Early this morning, just after the sun rose."

"Oh I had not heard you come in." I say quietly and look at him.

"Yes." I say with a nod. "I know." At this she gives me a look and perhaps contemplated a snarky comment.

"I um..." I started and wanted to look away but forced myself to hold his gaze. "I was wondering if I could see my Mother." I ask.

I felt my eyebrows lift slightly at the unexpected question. "I do not see why not." I answer with a shrug. "What were you thinking? A visit back to the whore house?" I inquire.

I had been slightly surprised that the had agreed so readily but perhaps he truly did not care. "Oh um maybe here?" I say hope lacing my tone. "Could she come visit me here?" I ask more pointedly.

I give her a smile. "If she comes here you avoid having to see your Father." He chuckles.

I shrug. "I guess that too. I had not thought of that really." I reply.

I note the look on her face as genuine in that which was somewhat surprising. "She can come here, yes." I reply and she nods.

"Right so is there anything I need to know before she comes over?" I ask, peering over at him.

I stand, my body crackling with the movement some. "No. This is your home." I reply and give her a look.

I nod. "Okay so will you be inviting her to come or am I?" I ask.

"I will have a message sent." I reply. "And some groceries are being delivered today as well."

"Oh! Thank you!" I answer. "Cheese too?" I ask.

I give her a look and she shrugs. "Yes, cheese as well." He says.

"Good." I stand and cross my arms. "Will you be leaving again?" I ask.

"Yes shortly after I dress. More work needs to be done." I reply and she nods. "I will have a message sent to your Mother with your request and a carriage too to collect her. Arthur," I say reading her face, "Will be outside in case you decide you want to adventure."

I roll my eyes. "If my Mother is coming here I do not need to 'adventure'." I say and give him a look. "Where is Jude, is he okay?" I ask, slightly worried that something had happened last night while he was outside babysitting the front door.

"Nothing happened to him, Emmylyn." I replied and gave her a look. At her face I continued, "He was up all night and Arthur is merely covering."

I nod as I speak. "Oh good. I was worried you would be forced to find another babysitter and I know how busy you are."

I roll my eyes. "Emmylyn, perhaps a bath?" I say. "I will be dressing and then departing."

Did I smell? Was it politeness? "Well if people are coming with groceries I am not going to be bathing Detective Inspector." I reply curtly.

"Husband or Jedediah, Emmylyn." I reply to her, irritated I had to say it again. She nods but does not speak. "Go soak. I shall remain until they are delivered, will that suffice?" I say, sure my tone was clear in annoyance.

"I guess. And my Mother, she can stay?" I ask. "If it were to get too late, she could stay?" I clarified.

A nod. "Yes she can stay if she would like." I answer.

I give him a small smile. "Thank you." I quickly exit the room and upstairs, intent on contemplating the conversation just had and my Mothers visit. My heart pounded and I had the good sense to realize it was in anticipation and excitement at seeing her over climbing the stairs too quickly.

I watched her rush out of the kitchen and shook my head. Putting the kettle on and with a shake of the head I muttered, "Women."


Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. - Sevy14